B52 Rocks Lobster Pickers
Mar 9th, 2010 by 'holic
First things first. Thank you Porto for coming to the Grove determined to attack at every opportunity. I can think of a few occasions when your positive approach would probably have earned more reward. Tonight however was not one of them, and with that, if you will forgive me, I have to start gushing about some of those who wore the red and white.
Nicklas Bendtner did more than put money in my wallet tonight. He justified the wonderful support afforded to him during and after his over-analysed performance on Saturday. The supporters who had applauded him so warmly then, and cheered him loudly tonight, will hopefully realise the effect they can have on these young players.
Young they may be, and with that youth come moments of rashness. The determination to play with Arsene’s ‘handbrake off’ tonight made for a nervous, yet still exhilarating hour. Twice Andrei Arshavin was instrumental in the big Dane hitting the target in the opening 25 minutes, and the Russian ripped the luckless Fucile to bits.
But what made that opening two-thirds of the contest such compulsive watching were the occasional mistakes that saw possession squandered and allowed the visitors to show their intentions. Strangely the odd gaffe was spread around virtually the whole side as we attempted to play at the limits of our capabilities. Not surprising really given the absence of steadying influences like Gallas, Fabregas, and van Persie.
Better football brains than mine were at work on the ITV panel, and Adams, Souness, and Gullit concentrated too long I thought on our perceived defensive frailties. When we made mistakes I felt that we rectified them. Manuel Almunia looked solid and we can only hope that he has finally exorcised the demons that have haunted him this season.
Ahead of him Sol Campbell used every ounce of his experience to get out of more than one spot of bother, and Thomas Vermaelen? Well, has there really been a better signing than him in the Premiership this season? I don’t believe so. He trotted forward to support the attack as often as the opportunity presented itself, but sprinted back every time and made a couple of outstanding blocks as we repelled the best efforts of the Portuguese.
Nerves though were not settled until the moment when the pick of the star performers on show, Samir Nasri, scored an astonishing solo goal. It was fitting that the man who ran the show should settle it decisively with an intricate dribble and emphatic finish.
Barely a couple of minutes elapsed before icing was applied to this particular cake. A Porto corner was cleared to Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue made a lung-bursting run from box to box and was released with split-second precision to finish with style. The cherry on top arrived when the same galloping Eboue was felled in the box, and the man who couldn’t score on Saturday completed his first ever senior hat-trick from the spot. Well played Big Nick!
So the Porto fans will return home having lived in hope for an hour, but eventually extremely well beaten. They have a Mediterranean diet and lifestyle so I’m not so sorry for them. While they go back to their exotic seafood we plot a precarious course to Hull, the orange capital of the East Riding, and a couple of kippers, to boot.
On the evidence of Saturday and tonight Cesc can rest his suspect hamstring for another match. The now fully-restored Nasri is a natural replacement, and seems already to have a good understanding with Alex Song, so solid behind him most of the time tonight, and Abou Diaby, who did much of the labouring for his artistic partner.
Anyway, it’s time I toodled over to my virtual investment bank to collect my winnings. Cheers B52. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. Big props to the defence too, however. As any mother of teenage boys will tell you, a clean sheet is a rare delight to be savoured.
G’night ‘holics.
74 Responses to “B52 Rocks Lobster Pickers”
1st drink?
JD Please
I’ll have a Babycham.
Nice title, btw, ‘holic.
You must Planet Clearly in advance.
What a night. Resistance was Fucile. What a fantastic Zidane moment from Nasri. That goal, and the assist on Saturday, were moments of beauty.
I’ll have a Kir Royale.
Seems fitting
Wotcha Snaily
MY PLAYER RATINGS – SLAG THEM OFF COZ I KNOW YOU WILL
Almunia 7 – Didnt see much wrong with his game tonight.
Sagna 7 – Again did nothing wrong in my eyes – solid.
Verminater 9 – F****** solid as ever.
Campbell 8 – We have missed him since he left…made a couple of errors but a CLASS ACT.
Clichy 7 – Again played a solid game and is getting back to his best.
Diaby 8 – Love how he is proving some of our “supporters” wrong in his performances of late.
Nasri 10 – Give this boy some responsibilty and he wont let us down as he proved tonight.
Song 8 – Funny it was just a year ago when everyone wondered what was this guy was doing in our team…now we know.
Asharvin 8 – didnt like him saying it usually takes him 20 minutes to score coz he DIDNT tonight. Good performance though but wish he would take a leaf out of Nikki’s book and do the business when it matters, but created loads…love him still.
Bendtner 10 – The guy is unbelievably arrogant but when he does what he did tonight who can blame him? I have so much respect for him for standing tall and delivering the goods tonight. I dont care if he doesnt score again till the quarter finals.
Rosicky 8 – you wouldnt believe this guy was out for 18 months the way he was twisting and turning his markers tonight. It can only mean he is just about there in terms of being at his lethal best again. More to come of him before the season is out and im thinking he will be our Hero to take us to the double.
Glad you noticed, Snail.
I fear the teenagers wouldn’t know what on earth I was on about 😉
you’ve made some money in the last couple of games Holic. First Cesc scoring the first goal and now Nicky B scoring a hatrick. I may have to start taking you more seriously from now on. 🙂
A pint of the noir stuff please ‘holic
Anyone know the odds on a 5-0 victory?
I know a Bendtner hat trick was 40-1!
Great game, thoroughly enjoyed it. Nasri proved himself in my eyes great display 🙂
Song is from Cameroon not the Ivory Coast LOL
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! The replay showing Arsene leaping with joy at Eboue’s goal was, for me, the best part of the night.
Oh what a night!!
I´ve been argueing the merits of NB52 with many on another site for the last few days, I´ll be on there tomorrow asking if they would like some ketchup with their humble pie tonight.
Was that the best opening 15 minutes you´ve seen in a while or what?In fact for the full 90 mins all the lads put in a shift tonight, I was well impressed with Arshavin who put in the best performance I´ve seen in a long time from him, he made most of our goals and I thought that he looked like he was going to be physically ill when he missed tyhat sitter, he looked totally gutted, which I thought was good to see.
Watching Nasri was like watching Cesc, he was red hot tonight and his goal was just phenominal. Was also impressed with Eboue when he cane on too, he looks to be growing in stature and confidence with every passing game.
I watched the game live, here behind the computer but I´ve also just saw a highlight show on Nederland 3 and the Dutch commentaters were waxing lyrical about “the beautifull youmg Arsenal style”, and how great we were even without major players as Gallas, Cesc and RvP. They certainly do love and appreaciate good football, the Dutch.
Anyway Pint of Cider for me please ´holic and heres to the ´hollic pound that once again went forth and multiplyed.
Cheers!!
Who’s happier, Bendtner or Fabianski?
If we can keep up that level there is no reason we can’t do the double.
A pint of Guinness please barman.
Nasri went straight down the tunnel tonight so he might well not be playing on Saturday, ‘holic. If you remember they had to duct tape his leg together earlier in the match.
A good night out, tho’.
Foxy, either you are seeing things, or I’m not. 😉
Where is that little mistake appearing?
Well, what a night. Just got in from The Grove. Great team performance. Can’t really add a great deal to your report holic or the drinks. Nasri was superb. What a goal. Just seen for the second time on Sky. Truly awesome and something his performance deserved. Diaby also looked strong. Tommy V???? Better signing this season??? No, nor me. Fantastic yet again. And boy can he motor. Watched him make a dash back having been up for a corner. He can move.
NB52??? To be honest his performance was little different to that on Saturday. Just tonight he had the end product. He worked hard, chased, made great runs and was generally a pain in the arse all night. His goals were well deserved. Nice to see him shove it up the fickle press. If he had netted 2 on Saturday then the press would have had headlines that included world class and superstar. A very good performance.
A few may have read my post about a couple of twats who sit behind me and did nothing but slag Bendtner off on Saturday. After he scored his 2nd I turned round to look in their direction. Both had smug grins and I guess felt a tad embarrassed. He scored his third. I turned again and guess what? Both had left early. Hopefully having overdosed on humble pie and on their way just that little bit wiser. Never turn your nose up at knowledge my mother would always say.
Last 8 yet again and Hull on Saturday. Another performance and result like that at Hull will have the Mancs and CSKA Putney soiling their undercrackers.
Any of that 6X left? I know you keep some for occasions such as these.
Keep the faith.
Sorry. One last thing. The Grove rocked tonight. The support was fantastic. Great atmosphere.
The twelfth man, Steve. Noticeable on the box too. It’s why I made the point about the difference getting behind a young side makes. Nobody hid tonight. Everyone contributed, knowing they would get appreciated audibly.
Great report `Holic but despite the hint I could not get the pun in the title. Sorry about that.
@Steve T: possibly you are sitting in front of some mugs from Le Groan. They were joking on their board how they left early and which one was more plastic than the other. Great day to silence the anti-arsenal cultists!
@Snail: Just looked up what a babysham is. Exactly what I need, a chaser for my bourbon!
What a glorious day!
I think you are spot on holic. It was clear on Saturday that Nic appreciated the support. Programme notes from both Arsene and Cesc mentioned the support for Nic when things could have gone slightly better. Cesc has actually been paying several tributes to the support in his notes. Tonight you have the reward. A lesson possibly for many.
Get behind the team and KEEP THE FAITH.
Sorry Matt,
Take a Meditteranean seafood diet, A centre forward called B wearing 52, and what do you have?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZy6-fMCw4
But you probably have to be thirty something to make the link. Sorry 😉
I´m sure that´s there´s more then a few shiny happy people around tonight.
Of course! (thumps head…)
Great video still. Loved the song then and still do.
Alas I’m so much closer to your ancient age than to 30… but spoke (and understood) english like a newborn when the song came out!
Just got back from the game. I am very proud of the support today, it was how it should be. We sang from the first minute to the last.
Even before Bendtner scored his song was sung about three times. Eboue got a great reaction from my section.
The team were great tonight, so very happy, almost emotional. It is all coming together, the doubters are slowly being converted.
We missed out first choice outfield spine tonight yet destroyed Porto.
I love this club, this squad and our manager. Thank you Arsenal!
Man I’m floating and it’s not only the bourbon!
Wow.
5 goals at the Emirates in the last 16 in the UCL is a tough thing to do, no matter the opponent.
So glad to see the outcome today without Cesc cause I’m actually teriffied for Saturday, I do believe there is a slight chance of a draw which could make it 5 and that is uncalled for :\, but still think that we can and should do it on Saturday!
One last thing that makes me really annoyed (apart from the fact that Arshavin is looking like he’s playing for Arshavin Fc and not Arsenal as he is barely happy at goals or looking so indifferent at times) is the fact my friends were telling me they were amazed by Nasri (they’re not AFC fans) and I know that’s because the media likes to put the spotlight on Carrick, Gerrard, Lampard and Co. cause they’re English and they (the media) have somewhat of a grudge against Wenger.
Should I say once again that I think we’re by far the best team in the EPL or is it understood by now ;)?
B52 flattens Porto! Operation Rolling Thunder slams into Porto!
MEAN!
Know what you are feeling, man.
People, don’t forget to visit the man at Arsenal Vision.
Click in the link in the sidebar or go here…
http://www.arsenalvision.co.uk/
See you in April, fella. 😉
Most satisfying result. The best thing is the team’s confidence and positive thinking will grow synergystically so this result will help us psychologically in the premier league too. Even if Fagregas is out injured against Hull, we have Nasri to pull the strings. Bendtner’s confidence against Hull should be considerably better than it was before the Porto game. Campbell can do the job in place of Gallas, at least once per week, although Silvestre might be needed to help out in 5 days’ time. Eboue is becoming quite a central figure in our run in. Halcyon days approaching? Let’s hope so.
I’ll be the first to admit I predicted Bendtner not to score against Porto, and what a fool I was. The lesson for me is to pay better attention to Holic’s predictions.
Thank you for the shout out Holic, and see you in April indeed.
I really should be getting myself in some sort of shape, maybe I should forget about that part. 😀
It’s about time Nasri got some credit. He came into the season with a broken leg, albeit a stress fracture and people seem to forget that. He was unfairly criticized when the team wasn’t playing well, but it’s clear that the guy has class. Very rarely loses possession, capable of moments of magic like tonight, Saturday and Man Utd last season and presses when the other team have the ball. I love the guy.
It’s great that Nick and Samir are finally getting the plaudits they deserve. Rosicky was very good too tonight for 70 minutes, as was Eboue when he came on.
Our attacking options are the best in Europe in my opinion, Cesc, Abou, Tomas, Samir, Andrei, Nick, Theo, Eboue and RvP all pose a huge offensive threat (not to forget the beast that is Tommy Vermaelen!).
I really hope these guys can win something this season, they deserve it, as do the fans and Arsene, for delivering the best entertainment in football for us to watch week in, week out.
Great Post…
Got to be a Carlsberg tonight…..this team (as I keep saying) has so much to offer
Keep the faith
Great post, ‘holic. I know I’m definitely influenced by the feed of the match I receive – what I was seeing and hearing tonight was a fantastic performance from Arshavin. I thought he was the difference, as we say in America.
good one
Emanueeeeeeeel Ebouueeeeeeeeeeee
Emanueeeeeeeel Ebouueeeeeeeeeeee
I watched the game with Arabic commentary on some doggy site I found somewhere. The feed was dark and pixallised but at least it was live. Can’t wait to download the full match though.
Bring on the Tango Team.
Can’t wait for Nasri v Hull take 2.
My own pun was based on this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWqI_a7YHvM&feature=youtube_gdata
🙂
After watching the game a 2nd time, I was struck by the great game played by Song, Diaby, Clichy and Vermaelen in particular but very solid by everybody. Nasri and Arshavin were in full creative mode throughout.
One game at a time. Loving it.
Nasri’s goal was the goal of the season so far in my book. Pure Magic. And your right about the anouncers pointing out every weakness they could think to find during the game. What Clowns. I thought Arshavin looked Brilliant in his 1st start in a while. He was directly responsible for 3 goals. What a talent he is! Just like AW I say bring on chelsea or manu. With Cesc, Gallas, and maybe even RVP back combined with our current form, we are un-beatable!!
Thomas Vermaelen played with an immense internal desire yesterday.
His grandfather died a few days ago and he is burried today in Stabroek(Antwerp).
I think he played for his grandfather yesterday. You could see him giving absolutly everything.
Fucking great support for the boys tonight. So well done to the fans too and more of the same for the rest of the season please.
Sooooper super Nick, soooper super Nick, soooper super Nick, super Nicklas Bendtner.
good one ‘holic…didn’t watch the game game yesterday coz i had to work, bt how proud i am to an arsenal fan!!! i love this team to bones! could someone send me the link to the hightlights so i can watch it..
mine will be vodka tonic Mr. barman!
Here you go SC….worth watching more than once
http://www.footytube.com/video/arsenal-fc-porto-mar09-36367
Great match report Holic, couldn’t agree more really.
NASRI = MAN OF THE MATCH
He was flying yesterday and that goal was just spectacular!
I could hear the fans on the telly, support was awsome too.
Le Boss mentioned Cesc is 50/50 for Hull at the weekend I wouldn’t really want to risk him if he is not 100% fit and to have him hammy pop out again would be really bad for us.
For now lets celebrate a great win against Porto first… and worry about Hull tomorrow.
Great team performance full stop. Vermalen was huffing and puffing he was everywhere. Everyone gave their 110%. I was rather emtional after the game I have to say, and was thinking this one was for Arron Ramsey too!
Enjoy your day Holics….
Ha ha ha…..
Check this in The Sun sport section ladies and gentelman
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2886180/Mr-Nicklas-Bendtner-An-apology.html
A wonderful team performance last night; everyone played a part and several players look to be getting back to their best as the end of season run-in approaches. As AW said not perfect but very good.
Whatever ups and downs; trials and tribulations await us we should all be thankful that we have the best manager in the world at our football club. We are financially sound and have a brilliant young squad of players which I think will be strengthened still further in the summer. My thanks also to the supporters at the game last night who could so clearly be heard on the telly, I am convinced that you made a difference.
I hope Nasri’s leg injury isn’t serious.
thanks Tim for the link…now what a performance from arshavin!!! and nasri!! if we play like this for the remaining part of the season, i dont see anyone stopping us!!
here is for the remaining 27 EPL points and the 5 CL wins!! cheers all!
and like steve says..keep the faith gunners!
i just never understand why the media(including the commentators) are soo against us!! jst when the players r getting on the pitch, all u could hear from the commentators was how history was against arsenal, how our defence has been poor and how bendtner missed hatrick of chances over the weekend…and how porto are very strong….no one talked about how we thrashed porto 4-0 last time they came to the grove!!…i just get the english media!!
well done lads and thanks to the fans at the grove!! heard u guys rocked!!
sorry, i meant hate the english media!..thats wat vodka tonic can do to u when drinking and typing!!
Morning ‘holic!
Well, what more can be said re last nights awesome display? I think all the preceding comments have just about covered it.
Nasri? Most certainly Man of The Match! Followed closely by Nicky B!
However, that aside, I want to pay a few words of respects to Emmanuel Eboue. This is a man whose career has gone through a complete renaissence over the last 12-18months at Arsenal. A guy whose relationship with the fans had completely broken down and was getting slaughtered by the press. Throughout which time he has just kept his head down and concentrated on playing his football….rather than going off in a strop bleating like a baby to the press. His goal yesterday was brilliant (not too dissimilar to Wayne Rooney’s 3rd goal against us about a month ago – a goal that the press went out of their way to eulogise once again about the greatness of Rooney) and is testimony to an individual putting in the hard work…..to improve…..to perfect their craft. So monster congratulations to Eboue I say!
So proud to be a Gooner – Keep on believing 🙂
I don’t know about any rock lobsters, but Nasri is welcome in my love shack all day long, only so long as he brings some of that amazing dribble though.
I think I just increased my need for a drink, make it a Jameson’s.
Kerrching! Congrats on the ‘holic pound again. You need to work on your score predictions though 😉
Mulled wine for me please.
There’s your ‘handbrake off’, ‘holic, and literally torn out of the car!
Brilliant stuff!
http://www.nealcollins.co.uk/blog
sc gooner
Ease up on those vodkas mate 😉
Good read by the way, Arsenal was flying last night and guess what Mr Grey there is a lot more to come.
Stevie T you are spot on about the few moaners who come along to games just to have a go at our players. I had a couple behind me last night and even when we were 4-0 up they weren’t happy. Can’t please everyone I guess so I say FUCK OFF and support the spuds cos they age a bunch of miserable cunts as well. Leave us genuine fans to support the boys like they did on Sat and last night.
make mine a guiness punch 😀
Is there anyone else ?
May the the next dimwitted pundit please step forward. Pick another Arsenal player to slate and of course they will ram it down down your throat. Yesterday I said Bendtner would have a cracking game and boy did he have a game. He is young and he will have games like he did against Burnley. His all round game yesterday was a joy to behold, he worked hard for the team and got his just rewards, fantastic !
The whole team was sensational, outstanding and you could see the desire.
Nasri with the goal of the season, at one point there was 5 Porto players watching him run rings around them and then drill it home at such a angle. WOW ! That would have been enough on its own but like Bendtner his all round game was brilliant.
The whole team was determined to put away leg behind them, as Holic said every player had a few loose passes. I think that was down to lets get at them and put this tie to bed. When you watch us play like this and thinking we dont have Van Persie,Cesc or Gallas in the team it just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling.
Even The Sun news paper tounge in cheek apology to Bendtner made me smile, but what else could they do.
Well done lads you were fantastic !
“The guy is unbelievably arrogant” — Really? Or is that just a stereotype? I’ve always thought this “arrogant Bendtner” hype is a huge exaggeration, based on one comment from the Bham manager when Nik was on loan there.
Did you see his post-match interview last night, in which he just shrugged away his hattrick and said it was a great game but he never dwells on any game, he just moves on to the next? He didn’t even know he had the right to take the ball home! Didn’t sound arrogant to me at all.
For all of Nik’s supposed arrogance, I’ve yet to see a quote from him showing it. He’s always very down to earth, simple and straightforward in his press interviews. All he says is that he believes in his abilities, why he’s trashed for that I don’t know. Unlike Ade, Bendtner’s comments never come off as especially arrogant or stupid. Ade would routinely say stuff like how flattering it was to have Utd interested in him (this was BEFORE his one-season 30-goal success with us) in order to get money out of Arsenal, prompting denials from Utd that they ever approached him (I never believed they did anyway). Bendtner never does that kind of thing.
Fantastic game, wonderful to see underperforming players like Nasri come into form. And that comrade Eboue, huh? 😀 Arshavin’s been fantastic in these last 2 games. 5-0 all without Cesc, RVP and Gallas! Ignore all the idiot pundits who hate to see their anti-Arsenal bias disproven.
BTW, some say the referee was generous. I just wonder if he’s like most people outside Britain who’ve been very sympathetic to Arsenal in the aftermath of the Ramsey injury. The reaction outside England to both the Eduardo and Ramsey incidents was very sympathetic to us, there was a lot of outrage at the way Arsenal and Wenger are treated in England.
Or maybe we’re just so used to seeing referees allow so many fouls against us that when we finally see a referee call those fouls, it looks “generous” to us?
Quality, enough has been posted and said, just to say I am still smiling and looking forward to watching all the other teams huff and puff to get to the next round, tis a great day to be a gooner.!!!
Great post, Goonerholic
Agree with your Bendtner comments at 2:08pm, marcus.
Not long ago, Wenger said that the English media seem to have a problem with players expressing confidence in themselves.
‘Holic,
You are a punster supreme, but the “clean sheet” quip was just too righteous!!
Party on ‘Holics. Hell, if the New Orleans Saints can win the Superbowl, why can’t we do the double?
“Or maybe we’re just so used to seeing referees allow so many fouls against us that when we finally see a referee call those fouls, it looks “generous” to us?”
I think its more this than anything else to be honest. We’ve been on the losing end of some pretty awful decisions in the league and Europe. And also, I think there’s some merit to people who say that refs in the Premier League are pretty poor compared to their counterparts in Europe (Ovrebo is an abomination and hopefully a once in a generation anomaly).
I think we got what we deserved from the official. No more, no less. Lets not take an iota away from the brilliance that was yesterday evening.
Thanks ‘holic for a brilliant report as usual! Splendid form all around. I loved watching Diaby/ Nasri/ Rosicky/ Eboe etc. linking all over the field. Plus each goal had pure genius in it. I felt we needed a dominant performance without Cesc to emphasize we are a team, not a one man train. I have to say the pace and creativity reminded me of the ’03 Gunners. We play like last night, I can’t think of a team in Europe that can stop us.
@ivan- I have to say, at least from the TV, the ref looked to have an excellent, no nonsense game. Best ref’ing I’ve seen in quite some time.
Thanks ‘holic. It’s morning here, got any coffee?
P.S. It’s my birthday today- ripe old 32- and watching last night was the absolute best birthday gift I’ve ever gotten!
pires is king, It was my birthday on Sunday but I had a great late present watching the game with a burger and a couple of Kronenbourgs. Very satisfactory I must say!
Rock lobsters by the B52s, now there’s a cheery tune! My only question is do they really pick lobsters in Porto? Not that it’s a burning issue, mind you but now that we have dispatched that lot, I’ll have a glass of port please barman.
It’s the lobster capital of Portugal, honest bt8bbnn 😉
You can’t move for crustaceans along the dockside…
Happy belated, behind the 8 ball!!!
pires is king, I wish you the same!!
Just watched the game. oh how easy it is to avoid spoilers in America! thought that although Arshavin had a good match, his overall body language, off ball running when posession changes, and more frequent careless passes is starting to worry me more, as a more talented team might punish us with numbers up situations stemming from these couplevof errant passes. I think it is fair to highly critique such a talented player such as him, and was wondering what type of performance we would see if he put in same passion as he does with Russia for our matches.
Also funny how Andy Gray repeatedly says the same clichés in yesterdays game as he does in FIFA 2010 video game.. what a joke he is.
Sony sell a new model TV that actually gives the viewer the option of muting just Andy Gray. The button is the same shit brown as the content of his analysis.
Arshavin, I relate somewhat – I don’t think he will ever be a player that just runs until he drops but my biggest frustration is he tracks back (seemingly) when he feels like it. That said he has played 75% of the season totally out of position though if his contribution wide on the left can match what we saw this week for the rest of the season we are going to score a lot of goals due to his work. Don’t forget he’s not essentially a goal scorer. His persistence to create the 2nd goal was quite something and if Nasri hadn’t scored the goal of the season later we’d be marveling at his earlier assist.