@LaboGoon says …..
Good day one and all.
Arsenal host Cardiff at the Emirates Stadium in a match that will have huge implications at both ends of the Premier League table; while the Gunners hope to maintain a push for Champion League qualification, the Bluebirds are aiming to move clear of the relegation trapdoor.
When these teams met earlier this season Arsenal won 3-2 in a game, it has to be said, we hung on for large parts as Cardiff threw everything at us trying to at least take a point. I’m not too sure though if that is going to provide the away fans any comforts because the Bluebirds’ form on their travels are nothing to put on a postcard and write home about. From 11 away games they took back to the Welsh capital just 5 points, which compounded by the fact that Arsenal have won 14 of their last 17 home PL matches… can I just say I do hope they enjoy the sights and sounds of London.
Now does that mean I think the match will be cakewalk for the Gunners, not at all but I do think we will find a way to get a result even if we have to drag ourselves over the line – especially considering our home form against teams outside the top-six.
The FA Cup defeat to Manutd in front of the Emirates faithful may have knocked the wind from some of our sails, but Unai Emery always seem to put a team out that gets a result when our backs are up against the wall following a poor result. Anything but will be if the players go in with their heads elsewhere. Thus they need to be focused, not get ahead of themselves and be careful not to be caught out from a counter-attack… again. Let the Emirates crowds’ confidence carry them.
There’s no need for apprehension ahead of the game, Cardiff haven’t exactly been slaying dragons. They have lost each of the seven game against the top-six opposite thus far, conceding 25 goals in the process. In their 11 games on the road they average one goals scored every two games and two goals conceded each game.
Arsenal go in the match a bit thin at the back due to injury. So we might see young Mavropanos selected tonight – be it as a starter or the bench remain to be seen. In the few games we saw of him toward the end of last season it looks as if there’s a good defender in there that can’t wait to pop out. Mesut Özil too may get a rare start if he is part of the plans to outsmart Pep Guardiola’s Mancity team this coming weekend. The team selected tonight may give us an idea on whom will start at the Etihad.
15 PL league games left and one get the feeling each one is ‘must-win’ for the Arsenal.
Tick this one off tonight and we are still at the races for top-four. If not and we are in danger of being overtaken by Manutd and any top-four hopes out of our hands.
Positively Arsenal 
NO More hope but we must rally behind the team and do our part of surpot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My concern is on the defenders injuries. We should count ourselves lucky we are meeting Cardiff but we still need the defense to be up and doing and not take any chances against Cardiff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“better late than never” as they say. Great piece LG.
I am not confident at the moment of getting anything other than sixth, based on our tendancy to drop the odd expected points and the consistency of those teams around us.
I can’t see any reason why Mavropanos wouldn’t start tonight as he has game time under his belt in the U23s since his return and proved himself last year.
Our propensity to outscore sides will probably shine through tonight even if we can’t complete a clean sheet. I just wish the up for it bluebirds don’t kick us off the park we really don’t need any more injures.
Rain, sleet, hail, thunder and lightning are all predicted for tonight so let’s make sure it’s us providing the bangs COYG.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Arsenal is usually ok at home and deserved favorites. Will be interesting to see how the team and the fans react to adversity, if any.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was a little worried about the galvanising effect the Sala tragedy would have on the Welshmen. If it brings them together and they work overtime running through brick walls and throwing bodies on the line it could be a long evening especially if it’s shitty weather because we know ARSENAL don’t do weather.
LikeLiked by 3 people
well ian I’m not sure why Sala tragedy should impact on Cardiff one way or the other, he as far as I know had not even had a training session with them, so none of the players might even have met him
as for our defense, Mustafi, Mavropanos, Monreal, Lichtsteiner, Jenkinson and even Eleney can be played in the CB roles, not even sure Koscienly has been ruled out officially either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has confirmed in his news conference today that Denis Suarez is to join Arsenal on loan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Labo,
I very much like that Post.
Over recent games, even the Manure disappointment, the home crowd have been getting behind the team, and more the better.
I am going into the game in the same way as I have done for some seasons now, hoping for the best, fearing the worst — yes even against teams struggling lower down the league.
COYG
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ian,
You could have a point about the impact of Salas’ tragic death on the Cardiff players — either wanting to win in memoriam for him, or slumping to a sorry defeat.
I say that because I read that the Cardiff players have been given help to overcome the shock/sadness of a man who was on the verge of joining the Cardiff team.
Who knows, I suppose.
In any event, the Gunners must put that aside, and go for the win as hard as they can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Emery on spending money in the summer
Chris Harris 28 Jan 2019
Unai Emery
Unai Emery says he expects to add anything from “nil to two” players to his squad before the transfer window closes.
But whatever happens this month, our head coach is ready to fine-tune his squad in the summer after concluding his first season in north London.
“When we have the possibility to buy different players with big quality to help us with their performance, we can do that,” he said, referring to the here and now.
“We are in one moment now, but I know because the club is telling me that this moment is not good to buy players. But the club have said to me that in the summer it is going to be different. And we are going to have chances to take and spend money to buy players.
“If we look at the other teams in this transfer market, it’s very difficult [for them]. Only Chelsea, with Higuain, have changed with Morata [leaving]. The other teams? Not Liverpool, not Man City, not Man United, and we are also in the same situation in that it is difficult to find one different and better player in this transfer window.
“Now the transfer market is difficult, but we can take different chances in the summer.
“I’m happy with the players,” added Unai. “We have enough players to achieve big performances in the Premier League and Europa League. It’s work. The easiest thing for me is to ask for more players but I love to work with my players.
“I have had experience with different teams, teams like Sevilla and Valencia where usually we sold players each season. And when I arrived at PSG it was different, because the team wanted to buy players. And I can work with the two situations.
“My job is when the club does not need to buy players, but work with the players they already have, to achieve things with that group of players.”
Copyright 2019 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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ainsley Maitland-Niles misses tonights game due to a knee injury
LikeLiked by 1 person
seemingly its looking like a very low attendance this evening, all those being priced out of going to AFC games could not be bothered to avail of the many tickets available tonight, after all its only Cardiff, its not like these poor souls are Arsenal supporters and would actually go to a game, any game, just to support Arsenal, no it has to be an appealing spectacle, a big name opponent or at least a big game, say a cup qf or the ilk
LikeLiked by 1 person
If anyone gets a decent stream, post it please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers Labo. COYG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dean allowing the wild challenges to fly in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dean is shit. Gives a yellow to Montreal for a mistimed challenge but didn’t give Cardiff one for a cynical foul. Guendouzi on the receiving end of some rough challenges. Some not called.
Tight game. Chances at both ends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cardiff parking the bus and looking for the counter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ozil captain. Playing well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Patterson finally gets a yellow which should have been his second.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Guendouzi gets a yellow from Dean for complaining about his shit refereeing along with Laca and Auba while walking off at half time.
2 clear as day penalties not given to us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HT: Arsenal 0-0 Cardiff
not been a good performance, Cardiff with a couple of good chances, they maybe should have had a penalty, arsenal could have had 2, the one on Lacazette was clear cut
the Midfield have not been good, Guenduozi and Eleney not been sharp in possession, need to improve big time in the second half
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dean managing the game in a manner suitable to Cardiff giving them confidence. A fair referee and we are winning this at a canter.
Parked bus or not, we have got past their defense a couple of times.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not playing well and Dean Deaning us how it’s going then?
Not good if Guendo booked at half time for dissent as Dean will surely be on lookout to do him again for that impudence!
Laca’s noticeably been getting increasingly pissed off with getting so little from officials in recent weeks so expect he’ll have to watch it/ be watched.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Decent stream here but you will have to put up with Alan Smith.
http://www.utfifa17.com/2017/11/bola-1.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
No mention of any pen claims on BBC updates by the way. They normally do if there’s a decent shout.
Twitter misleading me or BBC being twats?
LikeLiked by 1 person
1st pen Laca fouled while defender tries to take the ball. It is clearly noticeable but he stays on his feet.
2nd one the defender steps on his ankle and he goes down.
Iwobi on for Elneny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patterson barges Guendouzi when the ball has gone out. No foul.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mustafi down injured
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mustafi fouled at a corner. No pen. Limps off. Hopefully nothing too serious.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mustafi fouled at a corner. No pen. Limps off. Hopefully nothing too serious.
Back on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Might need Ramsey
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jenks on for Licht. Should improve that side of the attack at least.
LikeLiked by 2 people
by God we are struggling to hit top gear
LikeLiked by 1 person
that harry arter always puts in a dirty tackle or two v Arsenal
LikeLiked by 1 person
Penalty. Finally.
Foul on The Tank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
finally Dean gives us the penalty, it was a clear one, Kolasinac taken down
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goal. Down the middle. Auba. 1-0
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are targeting Guendouzi. Hoping he lashes out. Kid is doing well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Burnley currently leading at Utd
LikeLiked by 1 person
Iwobi 1on1 saved. Shoulder height for keeper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Change of Captain. Ramsey on for Ozil. He played well today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ramsey on for ozil with about 15 minutes to go
LikeLiked by 1 person
afcstuff
@afcstuff
2m2 minutes ago
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now scored 25 goals in just 37 PL games, becoming the fastest Arsenal player to reach that feat in the club’s history
LikeLiked by 2 people
2-0 Laca. Top run and finish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
newcastle have drawn level with man city
fulham have come back from 2 down to lead 4-2 v brighton
LikeLiked by 1 person
As hoped for Lacazette’s footwork continues to entertain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Guendouzi down now. He’s played well. Hopefully he can walk it off.
LikeLiked by 2 people
no clean sheet again
LikeLiked by 1 person
2-1 Kola is good in attack but doesn’t seem switched on defensively. Should have closed down the shot after Iwobi was turned.
LikeLiked by 1 person