So, it comes around again. Our visit to the dark side, at the sleazy end of Via Septum Sororum. The 209th North London Derby, of which we have won 86, drawn 55 and lost 67. This is our 92nd league fixture in the Slough of Despond where we have won 26 times and drawn 26 times. Since the inception of the Premier League (which as we all now know was the dawn of soccer civilisation), we have visited 31 times, winning on 6 occasions and drawing on 12 occasions.
However this time, it’s a must win game. There’s a great deal riding on this result as we enter the final straight of a three horse race to the Premier League title with the C115y mercenaries breathing down our necks. While all contenders have at least four games to play (C115y have 5) and we know that there are several potential twists yet to come, there’s also a sense that we cannot afford to drop any points at all because of the standard set by the financially doped Mancs. The Marshdwellers would love nothing more than to derail our title bid while they still have aspirations to pip Villa to the fourth place trophy. Everton’s mugging of the Mugsmashers in midweek offers a forewarning of how the passion of a local derby can overwhelm the more cultured participant. Yet, we have visited the Toilet Bowl in the past needing a result and have delivered the results required to lift silverware.
On May 3, 1971, Arsenal faced the Marshdwellers in the final game of the season with a first league title in 18 years at stake (ring a bell?). In that era, goal average (‘goals scored’ divided by ‘goals against’) was used to separate teams sitting on the same points rather than goal difference as now. Arsenal trailed Dirty Leeds, who had completed their fixtures, by one point and as a result of the goal average system, a win or a scoreless draw would win Arsenal the title – a score draw would take them level with Leeds on points but with an inferior goal average. Over 50,000 fans managed to get into the ground, including the Guvna and our own Trev while twice as many fans are estimated to have been locked out in the streets outside, including our own Uply, TTG and Pangloss. The opposition made a huge effort to deny us the title but Bob Wilson made several spectacular saves to keep them out. Then, with three minutes to go Ray Kennedy headed a George Armstrong cross into their net. 1-0 to the Arsenal (years before that chant) and, finally, an eighth title. A magnificent victory with just the small matter of an FA Cup Final against the Mugsmashers (just a few years before Arseblogs invented that moniker). Sadly, there is no surviving video footage of this match. More match details with still images are available here and the memories of Holics who were on the spot are available here.
Thirty-three years and four league titles later (doesn’t time pass quickly), on 25th April 2004, an Arsenal team, hitherto undefeated in the league, faced the Marshdwellers five games from the end of the season, needing only a draw to win the league as they had a healthy points gap and a game in hand over the mob from the bus stop. With four more games after this one the opposition had no opportunity to prevent Arsenal’s thirteenth title but they not only had their usual incentive to win the North London Derby but were also desperate to end our unbeaten run and, sitting only six points above the relegation places, keen to gather the points at our expense. Arsenal took the lead through Patrick Vieira after only 3 minutes and Robert Pires appeared to seal victory on 23 minutes after a trademark 12-pass move. However, a 25 yarder from Redknapp got the opposition back into the game on the hour and an added time penalty from Keane sent the home fans into raptures thinking they had prevented us winning the league. Well, they have to be mentally challenged to support Sp*dz and every August they think it’s going to be their season, so why would you be surprised that they got that wrong? They then had to watch Arsenal players and fans celebrating another league title on their cabbage patch. More details and players’ memories of the match are available here.
So, we’ve done it there under pressure before. We won there last season 2-0, with first half goals from Lloris (og) and Ødegaard. Why not do it again?
The Opposition
The Marshdwellers were beside themselves with delight with Postecoglu’s start to the season, with chants of “We’ve got our Tottnumb back!” Whatever that means. He maintained the dynamic pressing style and high defensive line that his Celtic teams had adopted but there the threat they faced week in and week out was pretty weak and they could generally outscore their opposition. When that approach was criticised as risky after an early reverse, Postecoglu proclaimed that “I’m not going to change our style for anybody, mate” in another interview replete with mateyness. I don’t know if he’s been true to his word (MA8 implied in his pre-match presser that he has been) but his team come off a 4-0 drubbing at Newcastle in which two of the Saudi goals came from long balls over that high line leaving Isak one-on-one with the keeper. An opportunity for any of our speedy wingers or for Kai or Jesús, methinks. On the other goals conceded, the Sp*dz’ defence was wide open for Gordon (will we get that space?) and vulnerable on a deep corner to a late arriving Schär (cue Kai Havertz). Sadly I think the somewhat hyped Van de Ven who looked like Bambi on ice, will have changed his boots. That game had very bizarre stats: Tottnumb had 73% possession in an away game and yet had only 11 vs 18 shots, 2 vs 5 on target and only 3 vs 16 corners. What were they doing with the ball?
Tottnumb have had a 15 day rest to prepare for this game, during which we have not only lost to Villa and Bayern (which must have heartened them) but also have then done a thoroughly professional job away at Wolves and utterly thrashed another strutting mob of capital poseurs 5-0. That’s plenty of time for work on the training pitch but also time for a few anxieties and doubts to creep in.
Apparently their first choice left back Udogie (who looks quite good) is definitely out but they have Davies (who usually looks rather less good) to step in. Meanwhile they are sweating over right back Porro (who does represent an offensive threat in Ange’s system) with the somewhat less reliable Emerson Royal on standby. The extremely irritating, somewhat erratic but frequently dangerous Richarlison is available again after three weeks out.
I expect Tottnumb to continue with their high defensive line but to compress the space to their midfield in an attempt to emulate the midfield block that Emery and Tüchel used to deny Ødegaard the spaces in which he weaves his magic. The solution? That ball over the top or through a channel to the well-timed runner. We have the men both to make that pass and others to make that run. Tottnumb’s offensive plan will be to break swiftly in transition when we lose the ball using three speedy forwards who are likely to be Johnson, Richarlison and Son with Kulusevski, Gil and the ‘deadly’ Werner to bring on when fresh legs are needed. We will need our defenders to be focused. The opposition’s creative talent in midfield is Maddison who since his move from Lesta has morphed into a whining and snarling midfield irritant who I confidently expect to earn himself a yellow card if the referee is competent. Expect him to be complemented in his defensive duties by the muscle of Betancur and Bissouma.
The Arsenal
For the first time this season, Mikel Arteta has no injury concerns. Jurrien Timber faces a late fitness test today (Saturday) after a good run out and spectacular goal for the under-21’s in midweek. I suspect this match is going to be too early and too intense for him even to make the bench. With a full squad fit and ready, Mikel has a few positions where he has some key personnel decisions to make, notably left back, central midfield, centre forward and left wing. You all know all the options. I think he could do no better than to start the eleven who so imperiously swept the bus stop mob aside in that glorious second half on Tuesday, saving the guile of Jorginho and Zinchenko, the trickery of Jesús and the pace of Martinelli for the latter stages. Therefore, I expect a starting eleven of:
Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu
Ødegaard, Partey, Rice
Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
The Holic Pound
You’ve heard it here before. My Holic pound is going to Ukraine. However, as a service to our readers, I can report that Paddy Power are offering 9/1 on both 1-0 and 2-0 to the good guys, 10/1 on 3-1 and 12/1 on 3-0 to the good guys. If you are in dreamland you can get 22/1 on 4-0 to the good guys.
Unlike Bertie’s boys back in ’71 or the Invincibles in ‘04, we need a win here. Despite the exhortation of the title of this piece we need calm heads and ice-cold ruthlessness. We must remember the midweek example of Goodison and not fall into the Derby trap in which form and superior talent go out the window. We need to be cold assassins not street brawlers. Let’s dictate the way the game plays out, not rise to their baiting. If we can produce the form we showed on Tuesday (minus the brain farts from Saliba), I’m confident we can win this game. This team is very close to the real deal and as BtM has been arguing for weeks, the addition of TP5 seems to have added a verticality in attack that we haven’t hitherto exploited. It should be noted that, should we keep our seventh consecutive away clean sheet, it would be an Arsenal record. It should also be added that if we at least draw, it will herald St Totteringham’s arrival and finally, should we win, we ensure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Let’s do it, Gunners!
Excellent work, bath – history, ridicule, motivation -,what more could we possibly want ?
Well, maybe not your 42 year old goalkeeper which I point out only with the greatest reluctance 😉
Just to pick up on your point about Udogi though – it seems we may be looking at acquiring him this summer as Edu has already asked Tottnumb –
“How much is Udogi in the window ?”
Thanks Trev. Well spotted. Sorted.
Thoughtful, entertaining and insightful pre-match, enhanced nicely by the Parliamo Roma intro. That is most certainly the team I’d like to see start and it’ll be supported by a very potent bench should either more attacking guile or defensive solidity be required. I have a sneaking suspicion that Timber will make the fitness cut and may enjoy a cameo appearance if all is going well.
My mum used to tell me that butterflies in my tum were a good thing. There are certainly plenty of them taking wing already. Enjoy the game, Holics.
Superlative preview Bath — just the right mix of entertainment, insight, spirit and history. Thank you!
Completely agree that we need to be at our cool headed, controlled, technically secure and tactically composed best. No derby day chaos, just play the game we want to play. Don’t respond to provocations, control the emotions and perform at our highest level. Then the result will take care of itself.
Your team is the likeliest. Martinelli’s injury and dip in form came at the wrong time for in a match like this — especially against a team that ostensibly plays with a high defensive line — his electric pace and relentlessness would have been very handy. But to be able to bring him to charge at a tiring defense in the last thirty odd minutes is a good alternative as well.
Any win will do.
Come on Arsenal!
Chido Obi scored seven for the U18s today. Tempting to put him on the first place bench in place of the ineffective Eddie. Even though he’s only 16.
Brilliant preview Bath. Appropriately enough including or two mentions of TP5 above including in BtM’s #4 but in the text of the preview I thought of TP5 immediately upon reading this sentence: “We have the men both to make that pass and others to make that run.” TP5 to make that pass and GJ9 to make that run might be an effective combo but we do need defensive solidity before all else, and TP5 can play a big part there too. Sure enough he, and a lot of other dependable faces are in your team. And Faustus, I’m hoping for a good share of derby day chaos running amok in Spudz penalty box. Can’t wait to see that unfold. COYG!!!
Superb, bath.
Excellent preview and insight into the oppo.
I have just watched the 442 video by the young chap who supports C115y on how Spurs could beat us. There also an interview with a Spurs fan who looks and sounds like Harry Kane. In short apparently we have to be concerned about the speed of Johnson and Werner and the technical game of Maddison. However they didn’t really consider the other team might be better than Spurs in every department. I wouldn’t bother watching.
Just get in front in the first half and we should win.
Around midnight on Tuesday / Wednesday my mate and I were discussing this game with a lad on the train having returned from the massacre of the Chavs . He confessed how much he hated this game because ‘ you just can’t lose it ‘. He was right
Great preview Bath which sets the game up nicely . I’ve been to this match in the past and really enjoyed it when we won but it’s a very tough gig for our lads tomorrow. If we win it will represent an extraordinary effort given the freshness with which they approach the game ( who gets two weeks off in April? )
I think we’ve all picked the same team . Picking Timber woukd be a brave and foolhardy gamble . But he might be on the bench .
I normally go for a draw in these situations but we just have to wish this . I think we will, just…1-0 . Trossard
Cheers bath! Superb preview. I can’t wait for the kick-off.
We done it last year but it won’t be easy repeat it now. Two weeks rest during the run-in just crazy. They had a good rest but we have the rhythm. I like your team but starting with Jorghino might give us more stability at the middle.
COYG
Great preview BG. We need to win and I think we will. Your XI is what most of us would like to see. Plenty of derby battle tested veterans there. We can’t win the league tomorrow but a win keeps the pressure on the Mancs.
super work, baff. and ttg and trev before ye. what great research and framing and understanding of the game. and in trev’s case the most, humor.
anyone else struggling with a growing feeling of nausea? we’ve just got to win this. i won’t be able to stand it if they advance their cause at the expense of ours.
one more (truncated) sleep. 😱
Thanks Bath
I’m feeling that we’ll give them a lesson.
3-1 sounds about right.
UTA.
Thanks Bath, great stuff and I like that team too. 1-0 to Thé Arsenal works for me
Ned from the last drinks,
Oh, I see on the Predictathon, damn those cherries to the pits of hell.
I thought they would go down this season.
And yeah 170 is the best score I have ever (or will ever I think) make
in the RopeyFantasyLeague! Normal service has been resumed this week however 😃
and anyway I am miles off the pace as the RopeyLeague is a two horse now, Bath or Young OM will take the much coveted crown.
Two seasons ago we went into a North London Derby at the Bowl with the prize of. Champions League football on offer . Three games to go …but it turned to custard .
Last night we actually definitely qualified for the CL with four games to go.
Another sign of progress lest any in the Goonerverse need it .
Sadly some still do but what a benchmark of progress this is for Arteta . We are back at the very top table. Huge props to the club for this . Title winners or not ( no 115 charges around our necks ) we are living in great Arsenal times
Cheers Baff! Jorginho for me to start in front of Partey. Control will be everything in this game.
Sitting here in a cafe outside the Tottenham stadium. Surrounded by Spurs fans. Incognito and keeping very, very schtum.
Such a big match.
Perfectly set up, Baff.
Just win Arsenal.
We’re in
Are you feeling positive c100? I’m going on your vibes as the man with the ringside seat.
roar us onto flush these scum right down their toilet, c100. has there ever been an uglier stadium, so reflective of a club?
on my way shortly to the home of the silicon valley gooners to roar from afar.
COYG!
SP @ 22. Positive and nervous in equal measure, like always for this game!
My first time here Scruz. It’s got a slightly plastic feel to it. No banners. A million Asian fans all wearing Son shirts, half and half scarves and taking selfies.
Same team as battered Chelsea.
C
O
Y
G
Good looking team 😊
1-0 to the Arsenal would be a historically apt result as George Graham’s teams were the the last to win back-to-back away NLDs.
C100@24: exactly! Enjoy the day and roar us onto victory.
Johnson and Richarlison on the neighbours’ bench. Postecoglou planning to park the bus and bring on fast legs to counterattack in the final 20?
The Countrymen enter Satan’s Lair for the Final Reckoning. Hows that for Hyperbole ?😀😀😀
Super preview Bath.
Possibly our strongest team out there…all to go for. Mate including Holberg looking to get physical. Let’s be enjoying St Totters day later!
COYRRR
COYRRR
Re: TTG @32. Pretty good. 😆
Let us pray that they, and we, survive it.
Good luck today Countryman. Be safe and be as loud as you can!
UTA!
GO WIN, ARSENAL!
COYRRR!
The Countrymen and other travelling Gooners are in excellent voice. Keep it up, fellas.
The best way to start!
COYG
2-0 !!
Cobta Kai! Yesssss
There’s been a lot of games this season that I thought we should
be 3-0 up at half time, but this isn’t one of them. Fantastic big bollocks
stuff from The Arsenal!
Hope the spuds will be trying this hard against 115ty.
Well that’s a half beyond my wildest hopes!
Indeed, C100 @43. Stay safe, my friend.
They will come out like wasps from a disturbed nest and it’ll be frenzied for 15 minutes. Hold them out for 15 and we will take the three points we want.
C
O
Y
R
R
R
!
Could of done without that goal
But defending well since.
CoYGS!
YES!
Job done.
Never easy to wade through shit.
We gave them their goals..
Yes, yes, yes you fucking beauties
Happy St Totteringham’s Day!!
Nice preview thanks bathgooner.
Excellent end result.
Still think Raya is worse than Ramsdale but Kai definitely proved me wrong.
My heart is still pounding. I didn’t think MA8 brought in Raya for the drama, but what a huge derby win and three points. Well in DP at the half ton, and what OM said @49. 😀
🎉🍻🍻🍻🎉
St Totteringhams Day coming with a win at the Toilet Bowl which helped our title chances and damaged their CL chances. It must be especially bad to be a tiny tott today
I’ve now had time to process that result. I was initially bloody irritated that we almost threw away a 3-0 lead particularly by Raya’s error but, whilst I would instinctively have loved it if we had given them an absolute drubbing, it’s important that they are left with a sense of achievement and the possibility that they can gain a CL spot rather than with a true sense of their ineptitude. They have to believe that the CL place is still within reach if they can beat C115y and the Dippers.
They will already believe they should have taken at least a point today! There’s sure to be a DVD of the second half. That entirely unjustified sense of injustice is our friend.
https://x.com/stillmanator/status/1784600081204699596?s=46&t=n97fh-IE16EfqvfYv9LtSg
Raya’s error resulted in a fine training session for this young team on containment under pressure. The match was otherwise en route to yet another one of those 5-0 or 6-0 away wins and, let’s be honest, one tires of those after a while. Well done, David – just don’t make a habit of it.
Onward to 89 points.
DEEP FUCKING JOY!!!!
In other ( good ) news our U21s won 2-0 at Liverpool with Jurrien Timer starting at right back
OCD got our two goals
TTG @ 58
OCD with 2 tidy finishes.
Great result today.
UTA!
Got to say that was a really good day out. A long day because of the road closures, but none of my fears (1. Cocking up the parking due to the road closures, 2. Trouble on the streets. 3. Losing the game) came to pass. This was a jubilant away end at the end. I may go back next year (credits permitting).
Well in for the half-ton, DG.
Winning 3-2 after being 3-0 up counts as a 1-0 to the Arsenal in my book.
Shame about Forest, I didn’t have much expectation but actually Wood missed a couple of very presentable chances before Haaland wrapped it up.
For a man of enormous taste and discernment I have amassed rather a lot of Spud friends and a son-in-law and grandson who have followed the evil path . From the reaction post match it could be said they are extraordinarily upset about that game .
Words like ‘ we outclassed you ‘,’ ran you ragged’,’ dominated’ and ‘ had all the best players’ were used by different Spuds.
Clearly they’ve all got wonky TVs but I sense this was a huge wake-up call for them and they are in denial because they realise we might be champions and if we don’t make it this year we will be stronger next year . And despite a more stable season they are not confident that they will be better next year because several doubt if Ange can flex his tactics in a PL environment.
Looking at their team they haven’t got anyone who I would put into our first team
( maybe Son?) and although some would strengthen our squad that’s not a huge compliment to them .
Compare that with the 3-0 defeat we suffered in 2022 with Holding sent off and one can chart the direction of travel of the two clubs . Arteta and the rest of the management team have done superbly
TTG @64, that’s very encouraging feedback. It confirms my hope that our generous assistance in giving them two goals and a respectable defeat rather than a complete drubbing has left them with a deep sense of injustice which will hopefully evolve into anger and a strong determination to right that ‘wrong’ by winning all their remaining games (or at least trying very hard to do so) to finish in a CL spot. Frankly, if they beat C115y, I am happy for them to do so.
Forever in our shadow they will be 😅
bt8@67: 👍
Well, it’s the morning after and we are still top of the league and it’s good day to be a gooner. Been reading The Athletic and the spuds are taking defeat amusingly badly.
Convincing themselves it was a penalty before the second goal, complaining the check wasn’t done properly for the disallowed effort by Vandeven etc etc. The only foul I could see before the second goal was Maddison’s dive.
MA was very quick to defend Raya after the game, which I guess I agree with.
Matt
You are quite right .Souds near and far are apoplectic .
Let’s enjoy this moment
Our watchword has been ‘ Just win’
And we did !
It’s almost more fun than thrashing them 5-0 which made for a wonderful Christmas in 1978 ! I think it is THE most eventful derby anywhere nowadays . It’s hard to think if there’s a sadder club to support .
And they could be the ones to clinch the title for us .
How good would that be ! ?
>>>>>>>