Top Guns, But Only After Bolton Threaten Upset
Jan 20th, 2010 by 'holic
Oh my, what an unbelievable game. I doubt anybody expected Bolton to roll over, and we weren’t wrong. In fact to give credit where credit is due, the Coyle effect was in evidence rather earlier than expected. Remember George Graham using nominally defensive formations to attack and surprise?
I don’t know why we seemed unprepared for the fact that Bolton were aggressively seeking every ball early on, but we did appear to be. The visitors were winning all the 50/50 challenges, and used the five man midfield to compress play and drive forward.
It was end to end stuff, and Diaby and Arshavin both had chances before Cahill took advantage of a defensive nightmare to put Bolton ahead on six minutes. Accusing fingers were pointed at Diaby and Clichy. Under different circumstances we might be examining it in greater detail.
Fabregas, Arshavin, and Eduardo all spurned chances to equalise, but although the clearest chances were falling to Arsenal the visitors were springing forward at every opportunity, and Taylor doubled their advantage from the spot when Denilson clearly upended Lee. 2-0 may have flattered them if you looked at the possession stats, but even if they were not worth a two goal lead, they had certainly earned two goals.
If there was any doubt about Arsenal’s character it was dispelled in the hour that remained. As I dithered over an ‘in-play’ bet of 3/1 against the Gunners winning (greedy twat!) Tomas Rosicky beat Jaaskelainen at his near post from sixteen yards. At 1-2, with a half to go, it was a different story.
The equaliser arrived seven minutes after the restart, and was surrounded in controversy. That Gallas caught Mark Davies in the build-up, there is no doubt. Strange that those who delight in defending Arsenal getting a roughing up, those who take the greatest pleasure in dishing it out to the Gunners, were the loudest to crow when the boot was on the other foot. Let he who lives by the sword…
Fabregas, who else, finished with style, and before the game was three-quarters complete Thomas Vermaelen reacted quickest in the Bolton box to secure a 3-2 advantage for Arsenal. At last I secured a reasonable 13/5 on Arsenal getting a fourth goal, but wouldn’t you know it, Bolton rallied and came in search of an equaliser of their own.
That proved to be suicidal. Andrey Arshavin secured the top spot in the Premiership with a glorious fourth, and in truth should have presented Theo a simple chance for another. The second-half performance was marred only by the withdrawal of Diaby. Not another injury please, he doesn’t deserve that.
Rather than have me link to all the goals individually why don’t you just visit Arsenalist direct for all the immediate video links?
That’s it then. Top spot has been secured, and if we are still there after the next four Premiership fixtures we can start to get a little bit excited. But surely we won’t be. Will we?
112 Responses to “Top Guns, But Only After Bolton Threaten Upset”
I’ll get a quick pint in.
Cheers.
Now to read the blog (hic)
“Strange that those who delight in defending Arsenal getting a roughing up, those who take the greatest pleasure in dishing it out to the Gunners, were the loudest to crow when the boot was on the other foot. Let he who lives by the sword…”
And strange that those who have spent years crowing loudly about tackles that have never been as disgusting as that one tonight are the first to spring to the defence of their own player, in some cases celebrating the same behaviour they’ve called “thuggish” and “rough”, and demanded it not be part of modern football.
Hypocrites.
Davies’ problem is that he wasnt born with the name Eduardo. Move over merseyside. Arsenal are the new ‘victims’
Let me get you a tissue, sonny.
I’m especially happy cause I had Vermaelen scoring at any time on 8-1 odds!
oh poor chris b, spurs lose again did they? go blame the lasagne
Good bet that, kid. Well played.
Disgraceful challenge. Arsenal bleat on about being roughed up by Bolton, but we’ve had Diaby break Campo’s foot, Diaby get sent off for a shocking challenge on Steinsson, and now Gallas’ horror tackle on Mark Davies, all in the last 4 seasons. Am I missing something here!? I thought it was Bolton who kick teams off the pitch!?
And then to compound the fact, confirmed by the Guardian’s report on the match, the Arsenal fans mocked Davies as he left the pith on a stretcher!
“That the hosts had played on might have been deemed bad enough yet the jeers, and even taunting cheers, that accompanied Davies as he departed on a stretcher were disgraceful even allowing for the fact that the home support had not seen the incident replayed on the big screens. His agony was obvious.”
Top of the league. Thank you very much.
Mines a double ‘holic
And the two lads above will have anything with an umbrella in it.
Gallas has of course been taking lessons off Martin Taylor. Yes it was a perfect Tayloresque execution.Textbook!
More beer Vicar.
Rollercoaster stuff tonight ‘holic. But…….
we are top of the league……
unbelievable jeff, I think u forget when brum came they sang pro taylor songs 4 his challenge on eduardo. Thats ok is it? it must be really awful that u talk about arsenal challenges etc, but in 22 games we scored 60 goals. So moan all you like u twat
I know you’ve spoken against joining Twitter in the past, ‘holic, but have you considered running a Twitter account, even if just to give in-game ‘holic pound suggestions? I fancy winning some cash with your picks, heh.
Jack and Coke please, barman. Double it up.
BAd tackle from Gallas and Arsene’s post match comments didn’t do us any favours. However how Sky were able to say with all certainty that he wasn’t going for the ball is beyond me. At normal game speed it didn’t look bad and to compare it to Taylors tackle on Eduardo is ridiculous. Where were the ‘He’ll be disapointed wih himseflf in the morning’ and ‘He’s not that type of player’ comments from the pundits. Thats it- they’re reserved for thuggish honest englishmen and not johnny foreigner sneaky frenchies over here ruining our game.
“quote” Gingers for Limpar:
The second games second goal…
came after an obvious foul by Gallas, and a bad one at that, and the referee should have awarded Bolton a freekick. But it is at the referee that Bolton should direct their ire – not at Arsenal for playing on. The sheer hypocrisy of a Bolton team demanding sportsmanship and fairplay, and acting outraged when it is not granted, simply beggars belief. Having shown that old habits die hard, despite the new boss, by kicking lumps out of arsenal players at every opportunity, Bolton sacrificed their right to fairplay. Where was the fairplay when Taylor nelt on Fabregas head? Or then dragged his boot across Fabregas’ face? Or tried to pull him up by his hair? Frankly, they can do one.
I hope you don’t mind holic…
Why are Bolton football players called the tough? Never understood.
Great reply les, really well constructed. Where have I defended Taylor songs!? Where have I said that is OK!? I think it’s pretty disgusting and sick that they sang those songs. Happy now?
And 22 games, 60 goals? Congratulations. I think you’re a great side to watch and a very good team. Not really what I was talking about though was it… “u twat”
All together now-
“I am a window-licking mong…”
How we laughed!
Easy les, nobody is claiming it was that bad. You know it was a foul, and the ref missed it. We would have been upset under those circumstances.
To bolton fans on behalf of fair minded gooners the tackle wasnt right but theres not much one can do about it if the ref doesnt blow. We nearly conceded a goal against everton in a similar circumstance when denilson went down and vaughan intercepted but for almunia. But we are not going to complain too much about going top of the league. ooh to ooh to be ooh to be a gooner
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it wasn’t so bad. They were both going for the ball. No studs showing. Taylor would have been proud at the damaged caused. Great result.
Gallas isn’t that type of player though. At normal speedhe even looks like he gets a touch on the ball first, which is great tackling if you are English.
Anyway, the tackle is nothing compared to the fight and even if the ref did blow and nook Gallas we had all the momentum we would have buried more chances.
I thought there was little difference between the Gallas challenge, and the first Kevin Davies challenge on Vermaelen. Since I didn’t like the latter I can’t defend the former, but neither were of the severity that some twats are suggesting.
I really am a window-licking mong.
We’ve started leaving our foot in. Dishing out justice to even up a bad tackle on a team mate. I don’t recognise this team anymore.
I fucking love it 🙂
chris b
You lost. Gallas’ tackle was poor. We took advantage of the situation. Get over it! It happens in football. So you see….we’re unfazed by your repeated [and unsuccessful] attempts to wind us up.
We’re too busy celebrating the scoreline 🙂
For years Arsenal have been called all sorts of things just because they “don’t like it up ’em”, but the minute an Arsenal players does something ugly people start screaming blkue murder. Yes, it was a shit tackle by Gallas but he did go for the ball. Should it have been a free-kick? Yes. But the ref didn’t call it and we were well in our right to play on. We got a bit of a lucky break, but we have deserved that.
So, top of the league – well, almost anyway. I don’t really consider us leaders unless Chelsea lose their game in hand, but nevertheless the table does look rather nice at the moment.
A pint of Boddingtons for me, please!
Can’t believe you can call it a ‘tackle’. He was on the floor asking for it! Twat
Poor old Bolton you have to feel sorry for them. They had Megson. Allardyce put them £60m in debt that they have no means of paying back before jumping ship leaving them with a bunch of overpaid cloggers fit for relegation. If they go down they’ll never be heard of again for a generation. They used to have a proper stadium but now their ground is a soulless and half empty pit on an industrial estate near Wigan. And now to top it off they have to face an Arsenal team that have the temerity to play to the whistle and come back from two down after super Matty Taylor so classily stuck to their fans. Ban France from the World Cup. Incarcerate Gallas. Make Fabregas go back to Spain. Where, oh where is is the justice? The white shirted paragons of fair play have been so cruelly undermined. I weep a thousand tears (cue violins) we’ll miss you Bolton, I hope the receivers are kind to you. Love, The Gooners.
So can anyone tell me who is top of the league then…?
Excellent write up ‘holic sir.
Bolton were definetly quicker out the gate and I thought they did indeed deserve their lead. Usually at 2-0 down I would have been extreamly worried, but strangely not tonight. Even though we looked a little dis-jointed I still had faith that we wouild get something out of the game. The lads kept pluging away and Rosicky’s rocket couldn’t have come at a better time. Game on.
We came out in the second half with a lot more urgency and as soon as Cesc’s fab effort hit the back of the net I knew that it was ours for the taking. I felt a bit sorry for Davies but I got over it real quick. (hope he does too)
Our third was nice, TV was visably pissed at us being 2 down in the first half and took great joy in giving us the lead. Bolton sudenly woke up, but our little russian, who I thought looked better in the 2nd half then he has in quite a while, slotted home to put Arsenal on top of the league and us in 7th heaven.
Briliant stuff and a clear indication of the “spirit of the team” that Wenger is always talking about.
Finally a quick mention for Almunia, I don´t think we can blame him for the goals tonight, he almost kept out the penalty and made a great save from a free kick and didn´t look his usual shaky self when comming to claim the ball.
So another pint of Lager for me please barman to help curtail this feeling of vertigo. Tonight we drink and be merry for we are top of the league.
Cheers!!
Last season, fabregas was injured in a 50:50 with alonso and was out for 4 months. today gallas was involved in a 50:50 with an unfortunate bolton player. There is no upside to this incident. It is sad. But these things happen. The challenge on eduardo was pure MALICIOUS, with no intent on him getting the ball. Hypocrite finder and Unbelievable jeff, you can both go to spec savers together…buy one get one free…
There was no intent from gallas, just a clumsy challenge for the ball.
“hypocrite finder” and “unbelievable Jeff”, you can go ______ yourselves you ________s.
Why would the ref stop play either if he didnt think it was a foul? how many players go down in a match. Hypocrite finder, you are a hypocrite yourself, people who live in glass houses…
Its unfortunate unbelievable jeff, but ALL fans jeer players when they are injured, so dont single Arsenal fans out.
Arsenal are number 1 in the league tonight!!!!!!!!
Yes that’s correct nurse, were holding chris b for you. Can you take him away and don’t forget his bib – he’s been dribbling a bit today.
We’ve sussed their tactics.
Smile while you can – top spot is only on loan for a week or so, in fact probably only til Saturday.
Then when we play our game in hand – back down to 3rd you go.
🙂
That ones for the last 10 years……..smarts doesnt it?
Those who want respect give respect – bolton got their just desserts.
You’ll never play here again
I’m trying my very hardest to view this without my Arsenal head on, but I still don’t think Gallas’s challenge is half as bad as people are making out. There doesn’t seem to be any malice in it, no extra forward motion from Gallas to hurt M.Davies. Watch in real time and the ball is there to be won – they both lunge in, Davies beats Gallas to the ball, and Gallas lands on the bloke’s ankle. It was a foul for sure, and a bad challenge, but far from the disgrace that’s it is being made out to be. That’s my humble opinion anyway.
As for getting on our backs about putting the ball out of play – don’t be ridiculous. We all know the rules. It’s up to the Ref these days, it wasn’t a head injury, and there is absolutely not one iota of a chance Bolton would have put the ball out had the situation been reversed. Moreover, they’d have taken extreme pleasure in the fact that the rules allowed them to play on, whilst the ‘soft foreigner’ was down.
A foul and a fortuitous equaliser. But if people want to get into ‘justice’, we’ll have our 3 penalties from the last two games awarded please.
Gallas went for the ball but was late, the “assault” charges are spurious. But it’s truly unbelievable at this level to see a ref a few yards from the action (and looking straight at it) not blow his whistle (at least) for a such an obvious foul. Perhaps the angle of sight was hindering but still I have no troubles understanding why Bolton supporters would be dismayed at the decision. We sure would be outraged if the roles were inverted. Just look at how many Arsenal fans complained when Everton went on playing after Denilson collapsed on the ground…
Since we lost to Chelski we’ve been showing again and agian that we have the resolve needed to win silverware this season and this game was just another proof. We’re in the lead and we deserve it. Well done lads!
In total agreement with `Holic, we need Diaby to win it so I really hope he is not seriously injured. And Vela deserves more than 5 minutes of sub time every other game…
Stop getting so excited.
You’re top because of goals scored – that’s all.
Poor deluded gooners.
🙂
Another point… In obviously bad challenges there is usually some fishing out and hand bags, but the fact that the Trotters didn’t even react to the challenge or offer Gallas out would support the50-50 nature of the tackle.
CFC1949
Get back to the bus stop mate,
This is our night.
CFC1949, so you have followed Chelsea since before eight o’clock. I’m impressed. Not many have these days 😉
See you soon fella.
The thing about these northern poofs is that they can give it but they can’t take it. Never have done.
Perhaps he’s trying to buy his way into the drinks. I’ll have a pint of Extra Cold and a bottle of housecred for the road. Cheers.
unbelievable jeff, we’ve been told that gallas lost us the title in2008 after his brum hysterics. If we win the title by one goal NO ARSENAL FAN will regard him with anything but adulation (behind cesc an verm he’s our best player). But I am sick of fans always criticising our manager missing 50 sending offs in 13 years. I am sick of the uk press regarding us as anti english cos the likes of pennant and muamba are crap. I am sick of newspapers saying the other 3 would win the title and we wont. I am sick of having a better balance sheet than the other three and having a (expensively) profitable new ground. I am sick of being without a trophy for 5 years. And i’m sick of apologising for being a gooner. I was wrong to call you a twat but matey i’m happy to be top of the league.
CFC1949 – do all chelsea fans think that league points are awarded for cup games or is it just the really thick ones?
Actually, if he really is 1949, poor bastard saw us win the FA Cup semi-finals of 50 and 52.
Now who did we beat???
Way to go, les!
what is the complaint really about?
is it about the tackle or that play was allowed to continue?
if its the latter, then bolton are just as guilty, cuz in the closing stages of the game, a bolton player went down, but since they were approaching our goal area, they continued playing- if they had scored, we wouldnt have had any complaints.
Secondly against everton, when denilson, got injured, everton just went ahead, as if nothing happened, and they almost scored.
so no hard feelings for bolton fans.
Yup, well said Cannonsense,
“We’ll have our 3 penalties please”
Chelsea were screaming blue murder last year about their so-called penalties in the CL.
But these 3 were clear-cut penalties.
Why are the refs not giving us our pens?
Ho hum, 60 goals in 22 games, do we need pens??
To add to our bliss, with the 4 goals today we’re on track for 102 goals this season… Not bad with our 2 best strikers injured for most of games!
With Diaby’s injury we now have an entire team either injured or away:
Eboue, Djourou, Song, Gibbs
Ramsey, Diaby, Nasri
Bendtner, RVP, Merida
At least we have depth!
Spot on…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8471574.stm
The people around me in the North End wer’nt jeering the injured Mark Davies but the the length of time the ref took to get a stretcher on & Davies off the pitch…which seemed like an eternity…& appeared to be another cynical move to waste time & break up the flow of the game after what looked like a 50/50 challenge in real time.
Jaaskelainen also came in for some stick when he started repremanding Gooners in the stands..that paragon of sportsmanship who’d been wasting time with every goal / free kick once they’d scored.
No back bone, no steel, no gumption, divers, time wasters, hair pullers and moaners: Bolton – Northern softies.
I am amazed. Just got in from the game, Beer, bite to eat and time to tune into radio holic. I read a good, fair and well balanced report. I then read bucket loads about1 tackle. Bolton fans moaning about a tackle that they are not happy with???? Well blow me down. Perhaps they want to spend more time away from their lap tops and actually support their team. The most pathetic turn out from an away side at The Grove that I have ever seen.
The match. The first 40 mins were as poor as I have see us play. We were lethargic and lackluster. We did not win one second ball and looked like we were still on the training ground. The first goal was awful. I ran out of fingers counting the errors.
We then came to life. The Rosicky strike was a smack on the arse to the bad boys from Bolton, and made us realise that we need to sharpen up. 2nd half we did and came out deserved victors.
I do have several concerns though. We play that way against a decent side and we will get taken to the cleaners. End of. We miss Song and we miss a forward. The lone role is not for Eduardo. Not his fault, just not him. We have 5 big games coming up if you include the cup game. Best we sharpen up before those or it will all come crashing down.
Until then I intend to enjoy being top of the league and long may it last. For those having a pop at Willy? Not seen the tackle on tv yet but it was nice to see someone who was actually prepared to battle.
Keep the faith…….
Just make sure you guys don’t get relegated this season…oh n i won’t be suprised if you blamed US for that too! lol.
Your keeper should have saved Cesc’s goal anyway, even the first goal he should’ve saved…so instead of bitching to us about the foul look at your own keeper and how YOUR defence dealt with it.
We had the exact same situation last year with Eduardo but we didn’t sit there complaining all flipping day.
Love the Arsenal!
@ 56Wilsheres dad. Spot on. Forgot that bit. One bit not reported was the fact that Davies clearly has a good old look around after the incident, sees we have scored and lays back on the floor again. I wonder if he will be available at the weekend???
Step aside boys ..this is not the bunch of boys who used to get bullied so easily..not the bunch of the boys the press used to call spineless..some will say when rosicky kicked back last game it was immoral.. but as a life long arsenal fan i have to confess i was delighted..now we know how to give it back.. we no longer is a team that keep takin shit from thuggish teams like bolton ..now we know how to giv it back and senior players like rosicky and gallas are showing the way..its immoral but for ages arsenal have suffered from rough tackles and lost important players for long and even cost us the title…so even though i am a supporter of fairplay in football ,as an arsenal fan i am happy..and i have no idea how wenger does it?? take a let back from ajax and make him the one of the best center back in the league..its like he has made two signings ..gallas seems to be a different man along side tv…you can see the passion and determination in both of them..i honestly donno if we will win the league or not ..but if we win it will be the best title we ve won after st thomas scored that goal at anfield..simply because over the last few years we ve gone through so much …unfair injuries unfair decisions…even before the season started we were written off… wen we were 11 points behind chelsea people said no way..there was some thing in fabregas s eyes after he scored the goal that i have not seen for ages ..the pure determination to win the league and the passion to give it all he has…the players are giving all they have got ..i plead to all the fans out there ..believe..its time we support and get behind the team with all we have…
As a Real Madrid fan I believe that the Arsenal fans are deluded. You broke Campo’s foot. You had Winterburn, Vierra, Keown and others who have been the dirtiest in Europe! How can you criticise the poor teams in your league who cannot afford to buy the more skillful players? And yet you defend that terrible tackle tonight. How typically English!
Okay…you pointed that out, now do you want to make known all the Bolton fouls then…or will that just go against your argument?
Selective memory.
pablo K. Legend. I have not laughed as much ever…………. Thanks once agian.
my dear real madrid fan pablo k..have you seen the tackle on eduardo that broke his leg? do you know why van persie is out for the rest of this season..do you know why fabregas missed four months last season? why theo walcott got injured again after jus comin back from shoulder surjery? viera winterburn and keown? thats the best you can come up with ? did you watch the last game in which a particular some on pushed fabregas s head to the ground and kept it there ?? if he had reacted it would have been a big issue and talked about.. that s the genius he is..kept his cool ..dude viera was one of the best in europe when he was with arsenal ..not a thug like mascharano or davies,,he was bullish but a fair player..so my dear real madrid fan ..keep yourself to the team that destroyed the beautiful game by makin it just another business money can buy ..you don deserve to raise even a finger against us fans who support the team which play the most beautiful football without paying millions and millions and still believe in bringing up youth team players and not spending a zillion euro s ..
i know its purely out of context..but do any of you watch that 70 s show?? then can you guess what red foreman would call pablo k the real madrid fan?
Where’s Paulie these days??????????????????????????????
Do you know what holic? I am going to have a cheeky coffee and call it a night. Got an early start tomorrow.
Late AGAIN. It’s all been said. Not even a sniff of an opening from ‘Holic for a punalliteration. Maybe i should just sit, cosy my Glen, and smile smugly. We’re top of the league after all. It’s men against the Fulham bus stop’s boys. Eleven point gap? Er, what eleven point gap exactly?
But first, recognition of a super, balanced report of the game, ‘Holic. I wouldn’t bother your bacon about the grunts from the Pigs’ Trotters if I were you. Same piggies we had here yesterday. Different names. Same stupidity. Back to the trough, boys.
I’m puzzled by the molluscan transition that seems to have occurred. Are Snail and iSnail one and the same shell dweller? Have we witnessed the digitalisation of a slime trail generator? Or is all well in the world with “Snail” himself off to another television studio event, only to be substituted, temporarily or otherwise, by a more modern version?
The assistant-expert commentator on FSC drove me nuts. Fellow by the name of Tony. Quickly christened “Tony the tonk” by Her Nellieness: (she’s one with a polite turn of phrase)
– Rosicky with a belter. “Terrible keeper mistake” tonked Tony
– Cescian everescence for 2. “Keeper error” tittered Tony tit.
– Gunners 3-up. “I’m still pissed by Gallas tackle” tweet tweet
– Number 4 “Wenger needs to condemn his players”….TTT farrrrt!
– Goon crowd howl “How dare they!” Yellow van departs with TTT
Where DO they dig them up? Out of the tattie patch with the other rotten spuds? Even wee Lulu MacSparry, the Glasgawegian undetaker’s assistant would knock the spots of this lad.
Anyway. Enough. Time to bask in the afterglow and ponder perambulating from Porkys to Potters as Sunday’s dual approaches. A different eleven I fancy. Will Sol have his moment in the Sun? Will JET’s engine fire……..but we get ahead of young ‘Holic. All will, no doubt, be revealed by the master’s pre-view readers, so “stay tuned”.
Now, it’s the Bard’s birthday celebration this weekend. Time to practice. So, “Fare ye weel and heast ye back a’ you wee sleekit courin’ timorous beasties”.
Anything wet from Scotland please, barman.
Nothing terribly clever to add…but we really do look like the definition of a team now don’t we?
Also, what’s the most top flight goals ever scored one teams midfielders (combined) in a season…that must be a record we are up for. Diaby….don’t be hurt mate…
68th comment BtM? I feel terribly short changed today. After ‘Holic’s masterpiece, I faithfully scroll down for your take each time and i get to see THAT? How normal. Step up Sir. Step up.
I’ll take a nice cold Bulmers ‘holic.
Sagna’s consistent worldclass play this season and last couple of seasons has gone relatively unhearalded. twice today when it looked as if Taylor or Davis we’re in on goal Sagna cleverly positioned his body in front of each of them. Also Sagna rarely gets taken to town on the wings as Traore had a bit of a rough game the other day. he has stayed injury free. if he just works on his crossing a bit he will be outstanding.
Hi guys. Did any1 notice that arsenal had 2 englishmen on d field at d end. Its a pity arsh did not square d ball 4 wally, i kinda get this feelin that arsh thinks his bigger than d team. Anyways now’s not d time, arsenal r top me d league. Come on u gunners, lets give em a hell of a fight.
To me Davis shows terrible technique, off balance and he left his foot in. Plus Gallas studs scraped the ball. Was a foul no doubt but it was one failed to be drawn by the sly Davis. About time Arsenal got the rub of the green. Makes up for the three stonewall penalties denied Arsenal over the two games.
ok, it wasn’t a great tackle. Lol.
But it wasn’t as bad as Coyles decision on leaving Burnley. Tugmutton.
Likelihood we won’t play Bolton for many a year. Pity, six easy points lost.
I’ll have a Steinlager Pure.
Cheers from NZ.
Top of the league, bitches!!!! WOOHHOOOO!!!!!!!!
(Sorry, it just feels good to be back where we belong. Cesc can lead this team to many great things, beginning with the league and the CL. BAM!)
Just a Guinness, please, and a salute to our boys!
I think I’ll just avoid the press for the next few days…
Typical! I spend all night in a restless sleep thinking up clever witty comments and responses to the inevitable (but pleasingly few, so far) bleats from the Bolton fans. I wake up raring to go…. and you’ve all beaten me to it!
Damn you, you clever witty bastards, you!
A celebratory glass of Cava me thinks.
PS – A little message from Catalunya to the R Madrid fan; you had a player banned for umpteen games last season for REPEATEDLY kicking a prone player. Now THAT is dirty…. now run along back to the Bank of Spain for another loan.
Arsenal fans do themselves no favours I would collect describe them as arrogant and hypocritical. The myth that dirty Boston kick Arsenal off the ball when we beat you a couple of tines cannot be substantiated with hard facts. Last night night the Arsenal team that has been built on a budget 4 times
Have to disagree with the earlier poster about Eduardo. His spacing and runs are extremely well taken – almost Ljungberg like except he can also take the ball over the top. He’s getting clean through on goal. Yes, his finishing hasn’t been top notch, but the movement is about spacing and on the field intelligence/ball sense. He’ll start banging those in soon (he’s already proving assists and putting other players in good positions to score) and have him with Arshavin, Csec, Rosicky – all of whom can bomb from outside the box or negotiate traffic in the box. Eduardo already does this regularly and he doesn’t stop when he passes, he continues to move.
I think he’s going to score a lot of goals still this season.
Glenn,
I wouldn’t say Boston is that dirty but I really prefer Québec, which is quite close and there they speak french and english so we Arsenal fans feel really at home.
The one thing you forget about Arsenals team being assembled with a big budget is that it’s an earned budget. Repeated success and good investments during the clubs history got The Arse into a position to take advantage of new things like TV-money etc. How the TV-money system works nowadays might be unfair and even be bad for the league, but it is a position we as a club has gotten ourselves into. We have not been sugar-daddied.
I know it’s hard to get a slice of the good stuff now, but it might all change with regulations so you should try to keep in the league and… oh wait, what’s that? Relegation zone?
Sorry, all smugness aside, this whole discussion is pointless since the talking points aren’t truly neutral. We like to say Bolton players are rough and if one of our players is rough, we will go “Nah, but it wasn’t his fault” (which I do honestly believe but still…) and you think that Arsenal players are pansies who cannot take a committed game but if one of your players get mowed you say “STOP IT! You cannot play like that!”. Which makes this whole discussion moot.
There is nothing real to discuss. Therefore, I suggest Arsenal smugness – on Arsenal forums, Bolton bleating – on Bolton forums. And let’s perhaps meet up someday to discuss Serie A or whatever. And if you all DO decide to hang around here in ‘Holics place, at least realize that smugness and inconsistencies you are going to get because that’s a huge part of following the beautiful game. But following the beautiful game is perhaps something you know nothing about? (See what I did there?)
I’ll have tea today barman. For the cold. Some irish whisky in it to celebrate Arsebloggers attempt at live reporting the game yesterday. ’twas fun.
Trotters, trotters, trotters… At the Reebok they are all going “Now you listen to me Rodney, this time next year we will be Champions League Millionaires!!!”
For all the noise about Gallas having made a dreadful tackle, this is all I have to say: for too long Arsenal have been having their feet kicked, their hairs pulled, boots on their faces…………………………..it goes on and on and on. But this was not Arsenal hitting back at what they have been getting. This was an incident. It was a fair tackle that went bad. Lets not judge Gallas on the basis of that one incident. Let’s look at him from the way he has always played even when he was a Chelsea player. He’s a good bloke this guy Gallas. That was unfortunate for Mark Davies. The Reebook Stadium game was worse and there were worse tackles which the ref did not call. All having been said and done, it was the ref’s call to make and he waved play on. Lots of incidents happen on the pitch and sometimes the Ref’s judgements get cloudy. You cannot go about blaming the oposition for that.
Today we are on top but we have some not so easy banana skins coming around. Lets look forward to that. What happened is now in the past. It is time to plan and look forward to the coming weeks because these might actually determine if we do win the EPL or not. So Gooners don’t waste your breath on people who want to remain hung up on the one incident. Don’t even answer them or try to justify anything. It ain’t worth it. Only Gallas knows if it was intentional or not. Only the referee knows why he did not call it or not. What we know is that we did win and its time to move forward.
Too many comments to read, so I’m only reading the last one. A fair one.
Goodplaya also has a bang on and succinct opinion on it.
Wenger’s comments were also spot on.
For now I will just have an Irish coffee while reading this very blog.
Oh, and 4-2, don’t halve it next time, ‘holic!
Cheers.
Disciplinary Table:
Pl. Yel. Red. Pts.
1 Fulham 21 26 1 29
2 Arsenal 22 31 0 31
[…]
16 Bolton 20 42 2 48
Now I’m done. To the drug store for some more paracetamol for me now. Still haven’t recovered from the tackle I got by the stupid cold.
81 Goonerholic
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so thank you, but please, there is no such beast as the EPL…
heh fuck, how did I fall for that one: it was a black Goonerholic even!
No offence meant, being disguised as a pint of Guinness would fool anyone.
What happened there?
Maybe I drank too much last night?
He might of got aw ay with it if it wasn’t for the EPL bit, although I don’t think the REAL ‘holic would discourage debate from fans of other teams on his blog.
A hair of the dog please.
Have just seen the highlights of the game again and there is absolutely no malicious intent from Gallas before the equalizer. It is a 50/50 situation and yes, it should have been a free-kick and might be worth a yellow card but Coyle claiming it was an “assault” is WAY over the top. It’s nowhere near being a red in my opinion, Gallas does not go in with a straight leg and he goes for the ball, there’s no two ways about that. And quite frankly, to hear Bolton complain about tackles after the way that twat Robinson made a far more malicious tackle on Cesc in the previous game and how Taylor put his knee over Cesc’s neck is just hilarious. Cesc didn’t say one word about it after the game – now who is it that “don’t like it up ’em” and “can’t take the physical side of the game”?
BOLTON ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT A BAD TACKLE?????????
BOLTON??????????????????
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile, Davies’ injury has been declared not serious, nothing broken while Merida is on the treatment table for 2 wks.
Where was jeff’s moral outrage after the deliberate malicious tackle against Merida (in his first league start) that has now injured him for a couple of wks?
Where was jeff’s moral outrage when Taylor went kamikaze on Cesc’ back and neck at the Reebok, and then tried to kick him in the head, then pulled his hair?
Where was jeff’s moral outrage when, in 2003, Bolton deliberately injured three of our players in one game, ending our run for the title?
Payback’s a bitch, ain’t it?
As for that idiot Real Madrid fan — if all you can do is cite incidents from YEARS ago that do not involve this current Arsenal team, then your comments are worthless and irrelevant.
Excellent writeup, ‘holic.
45 min left til we get our Song back if this scoreline (0-1) stands against Tunisia! To make it even better, Zambia is on top (0-1 as well) in their game so a draw isn’t enough for Cameroon.
I’ll feel bad for Song, but with Ramsey, Nasri, Diaby, Wilshere and Merida injured I kind of wouldn’t mind getting not just a, but one of our best, midfielders back.
1-1 now and what I said about the other game doesn’t seemto be true. Something about scored goals and all that jazz. Oh well.
No Song for us. At least he’s happy! Just hoping Villa and Man Utd won’t be as happy.
I do sincerely hope Coyle manages to get another few points up the table this year and avoid the drop… because I want to do this to them AGAIN next season! Even Pompey is catching up to them now, FFS. All hands on deck, Trotters. Dust off your crampons.
The Gallas tackle was indeed bad, but I’m not too chuffed. They had it coming. Glad to hear the injury isn’t serious. I wouldn’t wish a Taylor-esque tackle on anyone. Well, perhaps a spud… or Assley Hole.
Sir ‘Holic… I’ll have a Double Dirty Chopin Martini, please… up. Any more or less than three olives is a party foul of the highest order. And I raise it, to the Arsenal… top o’ the pile, for now. Cheers, fellows >8)
On to Stoke but without Sagna and Diaby (more worryingly, we’ll be without him at Villa Park too). Looks like we will get to see more youngsters playing with the current top of the crop injured (Merida, Ramsey, Wilshere). It should be a good opportunity for one or more of Sanchez Watt, JET and even maybe Sunu or Coquelin (if Eastmond deputizes at left-back). Of course we’re also almost certain to see Walcott, Eastmond and Vela.
@SteveT: Arsenal.com has a great article about the evolution of the striker role and why Arsene doesn’t rely (too much) on strikers for goals anymore:
Wenger admits that, to him, a striker’s assists tally is now as important as his goals ratio.
“It is basically the efficiency of the team and the number of goals the team scores [that is important],” he said. “I believe if the whole side scores goals then, for me, the striker is good.
“[For example] Robin Van Persie, when he played we always scored three or four goals. He didn’t score too many [himself] but he made a lot. Not only with passing, but with movement and the quality of that movement. Strikers open walls for the deeper players. That is a big part in the modern game.”
More here: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/why-wenger-won-t-rely-on-strikers-for-goals
Then our hero gave an interview to the mirror: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Exclusive-interview-Arsenal-captain-Cesc-Fabregas-reveals-that-last-season-he-lost-his-passion-for-the-game-but-now-he-s-never-been-happier-article293365.html
22 years old, 255 games, 43 goals, 80 assists. A legend in the making.
Top of the pops, folks!
Indeed bt8bbnn,
Or if you prefer, because by and large the media are ignoring the achievement…
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAID WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE.
I can only assume the media judge that TOTL Gooners aren’t good at the box office ‘Holic? Maybe we should paint our young Russian blue and call him Andre Avatar? Might not win the league but we’d be in with a chance of a Golden Globe?
But would that mean he’d have to move to Pandora*? That would be a disaster. The team would all have to wear masks and, no doubt, half of them wold get injured just putting them on.
“Er, yes, Mr Diaby. Seems you’ve ruptured your duodendrum expanding the elastic on your mask. Out until after the World Cup I’m afraid. I’ll let Mr Domenec know, shall i?”
* Cue unkempt Welshman with Cardiff City accent on Nottingham Hill movie set:
“I had a girlfriend called Pandora once. Never did get to see her box though.”
But wait. I’ve just thought. Even if we painted him blue, he wouldn’t make the cut! He’s only 5 feet 4. These Avatars are 10 feet 8 if they’re an inch. I don’t think Andre Half-Avatar would get the job done with the media. Would it ‘Holic?
100 posts! `Holic is now praying for us to battle it out with Chelski and ManUre and lose and regain top spot every other week.
Got censured again BTW, my fault I posted 2 links in one post. What was I thinking?
Matt, nothing in the naughty step under the bonnet. You can still send it and I will release it manually. In fact, I will raise the bar to three links in one post because I am feeling so cuddly this morning!
‘holic… out of interest; is this a record for the number of drinks in one sitting?
I’ll have whatever the hell BTM was on last night please….
Just for some early morning humour… if you hark back to the R Madrid guy lecturing us…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKt4IBxD5oo
Mind you..if you’re going to get sent off, at least make it worthwhile!
I think we are getting there CG. Without checking them all I know we had over a hundred on the April Fools Day post last year.
Sticking the boot into those northern fairies is obviously good for a response 😉
Sorry if this is really old news, but I only saw it for the first time today… and thought it was great. Nike commercial from the start of the season. If you already saw it, enjoy it again :]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGZTKtH5FQU
Ah, Matt, Matt. I left it teetering on the edge there at 99 with a question for ‘Holic. I was wondering if I could lure him into the new century by posting the 100th drink on his own site. You let him off the hook there (smile).
First of all, holic, really enjoying your blog.
Second, am I the only one who thinks that championships are decided on the games against the little ones and the top four? Cause against the other teams we haven’t lost too many points (Loss to Sunderland, Draw with Burnley, West Ham, Everton).
That’s why I think we should all calm down about this run of games, especially as I think both home games will not be an obstacle – L’pool are horrible and Utd haven’t really impressed me this season especially in the 2-1 loss at the Trafford where they literally stole those 3 points off our hands.
😆 top banter on here today lads… bless the poor chelski lad, cmon lads… take it easy on these mentally disturbed types… they teeter on the extreme edge of reality.
BtM: So sorry. Should’ve thought of it but my ego took the better of me…
Snir Geuli: Agreed the goal is not to be to far off the top after those 5 games. But it’s not going to be a walk in the park given our injuries. We have had 2 players injured per game this month and this is not sustainable.
After the Gallas captain fiasco isn’t it great that we now have someone who inspires the team and supporters. He wasn’t given the armband because he’s a great player, rather his composure, his maturity for one so young. Reminds me a little of Big Tone – although not in the let’s get smashed and drive a car into a house way! Just that he was made skip at a young age as well. There is no doubt that Fabulous is the heartbeat of the team. We (Arsenal) just have to match his ambitions. I so want him to lift a trophy as skipper. You know that Barca will always be on the radar, but win that first trophy and I really feel the halcyon days will return.
Vive le Cesc
For me the worst tackle of the night isn’t even being talked about. Take a look at Steinsson’s lunge and grab at Eduardo at 36m49s. If you watch the replay on ATVO you can see Steinsson sliding in and tripping Ed then pinning his left leg between his ankles and twisting.
Am I missing something because he totally looks like he’s trying to crock Eddie? But of course it wasn’t an Arsenal player at fault so you won’t hear a peep about it over the indignant howls about Gallas.
Typical.
Loving yer work ‘holic.