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We bought our own house in Santa Cruz’s hinterlands in mid-2003, and had neither TV nor cable when we moved in. I had spent much of the previous few years watching sports at local bars which were walking distance from where we lived in town. So it was with great anticipation I signed for the new cable setup, and purchased a flat-screen TV (never as big as Chris’s), to watch at home, the nearest sports bar being six miles away.

The first game available to me was vs. Everton at Highbury in August of 2003. It was also the first game my son (then 5) and I were able to watch together. And what a sweet game it was: the first of our Invincible season, with a pair of goals by Henry and Pires blotted only by a late Radzinski consolation. My son still remembers me telling him about the “telepathic communication” had between Robert and Thierry.

Although we don’t have players with that kind of skill (OR telepathy) at the moment, there doesn’t seem to be much doubt that our Arsenal are a team on the up. With no losses since the bus stop blues overtook us at the end of Mikel Arteta’s first home game in December, we’re finally lifting our season out of the treacle and onto firm ground. Five wins, five draws and that lone loss are what has rescued us from the doldrums of Unai. The win in Athens was the third in a run of clean sheets; perhaps the most remarkable result of MA8’s tenure is how suddenly Skodran Mustafi and David Luiz look like a wall rather than an open window. Only those blues have hit us for more than one since our helmet of hair took over from our own bald model.

However, Arsenal are not the only team playing Sunday afternoon at 4:30 that has seen their fortunes rise under a new manager. Both Arteta and Ancelloti saw their first games the same day, the week following our nil draw at Goodison Park; Ancelloti brought a win to toffeeland, whereas Mikel could only bring a draw back from the South Coast to those suffering in red. When we met them at theirs in December Everton were sitting in 15th, 4 points out of the relegation zone. Arsenal were in 11th, four points better on 23 after an uneven run under our Freddie. Ancelloti has pulled Everton up five places, passing us by as we sit still in 11th. Did our head honchos make the wrong hiring decision? It’s a question that fairly could be asked.

As far as I am concerned, the answer is no: the honchos hired the right man. While I appreciate what Ancelloti brings to the blue side of the Mersey it doesn’t match Arteta’s spirit, work ethic, and skill at clarifying how he wants our Gunners to play. Now it’s just getting them to do it for 90 minutes, rather than 60 or 45 (as we’ve seen in our last two matches). Let’s hope this is the game. We’re up against two players well in form (Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, their top goalscorers), fed by, among others, ex-Gunner Alex Iwobi, hoping to use their 3-5-2 to clog the midfield and bring in crosses from the wing. What Mikel is building in our squad should be enough to combat that threat, with organization supporting the defense (Xhaka dropping in to left back when Saka flies forward, for example) and our slow-slow-fast movement putting their seemingly brittle defense under pressure, or shattering them from the counter. They also seem to leak goals from set pieces.

Everton are not missing a lot of players through injury or suspension. Only midfielder Gbamin will miss out for sure, with our old boy Theo Walcott (now 30, 31 in three weeks!!) likely missing after a knee knock. They welcome back Delph (suspension) and Gomes (out since November with a Diaby-esque ankle injury); it will be a surprise if Gomes starts. Our long-term absentees haven’t changed, with Tierney, Cedric, and Chambers still unavailable. We should see back Torreira and Özil, though Bellerin and Papa both are dealing with knocks. Given that, and who played in Athens, I think we’ll see the following:

Leno
AMN Mustafi Luiz Saka
Torreira Özil Xhaka
Pepe Laca Auba

with a bench of Martinez, Holding, Kolasinac, Nketiah, Willock, Guendouzi and Martinelli

The Holics’ Pound
We haven’t lost at home to Everton since Kanchelskis put an 84th minute winner past David Seaman at Highbury in our third game of 1996. And in their last two games, while Everton has run out winners both, they’ve given up three goals to the six they’ve scored. It’s doubtful their defense can keep a clean sheet against us; they’ve only been able to keep out Burnley and Brighton since hitching their fortunes to Ancelloti’s wagon. Since that 1996 loss we’ve averaged more than 3 goals per game against them, and they less than one against us…I’m considering Arsenal 3-1 Everton to be a decent shout for the final score tomorrow, which can be had at 16/1; you can double those odds if you go for 4-1. If you want to tease the old man in the Haymarket and say our defense will nobletts in a goal while we crack them for four, you can get 40/1…

COYG!

123 Drinks to “Will we find the Toffees a hard crack?”

  1. 1
    BtM says:

    Sweet, Scruz!

  2. 2
    BtM says:

    That’s the team I would start and I like the sound of 4-1 but I’ll happily settle for 3-0 and yet another clean sheet.

    Enjoy the game, Holics.

  3. 3
    Countryman100 says:

    Nice one Scruz! Many holic’s going to the game – COYG!

  4. 4
    bt8 says:

    Masterful preview with a lovely vignette of life in the Saka Cruz Mountains. (Spillchucker not at fault there!). 😉

    Is Ceballos left out on purpose, Scruz? If so he must play on Thursday. Also, who is this Toffeeman Gbmain who is missing out for sure?

    Thanks Scruz for doing double duty this week what with writing the preview and running the website in ATG’s stead. 🙏

  5. 5
    bt8 says:

    Phil McNulty commentary on Sp@@s performance today, and what José may not be able to do to fix things:
    “Mourinho is now in full “what can I/we do?” mode after Son Heung-min joined Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko as long-term injury absentees.
    The answer is a simple one – a whole lot better than this joyless, negative, attritional performance that got exactly what it deserved.
    Yes, Mourinho has injury problems but carping about how difficult the next three months will be is in danger of providing Spurs’ players with a ready-made excuse for coming up short in the chase for the top four, the Champions League and the FA Cup.
    Mourinho needs to ditch the defeatist stuff and get Spurs back on track”

  6. 6
    bt8 says:

    Can’t help the feeling Pepe is coming on to give us a strong finish and a few bucketloads of goals and assists before the end of the season.

  7. 7
    BtM says:

    Depending on how the game is unfolding, it won’t be too surprising to see Ceballos, Willock or Guendouzi replace Ozil around Wenger-time, bt8. I’m wondering if Mari might just nudge Holding off the bench that Scruz envisages?

  8. 8
    scruzgooner says:

    bt8 @4 i completely forgot him. but i don’t see where he fits. xhaka, torreira, and özil all start. who goes? willock? maybe replace guendouzi on the bench.

    gbmain is their ivorian DM.

    cheers, all. my first ever attempt at writing like that 🙂

  9. 9
    scruzgooner says:

    btm@7 i nearly plumped for marí there, but am devoted to rob. i’ve had a beer with him, you see 😎

  10. 10
    Countryman100 says:

    Rob Holding
    y’know
    Better than Cannavaro!

  11. 11
    bathgooner says:

    Excellent preview, scruz. You’ve introduced me to a new word, ‘noblett’. Do you mean a header? I might go with your team though I’d certainly have Ceballos on the bench for Guendouzi and might even have him in the team instead of Torreira given how well we played against Newcastle with him and Ozil running the midfield.

    I’d forgotten it had been so long since they got anything at our place and of course we had that wonderful moment only one season later when a certain tall gent from Dagenham clinched our first Premiership title with a fine goal. “Would you believe it?”

  12. 12
    bt8 says:

    Our midfield against Newcastle was Xhaka, Ceballos and Özil, and since we won relatively comfortably I was thinking Torreira might be the odd man out again but he does increase our defensive solidity when we are not expecting a massive air assault.

  13. 13
    scruzgooner says:

    bath@11, it’s just that i’m not a trev-level punster…”doesn’t let in” a goal, but run through the toffeeizer. it spat out this: https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-Everton-F-C-called-the-Toffees

    let’s just say i’ve seen more better days from lt11 than dc8, so i plumped for one and forgot the other…

  14. 14
    bathgooner says:

    Fair call scruz. Torreira has had more good games for us than Ceballos has. However last week was the first game since AW left in which we controlled a large proportion of the game by running the midfield. That may simply be a result of Newcastle’s ineptitude and Everton may prove to be a different kettle of fish entirely but I would lean on the side of keeping the same formula in the hope it works the same way.

    Interesting link about the toffees. I knew the name derived from the very chewy and delicious Everton mint. The one time I visited Goodison, behind enemy lines and near the front (94/95, Stefan Schwarz scored a beauty from 30 yards), I didn’t see a girl coming round throwing toffees into the crowd.

  15. 15
    TTG says:

    Scruz,
    Warm greetings ! I enjoyed your preview. The enthusiasm and knowledge of our American Holics is extraordinary and makes me realise how much some Gooners who rarely darken the doors of the Grove take things for granted . But nobody in this bar can be accused of that .
    The famous Santa Cruz Gooners scarf will be at the match tomorrow and will I believe see us record a win although it will be a tough game. I think your team may see a couple of tweaks. I think Ceballos and Bellerin will return but we will see the same front four as last week and I think we will win 2-0

  16. 16
    OsakaMatt says:

    Thanks scruz.
    An excellent preview and as
    you rightly point out Ancelloti is
    proving a safe pair of hands for
    Everton.
    It could be a tough game after
    our mid week exertions but we
    have just had that damn winterlull
    so I’m hopeful of a decent
    performance from the same XI
    as last week. 2-0 with a goal for
    Eddie and another clean sheet
    would suit me fine.

  17. 17
    OsakaMatt says:

    Ozil would be a doubt I suppose
    as the baby is due today I think.
    If so, I’d bring in Torreira and
    push Dani forward though a
    straight swap for Joe W is an
    option too.

  18. 18
    BtM says:

    TTG sounds certain that Nketiah will start tomorrow I see. Should he do so after Laca’s two goals in the last two games, it will certainly send a strong message of Arteta’s faith in him to young Eddie. At the same time, it will have Leeds fans wondering if their much praised coach missed a trick, particularly if Eddie scores (as he should have done last Sunday).

  19. 19
    OsakaMatt says:

    A good day for ex-Gooners as
    Nacho, Giroud and Aaron all
    scored in wins. Let’s hope it
    doesn’t continue for Feo or
    Iwobi today.

  20. 20
    Uplympian says:

    Thanks Scruz for an entertaining and interesting perspective as seen by West Coast gooners. Apart from the 3 long term injuries and the possible compassionate leave for imminent fatherhood of Ozil, Arteta has a large squad to choose from. Not only those picked for the first XI give a clue to the players he appreciates most but those who do not even make the bench must be thinking about their long term future at the club.
    Now I may be alone in this but I believe young AMN may be falling onto this latter category.
    Not just because he appears to be selected at RB only as a last resort but a view I garnered whilst attending the recent match at home to the blades. There were several stoppages during the game for injuries. AMN was playing the touch line by the dug outs & at each break MA8 spent most of the time in vociferous conversations with him. The body language appeared more heated instructions / dis-satisfaction rather than words of endearment / encouragement. It was as if he just does not rate him. Now he is fairly athletic & useful as a utilitily / fill the gap player but in all the time since his break through into the first team squad, he is yet to attain a regular position. We all hope he will make it as one of the new crop of youngsters breaking through but it just doesn’t look likely to me. He may need to move on the achieve his own personal goals.
    Back to the Everton game, I believe we are on a roll and will be too good for the men from Goodison. A 3-1 win for the good guys giving something for the toffees to chew over.

  21. 21
    bt8 says:

    Scruz, I had never heard of the Ivorian you speak of so looked him up. The name is Gbamin, not Gbmain although it may not make much difference as to how the announcers butcher his name if he plays. Didn’t realize Özil the younger has not been born yet. Good news for Willock and Ceballos?

  22. 22
    North Bank Ned says:

    Excellent preview, Scruz. It is going to be a tough game. Ancelotti has worked an Arteta-like transformation at Everton. But I think that Arteta’s work on our defence will trump Ancellotti’s work on the Toffee’s attack, so we shall secure the very necessary three points.

    Brittle or hard tack?

  23. 23
    bt8 says:

    Arsenal.com lists Mesut as available for selection so I guess we will see soon.

  24. 24
    OsakaMatt says:

    I think it depends on whether
    Mrs Ozil lists Mesut as available
    for selection 🙂

  25. 25
    bathgooner says:

    Come on, girl! PUSH!

  26. 26
    bt8 says:

    A really good article by Tim Stillman on the Arteta effect published a few days ago by Arseblog.

    The Message

  27. 27
    bathgooner says:

    Excellent article bt8. I had missed it. Thanks for posting.

    It contains one of the most succinct descriptions that I have seen of the previous coach’s style:

    “Emery’s increasingly disengaging word salads”.

  28. 28
    TTG says:

    Btm,
    You’re concentrating better than me. I feel Arteta will go with the front four that finished the game last Sunday not the one that started it and therefore he will prefer Lacazette to Eddie. I agree that if Eddie starts it will send a big message to Laca ( and Eddie) . We do need to freshen the side after Thursday because to play with the intensity Arteta demands will be immensely difficult after playing on Thursday night and travelling on Friday .
    I think it fairly certain Ceballos and Pepe will start for that reason and Hector too. Saka is very hot at present and is a fit 18 year old so will keep his place and Luiz and Mustafi have a decent claim to carry on together.
    Talking to a disillusioned Tott this morning there appears to already be a well of resentment building over the type of football Mourinho favours. The little I saw of MOTD showed how long-ball they have become and he was bemoaning the fact that we went for a ‘ modern ‘ manager in Arteta. Today will show if the managerial tyro can outfox the old maestro . Hopefully we can continue to build momentum. To be on 37 points tonight would be terrific

  29. 29
    North Bank Ned says:

    Thanks for the Tim Stillman link, bt8b. Players who work hard and consistently show the right attitude should be the foundation of any top club. Ours have been crumbling for some years and Arteta has come in and repaired them. The question now, as Stillman suggests, is what he can build on top. Early days, but the signs are encouraging. I have long thought the current squad is good enough for at least fourth/fifth/sixth if playing at full potential. Conceivably, Arteta could achieve that this season, though it remains a long shot. Getting higher in the table will require several of our youngsters blooming into world-class players or some shrewd buying of quality.

  30. 30
    North Bank Ned says:

    But sobering to remember that we had 53 points after 27 games last season, TTG.

  31. 31
  32. 32
    Esso says:

    Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Ceballos, Ozil, Pepe, Aubameyang, Nketiah
    Subs: Martinez, Sokratis, Guendouzi, Torreira, Nelson, Saka, Lacazette

  33. 33
    OsakaMatt says:

    Kola for Saka the only change
    from last week.
    COYGS!!

  34. 34
    OsakaMatt says:

    I assume Saka is getting a break
    which is fair enough for an 18
    year old. Eddie is getting a show
    of faith, as is Dani.
    Strong attacking options
    on the bench if it doesn’t work.

  35. 35
    OsakaMatt says:

    Though those attacking options
    don’t include Martinelli.
    To be honest I’m still not sure
    what MA thinks and whether he’s
    prioritising the EL or PL. Looks
    like he’s trying to balance both
    at the moment.

  36. 36
    bt8 says:

    Papa and Hector injury scares nothing more than scares then apparently. COYG!! Today could be Eddie’s day to shine, or someone else’s. 🎇🎇🎇🎇

  37. 37
    bt8 says:

    Iwobi holds up the ex-Arsenal banner for Everton with Feo missing out. Good thing Feo isn’t in the squad since Saka misses out too so my predicted confrontation won’t happen on either side.

  38. 38
    bt8 says:

    Unless we need a late goal and we bring on Saka as an attacking substitution.

  39. 39
    bt8 says:

    Is Delph one of Everton’s back four?

  40. 40
    scruzgooner says:

    well i got that team well wrong 😜. let’s hope i nailed the score line!

    COYG!

  41. 41
    bt8 says:

    Holgate is the Everton defender I must have missed.

    Hey Scruz it’s a bit early out there, innit?

  42. 42
    scruzgooner says:

    oh my.

  43. 43
    scruzgooner says:

    one dangerman.

  44. 44
    scruzgooner says:

    and not as early as it could be, bt8. a pleasant cuppa, excepting their goal.

  45. 45
    bt8 says:

    (Clears throat.)

    I mean, isn’t it?

  46. 46
    bt8 says:

    That doesn’t sound good. I am on the exercise bike at the gym where they aren’t even showing the game. 89 minutes to get back into this. COYG!

  47. 47
    scruzgooner says:

    whoever advises mustafi on his tonsorial choices…oof.

  48. 48
    scruzgooner says:

    after theirs weve had a couple good chances. hecate over the bar, auba’s cross blocked with eddie clear.

  49. 49
    scruzgooner says:

    and now misstafi on a free header from a corner.

  50. 50
    scruzgooner says:

    i can see the headline: “kola crunched by toffee”.

  51. 51
    scruzgooner says:

    crickets? plowing a lonely furrow…

  52. 52
    scruzgooner says:

    great, kola busts his shoulder or collarbone, saka as injury sub.

  53. 53
    scruzgooner says:

    eddie fires just over.

  54. 54
    scruzgooner says:

    pepe almost with a snap shot.

  55. 55
    scruzgooner says:

    edddddddieeeeeeee!

  56. 56
    scruzgooner says:

    a beauty of a saka cross.

  57. 57
    scruzgooner says:

    1-1 in the 26th. let’s get two, gunners!!

  58. 58
    scruzgooner says:

    putting real pressure on them right now!

  59. 59
    scruzgooner says:

    “and it’s arrrrsenal, arrrrsenal fc, we’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen”. 2-1, auba!!

  60. 60
    scruzgooner says:

    very henryesque in from the left to the far corner!

  61. 61
    scruzgooner says:

    i love how they are passing to the correct foot, arsenal!

  62. 62
    OsakaMatt says:

    well ploughed lone furrow scruz,
    you’ve turned it round to 2-1
    after a disastrous start👍

  63. 63
    scruzgooner says:

    shattered the toffees, as it were, matt!

  64. 64
    scruzgooner says:

    oh eddie, we didn’t need that foul, or their free kick.

  65. 65
    scruzgooner says:

    reckless by richarlison on dani. yellow for sure, could have been red.

  66. 66
    scruzgooner says:

    crap. 2-2. mistake by leno.

  67. 67
    OsakaMatt says:

    First minute, last minute.
    Bugger.

    All to play for 2nd half. So
    annoying after a good comeback
    though.

  68. 68
    BtM says:

    Good first half apart from Kola and Leno errors. Great goals. All to play for.

  69. 69
    scruzgooner says:

    first minute 2nd half, auba! easy peasey! 3-2.

  70. 70
    scruzgooner says:

    we are sloppy through the 70th…

  71. 71
    scruzgooner says:

    dani gets a bit of payback on richarlison…

  72. 72
    scruzgooner says:

    well played dani. lt11 on, let’s wrap up this win.

  73. 73
    scruzgooner says:

    well played mesut. here’s to your new child!

  74. 74
    BtM says:

    Biting nails to quick! Eddie should have scored there.

  75. 75
    scruzgooner says:

    oooooh eddie, so close.

  76. 76
    scruzgooner says:

    COYG!!

  77. 77
    scruzgooner says:

    whew, well played leno.

  78. 78
    BtM says:

    Five runs down our RHS. Mustafi covered each. Ball came in EVERY time.

  79. 79
    scruzgooner says:

    yeah, but he’s getting little support from hector, who isn’t staying home.

  80. 80
    scruzgooner says:

    COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

  81. 81
    BtM says:

    What a shambles at that corner. How did Calvin-Lewin miss that header?

  82. 82
    scruzgooner says:

    our lads have given every bit of it today. we win!!

  83. 83
    BtM says:

    Great win in the end, Scruz. Great three points and the unbeaten run rolls on.

    COYRRG.

  84. 84
    Pangloss says:

    FX: Wipes brow, wrings out towel, wipes brow.
    Never in doubt.
    COYG

  85. 85
    scruzgooner says:

    ma8’s decision to bring guendo on and letting him press from the front was inspired.

  86. 86
    North Bank Ned says:

    Nail-biting, but we came out on the right side of it. Great win.

  87. 87
    North Bank Ned says:

    Three points off the neighbours and four off fifth place with eleven games to go. Win all four of the next four matches, all winnable, and it’s game on again.

  88. 88
    BtM says:

    A nice, relaxed afternoon for you then, Pangloss?

    We really need to win these next four matches, Ned.

    Was Everton’s first goal dangerous play? Souness seems to think it was.

  89. 89
    scruzgooner says:

    perhaps; i wondered how close cl’s foot came to luiz’s face.

    one game at a time. next up: let’s advance v. olympiakos on thursday.

  90. 90
    BtM says:

    I thought it was gutsy of Arteta to leave the three front men on the field right to the end. Eddie was dead on his feet and Pepe’s contribution had waned.
    He said in his post-match that he wanted to condense the midfield, (which he did by changing two MF players). Attack is the best form of defence I suppose.

  91. 91
    bt8 says:

    Just saw the slow motion of Calvert Lewis’s goal and on the follow-through he catches Luiz in the side of the head. Seems like the very definition of high boot to me.

  92. 92
    Pangloss says:

    btM@88. 🙂

    Repeat after me “We WILL win the next four. We WILL win the next four. We WILL win the next four.” (Vamp till cramp.)

    Wake up St Tott, 2019-2020 is your year.
    Again.

    COYG

  93. 93
    BtM says:

    SKY showing the 2002 Wiltord double win at Old Trafford. What a total bunch of shits Ferguson assembled that year. What a team Arsene put together then. Magic.

  94. 94
    TTG says:

    Despite the best efforts of South East Rail I have returned to TTG Towers after a lively day at THOF. As a match for Sky to show it was a very lively selection. A goal in minute 1 , the last minute of the first half and the first minute of the second half and two exceptional goals in between by Arsenal.
    To start on a negative note I thought ( with no bias whatsoever !😃) that both their goals woukd not have been allowed if they had, for example, been scored against Liverpool at Anfield or Manure at the Toilet. You can’t have a 6 foot plus striker go full length to overhead kick in a packed area without a very strong claim for dangerous play. We definitely had one. Luiz was kicked in the head. The second goal was more dubious but didn’t seem to go to VAR despite the fact that Richarlison ( necessarily ) raised his foot at Leno . I think Leno should have been braver and more robust but the prat Attwell ( Pratwell) would probably have dismissed him as he could have dismissed Richarlison a few minutes earlier. Again he would have gone if that foul had been committed at Anfield .
    We also defended poorly especially at full back . Bellerin was hesitant and sluggish, Saka while superb going forward was error prone in defence and we were running on fumes at the end after the game on Thursdsy. If I have any criticism of Arteta ( and I have very few) it is that he can be slow to make changes in game . Both Guendouzi and Torreira should have been on earlier and I would have taken off Pepe rather than Ceballos ( who played well) . Finally Xhaka was his usual indifferent self . He made virtually no positive contribution to the game . His Opta stats for assists will be interesting in comparison to Luiz.
    I liked the two CBs, Ceballos and Eddie and Auba worked their socks off and ran Everton ragged at times .Ozil worked very hard but wasn’t as influential as last week. It was a very important win. It could easily have been a draw but the team pulled together well .

  95. 95
    North Bank Ned says:

    TTG@94: Agree with virtually all that. I would be less censuring of Leno. He stopped at least a couple of shots with the same body positioning as he adopted with the one that went in from close range. As you say, he could have been red-carded if he had gone in Richarlison 50-50.

  96. 96
    OsakaMatt says:

    We made hard work of that or to
    be fair Everton made us work hard.
    I hope Kola’s injury is not too bad.
    Good win to get.

  97. 97
    OsakaMatt says:

    @91
    exactly what I thought bt8.

  98. 98
    bathgooner says:

    Football! Bloody hell!

    Match report will appear tomorrow.

  99. 99
    bathgooner says:

    Curls an inviting Saka-esque cross in from the left to……

  100. 100
    BtM says:

    Me to scarf it in.

  101. 101
    bt8 says:

    Tabses it shamelessly.

  102. 102
    OsakaMatt says:

    Well scarfed BtM !

    I thought MA talked more
    intelligently about Ozil in
    one minute after the game
    than UE did in 18 months.

    He seems more optimistic about
    Auba staying too. To be honest
    I’m not, especially if Barcelona
    are sniffing around and we can’t
    offer CL football and a genuine
    chance to challenge for the title.
    Of course he is replaceable but
    he is a 20 goal plus a season striker
    and they are hard to find.

    And if the rest of the season goes
    swimmingly we may be able to
    offer that opportunity to Auba.

  103. 103
    North Bank Ned says:

    Well in for the ton, BtM.

  104. 104
    North Bank Ned says:

    OM@102: Ateta talks intelligently about a lot of things. Clarity of expression follows clarity of mind, and he knows clearly what he wants this team to do.

  105. 105
    OsakaMatt says:

    Couldn’t agree more Ned.

    I noticed Everton have Chavs and
    Manure in their next two games.
    They get ball into the area quickly
    and I think they have enough to
    cause big problems for those two’s
    suspect defences. Hope I’m right 🙂

  106. 106
    BtM says:

    I think Everton are capable of ‘surprising’ both of those teams, Matt. Two draws would do nicely.

    Ned, for a young man talking at length on global television his clarity and depth are outstanding. It was interesting to see both managers, literally one after the other, recount their impressions of the game last night. Arteta was awarded the BtM three points for clarity, accuracy and ‘punch’ at the end of that contest to add to those won in the game. Arsenal made the correct choice I think.

  107. 107
    bt8 says:

    Indeed, by the end Ancelotti was tired, befuddled and disconsolate whereas our fellow was just getting his day started.🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎

  108. 108
    TTG says:

    Reflecting on the game and Everton’s part in it I thought they were a little unimpressive to be honest. Their main tactic was the high ball to Calvert- Lewin although Richarlison was impressive and his movement caused huge problems as they targeted the space behind Hector who looked very vulnerable . I thought tactically Arteta came out well in comparison with Ancelotti. The Everton defence was very square ( see our second goal) and their central defenders were slow and unable to withstand our high press. If we had lost we would have had lots of media claiming the old master had taught the apprentice a lesson. The way the game is generally being portrayed is that both sides are on a steep upward curve which is true but I don’t see Everton troubling the very best sides. Nevertheless it was a very welcome win and a game we would not have won under Emery this season. Whether they can beat the Chavs and ManUre I doubt . But it was very nice of them to give us over £50 mill for Theo and Iwobi.
    As for Auba I believe he will leave in the summer for a very large fee probably for one of the two Spanish giants . If he does he will leave with my blessing. He will be 31 and his attitude particularly since being captain and since Arteta has been in charge has been exemplary. He works his balls off, acts like a responsible captain especially to the young players and playing in a team with our midfield tops the PL scoring charts. While Kroenke runs the club we have to accept we will have to take the money for the likes of Auba because it would be financially naive not to do so. I believe Lacazette will leave as well

  109. 109
    North Bank Ned says:

    Two draws would do us nicely, indeed.

  110. 110
    BtM says:

    Is anyone doing a match report? Here’s how this old timer saw it sweetly.

    Bonbon Auba’s Golden Nougats Delight

    Would Arsenal’s visit from ToffeeLand return a Dairy Box of Turkish Delights? Would the Gunners come out covered in Roses? Would our dark Swiss chocolatier in the centre of the box turn out to have a hard indigestible centre? Would our wayward Brazil Nut make Everton’s Crunchie centre difficult to cream? Would Mustafi stand taller and harder than a stick of Blackpool Rock? Would Arsenal’s Kraft and Quality be Streets beyond the penny jar on the bottom shelf that has been Everton in previous encounters between these teams?

    Or would it be another nutty day, getting stuck in history like treacle toffee, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth? Would we break a tooth on some hard nut like Gomes, or would Sidibe, the French Midnight Mint say “tres bonbon” as he licked his lips and slipped a cool one Twix our German Polestar and his Polos? Would Arsenal Move On Up on the final whistle, or would Z-Cars Johny Todd ring loud, Everton claim the three point Bounty, and eat sweetly all the way home on the bus to Diddyland?

    Emirates Stadium put a shiny wrapper around this last box of 214 varieties of bittersweet encounters between these old adversaries on a Minty winter’s day. La crème de la crème, Arteta, looked on sprightly from Arsene’s old seat while Ancelotti slumped glumly like cold Cannoli gone sour. Stuart Attwell, the Black Jack Gummy Bear in the middle, blew his whistle and we were off on our journey through the Galaxy along the Milky Way to Mars.

    An early slice of Ceballos’ Crema Catalan resulted in a free kick for Everton causing Liquorice Allsorts in our box with no Treats other than a nut on the Brazilian for Luiz when Calvert-Lewin scythed a golden chocolate coin in the bottom of Leno’s sweetie bag. A whole nut 48 seconds had been played!

    Arsenal 0 – Everton 1

    Arsenal didn’t melt and Gooner hearts began beating faster than Walnut Whips as our Smarties charged at M and M again and we quickly had more than our fair share of the cocoa beans and double cream. Then a Kolasinac shoulder injury brought clouds darker than treacle toffee over the stadium. Our Bosnian Godiva couldn’t chocolate soldier on and so he snickered off.

    Saka replaced the faltering fullback. He quickly had a break and had a Kit Kat of a cross that found Nketiah, who worked, rested and played the ball brilliantly past Pickford. What a Bounty! Eddie wouldn’t have been part of my selection box ahead of Laca, but Arteta clearly has a taste for him.

    Aresenal 1 – Everton 1

    Only moments later Luiz our Brazilian Guava beautiful pass to Aubameyang . El Capitano didn’t Fudge it and pastry sliced a Sugared Peach past Pickford – Henryesque – in the style of the master confectioner himself. How sweet, what aplomb!

    Arsenal 2 – Everton 1

    The Toffee attack wasn’t completely lacking in sherbet fizz but the secret recipe ingredient was missing from their mix and their candy wasn’t quite reaching the boil. Just as Ancelotti was thinking “What a Gob Stopper,” Arsenal’s defence, as solid as candyfloss, laid another Crème Egg, got into a Dolly Mixture, minted a hole and gift-wrapped a Teaser. Everton’s own Brazil Nut Richarlson took the biscuit and nearly the nuts as well right off Leno with a Crunchie lunge and the ball trickled over our line. That one left a nasty taste in Gooner mouths as Chocolate Orange time arrived and the teams trudged off.

    Arsenal 2 – Everton 2

    The second half started even more quickly than the first as the Gunners unveiled Arteta’s sweet, half-time recipe.

    Stir in a spoonful more Pepe Ivoirian Delight to spice up the flavour and combine that with just the right amount of Gabonese fiery liqueur. Nicholas cruised past Baines and fired a Black Magic, Curly-Wurly, cross that was no Truffle and really gave Pierre-Emerick something to chew on. Before you could say “Bulls Eye,” a chocolate toned head bulleted the ball home with pitch perfect technique.

    He didn’t fudge it. That was no Joob Joob. A Golden Nougat of a goal and it was Arsenal 3 – The Finch Farm School of Science 2. The watching world looked on and marveled as Auba somersaulted and Mikel thought “I’ve got to keep that guy.”

    Arsenal 3 – Everton 2

    The box of treats might have been empty by that stage but it was far from all over. Mustafi’s Grecian Grey was still sparkling, he was no Flake but Ozil and Ceballos had been sucked to a sliver. Mikel tried to add some Uraguayan and French peppermint by stirring Torreira and Guendouzi into the mix. The new ingredients added taste and texture and within minutes, a Purple Heart of a Golden Box move nearly resulted in a second for Nketiah but woodwork denied him. Then Gooner hearts nearly stopped completely when Calvert-Lewin nodded past an opportunity from which a chocolate teapot could have scored.

    A contest between two newly appointed coaches with an outcome that was closer than home fans might have liked. But we’ll take three points, three wins in a week and brilliant Aubameyang winners every day of the week.

    See you at the stadium on Thursday night, Holics for some more rip-roaring fun times.

  111. 111
    OsakaMatt says:

    A marathon slab of assorted puns
    for the bar to chocolate digestive.
    Bravo sir

  112. 112
    North Bank Ned says:

    Lacazette is 28 coming up on 29, TTG. If Nketiah is to be Arteta’s No 9 and with Martinelli there as well, I can see Laca seeing little point in staying, especially if his good friend Auba goes. Laca should sell for 50-70 million euros.

    Auba’s 60 goals in 95 games will be hard to replace, however.

    Also you make a good point about Bellerin. Time and time again, Mustafi had to go out wide to deal with Richarlison. Has Hector lost the blistering bit of his pace?

  113. 113
  114. 114
    North Bank Ned says:

    Wow, btm. That was quite a mouthful.

  115. 115
    North Bank Ned says:

    Everton fans left ganacheing their teeth.

  116. 116
    bt8 says:

    Sweet stuff, BtM, reminds me of the old days when you and ‘holic customarily have your twin and highly complementary match reports, yours typically offering a few more flowery phrases.💐
    I take it you liked Auba’s header as much as I did, then. 🙂

  117. 117
    bt8 says:

    Looks like we punctured the panettone of Ancelotti’s defensive edifice. Zapped its zabaglione, even.

  118. 118
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Well previewed Scruz. Lovely to hear your memories of watching our telepathic former players.

    Btm. Hell of an effort, that.

  119. 119
    BtM says:

    A blast from the past on a rainy day, bt8 🙂

    TTG, Excellent last para @ 108. My regrets on Auba are 1) despite rumour upon rumour of our ‘interest’ as much as ten years ago, we didn’t try to secure his services earlier (say when RVP was replaced by Giroud and Podolski) 2) a whole 18 months of his time with us was spent under the hapless Unai 3) in an attempt to force a working partnership, he’s been forced out of the role in which he might have had even more impact.

    Like you, I won’t be surprised if he leaves for Madrid or Barca and a very rich and rewarding four year end to his career. Although he is still sprightly and committed, anno domini may wither his abilities and the pace in Spain will suit him better. Pepe, Martinelli, Nketiah and Saka all have goals in them but, without a more experienced addition to the attack (assuming that isn’t Laca) they won’t be enough in the short term for progress. Does the addition of Suarez in a swap of Auba appeal?

  120. 120
    OsakaMatt says:

    Agree that Everton are a one
    trick sort of side – get the ball
    in early to Calvert-Lewin and
    Richarlison but the two have
    22 goals between them this
    season and I think (hope?)
    it’ll be a good enough trick
    to worry Chelsea / Man U who
    are far from top class defensively.

    An ageing Suarez ? No, thank-you
    for me 🙂
    I’d prefer we keep Laca for one
    more season if Auba goes.

  121. 121
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Auba offers no hold up ability and not much link play as a central striker. And until this week he didn’t score headers. He’s great at getting on the end of things across the box but if we aren’t setup to transition swiftly through midfield then he can easily play a five touch half and not be in the game. That was a problem under Unai. I think MA is likely to be able to get us setup to use him better, but generally speaking I don’t subscribe to the idea that he is much more effective centrally than on the wing. His best position is similar to TH14 but if he wants to play central striker he will have to score a lot more headers and work on his hold up and link play.

    I’m happy if he stays. If we get big money for him then Mikel will spend it well. Let’s see how this season plans out.

  122. 122
    bt8 says:

    Agreed that it’s not yet time for us to worry about the players who are here or who are not here next season. There are people at Arsenal who need to be doing that because it is their job, but all I could do at least is to speculate ineffectually.

    In the meantime, here is more on the Arteta effect.

    Deeply flawed Arsenal are heading towards a proper recovery…

  123. 123
    scruzgooner says:

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>