Daily Bits and Bobs

Big announcement expected today. Arsenal v Aston Villa and It’s Gunner be tough!

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Club captain won’t be playing today and it’s unsure whether he’ll still be at Arsenal next season as his contract expires this summer according to the Sky Sports interviewer who asked him about his future. Mikel replied:

I would love to (stay), yes. We’re both very clear what we want and we will announce something after the final.

Part of me doesn’t want the club to lose another captain, the other part believes that perhaps Mikel Arteta should be allowed to go and get a bumper deal elsewhere.

Here we are then, FA Cup Final day has finally arrived and its Aston Villa v Arsenal. Yes, we are the so called away team today so yellow and blue it is….

COYRRG'S!!
COYRRG’S!!

All the talk among Arsenal fans seems to have been about whether or not Giroud or Walcott will start. Villa have their own ‘lump’ up front in Benteke, so we will have ours…. Who knows, maybe Arsene….

Both of those players need service in order to be effective and that’s where the game will be won or lost imo.

Villa have creativity in Grealish, Sinclair, Delph and N’Zogbia.

At the back though, things haven’t really improved since Sherwood arrived a few months ago. Just two weeks ago, Southampton thumped them 6-1, a defeat which should have been more hefty.

The last game of the season saw them lose at home to Burnley…..

Creative – a word which could so easily be replaced in the dictionary by ‘Arsenal’ because that’s what we do. We create, sometimes like last Sunday, we make that creativity count, other times, we waste chance after chance after chance….

For all Villa have, we have more and we have better.

Arsene Wenger can choose from oodles and doodles of creative players. Cazorla, Wilshere, Ozil, Rosicky, Ramsey, Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The midfield battle will no doubt be between Cleverley and Coquelin and imo, they’ll be only one winner.

Defence – Villa have conceded seven in two matches, whereas we have conceded ten league goals in 2015!

Between the sticks it’ll be Ospina or Szczesny v Brad Guzan or Shay Given! Rumour is Szczesny will get the nod.

On paper, we are stronger than Villa but this is the FA Cup Final, we are facing a side who breezed past Liverpool in the semi-final, a club which has won this prestigious trophy seven times and it won’t be easy.

League form goes out the window on days like this, it’s a one off chance for glory.

For us, it’s a chance to make history. For Villa, it’s a chance to beat the favourites and they will if any single Arsenal player turns up without focus, determination and a desire to win.

The league season is over and no matter what happens today, both sets of players can go off and have a well earned break from football but before then, one set of players has to give more than their all.

They will run until their legs give in and they will give everything until there is nothing left to give. They will never give up the cause, nor will they give up the ball. They will wear their shirt with pride and do all they can to make sure they leave Wembley with a winners meal around their neck and the trophy on board their bus…

COYRRG’S – make sure that team is you!!!!

 

rico

251 thoughts on “Big announcement expected today. Arsenal v Aston Villa and It’s Gunner be tough!”

  2. BT62 Gooner says:

    Nice one Rico….

    It’s time for heroes to take center stage….

    SHE WORE SHE WORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. BT62 Gooner says:

    Rico, i know what you mean, something has been gnawing away at me all week.

    Though i will say i havn’t felt overly nervous….yet…lol

  8. rico says:

    Bt, I worry the team will think it’ll be easy and it really won’t. Sherwood will have his players well prepared and up for this match – who is going to be our Mr Motivator?

    I’m nervous… 😉

  10. Tai says:

    Great post Rico…

    If we didn’t lose to Swansea…if we hadn’t drawn against Sunderland…I would have worried today could be messed up by overconfidence. But those two performances at home would have warned Wenger and his boys nothing is ever assured until it is truly in the bag.

    If I was in charge, I’d line-up; Ospina, Bellerin, Per, Koscielny, Monreal…Coquelin, Ramsey, Carzola…Walcott, Giroud, Sanchez.

    But I’m very far from being in charge and the man who is will likely line out thus; Szczesny, Bellerin, Per, Koscielny, Monreal…Coguelin, Carzola, Ozil…Ramsey, Giroud, Sanchez.

    Whichever set of players that grace the Wembley turf, nothing other than retaining the FA Cup is expected of them, however tough today’s opponents turn up.

  11. BT62 Gooner says:

    No doubt he’ll will be off for KO…..

    Gooner Sherwood will have his Villains hyped to the heavens for sure, Rico…

    I’am expecting a hard fought game, if any of our lads need motivating for this game, they should not be playing….

  12. allezkev says:

    Rico, you had a bad feeling 12 months ago.
    And we won…

    Don’t be so negative…

    Hiya BT, it’s gonna be a rubbish game today mate, but as long as the yellows win, I don’t really care…

    Good post Rico, now go and have a beer. 😀

  17. kel says:

    Great post…. I think we’ve all had that feeling rico in sure the villa fans are fearing the worst to. For me its Whoever holds there nerve wins the trophy, and after last years final being 2 goals down in 9 mins this Arsenal team held its nerve and recovered.

    Today it is absolutely imperative that we start fast and intense that’s the key imo, We cannot afford to start like last yr, let’s get at them from the off and hurt them.

    We have the experience, we have the nerve, we have the Quality the talking is over its time to Show it.
    COYG….

  20. rico says:

    Thanks Tai..

    You have a point, those two fixtures gave us a bit of a wake up call but thankfully, the last game we found form and we need that kind of performance today…

    Agree Bt, I sure wouldn’t need to be motivated if I was playing, in fact I’d need calming down… 😉

    Thanks Kev, best I stay nervous then… lol

  22. rico says:

    🙂 Micko

    Thanks Kel, difference for Villa fans though is doubt they expect to win… 😉

    Spot on, no silly start like last year. Focussed and fast from the off and an early goal…

  23. rico says:

    🙂 Bt, and there was me thinking I’m a calm one….

    Nipping off for an hour, need to get a few things done..

    Lata’s..

    COYRRG’S!!!

  24. potter says:

    Amongst all this show of nerves and bravado I would like to take a little time to say Happy Birthday Stevie G.

    He, He, He.

  26. Dublingunner says:

    Afternoon, Big big day, but i too feel very cautious today, reason being we seem to have gone off the boil the past few games, hopefully that won,t filter through to the team, also this wembley thing just doesnt seem to bring out the best in us, Needing penalties against Wigan and extra-time against Hull last year, Then again a late mistake by the Reading Keeper, proves we have struggled against, with all due respect, very average sides.but not to be so negative, If we play our game, keep it tight at the back and not make silly mistakes, we should have enough for them “CMON ARSENAL !!!”

  28. HenryB says:

    Great stuff, Rico, again. 🙂

    It is understandable to be nervous about today’s Final, as it is a ‘one-off’ game and any opposition team can win with a fluke, a cock-up or one never-to-be-repeated piece of genius.

    Nine games out of ten we would trounce them – but a one-off — who knows? Makes it even more exciting which is what the Cup is all about.

  29. Tai says:

    I’ve hardly been ever as confident as I am of a Gunners’ victory today. Can’t explain why but it’s not even going to be by a one-goal margin.

  30. Wavy says:

    “We will win today. It’s an absolute certainty.” I said that in 1969 before we kicked off against Swindon! My fortune telling career died that day and I’ve never predicted an outcome since!
    We should win today but nothing is certain. After last year’s shambles of a game we were made to look poor and we were poor. Did we deserve to win? Well, probably in the end, but only just. Villa are a strange team at present, they have some very good players going forward but their defence is very brittle. We should score a hatful against them but the same could, perhaps be said of the Sunderland game, and how many did we score? Not many, well not any! The bus parked up and the Arsenal weren’t able to break through and score! Cost us second place. We weren’t good enough that night. Might Villa do the same? I suppose there’s always extra time!!

    I know Arsenal should win but I’m not that convinced they will. Do you know it’s very uncomfortable sitting on the fence!

    Good battle cry Rico. I’m sure Wenger will set the team up well and send them out will oodles of self belief. I hope they translate that into a resounding victory. A couple of goals in the first 10minutes for us would be just the job!

  31. andrewh1313 says:

    Good post rico, afternoon all, back home and waiting …….

    Able to watch my home-town team, Southend, win a dramatic shoot-out in Play-Off final while in Algarve, anyone catch the game? It was like watching Arsenal in that the ref missed the most obvious penalty imaginable!!

    Not as nervous as last year, which was critical to get a trophy again and shut everyone up.

    Talking of last year, just found a saved souvenir double-spread photo out of newspaper of our winners. On reverse, marks out of 10, Ozil 4, and that’s for a winner! Lets hope its different this year.

  32. Adam says:

    The only time we have ever played well at Wembley was in the Charity Shield. The rest of the times we have been poor to average.

  36. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Adam, havn’t even started yet!!

    Trying to watch Football Focus, it’s hard work, nowt but Villa on…

    Going to wash the car in a moment….

  37. Adam says:

    BT. That’ll eat up a couple of hours then. 🙂 I did mine in the week in anticipation of victory. I studiously avoid all pre-match stuff and turn on ten minutes before KO.

  43. `Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.
    Great Post Rico a complete Moral booster.
    Feeling a little nervous today so I thought I would watch the England U21 play.
    Both Chuba and Isaac are playing and Chuba has just given England the lead.

    Its on BT 509 Rico.

  46. allezkev says:

    Great to hear that Chuba and Isaac are playing Rick. They’ll both hopefully be involved in pre-season and impress Arsene, a la Bellerin…

  47. tsgh says:

    Good read Rico.
    Fellow gooners on train look a bit subdued as compared to this time last year.
    3 goals from the good guys.
    Per to score…
    Arteta to stay.I hope

  50. Dublingunner says:

    City sniffing around Wilshere big time, that story I do believe, I wander how much they,d be willing to pay. Bale has pissed spurs fans off today, Tweeting best of luck to the Arsenal lads, hilarious.

  54. `Rick says:

    Rico he is no12. He is looking a little rusty, but if this helps him to full fitness
    thats good. Have you seen the goal Chuba at his best.
    Our U15’s are playing in the Marveld cup in Holland. So far the results are
    Lost to Dynomo Moscow 1-0 but have beaten Barcelon3-2 Sv Grol 2-0
    and Ajax 1-0. They play Fc Twenty at 4-30

  58. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Nice match preview Rico. Now you have till August…..the Charity shield to be exact for another match preview.

    I would like Arteta to stay as he is another coach in the making. His tactical brain is second to none so he will be an asset to the club. But if Vidal and/or Schneiderlin come than how will he get to play???

    We wait and see.

  60. goonster says:

    We love arsenal we do we love you arsenal we do we love you arsenal we do oooh arsenal we love you 😀 come on you FUCKING gunners. Let’s top them a new one. Come on.

  61. goonster says:

    Morning good people great day to be alive. Am so chuffed. We ll spank them if we show up but how often does the real arsenal show up. Theo and OG to score. 2.0 to the good guys. Come on.

  64. rico says:

    I didn’t know this:

    On this day in 1995 Arsenal Legend Ted Drake sadly passed away aged 82. Drake is famous for scoring all 7 goals in a 7-1 victory over Aston Villa in 1935…..

  67. allezkev says:

    Hey Stan, are you in the mood today…

    Rick, I’ve heard that Harry Donavon is unsettled.

    Not sure what is going on behind the scenes @ Academy, but it doesn’t sound great…

  70. allezkev says:

    Sing up BT… 😉

    I’m off to Tesco in a minute, to stock up on a few Peronis…

    Hi Adam…

    How is the nerves mate?

  71. goonster says:

    Kev you betcha 😀 am raring to go. Come on. Haha smash them villa cnuts. Show them why we re called the mighty arsenal. Come on you gunners.

  79. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Team in full: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott.

    Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.

  81. Adam says:

    Goonster. I am at home Stan, just hanging out with Mrs Adam.

    Hey Kev. I am ‘philosophical’ about the game. 🙂

  82. rico says:

    Come on Theo, show you are worth a new contract!!

    Sure is Kev, wouldn’t it be great if someone repeats that today… 🙂

  87. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Aye yes…..I would like Theo to turn up today. However I would like one player to score……if its going to be his last game then yes……I want Nacho to score and put us ahead.

  92. rico says:

    Aston Villa XI: Given, Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson, Westwood, Delph (c), Cleverley, Grealish, N’Zogbia, Benteke. Subs. Guzan, Bacuna, Sinclair, Agbonlahor, Cole, Sanchez, Baker.

  94. `Rick says:

    Not long now guys will Theo be the Hero.
    In the Marveld cup the boys haver beaten FC Twenty 2-1 and will play Atletico Paranaense (brazil I think) in the semi tomrrow.

    Kev something is very wrong with the Acadamy and I was hoping you could tell me what it is. I will say no more for the moment .

  96. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Just lubing the old vocal cords, Rico!!!! lol

    SHE WORE SHE WORE SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON!!…….

  97. andrewh1313 says:

    Adam, you local to Essex?

    BT62, Airport thriving since Eddie Stobart and Easyjet moved in, after years of being crap.

    Come onnnnnnnmm gunners

  100. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ah1313, use to fly in to Sarfend on the way to the matches, but Easyjet put an end to that…..

    O2 O2B O2B A GOOOONERRRR!!!!!

  102. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, at home in the plush directors seat……lol

    Not allowed in pub, i’m to loud…lol

  120. rico says:

    Great first half, we deserve a bigger lead….

    Second half could be interesting with Delph and Hutton on yellow cards…

    Run at Hutton and he’ll be off….

  124. Dublingunner says:

    Have to admit, I was against Walcott starting ahead of out of form Giroud. I,ll take that on the chin.

  130. Hell Raising Devil says:

    What a goal by Theo. I said it this morning…..Theo on the left and Alexis on the right. with the exception that Alexis went up front and Theo went on the left.

    we have a very good possession ratio and more shots on goal. Villa are already on 3 yellows and this should make it interesting for the second half.

    we need to score a second as it will kill them off.

    Theo has had the fewest touches of the Arsenal players so far……but one of those counted a lot

  132. Micko says:

    rico, it takes the only Englishman in the side to show ’em how it’s done……….C’mon Arsenal ! Another hattrick and we’ll all go radio rental.

  133. potter says:

    Despite all of his desires Theo is best when he comes in from wide and comes on to the ball.

  154. tsgh says:

    There is only one Arsene Wenger…
    There there is only one arsene Wenger…

    Yes.
    Red Army…
    My voice is gone…jeez.
    3-0 up and folks can’t be bothered to chant…two.
    Theooooo

  155. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, all!!!!! God, it’s a great day to be a Gunner.

    I take exception to the comment that we are playing like Barca. Eeeek. Just kidding, Andrew.

    We are playing like the Arsenal!!!

  170. Dublingunner says:

    What a way to end the season, still in awe of that Sanchez goal, brilliant, We stepped up today, and with a few new players, We will be frightening next season. CMON ARSENAL!!!!

  177. rico says:

    People will say Villa were poor and they were but there’s a reason for that. We made them look poor because Arsenal were fantastic!!!!

  187. Micko says:

    Over the moon for Theo, didn’t he miss last years final because of injury, we were all in his corner today and he didn’t disappoint !

    Alexis, what a signing, what a strike, two goalies wouldn’t have stopped that goal !

    Fair play to Giroud, he would have loved to start today but came on to show his worth with a goal !

    Merts, well what can you say about the BFG…..only scores in the FA Cup.

    Wenger, for-ever giving him stick but today looked like a man from 1996 ! Six FA Cups in the bag !

    If ever I wanted a game not to end it was today !

    We love you Arsenal we do !

    Only down-side, Rambo not getting a hattrick, no offense Scott !

    Ooh to, ooh to be, ooh to be a Gooner.

  188. Adam says:

    Fine thanks Agag. Happy tonight for sure. :). Hope you are well.
    Pop round Rico, I’ve got something for a headache. 🙂

  192. rico says:

    Ha ha Adam, but funny enough, I’ll decline thanks…..

    Andrew, agree, perfect. Absolutely perfect….. Well done Arsene Wenger I say.

  194. Micko says:

    Say we are top of the league, say we are top of the league………..of FA Cups !!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it Jose !

  195. rico says:

    That’s some record eh, and Fergie isn’t around to better it…

    How good was Moss? After he bottled the first booking he really was on our side 🙂

  196. Micko says:

    What a fantastic day rico and it’s a Bank holiday weekend here as well, just hope I’ll come out the other side of it unscathed !

  198. scottfromoz says:

    Hello my HH friends.
    What a result.
    What a performance.
    What a night.
    Just on 24 hours without sleep but I couldn’t be happier.
    We had the grand opening at our new Arsenal Austrlai home venue in our are and christened it with a mighty win.
    We utterly destroyed them and a few Villa fans we entertained were gracious enough to applaud our boys on their stellar performance.
    That was a very satisfying 90 minutes and also an entertaining one.
    She wore, she wore……….

  200. scottfromoz says:

    6.37 and 6.50…..twice Rico?
    The F word twice?
    I’m disgusted.
    Nah, I’m fucking rapt…to you toos thing hahahahahahahahahahahaha
    I can’t remember being so happy.
    Last year was relief…this year is pure joy.
    Theo.
    Alexis.
    Big fucking German.
    Giroud.
    Arsenal.

  204. Micko says:

    Adam, we came, we saw, we conquered ! We are The Arsenal.

    We take so much stick but days like this make it all worth it !

    Nite Gooners, off for a swift half to celebrate.

    Ps. Where’s wath, hope the ole git didn’t sleep through it !!!

  207. `Rick says:

    What great day even Moss was on our side biggest cup final win since 1994.
    Rico if you cannot make the prade tomorrow it is being shown live on tyhe player from 10.30

  208. andrewh1313 says:

    Night Rico, morning Scott. Evening all other happy gunners.

    Ref made only two mistakes, didn’t award a free kick on edge and missed a pen. Both in our favour, can’t remember ever saying that!

  209. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, you are forgiven hehehehehehe
    I truly can’t remember being so happy after an Arsenal victory.
    Ok, ’89 was a while ago and I’m an old man now but hey, what a win!!
    Off to Sean’s game in two hours then my lads play so I’ll run the 36 hours without sleep and smile all the bloody way.
    We love you Arsenal………

  210. `Rick says:

    Arsene has said ” The players have organised the celebration I don’t know where but I will follow.I have organised all year “

  215. scottfromoz says:

    Hi Andrew.
    Rick, Arsene has had a torrid time over the last few seasons…..some of his own doing, some not, but ones things for certain….he’s won 2 trophies at the Emirates now, and we can all celebrate like there’s no tomorrow 🙂 🙂
    Let’s enjoy the moment and look forward to next season, but not too soon……drink up guys 🙂

  217. tsgh says:

    Agag,- ‘are you watching Tottenham’ is a song…Lol
    What a day Scott?
    It’s always a pleasure.
    Fans still on train skating Giroud. Lol
    Micko you have to try the new Theo pie from the gooner pie shop.

  218. Tai says:

    Scott, I feel man…in cloud 10 over here with my friends in Nigeria….

    Here Ts…how’s the feeling over there?

    You know…how come we started trophies now that Fabregas left?

  219. potter says:

    Referee missed an elbow by Agbonlahor on Bellerin which made the lack of free kick decision even sweeter . He really is one player I would be happy to see get a long term injury. The second shout on Grealish could have been given but so could Hutton I think handling. In general Moss did o.k . Not a lot to do , they couldn’t get close enough.

  220. potter says:

    When BFG scored Kos was nearly undressed and spent the celebrations with his shirt over his head.

  225. potter says:

    Steve Gerrard Gerrard..he’s finding this hard to take, sat alone with his birthday cake..Steve Gerrard Gerrard.

    Stolen from Online Gooner thread.

  230. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Gooooooddddddd Moooooorrrrniiiiiiinnngggg Lovelies and Hunkies.

    A smile as wide as the whole of the world.

    90% of the english football fraternity wanted Villa to win. Well…..sod them.

    We are smiling,
    We are smiling,
    All the way,
    Across the seas

  231. scottfromoz says:

    Soooooo tired right now, but I can’t miss this replay.
    What a performance!
    What a night!
    Morning guys.
    If you’re smiling half as much as I am, then you’re a very happy camper!

  233. Joe says:

    Good morning to one and all, Arsenal are not supposed to do things that easy hangover is worth it thou.

  241. Joe says:

    Pain of the hangover brought on by some very nice craft beers at the end of the night, Scott be afraid be very afraid.

  244. Joe says:

    Scott I’d expect nothing else.
    That’s bad luck Rico.
    How about this for a post we won the cup discuss.

  247. tsgh says:

    Bring on community shield.we will beat Jose and go on and win epl.
    With Vidal or grenier or Gregory k signed of course….

  248. tsgh says:

    AH- so true ‘re cesc.
    For the first time in AW career he does not have a team set up around one player.

  249. rico says:

    Ha ha Joe, I like that idea…

    Scott, thanks – just scribbled some other old rubbish… 😉

    Morning Ts. Sky Sports for me..

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