Veni, Vidi, Vici, But With The Handbrake On?
Nov 30th, 2010 by 'holic
I recall an occasion when the old man sat me down after a school report had turned up in the post. English and Maths, the minimum requirements I thought, got me good comments. Sports brought glowing tributes. I was a bit surprised then when he started having a pop at me about Latin. “No doubt the boy has the capacity to shine, but puts in the bare minimum to get through from one stage to the next”.
I suspect a few young wide-eyed lads are getting a similar dressing down from Le Boss as I type a hastily-assembled report on what appears to be a very good night indeed. Arsenal’s 2-0 triumph over Wigan, and Manchester United’s astonishing 4-0 drubbing at West Ham, has provided ammunition for those who insist that the Beer Cup provides our first chance of silverware since 2005. Young minds may consider the fatherly advice unjustified. They would be wrong.
Not surprisingly Arsenal went with those most in need of games. Four strikers named, with van Persie, Walcott, and Vela appearing to share the Cesc role at different times. The usual formation, not surprisingly, didn’t always hold, but Wigan were ill-prepared to take advantage of any confusion. Chances came, mainly to Vela, and went. Criticism of the Mexican would be harsh. He showed his determination early on, chasing back when an attack broke down and picking up a yellow card for a gentle tug on a breaking opponent. Worse would continue to go unpunished all night by the hapless official that is Martin Atkinson.
The final ten minutes of the first-half provided heat for a shivering crowd. Two handball shouts, and one looked a nailed-on penalty, were ignored either side of the opening goal. We may have a team full of strikers, but it took Wigan’s unfortunate Alcaraz to put through his own net. Credit the man from East Lower for the first ‘escape’ gag on Twitter, with a deserved silver medal for ‘holic Avenell, calling the goalscorer a rock. You just have to chuckle.
The main talking point at half-time was Vela. Thrilling one minute, and clumsy the next, the Mexican never hid, and continued to show in the second-half. I felt for him. Unable to convert any of the chances created for him, he turned creator instead and provided the cross from which Bendtner scrambled home the second. The pair of them had a big opportunity to stake a claim for greater involvement in the side going forward, but neither grabbed it. Perhaps this was their Latin lesson?
Before tonight, Manchester United were considered by some to be the only remaining threat. I’m sure most would have considered their much-depleted side should have been able to account for a sub-strength West Ham side. Four unanswered goals tell a different story. Now we are up against the Hammers, Birmingham or Villa, and Ipswich or West Brom. Those who think we have won the bloody thing forget our home defeat against the Baggies this season, and perhaps underestimate the others in similar fashion.
Everybody in the squad, because they may all feature, needs to understand we have done enough to get to this stage of the competition. Taking the next two steps to land the prize that is so important to so many means treating the competition, and whoever we get, with the utmost respect. The father in Arsene will surely have got the better of him tonight? These players must understand he is giving them very, very good advice.
99 Responses to “Veni, Vidi, Vici, But With The Handbrake On?”
1st
2nd?
Slackers..
4 pints of plain please barman.
With the semis over two legs the final beckons. Surely?
Vela is today’s whipping boy unfortunately. The kid hasn’t played much and as you said tried today.
Didn’t see the first half but a real plus for me was to see vanPersie get a decent outing and pull some strings from deep. Sounds from some comments I have read that he had a good first half too ?
I think Wenger pulling him and Wilshere out was a sign of 1. caution in the snow with upcoming games in mind and 2 . that vanPersie and Chamakh will at some point feature in a 4-4-2 with the dutch maestro in a “floating” role behind the Moroccan in some games when we are having a tough time breaking through the parked bus. We may even see it as soon as this weekend against Fulham. It’s exciting.
Good win tonight, but as you say ‘holic, we should not take anything for granted and treat whoever we get with respect and application.
Pint of black please. Cheers.
FOUR!
Hells bells, I’m joining aj π
I’m sure the four are in celebration for each of West Ham’s fine goals, ‘Holic. I’ll join in as well.
On my way home now. Bloody freezing. On the central line with my 11 year old who has just dropped off to sleep. Still got a bit of tommy soup left so will finish that off first. Just to warm the old cockles you understand. Not a great game but a win is a win.
Up the Gunners.
Hope nipper enjoyed it while it was happening, Steve.
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Gibbs to start at left-back forever and ever. Please, ArsΓ¨ne… je vous en supplie…
π
Thanks to West Ham we will not need to vinci Vidic. My apologies for the incorrect conjugation. It’s not that I was bad in Latin, just that I never enrolled in a course. We are in the semis but must not take anything for granted because this is a big opportunity for silverware.
Holic what stream do you use , I tried all through the game but only get about 2 mins of play before it stops , then I try another I tried loads on myp2p I have even paid for” live football ” but never seem to get one that works well I must be doing something wrong any help guys i’d be grateful Cheers
danny: Maybe you are cursed? Seriously, I only tried in the last 10 minutes of the match using the link suggested by Harsha and it was as smooth as can be. How about our 2 game win streak? Dare we ask for more?
Pretty much chopping and changing most of tonight myself, danny. I did leave the best links on the drinks for the preview…
A stuttering performance, but the result was all that really mattered. It was probably quite difficult out there and it’s just as well that Wigan didn’t really have any belief.
A few of the boys got some valuable game time, which will only help.
Crowd never got going, may have been the cold and the less than fluent performance. I got a bit pissed off with those doing the Mexican wave. Watch the game ffs.
Vela, certainly didn’t hide and at least he showed some desire at times. Needs to sort out his footwear though.
Nice to have a semi final to look forward to.
A chivas regal please, it was bloody cold out there tonight.
CoYRRR’s
We seem to get better defensive performances without our first choice pair of CBs, whoever they happen to be. Is that because Djourou is real quality?
not sure about 442 but at some point we need to start with 6 of our 7 best players. Song, Fabregas, Wilshere, Nasri, Chamakh, RVP, Arshavin. With all due respect to the others, Denilson, Diaby, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Bendtner, Vela, they are the second team at the moment, IMO. Personally, i would like to see us use the christmas Tree formation, as we currently do not have a decent winger. Gibbs, is about our best option there and the CT formation allows the full backs to really bomb on. Also it is time to give Djourou a run in the team, with LK and SD rotating. My preferred x1 if everyone is fit
Fabianski
Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Gibbs:
Fabregas, Song, Nasri:
RVP, Arshavin;
Chamakh;
Wilshere is very unlucky not to make my starting x1, as is a fit Ramsey, but with this formation, it is so easy to slot in the ones missing out, in fact the only player without a ready made replacement is Song, Denilson can (sometimes) do the job, but Eastmond is not ready. Frimpong & Coquelin could prove to be the answer in a couple of years, but personally DM (Vertonghen or Inler) and CH (Cahill with TV5 still out) would be the 2 main areas of strengthening for me, unless of course, Bendtner and Vela get pissed off and RVP remains a brittle bone. Then we might need 2 of Gameiro, Suarez, Lukaku, Hazard.
I agree with quite a bit of that ‘holic
It was a funny old game. The one word I would use to sum it up is rusty. It seemed all very disjointed at times although we should hardly be surprised. Loads of changes from the weekend did not help the continuity and fluidity of the game. It was a good run out of the likes of Theo, RVP, Bendtner, Vela etc. All got valuable game time.
I agree with the comments about Vela. He did not have the greatest of games but never hid. I so wanted him to bury the 1 on 1 in the fisrt half. It would have done his confidence no end of good.
The enigma for me is still Theo. I think we all want him to do so well and be that world beater we all hope he can become. But he had so many runs at the full back today that he lost out in, and that is a concern for me. Again he needs games to hopefully recapture the form he showed at the start of the season.
Had fun taking my 11 year old daughter. She loves it. Numerous layers, tommy soup in a flask and she was fine. It did not take her long before she turned to me and said, ” I think the ref is a Wigan fan.” Now if she noticed it?????
Another win and a semi to look forward to. All that when you have not played that well. Can’t be too bad can it. Now, bring on Fulham.
Up the Gunners…….
One last thing, Emily (my 11 year old) now wants to sing the Nasri song at her school end of term assembly. I am up for it, she is well up for it, her younger brother will love it and will be very proud of her. Mrs T on the other hand????????????????????????????
Just got home guys I will give my thoughts of the game when I feel rested enough to do so….it was as Steve T said very cold and team that was selected tonight didn’t show it’s full potential if you ask me.
Vela missed a sitter to start with there was abot 100 hand balls to deal with and Mr Atkinson did not reflect but managed to book Vela from the begining!
Theo was the target man and he failed to deliver, I think yet again he’s lacking confidence for some starnge reason. I don;t know what it is but as sson qas he will get a goal we have same Theo as we did in preseason.
We looked like we could score 10 tonight each time teh end product was just not there….
Either way we are through to teh Semis….
Steve T
Na na na na na na na na na na…..Samir Nasri ….Nasri……………… Samir Nasri….
Na na na na na na na na na na…..Samir Nasri ….Nasri……………… Samir Nasri….
Na na na na na na na na na na…..Samir Nasri ….Nasri……………… Samir Nasri….
Na na na na na na na na na na…..Samir Nasri ….Nasri……………… Samir Nasri….
*the (always the same mistake)
Just home from game and happy with way things went, we done the job , that’s all that matters and as I predicted earlier mancs fielded weakened side and went out, happy days. Went in tollie after game and had couple of Guinness with a port dropped in, what a lush drink, thanks for the tip Norfolk dumpling
Hail ‘Holic and ‘Holics. Didn’t watch the game but followed live text commentary. I’m very happy that we are into the Semis. Now we just have to remain focus and avoid the mistake of underestimating our next opponents. Let’s get a good run going. Gunners4life!!!! Big up yourself ‘Holic for your top blog!
Ice Cold Heineken please Barman!!
“focused”
bc, Suarez could be a good addition, especially with RVP playing at most half our games anyway.
‘holic, Just one song, Time is on My Side, comes to mind when I see the Sp**s countdown clock on your homepage. 50 years will be here soon!
New here…
Overall good game for the players who needed playing time. Very excited to see, RVP looking confident out there. We need his quality in our starting 11! Hopefully, soon! I’m still not sure about, Vela. Perhaps, he needs another loan? Important thing here is we advanced and that’s what matters atm. These young guns need a taste of victory!
For those who have trouble watching lovely Arsenal online here are a couple of links I turn to when I can’t watch the games LIVE on TV.
http://atdhe.net/index.html
Also, Google…veetle (best quality streaming)
That never seems to fail the majority of the time. (Holic, hope you don’t mind me posting, but I like to help out.)
A nice hot cup of joe for me please. Haven’t been feeling well these days.
Nice thing you got going here, Holic! Cheers from Boston!
Evening Holics! (Or maybe top of the morning…) I’ll take a quick pint of Guinness, if the barman’s still awake.
I wanted to add to a great conversation that I was overjoyed to see RVP’s skill back on the pitch. He’s two should’ve been assists two Vela were so stunning and precise, I had forgotten almost what he can bring out of a game. Happy to see him pop back from death as well after that one challenge. I also thought Eastmond looked the part, for the time he got.
Cheers to a victory! On to Saturday.
Oh Lord…
Can you guess what nightmare I had during the night, holics?
I dreamed that ..we blew our 2-goal lead, with Wigan leveling the score at the 90th minute.
Oh dear…it’s more serious than I thought…
Some strong coffee for me please, barman.
..and the adress of a good shrink π
Plenty of booby traps among the teams still left in, Birmingham and Villa in particular. Don’t think lightening will strike twice with WBA or that WHU will find their shooting boots again across the two legs of the semis, but stranger things have happened in cups, and we’ve got previous at the Emirates against both clubs. If Ipswich get to the semis they’ll be on an underdog’s run, so there is no room for complacency. This is a winnable pot, highly winnable, but the team has really got to want it all the way in.
A glass of your finest claret for this crisp November night, if you would, ‘Holic.
I see it is in fact a crisp December morning. How time flies. Perhaps I’ll join Loft and RVP’sRF in the coffee, with a small cognac to help it down.
@BT8BBNN
No problem mate. π
I had to struggle with streams for half an hour before I found a decent one.
@bc Agree with you on that. Arsene would have to drop someone from the starting XI to include RVP. Would love to hear all the Holics’ choices on this one. But, invariably one of those 7 bc mentions is injured at any given time. hmmm…
I’m real worried though about us not finishing at the top of our CL group. It’s gonna be a tough knockout fixture, I feel.
Brilliant post, Steve T and cheers Arthur.
RvP’s right foot: I actually could recommend a very good therapist that I’ve been seeing for the past two and a half years who uses dreams as one of the tools for finding issues to talk about – although you would have to travel to Stockholm once a week to see her π
Could only see very small patches of the game last night due to very choppy streams, but it seems we were in complete control for most of the game. ManU getting royally shafted does of course now mean that we have become massive favourites to win the whole cup, but I would agree with the ‘Holic in that we must not think this is a done deal. Yes, over two legs we should beat any of the remaining teams quite comfortably but even assuming that, there’s still a final to play and who knows how this team would react in such a situation? We have a great opportunity to win it, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.
Cup of tea with a shade of milk, please!
like lots, had difficulties with streams , thanks for the links
just want to mention , from very jerky pictures I saw, our problems with our right side
Eboue seemed to have a very off day, and Theo likewise, but the issue is that they do not link well. Theo did a couple of give and go, but EE was already passing inside. I did see one attempted pass, but it was very casual and off line. Is this a training ground issue, that EE is getting the hang of short passes finally but can only do one thing at a time
Sympathy for Vela but in a Mexican shirt he does know how to score..
Just had a sprinkle of snow here but not at all envious of you lot up north – take it easy out there
@Lars:
Thank you for the tip. However, I think I have already identified the root issue of that dream: I still haven’t quite swallowed what happenned against sp*rs. All it will take then, is a good thumping on our hands, at their place next time we meet. That and a back-four without Clichy in it. π
Thank you again for the invitation though, it’s not as if I needed yet another reason to finally visit Stockblond– err Stockholm I mean π
Back to the topic of less-than-stellar full-backs: When was the last time EbouΓ© had a “good” game, let alone an impressive one? When was the last time you saw him play and thought ” yeah! We’re lucky to have him! Now THAT is a great defender AND he brings something forward! What’s more? He can take a tackle without either diving or making a meal of it. Aah, he’s as much a legend on the pitch as he is off it.”?
Barman, I’m in need of more cafeine at the moment, π and another one for Lars, please. Oh, and the best Abba album you have got at the bar π
Cognacgunner @ 38 – now 14 and a half inches of snow in my driveway, Edinburgh AND Gatwick airports both now closed and my trip to the Fulham game in serious doubt.
God must be a Spud π
zico @40
every symp on snow and Fulham trip
on subject of God – when we win all our matches this month and then win v my sons club in the cup ( I forget their name) then ask me again …
Feeling very tired today π
I think I’ll have an early night tonight.
Zico
I feel your pain yet again not good news on the weather front then, that’s just typical when you’re looking forward to a game like this one coming up.
Barman something to cheer up Zico please…
Cheers Guys – hope springs eternal and all that.
Cognac, I like the “WHEN we win all our matches this month…..” that’s some real positive thinking going on there so I’m just gonna join in.
And, since I am snowed in and meant to be “working from home”, I think I will just sit back and watch last nights game on ATVO…..
Keep them drinks coming π
I haven’t commented for a while, ‘holic, apologies for that. Lots of work and running around and blah blah blah.
I particularly liked the statement “the Mexican never hid” today. I thought exactly the same thing. The criticism that he was not involved enough in this game could not be leveled at him and I think he deserves some credit. I feel this was a step in the right direction.
Keep up the great writing, always reading if not posting.
Andrew
A wins a win and that’ll do.
On a bloody freezing night all of them out on the pitch had their good points and bad points.
Theo terrorises defences, they were scurrying all over the place at times, but couldn’t get tellingly past their left back.
Vela missed a glorious chance but provided another angle when playing left wing in the 2nd half.
Bendtner a lampost lol until he was in the right place at the right time eventually lol
Eboue, just plain daft π love him though for some reason
And the list goes on…
At least the stewards wern’t over officious and let us stand for good periods, – all of the 2nd half.
With the ground mostly full of day tripping non regulars taking their kids for the first time (rightly so I might add) the ‘singers’ were spread around and it was hard to get any songs going. Most of the ‘regulars’ of block 6 had the night off I think. The Nasri song being particularly popular… no wonder Steve T’s D likes it so much, it was sung for ages whilst he was warming up in front of us (2nd half).
With the right mentality this cup could well be ours.
A train journey back half full with spammers was *not* the perfect end to the evening π although there wasn’t any trouble or anything, just uncomfortable. Is it a requirement of WHUFC that their supporters must be ugly and have bent noses? π
LOFT!!!!
good to see you here mate whats up!! how come your not feeling well…..cheers!
Right now lets get to the final…
A Green Tea and Lemon Grass please Holic
USAMA!
What’s going on there? Been feeling a bit sick (common cold). Glad to see you here man. I’ll try posting here more often. Cheers fella!
Lars, I wouldn’t mind talking about my dreams to a blonde Swedish lady so I’d appreciate it if you could slip me her number on the sly?
8ball: come on, children could be reading this site. Keep your dirty fantasies to yourself π
Norwich stuffed Ipswich – with Lansbury having a great game, what a prospect he is.
Barca stuffed Real Madrid and Mourhino looked really pissed (bloody cheat!).
Hammers hammered Manure, has Fergie been seen since?
We are in the next round of the Carling Cup and I understand from the radio commentary that RVP has lost none of his class and he isn’t injured again – yet. What a great few days of footy, ahhhhh – life is good! A very large Powers to celebrate with please.
Lars
We all have our dreams you know π
Is there a better bit of news one can get than hearing that his dad just met someone who has a season ticket with two tickets on the halfway line and he’s willing to give them to you when you’ll go to England since he no longer lives in England? This is by far one of the best days ever..
Snir, England is cancelled due to snow.
You heard it here first π
Snir Geuli –
Give or sell?
Giving them would be a fantasy come true much less good news!
I love this tweet from Schezney regarding clean sheets…
…airs of confidence!
http://twitter.com/53szczesny53
Afternoon Gents.
I haven’t managed to see any of the game yet, will dredge the interweb to find highlights and if that (godforbid) fails, I’ll put my preconceptions aside and (try to) watch the football league show on the beeb.
________
29 behind the 8 ball but not nasri
“bc, Suarez could be a good addition, especially with RVP playing at most half our games anyway.”
Surely you don’t mean the Ajax player?
I watch a lot of the Ere Divisie and believe me, Suarez is a total cuntbucket, a cheat and a playactor, I certainly wouldn’t like to see our beloved club linked to a player of his “calibre”. Have you not seen the dispicable bitting incident that has seen him take a seven match ban? (far too leniant imho)
Anyways, a pint bof lager please squire.
Cheers.
Holloway2Holland –
Why don’t you watch the highlights on Arsenal.com?
Just did mate.
2 of whatever Goonertowns having please. Cheers.
Goonertown – give. I just can’t wipe the smile off my face..
Lars, maybe this isn’t the best locale to pursue my Swedish blonde but I was following the maxxxim of you never know. I suppose taking a flight to Mallorca and walking down the beach could be another option but considerably more expensive. Sorry ‘holic for any inappropriate use, if any. In my defence it must have been a subconscious memory of Ljungberg or was that Ekberg?
H2H no I’ve only seen Suarez in a few WC matches and a couple of Ajax CL matches where he scored a lot of goals and looked dangerous without biting anybody. He looked a great player but I’ll bow to your more informed view especially knowing he would be quite expensive.
Holloway2Holland –
Thanks mate, a lager and lime should do it!
Snir Geuli – You’re a lucky man. Barman whatever SG is having please!
Nice work Snir.
Evening all.
Brum one up against Villa.
I know he didn’t have much to do, but Schezeny (sp) really does give off an air of authority, which none of our other keepers do.
An extra cold Guinness please bartender.
Half time at St Andrews. 1-1.
If it’s of any interest to anyone:
Lech Poznan 1:0 Juve
-12 snowing as well pitch is like an ice rink im Poznan.
http://yfrog.com/n655897097p
Apologies about the earlier post Holic can you please delete π
Ipswich and Birmingham through. Good results for us on paper.
Cliche alert – “ah but the game isn’t played on paper……”
Man City and Lech Poznan are through in Europe league….
When’s the draw for CC guys?
I feel the effects of last night sore throat and very weak now where is Dr Catalan?
So Ipswich huh. That’s fair enough, and it’s better than having to play Birmingham/West Ham three times in a month anyway.
Ipswich. First leg away according to the draw. Could be worse…..
Ipswich Town, second leg at home. I like it. Will probably be two entertaining games, and even though I’m sure Ipswich will really have a go, we should be able to go through over 180 minutes. That’s too many minutes for us to make up for any possible (probable?) screw-ups.
Looking forward to it, and not in a “we’ll smash ’em”-way. No disrespect to Ipswich. Playing underdogs that has to go for a win always makes for a good game!
Ipswich away first leg as well.
I don’t wanna here anyone shouting OlΓ©’s already π
Think I’ll have a Bud please barman, one for yourself π
OlΓ©!
Sorry, couldn’t resist it π
Decent draw. Tricky, but I would still back us to go through.
And if we are up 6-0, I will accept a few Ole’s.
@Norfolk dumpling bet you loved that draw
Not convincing, but we got through. We fielded a team with 7 internationals, and while on paper it looked quite strong, too many of the players lacked sharpness because they have not featured regularly for the first team. It`s easy to criticize Vela for missing so many easy chances, but perhaps until he gets an extended run in the team he won`t be seen at his best. I`m still undecided.
What is in no doubt is that we have such a marvellous chance to win the competition, that we MUST field our strongest team from now on. AW must put out the sort of team he would put out for a Champions League final. Old red hooter thought his 2nd strings would roll over the hammers, and if this cup goes to form, we will be beaten semi-finalists. Bearing in mind our record over 3 decades in the League Cup of losing to supposedly inferior opposition (often lower league), nothing less will do.
“Thatβs too many minutes for us to make up for any possible (probable?) screw-ups.”
That should be –
“Thatβs enough minutes for us to make up for any possible (probable?) screw-ups.”
Happy with that result…first game in ages I missed entirely so was extra worried…turns out I don’t need to watch to secure a result !
I also see Eboue was wearing tights…..gloves and scarves are bad enough….but tights…come on…..
Ipswich….but for a twist of fate my local fate…thank God the old man was a Londoner
@ Arthur. She enjoyed it so much that I am now taking both her and her younger brother to the DW for the Wigan away game. Tickets booked, hotel booked and vocal chords warming up. Must be nuts.
Up the Gunners.
Barman, Pint o’ Liffey water please and here’s to a dashing and daring December for Arsenal. Any early odds against our beating both Manure and Ch**sea?
I had to wait until the match was available on ATVO to watch it.
Gibbs – Really an excellent player to watch. I’m a big fan.
Vela – I still like him. There’s a lot of competition for places, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wenger throw him in as a starter in a league match. Even if he didn’t score, his overall play is pretty decent I think.
Koscielny – Really good again, I thought. I have a lot of confidence in him to close players down. And I think he looks good playing the ball out from the back.
Djourou – I was concerned about him in pre-season, but he’s really coming along. He wins a lot of balls in the air, it seems to me. He looked like he could be turned by every run a couple months ago, but his form seems to have really improved.
Better leave it there, as they say.
Hi holics,
Read on the news that there was some trouble after the Birmingham-Villa game..that the birmingham fans rushed the field to confront the away fans. Shocking.
So… Ipswich is a good draw. But again the players, by now shoud realise that we are still not the final yet.
Whatever Snir is having, barman π
8ball: despite the increased cost, I think Mallorca would be a safer bet at the moment – this past week it has been so cold here in Stockholm that you’d be too busy trying to get yourself indoors and get warm to notice who’s blonde or not!
‘holic, i love the countdown to celebrate sp*ds’ 50 years of mediocrity.
won’t it be ideal if we can celebrate that by winning the league in may?
yes, i am a dreamer, but i’m not the only one π
ATG @71
one spectacular skiing trip my friends and I were suffering similarly – we found that a large shot of Vodka mixed with a sachet of Lempsip did the trick nicely – an “Auntie Beechams” it was called.
*This advice is not intended to replace any prescription drugs. Please read the label before consuming. Then try and read again after consuming.
Yes Glennw – a great draw for us I think, but we mustn’t be complacent. Come on you Gunners.
433 – I totally agree with your assessment of those players. Kos and Vela have both come in for a bit of stick and some of it was justified. I am convinced that Kos will be a great player for us in due course, reads the game well (mostly) considering his experience in the PL – or lack of it – is comfortable on the ball and as you say closes down players well (mostly).
I am a little bet less sure about Vela but he could make it with the right attitude all the time. He needs games.
Djourou – coming along nicely I think. Like you say a good header of the ball and has a physical presence.
Gibbs? Will be a star for Arsenal and England.
@Lars
So..You’re saying that she IS blonde..
π
RVP’s right foot: actually, if we’re still talking about my therapist, she is in fact a dark-haired American π
‘Holic(s) ‘ello
I’ll just order my drink and get the hell out…:)
Rum+icing sugar (confectionery..they call it) + lime juice + a little Gin.
That’s not too hard now, is it?
π
Wow! Ipswich, with the return leg @ home.
As I said before – we should try to win this. Play our strongest squad as this will be our priority between Jan-Feb. We could easily make up pace in the league from thereon!
Anyone with me on this? I want the Carling Cup!
Up the Gooners I say!
A G&T please Holic, as I’m off work today, due to a power cut at work!
Definitely agree that we need to play our very best team with the intention of winning the beer cup. Nothing less than that will do imo. Despite what Wenger will say, I believe where this team falls short is in the mental toughness. They are plenty capable of beating the very best of the very best but at times need to be convinced of how capable they are. Newcastle and the Spu*s are recent obvious examples. Winning a trophy might well be the turning point for winning bigger and better trophies.
Not underestimating our semi-final opposition but we really should be in a position to beat Ipswich (in 90mins let alone 180).
I’m clearly not alone in so saying but I BADLY want the Carling Cup. If nothing else it will silence those who keep [needlessly] repeating the mantra that we haven’t won anything for however many years…as though we have some kind of divine right, whilst ignoring ALL that has been achieved in the intervening period (stadium move, rebuilding the team, continually qualifying for CL, etc).
Sorry to go on but it irks me.
A cold Amstel for me please and for anyone else in the bar.
I just dont understand it
With 3 multi millionaires making the pressure count . good old England are eliminated in the 1st round, and Russia whose PM was too busy to attend , get the vote
If anyone has an explanation for this abject failure
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please keep it to themselves
rather than watch it regurgitated I went zapping and found a match to watch Villa 2 Us 4 being repeated on Bulgarian satellite tv. What a way to pass an afternoon in the snow in SW France – with more to come overnight – Zico please note
Hot toddies all round please barman
I think people have to bear in mind we may have eight games in January (if we beat Leeds in the FA Cup anyway, if we go to a replay and win that it would be nine games!), so it’s easy to say ‘play our best team in the semi-final’ but there may be some juggling to be done, especially if we’re still in the league running by then.
Yeah sure. Insert the word ‘possible’. In other words, the best possible team, as opposed to strategically weakened sides as Le Boss has tended to do previously.
The benefits will be immeasurable if we could bring home some silverware. Of course, I’m under no illusions Wenger is only too aware of that.
Sorry for the unintentional mixup ‘holic…..the previous post by ‘don’ is, as you know, ‘DonDaGooner’.
[Blinking mobile phones]