Old Friends And New
Apr 25th, 2010 by 'holic
When the old man started taking me to Arsenal all those years ago I don’t think he could have imagined in his wildest dreams what he started. I doubt very much he could have predicted that one day I would be sitting in the old Caledonian market watching a bunch of strange individuals from around the planet play a five-a-side tournament before heading for an almighty session interrupted fleetingly by what was admittedly a poor game of football.
Poor game or not, the day was an absolute blast. Rather than describe the delicate flavours and nuances that roamed around my palate as the multiple Guinni were savoured I suppose I should give you a taste of the main event, which turned out to be the sort of fare normally dished up at the season’s end by two sides with nothing to play for.
The climb to row 26 of the upper tier was as unpleasant as ever. Having got there the team announcements revealed the first surprise of the day. The object of much hatred was left on the bench. That should have told us what City’s game plan would be. No matter what your opinion of Adebayor’s character you would have expected him to start if the visitors had any intentions of breaching Arsenal’s watered-down defences.
Instead the visitors, content with the point they started with after Tottenham’s defeat at Old Trafford, throttled the life out of the contest and showed precious little ambition. They were given considerable assistance too from Mike Dean, but I cannot go on again about the poor quality of our top officials. I think it is genuinely more incompetence than bias.
The most memorable moment of the opening half was a sad sight indeed. Patrick Vieira, lauded by the home fans prior to kick-off, lashed out at Song and somehow avoided punishment. On their rare forays upfield City showed less fight, and were comfortably held in check. Fabianski and Silvestre, perceived weak spots, were producing the goods. Fair play to them both.
The second-half opened with Adebayor warming up on the touchline to a predictable reception. From up on high he looked to be wearing a giant pair of Mickey Mouse ears. Surprisingly though that was more hairstyle than rodent. His inevitable introduction gave the majority of the crowd the opportunity to exercise their lungs.
His contribution at the Grove, not for the first time, was pitiful. Then again, I doubt he has quite adjusted to playing in a side so devoid of ambition. That City could finish fourth tells you much about the merits of their rivals. They nearly lost the point they craved when Abou Diaby woke everybody up with a fierce drive. Given suffered what looked like a painful shoulder injury and was stretchered off to warm applause.
Apart from that only a Robin van Persie free-kick threatened to secure the points for the Gunners, but a coat or two of paint separated that from its intended target and the game wound down in the dullest of fashions. Adebayor was one of the last to leave the pitch, and attempted to remonstrate with one of his tormentors who just turned his back on the avaricious one.
Perhaps now is the time for us to do likewise. I would prefer to concentrate on the people I met yesterday, be it for the first time or otherwise. A special thanks to he who came armed with the gift of a bottle of Tyrconnell, which I sampled on arriving home at one this morning. Gifts like that will always be welcome. It was the perfect end to the almost perfect day.
Shame about the football.
78 Responses to “Old Friends And New”
Did you happen to see Adebayor and RVP after the whistle. The weird hairstyle made him look as if he was sporting a Napoleonic hat from where I was sitting. He strolled to the centre circle, intent on showing his love to Eboue and Song and made a totally over-the top series of cuddlings, rolling back and forth in an exaggerated gesture of jollity and then stepped towards RVP. Robin spotted him coming and made a sweeping detour around him toward the crowd where he gave a fan his shirt. Adebayor was the pure definition of a cock yesterday and I wonder how his paymasters view his contribution for the reputed £170K per week he is costing them? Vieira? What a shame to see a legend, after his legs have gone, behaving so petulantly. And Kolo? I don’t ever remember seeing him shouting at the ref so often and waving imaginary cards. Loyalty I’m afraid is about as deep as the average pocket these days.
Great post ‘Holic
Unfortunately the football was not as good as the weather, I agree both sides had nothing to play for hence football was as boring as it gets.
Some positives though, it was good to see Robin play full 90 min, Rosicky, Nasri and Diaby looked better, back four put in a decent effort too and so did Fabianski but he wasn’t exactly tested. I think our lack of form started as soon as we lost to Barca, we are regaining form again but a little too late for my liking.
Would be nice to still be in the title race, but I’m really positive about this the lads will be another season wiser and with few additions in the summer and all the players satying fit after the World Cup and throughout the season (yes you Robin) we will be pushing all the way.
Adam
I agree “Napoleonic hat” looked like a complete twat! 😉
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i kinda liked our performance last night… not sure why though…but liked it..
defence(ya silvestre-well done) & diaby/song’s areas were rock solid..
but then you’re not gonna score when your creative midfielders dont do much, your winger runs without the ball & your striker back playing after the 2nd world war..
so overOLL – it was good…
I thought adebayor with his pig tails looked more like Shirley Temple
…boring football but then again diaby broke an arm, rvp sliced the whore and the crowd? that was fantastic,a bit disapointed with paddy though..a double of smirnoff will do for me barman!
Glad you had a reasonable day ‘holic.
The game, itself, almost put me to sleep… until *that* freekick.
Great post.
A well constructed blog as always, ‘holic. Nice to meet you again yesterday. 🙂
Afternoon Holic & Holic`s
Well a very average performance with no inspiration at all. I watched the manure & spuds game earlier and mocked the 28th minute first shot at goal. Egg on my face as they probably had a good laugh at the even worse game that took place at the emirates.
Only Cesc has the key to open up such defenses as man shitty had out yesterday. We also put in a fairly good defensive display, few teams after playing shitty this season can say was the scarred dwarf argie playing ? Shame that display wasn’t seen not that long ago, no I’m not going to mention it. Even worse watching the game was listening to waddle talk shit for a hour and a half. To listen to him you would think that cuntybayor come on and scored a hat trick in 3 minutes of being on, what was he watching ?
Diaby had a little fire in his belly kicking Viera as soon as he touched the ball, again shame no no no not going to talk about it.
Very pleased to see RVP out there again, I really like him he has such class as only seen in the last dutch man Mr Bergkamp. He must give us a full season to deliver what he is really capable of, he must of pissed off a gypsy or something to get this curse.
I am now officially looking forward to the transfer season now along with our manager as the lack of desire will not return this season.
I disagree completely with you Paul – I think he looked like a Cunt, Heh!
Can’t remember the last time i saw such a non-event at the Emirates.
Highlight for me was the “who’s the wanker on the post” chant other than that nothing happened.
Managed to get through whole game without mentioning how shit theo was – i.e. dribbling without taking the ball with him- A good job too as i was sitting behind his dad- maybe this was because he didnt actually get a touch — abit like Fabianski , i suppose!!!
I don’t think there was a lack of inspiration, but many players were really low on confidence. And we shouldn’t forget that the point we got secured at least fourth place for us so it would have been rather stupid to go all gung-ho to win it at the end and risk getting hit on the counter-attack. It wasn’t a great game in any way, but to be fair we did have a few opportunites – Nasri should never have been flagged off in the first half when clean through on goal and van Persie’s free kick was so, so close to going in. But most of all this game was about restoring some confidence and I think that was achieved. We didn’t lose, we didn’t concede and we stopped the rot that had been setting in.
I am a bit surprised though that Man City weren’t more adventurous. Three points for them would have been massive, because then they would still have had the chance to surpass not just Spurs but us as well (ok, they can still catch us but we have a rather large goal difference advantage and we have to lose both our remaining games and they have to win all three). They are now in a position where they must beat Spurs to not have to rely on others, whereas a win yesterday would have meant that a draw would have been enough. One point for City was only marginally better than none at all, I just don’t understand what Mancini was thinking.
Uninspired/lack of confidence? Perhaps a bit of both in truth. After the last three results I think the team defended as a team and from the front (which was really nice to see). It almost looked like the message was get our defending in order and then work our way into the match.
The RvP freekick would have been lovely it was closer than it originally looked…..once again Campbell worked his socks off…he actually gained on Tevez when chasing back.
It was like watching a team getting over a really bad hangover and not wanting anything to dramatic to make the head hurt. Next match start Bendtner in the middle and RvP wide right please…and let them interchange as they see fit.
Chelsea today…bloody hell…
@Tim Merrick: good point about defending from the front. Theo didn’t do much right yesterday, but there was one occasion where he spotted the space vacated by Sagna who was god-knows-where and ran back like mad to take the ball off, I think it was, Tevez who had otherwise been more or less clean through on goal. We need more of that kind of defensive awareness next season from all players.
I thought Adebayor had a flying saucer on his head, or something.
No alcohol for me today, thanks boss 😉
Our tactics were all wrong. I don’t understand why we kept swinging the ball into the box when no one except short ( Theo, Nasri,Rosicky) midfielders were in the box. Where was Diaby or Song breaking late like world class midfielders need to do? We did it consistently throughout the match as our only form of attack. It was as if no one had a clue as to shoot from the edge of the 18 or find a combination play through the defence.
These are the days I think Arsene is tactically naive and proves our players lack a game awareness that Man United and Chelsea players seem to have. They vary their attack when things aren’t going their way, we fail to find variety. Before this whole youth project and formation switch our team-play was the epitome of varied: We could hit on the counter like lightning, play possession until we exploit a defensive mistake, or play the physical stuff if it was needed and capitalize on set plays. Our build up now is so slow I am finding our game more and more boring to watch. Teams have figured our style out. Since the English game is built around a robust work ethic more than technique, everyone is more than happy to sit back and repel our blunt attack.
I think bigger changes need to be made, more than a few players coming in. We are the 3rd richest club in the world it would be nice if we actually started acting like it. Barcelona have a great youth set up and spend 3-4 times more than Arsenal or Man United on maintaining it, AND spend massive amounts of money on key players. We’ll never get there unless we buy proven players to blend with youth, so in pressure games late in the season we have 1. the depth and 2. the experience.
Gin and tonic please . . . .as our season ends on a whimper.
Adebayor looked so disgusting! Ugh!
Boring match. Except for RvP’s superb tackle on Ade.
I haven’t been quite so riveted since page 752 of the Gulag Archipelago, remember that bit where Solzhenitsyn had gone 624 days without a break from breaking stones, then suddenly it starts to rain and ………..zzzzzzz
Or, maybe it was that time in Lawrence of Arabia when Lawrence has fallen off his camel and is wading through sand up to his armpits, sand crabs up his ……..zzzzzzzz…….or in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy’s Aunt Em picked up Toto and ……….zzzzzzzz
No, it was definitely Saturday’s game against City, a riveters dream. There were these chaps in red, tipping and tapping their way around a lovely green pitch playing soccer against some other chaps in blue, who seemed to want to kick them and I was riveted……zzzzzzzz
……BUT this time was different! I was gently awakened by one of Her Nellieness’ elbows to the ribs (a la John Terry), “HE’S COMING ON” she gently whispered, in that sweet dulciet tone, echoing a Rolls Royce RB 211 shorn of its silencer.
And indeed he was! The Entertainer was back! And suddenly, 60,000 somnolent souls were energized. 60 odd minutes of throwing up 60,000 zzzzzzs per second evaporated as the Emirates faithful welcomed warmly the return of the prodigal son from Togo. The 40 quid ticket was suddenly worth every penny! “Ade, Ade, Ade” they cheered (or at least that’s what it sounded like on Slingbox).
And then he entered, his teeth gleaming like the Ivories on Liberace’s piano. His hair was styled like the candleabra atop the polished ebony of the great man’s grand piano. His boots shone like Dorothy’s slippers. Pure theatre!
And in an instant there was trouble down the right as 6 foot 4 had Clichy in a spin with a deft double two-step of the flashing red boots. Seconds later Silvester was on his arsicles as the Togolese Express left him at the platform. Then he was back in his own box heading clear before, seconds later, magnificently positioned in ours, but that twat Bellamy failed to see his immaculate positioning and the chance to make it 5 goals in 4 games slipped away, like Bendy in his AstonMartin.
His groin strain was aching, but there’s no doubt he stole the show for 30 minutes. For which he banked 170,000 and laughed loudest. And then I read, lucid, analytical, thought provoking wisdom of the type I heard before he left – ”That Ade, he’s a stoopid twat, ain’t ‘ee”.
Come inside, silly buggers, come inside. I’d have him back tomorrow.
A hot Togolese with some four-in-three net-bulging spices please, of the kind I used to enjoy 25 times or so per season, barman.
‘Holic, Pride please. Make you right about Adebayor. Forget him, he’s yesterday’s man. The City fans will realise what an idiot he is in time.
Even though he is a shadow of his former self, good to see Paddy V back on home soil. He had to be one of our best players ever, and a personal favourite. In his pomp there were few better sights than him leading the Arsenal team on to the pitch. He instilled a sense of fear in the opposition, and stood up to prize idiots like Gary Neville. His final kick in the colours was the penalty that defeated United in Cardiff. We haven’t won a thing since. Go figure.
Paddy I salute you, and have enjoyed many drinks on the back of your performances. Cheers.
Saturday’s game looked like it was decided with a handshake beforehand.
Far too sanguine ‘holic, or should that be far too sanguinni?
Awful game and it summed up the end of the season. 3 games ago we had an outside chance of the title. Ok, emphasise the outside chance but it was there.
Since then 1 pt out of 9 and performances that fully justified that sort of return. Up until then I was willing to accept that progress had been made and, allowing for injuries, etc, 3rd was a good achievement.
The supine response in the last 3 games has, for me wiped, the memory of what went before and simply reinforced all the negatives. This team either doesn’t care or bottles it when the pressure is on.
Look at last year’s semis. We did actually manage to beat both the mancs and the chavs last year but our performances in those games gave no indication that either the manager or the team remembered how.
We should finish 3rd but ultimately that’s been down to watching others fuck up rather than taking responsibility ourselves and that’s pathetic.
Yes we had 9 players out but what’s new? It happens every goddamn year. Build a squad to cope with the problem or sort out the medical side or preferably both.
So for next season the minimum requirements are: new keeper, 2 central defenders (keeping Sol and offloading Gallas – yes, he had a decent season but yet again he’s not around when you want him), defensive midfielder, forward and a wide player with pace and ball control (sorry Theo but it’s just not working – a loan spell perhaps?) and perhaps a new manager.
Out go Fabianski (Al can stay as no.2 to the new guy, if he wants), Silvestre, Gallas, Diaby (other than fucking up Given, yesterday was a new low even by his erratic standards), Vela, Eduardo and Rosicky.
Sorry about the last 2 but unfortunately injuries and age have taken their toll and it’s time for them to find pastures new, and less violent, than the EPL.
p.s. to the 3 or 4 guys on the Clock End lower tier (if you read this, or can actually read) chanting Arsene Wenger’s Red and White Army/We hate Tottenham variants for the whole of the 1st half is not supporting the team, you’re just making it all about you. Very boring; just like the match.
p.p.s. BTM: given his underwhelming performance on Saturday perhaps you should put the wheels in motion to adopt Ade; I can’t see anyone else wanting him . . . .
p.p.p.s. Milner’s won “Young Player of the Year”! WTF?
It was a dull and uninspiring game.
But what disappointed me more than anything was Kolo and Paddy both doing their best to get one of our boys booked, Can you imagine Henry or dare I say it even Hleb/Flamini doing that.
Complete lack of class and shows we were probably right in getting shot of both of them, Show loyalty to your new team and I would accept it.
Deliberately trying to get members of your old team sent off is nothing short of disgraceful.
Overall it looked like we had nothing to play for and more shame to City that they did have something to play for against a wounded and fragile Gunners squad and could not find the energy or drive to do so.
Maybe I am doing them a disservice and in fact our second string boys are so good that they made City seem average.
I’ll be glad to see the back of his season and cannot wait to see what wonders Wenger will work with wallet welcoming ways.
Shit game. One of the worst i have seen at the grove. Citeh, for a team that has spent in excess of 200 million their attitude was shocking. I would be embarrassed to support that shite. Good to see Paddy back. His spat with Song confirmed his best days are over. But what a player. And a great servant.
Then enter knob fuck number 1. Anyone thats plays premier league football with his hair in bunches deserves all he gets. The fact it was ade was just a bonus.
The impending weeks will be interesting. I feel the likes of diaby, rosicky and theo have gone backwards this season. I know injuries have played their part but they need to step up to the plate when it is needed. Sol? Top class again. I am amazed at how well he has done. There may well be some bargains to be had. Joe Cole is available on a free. I would be quite happy to see him on the flanks in the famous red and white next season?
Keep the faith.
Hey, Garrett,
Long time no hear. How is life down there in the cheap seats these days??
I’m worried! Our thinking is getting closer. I wrote the following a couple of ‘Holics back. You’re a bit more forthright than me. I’d say that I’m AW to your George Graham. We’re miles apart on the manager though. Arsene can stay for life as far as I’m concerned.
“I think Almunia should stay. As the second keeper. Fabianski needs a long sequence of first team games, on loan at another club. A new keeper is a MUST.
Of the five full backs, Eboue, Sagna, Clichy, Gibbs, Traore – Clichy is the weak link for me and Traore isn’t yet a “first pick”. I’d like them all to practice their crossing during the summer, but otherwise, good to go.
Centre back: Likely starters are Djourou and Vermaelen. I suspect Gallas, Senderos and Silvester will go. I think Sol will stay for a year. We need two new centrebacks.
Mid-Field: The Triumvirate of Triumph – Cesc, Song, Denilson will be next season’s first picks. I really hope Ramsey will return as a first choice under-study with Diaby. Eastmond, second choice. Merida looks to be gone. I’d leave Wilshere out for one more year. I’d buy another ball winner – Felipe Melo’s my man- free him up Juve (Clichy as a swap?). Inler is now playing poorly in a floundering Udinese team. Forget him.
Forwards: Van Persie, Arshavin, Nasri, Walcott (but he needs to make it happen NOW) are my first picks with Bendtner and Eduardo rotating. Rosicky is “on the bubble” for me. I won’t be heart broken if he leaves. I won’t be amazed if Eduardo is released either.”
So, not a million miles apart – I’ve given Rosicky, Diaby and Dudu the benefit of the doubt. You’ve shot them. Probably a half way house will result. Theo definitely needs to raise his game or go.
Don’t worry about The Entertainer, he’s a whole 12 inches bigger in his heart, in his goal tally, in his effort, in his defense, in his mid-field creation than his successor. No need to set the adoption wheels spinning. Time will show that Adebayor was a greater asset than his successor – by much more than 12 inches, ten yards of pace, an ability to kick with both feet AND head the ball.
Steve T, don’t be so hard on my boy! Anyone who would appear in premier league football with a haircut like Arshavin’s and his head NOT in a brown paper bag deserves to SPRINT up the tunnel injured.
You two and Marcus keep me coming back! Keep it going.
Forgive me-but I was quite happy for City to play so cautiously-and thought they were there for the taking in the second half-but we did not show enough wit on the flanks-our crossing of the ball remains in the hopeful lob it into the centre category-rather than a measured cross.
Nevertheless-could we have gone up there and ground out a draw when needed? Don’t think so without another defensive midfielder alongside Song, a better defender alongside Campbell-who is the best defender at the club-and a top class keeper.
I’m sure we’ll get to this at the end of the season – but which players in our best eleven look like to be at the level to win the league next year?
GK
Sagna(?) Vermaelen CD(?) Clichy
Song
Arshavin Fabregas CM(?) Nasri
Van Persie
I’d sooner Ramsey was ready to take that midfield spot…but maybe Diaby (6 weeks ago I’d say yes…let’s be optimistic)
Can Jack Wilshere play wide?
I just realised this mirror what goonergerry wrote….essentially…
What the hell did Adebayor think was so funny?
his ‘hairstyle’
I’m not sure I would BTM, even at his very best. For me, there has to be that simple honest umbilical link between an Arsenal player and myself.
They all start with my respect. It can only be lost and it takes a lot of honest effort to win it back.
I cannot deny you any of your stats on him (like any striker – when he’s on it, he’s on it).
But when the rot of hubris – which is perticularly pernicious when it’s a double dose of agent and player sets – quite simply, you’re fucked.
I love Arsene. But I will also criticise him as I don’t think the sun shines out of his arse (no pun intended).
It was a brilliant bit of business selling Ade for a handsome markup on unstable goods.
His only error was that he did not replace him.
No manager or player (Ade) is bigger than the club we all love – agreed?
Somebody tell Ade, that’s why I’m not sure I’d take him back.
Just my opinion BTM. Nothing personal fella.
So BTM. Are you going for the bunces look then? I would love to se that…
Bunches even??????? Poxy keyboard…
You need 6 feet 4 long hair for bunches of that quality. I’m 6 feet 3 and a half inches lacking unfortunately, Steve or I’d be right there with him.
“no doubt he stole the show for 30 minutes” – OMG, I needed to read something about the game that would make me laugh! Only in the mind of someone so completely incapable of seeing reality, so completely incapable of objectively judging a player’s actual performance could such a hysterically bizarro comment be uttered. Truly comical! But I forget, according to this delusional poster, Ade is equivalent to (no, superior to) Messi, Rooney, Cronaldo, Maradona, Zidane all rolled into one. Fascinating how absolutely NO ONE in the entire football world sees what he sees.
Now, back to the real world: Ade stole the show for the first minute or two that he came on because of the crowd’s attention and because of his peculiar desire to pay homage to Princess Leia.
After that, as per usual, as he did what he did in nearly every single game in his last season with us — he disappeared.
What a strange species of support. Imagine WANTING to have a player who disrupts our dressing room, causes personal conflicts and ill feelings, physically assaults our players – who, in effect, CAUSES disharmony and therefore damages results on the pitch. Something that Arsene Wenger is always keen to avoid. Thanks, Arsene, for getting rid of such a poisonous element and for putting THE TEAM ahead of individual egos.
Smart manager we have there. He knows that the most important thing in building a squad is instilling a TEAM mentality, building a TEAM whose players will fight for each other, defend and help each other, who will put aside their egos for the good of the TEAM. Anyone who endangers that should be kicked out.
Unfortunately, some people don’t value his judgment, they think they know better than he does.
I echo the disappointment of Vieira – wtf was that all about?
I also echo comments re City’s game plan. Couldn’t understand it. They gave us more respect than I expected. I thought they really would go out there and try to get those 3 pts, seeing as how they’re fighting for a CL spot and knowing how farcically we played @ Wigan.
I agree with much of Eastside Gooner’s post.
However — I actually came away feeling more positive about this game than many others apparently did. Maybe my expectations and standards have been lowered. But I was happy to see certain players out there working hard to defend and fight for the ball. Diaby, for example. Silvestre was solid. Fabianski did not look nervous at all. It looked to me that during the week AW had focused solely on defensive discipline.
As ever, a superb post ‘Holic; but, if I may, I think it’s “Guinnii” and not “Guinni.”
RVP”s treatment of Ade on Saturday (video):
http://goonertalk.com/2010/04/25/video-van-persies-revenge-on-adebayor/
Now THAT’S a true gunner.
With the feel of summer coming on, barman i’d appreciate a cold iced tea and a series of blockbuster acquisitions to make me forget about this forgettable series of games this month. I forgot, an injury free end of season and World Cup for our Arsenal players.
Btm. Half an inch? Is that all you are bothered about? Surely that merits a ponytail at the very least? Like father like son etc etc.
guys guys guys!
Anyone fancy a nice pint and some pork scratchings. We´re all on the same side, surely?
paulie’s back. Yippeee. I have missed you paulie. Dont be a stranger.
Sorry Steve 😉
Perry, you may well be right. Clearly though, I did not have two i’s on Saturday night…
BtM, you obviously had a different view of Ade’s performance to those in my immediate vicinity on Saturday evening, not that I am entirely surprised mind 😉
Sorry fellow Gooners just off the subject here, as I really dislike Ade for what he has done, and I’m glad so see the back of him too!
Szczesny is pulling superb saves week in week out at Brentford, this one comes from a home game against Yeovil which ended 1:1, shame he couldn’t save the penatly as well.
For those who fancie a read…
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/brentfordfcnews/8119581.Saunders_seals_point_for_Bees/
Barman, something refreshing please like the Transfers in the summer 🙂
paulie? Gone but not forgotten. I am going to lick several windows to show my support.
Marcus,
Got you again! The little trout always rise highest and fastest. Wooly bugger with a number 32 hook. (The Art of Fine Fly-Fishing).
Your argument demolished last time around but you keep trying. You’re a trier…..somewhat delusional, but a trier nevertheless. You keep me chuckling, keep up the great work.
@36 – Agree. Definitely deserved the yellow card. Almost as bad as the tackle he did on Ade at Eastlands. Great to see how Ade got the ball through to Teves though and almost set up the first goal. One of the most direct moves of the game and one of the Big Man’s trademarks – turning defense into attack at the flick of a red boot.
I thought his counselling of Alex Song after his incident was good too. He’s a big loss to the club, I agree with your sentiments there.
Thanks for sharing the vids. Always good to see The Entertainer in action.
A delusional good night to you.
I’m smiling and I hope, by now, you are too!
BtM, you must have woken from your match-time slumber with the rose-tinteds still firmly in place – those that provide your retro vision, that is. Try as i might, i cannot remember more than the one season when Adebarndoor provided you with 25 net-bulging experiences and my mum would have had 30 goals in that season, with the number of chances he had. Still, “themostimpotantthing” is that the twat has gone – did he really have a mirror in that dressing room. What a complete arse, coming out with whatever those things were round his ears.
No, I am not biting marcus-like; other than that one little thing, i think your posts are great entertainment.
A few on here regretting coughing up £40 for that so-called match vs Citeh. Well late on Friday I jumped at a chance of the seat next to mine, for my 6 year old daughter, who has been driving me mad for another chance to go (her 6th game now), – cost £70. Total paid for the “match” for the two of us, including usual incidentals – £170. This is starting to seem pretty unfunny to see 2 shots – 1 on target. For some reason she can’t wait to go again. Must be in the blood.
Best moment of the game: RvP’s tackle and subsequent total ignoring of Barndoor – absolutely no malice in it – didn’t deserve a yellow card – he’s just not that kind of player – loves his little boy – kisses his wife goodbye every morning etc. etc. etc
Hi Guys,
First of all, Cesc’s absence was really visible on Saturday as we really needed someone who’d be capable of breaching that City defense.
I know this isn’t the time yet to think about next season but I’m actually really looking forward to it, we’ll be unstoppable next season with the needed reinforcements (Chamakh, GK, 2 CB and a sub for Song in case he gets injured) – I’ll bet right now on us winning the double in England or the title and reaching the UCL Final.
PFA awards are a joke!! How did Fletcher and Valencia get in the team and Malouda and Lampard didn’t? How was Song left out? Not to mention James Milner winning the award for young player when he’s 24. That’s an absolute joke.
Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
Wenger Makes Us Strong!
The Incredible Haircut had better watch out! Marcus and the BBB will be accusing him of flashing his eyelashes elsewhere. Tut-tut, unforgivable that anyone would even acknowledge the existence of clubs other than Arsenal, never mind join them for a better deal. (Smile!)
.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2950042/Arsenal-ace-Andrey-Arshavin-reveals-Barcelona-dream.htm
‘The Sun’ said so……consider him gone then
Andrey Arshavin want’s away to Barca oh my god what a shock!!!
Well Guys it may be true it may not be I tend to think there is some mileage in this one, but if it’s true then I’m going with the following.
Before I start I would NOT like to see him GO next season.
1, 1st & most importantly he’s still got a long contract with us so if he want’s away to Barca they will need to dig VERY DEEP, & I’m always very thankful to our Spanish benefactors when they do that, as we would never be were we are today without their financial help over the last ten years or so.
2, I personally never feel put-out when a player wants to go & play for them, because @ this present time in history THEY have the best team in the world, EVEN if they don’t get to the EURO final..
3, Theses types of players will never be real ARSENAL players they are just out for self-publicizing in the vain hope something like this will happen for them, think he could even end-up in Manchester city that is if Barca don’t want him, but again “SHOW US THE MONEY ManC”.
4, I’d be more worried & have been in the passed when we DON’T give the kids a go from our world’s best academy, just selling them on without any real games for us. What a waste of time & effort that is. If we don’t utilise J Wilshire -Jay Emmanuel T – S Watt – Emmanuel Frimpong (maybe) I can go on, & that’s not taking into account the years above them, then for me WE have failed as a club!!!
“COME ON YOU GOONERS”
I reckon holics been nabbed by Barca either that or he’s had a long heavy session 🙂 we will have to send a search party shortly if we haven’t had a new post by tomorrow pm 😉
seems like our esteemed leader has been moonlighting
http://twitpic.com/1itg0s
You could be right Chippy last seen in the vicinity on 26 Apr 2010 at 10:49 pm, just a ten min walk for opening time…….
Thought we had already played our home game against Tottenham this season, surly that’s the only time AW get in the kitchen to help with the pre-match meals……
can any of our arab reading Holic’s translate,their might be more to it,looks fishy to me
Sorry all. There was supposed to be a post tonight. Instead I have been playing silly beggars with my broadband provider. Apparently one download of the Doctor Feelgood film from BBC iPlayer blasts you into ‘traffic management’ and reduced speeds. I kid you not.
Anyway, back tomorrow night with something. Apologies again.
Holc:
If you do get to see the Feelgood movie you can’t help but realise how these guys got so inspired from their charismatic surrounding, & that’s coming from a old east end boy!!!
I live not too far from the Island theses days & it always inspires me when ever I have the misfortune to go over the bridge……
I watched it Friday night, Lee, but I wanted a legit copy of it, so much did I enjoy it. The only shame is you can’t get the live concert that followed with Ian Dury opening the show just after the release of ‘New Boots and Panties’. That was a magical nights viewing.
Btm. Do you think ade had those bunches for cashley to hold on to?
feel asleep before the concert sxxt i’d of loved to have seen that. do you know if it’s being air’d again?
At some stage, I would imagine. And since it is not being allowed on downloads I would imagine there are dvd’s for sale somewhere. I’ll hunt around because that was one stonking gig.
Heh! Recorded that on my Virgin hard drive wotsit! Ooh were all showing our age and being a Sarfend boy to boot it’s really poignant.
Now, who also remembers the Kursaal Flyers? Another great Essex band. I used to work for their lead singer!!! Paul shuttleworth!
I see we’re linked with Loris the keeper at Lyon. I can confirm he’ll fit in perfectly, after watching his ‘performance’ against Bayern Munich in the 2 legs of the CL semi.
He dives the wrong way, goes down early, pushes the ball effortlessly into the net, and his clueless look is something to behold.
Sign him up Arsene.
Maybe next year the pa system in the Stadium could play ‘Send in the clowns’ when the keepers come out of the tunnel?
Went to see the flyers the summer before last they got back together (all but Will anyway) for one night only they re-opened the revamped hall @ the top of the Kursaal.
They were great too, took me too far back to when I was a very young pup going-out @ starting my long life of sex drink & rock & roll, left the drugs to them on the stage, couldn’t afford it anyway .
Came back home pissed & playful & put their CD on in my oldest boys room, just to show him wot real music is not this untalented music in a box lot we have today. But how real musicians do it.
BTM I think you finally poked your tongue through your cheek!
Just as Bendtner and Eboue brought us a different look and balance to the team after returning to the squad from injury and the ACON early this year, Arsene must bring in a few acquisitions this summer who will bring us what we currently lack in terms of experience, size, skill, mental determination and no nonsense attitude. We may have roughly the same number of injuries as we suffered the last two years so our squad depth must be increased to prevent a repeat of the built-up fatigue in our remaining fit players that we saw in the last weeks of our challenge this season. One example: Denilson is good at what he does but is not a good enough replacement if Song gets injured. Eastmond may be close but doesn’t have the required experience to be relied upon for more than a few games at a stretch, so this is one of the positions where we need an experienced player who can also fill in at other positions. I’m dying to see Arsene splash some real cash now that we’ve been told it is possible.
Good man Lee…
Did you ever see a Melvyn Bragg documentary in the seventies on the Flyers? He followed them around on tour. It was brilliant.
As you say – real musicians.
Shame about The Shrimpers (my second team) getting dumped into
the 4th division or whatever they call it now.
A friend sent me this tonight…worth seeing again versus the football of the last 3 weeks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzrV8miA0Ig&feature=related
Tim
Nice reminder of what it was like when RVP and Cesc where firing on all cylinders.
It was also in 720p which is a bonus.
Hopefully with few additions this summer we will be even stronger, overall it’s also mentality that needs change they need to believe more in themselves for sure.
Who is going to be in the final fellow ‘Holics, Inter or Barca?
I would put my money on Barca I suppose but hey Inter have a very good advantage at this time.
Re: the goalie sitch, anyone got any ideas why Rene Adler isn’t on our radar?
Mid 20’s, German national keeper, boxes are being ticked?
Ooh Ooh Ooh I see Arseblog mentions Subotic on our radar, I refer to my post on the Love & Pride thread, No: 101 21 April 10.37am… stick with me boys 😉 lol
You’re probably all way ahead of me, but if you haven’t read “Soccernomics” it’s definitely worth a few minutes of your time. Well written, interesting and an easy read. Despite the “Soccer” in the title, it’s primary focus is England, the premier league and it also touches upon the Champions League.
Best thing I’ve read since the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – that’s worth a download too in movie form.
Steve – Cashley’s interested in bundles not bunches. Unlike Ade the Magnificent, he has none of The Entertainer in him. So the likelihood of him being prepared to try tango for two on two bunches is low. It’s a good thought though, and I’m please to see this sudden elevation in your interest in my boy, the goal scoring machine from Togo.
Seems that we have yet another Barcelona whore in our midst. Hard to blame them in a way i guess, but aren’t you just sick of the few supposed big stars we sign, declaring their love for Barcelona as soon as they’ve been on the telly a few times.
The latest one will no doubt be doing his Arseshavin’ in readiness for bowing down before his new Catalan bedfellows. Maybe the articles are bits of old stories cobbled together again – lets hope so – if not, let’s hope we wring huge sums of money out of them for his services.
If he wants to go, what can you do? Fear not, just order a taxi to the airport and let him go. He’d be the first to make a success of it, after all.
AFC1974:
No I did not get to see the Docu either @ the time or since, however if my old gray matter serves me correct from the conversations I had @ the time the guys did not cover themselves in glory?
With regards to the The Shrimpers I don’t like to see any local team suffering unless it’s Tottenham of course, you can never get enough of that now can you. The man @ the helm there has a great deal of explaining to do, & I just hope it don’t turn-out to be another Portsmouth, but I have to say now that a major supermarket chain has got it’s sticky fingers in their business I fear the worst for them.
+ as for the 2nd team’s well as I said earlier I’m an old east end boy so I’m only on loan to Essex, so my other team probably won’t sit too well with you (or many people for that matter) as it’s Millwall, it comes from a very young age when an old uncle used to played for them in the 60’s – 70’s + once you had diced with death walking through the Rotherhithe Tunnel it was not a million miles away from where I lived back then. + It was always preferable to going to West Ham for me anyway!!!
Millwall eh? Well the Arse could do with their fighting spirit sometimes.
Well Lee, enjoy you’re time in Essex. We are a hospitable people. Especially the girls 😉
Whoops! That should be ‘your’
come along ‘Hols, give us another post. Your impression of Royal Mail is duly noted. Come on, I pay good money for this .. Oh…
Bergkamp’s The Man
“Ade the Magnificent”
I’m sorry but you can’t be serious here?
It’s either me or you ……………………………
Have I gone crazy? To you it may well look that way but you are NOT in the world of Star Wars Clone Wars which I love but you can not compare this to this Ade loving way!
Correct me if I’m wrong what the hell was he smiling about?