The Day The Luck Turned
Mar 14th, 2009 by 'holic
It’s not often you get something for nothing. When the provider of the ‘something’ is a bookmaker then you know it’s your day! It wasn’t until I got back to the pub that someone suggested Andrey Arshavin had not landed the ‘holic pound in the second minute. Television cameras revealed that Blackburn’s Ooijer got the final touch to Walcott’s cross. Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn because Ladbrokes didn’t know that and paid out on Arshavin at half-time. Tee, and indeed hee! One hundred and thirty beer vouchers filled the ‘holic wallet.
The first half would have been perfect had Nasri’s free-kick dipped under, rather than onto, the bar, and if the despicable Diouf had got the red card his assault on Manuel Almunia surely deserved. It wasn’t to be, and after collecting our ill-gotten gains we settled down to watch Arshavin and Eboue light up the second-half.
Eboue?
Yes, for the second weekend running the Ivorian goal machine put the finishing touches to a solid win. Not before, however, the diminutive Russian bookie-basher finally got a legitimate first goal for the Gunners with a near post run and rising drive that reminded many of a Kanu strike at Stamford Bridge.
Arshavin followed that with a set-up for Eboue’s first before the star of Come Dancing followed up from the penalty spot. When Pedersen launched into an absurd dive in the box the embarrassment of the visitors was surely complete. Even the dwindling number of Blackburn fans cringed at his diabolical antics.
Only one thing took the gloss off of the afternoon for me. Prior to kick-off I had read The Highbury Spy, in the Gooner, writing about Nicklas Bendtner. ‘I’m sure he would be a massive success and come back to haunt us one day if we were ever stupid enough to sell him’.
Now I remain to be convinced the Dane has a long term future at Arsenal, but I know exactly what the Spy meant by that. It was painful to hear so many idiots at the south end of the ground giving him real grief when a string of second-half opportunities were not taken by the twenty-one year old. Fair play to those in the Red Action seats who sang his name loud and proud. What sort of lamebrain gives one of his own players stick when the side is winning, and winning well?
Anyway, that aside it was good to be back at the Grove and supping a pint or two of the black stuff with old (and young!) friends. It was even better travelling home with Ladbrokes crisp, clean notes in the wallet. I think I could get to quite like Andrey Arshavin.
37 Responses to “The Day The Luck Turned”
I think its absolutely fair and legitimate to go on forums and blogs like this and criticise a player, and to discuss if the player should be doing better or even if someone else would be doing a better job in his place.
But……… booing from the stands while an important game is going on, and while the team needs support, is just plain wrong.
I would always defend our support as being one of the most patient when fans of other clubs made reference to the lack of volume at the Grove. This season has given me real concern about some sections of our support – booing players, calling for AW to be sacked because we are having pretty much the only sub-standard season in his 12 years at the club.
Like you ‘Holic, I would like to say well done to those who sung Bendtners name and clapped him off the pitch. Lets hope that fans like those continue to be heard above those who seem to forget what the whole point of being a ‘SUPPORTer’ really is.
yes not bendtners best game, but for the first time i actually saw wat wenger sees in him
his movement was excellent today, which is why he had so many chances to miss. he also shows some nice skills on the ball and made some good passes
u got to feel sorry for him a bit because there were some morons in the crowd, and every miss made the next chance that much more difficult
he has shown in the past he has some finishing ability, if he can combine that to any degree with the rest of his performance today he’ll go on to be a brilliant player for us imo
After the Roma game and after the first goal went in I started to believe that our luck has now eventually changed. Any lingering doubts were confirmed when I read about your result at the expense of Ladbrokes. Not sure I can add much to your assessment holic. All very accurate, and a more than a fair reflection.
I agree totally re Bendtner. Sometimes I am amazed how fickle fans can be. We all have a moan. I have no problem with that. For the most it is an outpouring of emotion about something we are all passionate about. But fans clearly have their favourites and the gaps between the degrees of forgiveness offered to each vary imensely. I am sure that I am not the only one who has noticed that when the likes of Theo make mistakes he is so unlucky. The moment Bendtner puts a foot wrong he is absolutely shocking. I sit not far from the Red Action section. Bendtner’s name was sung loud. What was pleasing was to see him acknowledge the crowd. He knew he had not had the greatest of games. I am sure he does not need halfwits blurting out the kind of garbage that does absolutely nothing to encourage a player who is still very young and still in his first real full season.
A much better performance today all ends up. Arshavin dealt with the rough stuff with no real problems, which can only help him settle. Theo caused constant problems. Another positive performance on Tuesday night and things will really look to be on the up.
This is very hard to say but lets hope for a spud’s victory later on.
Keep the faith.
AA and EE. What a wicked double combination. It is really significant that the players let EE take that penalty; must have been their way of showing up those dirty low-lifes that boo annd slag their own players. But you ‘Holic have been a true believer; even though you have lost many a pound these past weeks wagering on a win. All the hypocrites are now hopping back on the bandwaggon but you ‘Holic wiil count as a true supporter. I raise my glass to yu.
I thought Bendtner had a good game today, his movement and workrate were brilliant, but he just lacked that finishing touch today. Because he has been around so long people forget that he is only 21 years old, he is far from the finished article.
His performance today reminded me of Thierry Henry’s performance in the Champions League Final. Henry was/is probably the greatest striker in the world and even he can have one of those days where the ball will just not go in the net for him. But Arsenal fans didn’t turn round and boo him that day.
It seems to me these days that our fans have to have a scapegoat. It started with Eboue, now it is Bendtner, and when he returns to form, they will find someone else. But why? Booooing your own player is only going to zap his confidence further! Good to see alot of us getting behind him but as per usual the media pick up on the minority and tarnish all us gooners with the same brush!
The idiots booooing him today were probably the same idiots cheering his name when he came on and scored against Tottenham, saved us from defeat against Villa last year, and won us the game away to West Brom recently.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, they pay their money, they can say what they like? But some of them need to take a look at themselves and realise what sort of affect they are having on our players. I have noticed its the same fans week in week out boooing and criticizing Wenger etc, frankly I am looking forward to next season in the hope that these fools are so disillusioned with our club, that they dont bother to renew their season ticket.
I thought that Denilson, Nasri and Arshavin were excellent today.
Arshavin was just a class above any other player on the park, rightfully kept van Persie on the bench. Nasri was just linking everything together and could have scored. With Denilson giving a near perfect performance sweeping up and cutting off every little move.
I have to agree with km1980. You have every right to criticize players on forums and blogs, you can even start a facebook group calling for Wenger to be sacked, what ever you want, but just don’t fucking boo your own players when we’re playing!!
I find it was such a disgrace to boo Bendtner who I thought had an excellent game by his standards – bar his finishing of course. We were winning by MILES, there was no need to give him the stick. I’m sure he bloody knows that he’s under pressure and that he needed to convert his chances but by booing him, it doesn’t help him at all.
Well to those who booed him, shame on you. Fine you can do whatever you want that makes you happy. But if I had it my way, I’d rather you watch the game at home because ‘fans’ like you are no way a ‘supporter’ the club really needs.
Disgraceful really.
Only got see the MOD highlights – I despair. I should know better but the fact that they choose to focus on the pathetic Pederson incident rather than the despicable Diouf says it all.
Who cares whether someone’s career is wrecked by a serial offender when we can all have a laugh at an idiot? I’ve written to complain and would suggest we all do; but we know they never listen . . .
It’s worrying to agree with The Spy but yes, Nic must stay. He’s like an acid flashback to ’68 – my 1st visit to Highbury and I couldn’t understand why everyone was on John Radford’s back. Ok, he too was missing a lot of chances but the important thing was he was there to miss them. He turned it around and I think Nick will too.
And a word or 2 for Eboue – vast improvement (albeit not too difficult). Coincidental with contract renewal? Who knows?
Lose the dance though. If over the last 4 years you had been scoring at your current rate it might be acceptable but you haven’t.
In the past players gave credit first to those who provided assists. Eboue’s immediate concern should have been to acknowledge Arshavin’s contribution rather than to boogie on down with Song. There does seem to be a growing team spirit but, as usual, the dynamic duo appear too stupid to recognize it.
Anyway, to end on an upbeat note, from the usual crap MOD highlights and what I’ve read elsewhere, today really did seem a step in the right direction. 4 goals and loads of chances missed against deeply unpleasant opposition seems to me a real return to form at just the right time . . . .
I wanted to take a second to thank all the people who put a comment in here.
How refreshing it was to read the posts of fans who actually thought about what they were writing about.(Amazing how most of you were there and saw a completely different game from the drunken louts)
I understand that this has been a frustrating season. However, we really are in a good position with our club and maybe a couple of so called experts will one day in the very distant future admit the AW was right in believing in this group.
Hats off to you sir for seeing the things that the arm chair experts are so clearly blind in seeing.
Two very drawn out transfers this season in Nasri and Arshavin. Thank God they were completed. These men have only added to our game and will still improve.
Winning titles and cups is guarenteed to no one. But the effort put in by most of these players has been remarkable with all the long-term injuries we’ve had.
Great job in maintaining your focus for the long haul.
Wasn’t the Kanu goal at Highbury?
Bendtner was outstanding in the first half and unfortunate in the second, but is it any wonder with the shit he gets? He’ll be a player, as long as our fans get off his back (god I can’t believe I even have to write that).
—-Rosiscky—-
When this guy is back what a team we shall have. Wenger will be able to rotate as much as he likes and we should have one hell of a team.
Song has been awesome these past few games! Waiting for our captain to come back then you can bring on wheatever team in the champs league.
Six criticisms of Eboue for scoring two goals in eight minutes — is it racism, or stupidity on your part? To remain so wrapped up in your prejudice and bad judgment on the day it is exposed…that’s quite a feat!
I think we can call EE’s dance the FYWBE dance. And you deserved to be forced to watch it.
OK I never thought I’d say this, but Song seems to have turned a corner and is showing good tackling and passing skills which we expect out of all AW’s signings. His last 2 games has been pretty impressive and if denilson doesn’t watch out, it could be song-fabregas partnership.
Bendtner misses chances as much as Adelosedaballyor. BUT, Bendtner can pass BEtTER than adecraplayor, controls the ball BEttER and have a better workrate since ade is only looking to perform in ‘big’ games to increase his values. On first touch, it seems that Bendtner is ahead of that adeshit.
Clichy does have a problem with throw ins isn’t it? He doesn’t seem to be able to find a player wif his throw ins compared to Sagna.
Anyone heard the stadium commentator said “Arsenal’s Goal Machine – Emmanuel ….. Eboue..?? It surely took the gloss off the victory, it was stomach churling and I wanted to puke. But if he continues to work like he did AFTER that booing incident, I think AW has again successfully turned a defender into a midfielder.
cruEL u nut! u must be Myles Palmer or you are sleeping with him. now that EE and ASB are putting in good games who’s next to blame when Nicky B scores against hull? some twats here in uganda even go as far as blaming pat rice
Once Bendtner improves on his first touch, he’ll be miles better than Ade. So let’s sell Ade of for 20M++ during summer to some stupid Spanish club … With Eduardo, Vela, Walcott, Bendtner, Arshavin and vPersie we have a frontline others dreaming of, so chip off Ade.
Her for all to see what is sheer class, brilliant: http://gunnerblog.com/?p=1552
Next season is ours … :))
by the way.. You would of won your bet anyway, as own goals do not count in first goal betting. 🙂
In Tokyo so I missed the match, holic. Your post brought me up to speed perfectly. I was hoping for an Arshavin first goal to reward the patience of the holic pound. Congratulations. Good to see more and more of the drinks acknowledging our future captain Denilson. He’s on his way to superstardom.
The boo boys are a real problem. Maybe they’re not familiar with the first law of striking?
More boos = Less Confidence = Less Goals
Bendtner is coming on well. He’ll do just fine. AW won’t sell him in the summer. I think he’s one of Nicks biggest fans.
The tide has turned, holic. Did you check the odds on the treble?
– Win FA Cup
– Win CL
– Third EPL
I thought we were the drunken louts. I’ll have a large alka seltza and two resolve please ‘holic. Well done on your beer voucher acquisition. I knew I should have made an effort to get up there. Cheers.
On the subject if Bendtner, I still play organised 11 aside footy, (albeit at a low level) and our clib has a policy of blooding the odd promising teenager before they go on to better and brighter These youngsters tend to play up front and we do well although the chances they squander is never in line with their conversion rate. We take the view that the finished article is someone who regularly converts these chances after regularly getting into those goalscoring positions. Other than Dudu who is themost lethal finisher we have had at the club since Wrighty (and I include TH14 in that as he had the supply of PV4, DB10, RP7 etc) I would argue that our current crop of strikers are all similarly culpable in front of goal. The main difference is that Bendtner is three or four seasons short of their experience and wage packet.
He is not the deal yet, and is still a work in progress. I say judge him on the overall contribution and the goals against the Spuds etc and his underrated lone striker role against Manure at the Grove in November.
I thought Bendtner was excellent. Hard work, intelligent movement, good touch (mostly), tackled back and defended very well. He also got in the box on several occasions but didn’t score. Goals will come believe me, be patient and give him lots of encouragement. The rest of the team were also great, the tempo of the game was high, as it should be, and the confidence suddenly seems much better. I can hardly believe the improvement shown by Song and the same goes for Eboue. AA is class! All in all a great game to watch and a great result. Come on you S***s ( am I allowed to say that here?).
Interesting point about Eboue suddenly much more committed at the time his contract negotiations are up… Or could it be the booing? In any case competition won’t hurt. His potential is obvious, whether he can fulfill it on a consistent streak is sill open to debate.
Agree with all the previous comments on Bendtner. There’s a minority of shitty spectators at the Grove that we all feel ashamed to be associated with. Like Song and Denilson he’s been improving a lot this season. Once he starts finding his sensations for the last move he will be lethal.
We could still be a little be short this season but the future is all ours.
An excellent display today by virtually the whole team. Bendtner didn’t have the greatest of games finishing, but I would agree with alot of posters here that say that he got into those positionings to begin with and his hold up play was very very good. I reckon that we have a player on our hands…
Also, Song played really well today. Distribution was very good – excellent in the tackle as well.
It’s amazing what happens when we have some width with pace. Their defence was all over the shop!
Paddy Power didn’t pay out on AA
Might have something to do with the fact I had 3-1, AA 1st goalscorer!
As for Bendtner, yeah he should have had a couple but his overall game was excellent. High workrate, some insightful touches in the build up and showed real courage in still getting himself in goalscoring positions. I found myself sinking in my seat (not for the first time this year) at the first round of boos. Everything I see in him tells me he is going to be a player of the highest quality, at 21 he is just starting out but I rate him very highly. Come the summer and there will be clubs sniffing around and I’d say they will be CL clubs. Any more treatment like yesterday and would anyone blame him for doing the off?
We’re finally getting our game together and what a great time to be doing so. I think we will get the final CL place comfortably, strongly fancy us to beat KGB Fulham in the cup and who knows in the CL?
Good article!
I love the fact the bookies paid out at HT.
Arshavin’s goal…very like the ones he has scored many times for Zenit (see youtube). He certainly is a match winner, which we have been lacking recently or maybe since Henry left?
An excellent day, I even felt Bendtner is just around the corner from actually putting away all those chance he is getting himself into. Imagine that…OMG we would be rocking then.
Come on the arsenal!
Iceman, the Kanu goal was at Stamford bridge.
am looking foreward to the return of Ade and see what some muppets like CruEL and Aziz say when he (Ade) start to win games as usual.
it is good that you guys are trying to up Nick and condemn the patetic booing by some stupid funs, but for you to suggest he is better than Ade (unless u run into ur poor excuse of ‘he is only 21’) is pure shite.
adebayor has been lazy this season-sure but the only player that threatens his position in the team is Dudu. and the fact that he is still the leading goal scorer of the club this season tells a lot about the other strikers……………
oh and Richard (5), what kind of bizzare comparison are you using with TH14 performance in paris? do u even dare raise titi in relation to booing?
I was in Green Lower near the away supporters and would say that most of us were just laughing as Bentdner kept missing. It seemed impossible for him to miss so many. We all joined in with RedAction when they started singing his chant and it was good to see him acknowlege the support. Agree he was at least getting into scoring positions. He needs to improve his shooting though. Might have been a different matter if we’d been one down and he was missing so many though!
“Bergkamp’s The Man”, I also think that Denilson could be out future captain if Cesc was to leave within the next five or so years. He is like Gilberto and Flamini rolled into one, with a better passing range.
Fans don’t like to accept him because he was seen as Cesc’s eventual replacement, but we all know that he is a Defensive/Central Midfielder, not an Attacking one.
He sniffs out the danger and stops moves before they begin. I am a big fan of Song, but the guy waits until there is trouble next to him before he sorts it out. His imposing figure makes his involvement seem more impressive, but what he actually does is nothing more than average. Denilson has a quality that not many players int he World can use – positional discipline and ability to sniff out attacks.
That is why he will be our DM for years to come.
nice snog yesterday, ‘holic
I’ll have a pint for a ‘holic pound, cheers.
Villa 1 Spuds 2
The luck turned the next day too!
So much for their refreshing break in Dubai. How strange….15 days ago I was in despair when we dropped points to Fulham.
Nice write up ‘holic…..
Cracking day out yesterday. Onwards and upwards from here on for the Arsenal!
Cheers!
What away to stick it to that fat-arsed git Sam “I know how to handle Arsenal” Allardyce`s team. Blackburn were exposed for the bunch of artless cloggers that they are. And bloody hell, a goal in the first two minutes; pinch me, I must have had one too many prior to the game. That great start was all down to Walcott`s pace, and he was a thorn in their side all the time he was on the pitch. Arshavin`s ability to spot and deliver a telling pass must be world class, as they showed on MOTD. And what a goal to get himself off the mark. The game was only marred by a succession of Bendtner`s trademark misses. He should see Eboue for a spot of coaching! Seriously though, we all know that he is young and his finishing will only improve, but you cannot help thinking how many goals a more natural or experienced finisher might have had given the guilt-edged chances he missed. Still, a very encouraging team performance, suggesting we are getting closer to our best form.
Finally thanks are due to the Spuds who duly beat Villa. Thanks boys; now get back to your losing ways and back into the relegation zone!
The polarisation of opinion about Nicklas Bendtner is getting really bizarre.
I was in the Gunners for the Roma game on Wednesday and a large section of the crowd sang “What do you think of Bendtner, s**t” “We hate Bendtner” etc on several occasions.
Three or four of us struck up a retort of Super Nic, but were definitely in the minority.
On Saturday a fight broke out a couple of rows in front of me, between a Bendtner boo-boy and someone with more sense (but possibly not self control).
yes, agreed. you need to get into goal scoring positions and to miss that much mean you often in that position. unlike adebayor before he got injured and throughout this season, i don’t think he get into goal scoring position as much as bendtner. in facts i think bendtner got more chances than van persie, adebayor and vela combined. lets just hope he polish up his finishing touch, and if he managed to do so, we’re looking at 20 goals a season striker from our bench.
Ben
I’ve seen two fights in the upper north this season re the treatment of Bendtner. I find it unfathomable that he is so disliked. Having said that I’d say Ades popularity is at a slightly lower level.