The Night After The Night Before
Mar 5th, 2008 by 'holic
The alcohol hasn’t flowed as freely this evening. With no all-consuming distractions I haven’t demolished over a litre of Scotland’s finest as I somehow managed last night. No wonder I was a happy bunny!
The reflections are now a little more measured, and after the reports from those who journeyed to the San Siro have been shared I would like to show a little more respect to the deposed champions of Europe than was evident twenty-four hours ago.
I’m told the visiting fans were applauded from the stadium by the Milan stewards. That is a touch of class. We perhaps should not be surprised. Their club was quick to offer sympathy to Eduardo after his horrific injury at Birmingham. They have acted with style and the tributes paid to Arsenal in the wake of the victory are in stark contrast to what we might expect to receive from rivals closer to home.
Of greater importance though are the noises coming from Mathieu Flamini. The Guardian is just one of a number of sources reporting his desire to remain a Gunner. Given the manager’s expressed wish to keep him am I being too hopeful in thinking we must be very close to seeing confirmation of the much-desired ‘new deal please’? (with thanks to Arseblog!)
A word too about the oft-maligned 4-5-1 formation. It can lead to the sort of sterile display we so often witness from visitors to the Grove. Last night we showed it can be a tremendously exciting attacking ploy if you can get the midfield advancing throughout rather than sitting deep to absorb pressure. A reminder of days when George Graham employed a back five, but used the full-backs very much as attacking players at every opportunity.
As a formation it may not be our preferred cup of tea, but Arsenal have turned it into a very tasty concoction indeed!
It Has Been A Great Week For ‘Arsenal Eyes’ Too
Marcia has been in touch with the news that ‘Arsenal Eyes’ was the winner of the Arsenal Opus competition with O2.
I know that will not be a surprise to many of you, but it has been a nervous month or so for all the finalists.
The image of an excited Daniel with his tickets and teddy was always going to tug at the heart strings.
In Marcia’s own words,
‘‘Just wanted to say a big thank you… We are all very excited, just taking it in.’
Well done Marcia. Daniel will be the envy of many a young (and old!) Gunner with a unique souvenir to cherish. Congratulations to you.
13 Responses to “The Night After The Night Before”
A big congratulations to the Arsenal Opus winner! A deserved one at that.
Milan is pure class. They applauded our traveling fans, offered well wishes to Dudu, and Ancelotti said that we deserved the win at San Siro. That that we needed that affirmation, but it was still pretty sweet.
Arsenal no doubt deserve the victory. Milan are class and gracious, I would like to wish them to qualify in the next year CL.
I think the stewards were actually Inter Milan fans, hence their applauding and cheering with the travelling gooners! Nonetheless, AC are indeed a class outfit, as their actions post defeat showed.
Maldini is absolute class.Saw his debut when he marked Cliff Bastin .
I thought he had a future in the game then.
I agree, Milan are an absolute class organization – I applaud them for their greatness and class, and wish them much success in qualifying for next year. I feel that Arsenal are the only English club with the same degree of class from top to bottom.
pure class – when they kept us back they showed the Highbury Years dvd on the big screens
It is true we were applauded from the stadium by stewards and medics alike. We were also given recognition by the ultras immediately in front of us. The fans that travelled to the game were absolute class and sang from the hour before the game until the end of the lock-in! The Highbury Years DVD certainly helped spirits and was a marked change from the prejectile fireworks we got in Turin two years ago.
Here’s to the next round! Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ronnie Rooke
to Gonko
I first saw the gunners at Whitehart Lane in September 1945, and I have followed and watched them since. I can not remember boy Bastin playing for the gunners after the war. His father may have played against Bastin in a pre-war international.
Absolute class! milan deserves credit for their dignity in every situation. I wish them all the very best in the future and we gunners salute them! this is the reason why milan have won more euuropean cups than any english club, i hope they get thier 8th bofore long. up the guns then!!!
Any suggestions that I might have broken this blog are libel….
Ronnie & Gonko,
‘Boy’ Bastin did indeed play a few games after the war & may well have played against Maldini.
AC Milan were known as ‘Wolverhampton Wanderers’ in those days, of course.
I wish to make it clear that any mischievous allegations made against any readers of this blog are not necessarily representative of the views of the author, even if such allegations are made by people who have temporarily assumed my identity in other places!
I’ve been a fan of the 4-5-1, coz its not has not affected our attacking impetus one bit. In fact, it gives us a bit more defensive solidity, and the mid field get a little more freedom to attack. Its worked well sofar this season also, even in the 4-4-1-1 avatar.
Milan as a club exude class. Their players behaved exemplarily in the 1st leg, and their fans / players are a tribute to their club.