Daily Bits and Bobs

Fun and laughter before Arsenal take on City.

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Pep Guardiola says Mikel Arteta is “creating something unique” at Arsenal and feels the Gunners will challenge for trophies under the Spaniard. There is no better person to do the job than Mikel,” said Guardiola. “They have team spirit. Mikel has created.”

Just what ‘unique’ will turn out to be only time will tell. The two Spaniards go head to head again this evening. The last time was just after the season restarted. We lost 3-0 at The Etihad on a day when injury to both Xhaka and Mari upset our early rhythm. Then of course we went down to ten men and once their penalty hit the back of the net, there was only ever going to be one result. A bad day all round for Arsenal and Mikel on his first return to his old stomping ground.

Guardiola went on to say:

From the outside – maybe I am wrong – but what I see in their games, how they celebrate, how they fight for every single ball, they are creating something special for this club. Everybody fights for each other. I have a feeling he is creating something unique and if he can be supported by the club in terms of investment, and get the players that they need, they’ll be a contender for the next years.

 

Investment. Football always comes back to investment and Arsenal are one of the so called big clubs who need it most. Yet one of the clubs who’ll probably be spending the least. Not qualifying for the Champions League hasn’t helped as far spending big money on big names goes but more important than how much Arsenal spend this summer is who they sign. This team needs big characters. Players who’ll turn up and perform on days like today. Players who relish a trip up north on a cold winters afternoon, not the kind who’ll look out the window, see a fluttering of snow and phone in sick.

Back to today, our last hope of European football next season.

  • Arsenal have lost their past seven meetings with Manchester City in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 20-2. Only against Leeds have Arsenal ever lost more consecutive matches in their history (eight).
  • Manchester City’s last defeat against Arsenal in all competitions was in an FA Cup semi-final, throwing away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 in 2017, with Arsenal going on to beat Chelsea in the final.
  • This is just the fifth FA Cup meeting between City and Arsenal, with City winning the first in February 1904, and Arsenal winning the next three (March 1932, February 1971 and April 2017).

 

Doesn’t bode well does it?

 

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – JULY 17: of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on July 17, 2020 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

 

I think previous results and performances go out the window when a Cup match comes around. Who wants it more, who needs it more and who’ll fight for it more matters and Arsenal have to go out onto the Wembley turf with all three passions in full swing. Man City have the better squad by far but with a bit of attention to detail, giving their creative players no time on the ball, anything can happen.

Arsenal have to very aware of the dangerous players Man City have in their squad but it’s up to us to take our game to them rather than focus on all the ‘what might happen’ aspects of the game, otherwise we’ll get beat. What is Mikel’s plan and executing it well is important. The old cliche defend from the front, attack from the back springs to mind because as simple as it sounds, it’s effective. Work hard as a team, create space, get at their defence because it will concede goals. Get at Walker because he can get frustrated, caught out of position and be rash. Force their errors rather than allow them to force ours. It was the pressure applied on Liverpool’s back line and keeper which created our chances and if Virgil can crack, anyone can.

City are bound to enjoy long periods of possession, it’s their game but that’s when it’s crucial for Arsenal to concentrate, work hard off the ball defend well. Then, when the opportunities arise, and they will, hit City hard and fast on the break.

Enjoy the game guys… 🤞🤞

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

rico

72 thoughts on “Fun and laughter before Arsenal take on City.”

  1. Sue says:

    Hi Rico, super post 👍
    In the empty Arsenal end, we’ll pay tribute to our 13 successes in the cup – wonderful idea! Here’s the link:
    https://arseblog.news/2020/07/arsenal-pay-tribute-to-fa-cup-heritage-as-wembley-seat-wrap-is-unveiled/

    I’m nervous… even their B team would more than likely spank us!! It will be tough – KDB, David Silva is rolling back the years as his time in Manchester is coming to an end… Sterling always scores against us… I think the only positives for us is Aguero’s out and Sane has been sold! And hope Mendy and Zinchenko play 😆
    Oh well, you never know in football, but you’re right, Rico, it doesn’t bode well….
    Maybe we could bring Rambo back for one night only???

  3. rico says:

    Hi and thanks Sue, no need to be nervous when petrified is easier 😆

    I wondered if Pep would let us field the entire squad… lol

  5. Cicero says:

    G’day Rico and Sue, Cup Semi Final day, in days gone by it was always a trip up the motorway to Birmingham or Sheffield to the neutral ground, now money talks loudest the to F. A. so it’s Wembley for both matches. No real advantage for any club as there won’t be any fans in the ground.

    City have a very important Champions League game coming up, so they will likely have at least one eye on that, can we take advantage? I would hope so.

    City have no towering strikers or defenders so we don’t need three centre backs, but we do need pace and steadiness. I think we should revert to a back four in front of Martinez, Soares is cup tied so Bellerin, Holding, Luiz and Tierney should suffice. Xhaka, Ceballos and Torreira in front of them could give stability and a front three of Saka, Aubameyang and Lacazette are our most likely scorers.

    We need to start fast and limit the playing out from the back so to get the ball upfield quickly and prevent City pushing us back into our own penalty area.

  6. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all.
    Game day baby!!!!
    Hey, we have no realistic expectations, so I’m just going to enjoy the game and hope for the result.

  8. Aussie Geoff says:

    Hi Rico and all With the transfer market just around the corner, win or lose now is the moment for the players who want to stay or leave to stand up and show what they are made of or in our young players case, what they can potentially offer us next season.

  9. Sue says:

    Bloody hell, Brentford let me down, big time!! They were really poor…. so Stoke are safe now…. gutted!

    G’day Cicero!

  12. Sue says:

    Villarreal have confirmed that Cazorla has opted not to renew his contract and will make his final appearance this weekend….ooh are you thinking what I’m thinking?! 🙂

  13. Joaquim Moreira says:

    What is the weather forecast for next in London?
    I hope Arteta does not make the same mistake of not trying to balance the midfield as against Liverpool.

  17. AndrewH1313 says:

    Had a drink out in the sun. But it hadn’t helped, Agueta, Jesus, Sterling and DB, against Mustafi, Kolasanic…

  19. Sue says:

    #AFC XI: Martinez; Mustafi, Luiz, Tierney; Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

  21. allezkev says:

    4 3 3

    Big chance for Maitland Niles – our midfield really need to work their arses off to cover for Mustafi and Luiz. I’m not confident.

  22. rico says:

    I’m cross with myself as I’d written in the post about playing AMN but deleted it. Not keen on playing football manager 😂

  24. Kstix says:

    Likewise Rico, despite holding doing enough to justify being in the starting line up today. Very disappointed pepe is starting too as he has been piss poor in his last 2 games for us.

  33. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all.
    I rather enjoyed that.
    Let’s hope we go on with the job.
    As long as we don’t concede early in the second half, I think we will win as we have another goal in us!!

  34. Cicero says:

    After a bit of a dodgy start, and a Mustafi brain fart, I think we have got on top of City.

    A nicely taken goal by Aubameyang, another one early in the second half will put the wind up City.

    More of the same from The Gunners in the second half please

  53. rico says:

    He’s certainly earned his contract this week Andrew. Seriously though, he’s brilliant for the younger players and I think they really look up to him. Cock ups or no cock ups. Lol

  55. ScottfromOz says:

    A long way to go, Adam, but I hope you’re slowly starting to come around 🙂 🙂
    At least the signs are there if something building.
    Still a few years away from being a proper club again but at least there’s a buzz about that’s been missing for a while now.
    That was just such a professional performance.
    Loving it.
    Yes guys, Luiz still has plenty to offer.
    He will have the odd howler, but in general,
    A damn fine player.
    Hats off to Auba.
    His finishing today was sublime.

  56. allezkev says:

    That made me feel very proud of my team tonight, it was as Luiz said ‘modern football’ or basically you play to your strengths, be pragmatic, be a bit George Graham, it’s not about the aesthetics it’s about the bloody result…

    Arsenal weren’t boring they were smart, we can’t throw a billion at our team so we have to play smart, and we did and I feel very proud of them, all of them.

    I wonder what Guendouzi and Ozil are thinking, we’re at the beginning of an adventure a great journey and they’re both checking out, well goodbye chaps…

    What I loved about George Graham was how he approached european competition, not gung ho or naive, but smart, you have to be smart to beat foreign coaches and finally we have a coach, no a manager, who I believe can succeed in Europe and by golly a team the size of Arsenal needs to learn how to succeed in europe.

  58. rico says:

    Funny enough Kev, I’ve just written that very name in my post for tomorrow. GG. No, not Wath’s favourite tipple. Lol

  60. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, Wath is holed up with the other 2 outcasts 🙂 🙂
    Seriously, it’s great see some excitement back in you guys!!!!
    Love it.

  61. allezkev says:

    Btw Rico, Scott and Sue, did you know if Man City had won then they would have created a new record for successive victories against Arsenal.
    The record was 7 successive wins over Arsenal that was held by Leeds Utd in the 1970’s and equalled by Man City a few weeks ago when they recorded their 7th straight win over the Gunners. Nice to bring that run to an end….

  62. Aussie Geoff says:

    Sounds like a good match, unfortunately i got my days mixed up and misted it Bugger
    Like I said with the transfer market just around the corner all players need to stand up and show how good they are and by all sounds we deserved the win

  63. ScottfromOz says:

    I heard that right at the end of the game, Kev.
    Not a record we wanted to extend!!!!
    Geoff, it’s worth watching!!

  64. Aussie Geoff says:

    Hi Scott I am hoping that some one plays a replay managed to find Auba’s 2 goals and it looks like Pepe starting to find his feet

  71. Sue says:

    How great is that then, Kev!! To add to the 5 years (& 3 months, to be precise!!) since we last beat the dippers…. what a week it has been 🥰

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