Young Guns May Need To Ab-Zorba Bit Of Pressure
Dec 7th, 2009 by 'holic
Those who date back to Arsene Wenger’s first Champions League campaign with Arsenal in 1998-99 will doubtless be aware that this is not the first time we have taken a much weakened side to Greece on matchday six.
Tomorrow we should hear more about the make up of the squad that travels to Athens, but if those who collected knocks at the weekend are added to those who missed the victory over Stoke, and nobody returns, then we will have a dozen players ruled out of this particular game. I’m pretty sure that number will swell to include those who will definitely be in line to start at Anfield on Sunday.
The number to beat is thirteen, being the number of Gunners injured or suspended as we concluded a failed Group Stage campaign on 9th December, 1998, against the arch rivals of our opponents this week. Funnily enough, Panathinaikos needed a win that night to stand a chance of qualifying for the next stage, just as Olympiacos require a point on Wednesday to confirm the runners-up spot.
Now, I haven’t produced a poor Greek pun since the title, so I should remind you that eleven years ago we had yet to sign Robert Piraeus (sorry about that), although his predecessor, Mark Overmars, was one of those unable to make the trip.
In truth a very inexperienced Arsenal survived a difficult opening half that night, but troy as they might, the hosts were not enjoying much luck. The Gunners produced a trojan effort after the break however to secure a highly unlikely triumph.
The referee, unusually in these parts, was definitely not a homer, and awarded Arsenal a free-kick which Alberto Mendez (yes, really) blasted in off the former Derby County player, Asanovic. 1-0 to the Ares did not last long, however. Sypnaewski, that well-known spelling mistake, urn-ed the Greeks an equaliser while David Seaman was athena mare attempting to deal with a simple cross. In truth it was artemis from there.
The young Nicholas Anelka was blessed with both great pace and a blistering shot. Theseus-ed to great effect in order to secure his first ever Champions League goal, and regain the lead for Arsenal. The visitors weren’t dione yet.
With time running out, Luis Boa Morte, who these days perseus a career with West Ham, sprinted clear to add a third. Thetis just a brief summary of what happened on the night. Hera-bouts they still fear Arsenal as a result of what this inexperienced side achieved that evening…
Seaman; Grimandi, Upson, Bould, Grondin; Vivas, Mendez (sub M.Black 77), Vernazza, Boa Morte; Anelka, Wreh.
Let’s hope that augeas well for us on this coming Wednesday. The last thing the new crop of lads needs is to experience a tragedy.
(Grabs coat, scurries out. I'll be back with a proper preview tomorrow. Cheers)
41 Responses to “Young Guns May Need To Ab-Zorba Bit Of Pressure”
I like your sense of hummus, ‘holic.
A small port, please.
(Oh, and great stuff for the last few days at the other place)
Thanks Fin.
Right, off to watch my favourite Sellers film.
The Pink Pantheon…
Does it imply that Silvester is future U18 Arsenal Coach!? I hope in tomorrows team we will have more succesful future first team players!
Let’s hope the kids don’t come Acropo-lis tomorrow night
Yes!
That’s it Bob. Come on everybodypeeps…
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With Wilshere laying it on a Plato for Vela how can we fail?
I think one or two injured players missed that game against Panathanaikos as a result of their Diogenes
With Wilshere laying it on a Plato for Vela how can we fail?
‘Phoebe on form, we can’t go wrong.
Amos gets my vote for the best Greek pun!
I’m hoping for a win, but at the same time don’t have too high expectations for this to be the best game in a m-Iliad years.
Hopefully Wenger will leave our greatest Muses out so they can sing A. Song on Sunday
Good news.
Apparently Robin van Persephone-d the boys with his best wishes today.
Forget it. Priam not joining in…
Keep your Charon, I’m only messing about, although deep down I Hades puns…
Actually, that works on many levels, it’s almost divine.
True enough ‘holic, I heard Hesiod that the boys had nothing to fear, that ey should go out and enjoy themselves.
Nice article!!!!
I am a greek gooner and a panathinaikos fan.
I hope we get a win tomorrow although the atmosphere in the stadium will be intimidating !!
The young guns should not let this affect them and if it doesn’t, quality wise we will definitely be the better team and go on to win the game comfortably!!
However this kind of atmosphere might prove to much for the young guns and i hope that if it doesn’t go our way, their confidence will not be affected.
Was trying to bring in some references to some particularly famous Brazilian stars, simply because of the Peloponnese.
Arsenal Malakies!
Really good news ‘Holic! Hopefully that will be enough for us to, in the future, not have to refer to this period Hell-enistic.
Oh! And of Kos, speaking of Robin Van, maybe he should have a chat with Hippocrates and ask him to build us a nice Asclepeion around Holloway Rhodes? At least, he could pick up some advice from Gallas, who in all fairness did shake off his eye injury to stop being a Cyclops. That man is a Titan of a Centre Bacchae!
Sorry for the latest batch of puns, ‘holics, they weren’t too dis-Crete…
Good work guys. By the way, I have put a hit counter on the Greek mythology Wiki, just to see how many of you are cheating.
greek gooner, I have a feeling most Pana fans will be cheering us on this week 😉
Another thing you could do to avoid cheating is to require all drinks to be written in Dactylic hexameter?
Arsenal sur’ly will win the game Wedn’sday night, Heroic deed done /
Tackle hard – young heroes, arise now! Athens burn, Victors leave, fulfill’d /
(Couldn’t help it, I’ve got a cold and I’ve been understimulated for days)
I do hope no-one is taking the Pyth – agoras-ay, you all seem to have the right angle on this matter.
We’re looking in good form to take on those other jokers Pun-athinaikos – I just hope the ref’s not a Cretan.
(OK, sorry, all the good ones have been taken . . . )
Oh what an Ode dyssius, ‘Holic!
You’re delphinately an oracle on the subject of Greek punaenthology, (I liad, but it’s a white one). It’s a bit of a thor subject, virgiling on the Hercleus to be traveling there with so many injured, it’s apolloing and I’m getting cycladis nearly every week.
The outcome could be a bit of a Pandora’s Box*. Di onys us know when the Hades this will all end? It’s at the ampitheatre where I’m aphrodi te open up Goonerholic incase the sirens sound, the furies rage and “Ach, ill ‘e is again” Graces the page.
* Notting Hill theme plays. Cue Spike: “I had a girl-friend called Pandora once. Never did see her box though” (Welsh accent required)
P.S. ‘Holic. The time zones do me no favours. You write your post when you get home from work. You get 24 posts. I get home six hours later and the soil has been well and truly tilled. The puns, punished and pummeled to a pusilanamous paste of pulchritude.
Would you kindly bear that in mind on future punaenthological adventures, because, Ja son, triclops as I may, I’m pan golden fleeced by this time of night and my castor’s polluxed.
It’s a pity that so many gunners shall be absent because they have been struck in the Achilles’ heel.
Still, may our young guns go forth “As a stallion full-fled at the manger, stalled too long, breaking free of his tether gallops down the plain, out for his favorite plunge in a river’s cool currents…his head flung back, his mane streaming over his shoulders, sure and sleek in his glory…glittering in his armor like sun astride the skies, exultant, laughing aloud”
Odyssey lovely. I should poseidon. Ares totle kids but win themis
(sorry had to cheat a bit. loved the write up and the comments. btw ‘holic did you get my email?)
Well, BtM, I’m going to have to rethink my match report now you have come out with all the ones I had saved! Good stuff everyone.
desi, yes I have. Apologies for not getting back to you yet. I’ve been a bit busy these last few days what with writing Arseblog as well. I will repond this week.
Cheers.
No worries, tyt. I just wanted to confirm you got it.
Nice guest blogs on Arseblog holic seems youve gone and got yourself a new fanbase, Shame as its quite a quaint little following you had yourself here and now your avid readers will be 10 deep at the bar :-),
With regards the Puns you lot are surely Athen a laugh aint you,
Nice cognac in coffee for me old chap
Oh for the love of God
Heh Jackster.
I was waiting for that last night. 🙂
Pleaser. No more! Thats all I can stands.
Are you begging for the mercies, Albo?
I think that Arris’-tottem wont accomplish Athin-s this year
My god, Herodotus must be rolling in his grave.
Wenger could use any one of Coeus, Crius or Cronus though.
I would prefer pure Arse speak though ‘holic 🙂
Your blog’s shit.
Let me have your address, Gary, and I will send you a full refund of your subscription fee.
Cheers.
Great write up ‘holic and tremendous work on Arseblog too. I thought you’d have Medusa a few more classical references though. I hope our Pantheon of young talent Electra-fies Piraus tomorrow night. You may think I sound like Cassandra but I think we can win tomorrow although it might take a Herulean effort. Anyway, enough of my Hectoring, I’ll have a small Ambrosia. Cheers!
Got Hera bit late.
No need to ask what the Themis.
Here’s hoping that we come out of tomorrows game injury free so we can say our luck has changed Atlas(t).
A nice ouzo for me please barman.
Cheers.