Arsenal And Bolton, It's A Rollover
Oct 21st, 2007 by 'holic
This was one of those days where it was good to be alive pre-match. A hearty breakfast to the accompaniment of a South American brass ensemble set the day up. A couple of Guinni were shared with a whole host of good people (you know who you are, thanks) in pleasant autumnal sunshine.
Suitably lulled into a state of ‘I love the world and everything in it’ I made my way to the south end of the ground to be richly entertained by highly skilled professional footballers displaying the vast array of their talents.
An hour in I had lost the will to live. Nobody had told the visitors that they were in fact highly skilled professional footballers. Bereft of a manager Bolton reverted to type. Nasty, niggling anti-football was winning the point it sought.
Concerned I had been taken in by the stereotype I checked elsewhere for considered opinion. “the team’s abrasive and scuffling style remains”, said Paul Newman in The Independent. ” Bolton came to spoil and the match was duly spoiled” agreed Joe Lovelace in The Times. No wonder there were a sea of empty seats in the visitors enclosure.
At half-time I realised I had forgotten to place the ‘holic pound on my 2-0 prediction. With the hope being squeezed out of me I did something very stupid. I changed my mind and put considerably more than a pound on 1-0!
So when Kolo Toure launched a decisive strike on 68 minutes I was already calculating just how many pints I had just won. I had reckoned without the genius of Wenger and the introduction of Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky. When the former set up the latter for a wonderful clincher the full horror of my folly hit me!
Travel disruption amended my post match plans and a premature return to base followed. The spirits, lifted by the victory and complemented by several more Guinni, were good going into the rugby. So good I was delighted to congratulate the lone South African at the final whistle. Miles from home with tears in his eyes, he didn’t care about the quality of the contest. Food for thought.
So to the arseshirts competition. The first goalscorer should not have been a surprise because Kolo has been giving it a thump in just about every game this season and getting closer and closer. Surprise he was though, and nobody guessed correctly, so the competition will roll over to Tuesday’s Champions League contest against Slavia Prague at the Grove. Again, just send your first goalscorer prediction to ‘competition@goonerholic.com‘. Thanks.
2 Responses to “Arsenal And Bolton, It's A Rollover”
Goonerholic wrote, “When the former set up the latter for a wonderful clincher the full horror of my folly hit me!”
Excellent stuff.
I sympathise with you ‘holic, I constantly make mid match bets with a great deal of confidence and nearly always regret it. We’re unfortunate men!
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