This Saturday sees The Arsenal leave their own red streets of North London for the first time since early January and travel to Wolverhampton seeking three precious away points in our pursuit of the Premier League title.
How do you think things are going?
Our last 5 games at home have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride in all honesty. A bit of everything in there and something for everyone to take away from it all. For the more pessimistic, we are out of both cups, the squad has been desperately depleted by the injury gods, we have struggled with our finishing, failed to close the gap on the leaders, and added no immediate reinforcements in the transfer window. But me no buts, the season teeters precariously on the precipice of doom. But then we have the optimists. Maybe it is better to be out the cups as now we are getting a mini-break in early February, players like Saliba, Lewis-Skelly and White are close to returns, the players who are fit have given it their all, the NLD was gloriously won, we are still close enough to the leaders, we are already in the CL Top 8 (I know, I know, not mathematically but optimists don’t care about maths). Sing me no sad songs, there is all to play for in the competitions that matter and it could be a great, great season.
All of the previous paragraph is true for me, the good and bad, however it won’t surprise many of you to find I remain optimistic. Sure, we really do need a striker and Mikel said as much quite directly in his latest presser “we lack goals, we lack people, we lack options in the front line, it is clear”, however he also made the obvious point it doesn’t just depend on our will. Can we win anything without adding anyone in this transfer window? I’d prefer to pass on that question but that would be gutless, so to put my own objective tuppence on the line I would say yes to the CL and no to the PL. My usual answer would be an unthinking “absolutely yes, let’s go for it”, but the PL is really where we need the squad depth to grind out win after win over the final 10 games or so of a long, hard season. Not impossible with our currently limited resources but very tough. The cup on the other hand, well, many will remember the injury-ravaged defence that got us to the final in 2006. We have been noticeably more knowing in our approach to the CL this season than last, some lessons seem to have been learned that I hope will hold us in good stead for the harder tests to come in the later stages. This Arsenal team need fear no one.
The Arsenal XI
Before any dreams of Champions League glory however we must return to the sadly mundane, otherwise known as Wolverhampton Wanderers. Who will play? The selection cards were once again close to the managerial chest today as Mikel delivered the good news that MLS (nothing serious on the scan) and Saliba were closer than previously expected and would be available for next week’s games against Girona and Cheaty. What about tomorrow you ask? Mikel said he needs to chat with the medical staff before he can answer that question (in reality of course, not Presser World, we know he would never actually answer that question even after chatting to the medical staff) and so, as usual, we will find out an hour and a bit before kick-off. My own expected XI is below…….
Raya
Timber Kiwior Gabriel Calafiori
Partey Ødegaard Rice
Nwaneri Kai Martinelli
There is an obvious talking point – what balance on the right of defence? Does the Zagreb game mean Mikel has changed his mind about playing Kiwior as a right-sided CB? I don’t know but my feeling would be yes. Have we given up on TP5 as RB? No idea, but I hope so. And then the attack. To be frank it wouldn’t surprise or bother me to see Leo on the left as he didn’t start midweek and Sterling on the right with Martinelli rested and Nwaneri eased back but it may depend somewhat on whether MA intends to leave anyone out completely for the Girona game. I should add that I am not quite of a mind to give up on Sterling. Just seems a bit hasty to me given how little he has played though I accept many have already seen enough and obviously he is struggling for touch and confidence at times. However, importantly, I don’t see or sense that he has given up – neither does MA ,I assume, as he today dismissed the idea of returning either Sterling or Neto to allow us to loan in anyone else. Anyway, time for the opposition.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
For those who don’t know it Wolverhampton is a place in the West Midlands, it was invented in the 19th century and named after a local wolf pack who roamed the streets devouring the local peasantry and passing, well, wanderers ( Ed: You absolutely cannot just make stuff up, this is a respectable publication not a government!) . Oh, well, in that case, Wolverhampton was first mentioned more than a thousand years ago, named for some local landowner, and has had a long and deeply uninspiring history ever since. I shall leave it to Queen Victoria to summarise, “it is a large and dirty town, but friendly”. The football club on the other hand has had its moments in the sun, racking up three league titles in the 1950’s (which is amazingly more than some so-called big clubs in their whole miserable existence) and several successes in various cups through the 60s and 70s. The rain set in shortly after that however and relegation to the old 4th division followed – on the bright side it did allow Wolves to become the first club to win all four division titles, if that is actually a bright side. The last six or seven seasons had seen them initially established as a mid-table side that can be hard to handle on their day, but in a fairly familiar tale they’ve regularly sold their better players on for a profit and are now struggling in 17th place. At this moment they seem to be in a tussle with Ipswich, Leicester and hopefully Everton for the two spots to go down with Southampton. Their manager, Vitor Pereira, was appointed in December and had a couple of new manager bounces before the ball was punctured over their last three PL games with three defeats, nine goals conceded and one scored. The one question we really want to know of course is not who they will play – the usual shower I suppose minus Lemina who’s sulking – but is this Cunha fellow any good and can we get him? They are of course playing hardball given our situation and their own need to stay up and so the chances do not seem great. As to whether he’s any good I will leave it to you to watch and make up your own minds. I am not that keen to be honest, excellent on his day but he seems quite choosy about when that day might be. We have beaten them the last seven times we’ve played them in the PL, home and away, even when Michael Oliver absurdly sent off Gabi Martinelli for two yellow cards in 10 seconds two or three years back. By the way, the referee for the game will be … Michael Oliver.
How would I like the game to go?
We rolled Wolves over efficiently enough back in August; it was 2-0 that day and exactly the same score would be perfectly ok with me this time round. 3-0 would be even more preferable. Wolves’ confidence is fairly low at this moment and it is good time to be playing them. An early goal from Øde would be just the ticket in the circumstances and another just before half-time to wrap it up. A third goal about 10 minutes into the second half and a cruise control finish to the game. That is how I would like the game to go. I can’t really see any good reason why it shouldn’t, so fingers crossed for three precious away points and a safe trip for all our Goonerholic friends.
Come On You Gunners!
A very breezy preview, OM. I have no idea what the Eds. were going on about. I couldn’t spot any bits that you had made up…
Well in Matt. I can’t help thinking it will be anything but an easy win.
Matt
Fine preview . I was believing your wolf pack description and sure that the last time I was in Wolverhampton we had to evade not only marauding wolves but twelve foot boa constrictors and half-man, half lizards who ate strangers . It might have been the effect of the powder a friendly chap put in our tea on British Rail .
Anyway I am confident about the game . I think your defence is spot-on , your midfield is similarly correct and we will see Trossard and Martinelli with Havertz upfront ( I think Sterling and Nwaneri will start on Wednesday)
Btw I’ve not given up on Sterling . He will have to play a frequent part because we haven’t got many alternatives . It would also make sense to buy Neto to free up a loan spot . Whatever I trust the process and we will win 2-0
The father of the ‘local landowner’ of whom OM speaks was beleived to be Wulfsige the Black, which must be why the district around Wolverhampton is known as the Black Country. I read that in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, so it must be true…
Unless I wasn’t paying attention, I don’t think we discussed the Deloitte Football Money League report for 2025. It makes good reading for Arsenal fans with our match day revenue the highest in the Premier League ( but we trail several English clubs in commercial revenue – a legacy of the Gazidis era) . We are also the second richest Women’s club in the world .
https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/services/financial-advisory/analysis/deloitte-football-money-league.html
It’s a very interesting read
TTG@5, if you would like a discussion point, we could talk stadiums (or should it be stadia, for the classically educated doyens of this fine establishment). The Deloitte report underlines how crucial Madrid’s redevelopment of the Bernabéu has been to the revenue growth that made it the first billion-euro club. And it is truly a multi-event wonder, even if the well-heeled Madrilenos who live nearby find so many concerts tiresome. Regardless, the Emirates is at least a generation behind: we have a first-mover disadvantage when it comes to expanding non-football revenue. What is the way to resolve that? Do we need a new stadium? Discuss.
Ned, we have had these recent stories in the media about redevelopment plans for the stadium some of which were discussed here. Plans to expand by digging down and seeing what can be done when comparing the 20 year old Ashburton Grove with other Kroenke stadia in the US. I imagine the stories are all part of the start of the process to upgrade the Emirates. In 20 years time when sadly some of us won’t be around the likes of 21CG, Ollie and Gsd will be enjoying very different surroundings and reminiscing about all those likeable and knowledgeable Goonerholics no longer around.
Cheers Matt! Also for the, er, interesting ‘historical’ bits. They sound right to me.
I would add to your first paragraph, that, currently feeling neither pessimistic nor optimistic, we are not technically out of the League Cup yet. And that Bournemouth have recently shown trashing the Magpies at SJP is possible.
As for today, I’ll take any win, but Wolves’ defence will hopefully make it comfortable.
Heh, SP. No idea what the future holds, but I will try to remember this post in 20 years and anyone is still alive.
If, not and.
Great stuff as usual, Matt !
Wulfsige the Black – a somewhat awkward sounding moniker compared to the as yet unconfirmed Arteta the Red.
And we are the second wealthiest women’s team in the world ? Heaven forbid ! Can you imagine the state of the changing rooms ? Barely possible to get in the place for hundreds of unnecessary pairs of boots in all manner of colours, styles and materials – stiletto heels instead of studs and all tied up with fancy ribbons round the ankles. That might well be right up TTG’s alley, matron, but not mine thank you very much !
Fine stuff as always OM, I have an odd feeling that today is going to be a stress free landslide, I don’t usually have such optimism before a game so who knows?
I have another brain MRI on Tuesday so we’ll see if the damage got worse or thankfully (hopefully) lost momentum and stopped, fingers crossed for the latter.
Hope you are all as well as can be?
Good luck, DG! Fingers crossed.
Thanks DG, best of luck on Tuesday 🤞
DG – all the very best for you on Tuesday 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Best of luck with the scan DG!
Off to Molineux 15 minutes.
SP
Lovely post !
I’m 74 years young today and would love to be at our new stadium in 2045 with a lot of veteran Holics ! What an indication of how quickly life moves on to be 5ginking about upgrading or moving our stadium . We have a huge site at Ashburton Grove. While we are upgrading we could always move to the Toilet Bowl. That would be fun !
The Athletic has an article about Max Dowman unfortunately behind a paywall . He was born on New Years Eve 2009 so is two years off doing GCSEs ! But what a talent he seems and can we keep him from the clutches of our 4ivals around Europe . Manchester United seem to be trying to poach from our academy .
We visited Molineux a few seasons back and had a lovely time. A nicely designed ground with both modern and traditional features. There were plenty of food kiosks outside the ground and everyone was very friendly as Queen Vic observed about 150 years before our visit. Especially the Wolves fans in the main stand who were particularly fond of my brightly coloured jacket. Some of you will have heard the story but for those of you that haven’t, it was pink. I still don’t know why I opted for such fluorescent clothing for a football match but at least I was able to provide the home fans with some entertainment on what was otherwise a frustrating evening for them. They were a good bunch though, it must be said. I have had a soft spot for wolves since their most recent promotion, they were fantastic in those first 2-3 seasons but have since regressed although I still think there’s more than enuf quality in their ranks to stay up. Although taking Cunha off their hands would seriously hinder their chances. It will be interesting to see if he makes their squad today given the noise around him.
DG@12: Great to see you in. Let me add my best wishes for a successful outcome with Tuesday’s scan.
TTG: Happy birthday.
Saliba and MLS back.
Raya,
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
Partey, Rice, Nwaneri,
Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz
Subs: Neto, Porter, Tierney, Zinchenko, Calafiori, Kiwior, Jorginho, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji.
But no Ødegaad.
A very happy birthday TTG 🎂🍾
No Merino either it seems.
Happy Burns Day, Holics. Fair Fa’ your honest sonsie faces.
That’s a great, optimistic preview, Matt and your team selection looks very good to me.
@2 SP – are there such things as easy wins in this League, particularly when we’re playing away and Oliver is the ref? I expect we may well hear “Michael Oliver, it’s all about you” ring out from our travellers this afternoon. I’ll take a win of any colour, size or persuasion today. (Although I’ll be watching BSRFC live but probably listening in to what’s happening at Wolves at the same time).
The Deloitte report is interesting and the Matchday and Broadcasting results are very good. The PL was always going to be a money making machine. As Dr F mentioned yesterday, the Commercial results are, at best, disappointing where we trail in on 10th position, even behind the Marshdwellers. I won’t bore you with my many thoughts on that here.
One thing that did interest me was the Matchday comparison between the top 3 clubs RM, PSG and Arsenal was probably driven by stadium capacity. However while RM have more seats (78,300 – similar to 4th place Man U), PSG has only 48,000. Either their seat prices are very high or PSG is doing a sensational job on in-stadium merchandising and pommes frites vending.
Enjoy the game wherever you’re watching or listening.
Good stuff, Matt. Your optimism shines through. No chickens are being counted here though. Turn up. Put in a shift. Take no prisoners. Return to N5 for R&R.
Good news on Saliba and MLS. Apparently Øde has flu. That’ll reduce our smooth operation -here’s to Nwaneri showing his quality. Don’t know about Merino.
Good luck with your scan DG. I hope you get a very good result.
Happy birthday and many happy returns, TTG. Have a great day.
An early let off as Sarabia kindly blasted over
The loss of Ode makes it tougher now
That is just absurd
For those who still don’t think there is a refereeing conspiracy against us, I give you that joke of a decision after recent weeks where Arsenal have had players legs shredded by studs without punishment
Will just have try and grind it out 2nd half and nick a goal.
I am lost for words at the stupidity of that decision, it is so
obviously wrong.
It’s ALWAYS All About Oliver. Corrupt.
https://sports.yahoo.com/arsenal-vs-wolves-michael-oliver-120100123.html
Get in Calafiori, dream finishing
I would love to win this one now, JFW
Fucking yes yes yes! I love this team
An excellent result despite Oliver’s best efforts. The team showed its spirit and quality.
Gomes’s second yellow was a far more dangerous tackle than MLS’s. One gets a straight red; the other doesn’t. Plus MLS will get a three-match ban, while Gomes will miss one.
The travelling faithful were magnificent. Came through so strong and loud on the TV broadcast.
Fabulous. Fabulous battling display and so well deserved. We kick on from here.
Oliver is a fucking useless idiot but the really useless, corrupt fools are in the VAR box. They had the opportunity to change a wrong red to a yellow and decided to protect their mate. Scandalous.
Can we appeal the red?
Too right. The Gomes 2nd yellow has to be a red for consistency in the same game. But no, shock horror. Pricks the lot of them.
Yes, I think we can appeal. Though the chance of success is small I hope we do.
Looking forward to hearing from our man in the stands as it must have been a
great one to be there live
If Oliver comes out and says I got that wrong then we won’t need to, presumably.
Michael.Oliver
Darren England
David Coote
Bobby Madley
Lee Mason
Mike Riley
Jon Moss
Keith Hackett
Your boys took one hell of a beating!
C100
You missed Chris Kavanagh 😀
Re an appeal I think it’s vital that we do appeal because it will expose the incident to intense scrutiny- and exposed to scrutiny it is impossible to endorse Oliver’s decision. I suspect the PGMOL will ensure he doesn’t referee another Arsenal game this season . His Arsenal track record is highly concerning .
It will be interesting to see if Howard Webb makes any attempt to support Oliver’s decision . It is surely impossible to do so- but for VAR to uphold it shows what pathetic hands we are in refereeing wise in the Premier League . Muppets all
>>>>>>>>