Good morning Positivistas,

A fair night’s football I think all round. PSG area good quality football team with some excellent players and to split the points with them over two contests is probably what we would have accepted when the group was drawn, “par for the course”. A degree of frustration on my part last night as, at one point, we displayed the momentum to win the game, and allied to that quality we had two slices of luck that on another night would have won us the match. But just as the goddess bestows her favours so she snatches them away, as young Alex Iwobi is no doubt contemplating as he stares slack jawed into his ReadyBrek this morning.

I am afraid if you are anticipating any penetrating insights on the events on the field from me you are reading the wrong blog. Watching on the TV you saw a lot more than I did. I was tucked up toward the back of the Clock End, side on to the screen, and distracted for about an hour by a fellow Arsenal fan of such an unspeakably miserable disposition that had we been inmates of one of HMPs I would have pleaded for him to be put on suicide watch. As I mentioned last night so incoherent was he with disappointment and what he perceived to be the poverty of our display he stormed out after the Veratti own goal, never to be seen again. He also seemed to think we were playing Leicester. Between you and me I think he was a bit “drunk”. I expect he is out a usual this morning, knocking on doors and offering people a “spare bit of tarmac” he has from “another job” he has just finished “up the road” to repair their drive.

From what I did see of or lads it was a slow start all over the pitch. I expected the Parisians to start the game as they had in game one but both sides started warily, and it took a while for either to settle into a passing rhythm. It was not until half an hour had passed and PSG had run out of steam that we managed to get any grip on the game and string passes together. For the next 30 minutes I thought we were performing well enough to have won the game. We finally started getting some joy from crosses and finding Giroud. The final third of the game from my seat, now relieved of my burdensome companion, PSG stepped up a gear and showed the same flair they had displayed in September in Paris. Both sides traded blows, tried to win, with the French side probably enjoying the best chances.

For us I thought Olivier was good, as was Mesut, Aaron and Le Coq. Kosc was excellent against the very sharp Cavani.

For them I was impressed again with Matuidi and with Moura. Decisive, fast ball players. They would fit in anywhere.

Both sides sail serenely on to the Round of 16. I cannot really see Basel as more than a distraction. It is a non event, other than for the Swiss, and I suspect the manager will treat it as such. Since Herr Brych brought the curtain down last night I have read what seems about a dozen different permutations of who we might be drawn again in the next stage. The Devil in me knows it will be Barcelona, the rational being inside attaches no significance to the malign position of the planets. The nice thing is we need pay not attention until the draw on the 12^th December, and even then two more months of important domestic football until the games begin on the 14^th/15^th February.

For any who have not seen the cartoon I could not let you miss it;

Onward to a very different prospect on Sunday and the Cherries of Bournemouth. Back to winning ways I think. Enjoy your week.

This post is from Kelly, I have stolen it from the comments section and without permission I’m publishing it as a blog. Because its bloody perfect

I am so fucking sick of Aaron getting blamed for every goddamned thing that goes wrong with this team. No one gets as much stick as he does. Not Giroud, not Theo, not anybody. Certainly not Alexis or Mesut. For the last two seasons now, he’s done nothing but plug holes. People bitch about him saying he doesn’t like playing on the right. Well excuse him for wanting to play where he feels like he does his best. Such a horrible trait to want to do the thing in your job that you feel you have the most success at. And what does he get when he does play outside central midfield? Support? Encouragement? Thanks for doing your level best at a job you’re not particularly comfortable in? Hell no. He gets blame and grief and called shit and identified as the “what’s wrong” every goddamned time.

And let’s talk about yesterday. The first 90 minutes he’s played in the league, and only the 2nd 90 minutes he’s played at all since fucking July. And he gets to play it wide left; a position he hasn’t occupied since I can’t remember when. Because Aaron can do it. Do you stick Coquelin out there? Elneny? No. Aaron is always the choice. Because he’s smart enough and he’s good enough and he’s versatile enough, and he’s willing (or at least he’ll give it everything he has, even if he doesn’t really want to do it). Everyone acknowledges that it takes time to build up match fitness. But I don’t think people always remember that it takes time to get your brain back up to match speed as well. Try doing that while not relying on your instincts to guide you while you play in your preferred position, but instead while looking at the game from a perspective you haven’t seen in a really long time. And here, Aaron, help Nacho deal with Valencia too while you’re at it. And also, score, you know, or else everyone will say you’re shit.

I’m really happy that Olivier does well when he comes on as a sub. I love it for him, and I love when he scores and gets to throw it in the face of people who doubt him. But he always, ALWAYS, gets to do that from the position of striker – his preferred position where he is comfortable and where his instincts take over. Aaron never gets that opportunity anymore. I can’t imagine how disappointed he must have been to come back from the Euros having accomplished everything he wanted to, and more, only to get injured and then left behind as the train pulled out of the station and the team gelled without him in it. That’s football, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck.

To the point  about the reason he gets full on attack mode: I think  the WOB hate him( but not just because of the FA Cup,scoring the winner derailed their campane big time), it’s because to them, he is the lightning rod Wenger player. No matter what people say, Arsene trusts him, and he plays him whenever he can, and they hate Aaron for that. I don’t know what they will do for a lightning rod if he leaves before Arsene does. Which he very well may do. And if he does, I won’t blame him one bit.

And before someone accuses me of blaming Arsene, I’m not. Arsene does what is best for the team – that is what he has to do. He believes in Aaron, I know that he does. But if Aaron cannot thrive in the structure of this team, then I don’t think he should be expected to be subservient to the needs of the team forever. He has the right to think about himself as he comes into the prime of his career. I just hope Arsene finds a way, because it would be a damned shame to lose him now.

We support every Arsenal player on here – no exceptions -and it is not an optional box you tick  

Bom Dia Positivistas,

Yesterday’s Trafford Park contest is not one I shall look back with much pleasure. A draw a fair result and given our overall performance probably the best we might have expected. I have a phobia of early 12.30 kick-offs on Saturdays, with painful memory of being out of the game before the clock strikes one tattooed on my psyche.

Of the 90 minutes ? First half I thought we looked like our usual selves, with accurate, quick passing, players finding space and the Mancs backing off. Alexis looked anything but fatigued and Theo tore into the hapless Darmian. On the one moment of controversy I suspect if Valencia had not been so desperate to fling himself to the ground following Monreal’s clumsy challenge that Andre Marriner might have pointed to the spot. At half time I was confident that more of the same and the home side would crack. The second half ? Not nice to watch was it ? Our game is based on possession of the ball and, other than the final frantic minutes, we rarely kept the ball, the few sequences of passes we had went sideways and backwards, the ball never went in the Mancs’ penalty area let alone troubled De Gea. United deservedly went ahead in the 70^th minute and although we had plenty of time to get back into the game the next fifteen minutes were excruciating, as we struggled to stem the red horde.

And just as I was beginning to mark it down as one of ‘those days’ we put together our best move of the afternoon. Ox put in his best cross all seaon, Kosc bulldozed Jones out of the way and Giroud, leaping like a salmon to 12 feet in the air ( see above the snap of Olivier and Kosc caught in the moment) POWERED the ball in from five yards. Unstoppable. The weekend took on an altogether more relaxed tone.

Of our brave lads Cech, Mustafi and Kosc put in very, very good performances in my opinion and did not put a foot wrong all afternoon. Cech’s saves in the first half were not exceptional by his standards but ensured we stayed in the game. Carl Jenkinson was marked out as the focus of attention by the United but I thought he responded very well, defended sensibly, never dived in and was decisive in clearing the ball when needed. Clearly a disappointing day for the social media boo-boys. The Le Coq put in his usual hard working and disciplined performance. Francis is really coming to grips with doing his job but not getting booked. He put in seven tackles yesterday and conceded just one foul.

Looking further forward I am hard pushed to find much to pick out. First half we did well as I mentioned with Alexis and Theo looking sharp. Second half I would not criticise the effort put in but it was a long way from the Wengerball I am lucky enough to be used to.

Of the home side ? I like Mata, I have always liked Mata. He is a very good footballer. It is a great pity he has been forced to play for the Portuguese idiot again. Hopefully Mata will not have to put up with the current regime too much longer, as United sink into a scarp for the Europa place with Watford and Everton.

Well that is me done – you all saw the game and our collective dust has no doubt settled compared with the immediate post match blizzard of emotion. While Trafford Park may not have been fun yesterday a point keeps us nicely in touch, with a decent break before PSG and then Bournemouth, both at home. I think the voyage is progressing rather well.

Right people, turn your papers over, you have ten minutes complete the questions 

What are the most points ever scored by Arsenal football club in its EPL history? (three points for a win)

1. a) 102
2. b) 90
3. c) 88
4. d) 95

Who scored the most goals (7) in any game for Arsenal.

1. a) Ted Drake
2. b) John Radford
3. c) Ian Wright
4. d) Cliff Bastin

Ken Dodd’s Dad’s dog died last night-

1. a)  Diddy?
2. b) Doddy?
3. c) do wah diddy, diddy dum diddy do?
4. d)  What type of dog was it? One of those dogs that when the doorbell rings it goes into a sexual frenzy and starts trying to mate with anything? Hold on I thought this was an Arsenal blog! I mean did Ken, his Dad, or even his dog even support Arsenal? Grrr! When I met him on tour in the Levant, Samgrass said this would happen to society! Grrr! One sh-sh-sh-ould stick to f-f-f-ooter..?

On their way to the 1980 CWC final, Arsenal beat IFK Gothenburg 5-1 in the first leg, but what was the score in the second leg?

1. a) 1-1
2. b) 2-2
3. c) 0-0
4. d) Where is Gothenburg? Is that where all the Goths live? I met a Goth once, London type, said his name was Adrian De’ath. Slept in a coffin. Had his black hair all shaved close on one side, and it was long at the back like a mullet. I said “you look like a pale Chrissy Waddle!”. He didn’t say anything back.He just stared out of the window all mean and moody contemplating death, wind-swept moors,Lord Bryon and the band Bauhaus.

Which club did Patrick Vieira come from when he joined Arsenal?

1. a) A.S Cannes
2. b) Juventus
3. c) AC Milan
4. d) The Village Vanguard about 3 a.m.

Which player did Bruce Rioch bring to Arsenal?

1. a) Dennis Bergkamp
2. b) Ian Wright
3. c) Jimmy Carter
4. d) Dennis Einstein, the younger brother of Albert. Famous for his philosophical insights into the stratagems of pedantic formulations of incoherent a posteriori, and the culmination of the categorical imperatives within any coherent theory of truths as a subsequent notion of inductive reason as an attribute of the material cause of various teleological arguments that reason that Tottenham Hotspur are basically a form of oscillating stool type matter, as found in farmyards. He formulated this as: Lilywhite + Alectryon = shit. A formula that broke the scientific world into pieces, and lead the scientific naturalists and various Middlesex rambler/country types drop their aforementioned notions, and revise history and pay homage at the sign of the Gunner.

How many goals did Thierry Henry score for Arsenal?

a) 164

b) 228

c) 174

d) I knew a man at Oxford in 1924 called Henry, went together to Ascot to see the horse “Ponceious Pilot” in the 2.30. Came in first. Old Henry ran awf with me ticket, never saw him again, the rotter bagged all my ruddy cash! Never trusted anyone called Henry after that. Now Quiggan, thats a trustworthy name! Always trust a  Quiggan! I say you don’t perchance fancy a quick snifter do you, should be coming up to opening time soon? Mind you I knew a bloke called Snifter once too. Bohemian type, un-shaved,wore sandals in the winter. I said to the fellow, never above the latitude of Gibraltar should one been seen with that type of footwear. Of course,he ignored me, can’t think why? Those literary-set types are all the same-louche.

Victoria Concordia Crescit was the Arsenal motto for years, but what does it mean?

a) Victory comes from harmony

b) You man, go over there and attack those trenches, while I take dinner.

c) Victory is a crescent like joy

d) Dunno but wasn’t she one of the Spice girls? Or something like that anyway, one of them Boy-bands you get on that X factor show.

What position/style of play do Joke City adopt the most?

a)  left back

b ) right back

c ) I dunno I just can’t stand them. And I don’t want to talk about it, but we call it “parking the bus”.Grrr!

d) Ken Dodds Dads dogs dirty doggie style position.

How many games did Nigel Winterburn play for Arsenal?

1. a) 335
2. b) 359
3. c) 584

d) Look you idiot, he didn’t play for Arsenal, he played for West Ham! Call your self a Gooner! I know these things I was at Anfield in 89! And me Grandad supported Arsenal.

Why was Liam Brady called “chippy”?

a) He comes from Chipping Ongar.

b) He liked chips

c) He collected small chips of wood from carpenters across the world.

d) He chipped the ball beautifully, every Arsenal fan knows that!

Which Arsenal player was called Supermac?

a) Frank McLintock

b) Malcolm MacDonald

c) Bob McNab

d) Me Mums mate, Alfie Mackintosh. He kept terrapins and weasels. He was a shallow man, cruel and insensitive. Took to ranting of an evening in his garden, said he wrote all of Shakespeare’s works. Ended up supporting Chelsea.

Who did the Arsenal Ladies beat in this years(2016) FAW Cup final?

a) Chelsea

b) Man City

c) Doncaster Belles

d) Notts County

Quiz complied by Boris Karl-Orf . Have a good weekend. Don’t worry them Gunners and the regulars will soon be back!

Thank you Mills, you have added a smile to my morning. And tomorrow I have a very special piece to put up from an occasional contributor, but one who produces quality not quantity. ( Taps nose and winks  knowingly) 

See you about 10.

Now where are my car keys ? 

  Mane Bonum populo affirmativo,

The dust settles, the planet turns on. We must return to more weighty matters.

As an antidote to the endless nothingness of the international football break a new feature on PositivelyArsenal in the form of a Quiz, prepared by Mills. Needless to say his specialised subject is Arsenal. May your mood be a little lighter. Bene habeas. 

When was Arsenal Football club established?

1. a) 1886
2. b) 1996
3. c) 2006
4. d) No idea I’m too busy watching Arsenal fan tv and vlogging myself for intricate details like that.

Where was ex- Arsenal player John Kosmina born?

1. a) Pluto
2. b) New Zealand
3. c) Australia
4. d) Behind the green door.

David O’Leary’s nickname was..?

1. a) The Martian
2. b) Spider
3. c) Fly
4. d) No idea, I only read books by David Icke.Just think under my finger nail there could be many worlds…the moons a secret alien base you know…

In what position did Ritchie Powling play?

1. a) Missionary
2. b) Midfield
3. c) Defence
4. d) No idea, but was he on TOWIE?

What was Liam Brady’s nickname ?

1. a) Chippy
2. b) fishy
3. c) meat pie

d)Hey man, whoa man, I dunno man, I never came down after Woodstock man! Cain’t remember the 60s let alone nicknames.

Before Arsenal FC became Arsenal FC with various prefixes, they were called what?

1. a) Dial Sq fc
2. b) Fax machine fc
3. c) email fc
4. d) Snap chat fc of course! Facebook is only for old people -you’ve gotta keep up, I mean being a You Tube star is just so yesterday! Its the new Punk!

Le Grove is what?

1. a) A lunatic asylum near Chipping Ongar.
2. b) a place where old animals go to die.
3. c) one of the Hells that Danté wrote about.
4. d) some damp Urbex place that makes you want a crap when you go there as you feel you have the cold under the skin and all paranoid that the local farmer type is coming to give you a bollocking or worse.

In what place did Arsenal finish last year?

1. a) 2nd
2. b) 1st
3. c) 3rd
4. d) Look son, I want Wenger out, so it must have been 4th, I mean we always come 4th ffs! What we need is Mou to sort things out, he knows what he isn’t doing, if you know what I mean? Know what I mean? I blame Wenger! How come we always come fourth, George Graham now that was a manager!

Against which team did Sammy Nelson pull his shorts down after scoring for and against Arsenal that night?

1. a) Coventry
2. b) Spurs
3. c) Man Ure
4. d) Spurs, at least that’s what I read at “A Cultured Lefty Cheesy Footicus”.

Which is the most loathsome club in the world?

1. a) Spurs
2. b) Tottenham Hotspur
3. c) The Spuds
4. d) I simply have no idea as I’m too busy reading the Grauniad during the match. Rhubarb and Bikini atoll coconut smoothie anyone? I say that O’Zeel chaps rather good I hear?

Coming soon, part two!

Quiz created by Boris Karl-Orf.