Sad to see no one started a thread for this game. It is a very important one. Will be on NBC. Might be a short run for me but who knows? Come on lads! That Ozil goal...
Interesting times, interesting times. Maybe we can use a little footy tomorrow to distract us from government turmoil on both sides of the pond. Arsenal have sadly made no incoming moves in the January market, while Ramsey is off in summer, and various other controversies are swirling this week. Meanwhile Chelsea have been active and fairly logical. Pulisic signed for summer (presuming Hazard leaves), Cesc gone, Morata going & Higuain coming. In the reverse fixture (round 2) we played really quite well but lost by 1 goal. Chelsea are not quite in their ascendancy but tomorrow will be a big big ask for us. I'd be happy with the opposite result... we play sort of poorly but squeak out a 1 goal win. I'd also take a draw. But a loss will probably turn up the criticisms of our club from all constituencies... to a high volume. And I suspect the manager and the boys know this. So here's to maximal commitment, effort, and maybe even quality. But at least a result!! COYG!
The first kangaroo court of 2019 will commence Monday 9am sharp. Also, I'll be going to the Kings Head in Santa Monica with some buddies for this match Kill!!
Of all that's happened recently, the one thing that has both affected us a lot and flown under radar as far as the media and the internet are concerned is our energy levels. Even where we're not injured, the legs just haven't been there for the last couple fixtures. Ironically, that's my biggest hope for this fixture. We've had a week off for this fixture. Before that we had a week off for West Ham. We're getting a bunch of players back. Hopefully the players have recovered from the Christmas pileup and Emery's double sessions from early in the season to the extent that's an issue. If there's ever an opportunity to put in a big performance, this is it. I think Chelsea wanted Higgy to be available for this fixture, but I haven't heard anything concrete about him so you figure he won't be available by tomorrow. We still have PEA and Lacazette. This is a situation where tbh I don't care that much about the performance. We need a win. If we get that we can afford to kick the can on the other shit down the road for at least a week or two. If we don't win, though, then the performance levels are critical. If we have a bad performance and a bad result like West Ham, I'm not sure Emery will make it till next season, and it certainly puts us behind the 8-ball for the remainder of this one.
Özil is on the bench but Emery inserts him with 9 minutes to play and Arsenal down 3-0. Özil gets criticized when Rudiger flattens him from behind leading to a counterattack that ends in Hazard scoring his 4th.
Had grand plans to take in the match but just got bit by dog on my morning run. Let's see how fast urgent care is running today. So just in case... Up the Gunners! F*** Chelski!
One way or the other, you're gonna definitely be the reason for our result today! Seriously, I hope you get that taken care of, no rabies, etc. I cycle a lot and have had a few run-ins with dogs.
It's a strong line-up, with the exception of Kola at LB perhaps. Ramsey starts. Ozil on bench. Back to a 4-man backline, so hopefully more offense. Laca + Auba again. COME ON!!! Arsenal 19Leno 2Bellerín 5Papastathopoulos 6Koscielny 31Kolasinac 11Torreira 34Xhaka 29Guendouzi 8Ramsey 9Lacazette 14Aubameyang Substitutes 1Cech 4Elneny 10Özil 15Maitland-Niles 17Iwobi 18Monreal 20Mustafi
Lee Dixon doing the game again Cringe Btw- what’s the our record when he commentates ... it feels like we always lose when he is on
Xhaka with a blatant professional foul on Kante. Ref lets him go. Cut that out Granit!!! Meanwhile, we have a missed chance by Auba in front of goal. Edit: Sorry didn't know Jamooky was saying exactly same thing!