In The Panto Season There Have To Be Villains, So Welcome Stoke
Dec 17th, 2010 by 'holic
Let’s kick-off the weekend in the right order. The Champions League draw can be parked and wait. First up we have what is becoming our traditional last home game before Christmas against a manager who will not be warmly applauded by the Grove regulars. Last season it was Phil Brown, this time around It’s Tony Pulis, still fanning the flames with his pre-match utterances about Ryan Shawcross. Sums this bitter little man up really.
“He made an honest, committed challenge and has nothing to be worried or ashamed about. We are very, very proud of Ryan at Stoke because he’s been a big part of what we’ve tried to build here over the last four or five years. Personally, I don’t give a damn what anybody else thinks.”
Arsene Wenger has shown considerably more intelligence with his suggestion that Arsenal supporters show their opponents respect. This being the last game before Christmas means that thousands of fans will be starting the party season at lunchtime so I suspect that respect is going to be in short measure for Shawcross and Pulis. I am liking what I am seeing online though with regard to acknowledging Glenn Whelan for comforting Aaron Ramsey in the immediate aftermath of the Shawcross assault at the Britannia in February.
The atmosphere at the game may be a little more hostile than usual, but that hostility could turn to frustration if we allow Stoke to get a foothold in the game. This being the last game for nine days I would expect Arsene to go with what he considers his strongest side. Interestingly I’m not sure anybody is clear on what that side is. I would not be surprised to see Szczesny retained in goal and Fabregas return for Rosicky.
The only other question would be Chamakh or van Persie up front. Playing the Dutchman ahead of Nasri on the right is a non-starter, I believe. Normally I would suggest he might be preferred to Arshavin on the left, but thinking back to the corresponding fixture last season the little Russian played up top and scored in a 2-0 win, so I would start him on the basis of ‘horses for courses’. Regulars will know I am a big Chamakh fan, and for me Robin hasn’t shown enough to oust the Moroccan just yet.
The back four will need to be disciplined and attack anything launched into the box, whether by hand or hoof, because the dangerous Jones and the industrious Fuller will give them a real test. Let’s not forget also that the curse of the returning player could be applied by Pennant, although his confidence will not have been boosted by the middle-aged man in the baseball cap’s (© Arseblog) assertion that he is not worth the £6m required to make his loan move permanent.
I have to believe there will be a determination to ‘do it for Aaron’ tomorrow, so I am taking us to eventually grind down a dour defence 3-0, but would not be surprised to see the goals coming late. 7/1 is freely available on that bet, and to make life interesting I have a little back-up on the same scoreline with Cesc to score first. It would not be a surprise if a penalty were to provide the opener. 31/1 was the unusual figure I have taken on that.
Now, if you are coming to the match tomorrow be prepared for a traditional panto, with lots of “He’s not that kind of player”, “OH YES HE IS!”, and look out Pulis, “HE’S BEHIND YOU!” Seriously though, if you are braving the subzero temperatures let’s give it a full lungful. We need to do our bit if we expect the team to do theirs as well. I’ve a feeling it could be a lively one, just like the good old days.
Barcelona It Is Then
There is no point in getting worked up about this one too early. We have thirteen to fifteen equally important matches to play before the first-leg and hopefully we will be in the hunt for all three domestic trophies before coming face to face with the tappers up from Catalonia.
Anybody bemoaning the draw doesn’t understand what European competition is about. I want to see the best that Europe has to offer, and having watched Barca destroy Real Madrid a few weeks back I reckon that is exactly what we have. It may be to our benefit that they have peaked in the first half of the season, and may hit a sticky patch in February. Of course ideally we would have preferred to save them for later, but they have to be beaten at some stage if we are to win old big ears at last, so let us do it early and scare the living crap out of the rest of Europe.
Online Store Christmas Deadline
More carefully disguised shameless begging here. If UK readers want to order anything from the online store for Christmas then the deadline for anything requiring printing has already passed. However, anything not requiring printing can be ordered up until 5pm on Monday. Now if you are intending to order anything of course I would be grateful if you clicked through to the store via the banners on this page. End of blatant plug.
Have a great weekend ‘holics, and if you see me shivering under the brolly on Saturday, pop in and buy me a large Jamesons!
Cheers.
76 Responses to “In The Panto Season There Have To Be Villains, So Welcome Stoke”
Bring Barca on. With Fab, RvP, Verm back and firing, we can beat anyone. Time to show the boys of Qatar what we think of them.
But first there is the small but crucial matter of Stoke. I could go for a more traditional Arsenal scoreline of 6-0.
Can’t believe someone got a drink in before me.
Laphroaig please, maestro!
Cider please, guv.
Leapfrog?
A pint of Maotai please, squire and a drink for you and your friends.
I hate Stoke! Hope we batter them tomorrow!
Jameson on the rocks please barman…
Delighted to see you here boys. Hoping to make the 9.29 just in case there are any weather delays. If not I should be under the brolly before midday.
Let’s get the party started 😉
See you there, ‘holic.
ETA very vague due to current ‘up to 45 minutes’ delays on Eurostar.
Still expecting to be there before 1pm.
We now have a chance to pull a strong run together, maintain our position at the Premiership summit, take a few steps closer to silverware and build the confidence bank account before meeting the Catalans!
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Pulis still fanning the flames? The challenge was forgotten no sooner had it happened, it was Whinger that has kept this mindless pathetic vendetta alive and if you read the interview in it’s entirety you would have seen that those comments are in response to exactly that.
Whinger made a lie up about Shawcross to discredit him this season, he hasn’t apologised, but I guess you think that’s not fanning the flames? Seems it’s not too hard to pull the wool over your eyes eh?
I just hope the game is a good one and the referee protects us from your thugs; Arsenal – the dirtiest team in the league – FACT.
It’s so sad that there are so few places to have a genuine conversation about a football game, I guess this is what the ‘EPL’ has become….
so lonestar, you live in the states! another plastic fan!
I’m proud to be an American, you xenophobic troglodyte.
I generally never wish injury on anyone. But I reserve that treatment for mere Neanderthals like piss-potteragers. Come back when you decide to play football instead of rugby.
why don’t you learn to speak english properly, you ignorant little man.
Save us from internet trolls.
Anyway to be honest I’m not too fussed about getting Barcelona, better to get stuffed by them than by Man Utd or Chelsea at a later stage to be honest. And hopefully we’ll have a good go at it anyway.
As for tomorrow, please let us just beat that prat Pulis and his team.
lonestar goon, why are you even interested in football? why not go and watch the girls game of rounders, sorry baseball?
Looks like we need a bouncer, ‘Holic. The bar is getting a bit unruly tonight.
actually i have 2 degrees. how qualified are you?
Americans really don’t get irony do they? Hilarious!
Jog on glory-hunters, I’m off to support my LOCAL team…
@Stokie, I thought you were leaving. Also, based your above contributions to the discussion, I would assume that you are referring to yourself as well when saying no one knows anything about football here.
wow you have to wait a long time for lonesome goon to reply. he must be looking up all these long english words in his dictionary.
Kudos, sb. Kudos. (that means congratulations, by the way)
I didn’t believe you piss-potteragers could count? Alas, I must apologize because we adults don’t count grade-school certificates as degrees.
As for me, I have three. However, since I am sure you do not recognize integers higher than two, I will just say that I have more degrees than you.
@sbstokie, I am hoping for a clean game of football tomorrow too. Although considering our opposition, I’m trying to keep my expectations low.
I wonder when the sane people are going to come in here…
Looks like we might get a bit of calm, Charlie.
I apologize ‘Holic. (Now, I have been rightly chastised.)
I just lost my cool there a bit.
Play nicely with the xenophobic wankers Lonestar, please.
Stokie. Actually I support my LOCAL team as well, but if I were you, I would move.
Now fuck off.
Apologies ‘holics. Not like me I know, but those of you who have been to Stoke will know that is all they understand.
Drinks anyone?
Will do, sir.
May I make amends by buying you and the other ‘holics a cold beverage of your choosing?
I’m not afraid of big, bad, barca by-the-way.
Up the arse!
I am Lonestar 🙂
But they are not unbeatable if we can get a full side out against them this time, or at least half a side more than the stiffs we had to play last year.
Silvestre on Messi? That hurt. Song, sit tight, do your job, and we can take them.
‘Holic,
What is there to fear? Nothing, but fear itself.
Hercules beat the mighty Barca, and we (figuratively and literally) are stronger than Hercules.
I say, “Damn the torpedoes; full speed ahead.”
Great post Holic as usual…top man!
I agree about Barca 100% if we have to beat them and if it has to be in the next round so be it. We are the Arsenal and we fear no one I say, bring on Puyol’s long face I say!
It definitely looking brighter this time around and hopefully with a fully fit squad we can make amends for last season ah?
You certainly did a bit of cleaning up Holic there was more posts from he’s not that kind of a player followers, a clean game is a must I know our crowd will give it all they can to Pubis and his pupil, including you kind Sir
Lonestar
Let’s rip them to shreds it’s about time they got a proper hiding!
Nasri
Yes it’s me ArthurTheGooner 🙂 ATG souds different and not so old 🙂
For those of you going tomorrow make sure you wrap up warm. I’m sure a little Holic flask is in order to keep even warmer, make as much nose as you can on my behalf for the lads and obviously have a great day!
Come on you ALMIGHTY REDS!
*noise
Evening Holic & Holic`s
Yet again poor blogs by our rivals pulls them in to a great
Arsenal blog to spout propaganda and leave with a flea in their ear ( and nothing they didn’t deserve )
A home game ! starting to prefer the away ones at the moment. Do we believe that home form has suffered because the players feel too much pressure in front of their own supporters ?
Or so it has been written then so it must be true ! Ha I say, its nothing more than the glorious reds are yet to find their stride this season, a constant changing defensive line up along with some key injuries has seen us falter against teams it must be said would have been dispatched at home last year.
Inconsistent form which will soon change when VP and the Verminator and of course Cesc find there boots again. Are best defender has been missing all season, VP is cursed by spud pikes and voodoo dolls and Cesc`s hamstring has been a constant worry.
Yet here we are sitting pretty and fighting at the top of the PL were we belong. The CL draw against Barca come on that was a given before anything was pulled out of the proverbial hat. As long as we put up a better showing I will be happy win or loose.
Excuse the extended absence fellow Holic`s but work has been as are colonial brothers would say “A BITCH”
A drop of brandy tonight please barman.
One Aaron Ramsey…
Loving these Stokie boys. Make you realise just how lucky we really are.
Gonna be freezing tomorrow. Flask and tommy soup ready. Looking forward to a few scoops and free chips in the Tollie after. Just to toast kicking fuck out of those little poor northern softies.
See you all for a pint later boys.
Pint of Alexander Keith’s for me barman, it’ll liven me up on a slow Friday night. Tomorrow for me is one of the games that defines the season (slight exaggeration). Of course we need beat the big teams, but simply put, we need the points when we’re expected to get them. If United win and then win their game in hand, we are 8 points back. Damned if Stoke is going to help contribute to that…
Again, nice to see the appreciation for Glenn Whelan, he definintely proved his worth in that. I hope he gets cheered as loud as Shawcross gets abused.
Nice job holic!
3 points tomorrow for Aaron and back on top of the league! The KGB to batter Man IOU in Fulham!
Bring on Barca! Still detested for their filth over the summer with Cesc but at least they’re not afraid to play football against unlike the so-called, and cowardly, “big teams” in the EPL (reference; old red nose shutting-up shop last Monday in his own back yard)! We’ll have all our big guns back for Barca and this time it’ll be very different! Finally, Arsene and the lads can show what they’re all about for the world to see and fear! Genuinely think that we’ll put on a great show against Barca and move on from strength to strength!
A double of your vintage malt in celebration of a pending European classic if you please kind sir! At long, a true European tie to behold!
Good one, ‘holic. Stoke as the main priority before we scare the living crap out of Europe later on. I’ll drink to that.
No team,not even barcelona, are unbeatable.No player ie Bale,Torres,messi,Rooney, cannot be marked out of a game. Having said that Arsene/Arsenal must have a plan to beat Barca. It’s easier said than done.Then after demolishing the gunners,Messi and company were on on cloud 9.
Inter proceeded to neutralise/stifle Mess and won.
The thing is if the gunners manage to mark messi they must make sure the other parts of the plan are working.
Defence is a team effort and all players must back track and fight to win the ball back. When Bale was terrorising defenders,subsequently his threat level was reduced by 50%. How? Two defenders followed him.To make doubly sure a third defender was deployed nearby.
I believe Wenger doesn’t pay attantion to defence and that is why the gunners are getting punished and humiliated. Why not get advice from some some of the ulta defensive bosses ?They maybe able to give Wenger some tips but it is unlikely to happen because Wenger is too arrogant and thinks he is a know all.
Somehow, I feel our home form has to improve massively!!
Beginning today.
@Henry
i agree with you entirely enough concentration is not being given to the arsenal defence as Snir pointed out:http://desigunner.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/analysis-of-arsenal%E2%80%99s-real-defensive-weakness-against-united/#comment-16211
http://desigunner.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/analysis-of-arsenal%E2%80%99s-real-defensive-weakness-against-united/#comment-16211
Snowtastic here. Hope I make it 🙁
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/man_utd/59445/wayne-rooneys-sly-kick-at-marouane-chamakh-video.html
if it was barton he would be banned for 10 games.
And hope you make it HOLIC!
Wrap up warm holic. Nice and chilly here.
Looking forward to today. This could be where we kick start our season.
Re Barca. We will need TV5 fit. I would be slightly worried if he is not available. My other point is this. If Cesc scores over there do you think he will celebrate like he does normally?????????
But that can wait. Let’s get today out of the way first.
Up the Gunners…..
Holic, I didn’t realise you liked the occasional wager 😉
Statistically the average amount of corners in a PL match is 11.
The average score over a season is 2-1.
There is far more value in last goal scorer than first for obvious reasons.One might not get it right but at least barring injury or being subbed you get a full 90 minutes value for your bet.
I am a little more cautious and will gladly accept 1-0 to the Arsenal whoever scores .
At station. Trains late but running.
Let’s find out who’s a snow hound and who’s not. Maybe Eboue can build a snowman on the touch line?
Before he comes on to score the late winner perhaps?
A bit funny to see the potter coming into the bar and start hurling abuse in all directions and then complaining about not being able to hold a decent conversation…
Yes, we have more red cards than they have this season, but two of them were, to say the least, debatable and only one was for violent play (and for which both Wenger and Wilshere came out and apologized for straight away). The fair play table in itself says absolutely nothing about how dirty a team is. I mean, just look at the game on Monday, four yellows for us and no card at all for them was quite simply a fucking joke.
Anyway, I am a bit worried about the game today. Can the boys find their confidence again? Stoke, no matter how much of a seeyounexttuesday Pulis is, are a difficult team to play as we all know. We are of course the better team overall, but we must show that on the pitch as well. Can we do that today?
A pint of John Smiths to calm the nerves, please.
The game has been called off.
i feel sorry for all the holics who traveled in this horrid weather
Damn it, I was looking forward to the game.
I echo Usama’s sentiments, it’s a basterd for all those who travelled.
—
As for the Barca draw, well, it was bound to happen, wasn’t it? But there are way too many games between now and then to start fretting about that tie, so many things can happen in footy in that amount of time.
I’ll have a brandy please.
Young Lansbury had an outstanding game for Norwich City as they beat Coventry 2 – 1 away. Nearly scored a tremendous solo goal just before the end of the game. What a talent he is, just needs to work hard and keep his feet firmly on the ground then we can welcome him back to the Emirates where he will be just as good for Arsenal.
what about ramsey?
Norfolk: Lansbury has got huge potential. It’ll be really interesting to see if he can continue his progression.
Hey holics,
Can someone please tell me how Ramsey is progressing at Forest? I access to little other than BBC match reports for Forest games.
Hey ‘Holic
Sorry for your bad luck today and any other ‘Holics that travelled to the match.
Hopefully you all got back safe & sound if not more than a little p*ssed off.
Let us know how you got on in the drinks, no doubt there’ll be some interesting stories to tell.
Warming alcoholic beverages all round please barman.
Was on my way to the station when i heard the news. Then got caught in a full scale blizzard. The snow was coming down aaron lennon style. Thick and fast.
Must say that i often wonder why on a day like this that common sense does not take over. The weather as it was and the forecast must have made postponing the match almost inevitable. So why does someone in authority not make a decision before fans start travelling? Apart from the numpty that posted earlier i do have sympathy with any fan that has set off on a long journey when we would have all known that the game was not going to start. I know there is tremendous pressure to get the game on but surely common sense must take over from time to time? Just hope everyone else who had aborted journeys got home safely.
Keep the faith.
Bad luck Mr T. An extra drink or three for you. It was a blizzard here in S.Herts too. Chin-up 😉
@Sajit: apparently, Ramsey has been very unfortunate in the way that Forest have had two (or was it even three?) games called off due to bad weather so he hasn’t had any more opportunities to play. They have extended the loan a bit, can’t remember exactly but I think it was ten days, so he would get some more minutes under his belt.
And the upside of the postponment of today’s game is that maybe, just maybe, Aaron will play against the potty potterers when the game is eventually played.
@Steve T: I agree that a decision should have been made much earlier. It must have been apparent that the blizzard-like snowfall would reach London at least two hours before it did (forecasts may be a bit like guessing for the long term but for a few hours ahead they are more or less dead on) so why not call it off at that point – or at least issue a stern warning that the game is under severe threat instead of maintaining, up until a few minutes before calling it off, that it would go ahead?
Home. Fucking long day with no game to break it up ! Only other to make the Christmas party was on day trip from Paris. Poor bastard now stuck behind broken down train at Ebbsfleet. Didn’t think I would be the lucky one 🙁
Evening holic & holics, firstly hope all ok with your dad holic, secondly the first nightmare journey story, left Colchester just after 10, heard game off just short of seven sisters just after 12 turned round and got back to colchester at 6 after scarey drive, 2.30 mins later made it to other side of Colchester only to find road closed by police 3 miles short of home, can’t walk it cause got my 5 year old with me, luckily we have taken refuge in local tesco where they are dishing out free coffee tea and mince pies, so looks like the 5 of us stuck here all night. I have to admit that my daughter and I went to the drinks section and got nice bottle of something to keep us warm, I’m not the driver in case you were wondering! As bad a trip as this is I’m sure someone can top it
Not quite stuck in another country, but still horrendous, Glenn. Good luck mate. Ask if they will put some of their duck spring rolls with plum sauce on the go for stranded customers :-b
Glennw
That’s one hell of a story. Respect amnd comiserations in equal measure. Hope your Xmas proves to be the mirror opposite of your day today.
‘Holic
Good to hear you’re back and in the bosom of your family 🙂
A pint of Wisniowka for everyone who made their trip, it was obvious weather was gonna hit N5 with a snow blizzard, why do they have to wait for those bell ends from FA to make a decision is beyond me.
Holic, that’s a damn good idea! Hasn’t taken long for someone to equal our trip, another gooner family just turned up after pretty much the same journey, frustrating to be so close to home and stuck but at least were warm and because they have said we can’t drink in here it’s making it a laugh sneaking our way through an industrial sized bottle of strongbow and a bottle of glayva, strange mix but enjoyable all the same, cheers all
Ts cheers mate, let’s hope all us gooners have a fabulous Christmas topped off with the slaying of the chavs on the 27th, weather permitting!
Glennw
I’ll drink to that! Cider + glayva, eh? Any luck with the sping rolls and plum sauce? 😉
Lars @ #63
Great point re: Ramsey for the re-match with the swamp creatures from The Potteries.
That will really add some spice to an already pre-heated game. Best result would be for him to bang in a couple of goals after turning Sh*wcr*ss inside out.
Then, if Sh*wcr*ss could spontaneously self-combust and run, burning into the arms of Uncle Pubis causing them both to go up in flames and then the flames get doused by a bunch of Gooners pissing on them (not that we should if they were on fire), that would be a poifick day.
Nurse, more meds please… 😉
You definitely need them after that TS 😉
Ts, with what I’m drinking I will piss on em should keep the fire burning nicely. No luck with spring rolls but top news from the manager, someone is coming to the kitchen in 15 mins to cook us all bacon butties, I’m sure holic would approve
Morning Holic & Holics,
Okay so this will provide an interesting game in hand. Utd by the way have two. Both are away games. One which is easy on paper and the other is @ the bridge where they have not won since 2002.
On paper Stoke will be easy to beat, but no result is guaranteed by just walking out on to the pitch. I cannot wait to see the reschedules, because whilst everyone prays for our downfall, the others will have equally tricky fixtures to contend with themselves.
Barca –
All I want is a chance for our fully fit squad/starting XI to play theirs. The last time we played them with something close, it resulted in to a draw. Regardless of how much possession and chances they had in the opening 20 mins, it was clear it was their plan to attack, test the back four and Almunia and hope we cracked under pressure. But that was not the case and we came close to winning the match with ironically Cesc (transfer issues) and Theo(world cup issues) getting the winning goals.
Despite going to the Nou Camp with a much diminished squad, 20 mins before the break we were winning the tie with ironically B52 getting the opening goal. There was a little indecision on the break after the first goal and a couple of unfair decisions, which made way for the Camp Nou’s quest to have Messi named World Player of the Year.
If we’ve learnt anything else from last season it’s how to play Barca over to identical legs to this season. We have over two months and many victims to practice. With a much more maturer, organised and fitter squad in depth, I am expecting not only a good tie, but also a good result.
Online Christmas shopping –
I must remember to obtain Baby Goonertowns junior Gunner membership!
Cuuu’mooon you Gooooners!
I nice hot cup of Peppermint tea should do it for me Holic!
Cheers Holics!
Went to the Espanyol – Barca game on a little spying mission for Arsene. I’ve compiled my report on this little Messi chap that they have – he looks quite good.
Also this little forward called David Villa. Someone should have told Espanyol about him – they obviously didn’t know who he was, so they didn’t bother marking him!
Bloody cold – my ice cream head is only just thawing out. Hope Glen and ?Ollie? got back home okay.