Good Morning Positive Friends,
Quite a night wasn’t it ?Having watched the wheels come off various other clubs allegedly commanding first leg leads this week I think we all knew we were in for a tricky night in Moscow. I did not anticipate quite how tricky it might be. I went through the full range of emotions, all the way from from stupefied, dribbling terror to ecstatic, loud purring over the 94 minutes. I remind myself that whirl of highs and lows is why I watch football, winning raises the spirits on the grimmest day, and even when we lose there is a still a buzz of being involved.
Of the game itself ? Based on the final scoreline 2-2 and 6-3 on aggregate a casual observer might expect it was a dull match with a predictable result. Not a bit of it. Few Arsenal fans doubted CSK had “goals” in them and a fairer result from the first leg might have been 8-3. They had nothing to lose and they set about us as expected from the start. They have in Golovin one of the best young players in Europe. I suspect Arsene will have been making discreet enquiries last night about his plans. Around the young Russian their support players were none too shabby either, and for all the fuss about the combined age of their back three ( 178 birthdays between them or some such nonsense) they kept us at arms’ length for long periods and it was only with Danny’s goal that we really opened them up finally.
Of our lads a super game from Mo, worked his socks off in the first half when we were under pressure, had a useful spell in the centre back line, and still had enough gas in the tanks to play decisive through balls for both goals. Mo’s regular first team involvement in recent weeks has bright him on as players. His confidence is sky high and that contributes to the sureness of his touch and the accuracy of his passing.
Of our other lads Danny’s goal fest proceeds and his finish was top, top class. Rambo was another who worked hard when the home side wee in the ascendant, not to mention coping with a monster gash on the calf. And finally of notable performers who caught my eye step forward Callum Chambers, the right man who entered at the right time to do the job required.
Of things that did not go so well ? As we have seen before the back 3-4-5 do seen to develop the heebie-jeebies when they are attached early on in games. When their composure is rattle it takes them a while to get it back. Nevertheless when the game was in the balance from 50th minute and for the next 20 minutes Kosc, Mustafi, Nacho and Hector did stand up and see off the Muscovite horde. And finally Jack ? Who knows – as I read elsewhere this morning for a 26 year old he seems to have the physique of a much older sportsman. Plenty of games still this season for JW to re-kindle what was a good season until recently but somehow, on and off the pitch, he seems to have lost his way.
That is me done. The draw is at midday UK time fir the semi finals so no doubt we shall meet later to discuss the next opponent. Enjoy Friday.
Positively Arsenal 
Liverpool v Bournemouth , Firmino scores runs to the crowd fist pumping turns round to see his team mates mobbing Salah on the other side of the pitch!
It would be ace if Liverpool acted this out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I can read the post
LikeLiked by 1 person
”I think we all knew we were in for a tricky night in Moscow. I did not anticipate quite how tricky it might be. I went through the full range of emotions, all the way from from stupefied, dribbling terror to ecstatic, loud purring over the 94 minutes. I remind myself that whirl of highs and lows is why I watch football,”
Great to see a morning post Andy and to celebrate it, you’ve captured every thing worth saying.about last night. Nothing to add to that bar Mo-E’s performance was a real class act.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Not draw I wanted. Will surely require our best two-leg European performance for a very long time, maybe as far back as the other Madrid.
Daunting but an opportunity to do something great as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Atletico Madrid. The next team to be declared useless once we beat them.
Of course it will also be an undeserved and lucky win, but they’ll still be useless.
LikeLiked by 5 people
What a goal from Welneny last night. And Ramseny too. Mo of the match that Egyptian fella. Was on his way out because he was deemed not good enough by our experts. Just like Welbeck.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Coming for you
LikeLiked by 3 people
Atletico Madrid it is in the semi-finals.
@Emirates on 26/04
@Wanda Metropolitano on 03/05
LikeLiked by 1 person
whooop – whooooooop!!!
An absolute battle on the cards.
I am totally psyched!
COYG!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jack Wilshere in his first full season for more than 3 years,looks fatigued , he has lost form and is fighting to regain it.
Often when you are fighting that hard you lose quality, the best bits of Jacks game look such a struggle at the moment.
After Sunday there is seven days rest, hopefully he can use those seven days to recuperate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Can’t see Jack starting on Sunday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
WwwB this is not jack’s first full season in 3 as such, he basically had a full season with AFCB, it was around this time last season that he got injured again, before that they had dropped him too as his form was off.
I asked of a jack fan boy yesterday, who had said he had some brilliant games this season, against who had jack these brilliant games as I can not recall Jack being anything more than good, maybe very good at a stretch, but I’m still waiting for a reply. Jack has not had a good season, he had up till his England call up an injury free season, and we’ve been that delighted to have him available that a run of games from him has been treated way above what his actual performances warrant. Elneny has had far more and far better games for us this season, but I doubt anyone who has claimed Jack’s been brilliant this season would every admit that Elneny has even had a good game.
When it comes to Jack a section of our fanbase lose the run of themselves, “pashun, one of our own, has come all they way through our academy, brilliant teenager, brilliant before his injuries, great potential, etc etc etc” all are spouted out, in fact we have a large section of jack fanboys who, given the choice would sell Ramsey and give Jack whatever wages he wants. I seen Ramsey getting lambasted by some of them last night, in fact it was Ramsey and Elneny’s fault that Jack was having a poor game, if not that it was Wenger for playing Jack out of position. There is no shortage of excuses made for Jack. As I have said before, if all our players were treated by the fanbase like Jack Wilshere, then never a bad word would be said, and everything would be rosy in the garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ian Allinson, Martin Hayes ended up in the role ,Kevin Richardson,Kevin Campbell started in the role, Christopher Wrey, Giles Grimondi, Edu,Kanu, Sylvain Wiltord.
All players that were essentially squad players , the third choice Striker behind Smith and Merse. The forth choice midfielder behind Paul Davis and Michael Thomas,third choice striker wide forward behind Wrighty Dennis and Anelka.
Vieira was targeted for cards the forth choice midfilder behind Platt, Petite behind Gilberto.
I note these players because building a squad of real depth and quality is hard the hardest part is to find the role players, because just like riding for the SKY team players who could be leading other top sides have to sacfice their short top level careers for the greater good. Players like Mohamed Nasser El Sayed El Neny (The Lion of Egypt), he is the type of character every championship winning side needs.
The other player who I hope would consider that role for Arsenal is one of the other outstanding players of the night Danny Welbeck. A player good enough to be a starter at top clubs. But he will never be able to be a leading Striker because his body will not tollerate the games. Everyone of those role players have played a significant role in the most recent sucessful championships.
Pascal Cigan on the line anybody?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a worrying performance from him. Felt like his best hope of not losing possession was to draw freekick. Most painful bit for me was that he seemed powerless to alter what wasn’t working at all.
Typically, was confronted with quick decision about whether to try find immediate pass; normally declined it, because nothing too promising was on or because wanted to progress play, and that seemed to just leave option of drawing someone in and trying to beat them; if opp play got into right position to stop that he was in trouble every time; and if succeeded couldn’t get away from them.
I still have fair level of trust in him if he’s in some space in attacking third to pick a pass to runners, but at the moment that’s it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaron Ramsey
Is probably the most unique player in at least European football, he is not exceptional at any aspect of Football which is unusual in Professional Football. But he is good at every aspect at some he is very good.
Is there anyone in world football who can match him or is even close?
He tackles , intercepts,run with ball,pass the ball, defend get forward ,he scores goals.
Bonus bubble he scores BIG goals, at BIG times, in BIG games.
Wilshere just can not compare, I just don’t know who does.
LikeLiked by 2 people
When we were Boring
Closest match off top of head Vidal maybe? Or Rakitic?
LikeLike
For those saying you’ve got to play am at some point to win the trophy, well I think I would rather play them once rather than twice.
Having said that sporting proved they are beatable and hopefully they will be caught up in a couple of heavy fixtures around the time of both semis. Maybe they have to travel to the other end of Spain before they come to London.
I know we travel to just outside of manchester but we could send the U18s up there to be honest. AMN, Willock, Eddie, Reiss and Maybe even Da Silva and Matt Macey could well play a big part in the rest of our season, maybe not in the amount of games they play but the burden they can take off the first teamers.
LikeLiked by 3 people
eduardo792
I think Jack has played more minutes this season at a higher intensity in a shorter space of time , it will have an effect.
I confess I would love him to stay and be a squad player but I think he believes he can do better than what Arsenal are offering, well that seems to be the smoke signals are saying.
“He cuda been a contenda!”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Arsenal’s next 6 fixtures:
Newcastle A
West Ham H
Atletico Madrid H
Man Utd A
Atletico Madrid A
Burnley H
LikeLiked by 1 person
WWWB, I think the closest match over the years in English football was the media’s Bryan Robson or Bryan Robson MOTM as I used to call him because he could claim the award before the game kicked off
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s abit of a shame the way round the semis have fallen as the Burnley game is probably our most important league game remaining.
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes Ian and if we make the final we may have to field a very weakened team for both lcfc and Huddersfield, both away games
LikeLiked by 1 person
our U23’s have a massive game tonight at the Emirates, v Swansea, kick off at 7pm. A win is needed to keep our title hopes alive, a big win could put us top, only one more game after this to play.
LikeLiked by 2 people
ianspace2014
Robbo was a very good player but reckless a bit like Jack.
Ramsey has a level of fotball sophistication above them both,plus the drive and dynamism of Robson with the imagination and vision of Wilshere.
LikeLiked by 3 people
commentator said last night that Ramsey has 8 goals in his last 9 games
that is fat frank kind of midfield scoring
LikeLiked by 1 person
PieGate -the final Chapter – the Gambling Commission have finally, fourteen months after the pasty/pie was consumed by Sutton’s overweight custodian in the FA Cup tie against our brave lads delivered their Judgement;
“Pie-eating market
Tabcorp UK accepts that it did not carry out a specific risk assessment on the potential impact of the pie-eating market on the individual who had a pivotal role in determining the outcome of that market, and did not assess whether the market carried a real risk of inducing an individual to breach a sports governing body’s rules. Tabcorp UK accepts that it should not have placed reliance on the eating of the pie being broadcast live on the BBC as being sufficient to fully manage the potential integrity risks involved. It also accepts that had a proper risk assessment been carried out at the time, it would not have offered the market.”
Where is that banned smiley when you need it ?
LikeLike
Tricky period to manage line-up wise from here in. 7 in under a month with an 8th if make final.
Europe unquestionably the priority by some distance, but still potentially large ramifications for league position (I think? Don’t know what happens if Saints don’t win cup)
Looking at it no game until last two in league, leics (9th May), Hudd (13th May), won’t be heavily impacted by europa considerations, and if we make final every last one will be.
The boon for me is that we could see some really good opportunities for youngsters.
Interweaved with that are at least 7 youth team games, including two to win league for u23’s, between now and May 6th, including a final and semi of youth cup.
Lord knows what happens if make youth final (2 legs) as believe Euro u17s, in england, start of May 4th, and we could have 5 or 6 involved.
We have to accept every one of those games likely to take some hit in team strength because of first team schedule.
Pretty bonkers period all in all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rich,
Rather it be bonkers than blatantly meaningless.
Spewing off some more adrenalin to end another eventful season makes it all worth it I say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Guess club can be forgiven if necessary gear and personnel have been to Moscow, but website not showing tonight’s match, while Swansea apparently are.
Hopefully will be one of those jobs where you can sign up on their website to watch it
LikeLike
yeah rich, I watched the away game on swansea website
LikeLike
if southampton make the FA Cup final they will, win or lose, be in the EL next season.
at one time the league cup runners up would too if the winners made europe through the league, but I think that changed a few seasons back, meaning if we don’t win the EL this season, we have to get 5th to be sure of EL next season, of course if Chelsea win the FAC it might mean 6th is enough
LikeLiked by 1 person
PGMOL said they were not ready for VAR, need another year of testing. its laughable
LikeLiked by 2 people
BPL on the advice of PGMOL decide to go for another season of allowing more wrong decisions by the Refs
Can’t be taking 10 or 20 seconds to reach the correct decision
Stops refs “game managing” how the PGMOL want them to influence games
Who needs the rules applied properly anyway
what I don’t get is the amount of fans who are delighted about this.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Cheers Ed
Pretty sure Arsenal normally show couple of u23 games, from Emirates, live each year. Cant recall any this time.
Fair enough I guess if trip to Russia has knocked one of them on head.
Swansea cameras and commentators certainly better than none. Will mute it though if they’re annoying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also Ed if I understand right about Europa places seems a very good chance it could be champions league or nothing for next year.
Cant see a choice other than resting the key players for a number of league games and pretty much all who we play have things to play for and will be full strength.
Could look different with various permutations but that’s how it seems now.
Line up for Newc will be interesting. They’ve hit form, at home, and think a win ensures safety.
I don’t have a feel for how we should line up. With a week till next game, maybe we’ll go strong?
Danny might actually be one I hope we rest. Phenomenal physical effort last night and I remember his first big injury with us came on back of a game where I thought it was incredible how many punishing-looking sprints he’d done for a big fella in a game.
Ramsey fresh stitches and typical big effort. Kos dicey now for games in succession. Ozil vital. Xhaka flu.
LikeLiked by 1 person
According to the Sky news I read the decision to put off VAR in the PL was taken by the clubs chief execs in a vote this morning. Where did you see ” BPL on the advice of PGMOL decide to go for another season of allowing more wrong decisions by the Refs” ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
well i would expect Chambers to start, mabye Kolasinac too, Iwobi and of course Aubameyang too, if AMN is back that would give us more options, if Nelson does not play tonight for u23’s he may keep his place in the BPL team.
LikeLiked by 1 person
seen a report a couple of weeks ago where the PGMOL told the BPL that they wanted VAR put off for a year, think it was at last months BPL club meet up, the clubs then put off the decision from that meeting to this one,
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d sooner play AS madrid over two legs these days than in a one-off final. They are not the side they used to be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Get a strange feeling something special is going to happen against Athletico.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We reached the Premier League International Cup final by beating Villarreal on Tuesday – and we can now confirm when the match will take place.
Our title decider against Porto will be played as under:
Arsenal v Porto
Tuesday, May 8
Kick-off: 7pm (UK time)
Emirates Stadium
Should our under-18s team reach the Youth Cup final by beating Blackpool on Monday (currently 2-2 after the first leg), the tournament decider will take place as under:
FA Youth Cup final first leg
Chelsea v Arsenal
Friday, April 27
Kick off: 7.45pm (UK time)
Stamford Bridge
Live on: ITV4
FA Youth Cup final second leg
Arsenal v Chelsea
Monday, April 30
Kick off: 7.45pm (UK time)
Emirates Stadium
Live on: ITV4
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/cup-final-dates-announced-our-academy-sides#wmBkyIUrokkfMMjv.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/cup-final-dates-announced-our-academy-sides#VGL1TuCFLTzwUSPP.99
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 2 people
Grimaldi vs Simeone round two ding ding!
Could Atletico be just the appetiser before a showdown in a European final between Vengah and his auld match fixing and league rigging opponents Marseille?
Either way these two contests will be big games of football.
LikeLiked by 2 people
stream for the u23 game
https://www.swanseacity.com/live-stream
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smith-rowe is back from injury
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 2 people
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looked a nasty knock for our keeper there. May have caught a knee to face at full speed.
Expect that’s it for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Illiev off injured, cut to his head, Keto on
LikeLiked by 1 person
u23’s should be good preparation for anyone who can make it into 1st team: lot of practice against very deep, very packed defences.
LikeLiked by 1 person