Now It's The Same Old Song…
Nov 8th, 2009 by 'holic
…But with a different feeling since Flam’s been gone! Well that is almost what the Four Tops sang. You don’t hear much about the Four Tops these days, but you do about the top four. Those who thought before a ball had been kicked that we would struggle to remain in the Champions League berths are having to hastily re-appraise their position.
Of course this latest triumph was only secured after the rested Song was summoned from the bench to replace the unfortunate Diaby. Immediately that freed Ramsey from the chains that had shackled him, and a sticky opening phase was turned around.
That first twenty minutes had raised hopes among the locals, and well I should know, perched in their midst throughout. Thankfully they lacked the finisher who could have given them an advantage from their early bravery, and I had to sit on my hands as they presented us with a two goal start in seven crucial minutes.
I was closer to being rumbled when van Persie went close with a left foot curler. I was on my feet, before remembering where I was, and sat down smartish mumbling something about bad marking. Grandson chuckled, remembering me implore him not to celebrate when we scored. The little devil was hiding a secret from me.
Fortunately, when our glorious third goal arrived, I had seen it coming from the start of the break. Wolves, not for the first time, committed too many bodies forward. The ball broke to Fabregas and he supplied the finishing touch after lending it briefly to Sagna and van Persie. It was glorious, typical Arsenal. The goal sparked the first chuckle of the afternoon. Earlier, during periods of Wolves pressure, the South Bank had roared out a ‘mockney’ version of ‘Sit dahn, shat up‘ to the visiting thousands. It was returned with feeling as the hosts slunk off for a half-time bevvy.
Three became four courtesy of a great strike from Arshavin and I looked for the wonder in the eyes of an eight year old witnessing Arsenal for the first time. Earlier he had asked me to point out Cesc and Arsene Wenger, and looked genuinely thrilled to be so close to them, but a tad disappointed that he wouldn’t get to see Theo Walcott. This time he looked back at me a little vacantly. I found out why in the last couple of minutes.
Jody Craddock had spent the afternoon catching the eye for little more than his clumsy attempts to keep van Persie out of the game, and his deflection for Arsenal’s second goal. However, some nimble footwork in Arsenal’s box freed him from the attentions of Vermaelen and he thumped home a header unchallenged. Beside me a little man jumped high into the air and cheered, revealing the best kept secret of the day.
I had to try and distract him as Black Country voices roared ‘Four nil, and you ****** it up!‘. Oh well, at least he is not a United fan, and I reckon that trip to the Grove in April could yet turn him back to the righteous path, but for now he lives near Wolverhampton and goes to school there, so I have lost him temporarily!
Talking of losing, the ‘holic pound obviously fell a goal short, although thankfully I had covered myself by backing us to win 4-1 as well as 5-1 at the ground. I was, therefore, far from chuffed when I returned to the sportingbet.com kiosk after the game to pick up my wad only to find it closed. What sort of operation is that? Apparently I now have to open an account with them to get my winnings credited. To say I am not impressed is an understatement.
Still, as the Four Tops would have told me, ‘It’s all in the game‘.
42 Responses to “Now It's The Same Old Song…”
Get rid of Diaby. He is a liability.
Thank you for setting the standard, ewan. Everybody else can feel free to raise the bar. Thanks.
Song, despite all the flak he received was given an extended run in the team and came good. Get off Diaby’s back and stop looking for negatives. He’s a fine player and needs support right now. He will come good.
Thanks ‘Holic. Great report, maybe youll win the little fella back if we win the league(Ha!)
I thought I’d just post to see if anyone shared my concern about Arshavin. Not that I dont think he is a genius(im a huge fan) Im just worried he might not be fitting into the team. I dont mean footballistically, as he clearly does, but as a personality. They dont seem to congratulate him as enthusiastically as the others and at times he cuts a lonely figure…. will time heal this or is it my imagination?
Scotch please.
yeah leave eboue ah song no i mean diaby alone, give him a season of regular non injury plagued football and then we’ll rip the shit out of him.
most excellent piece, thx for sharin! loved readin that
Good result. People need to get off Diaby’s back. This’s his first proper run in the team, and even if he put in a below-par performance yesterday, he still played good on Wednesday night. I was at the game, and thought he put in a performance that suited the team. A superb one
I hope Diaby’s injury last longer. The longer time he takes, the higher chance we would win something this season.
same folks were all over Song some time ago, all over Flamini before that.. all over Bendtner and Eboue last season and they all came good in some form or the other
Give the boy Diaby a chance, if Arsene sticks with him, means the gaffer can see something in the lad day in and day out
Getting on his back every time he touches the ball is not going to help him.. He has already shown flashes this season, give him a chance.. fanner, you are a god awful gooner, wishing one of our players remain injured longer
claptongoon.. i think you been reading a bit too much ANR.. would not read too much into the Wolves game, Arshavin’s goal came after the match was pretty much settled..
Saw Arshavin and Fabregas conversing right before the 2nd half.. body language seemed friendly//
Diaby just needs to defend more. He treads too far forward and doesn’t realise it! But i think Alex Song is playing AWESOME football he allows cesc to do his thing, thats why he is scoring goals! Song has also relieved tons of pressure off gallas and vermaelen… He is the new “essien”! Gunners for life
I too have noticed recently that Arshavin doesn’t get the same entusiastic congratulations from his team mates as others in the team do. Perhaps it’s a language barrier or the fact that he’s still new but personally I fear it could be a bit of an ego thing going on?
Lol. The players love Arshavin, players like Cesc, Rosicky and van Persie have found a kindred spirit, someone with their quality and movement. He is a real leader (captain Pompey, remember) and as far as I have heard, he is very popular and well liked. THey did not celebrate, it was pouring with torrential rain, they were 4-0 up and in hostile territory, and not playing well. Did Cesc look dead-chuffed? No. Let him celebrate as he wants, it was not the moment for absurd celebrations. And he has not scored important goals since Blackburn (heavy celebrations) and Man U (idem) There we have it.
Nice win.doesn’t matter who it is you have to beat what’s there. Re
member so far chelsea have lost to wigan and manure to burnley. I get the feeling this year it is going to be these results that count.
I too thought arshavin doesn’t seem to be as enthusiastic as everyone else and got the Impression there wassomething not right between him and cesc. But they play well together so maybe its not important.
I wish song concentrated the whole game and didn’t give stupid balls away then I would be happier with him.
14 . . . Perhaps if Van Persie, Arshavin, Ramsey and Gibbs concentrated the whole game, they wouldn’t have given away the stupid balls that they did either!! . . . Everyone does it and Song gives no more away than anyone else in the midfield. Tip: Watch the game with both eyes!! We’re playing really well, drop the negatives and support the team.
Excellent write up yet ‘holic.
I too was sat in the South Bank with a couple of my Wolves supporting mates and had to restrain myself from jumping up when we scored.
I think the locals were resigned to defeat from the off and to see the look of awe in their faces when we ripped them apart was priceless. I think the song you’ve only come to see the Arsenal says it all really.
Not for the first time this season, the travelling support was magnificent although the volume could have been turned up a few decibels to put the over-excited locals in their place.
The mean red machine keeps purring on and long may it continue.
Come on you Reds!
right ole riveting read again ‘holic-keep it up and hope the little ‘un comes to his senses before puberty…
A good write up as usual. I enjoyed my first trip to Molineux but was fortunately sat amongst fellow Gooners.
What impressed me about the game was the way we stood up in the first 20 mins. They put us under considerable pressure and were also very physical. It is not that long ago that we would have wilted.
When Ramsey pushed forward I though he was immense. I dread to think what he will be like when he has actually stopped growing. Song again has come on leaps and bounds. I will be the first to admit that I have had more than a few reservations about Song over the years but these days he looks as good as anyone in that role.
One thing did concern me was their goal. Having watched it again on MOTD Vermaelen actually appears to duck out of the way. The only suggestion I have with regards to that is because he thought Almunia was coming for it. Minor details but something that needs to be sorted on the training ground.
As I departed Molineux I was discussing with my mate the current league standings. We were working out all the ifs and maybes of todayβs games and where it would leave us. We were then interrupted by 3 Wolves fans. “I hope you win it,” one said in a broad midlands accent an a hint of a smile. I looked at him somewhat taken aback. He repeated his statement followed by “you play the best football I have ever seen here. You are a joy to watch. I really hope you win it.” Shocked and feeling a tad humble I mentioned that we were looking good but was not sure if we had enough cover at centre back. All three then spoke at once but the message was the same. They all hope we win the league. They had just witnessed their side get beat 4-1 at home but still left with a hint of a smile at the skills they had just witnessed. We wished each other well and went our separate ways. I left with an even warmer feeling and the realisation of just how lucky we all really are. A lesson there for all of us when we feel like letting off both barrels if it has not gone quite right.
Wonderful report. Despite his obvious local sympathies, the young tyke sounds like a spirited one, heh. I’ve already spoken about it but I did think the support for Wolves was very impressive, even at 4-0 down.
Good post Steve T. always nice to get that sort of vibe from a neutral.
Wolves fans won my heart the way they sang for their team when the situation was desperate so little surprise the ‘holic grandkid was similarly affected. The season is shaping up nicely but as Wenger keeps saying, consistency is key. This match was a potential banana skin that we survived nicely and hopefully so will be the one at Sunderland in 2 weeks.
“….same folks were all over Song some time ago, all over Flamini before that.. all over Bendtner and Eboue last season and they all came good in some form or the other”
Those untiring folks deserve some credit for going all over the above-mentioned because they REALLY improve there-after. LOL.
even EE thanks the fans after waking up.
IMO, the fans just want to keep the players on their toes, reflect on what was said, if it is true, keep on improving for the better.
let hope Diaby improve as much as the others, then the folks will not be all over him.
To boo players when the game is in play is definitely NOT ACCEPTABLE. However it is perfectly normal to boo (just to show yr disapproval) before the game or after the game if the player had played badly (as a public figure, you must be mentally tough & strong live up to the fact that u are constantly under public scrutiny)….I don’t see any reason y cannot moan & groan on blogs, ultimately it is for thinking bloggers to decide for themselves. To silence moaning & groaning on blogs is damn bloody unhealthy. it will lead only to the development of sycophant mentality.
RE Arshavin – its very hard to celebrate enthusiastically with a player who shows no emotion when he score but jogs away with his finger to his lips! Show some joy, Andrey!
Actually I like Arshavin when he doesn’t celebrate too much.Has this Silent russian killer look.I think maybe he reserves it for the end of the season.Or maybe he still feels bad about the tax he is paying.I have never seen any one talk so much about tax including the government.
Are Arsenal fans the only ones who over-analyse the facial expressions of our players or every pass a player makes (eg. Cesc passes to Robin 50% of the time, but only 10% of the time to Arshavin. Therefore he likes Robin and hates Arshavin)?
claptongooner….stop reading too much blog….coz some of them spread negetivity not intentionaly, but they do….i was reading a blog which said there are differences b/w gallas and team and one comment even backing it by saying fab actually said **** u to gallas!!!! after scoring first goal against AZ… can u imagine that!!!!! then there was one writing that wenger gonna leave if usmanov takes over….!!!! and they call themselves fan of arsenal writing for arsenal…oh c’mon….
if u get surrounded by negativity for arsenal just visit “untold arsenal” and “desi gunner” good positive blogs, it helps people supporting there teams when team is down….
i dont know what had happened to Wenger to put Diaby ahead of Song. I say Diaby because i think Diaby is always the weakest link and i must say, up to now i dont knoiw what Diaby’s position is in the Arsenal team- Unfortunately Wenger likes him with a passion – the same way he likes Bendtner over Eduardo.
I’m happy the way cesc and arshavin celebrates. I mean cmon we’re playing the likes of AZ & Wolves and we are expected to win those games if we want to win anything. I think Arsh and Fab has upped or standards and the celebrations when we faced Tottenham were great!
Arshavin is a diva in the Ronaldo mold (just without the diving) and look at the footage when he scored against United. He was so pissed off with the linesman for not flagging a penalty when Fletcher tackled him that he sent a cracker up into the corner and then pointed at the linesman and hushed him. Now that’s what we need at Arsenal… some goddamn attitude! For too long we have been to nice.. I remember the days of Vieira, Henry and Ljungberg when we were full of it and opposing players and fans hated our arrogance but our brilliant football could not be ignored!
We’re setting new standards.. Long live the reign of Arshavin, Fabregas and Van Persie
Hey anup, good to see you (or your words or whatever),
I know what you’re talking about, I myself was just now at a receiving end of a semi-racist comment from a fellow gunner….
I will take your advice and stop reading too many blogs, it breaks my heart sometimes to see supporters and fans doing to bashing against their own players. Diaby is so unlucky, he’s injured yet again….and many people said that they hope he’s injured more and more……….how cruel…..
Diaby and our players are human being, some of them are still kids. It makes me very sad and mad when this stuff happens.
To ‘holic…..good piece and hope you do turn the boy into the righteous path haha…..
2 the comment about arshavin not fittin in….my season ticket it right in front of where the arsenal players warm up before a home game and hes always laughin about with sum1….nothing to worry about there….up the arsenal
GUYS…. get off diaby’s back…. you are the same guys that wanted SONG to leave arsenal, and now you see him as a game changer !!!!!!!!!!!? wow !!!…… arsenal have changed their attitude, and you are seeing the results before you on the pitch…. its about time US the FANS change our attitude as well and wait to see wonders being done, with out negetives please…….2 years ago i would continously read silly written articles and silly coments….. today, i have read more than three articles with comments till i reached this one… all the other writers and commenters had something articulate and positive to say. with exception to the article writer and some commenters, i still see negetive comments from some fans… come on.. what is wrong with you guys???
Hey ‘holic.
Given the TV coverage, I am very very surprised you didn’t use the pun suggested by Scotty since you seemed to have chosen something that is very close in meaning π
But then you never go the easy route, right? Hmmmm….
Very entertaining account, hope you had a great weekend overall despite the non-yet converted π
Cheers, something warm and slightly alcoholic for me please.
For once I’m not going to hijack your lovely bar for a long comment of my own, ‘holic. Just saying this:
Let’s me clear over one thing. Wenger always sees when a player doesn’t play at Arsenal-standard. If he continues to play the player it is only because he believes the player will improve by playing and improve to the required level. If the manager realizes that the player won’t come good he will let the player go. So – as long as a player gets games it is because the manager believes in him.
We never ever have to boo a bad/less good player out of the club. Trust Wenger to get rid of dead wood. He has done it before and even done it to some of our greatest players ever, when they just couldn’t perform anymore. He does not have a soft spot or a sentimental mind.
Until a player gets sold for not being good enough we should encourage him to get better. Every minute every game.
Players that behaves like cunts is another thing entirely, but if the one thing a player does wrong is not just being good enough, just get of their backs. They will face the worst thing in the world soon enough if they don’t approve – ie having to leave the best team in the world.
AND 2)
I do so enjoy the musical references here ‘holic, it really shines through that you’re one of those that keeps the torch burning.
It will never be over for me
Ouch. That did end up quite long…
and more informative than the blog, Toby. Cheers.
Where was the Scotty suggestion then Ollie?
A wee cognac for me, me thinks. My little one wont be sporting any other colours for sure.
Not unless she wants to give me the hump.
Keep up the good work “The GrandMacDaddy to the MacDaddy”
Not here for too much information ‘holic, we’ve got arsenal.com for (des)information, we’re here for entertainment, which was provided once again by the bar master. Too bad about the wee one, but we’ll win him back, sooner or later!
Now, if I could get me a strong black coffee to start the day off, I’ll see you all in the next entry!
The Song remains the same…as they were showing Robert Plant in the stands during the coverage.
I would understand people saying get off Diaby’s back if he was running around like mad every game giving 100% but he isn’t. I can put up with lack of skill (a problem that Diaby doesn’t have) but when it is lack of effort, concentration and determination it really pisses me off. I hated people getting on Bendtner’s back last season because he was obviously trying. Diaby seems to think he is a superstar already and can just walk around the pitch occasionally fouling or beating a man then losing it. He slows down our play and does not fit in to this new hardworking midfield. I don’t even buy the general feeling that he gives us physical presence. Sure he is tall but he doesnt put himself about at all and is literally one of the worst headers of a ball I have ever seen in an Arsenal shirt.
Thinks he’s a superstar?? I really don’t see it…although I respect your right to an opinion!
I’m surprised at the general negativity towards Diaby. Sure, he’s a bit of an enigma, clearly is under development and as such will make mistakes (losing concentration is one of his biggest faults – his workrate is no worse or better than anyone else IMO). Even Wenger is not completely certain what his focal role is in the team, although I think the attraction is in his utilitarian outlook.
Although I personally think he is a hugely talented, technically gifted and skillful player. We should be patient with him. His development requires time and if we were all to think back, there have definitely been instances when he has demonstrated flashes of brilliance. Not only that I personally believe is a better finisher than often given credit for.
Glass half full or half empty? Mines definitely half full π
People here will eat their words.
Holic, im sure you have access to your archives and dig out comments where people were dissing Song and Denilson in 2007.
With Diaby as a regular member of our midfield we are 2nd in the table in mid-November. I can see that he is making some great plays while making quite a few bad passes but let’s give him his due for being generally solid and realize that Wenger is likely to pick Denilson when he returns. If both players can stay healthy from here on out, we will have a reliable corps of midfielders while Song is in Africa and for the business end of the season.