Many years ago two friends and I started a tradition. Once a year we go to the horse racing, gamble foolishly and drink heavily. Maybe ten years ago we made a decision to start up a kitty and now every month a little of our wages gets transferred into a joint account. This money get's shared out on the day so that each of us has a wad of cash that doesn't seem like our own. We call this tradition the Great Gaffer Day Out and this is the seventeenth year that we have done it.
Seventeen years, imagine that. It's a long time right? And yet this is the first year we will have embarked on the GGDO without Arsene Wenger in the Arsenal dugout. It is not that any of us support Arsenal, we are two Saints and a Liverpool fan (shoutout to @happyaslarry) but it is a symbolic thing. I was 26 when we first did this nearly two decades ago and thinking about that makes me feel like I am getting very old. Southampton have had 18 managerial changes in those seventeen years and Chelsea, Arsenal's opponents this weekend have had 14.
It is fair to say that the (mysterious) fixture computer has not been kind to new Gunners manager Unai (Dick) Emery. City at home on the opening weekend, then Chelsea away the next. I fully expected The Blues to suffer this season but on the evidence of one game, it looks like I may be eating some kind of crypto-hat come May. Chelsea looked sharp and potent against Huddersfield last week and it would be no surprise if they dished out a similar gubbing to the Gooners on Saturday tea-time. Those familiar with the law-of-the-ex should be watching the team sheets with interest. If Olivier Giroud plays then I suspect he will score.
Elsewhere we will find out a little bit more about the various runners and riders in the top flight. Will Liverpool back up that impressive opening show with a result against bogey team Crystal Palace? Can relegation favourites (or certainties) Cardiff get something at home to Newcastle in a match that will be crucial to the remainder of their season? Just how many goals will Manchester City score against Huddersfield? I would say more than four but less than ten, football can always surprise though, 11-0 anyone? And will Mark Hughes (OUT) find a way to make Southampton look a little less like a relegation waiting to happen?? Here's a clue Sparky, play the effing kids you effing twonker!
No official selections from me this week but I would definitely have a go on that Giroud punt if you get the chance.
Enjoy the football and keep gaming.
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