For Tehoue The Bell Tolls
Feb 20th, 2011 by 'holic
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 an over-rotated side failing to beat lower league opposition may as well click out of here. For eighty-eight minutes a side with ten changes from the memorable triumph over Barca controlled the ball, and therefore the match, at Orient. Of course I have argued before that is too many, but that is because so many of our squad players were struggling for form to be pitched into tricky ties together. Some of them, most notably Arshavin, have turned the corner.
Perhaps the most interesting inclusion in the side was the debutant, Miquel. For eighty-eight minutes he was the dominant figure in the defence, assured and intelligent with his distribution. It was a shame that he and Gibbs were so easily parted at the death by Tehoue, who went on to finish through Almunia. It was the only really clear chance fashioned by the O’s, but the scenes at the whistle told you everything about what it meant to them. The income from a replay at the Grove will be a massive boost for them. We can’t begrudge them their moment in the sun.
For all but those final minutes they had defended in disciplined fashion, covering the gaps and tackling within the laws of the game, much to the chagrin of the halfwit Savage, called up to add one or two to the IQ of the ESPN presentation team. Fair play to them. For that alone they deserve another payday. Yes, of course they were helped by our inability to convert control into a second goal. That we reached half-time on level terms was something of a mystery. Chamakh, so out of touch, missed the clearest opportunity. Early in the season he would have taken that, and possibly an earlier header. Lacking in match-fitness, this was not his day.
The lead, when finally it was secured, was far from being a typical Arsenal goal. Bendtner made himself a little space on the right side of the box and chipped the ball to Rosicky. Now Tomas has not been prolific of late, and a header into the corner of the net from fourteen yards was surely as much a surprise to him as everybody else in the ground! The goal, or rather our inability to add to it, presented Arsene Wenger with a poser. Thirty-seven minutes remained and the star names were kept on the bench to protect them for the bigger challenges to come.
Arshavin hit the post, and Rosicky had another double effort, volley followed by header from the rebound, but the clincher didn’t arrive. Arsene had gambled with his substitutions on Wednesday and won. Today he didn’t, and now faces a replay we would obviously have preferred to avoid. This blogger won’t blame him for that. Our only defensive mistake of the day was punished to the full. It happens.
Instead of carping I’ll say fair play to Orient, game hosts who stuck in a fascinating contest and never resorted to the tactics of the boot or hoof, and got their reward. Seventy-two hours after next Sunday’s Carling Cup Final they will get a rich payday at our place. That should be the end of the line for them, but today is theirs to savour.
Oh, and Manchester United away in the quarter-final. Not such a shabby prospect, eh?
145 Responses to “For Tehoue The Bell Tolls”
No complaints – shit happens.
Exactly my take on it, Goonerholic. You are clearly a highly intelligent and perceptive man. π
SAK VENGA. HE IS DA REEZON WE IS IN DIS MESS!!!!!!!!!! HE MAKES ME SICK CUZ WE IS RUBBISH. MY HEART IT BLEEDS. MAKE BARRY HEARN ARE DIRECTOR. HE IS DA BOM.
A pint of over-reaction, in anticipation, please.
Good to see the little Russian rediscover his mojo. It’s been a painful few months watching him struggle around the pitch but the signs are he’s coming back to his best form. Pity you can’t see Denilson getting any better. I would rather Lansbury had a chance than being shipped out on loan again. All credit to the O’s. Hope they enjoy the trip across the pond.
Heh Dr C!
Good write- up sir ‘holic, tanks!
Hahaha @ Catalan Gooner.
Naughty Catalan π
Heh Catalan Gunner!
You wouldn’t believe it but some people were really like that in the arses… Pity!
Fair result. Well played to Orient for not giving up.
I was glad to see Rosicky get a goal. The highlight for me was watching him give Arshavin a slight push after the celebrations – the Russian probably making some cheeky comment about it being well past due.
The shot was straight at almunia, i dont understand how he could let that in? we may as well have left the goal empty and put an extra player up-front!
If that is a taste of things to come from Miguel (the first 84 minutes), and Bartley continues to impress at Rangers, and TV5 actually is still alive… then that’s the centre of defence sorted for the next decade.
Just maybe Arsene knows something…?
A rather pleasant bottle of white Rioja is open for any who fancy a glass…
Hey, no panic and big Credit to the O’s for sticking in there. Arsene will have watched & learned plenty from tonight about his squad playets. When an individual is given opportunities & is unable to impress that’s natural selection, there are younger, hungrier players in the club to take their place.
We have a fantastic 15 or so players & denilson, bendtner, squillaci, rosicky will never be 1st choice starters so chill out gooners and enjoy the rest of this fantastic season……well done Orient!
Pab 8,tes i would believe it π
Yes. iPod corrects things in a write way esp when defaulting to french
Holic
Just listened to Arsene’s after match interview,where he did nothing but praise Orient for their Passion and Commitment to the cause,he also said the pitch was not the best,refused to offer excuses,and pointed out that all the lower division teams have improved,fitness wise as well as tactically.
In short,no complaints,just disappointed that our superior possession didn’t bring the 2nd goal.
I am expecting those Arse followers on your blog, taking the piss out of Utd only nicking a 1 nil win against non league Crawley on Saturday, will be fairly quiet,or totally absent tonight.
Cheers
Clive
Weird i mean fookin machine
As I said in the last Holic post, I’m not disappointed by the result. Orient deserves a pig payday at the Emirates and they worked their socks off fr 90 minutes. On a selfish note, hell it gives me one more match to watch lol
Iollie, it would appear, has a dyslexic iPhone π
Hello Clive. I think people can be forgiven for a little joshing last night, but yes, Crawley were the width of a crossbar away from giving them another game too.
Teams on a run of good form will be organised and hard to beat, no matter what level they play at.
All aboard the AFC rollercoaster… Gee this year it’s a thrilling ride!! π
Damn I’ve spilt my drink now… another one please barman!
You bloody well know i don’t have an iPhone π
I can’t see what so bad about this.
He will play the same team (maybe diaby not song) and we should win.
It’s good we can get all the fringe players another competitive game.
It doesn’t affect the main squad much and we get another game ti watch, orient get a good payday (heck, so do we!)
It’s absolutely no bad thing. The fringe players NEED matches so that when we need to call upon them they are much closer to match fitness.
Chamakh needs a goal for confidence (after Tomas got one today) maybe he will next time.
A small gin and slim line please
Good to hear the vocie of reason prevails strongly in our bar.
I posted my views in the previous blog, nothing to add just onwards and upwards.
Great posts from EVERYONE tonight so it must be my round. Drinks of your choice on my tab please gentlemen π
Enjoy your trip to Las Vegas you Cheeri-Os and congrats on a well deserved payday.
‘voice’ – Ollie’s dyslexia rules KO.
Excellent point Mr Fishwick, and I personally would love to see Chamakh get the chance to play himself out of his temporary blip in the same way the little Russian genius has.
Wouldn’t mind Miquel getting a go alongside possibly a returning Vermaelen, either.
Just got back from the Pub having expected to have left several hours ago feeling satisfied with a hard worked effort and falling to a 2-0 scoreline.
I am now worse for wear after consuming too many of the black stuff,some free on the house for sitting amongst the Gooners that filled out the lunchtime crowd and holding my own.
Over here most Arsenal fans are of the Wenger era and needed reminding of Swindon and Wrexham and Rotherham.
Cheers on a fair and honest assessment Holic and my boys did work hard didn’t they and attempted to play a little football too. We had a few chances,early on Almunia gave us hope,then we had one raising over the bar where Almunia was stretched. A few shots off target in the 2nd but we did knock Squillaci out.
Overall this means survival until West Ham move next door,but do not bet against Barry Hearn.
Round for everyone
I agree that these players can use more games. I like the replay format.
Carolina, your team were a credit to League One. I’m glad you get a big night out and another crack of the whip. If our attitude isn’t spot on you may yet get a real bonus.
I do think we are a bit too professional for that.
Always had a soft spot for the O’s, and today has only reinforced that.
@ duttlenheim #17,
I didn’t realise their reward would be enough bacon to sink a battleship π
Damn these modern keyboard thingies!
Evening ‘Holic,
My drink to Glennw on the previous post confirms my own Orient soft spot. It will only be hardened should we not deliver the goods at the replay but just cannot see that happening.
Apologies to Carolina O for that previous remark but cheers for the drink. Have a good one π
My iPhone is disleksick two π
How we managed to stay in the title race up until April last year with Almuniaas our nΒ°1 I’ll never know.
It’s probably one of Wenger’s greatest and most understated trimuphs π
Before I order my drink (and you know damn well who’s paying, Barman) permit me to add :
WTF SAK VENGA WE NED SAMBA HEZ GOOD DEFENDAH WAGER HAS LOST IT BUY BNZEMA AND SAMBA OR DIOUF HEZ BIG
Greetings all from all Montreal,
I have been reading this blog a while now and say it is one of the first blogs I go to after the match.
@Fishwick, I completely agree with your point and I have to say fair play to Orient. Its quite a scene when you see supporters watching from their flats in each corner of the stadium. Its great to see the Football Gods shine down on them.
All sentiment aside it’ll be great to watch another match. I really hope Chamakh regains some confidence he just seems shell shocked by it all. He really needs to work on his footwork though, he should really work with Van persie in practice in order to get his touch in order.
Also with Bendtner I have to say he really is Jekyll and Hyde. I am a supporter of his, but I find I am shouting at the screen with his final touches. When I feel I am at wits end, I find he goes and produces some brilliance.
Well on to Stoke where our super starting XI come in and rid the world of all leg breakers…….
Arsene says Orient will get their whole season budget in gate receipt shares from an Emirates visit. Is that true or a bit of hyperbole? If so good for Orient. That’s the first match I’ve seen of them but I enjoyed watching the match and cool atmosphere with everybody watching from the flats ….. I agree with some posters that another match isn’t that big a deal. Us gooners have overwhelming injury paranoia but the squad seems to be toughening up a bit. Chamakh, Denilson, Rosicky, Gibbs, Squillaci need the games too ( but not Almunia )
@ RVP & Dr.C
SAK WANGER & RICEY THEY NOSE NUFFIN. YOUS HOLICS IS ALL DELOODED. WE NEED ALLARDISE AS MNGR COS E IS AWSUM N E WILL BUY SAMBA, DIOUF N SOME PROPA EPL STARS. WE NEED BIG PLAYAZ NOT THE MIJITS WES GOT NOW. TOO MUCH PASSIN N NO GOLZ. BARSA WILL MURDER UZ IN AWAY LEG. SELL FAB COZ ES GOIN NEWAY N BUY PROPA PLAYAZ. NUFF SED. GOONER 4EVER.
TS, You forgot to mention how we need players that know how to give a solid ‘English’ tackle.
@TS
WHO IZ RICEY LOL AND I AGRE SAK DELOODED TOO HIS A SHIT DEFENDAH AND BUY SAMBA OR BIG STAR FOR TROPHYZ LIKE MAN UNETID
YO JOSH, YEH FKIN SINE LENNIE NOW WANGER. YOUZ GOT R DOSH SO UZE IT. NISE 1.
Ahem. Perhaps time to restore normal service?
Dr.C & RVP, what have you started?
I fear The Barman may be contemplating a lock-out…
The barman is considering issuing yellow cards π
Fair play to Orient they have a big day to look forward to at The Grove, but please Mr Wenger don’t ever play almunia again,he’s total shite.
Quite right too Mr. Barman! I wouldn’t want to join a bar that had me as a member π
Really can’t begrudge Orient their replay.
A shame that Almunia had to concede through the legs from 16 yards, but there it is.
The sheer joy on the faces of every O’s player, fan and official mirrored exactly what we all went through at the Grove on Wednesday night.
This sort of result is what keeps football alive, so good luck to them.
Just as long as we win the replay, of course.
A week in the Pyrenees beckons – no matches scheduled when it was booked – so will miss my second home game since the Grove opened and the CC Final!
Still, with my record at finals, I’m probably best off as far away as possible.
Enjoy ‘Holics – i’ll be searching out a TV in Catalonia – not a bad place to celebrate!
Cheers.
I-phone texting note: one of my mates said when he tried to type in “Almunia”, it came up as “Ammonia”.
Which is weird; on my I-phone, which is ensconced in an Arsenal casing, when I type in “Almunia”, it comes up “shite”.
Am going to do a novena to pray for no injuries et al. for Szczesny for the rest of the campaign. Would you all feel comfortable with James Shea as deputy from this point on?
As I have said before,we have a very good first eleven who can beat anyone on their day,but the second string are shite and keep proving it everytime they play together,oh to have 11 JACK WILSHIRE’S,now that would be heaven!!
Can someone answer a particularly vexing question for me please? Why is it that such an intelligent French Professor has yet to be able to master tying a necktie properly (The Special One too for that matter). Le Boss only does a single Windsor. How is it that such an intelligent man cannot master the full double Windsor? Anyone?
@ Trev #41
That’s some record, you should be very proud. I hope a fix of The Arse on Catalonian TV prevents you from going cold turkey.
You do realise now that if we win the CC Final you’ll be asked to leave the country every time we get to a domestic cup final π
Enjoy the Pyrenees and be sure to send us an amusing post card.
So, we get to watch our B-team play an extra midweek match.
(a) It’s better than a training session.
(b) We get to see Bendtner show us (again) why he’s still the world’s greatest forward.
(c) Miquel gets another game.
(d) Could Ramsey be back? Vermaelen? Diaby?
(e) The Carling Cup gets brought out before the game.
It’s all good.
Do not want to be a doom merchant here, but Barca supporters maybe feeling the same way as Arsenal Fans do at the moment -when not winning depite being overwelming favourite – and looking at the return leg like a cat looking at a mouse.
He cannot see it in the mirror.
TS – I left the country for the Cup Winners Cup Final in Brussels vs Valencia many years ago – and we lost that too!
@48 was for Theo @44 btw.
Trev,
…. he cannot see it ‘properly’ in the mirror
….. OK, come back and all is forgiven
π
Tolduso 47
If we keep our 1sr 11 fit between now and march 8, I don’t see why we can’t knock them out. They will be without at least one of their centerhalfs and their keeper.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Barcelona-keeper-Victor-Valdes-a-major-injury-doubt-for-Arsenal-Champions-League-second-leg-clash-article703135.html
On a positive note, hopefully that performance today removed any temptation Wenger had to field anything but his 1st team for the Carling Cup Final game v Birmingham.
Silk Worms in The Silk Road to the Orient
There was no winner today. There never is in a draw. But without a shadow of a doubt, everyone associated with this game was a winner, six ways to Sunday.
Arsene Wenger was braver than I. The inclusion of Miquel to provide the over-worked Koscielny legs a breather was something I pondered, but concluded, βNahβ, too risky if the rota was going to be rotated ruthlessly. I was delighted by Arseneβs ballsy team selection β just left wishing that Emmanuel Frimpong hadnβt buggered his cruciate at a crucial moment. Without him, there is no adequate cover for our one and only Song.
So, several who will never again be first picks for the first team (Almunia, Squillaci, Rosicky), others who have aspirations to grandeur (Bendy, Denilson, Gibbs) and a striker who has yet to convince that heβs not just Adebayor very very light (Chamakh), had the opportunity to impress alongside the debutant Miquel, while Sagna and Arsh honed their art and Alex ground out another 90 because a deputy he has not.
Arsenal played well. Played very competently throughout. You might even say that Arsenal never even broke sweat, it appeared that they didnβt need to, nor want to. To win, an easy win, at low revs in second gear appeared seemed to be their goal for the day. And why not. The Oβs never looked like scoring and even 1-0 looked adequate.
Without really trying, Arsenal created enough chances to put this one to bed before the hour was out. Some easy chances were squandered β but, hey, no probs β this was just an opportunity for a knees-up and a 1-0 win, with the strips so clean that they could be used next time without washing.
A nice goal near the end was a bonus for everyone except the hapless Almunia. The coffers of both teams will be enriched by another fine influx of TV money as millions worldwide tune in hoping to see an Arsenal defeat.
Probably another 35, 000+ will turn up for the replay. Arsenal will have the opportunity to do a kids -free night and attract a few thousand more youngsters into the web of Goonerism. The pretenders to a first team place will have another chance β either to impress Arsene, or turn the crew one more turn on the setting suns of their Arsenal careers.
Itβs a pity really that there arenβt more youngsters around to enjoy opportunities to turn out in the FA Cup 5th round under the lights at the Emirates. This is one that all of the loanees would enjoy. And make no mistake β a team of loanees would win this replay and the eleven who will get the training run out WILL win the replay and will benefit from the practice and the exposure (Miquel again. Please).
So β whatβs not to like? A minor extra fixture issue, but the negatives of that wildly off-set by the positives of a warm-up run out fror seven or eight lads who would otherwise be sitting getting splinter arsed. As I said β everyoneβs a winner although nobody won.
Some deeply red and burgundacious, barman, sβil vous plait.
@47 tolduso
I wouldn’t be looking at the O’s like a cat looking at a mouse if Orient had beaten us at the final whistle, having more shot on target than us.
π
It appears I am in the minority of not wanting a replay. I am more than happy to praise the O’s. However the only positive for me today is that a good old club like that will earn a load of money.
I am very much with you Holic when it comes to wholesale changes. It has failed spectacularly previously and managed to implode today. I really do not undetstand how 50k a week internationals require games against the likes of leyton orient to find their touch. I thought that today we were very wasteful and should have put the tie to bed. My thoughts are that another fixture is the last thing we need.
So what exactly is protocol when the summer comes and the services of Denilson, Squillaci, and the like are no longer needed?
Send them on loan and hope they get signed?
I for one want to see this kid Miguel replace Squid and the likes of Lansbury and Ramsey takeover for Denilson and Rosicky.
Plus this Ryo kid competing with Arshavin and JET coming in for Bendtner OMG…
Oh to be a gooner……….
denilson is bad luck..when he is on pitch…we lose or draw and most of the times almost concede…
Unfortunately, Vela played on the wrong pitch this weekend. Glad to see he potted one. Well done.
Chamakh was as usual very very poor.
Am I the only one thinking this is a conspiracy from the higher-ups at Arsenal to maximize revenue this season? They must have decided that 4 full runs aren’t enough, they also want double gate revenue from the cups.
Anyway I too am of the opinion this is good for the B team. Unfortunately with RvP’s track record we want fully match-fit Chamakh and Bendtner for the end of the season.
I’ve had too much of what BtM prescribed but who wants to persevere with me?
@Sam: the only reason we’re still gunning for the league is Chamakh’s excellent run in the first third of the season. Have you forgotten already?
Matt @ 62
I must admit i am scratching my head trying to work out what has gone wrong for Chamakh since RVP returned to the first team.
Since that time he has hardly been sighted in an Arsenal shirt.
Most tellingly on how far his Star seems to have fallen,is in the fact that he didn’t even make the Sub’s bench for the Barca game.!!
He settled in so quickly and showed such promise early on,so it seems very strange that it has all gone backwards since.
It says a lot about his current form/fitness/attitude ?? that Bendy gets picked ahead of him.
Any thoughts on the matter.??
Fair play to the O’s.seems tin man aluminium is only moments away from a blunder every time he plays. No more please AW let him go summer.
Holic – re Yellow cards.
I’d like to point out that I merely provoked RVPRF and TS – they retaliated and are therefore deserving of reds. Picture me waving my hand around in the air now, if you will.
Trev – enjoy Catalunya. Plenty of tomato on bread to accompany your Voll Damm….
PS @ Trev – pick up a copy of Sport to see how many pages there are for Barca – incredible!
@ Matt: I haven’t forgotten a thing… But we need to live in the present.. Some poor performances from Arshavin got him a lot of stick .. as a Centre forward what are his contributions in the last 10 matches as a starter…I am not ignoring his contributions but we need to see what he is doing as of now.. which is nothing… Forget the goals at-least try to create things…:)
Wow! That was some ‘rotation’.
Ten changes is always a big risk. The O’s defended well and the goal was very well taken. I don’t think we can really blame Almunia, the ball was so very well struck that any goalie would need a big slice of luck just to get in the way sufficiently to stop or deflect it.
We had been defending too deep for some time when Gibbs and Miquel – who I thought had a decent game – needed to be one behind the other, not side by side and seemed to get in each others way. Credit to the big man for a nice bit of skill and a thumping shot.
Well done the O’s but we could have done without the replay.
‘On a positive note, hopefully that performance today removed any temptation Wenger had to field anything but his 1st team for the Carling Cup Final game v Birmingham.’
Yeah, because it was always likely he was going to play a second string side in the final next weekend *rolls eyes*.
@63 CW Chammy was good in the first part of the season, but AW, in dumping him for NB52, has taken away his confidence IMO
NB has done very little up front – yes he has scored a few and assisted a few as well , but he is not a finisher
Again and again this season our team has put heads down and tried to slip the ball into the net while the opposition is not looking (aka walking it into the net). This is not Chammy . Chammy wants the ball in the box to put away which we dont do (why?)
I will go further – this is not AA’s preferred way either
So for me it is AWs fault for not encouraging more variety in play from the midfield. Yesterday after 70 mins I wanted a creative player to be brought on to give variety (you choose JW/SN/CF), and to replace Rossy and/or NB who were absolute cr*p (in spite of their lucky goal)
Another question for all holics – how often has a gooners 2 against 1, involving Gael, led to an opposition goal this season – I dont blame Miguel at all – he had a great game
My dad would have been pleased at the result the Os fully deserved, but I worry at the congestion especially when its the Triffids in the next round
No matter how I see it, the result is horrible. A team almost full of internationals finding it hard to beat a lower division team is not magic. Sheer joke!
‘No matter how I see it, the result is horrible. A team almost full of internationals finding it hard to beat a lower division team is not magic. Sheer joke!’
Yeah, never would have happened to Man Utd or Man City.
Dr. C
Shame on you. In any case I think we’re lucky as The Barman couldn’t read the posts properly from where he was standing….
Tomato on bread? Mmmmm…. Sounds like Trev’s going to have a great trip.
Morning coffees please Mon. Barman and keep your specs off for now, ta! π
I’m not that kind of poster….! I look after me Mam and all that. In fact I’d say that I was more upset than Holic. I’m the victim here!
βNo matter how I see it, the result is horrible. A team almost full of internationals finding it hard to beat a lower division team is not magic. Sheer joke!β
Yeah, never would have happened to Man Utd or Man City. – quote
I know it could have happened to anyone and I am not denying upset either. I am just annoyed with Chamak, Bendy, Rosicky, Song (at times), the so called internationals! Did LO played that brilliantly to secure a draw? No. They were given the opportunity to equalise!
Catalan, I think we will need to send it to the “reviews panel” to determine whether “you are that kind of poster”.
We wouldn’t want some poor innocents thinking that this bar is a resident for the trolls from Le Groan. And I see True Storey was outed as a real Doomer as well. π
“is a residence” even π
Zico,
DIS IS VICTIMIZASHON. STUF YR REVYOOS PANL. DEY IS RUN BY WANGER NEWAY. ARSENAL IS SHIT. WE CAN’T EVEN BEAT ORIYENT & DEY IS EVEN MORE SHIT. SAK THE WHOLE SQUAD & MNGMNT. YOOS IS ALL DELOODED….
TS – back to the medicine cabinet – I’m buying π
Zico,
Perhaps it’s a case of Dr.True and Mr.Storey? I’ll join you in a Prozac chaser… π
Personally, I thought that Dr C’s comment was in no way a provocation. I think it was a firm but fair comment. A good ole English comment.
That TS guy and other Johnny Foreigners should know that this is a contact blog.
For me Sagna dissapointed big time. Gibbs had a poor game too. I never have any expectations from denilson these days so no news there. Miquel is one for the future. Agree with you Arsh tried very hard.
When we play the second eleven we normally have a less than ideal passing game. we find it hard to thread the final ball. That is when you need your wingers to give you width and have a midfielder to play it deep so that a forward can run on to it.
Hope we get Ramsey back soon.
Not the worst result but hope we do the business on wednesday.
Back on a normal computer, not an iPod, and with no spellchecker in any language in sight.
My round.
@DB10 #82 I am wondering if the combination of Rosicky and Ashavin in midfield is why the 2nd XI has a ‘less than ideal passing game’. Both like to run with the ball, and their example may encourage Bendtner’s proclivity in that direction. The net result is that we move the ball more slowly and give the opposition defence more time to get organized behind the ball. Rosicky and Arsh both like to cut inside so that narrows our play, too.
Separately, our cup game and ManU’s this weekend seem to capture the difference between the two clubs. Somehow ManU got the job done despite playing indifferently, and being a crossbar’s width from a replay. We are going the long way round.
A glass of your finest claret, as ever, ‘Holic, if you would.
@ RVP #81
“Johhny Foreigner”??? I was born and bred in Norf London mate. Berluddy cheek!
‘Separately, our cup game and ManUβs this weekend seem to capture the difference between the two clubs. Somehow ManU got the job done despite playing indifferently, and being a crossbarβs width from a replay. We are going the long way round.’
The other difference being that Man Utd were playing at home against a non-league team who play two flights below Leyton Orient.
Regarding Chamakh. It’s sad to see. I prefer him over Bendtner too. Is Wenger choosing Bendtner over Chamakh because he does not want to lose Bendtner mentally and that NB is a rather noisy type (squeeky wheel gets the oil; while MC does not complain and is new to the squad)? I don’t know. But in selecting Bendtner over Chamakh he may have lost Chamakh’s confidence in the process. The game yesterday shows that even if a side is full of internationals they still need time to gel together (and to find individual form also) and that confidence is also a big factor.
The commentator on Setanta said that Wenger’s decision to drop Chamakh (from playing time recently & from the bench v FCB) was because Chamakh seemed tired to Le Boss. To me, that is just a lame excuse.
Charlie@69, *rolls eyes*…get some mascara stuck in there luv?
We’d be playing Roma in the CL currently if the correct team selection had been made against Shaktar & Braga away. Instead we lose both & finish 2nd in a weak CL group.
Yesterday, our defensive core v Orient was Almunia, Squillaci & an 18 year old debutant. Why does Szczesny need a rest?
So know it all Charlie, a question for you. Assuming we beat Orient & play Man Utd in the next round March 12. We’ll have just played at Barca on March 8, does AW play the 2nd team v United as it’s a Cup game & give the 1st teamers a rest?
Man Utd play March 6, are off that week and have a full week of rest before they play us March 12. Let’s hear your thoughts.
Agree strongly with North Bank – despite the mass rotation, this 2nd XI would easily have been good enough had a creative central midfielder (i.e. one of Nasri, Wilshere, or Fabregas) been included for some of the game. I think Fabregas could have well used a half hour runaround against Orient given that his touch seemed to betray him far too often against Barca (albeit with close marking and ignoring a few moments of brilliance). Also, while I don’t want to criticize Arsenal players, we really have to bring back a loanee and finally put Denilson to pasture. Nobody can say he hasn’t been given a chance to prove himself and yet there has been no improvement whatsoever to his game for at least a season and a half…au contraire, in fact…
Hello holics,
Bernard @88- We wouldn’t have had a chance to beat Barca the way we did, also.
I suggest you enjoy the ride mate, like other posiholics here
TS and RVP, anything you want. Since I don’t have a tab yet in this wonderful bar, I am opening one. π
bernard,
One thing though. ManU play their 2nd leg UCL on March 15. Which would be good for us. Anyway you slice it, both teams may not be fielding their strongest XIs in the FA Cup QF (if we get there). For us, we will be fielding our top XI at Barça.
@90 & 91, Cheers. It’s Charlie’s response I was waiting for as he’s responded 3 times since #69 to posts with a “know it all” attitude after the fact. I’d like to get his assessment before results are known.
@TS: Well..err .. Yeah well your boys still don’t like it up’em do they?
Ok, I’ll stop now. Obviously I’m not qualified to be a talkshite radio pundit π .
Here, have a drink. It’ll make everyone happy again. (except maybe Lars’ banker)
π
What on earth do our games against Barcelona and a possible FA Cup quarter-final with Man Utd have to do with the League Cup final? You’re suggesting Wenger would consider resting players for that game, which I find bewildering, especially since the game after it (the replay against Leyton Orient) is the one he’ll most likely rest people for.
As for a possible FA Cup match with Man Utd, the team would partly depend on our league and European Cup status by then. Both teams would most likely be very keen to avoid a replay, which would cause some major fixture congestion for both.
Seems to me everybody missed the obvious – Aluminium was the team captain. Enough said….
I love Stevie Wonder but the definition of irony is having a blind man with courtside seats at the NBA All Star game.
What’s this Tehoue fella doing in only the third tier? I’m going through the game again. Obviously, he scores a fine goal. But the lad brushed off a Song challenge rather easily soon after he comes on and supplies a fine cross there after. The dude starts the play from about the half way line to boot. Past both Gibbs & Sagna. Tehoue’s got some nice strength and pace.
Hey Theo,
Did you catch the dunk contest? It was more a popularity contest than a dunk contest..
I thought Mcgee deserved to win..
Tehoue also supplied the cross that directly led to the O’s great chance that Squid’s nose broke up.
Maybe Wenger should sign this Tehoue fella …
Yeah I agree Harsha. I thought JaVale had the best portfolio too. And I was rooting for Griffin (LA). You’ll find that the Dunk Contest winner often goes to a player that is competing in his home city (LA) along with the MVP award (Koby, LA). Definitely a high correlation between player’s home city & All Star Game location historically.
… after all, Tehoue is French, no?
I know it wasn’t the first XI but we continue to not put games to bed when we should. That’s an Achilles’ heel of our’s.
@ RVP & TvN
Cheers to you both, always good to have a laugh and to try and not take things too seriously although I am one of the kettles looking at pots when it comes to that.
As usual, there’s plenty of good and varied views going on in here (plus the occasional medicine cabinet raider) and they’re best digested when we keep things nice and friendly.
*Pulls himself a pint of Carling, charges it to RVP’s tab, has a quick sup and gets back to work*
PS: Watched the highlights of the Orient game for a little light relief on ATVO. Hmmm, we didn’t exactly cover ourselevs in glory but no major damage done and we really ought to spank ’em back at The Ems. And yes, Tehoue does look a bit tasty and made Song look a bit pedestrian on one or two occasions too.
Harsha,
Cheers and allow me to get you tab up and running.
Drinks for all in the bar and it’s on Harsha!
π
TS,
I know your roll at the bar. You’re the gentleman that is in charge of the establishment’s medicine cabinet. You’re the medicine dispenser.
Ah Harsha, you’re a good lad. Make mine a double Lagavulin please.
Mind you, I’m not putting Song down TS. I’m just giving Tehoue credit. I heard he got a hat trick in another match. What’s he doing in League One? Surely, he can play at a higher level.
Is he on loan form another club?
make that role @ 106
Don’t know.
Back to some UCL action tomorrow. Curious to see how Chelsea respond (I think Copenhagen can get a result tomorrow). Also, I’m hoping Lyon can beat Madrid (again).
personally i am not worried about the congestion of fixtures.
1. we have a squad of 25 players who are capable of winning any game. We can literally rest 8 or 9 of our regular starters for the cup games!
2. we are the arsenal.
so thats my take. I thought we pretty much dominated that entire match, then they took their chance well. Anyways i’m a year off the legal drinking age (21) here in USA. my pops came to visit me yesterday and he let me pick out a case of beer. Now i have a case of the black stuff to help me properly enjoy my footie this week! it’s the little victories in life…
Chamakh has given interviews recently as well as last month, in both of which he said he was totally burnt out and foresaw his return to fitness in March. It is a season of adaptation for him and he wasn’t physically ready for the premiership. He gave it all and as a result he needs to recover which turns out to be the perfect timing with RvP banging them in and NB52 also fit.
As for the B team, players can only be march-fit if they play games…
Matt I would like them to be February fit, but then, I suppose March isn’t too far away π
Catalan – a copy of Sport – plenty of tomatoes on bread – is there anything good to look forward to down there?
Said this before the Stoke postponement, but anyone going Weds could give Glen Whelan a cheer as he was the first player to help Aaron Ramsey and stayed with him until he left the pitch after Shawcross’ assault.
As for the rest of them, no shouting abuse please ‘cos we’re not that kind of crowd.
Great title, ‘holic. One of my favorite books ever. I assume you were alluding to the Hemingway, not the Metallica.
Having had a day and a half to reflect on Sunday the only conclusion I can come to is that another 90 mins against Orient is really not going to make or break our season. AW will play the same team (barring injuries) and we should have a nice midweek stroll at the Grove.
As far as performances go, I thought Miquel was excellent up until he and Gibbs whiffed for their goal. Strange place for an Arsenal debut, but another promising one.
Manuel, Squid, Denilson, Rosicky, Chamakh–there’s a reason they are squad players. You can’t have 22 first teamers and give them equal playing time, just ask Lass Diarra. I’m happy we have a clear first XI for the first time in a long time.
And TvN and all the other NBA Gooners–JaVale got robbed on Saturday nite. Blake had the 4 least impressive dunks of the contest and somehow got the trophy. Conspiracy!
I can hear crickets in this place … again.
Reports in the media have Barça going after Jack the Lad. So, come the next transfer window the Catalans will go for a 2 for 1 summer Arsenal sale. Cesc and Jack to Camp Nou?
There’s a history of them likely our players. Overmars, Gio, Henry, Hleb …
I’m sure there’s more. Feel free to chime in and add others throughout the day. We should make a list. Are we becoming their farm team?
@zico: for some of them March-fit is really ambitious considering they play once a month…
@Trev – I should explain; the tomatos on bread; not just smeared on. First you take your toast, cut a clove of garlic in half and rub it onto the toast, then cut a ripe tomato in half and rub it on. Add a pinch of salt and drizzle on olive oil. Actually very tasty.
Sport – look, laugh and wipe your arse.
To look forward to? Sun, snow (hopefully for you!), beer, great coffee, great people, great girls (just to look and admire, of course!).
TVN
re Jack – just the media making something out of nothing. Pep was asked directly if he thought Jack was a good player. He said yes, and went out of his way to point out that he was a good player FOR ARSENAL.
Nothing in it at all.
@ Matt – that will be Diaby then.
Something from left field Gooners – I am going to Cologne on Friday and have been told that there is an Arsenal Supporters club there and that they drink in a boozer called the Corkonian – anyone know or heard of it?
My plan is to be up to my chin in Kolsch when the Gunners take the field on Sunday π
zico,
Let me get this straight. You’re a Brasilian, living in Scotland, who’s a Gooner, that’s going to Germany to watch the CC Final. Or, you know a girl with a Brasilian?
Thanks CG. I thought so. But don’t be surprised if the talk is only starting. Especially if he performs at the Camp Nou. After all, he already has Messi’s and Xavi’s jerseys.
Does anybody know of any other Gunners who went to Barça other than the four I mentioned above?
CG,
Just curious. Do you know who asked Pep the Q? Was it local media or English?
And how is a Gooner in Catalunya? Are you a north Londoner that met a Barcelona med student and was coerced to relocate to a foreign land?
TvN – I am Scottish, living in one part of Scotland in exile from another (meet me for a beer at the Emirates one time and I’ll explain).
I once dreamt that I was wearing no 10 for Brazil and as I don’t share the same physical charecteristics as Pele it was obvious who I really was…..
And yes I am going to Germany (Koln v Freiburg at the Rheinstadion on Saturday and Arsenal v Birmigham on TV on the Sunday).
It’s all pretty simple really…..
PS – do you NEVER sleep?
TVN – as Zico has told, so shall I.
N London Dad, but born on south coast of England (come ON The Cherries!). Lived last 20 years next to Craven Cottage in SW London.
Met a Catalan girl – followed the sun!
No idea who asked the question, sorry!
I never knew there was a separtist region in Scotland akin to Quebec or the Basque region in Spain. And one day I’d love to go see a game at The Grove. But for the moment I live in Kanada, don’t get out too much, and am trying to survive the frigid winter. So, I’ll take a raincheck on that beer.
For some reason I thought you were going to Germany for business.
And I sleep odd hours and when I can.
Remember the famous WC match between Scotland and Brasil in Spain?
TVN – Oh yes – we had the temerity to score and upset them. Will never see the likes again – we don’t produce really top class footballers anymore – unless its in a dream π
Fife is a kingdom in itself my friend – look it up. (Or ask BtM).
Thanks for sharing zico & CG. It’s always interesting to hear fellow Gooner stories. Have drinks of your choice at the bar on me but with one caveat … put it on Lars’ tab.
And a free drink to anyone else for each additional Gunner who became a blaugrana.
This blog has it all don’t it – Exiled Scottish men trying to be Brazilian and lovestruck English ones trying to be Catalan…!!
Just how does one get exiled in Scotland ? It must involve either religion, women or whisky…….!
Joe, it involves all 3 and a number of other variables according to the season π
I used to live on a road named Fife. Small, odd world at times.
Would you say that Dalglish was the last true world class Scot?
And how about James Bond as the FIFA narator of that match and tourny in general. It’s epic!
Dalglish was the best player we have ever produced imho, and that includes Denis Law.
Apart from Willie Young of course π
If anyone wants a quick pick-me-up, have a look at the video that Blogger has put up on his Tumbler section. I have no idea what Tumbler is, BTW.
This is a few days old, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it. I love RvP.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/883097/robin-van-persie:-i-only-want-to-win-trophies-at-arsenal?cc=5901
Coffee please, barman (I’m at work). I think TS is buying today. π
O_o Persie tweaked a hammy and Koscielny swapped back injuries with Djourou….Wenger says they are short term though… *reads Bible for some good fortune*
138 is a whole lot to get through π
If y’all could just buy me a drink each π
Kill Stoke, Shoot down Pulis.
Oh dear here we go again on the injury front – NB52 to lead the attack against the hammer throwers tomorrow?
I am kinda worried for tomorrow..this is the kind of game we need to focus on..
no let ups here..
Anyone drinking at the bar yet?
I’ll join in for a pint
UCL games again today. Should be very interesting.
zico – You don’t remember Sean Connery as the narrator of the 1982 WC? He was brilliant.
TvN – narrator? We watched all the games live – Sean would have been holed up in his Marbella mansion at the time terrified that his long lost cousins were going to drop in for beer and sandwiches π
Anyway, back to tomorrow – what do we do now RvP is injured?
Eczema scores but a late equalizer leaves the Special One scratching his head.
zico – Connery did the narration on FIFA’s 1982 WC review. You should look out for it. I’ve seen it on the tele. He’s got some brilliant one liners in it (including commenting on the Brasil v Scotland match).
RvP injured his hammy in training? How long is he out for???
I would start Chamakh in his stead but that’s me. Le Boss will likely start Bendtner. Such is the life of being a Gooner.
The Spuds lost 3-0 @ Blackpool. Phantasique!!!
I assume Connery did the narration of the review well after the fact.