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Archive for February, 2011

Quite a back catalogue we have, as I highlighted in the preview. There is a common theme that runs through the aftermath of such a painful defeat. In 1969, defeat to third division Swindon owed much to a horrendous mix-up between a gangly centre-half and a goalkeeper not long established in the side. The ‘keeper […]

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I have told before of us moving house the weekend in 1968 that Arsenal played in the first Cup Final of my lifetime. Leeds took it with a hotly disputed goal. My disappointment at missing the game was short-lived. Twelve months later we were back. I had a ticket. Arsenal were playing a third division […]

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The pointed end of the season. How any times have we seen it? A dour and determined opponent, the well-oiled machine maybe firing on only three cylinders, all adding up to ninety minutes of nail-biting tension. A mood not helped by the loss of two of the key components of that smooth red and white […]

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“Of course all of the players who have been rested will play” Delighted as I was to hear those words from Arsene it was also undeniably disappointing to hear that Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny would not be among them. The short term nature of those injuries mean that both are expected to be […]

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Anybody who thinks the FA Cup has lost any of its magic, there’s your answer. Anybody who wants to understand what it means to the rich and poor of the football world had that insight this afternoon at Brisbane Road. If you have come to hear me say something like “I told you so” about […]

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I know there are a few of you who would have been in the Shed for the 1978 FA Cup semi-final when two deflected Malcolm Macdonald efforts and a third from Graham Rix saw off Orient, who had earlier claimed the scalps of Chelsea and Middlesbrough. It was a day for us to celebrate. Although […]

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It doesn’t get much better than that. I’m home, smiling inwardly, sipping some particularly pleasant malt. On the train home I have relived the game in my head, and now I’m looking forward to the highlights on ATvO. The whole day has been a blast, from the 2.30 train up and a chat with Darren, […]

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I’m looking at my ticket, wondering what to write about this match that hasn’t already been said. This is one end of the spectrum, one reason why football grabs every part of you. It is not just us going through every possible emotion, and seriously considering every possible outcome to this tie. It is what […]

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Jack You Beauty

There are days where everything just falls into place. Things are just right. This was one of those days. My early morning coffee at the station is free. The train is packed, and I get an upgrade to first-class, free. I meet stepson, grandson, and mate and when I go to get them tube tickets […]

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“There is no Barcelona in mind. There is Wolverhampton in mind.” Twice Arsene Wenger made the point in his press conference, and quite right too. It matters not a jot who we are playing next week. We are four points off the top of the Premier League, so three points are absolutely vital from the […]

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