Sunderland Away – Not A Time For Changes?
Sep 17th, 2010 by 'holic
Two consecutive trips to Sunderland’s version of the Stadium of Light have yielded just the single point. Like the games at Anfield and Ewood Park we have another ‘marker’ for the new season. There is already little doubt about how difficult the Mackems will attempt to make life for the visitors.
“You have to stop them from playing a bit. If you are going to take them on in a football match, you might be on to a hiding. They play for Arsenal because they are all good players – arguably they`re better players than we`ve got – so you have to do something as a team to counter that.”
Steve Bruce offers words that would mean something entirely different if uttered by the likes of Allardyce or Pulis. Sunderland may have a lousy disciplinary record, but experience suggests they will get close, restrict the space available to us to weave our patterns, and tug shirts or trip players rather than set out to maim.
Destroyer-in-chief Cattermole misses the game through suspension, which may increase the opportunity of Bruce’s charges remaining eleven strong throughout. I have to say though that the outcome will depend on whether or not Arsenal can again establish the fluent, rapid-passing game that ripped Braga apart in the Champions League. In order to do that we will have to match the home team for effort and determination in the early stages. You’ll not be surprised to hear that I think we will do just that, and earn the right to improve our record in that particular neck of the north-east.
I am hoping, however, that we do not rotate too many players and try to build on the confidence that must be flowing through the eleven who started on Wednesday. On the assumption that we do not make wholesale changes I am pumping the ‘holic pound on a 3-1 away win at twelves. If you have a Skybet account then fourteens are available.
If you are making the long journey north then have a good day. My own journey north will be nowhere near as long, and provided there are no issues on the M5 I will be comfortably stationed in front of the television in time for kick-off. A word too for holic regular bt8bbnn who has managed to break three ribs. No jokes for a couple of weeks please as the poor beggar cannot laugh!
Arsecast
If you haven’t heard the arseblog arsecast yet, then do so when you have half an hour to spare. You’ll catch an interview with Peter Storey, subject of a couple of pieces here in the last week, including a review of his new book, True Storey. For those of a certain vintage there are a couple of interesting little insights. The Amazon link for the book remains in the sidebar of this blog.
Right, there is a bottle of rioja downstairs with my name on it. Time to get suited and booted so I can get stuck into it. Have a great weekend holics.
88 Responses to “Sunderland Away – Not A Time For Changes?”
Firest drink? Another 6-0?
Arsenal to Shine on Brightly and Drive Steve Bruce Quite Insane.
After Wednesday’s six-pack, Arsenal can deservedly trip the light fantastic as they beam their way northwards at light speed to set the Stadium of Light alight with a brand of football that shines like a shining torch in the spotlight and casts the shadows of dark black cats from the land.
In the land where L.S. Lowry painted his matchstick men and matchstick dogs, the Gunners can be expected to strike a light in this match and glow like young renaissance proteges in a gallery of artwork, painted with skill on a canvas of grass, as the old master holds tight to his pallet of magic and looks on to the tapestry, with a knowing smile Francaise to Pat the Ricefarmer in the Haystack.
Even without the glistening jewels, Robin, Theo, Nick and Aaron, in the chandelier, any repeat of the fast flowing, high-paced fare that was served up against Braga will surely be enough to ensure that the candles glow brightly in the candelabra and that Arsenal don’t return from Tyne and Wear feeling Tiny and Weary (Andrei Arshavin accepted, because he’ll be tiny and weary before he even gets there).
The Sunderland Echo will echo loud and long all around Sunderland town that the Gunners flew northwards like a Sunderland Bomber that didn’t bomb, but instead exploded like a footballing force of power previously unseen in climes where the wind blows gustily, the rain falls gurgingly, and temperatures drop gutsily.
In days of yore, long since passed (well, maybe even last season), Roker represented something of a Poker game with every chance that Arsenal would draw the Joker and bring the whole season down like a game of cards. But we have new aces in our pack to add non-rusting tensile steel to a back-bone sometimes previously prone to slipping a disc. Chamakh, Koscielny and Squilaci will bring skillful brushstrokes of the hardest metal to ensure Arsenal shine steely-bright, no matter how intense the flame in the local fire burns.
Vermaelen is likely to be the only change in my mind from the eleven who shone on Wednesday now that Young Wilshere’s star seems to have risen higher than Denilson’s sun in the Arsenal galaxy.
I’m gunning for an away win by two clear goals. I’d love another clean sheet on Manuel’s bed so that he can sleep soundly as the Echo echoes.
Newcy Broon seems appropriate tonight, barman?
Spot on ‘Holic sir.
If we show even a fraction of the spirit we showed against Braga then I think we’ll walk it. Sunderland may of beaten us last year, but I think this is a totally diferent Arsenal this time around.
Did you manage to get some scrumpy in? If so a pint for me please.
Cheers.
I am enjoying all this Peter Storey talk lately and will be sneaking a listen to the Arsecast asap as soon as this annoying work stuff gets out of the way,stupid mortgage and bills.
Sunderland v Arsenal always pangs me as one of my earliest memories was the trip up to Hillsborough in 1973 for the FA Cup SF. I threw out the program when I got home and got a rollicking from my mum going on about collectors items and stuff this kid could not comprehend. All I know is we lost and I discovered that contrary to the song “yes we could be moved” by a second division team.(I was just too young to remember Swindon 5 years earlier).
So I will have a coffee (not Irish) and look forward to the Chamakh Attack this weekend.
A tip of the hat and a drink of choice to BtM, pure poetry once again sir.
Ready to get stuck into Rioja any time, ‘Holic.
Gotta run somewhere so will comment later about the game but anyone who thinks Cesc isn’t happy/sulking needs to take a look at his twitter or take a look at Song’s interview on ATVO.
Cesc comes from behind on Alex and starts making fun of him in front of the cameras. A sad person doesn’t do that.
I’m building up a mental comparison list to see how we’re doing this season compared to last:
Liverpool away – win v draw, -2 points
Blackpool home – ? =Burnley?, no change
Blackburn away – loss v win, +3
Bolton home – win v win, no change
So we’re up by 1 point so far. Sunderland is a perfect chance to boost that tally.
In fact, a nice filtered coffee will do the trick…
Just for you bt8bbnn….
Get well soon me ol’ son 🙂
A blonde walks into a doctor’s office and tells the doctor she’s broken every single bone in her body. “That’s impossible!” says the doctor.
The blonde says, “No, it’s really true. Look!”. She then touches her leg with her index finger and screams “Ouch!”. Then she touches her arm and yells “Eeeeoooow!”. Finally she touches her ribs and can barely maintain her composure as the tears start to roll down her face. She says, “See, I told you I broke every bone in my body.”
The doctor rubs his chin, then conducts a thorough examination. “Well, miss,” he tells her, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is, you haven’t broken every bone in your body. The bad news is, you’ve broken your finger!”
1-2 away win for the great Gooners (I have a feeling Arshavin will be on the scoresheet again).
Keep on believing!
How rude of me….forgive please ‘holic.
Great piece as always. I’m inclined to agree with you that the result will go in our favour although am a tad more cautiously optimistic (Brucey is no mug – he’ll have his stall set out).
In a beer drinking mood tonight so I’ll begin on a Red Stripe please barman. One for yourself of course!
🙂
Sorry ‘holic…..I felt the need to mention, in line with current events and some of the recent utterings from Fat Sam’s ‘norf and sarf’…..
I’m beginning to fear for his mental health. Someone needs to have the men with white coats on alert……
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/9009565.stm
Yep, I got a real spring in my step and a good feeling about this weekend?
Anyone like the sound of top of the league?
Mmmm… yes please!
I’m off doing mental stuff so back on Monday… so i’ll start with a Carlin’ me Darlins’ 🙂
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Allardyce
sam sign at real…according to wiki of course
Thanks, holic for mentioning me in your blog body as well as the astute assessment of our chances against Sunderland, and Don for your funny and intelligent story which did not split my ribs but instead made me laugh inside painlessly!
Sunderland 0 Arsenal 9
chamakh 3
fabrigas 3
jack 2
vela 1
This is because no Diaby in, the team it fly and fly again like bolton and braga games he wasn’t there to slow the game,
Excellent analysis of the Bruce football style. I just think he’s one of those good people. We should take care of business as usuall tomorrow and come back with ALL THREE.
We must not get too self assured and overplay the ball in our own 3rd, or in the center of the park. I think we have too much FIRE POWER for most teams if we stay healthy (meaning if the healthy players don’t join the injured ones in the physio room).
Evening all – still buzzing from Weds night.
Snir @ 7 – ” Cesc comes from behind on Alex ” – you filthy beast !!
Catalan @yesterday – ok thanks mate, and your good self ?
Yes I’m still slaving. Most nights, by the time i get in here, everybody’s gone.
Salim
I think that’s is imposible are you joking?
Good evening one and all
Great post as usual from The ‘Holic, that’s why we all keep coming back, right?
3-1 is a good call. I’d happily settle for the old one-nil of course but in the form we’re in I’m not sure that we know how to score just one 🙂
It’s another great test for our back 5. If they perform like they did on Wednesday night, keep Bent and Gyan (he looks almost good enough to play for our lot) in check, then we might even keep a cleansheet. Fancy that?
I kind of like Steve Bruce but not enough to not wish a good drubbing on his team.
To plagiarise ‘Holic’s words: “Win the next match” and drinks all round please Sir Barman.
Come on you Mighty Gunners!
@ MtS # 12
Yes, good point, forgot about that. If we win we go top, even if it only for a day.
Back where we belong? Not ‘arf!
This is another stern test for our team the points are absolutely vital as chelski. Won’t drop any until they meet us! Man u will drop more points this weekend. I’m still buzzing and dreaming about the posibilitys after some of the best goals I’ve seen for long long time.
I do hate it when teams park the bus because in past we never had the players fit to prize open tight defences. Let’s hop for a win and no casualties please.
Half full glass of milk please
“I have to say though that the outcome will depend on whether or not Arsenal can again establish the fluent, rapid-passing game that ripped Braga apart in the Champions League. In order to do that we will have to match the home team for effort and determination in the early stages. You’ll not be surprised to hear that I think we will do just that, and earn the right to improve our record in that particular neck of the north-east.”
The key to the game on Wednesday and the key to the game tomorrow. Our work rate on Wednesday was better than I have seen in a long time. You earn the right to play The Arsenal way and the boys are working very hard to play that most scintiallting and beguiling style of football on offer outside the Iberian penisula!
@ lordgunner #13
Many thanks for the link and the laugh. I hear that there are poor souls with broken ribs in the bar so please be careful with the funny stuff tonight 🙂
Final word on Sunderland from me.
Did Brucey’s publicist vet this picture of the man himself?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-sunderland-will-look-to-deny-arsenal-space-
When he’s ready to retire from the beautiful game, I think a career in Xmas Panto beckons….
Sunderland are a rather good team but we are even better. We should win this game, but anything less than a focused and committed performance and they will punish us.
As I am off to bed now, pour a pint of John Smiths and give it to the next one to approach the bar.
plink, plink, fizz
Ecstatic that the came is on FSC live tomorrow, makes my day as I have missed 2 games and both have been on the box here in the states.
I wouldn’t have made this trip up norf but also missing WBA and sp*rs but have a nice little ticket for the chavs away when I get back to repair things!
Tomorrow could be close but I am really excited to see if we can keep up this scintillating Wengerball, we were so outstanding against Braga that I happily got quite merry on my own in a log cabin in the woods.
I think Vermaelen might make it back but I am quite curious to see if AW opts for Denilson instead of Song as his passing was just shocking or he should just tell him to stick with the breaking up (could have been an off day at the office). He might want to spell LJW, but I think the kid should just keep playing as he is on fire. Could we see Rosicky appear?
We have strength in depth for the first time in a long time even with the injuries we have, what I would give to see what his 1st choice 1st team would be if he did.
A Quilmes for me please ‘holic to start the evening as I am parched
A quick pint please barman – its late 🙂
(Guinness if you will)
One Nil to the Arsenal will do me. Like most others I believe that if we work as hard as they do, then our better players will take care of them once they get the chance to play.
Stuart Little to score the opener – get your money on it – I’ve just won a nice little bundle at the casino and I hope to take some more off the turf accountants tomorrow, with AA on the scoresheet.
Night all – any stragglers have a pint on me 🙂
Have we come of age? Tomorrow is a perfect test of that question. I know that Cesc will be setting a great example by fighting for every ball in all areas of the pitch, and Song will be following suit. Will everybody else participate in this endeavor?
For once I disagree with you `Holic, I hope we will see some rotation and that it will become the norm this season. With our level of injuries we already know we will have to rely on 25 players to win silverware. We finally have the required quality in depth and we ought to use it first to ensure everyone is match-fit and slots in the team seamlessly and then hope that a lighter load will help us avoid some injuries. That’s especially true for the younger players, requiring an 18 year-old to play 3 competitive games in a week is a sure recipe for short-term disaster. Chamakh deserves a break too if we want him to last until either one of RvP and Bentner is back. So I really hope we will see Denilson, Rosicki and Vela in the starting lineup.
Other than that it’s a sterner test than Bolton away so I agree with many that any score will do as long as we win it. It will keep us on Chelski’s heels and with some luck propel us further ahead from United.
Is there any Rioja left?
I doubt much of the squad will be changed. We actually played a full team against SC Braga, so the maximum I see changing is that Rosicky shall come in for Wilshere or Eboue may come-in also. If Jack does satrt its gonna be a bit difficult for him as Sunderland do have a physical presence to their game….
Matt, I diasgree- I don’t think the team will be rotated that often, atleast unless RVP is back Chmakh has to bear through the pain of starting all matches. The guy is clinical (touch-wood !) and we do need him to have a presence in the air, with Diaby and Tommy-V also missing….
http://armourysquare.wordpress.com/
Cheers,
DKD
proof that fat sam is on drugs:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/17/blackburn-sam-allardyce-inter-real
Beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beerbeer beer beer beer beerbeer beer beer beer beerbeer beer beer beer beerbeer beer beer beer beer….
@ Matt 30 (& good morning to ‘holic and all fellow Gooners).
In a way I see your point but I think it is perhaps too early to get into the business of squad rotation, other than a few enforced changes. The season has barely begun and I would suggest our best squad should be used against opposition like Sunderland (who have stole points from us in recent meetings). Chamakh must be feeling high on confidence following a summer of rest and given his adaptation into the team. I wouldn’t have thought he needs resting quite yet. In fact we should be taking advantage of that good form.
Although I would like to see the inclusion of Rosicky who I believe deserves a start, given his good form.
Either way, the team is looking strong so I expect nothing less than a victory.
C’mon you Gooners!!!
Late morning coffee for me please guvnor….the real drinking begins later.
another good read in the Guardian brings hope in the light of our coming of age:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/sep/18/manchester-united-sir-alex-ferguson
@2 Why are you so always critical of Arshavin. Shouldn’t you be glad you got him?
…….Wilshere’s star seems to have risen higher than Denilson’s sun…..Maybe not.
Hi honey, I’m home.
Missing being waited on already 🙁
RussianGooner, are you Usmanov in disguise? Just kidding! I like Arshavin and Denilson too and think they will be critical to whatever success we have this season, especially Arshavin’s offensive spark. BtM, he may be tiny but he is certainly not always weary. By the way, welcome home ‘holic. Maybe you can find a few good new places near home?
Hey Holic nice post Sir as always….
Would be nice to see the same squad I suppose confidence will high as well!
Come on you Almighty Reds!!! I always get the tingles in my stomach before the game it’s like going on a first date each time and I love it he he 😉
In my local waiting on game to start – come on you Reds
The game is on tv here in the us so I can watch at home while wife and daughter are off at junior gymnastics class. What a day! Just hope Arsenal can come up with a performance to match our expectations. C’mon you magic reds!
Wow… All of a sudden I’m a bit concerned…
Is it really what I feel, or is it the fact that the game is 20 minutes away??
Up the Arse!
WHAT a freak goal but I love it!!
Come you almighty REDS!!!!
What a break that was, it was like the first time we crossed the halfway line.
Horrible start to the game, great break.
Someone should tell LK6 to stop clearing to the middle.
Apart from an injury to Chamakh, that injury to Cesc was the last thing we need.
Hamstring injury, I suppose 3 weeks. He’ll probably miss the CC, W.B.A and Partizan and come back for Stamford Bridge.
I think my point is coming across very clear now. It’s too early in the season for players to have the stamina required by our style of play for 3 games in a week. Jack, Song, Arshavin and even Cesc were a bit jaded in the first half already, we were too approximative in positioning and passing. A fresh midfield would have done better imho.
LK is a hell of a defender. Man of the first half for me.
He’s awesome, but he should direct his header a bit more to the side… Those headers to the middle are quite dangerous.
Halftime and we have reason to be nervous as these affairs at Sunderland always seem to turn out to be. Snir Geuli, you were right with your feeling just before kickoff. What has been missing in the first half? Hopefully, Arsene will have some ideas and inspiration to kick us into gear, but his most likely remaining two substitutes are Denilson and Eboue so hopefully they can weave some magic?
They indeed have a lot of tough big guys in that Sunderland team…
The main positive for me is that with only 35% possession our defenders are showing their quality and it’s been a long time I’ve not felt so confident with Almunia in goal.
@bt8bbnn: agreed on the substitutes, the sooner the better as little Jack is a red card waiting to happen.
That game should have been finished after that FUCKING corner
END off
I’m disgusted!
Holy fucking shit….
94:54 when 4 minutes of added time were announced? Why did Dowd blow immediately after the kickoff but not immediately after the corner, at 94:12?Does anybody think Song deserved two yellows. I didn’t think so.
@Arthur: totally agree it’s a terrible decision, even more so considering there was not ground for 4 minutes to start with.
Aaaargh!
*practices penalty kick in backyard*
Yes unfortunately Song did deserve his 2 yellows, we can’t complain about it. We allowed Sunderland 11 corners! Poor poor team selection from Arsene, our midfield was jaded after 15 minutes.
Rosicki must be in hell right now…
The fact is that penalty should have been converted Rosicky is enough experienced to do this.
His do so called experience cost us that goal, Almunia fell as sleep at the end.
Almunia was immense , Arthur.
It was Clichy’s fuck all clearance. The only two players who didnt put in 100% today were Clichy and Rosicky.
Time for Gibbs to take over. Other than that, no real complaints . All the other guys were immense.
Nasri, Wilshere and Rosicky looked out of it in the first half but played much better in the 2nd despite Rosicky’s penalty miss. Denilson was good when he came on and almost put it away with his shot that went past the post. We looked solid defensively with the exception of Clichy at times. It looks like time to give Gibbs another chance.
I just think we were unlucky. We had chances to put the game to bed but failed to do so. How much better did we look defensively though? Another point away from home, at least we didn’t lose. Cheers.
Made an entry in my diary after the match it simply read BUGGER !
Unlucky? Lucky we were ahead for 77+ minutes let’s be honest.
Only two thoughts….We have the 2008 Almunia and long may that continue. Gibbs needs to start a few games, Clichy is fine helping us go forward but thought he had a nightmare defending yet again.
Overall a result we can live with I guess, nobody seems to be getting 3pts at Sunderland these days. Almunia man of the match.
In the final analysis it feels like a defeat but to play for as long as we did with 10 men we should see it as a point gained.
That said, they didn’t look anything special, and I think both the Mancs and the Chavs will take all 3 pts at Sunderland.
Rosicky – not good enough.
We ask the young uns to show mental strength and you can’t even make the keeper make a save 🙁
Oh f#&*!!! it happened…..someone has blamed Almunia for the goal already? Come on….he kept us in the bloody match…..
1971, Quite well expressed!
fuck fuckity fuck………….man shit shit shit what the hell!!!! last fucking second fuck u refree he should have blown before!! what the hell……my god everyone fell asleep dont blame clichy he was gud but got unlucky……we should only blame this on GOD who created the fucking referee!
Good evening all
I’ll try and draw on some positives.
We got one more point than we did last year. We’re still unbeaten and very much in-touch with The Chavs at this early stage in the season and that includes the assumption that they’re going to thump the men in orange tomorrow as well.
We seemed to play well in the second half with 10 men and generally defended very well for most of the match. We do seem to have received an decent injection of stell since the close of last season.
All the decisions seemed to go against us today, sometimes it’s like that, it could have been far worse. Sunderland were fortunate to be able to get that equaliser when the match was effectively over. Many people would argue that overall it was a fair result – I’m far too biased to agree with them of course 🙂
I feel a little guilty in that I may have jinxed our team last night when I said (#19) that we didn’t know how to score just one goal and that Gyan was a decent player so I’m going to plead for some mercy at the court of the GoonerHolics.
Strong consolation drinks all round please barman and one for yourself as well to help restore some cheer to our bar.
@True storey
How can u be so positive so soon….teach me sir.
someone give me a large dose of painkillers please
Holic / mark the spark… what was that WWII poster again?
Takes medicine (liquid), moves on to next game….
@ usama #69
Don’t get me wrong, I’m no saint, I can be as half empty as the next guy but honestly, what’s the point? Following and loving a team is a continual journey of highs and lows. It’s so unpredictable but that’s why we all love it, right? We all go into a match using the rear view mirror but it counts for nothing – on the day is always unpredictable. Today just wasn’t our day. My heart goes out to Rosicky, he must be feeling like a sack of poo right now.
But we’re still the Arsenal. We play Spuds on Tuesday with a bunch of kids – we can’t lose that game: if we get thumped they’ve beaten our kids/reserves – if we win, they can’t even beat our kids/reserves, heh! Bring it on!!!
i had placed 1 point @ blackburn & 3 @ sunderland. reverse that all the season is going as expected.
don’t want to nit-pick here, but tommy rosicky…a poor decision to blast the ball in that manner. wasn’t it?
chavs to play citeh next week and we should be in touching distance by the time our boys go on to play at stamford bridge. i’ll take a point point there btw.
until then let’s focus on the vela chipping in a goal or two against the scums and 3 point @ the grove next week, shall we?
Matt@57 – spot on. Song can’t complain (nothing reckless, just 2 simple yellows).
My gripe is with Nasri. Clearly the next pen taker as Arsene suggested in his ESPN post match chat. I can’t abide this fucking “I’ll take pens, but only if I’m not the one who was fouled garbage”. And yes I know some rather famous arsenal sons have taken this stance.
But to draw on some positives, I thought Squill and Kos were outstanding. Both aggressive and good in the air (it’s been a while huh?).
I can say with Rose tinted glasses though, it’s true what they were chanting about the ref – he had a dirty Kleenex in his back pocket.
@zicoinexile: I won’t be as harsh as Tim but I disagree with everything you said.
We should have won it, we had 4 clear chances to score in the second half (Arshavin twice, Rosicki and Denilson) when they had 2.
They closed us down very well (and have not lost at home in 2010). You’re having a laugh about United, they can’t seem to be able to win a game these days. As for Chelski, we’ll know more once they’re done playing the bottom 5 clubs of the table and Blackpool. I have a hunch that their relative slowness this season will expose them against mid-table and better teams.
Rosicki had a good game considering it’s his second game this season. You can’t judge a player by a penalty miss. Hoping for players to play rarely and slot in perfectly for the odd game is unrealistic, Arsene keeps doing it again and again unfortunately. With some luck injuries will force him to give everyone an incremental exposure this season.
As for the keeper bit, I too am really glad he is back to his best. He looked imperial during the entire game and is blameless on the goal. Actually the central defense was outstanding too.
@Tim: Clichy had a decent game until the 95th minute. The back 4 were constantly left exposed by the midfield except in the first 10 minutes and after Denilson came on up until we tried to preserve the score in the last 5 minutes.
Anyway agreed with True Storey, Catalan, 49 etc. 5 points in 3 tough away games leaves us still on target.
Need a relaxant, I’m way too wired… Perhaps a cognac will force me to contemplate life again.
Whoops almost forgot – lager top boss and keep em coming….
Oh and Jack – luv the Cruyff turn (my boy does a mean one and he’s 11), but after a couple you know the surprise element us kinda missing…
@True storey
u r right mate but im still going to be miserable today….see my brother and father are united fans…..they were all over me at the end…….i hope liverpool stuff them tomorrow then im going to feel better.
Plus mate im depresses cause it the same old same old arsenal( silenty cries) and i though this season we were past it. Hope its a freakin eye opener for the team…… still hard luck.
No Usama – God didn’t create the referee. It was something much darker….
@AFc
hahahaha
I like that Joy of Cesc heh! I’m old enough to remember that! Only a cursory glance in a bookshop you understand.
Another top please boss. It’s gonna be a long night…,
Sajit and Zico – chill guys. We must have been watching a different game? Rosicky put a good shift in. Let’s not confuse a shit penalty with an overall performance?
And what’s with the Clichy nonsense Sajit? Yes we have an outstanding understudy, but Clichy didn’t have a bad game. Let’s not forget he had/ has a little 5ft Russian midget who doesn’t track back infront of him heh!
@ Matt #74
Way to go! We’ve played 3 tough away fixtures lots 2 of the same fixtures last year. That’s an improvement in my book. The fact that a draw feels like a defeat today also speaks volumes.
Whatever you’re drinking and order one for me too please 🙂
Bugger! Meant to type …”We’ve played 3 tough away fixtures, 2 of which we lost last year”…
It’s been a tough day 🙂
Boys the action has moved to another post – hey ‘hols how about giving us a heads up eh pal? 🙂
@ AFC1974 #81
Aww…. for all of his faults, can’t help but like The Meerkat – he’s one of those special ones isn’t he? He’ll come good in other games for us, I’m sure of that.
“5ft Russian midget” – heh!
Fucking ref decided the game. Matt you are correct with your vision, i have seen games like this befofore.
hey we will alyways be trash FUCKING English Media:
.
Tim Merrick @ 65 – I wasn’t blaming Almunia for losing the game – I was merely stating that Tomas Rosicky hit a woeful penalty – as one of our experienced players I expected him to show the mental strength that Arsene Wenger continually talks about. Unfortunately he didn’t.
In the circumstances it wasn’t a bad result but a god awful way to finish the game. Convert the penalty and none of the debates above would be taking place.
Matt we will have to agree to disagree – I think both Utd and Chelski will win there. Time will tell.
I’m not sure if this will work Catalan Gunner?
But for bravely staying in the Public bar whilst the Saloon bar was filling up i’ll try for you 😉