@LaboGoon serves up the starter for tonight’s game
Arsenal is taking the Arsène Wenger farewell show back on the road, and specifically the King Power Stadium tonight, to take on Leicester.
When the Foxes appointed Claude Puel back in October it was a decision that seemed to have raised a few eyebrows. Those fears were set aside though as he got them from the bottom three to 8th on the Premier League table – playing their particular brand of counter-attacking football and looking very fine-tuned at it. That unfortunately is not how you would describe them playing at present.
The early good form of Puel’s tenure, ‘new manager bounce’ if you will, is a thing of past as they are winless in their last six home fixtures and have picked up just one point from their last five PL games. Which has made Puel’s job now subject to a close and continuous review from Foxes fans and he received the dreaded “vote of confidence” from the club’s chairman.
This is something the Gunners would’ve taken notice of, to use selfishly for our own ends of course, to put a end to our awful travel form. With us coming into this game off the back of one of our best all round performances all season it does offer a great opportunity. And despite nothing to play for, being nailed on to 6th, the players will still be very determined to give Arsène a winning send-off. The boss himself said:
“I want to win the last two away games. I’ll go to Leicester to give absolutely everything to win.”
For me this is reason to feel motivated that we won’t leave the KP stadium empty handed.
We might see two to three changes to the line-up that trashed Burnley, just to keep things fresh and ensure we don’t go into the final game of Arsène’s reign with tired legs.
Good luck to everyone watching tonight’s game. I’ll end with a quote from the great man himself who have enriched our lives so dearly:
“The moral values I’ve learnt in my life I’ve learnt through football.”
Positively Arsenal 
Morning Labo – past few seasons it has been a really good game at the King Power although never as an end of season fixture. I look forward to seeing what Dinos makes of Jamie Vardy – hopefully mince-meat.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Good morning. Not exactly the Greek delicacy I would’ve had in mind but it will do. Kick-off before 9pm and all that. The kid has really made people sit up and take notice. Think between him and Calum they’re playing for a starting spot in the team next season. Hope Iwobi put in another majestic shift tonight and to see AMN in for Jack.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Funny old side, Leicester – and not one I’ve ever cared much for. I’ve only been the once (to Grace Road, not Filbert Street) in 1975 and had my first ever curry, which I remember not thinking much of at the time. And nor do I their football club, full as they seem to be of “not that kind of players”.
LikeLiked by 3 people
There was a time a couple of years ago when it seemed as if we were going to sign their talismanic one-armed striker – and I am very glad we didn’t.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Penultimate. *sobs*
LikeLiked by 3 people
I enjoyed the games against LCFC during their title winning season, how could any Arsenal fan not have loved those displays of firepower from the Gunners? Simarly I enjoyed the contests against the champions last season in both league and cup.
Football matches which showed the watching world how good a football team Arsenal were irrespective of the Media attacks and agendas and the haters and sado masochistic freakoids in our own mob.
A different story this season with only one fit senior CB who showed questionable ability to lead a back line against Munchen last season and therefore a circumstance that was a concern for some of us from last season. Not the defensive coaching, but the actual defending. On the football pitch. Consequently we had an average defence this season: I can understand why the haters would ignore that significant nugget of data when trying to indoctrinate people into the irrational belief that Arsenal don’t or can’t coach teams on defending.
Which is, you know, how the club spent all those years in the top four especially that spell with a teenage midfield eh? Some people also believe that the moon is made of cheese and that the earth is flat. Nevermind the round footballs…
…I think in response to Tim’s musings that moving Monreal over might work if another LB appears but I am happy to speculate that another older CB will come in as Monrea is getting any younger himself, unless Chambers is deemed worth a go.
And he might be. Holding to go on loan, Chambers already passed that exam and is next in line for the first eleven. And for the first time this season when fit and given the chance to play more then the odd game he’s making sure that he reminds us all why we thought there was no need to compare him to Stones!
Going back to Monreal though, and Guardiola’s reluctance to use Sagna at CB although that was a problem position for him last season: City only bought Sagna to weaken Arsenal, same as with so many of the players they doubled or more the wages for when taking them from the Arsenal. That is what happened with that transfer. Not much doubt there. And Sagna had earnt the reward as in spite of proving his strength and stamina even the strongest bones could not endure too much exposure to too much “game management” (it’s not a wonder why time keeping is such a joke in football, it is, in chorus and all together, it is: “Game Management”. “Theatre”, my darlings. Mwah.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Probably projection or something like it on my part but I had feeling Wenger would want to showcase young talents in one of final games, and play the most trusted lieutenants in the other.
With obvious order- because we played a few days ago and because relegation fight could be live last day- being younger team tonight, older for final game.
Maybe it’s just me who wants to see a much younger team tonight. Risky, but in my mind so fitting given the faith shown in young players throughout tenure and fact it is a major part of our philosophy as a club.
I wouldn’t want the risk for final match because that’s one I really want us to win (do tonight as well, but you know what I mean- ‘really,really’, or ‘really, really, really’ or something)
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s about time for another 6-6 draw. That would be fun.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I find it rather odd that we have never found out what Jamie Vardy thinks of his decision to not join Arsenal a couple of years ago, he has never uttered a single word about it, maybe tonight he will reveal all, – banned smiley thingy
LikeLiked by 4 people
LikeLiked by 3 people
osei-tutu, willock, nelson and nketiah on the bench.
LikeLike
I happen to think Ozil may well be sold this summer – and I think I can understand why that might happen and why it could be seen as a pragmatic decision. It would also make me very, very sad. But what makes me almost beside myself with rage is the vicious campaign that has been waged against him almost since he has been with us – and that it is seemingly being waged with increased ferocity since Sunday strikes me as deeply suspicious and worried.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leicester City
Verified account @LCFC
9m9 minutes ago
Tonight’s starting XI: Jakupović, Simpson, Morgan (c), Maguire, Fuchs, Choudhury, Silva, Mahrez, Diabaté, Iheanacho, Vardy.
Subs: Hamer, Benalouane, Dragović, Iborra, Barnes, Gray, Thomas.
LikeLike
foreverheady
Ozil loves London , because he can live Turkish or even German here.
is on around 300k plus a week
Why would he give that up?
Who could match or better that ?
China?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you’re wrong FH, although it would be a good tactic to try to push his price down by certain gangsters masquerading as football club owners.
The team for tonight reinforces that Arsene really wants to win this game. The bench is quite young, so there could be opportunities if things are going in our favour.
LikeLiked by 2 people
COYG
LikeLike
any good stream for the game
LikeLike
Come on the Arsenal!
OTOTBAG!!
LikeLike
Any one know of a good live stream?
LikeLike
Jack Wilshere isn’t in the afc squad tonight as his wife has gone into labour.
And to think Jeremy Corbyn claims to be a Gooner
LikeLike
this might work
http://showsport-tv.com/channel/watch-bein-sport-4-live-online.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Eddie
LikeLiked by 1 person
some streams
http://www.thearsenalforum.com/streams/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shame about our golden boy Mavropanos..
LikeLiked by 2 people
eeee. We’d made a bright start there. One little warning of the dangers of us losing possession came to nothing; second one got Vardy in and they scored from corner, after at least one defensive error.
Long time left but the away day blues make it feel ominous
LikeLiked by 1 person
now my streams gone. Someone injured. Hopefully not one last assault under Wenger’s watch
LikeLike
well that has all gone tits up very quickly, started so well, then Welbeck gives away the ball softly, they break get corner and score and now the ref decides to be the main man.
LikeLiked by 2 people
12 v 10
LikeLiked by 1 person
so what the hell happened. stream gone.
Says on Arsenal Mavropanos tangled with player 40 yards out 1 min after goal, so it was a last man foul was it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seen so many last man fouls worse than one Arteta was sent off for on Chamackh let go since then
LikeLiked by 1 person
They will justify it the media wankers. Zabalettas was never a red though of course cunts
LikeLiked by 1 person
Come on lads – sort these Leicester monkeys out
LikeLiked by 2 people
fucking prick of a ref just called us back to take a throw again after we took it and had chance to break
LikeLiked by 1 person
rich try the other link i put up
LikeLike
ozil’s agent reply to keown
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/amp/news/ozil-agent-eviscerates-jealous-keown-over-stupid-comments/1javhtwzz72q113dnonn24mnr1?__twitter_impression=true
LikeLiked by 2 people
cheers ed
Got another 5 at end there from original link, which had stopped right on the goal and refused to come back.
Trying to save me the pain maybe if it was a poor red card!
LikeLiked by 1 person
HT: LCFC 1-0 Arsenal
started brightly, gave away a needless goal, then had Mavraponas sent off, and have been blighted ever since with a one eyed ref, 12 v 10, as its been most of the season away from home
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll never forget Vidic being allowed a yellow ten mins into a cup final with Villa for a very deliberate last man lunge which denied clear goal-scoring chance.
One of the top boys, Poll probably, and he clearly didn’t want to produce red. Guess tonight’s guy was in a different state of mind
LikeLiked by 2 people
Think refs have been massive in our stupendously different home and away form.
LikeLiked by 2 people
guys when I read the goal article on ozil keown spat, I thougth it was a wind up article, fake one, but now the Mirror is reporting it,
Ozil’s agent really goes to town on him. Bravo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 3 people
Huddersfield have taken the lead v CFC, stays like that they are safe and cfc miss out on top 4
LikeLike
Dr. Erkut Sogut I think just threw his shoe at Martin Keown
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kolasinac hits the post
LikeLiked by 2 people
WwwB and it hit keown full smack in the face
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aubameyangggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg 1-1, fires home at second attempt, after good work by AMN
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes Xhaka- 2nd fantastic pass in my 25 mins interrupted viewing. Yes, Ainsley- lovely run and cross. Yes Auba 2nd time of asking. Yes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
this Ref is a real cunt, penalty to lcfc for a dive
Vardy scores it
12 v 10 all game long
LikeLiked by 1 person
How fucking predictable
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nketiah on for Iwobi, about ten minutes left
LikeLiked by 1 person