Good morning Positivistas,
That was much much more like it. Football reared its lovely head across a wet North London Saturday afternoon. The players, all of them in fact, delivered the fans 90 minutes of entertainment, and a comfortable three point win.
I have to admit a cloak of trepidation swaddled the Arsenal faithful on the way to the ground, after recent on pitch disappointments and off pitch shenanigans. It was understandable with January so far having been a month of one-step forward, two-steps back. Palace came into the game on good run of form, over their past dozen Premier League games their only recent defeat to us and points take off Citeh and beating Chelsea.
Looking at the line up I sensed Arsene decided that that is was a key game in our season, and it as the best 11 who were available on the pitch, never mind future games or player “fatigue”. Elneny coming also gave us more energy in the centre of the park and freed Jack to rove forward. A fit again Ozil will always add quality to our movement and attaching threat. To start for what seems the first time this year (? maybe longer) with Nacho, Kosc and Mustafi gave us a more confident base from which to build.
And so it proved. It was a dream opening, no other word for it. After weeks of frustration with us struggling to create chances and thwarted by good goalkeepers when we did the Palace gates opened and we streamed in. 6 Nacho, 10 Iwobi, 13 Kosc and finally, our long suffering strokers, 22 Alexander Lacazette. Did you see him smile after the goal ?
It has been a while since he has enjoyed the grinning feeling, so to speak.
And CORNERS eh ? Who said we cant take corners ! Pffft.
I read somewhere it is four years since a team has been 4-0 in the PL in 20 minutes ( yes it was THAT game). And none of the goals were breakaways, none were lucky deflections, OGs or glaring defensive errors from Palace. It was good Arsenal football, crisp finishing and thoroughly deserved.
The second part of the match ? Clearly 4-0 up we slowed a little and consolidated our hold on the game. Hodgson appears to have done a fair job in rousing his lads at half time to ensure they did not end up totally thrashed and the visitors came out with a lot more purpose. Apart from the goal they eventually did get Palace had another couple of chances that Cech dealt with well. Zaha had an ‘interesting’ afternoon. The referee Kavanagh who I think was making his PL whistling debut had obviously read upon young Wilfried and gave him absolutely nothing, despite the full repertoire of theatrical tumbling and heart rending moaning from the Ivorian. Good.
With 15 minutes to go we wound down the game, packed the picnic away and headed for the car park. The job was done. And thoughts turned to the next fixture that kicks off on Wednesday !
(If he plays his cards right he may get a selfie opportunity next time).
Enjoy Sunday.
Positively Arsenal 
I’m shocked and disappointed
I go to 1,000+ games of football
I get on the telly for the very first time ever
And I’m on the shoulder of Arsenal Football Club’s greatest ever Manager
And not ONE of you has remarked on the unique experience
Admittedly some of you have no idea I’m the jowly-mastiff-type-chewing-a-wasp in the black hat
But even so – that was history
LikeLiked by 3 people
its long overdue for medics to be allowed attend an injured player while game goes on, as happens in Rugby. it would stop a lot of the fake injuries
LikeLiked by 1 person
anicol you don’t look the same without your paktay turban
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLike
Commendable idea eddy – knowing Jose he’d send on a 14 man stretcher team to carry out emergency medical work in the box while a free kick was coming in on the Manc goal.
It works in rugby because players are actually injured.
Injuries are currently just one more feature that the dishonest can use to cheat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe in rugby if medics interfere in play there are serious penalties for it. And of course if ref deems it a serious injury, game stops, it only stops for minor injuries, also medics can come on to attend player and game go on, and then medics can alert ref if is is indeed serious.
My view is that it would stop these time wasting injuries. It would only take a goal or two in games for managers to warn their players no pretending to be injured.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice write up Andrew, only just saw the Match of the Day highlights before reading this.
Agree with your comments re dealing with the cheats – huge numbers of them simply will not be able to cope with being ignored, the precious snowflakes.
Having been teased by the success of the four trial VAR matches, I now feel thoroughly spoilt and reduced to imagining the outcome of games if only VAR was up and running for all games. Fortunately, yesterday was not a ‘if only VAR’ game, but still, I can’t wait.
Pretty sure my first online debates with fellow fans was on the use of video technology in football. Can’t believe I’m now an old man and we are still awaiting full implementation.
Still, better late than never.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for the preview Lance and succinct wrap up AN5! As for the game, what a dazzling first half display. I feared that this game could be “one of those”, unsettled players, dodgy refereeing or other but they sure played! We seem to suffer more than other teams when we’re unsettled and i hope that with Alexis leaving we’ll be more cohesive and those that will remain and wear our colours actually want to be there!
As for new players coming in, Mhki and possibly Auba, I have not seen them play enough to know much. With Sven now in our ranks I will trust his judgment and I suspect more players from germany will follow…. there is still much to play for and places 2, 3 and 4 are all very much to play for!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Nice plus on this signing 29* year old lark is we don’t have to worry about incessant contract renewal talk/worry after about a year. That’ll be welcome
* or is it…? George was pretty damn right about Jackson Martinez that time,though. A whole 6 goals since 2015!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anicoll. Photo certainly made an impression on me.
I’ve long known my habit of associating online folk with profile pic even when I know it’s not them, but it’s evidently stronger than I thought.
Also a good time to ask ‘who is the profile photo of?’. Haven’t asked before because thought i might look stupid if it’s some historical figure everyone should know.
First the blog, now on telly, what next? Hope there’s no AFTV ambitions brewing.
LikeLiked by 4 people
My avatar is a gentleman called Ali Loosh, a supplier of mules and resident of a town called Nkob, with whom I had the pleasure of travelling round the Morocco a decade ago now Rich.
LikeLiked by 3 people
What’s interesting about the photo of the real Andy Nic is the similarity of expression between the world’s greatest manager and the world’s greatest match reviewer. Only at Positively Arsenal do you get such perfect synchronicity.
I like the sound of Ali Loosh, supplier of mules. It reminds me of the story of the new CO being shown round regimental HQ just outside Cairo and asking why a camel was kept tethered in a compound behind the main stables.
And for what its worth my avatar is me painted by my wife.
LikeLiked by 5 people
We can and do predict that Mr.Friend tries conduct himself like a referee, he’s earnt the title, and we can also therefore predict that we’d be amazed and lucky to see him more then twice a season in the league or in a big league game (he’s not within Riley’s Elite circle of trust). There it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When the palace no.4 clumped Wilshere early or mid-way through the second half the ref was negligent to not show a card.
We understand his game management instructions, and we do not appreciate them.
England are not blessed with such good footballers that they can afford to lose Wilshere for the upcoming WC.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The player who’s agent got him on the front cover of a computer game:
everyone could see the quality of his first touch etc yesterday. Safe and sure to say that Chrissy Waddle (never seen him play but I’ve seen the mullet) and Darren Anderton (barely saw him play…poor lad!) were the better footballers, for starters.
And we also got to see England’s best LB in action yesterday too, Bertrand, the one all the plundits and desperate back scratching arseblaggers like Philipe Auclair think is not at good at the old passing controlling tackling a football malarkey as the clogging clown that is Danny Rose, levels of gibberish which truly make one feel squeamish at such self induced lobotomies (why would anyone cut out parts of their own brains?).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well I’m glad a lack of computer nous- still can’t ‘like’ on here!- and a lazy streak have ensured no avatar for me to date.
Can’t compete with Ali Loosh nor an artistic wife. Good stuff
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fins @ 9:46 am: Bertrand scared the hell out of the Spuds all game with his ferocious overlapping runs. It was he who forced Davidson Sanchez to force a cross into his own net. Knowing Southampton he will be on the market next window. Pity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wenger does not allow his coaches to coach
Jens Lehmann speaks to @BILD_Sport’s @cfbayern about his role as Arsenal first team coach: “I’ve never worked so much and long in my life.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good point Shotts – It is time for Davison Sanchez to be made the merciless butt of the media and public ridicule after game after game of hapless ineptitude – what is holding Henry Winter back !?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The link is to a short film about Mhkitaryan when he moved to the Mancs. Whether he ends up with us or not it is an interesting watch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Artistic wives come at a cost Rich. There are times when I would gladly settle for a supplier of mules…
LikeLiked by 3 people
What do the wives say of artistic husbands? Yikes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shotts
Would you believe me if i told you there was another article comparing Harry St. of the Kaned with, I am not jpoking here, with Messi and C.Ronaldo (again) this past weekend. Don’t worry i didn’t read it.
because we all saw the amazing precocious talent of Kane amazing all watchers from about the age of twenty onwards…f*ck my football boots what other insane memes and reams of gibberish do these clowns compose?
It is staggering when you think about it for a millisecond.
Such plunditry does not come from a stupid sporting hack but a hack who knows nothing, as in zero, about sport in general, one who can’t have had any interest from the beginning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also Shotts, I have a hunch that this player exchange with Sanchez may just provide us with the experienced replacement for the only current (or recent *sobs) footballer who deserves to be considered a saint. For me that experience in CM of a player in his late twenties combined with that level of skill = a replacement for Cazorla who was the replacement for Arteta.
Although he’ll start out the first season or two playing wider till he loses a half yard he’ll still be another Technical Leader on the pitch? Interesting times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mkhitaryan is in Liverpool today, at the immigration office, to sort out work permit. Alexis is there too. Its the final piece of the paper work needed to complete the deal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully someone will look after the dogs while Sanchez is in the detention centre.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know, I know – Jilted John syndrome
LikeLiked by 3 people
She said listen John, I love you
But there’s this bloke, I fancy
I don’t want to two time you
So it’s the end for you and me
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wwwb – that’s the one
“Oh, he is cruel and heartless
to pack me for Jose
Just cos he’s better looking than me
Just cos he’s cool and trendy”
LikeLiked by 2 people
But I know he’s a moron……
LikeLiked by 4 people
Wenger on Alexis: “We went as far as we could [with money]. Even Manchester City moved out of it in the end. That tells you we had no chance to give him a contract.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
He’s going to Spurs now……………….Malcom
LikeLike
Even though the transfer of Sanchez rankles and even though he undoubtedly a fantastic player I have heard people say he is leaving because at Arsenal he was surrounded by mediocrity. Folks forget he left the biggest club Barcelona where he had the likes of Messi. It is not given that Sanchez at United will work. He was drifting at Barcelona and Wenger gave him direction. He is a better player than he was at Barcelona, credit to Wenger. He may not be that much better as his time evolves at United.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Foreverheady. Ha
Everyone else (apart from Anicoll) Not ha- it’s Oliver tomorrow, with Swarbrick (masterclass at W brom last year, not bad at Watford this) in the VAR hotseat.
Be a miracle to get a pen, but at least slightly less chance of a bogus one against- Oliver had a run of 5 in 6 against us recently- with VAR in action.
Oh but they’ll try them Chelsea lads.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m absolutely fine with Sanchez departure at this point, though it’s unknown how that’ll hold up if he does great there, and the thought of him lining up against our defence should make anyone too critical of his ability take stock.
He has ability to savage us, and we might not be as lucky as with Rvp, who tailed off quickly after first year away.
But it’s certainly time. Has to go now. We can surely look forward to improved cohesion and possession in final third, and if those two huge players come in, who knows what else.
LikeLiked by 2 people
george their new manager, Gus Poyet says Malcom not leaving this season.
LikeLike
Mkhitaryan signs for Arsenal, confirmed
https://www.arsenal.com/news/henrikh-mkhitaryan-signs-alexis-leaves-club
LikeLiked by 2 people
https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_16x9/public/images/hm2.jpg?itok=L-tgQeqB
LikeLike
Mkhitaryan is world class… he’s very complete’
Rob Kelly 21 Jan 2018
Arsene Wenger has long been a fan of Henrikh Mkhitaryan – and he is delighted to have added him to his squad.
The Arsenal manager may have lost Alexis, but he feels our new Armenian playmaker will have a big impact in north London.
“We’re replacing a very good player with a very good player, a world-class player with a world-class player,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“Mkhitaryan can play on the wing or in midfield, so I believe he can play very well in many positions. That can help us as well because he can play together with Ozil as well as playmaker, so overall it’s a good move.
“He’s a very complete player. He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well. I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes. Maybe where he’s a bit short is on goalscoring but he has improved that. If you look at the number of goals he’s scored in his career, it’s quite impressive overall.
“I’m very excited to get a player in who will be committed and focused. It is vital as well to have players who have experience, because we have a very good bunch of young players but we know that it’s not sufficient in the Premier League today to put them all in together. You also need a good weight of experience in your team and he will contribute to that.”
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/mkhitaryan-world-class-hes-very-complete#1HOEUS4vHswFqEii.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/mkhitaryan-world-class-hes-very-complete#BuXZGQmCIcQUBeDl.99
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smiling, ready for it, that’s what I like;
LikeLike
Henrikh Mkhitaryan became our second signing of the January window when he joined the club from Manchester United.
Click the ‘Play’ button above to watch his first interview with Arsenal Player and you can read a transcript below:
Henrikh, congratulations, how does it feel to be an Arsenal player?
I’m very happy that we could finish this deal and I’m very happy to be here. It’s a dream come true because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Arsenal. Now that I’m here, I’ll do my best for this club to create history.
I want to take you back to 2009 – in an interview with UEFA you said you wanted to play here at Arsenal. Now you are, but what was it that you admired about the club back then?
I always loved the way that Arsenal played and the way that Arsène Wenger has managed the team. There have been a lot of young players, he’s managed them and they’ve done very well. Of course I was in love with the game of Thierry Henry. I loved the way he played – and maybe that was the reason to support Arsenal.
What was it about Thierry that you particularly liked?
That he was scoring lots of goals, that he was playing for the team. He was like a hero.
For those Arsenal fans that don’t know much about you, what can you tell us about your playing style?
What can I say? It’s better that I don’t say anything and they can see it when I play for Arsenal!
You’re a versatile attacking midfielder – but what’s your favoured position?
All over the pitch! It doesn’t matter exactly where. I don’t stay in one position, I always try to move to create space to [support] my team-mates. I’m everywhere!
In terms of your game, what would you say your particular strengths are?
I don’t know – it’s better that you ask this question to the manager, not to me.
Who are you most looking forward to playing alongside in this team?
With everyone. There is not any exception. I would like to play with everyone, to start training very soon. Let’s hope for it.
Copyright 2018 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/mkhitaryan-why-i-always-dreamt-playing-here#ZWDKwB3dTe7LI08r.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/mkhitaryan-why-i-always-dreamt-playing-here#8D8MpzQvMisqZb2B.99
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cazorla says that if all goes well he hopes to be back playing at the top level next season. He has had 10 operations on his leg, the last 7 weeks ago, and he is back walking unaided again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
club photographer Stuart MacFarlane has take a wee swipe at the ITK’s, especially the arsenal horse, who claimed the photo shoot took place on Saturday.
Stuart MacFarlane @Stuart_PhotoAFC
A few pictures from the @HenrikhMkh photo shoot. Sadly for the Arsenal experts on twitter the pictures weren’t take on Saturday, match day at Emirates. 😂📸🐴😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Evening all!
Exciting times ahead for Arsenal. Hate the fact that we are selling Sanchez to United but love that we are/have sold him. The young man does not know how to play good team football. Hogs the ball then tries some silly pass through 3 defenders.
I read an article stating that Sanchez has been dispossessed (48 times) more than any other Arsenal player and made more bad passes (1 every 6 minutes) and also mis-controlled the ball (64 times) more than any other team mate. It seems the best defence is to possess the ball, since he does not do that well, he has been putting the team under unnecessary pressure. He is extremely talented but he does not fit The Arsenal way anymore, if ever.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hallo Paul, How are tricks ?? Apologies you slipped into the spam bucket.
I read an article, although it was mid December, saying AS had lost the ball 272 times in the PL this season, but he was only tenth in the bad boys league.
The players ahead of him ?
Well Christian Eriksen was No 2 with 327 and at No 1 was was Kevin de Bruyne with 340 “lost possessions”.
As it was on Talkspite I thought it was just crap though. “Lost possession” statistics pfft -some sort of made up ‘thing’, isn’t it surely ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wenger on Mkhitaryan: “I’m very excited to get a player in who will be committed and focused.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
42 Arsenal shares traded today for over £1.1M, biggest block of shares traded in a single day for a few years.
A new record fee for an AFC share was set last week, at £28,500.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dortmund Head Coach on Aubameyang – “We would like the solution to be there tomorrow, whatever it looks like. I probably would speak from the souls of many people, as everything that has been clarified and brings clarity, is good for everyone in their life & would also be good for us as a team.”
LikeLike
I am good bro! Thanks!
I was wondering what I did to get kicked off the blog (smiley thingy).
This is what I read earlier.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-alexis-sanchez-departure-manchester-united-arsene-wenger-a8171326.html
Maybe it is some made up crap, but one thing I know is he annoys the hell out of me almost every time I watch Arsenal. I hated seeing him run in circles while a teammate was well positioned. His simply ignored them thinking he could do it all. Then he usually lost the blasted ball. I have been feeling he needs to leave all season.
LikeLiked by 4 people
WordPress has a mind of its own sometimes P – it gets a down on someone for no reason and that is it – no reasoning with it
Bit like Mourinho
LikeLiked by 1 person