Theo Logical Choice As Pursuit Of Holy Grail Hots Up
Apr 15th, 2009 by 'holic
The evening starts with a call to ‘holicdad. Two weeks short of his eighty-seventh birthday he is having to spend more time than he would like visiting the doctor, so I am checking on the latest news. At the end of the conversation I try to take his mind off matters medical.
“Will you be listening to the game on radio tonight?” (In case you didn’t know, older people have freeview, and don’t pay for new-fangled satellite rubbish!)
“No son. If it was on telly (yes, I know!) I would watch it, but I am a terrible listener, particularly in this competition.”
I know exactly what he means. We stood side by side to watch Arsenal land the Fairs Cup on a never to be forgotten night at Highbury some thirty-nine years ago. For the barely teenage ‘holic it was the first taste of success, and even the old fella, who had witnessed so many titles and FA Cups, it was an astonishing occasion.
In the years that have ensued we have seen Arsenal win everything, including a second European trophy. When I got back from my week in Copenhagen for the Cup-Winners Cup triumph over Parma, the first phone call was to the man to whom I owe my Goonerdom.
Well, we’ve seen them win everything but old Big Ears. I didn’t need to tell him about the tears I shed the night we were thirteen minutes from finally getting our hands on the bugger in Paris, and he didn’t need to tell me. Whenever we meet up now I still bemoan the Henry misses that could have put us clear, and he still moans about the decision to take off Pires instead of Hleb.
“We would have won it, boy”
So forgive me if there is a sense of urgency in the ‘holic household about seeing the last gap on the mantelpiece being filled. I want to share that teary call minutes after the final whistle. The ‘we’ve finally done it’ moment.
Elsewhere you will get the facts and figures about tonights win. You will read about the way Theo Walcott earned (and how!) man-of-the-match plaudits for a stunning performance including the opening goal. You will read about the transformation of Alexandre Song into possibly the defensive midfielder we have been crying out for. You will read of Adebayor enduring a torrid time until netting a marvellous second, and of the fortuitous penalty award that saw Robin van Persie end all resistance. You will view deserved praise for a makeshift back four.
What you won’t read though is what only we can feel. This bloody competition is 270 minutes from being won. The best four teams in Europe are left, and any one of the four could land it. All have the ability, so it will be the little bits of luck, and possibly genius, that determine the outcome.
As the final whistle blew tonight it was fitting that the man on the ball was Robert Pires. I can still hear the old man’s words, and I’m wondering if once again Bobby has departed an Arsenal Champions League tie beaten by the eventual winners of the famous trophy?
Dear God, I hope so!
28 Responses to “Theo Logical Choice As Pursuit Of Holy Grail Hots Up”
I’ll drink to that – I’ll have one of those large Brandy drinks please. Something with Ex’s in it. Cheers.
Cheers ‘holic and well done to the lads. Glass of red please. Onwards we march.
Splendid stuff. I hope, not just from a selfish Arsenal supporter POV, you get that phonecall. That’s what it’s all about really.
Mine’s a Jameson 12.
Cheers boys. Teary night tonight too. So glad we got through, and glad it’s United rather than Porto. We’ll be rank outsiders so should make a few bob π
Fcking awesome post , holic.
Straight from the heart.
What a fantastic evening at The Grove. I am sure I am not the only one to have seemed a bit worried when I saw our defence. But they handled the game very well. Very impressed with Fabianski and his decision making.
Your post is spot on. Theo is looking in great shape. I have absolutely no idea how Song has made the transformation, but again tonight he was outstanding. He looks assured and his reading of the game has improved no end. Special praise also for Eboue. Thought he looked very good back there.
Nice to see Bobby back. He got massive cheers throughout the whole game.
Can’t wait for Saturday now. Hope Gibbs has not picked up a serious knock. If Cech plays anything like he did last night then it could be a cricket score.
We’re on our way, we’re on our way etc etc.
Sorry Holic but I am back on the 6X, and in the gallon format again. Hope you have loads in…….
Keep the faith
I have a healthy stock Steve. Glad you have had a great night, You’re right about Fabianski too. Brilliant the kid was.
Up the Arse, and g’night all.
Pour we whatever you’re having….let the good times roll…
Great blog, mr ‘holic. All Arsenal supporters are hoping we’ll lift ol’ big ears come May.
Mine’s a Guinness.
Emotional, ‘Holic. Very nice. I hope BT are on standby for the call.
These type of posts are exactly why I love this blog!
And gee, what a game it was! Was well worth waking up at 2:30 in the night to catch the stream!
Finally the players are starting to pay back to Arsene the huge trust that he put into them. Now let’s hope for some consistency. Because, if the team plays up to its potential – we can beat anyone.
Evening ‘Holic,
Delightful post. Great to be back from exile and able to read your blog again. Just one niggling question: could Fabianski possibly upstage Almunia? I love the way he took charge and made great decisions. Big props to Song – he really is making progress. The boys were simply sublime tonight. I think we have a wonderful chance to snag silverware this year… I certainly hope we can lift ol’ big ears for your old man.
I jigger of fiddich for you, me, and your pops.
*salute*
Bravo ‘holic..
the post sums up who gooners are and what The Arsenal is.
Oh and i forgot, could I get a Kingfisher Strong? π
Excellent post Holic. I can read match reports anywhere, but you’ve captured the emotional impact of the beautiful game.
Steve T
I was a bit worried about our back five, but they coped really well – I think Ch*lsea might put them under a bit more pressure though!
The way Petr Cech’s playing, we should score about 7.
I can’t quite believe the progress Alex Song has made in the last few games. I never thought he was anywhere near good enough for us. I’m glad to be proved so wrong though.
Really fancy us to beat United in both legs.
Fantastically written piece ‘holic and I wish your old fella the very best! On this blog you manage to consistently sum up so well the feelings and emotions of being an Arsenal fan in a way that other journalistic summaries completely miss!
And what an excellent team display that was last night!? I rolled out of bed this morning still doing the Arsene Wenger jig-a-jig so ably demonstrated by Le Boss after the 2nd goal!!!!
Superbly taken goals by Theo, Ade and RVP and I can heap no further superlatives on Song than have already been expressed. From where the bloody hell did Wenger unearth his recent talent?? This boy seems to grow in stature with every game he plays. Marcos Senna? Nah…..they can keep him!!!
No alcoholic drinks for me this morning…..the strong coffee seesm to have done the job after last nights session!!!
Alex Song first arrived on loan from Bastia (2005/6 – I just checked) and I was surprised we took up the option of signing him permanently. He looked too slow and ponderous, his first touch was poor and he just didn’t seem to have anywhere near the technical ability required of an Arsenal player. Remember his pitiful performance in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham?
He went out on loan to Charlton, and my boss (an Addick) said his technique was head and shoulders above that of his team-mates. I thought he’d found his level, and expected him to sign for Charlton. I was amazed that we took him back again.
I saw him in the flesh at centre back against Newcastle in the Carling Cup, and was impressed for the first time. I started to think of him as a decent back-up centre half, but earlier this season, when he and Denilson formed a central midfield partnership, I feared the worst. I thought it was too early for Denilson, and too much for Song.
But how those two have grown through adversity! Song in particular, because Denilson always looked a prospect.
And all the while, Arsene stood by him, insisting he would come good. All the plastics and D&G’s laughed. I thought, and I’m sure most Gooners thought, that Arsene was wrong on this one. I feel guilty for doubting him!
If anyone ever questions the belief that ‘Arsene knows’, there’s your proof.
Yes, I’m aware of his background Gerry and remember thinking back (when he went to Charlton) that that would be the last time he ever played for the Gooners. I can’t say I was ever impressed with him….although remember he also had a very decent showing throughout the !
What I still can’t really get my head round is…..from where has his *recent* talent emerged? He seems to have grown in stature in what seems a very short space if time.
Great result, great team performance and some great individual performances as well.
Song was for me MOTM. I have been critical of him in the past because I thought him too slow and ponderous for midfield but I did think he would make a decent centre back one day. I am so, so glad to be proved wrong. He reads the game well, works hard, gets his foot in and wins tackles, he is very strong on the ball and he has a good touch and good, surprisingly quick, nimble feet. I too am a little baffled as to where this sudden raising of his game has come from and can only guess that it must be confidence allied to experience gained whilst working and training hard. Something in his head has ‘clicked’ and I hope it doesn’t ‘unclick’ – no reason why it should of course. Well done Alex!
Theo continues to perform well and I think he can get a lot better; again hard work, talent and confidence seem to be the keys. I think Theo will always trouble defenders and he will score of lot of goals in the years to come.
Good showings from Gibbs, Fabianski, Silvestre and Kolo who looks to be full of confidence and back to his best.
It’s great to be a Gooner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Gerry…..was multi tasking unsuccessfully at the time of typing message 18.
Meant to say…I canβt say I was ever impressed with himβ¦.although remember he also had a very decent showing throughout the African Nations Cup!
π
I’m not sure why people are so surprised about Song – the signs have been there for a long time, but this is the first season where he has had a long run in the team and it is that experience allied to the hard work he has no doubt put in on the training ground, together with the confidence gained from the run we are on, which has enabled him to blossom.
Perhaps some people will consider this before they try to destroy the next 17 year old, who might be dropped in at the deep end due to necessity.
don
I’d forgotten about the African Nations Cup.
Passenal
You’re exactly right.
love reading ur blog ‘holic… cheers to the team, but hey, i thought reyes started from the bench during the 2006 CL final? wasnt our midfield cesc, helb, bobby & freddie?
anyway, have a gd day
Thanks ian,
Call it a brainblock. I had imbibed a fair bit by the time I typed up that rant last night. It should have said Hleb, and will in a minute π
I don’t know if there is a song about Arshavin, but I think the following will do fine.
To the tune of Boney M’s Rasputin:
Ar – Ar – Arshavin’s over from the Russian scene
Another Arsenal legend is born
Ar – Ar – Arshavin Russia’s greatest goal machine
And now at Arsenal he’ll carry on
I really think he’ll terrorise Chelsea tomorrow, so I’ll be warming up the vocals.
snail are you welsh?
Hmmm, not that I am aware of, but I do like it tidy, if that’s what you mean.
Beautiful piece ‘Holic. Almost brought a tear to my eye. On the last bit, we all hope so! Even Bobby himself does – he as a true Gooner wants us to go on and win the big cup!!