I’m Staying Away So Arsenal Win The Cup
Feb 26th, 2011 by 'holic
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 side from Hicksville out in the west country. My first Wembley final in the flesh turned into one of the worst experiences of my life. A point I am constantly reminded of now I live in Hicksville. They have long memories in these parts.
1988 and a contact gets me a ticket for the game from Millwall, and I spend ninety minutes preparing my escape strategy. Those around me are cheering Luton, and it is getting tense because I can’t sit on my hands. My cheers and their mood are turned, along with the destiny of the Cup, in the final few minutes. How on earth did we lose that?
So to 2007, and I have an outstanding day at Cardiff, courtesy of Carling who return their hospitality packages to the clubs involved. Pre-match chuckles with Charlie George and Sammy Nelson set the mood, Theo puts the young Guns in pole position, but I am there, so it is an inescapable fact that Chelsea will score two, and so they do.
I get the picture. Every time we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the League Cup, I am there. So when the management suggested this weekend to spend with the kids in the Black Country, I reluctantly accepted that it was probably in the best interests of everybody that I accept.
So for the very good reason that I am not in attendance, I can confidently predict that the six year trophy drought, that I am sick of people moaning about, ends this Sunday. The ‘holic pound says 2-1 to Arsenal. 8/1 is widely available on that. It will be a close match I think, but my presence elsewhere will clearly be the deciding factor.
Mr Jinx has left the building!
154 Responses to “I’m Staying Away So Arsenal Win The Cup”
Come on you Mighty Reds!
Let’s do it for the team, the supporters and the club tomorrow!
So ‘Holic, we need to win without you and Cesc. How will we cope big man? 😉
In a word, TS, Nasri.
If he comes to the party, we win…
A noble sacrifice for the cause has been made…
Spot-on and another word, “Wilshere”, might be just as instrumental?
I’ll be in town tomorrow with a couple of Gooners watching it in an Arsenal friendly pub.
Enjoy the game and the family!
You forget, holic, Tufty will be there.
Heh!
The scapegoat has landed!
Stay away for the entire season man. we will record every game for you to watch throughout the summer in the safe knowledge that the mighty reds scooped just about everything in front of them.
I think, you agree wif me on that too, holic
Steady on fella. I have seen us win the odd trophy or seventeen too 😉
Can’t wait. I must say that I just have a sneaking feeling that a lot more will be talking about Jack wilshere come the end of tomorrow. Could just be his day.
We thank you for this ‘holic! My sister has come down from Yorkshire to watch it because every time she watches a CF at her house we lose, when she stays with me, we win. My son has got my ticket – his first real final. He missed the first half in Cardiff because of train trouble.
Come on you Reds!
No worries this time around mate, we gonna win this….
COME ON ARSENAL
So its a win then.
Will Cesc get a medal if we win?
Great sacrifice Mr Holic. Doing a 3 point turn over Hicksville is a bit embarrassing!
Being as I am on an unprecedented winning streak of one for predicting the correct score, confidence is oozing and my pound is on
4 – 0. Lets face it, it is a cup final against Birmingham, we SHOULD win 4 – 0.
He was as wide as he was high. His hair was a distant memory – but, he had four gold bands on the sleeve of his jacket and, no doubt, in his mind he was a legend in his own lunchtime.
“What’s your name?” he enquired with a swagger. “Jane”. “What? Jane as in Tarzan and Jane?” he quipped. “That’s a lousy, lousy joke” she responded without smiling. He stomped off to his cockpit, scowling. I hoped that his savoir faire with his joystick transcended his chat up line with his stewardess. Jane, tall and golden, looked over at me and winked. I thought of Her Nellieness and winced.
UA 918 was about to be airborne. London Calling and the prospect of ten great days ahead – Wembley. The Emirates. Barcelona. A glass of their best red, Gerry Rafferty “On a Wing and a Prayer” in the headphones. Wings and prayers – very appropriate. Head down and, with a bit of luck, four hours sleep to see me through a Saturday, which will include a four-year-old grandson’s birthday party. All my joys coming at once.
“We’re the famous Arsenal and we’re off to Wem-ber-ley.” “Am I a big boy yet, Putt Putt? Can I come too?” “You’ll be a big boy next year, son. You can come then.”
The taxi man who picked me up at Terminal One was a West African gentleman of Nigerian origin. “I hope Cesc and Van Persie are both back. We were lucky to get a result at Leyton Orient” he advised. “Cesc and Theo are out, mate. Robin will start, so will Kos. The team should be strong enough to beat Birmingham.” I was glad I’d flown the Atlantic to bring him up to speed. He’d never heard of Goonerholic but promised to look us all up.
The ride through Fulham to Brixton in the early morning is a nice one despite the close proximity of the Bus Stop. Alex Song in the Standard “We’re determined to win”. Arsene “My remarkable team can handle pressure in the final”
And so we are. And so we can. Cesc’s absence is a disappointment. Even slightly off-par, he brings a little of that certain “sauce du jour” that spices, colours and sparks the rest of the team. Are we strong enough to beat Birmingham’s bruisers without him? Most certainly. Our team just needs to have the self-belief.
Nasri in the Cesc role with Alex and Jack providing muscle and craft alongside, ahead of a back foursome that now picks itself. Bendy, Robin and Arshavin to start up front, with Chamakh and Rosicky to enter from stage left if legs begin to tire around 70 minutes.
And in goal – the one and only Wojciech – the Pole between the poles, the today and tomorrow of Arsenal goalkeeping. According to the Standard his brother, dad and grandad are all flying over from Poland to watch him. I hope they inspire him to even greater heights and yet another clean sheet as Arsenal sweep to silver and the end to tiresome “When did you last win anything” questions.
Enjoy it, Holics. Shout your lungs out and I’ll see you at the Tollie next week after the Sunderland game. Look for the man in the Crail Golf Club “bunnet” with 1796 on the brim.
I am getting quite nervous about tomorrow, but not really in a negative way. I so want this crop of players to win stuff and the Carling Cup would be a good start.
Come on Arsenal!
Thanks for the sacrifice, ‘holic
Are you at the final, BtM? Thought you were. Either way see you for the Sunderland.
Single malt of your choice, please
Come on Wigan, please win.
BtM,
That’s a fairly spectacular trip you have lined up for yourself there. I’m hoping that your presence at all three matches will bring us an equal number of victories although a draw at the Camp Nou will be as good as a victory. Enjoy thrice faether.
Lars,
Save that energy for the screaming and shouting tomorrow. Don’t forget to polish the horns on your battle hat three times for good Gooner luck 😉
Drinks please Mr. Barman for this brace of fine gents and a sacrifical one for yourself.
yeah dude stay away lol
I will be travelling down from Birmingham tomorrow with all the Birmingham fans.
Before you ask why Neasden Gooner is travelling from enemy territory – I ’emigrated’ from London to South Birmingham 3 years ago, but still manage to get down to Arsenal a few times in a season, whilst seeing the boys in Red n White (and sometimes Yellow) in the Midlands.
Whilst not being able to get a ticket in the Arsenal end for love nor money, I have managed to secure a ticket sitting with the enemy. I will be struggling to contain myself when we score. Not looking forward to the journey down as every bloody Birmingham fan seems to be going.
Mind you, you wouldn’t think that Birmingham are playing in a cup final according to the mood up here. There has been no sign of a flag or scarf, which I find strange.
I just hope we beat them ’cause (i) if they win the whole bloody city is going to go OTT, (ii) this trophy will open the floodgates to many more and (iii) if the unthinkable happens, what effect will this have on our beloved team
WE’LL WIN CAUSE WE’RE ARSENAL
I must say your English is remarkable Gentlemen.. Stumbled into your blog and thought I’d leave my “salaam’s” from Nairobi… Quite a nice “forum” you have here.. Looking forward to be a frequenter .. Hoping we end the trophy drought tomorrow.. For ourselves, for Theo and Fabregas, for the guy(from Kenya) who took his life after the champions league defeat in 2009.. For Glory and for the “other” cups we TOTALLY yearn for, For Emirates.. oh yeah.. and for the endless debate about “when we last won”..
We(Arsenal fans) hope to have a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi City tomorrow after we lift the Carling Cup..
1600 hours GMT 27-2-2011 That’s 10am Minnesota time. I hope I can shovel all the snow beforehand. COYRRR! Win one for the long suffering Goonerholic!
There is one major obstacle in our way – DEAN, the Duke Emissary for the Anti-Arsenal Network. We better have a strong bench because the kicks will be flying in.
Aww Dave, appreciate your sacrifice but let’s keep the faith and the team will win it without you (and our captain, Theo and the Verminator)! Enjoy the Black Country! 🙂
nice one sir diff…. Hope we win for all the arsenal fans all over the world… Lets go gunners! Even Dean can’t stop us… One love!
Come on Wigan!!! Get us a couple points closer!!!
Hey Sir Diff, glad there is a red and white clan in Nairobi. Here, in deepest darkest Brighton, I swear I’m the only Arsenal fan. Watching football at my pub surrounded by manure is most unpleasant. Its so bad that I prefer to quaff at home.
Clattenberg allows Shrek to swing an intentioal elbow without a booking. Unbelievable.
Damn Mexican …
Wigan down 0-1 @ 20′ but have had two great chances so far.
Shrek is lucky to still be in this match. If the FA have any balls they will give him a one match ban and he won’t be available for Chel$ki. But I’ve gotta stop dreamin’.
To all those who are going have a great day, I’ve arranged a Cup Final party here in the bar, afternoon drinks and a Wemb-er-ly showcase.
Lovely Jubbly.
COYRRR.
A nice frothy cold one please.
Cheers.
Wigan capitulation. So much for the goal difference differential.
Nice to see the Aston Villa fans wishing us well tomorrow. Really no surprise I suppose. Birmingham are their version of the LWCs.
‘holic, I never thought you were so superstitious that you would miss a Cup Final at Wembley. I always saw you as risking life and limb to be at such an event. Anyway, I hope it works out right for the club all the same.
BtM,
That’s a fantastic road trip you have in store. Thanks for another brilliant write up. And happy BDay to your grandson.
your post got me thinking, and I realised I have seen Arsenal lose a final in every single competition!
fa cup v liverpool 2001
league cup 1988 v luton
ecwc 1994 zaragoza (paris)
european cup 2006 v barcelona (paris)
uefa cup 2000(?) v galatasaray (copenhagen)
some record eh! Hopefully that won’t jinx us tomorrow as i have been lucky enough to get a ticket and will be going, and I should point out that i was there when we won the league cup in ’87 and ’93!!
in 1988 i made the mistake of taking a girlfriend so that doesn’t count!!
Try as I will, I simply cannot get over-excited about the CC Final.
I keep looking ahead to the return leg at Barcelona and how many fit players we will have by then. Tomorrow’s battle will be against thugs like Bowyer, aided by anti-Arsenal Dean and IMO, if we finish the game unscathed, we will have won, regardless of the score.
Try harder mate!!
It’s a cup final, have you any idea who many fans dream of seeing their team in a cup final but will probably never get the chance?
Come on you reds!!!
Drinks to get us in the mood please.
Birmingham hasnt won fuck all since 1963. They will be up and so should we. This is my first chance to cheer Arsenal on to a trophy since I’m a newbie gooner. BTW fuck Barcelona, they are so overrated. We could keep 75% of the ball too passing between Koscielny , jack and sagna all match. I’m just not seeing the allure. I watched every WC match start to finish and Spain were boringzzzzzzzz
Dutts, I love the Gunners too but if that’s you’re opinion on Spanish footy I’d say you’ve gotta educate yourself a bit more.
I’ve been watching plenty of la liga the last 5 years and it is weak compared to EPL. Every Barca player is allowed all day on the ball. Sorry but pounding on the likes of Almeria week in and out isn’t all that impressive.
And the likes of Wigan and Blackburn are? La Liga is the best technical league on the planet. EPL has too much kick & run and leg breakers in it. Don’t let the British media brainwash you. Just this week La Liga has surpassed the EPL with respect to marketing revenue. That isn’t a coincidence.
And what Stoke play cannot be called football. I believe it’s called rugby.
Come on you Gunners!!! Only hours to a Wembley kickoff now. I can smell it.
I would have gotten back sooner but I turned on barca – Mallorca for arguements sake. I watched 20 3 yard passes, 4 backpasses to Valdes then took a nap. Btw I don’t read British media , I’m in Arizona
A final is a final, whatever the name of the cup and being a final, it’s there to be won and enjoyed by all associated with the club.
I’ve been to many finals, seen the boys win and lose and I am really looking forward to this one.
Enjoy the day fellow Holics, wherever you are watching the game and here’s to a win for the good guys.
An extra cold Guinness, please and one for whoever else is in the bar.
CoYRRR’s
Always nice to have a Guinness Jersey thank you. Not quite sure why you always want an extra cold one though. They’re not particularly cold from the tap up my way.
Hi Sir Diff, I stumbled upon this blog a while back n I must say I do enjoy it immensely. Will b watchin th game in Limuru n I pray we win it 4 all th pple in the GOONIVERSE. Lets Do This!
Dutts – It’s beyond me how a newbie Gooner cannot appreciate the way Barça play. An old timer Gooner from the George Graham days is one thing, but a newbie? Like Rush Limbaugh says, “Mind boggling!”
Man I have the same superstiition or kind of, going on. So I ve done and will do what needs to be done so Arsenal wins. Man am I nervous…
TvN, it’s just a habit as we sometimes get the choice in the in the boozer’s here of an ordinary or an extra cold and I do prefer the cold one. So I always ask for an extra cold one.
Looking forward to one or two tomorrow.
CoYRRR’s
You quoted Rush limbaugh …. Enough said.
@Theo ….. What you failed to mention in the marketing revenue comment is that over 80% of that was generated by two clubs which makes my point perfectly. Yes Barca and Real are great clubs but the rest is utter shit. Valencia could be thought of as the 3rd best and they are teetering with bankruptcy and about to be dumped out of the UCL by the 11th place German club. Barca play nice football but I’m not in awe of them like you are. There is nothing to fear there. La liga is not the same intensity as EPL and we are a fit team that can get in those dwarves faces for 90 minutes.
On to Wembley, 3-0 to the Arsenal in a stress free performance
Dutts,
La Liga’s marketing revenue is greater than the EPL’s. How’s it is distributed is irrelevant. I think the EPL should be concerned about that.
Valencia is still very much in their tie with Schalke. There are other strong teams in La Liga besides FCB and RM that play proper footy with proud histories (Valencia, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, etc.). As a whole, their footy is more pleasing on the eye than the EPL and maybe that’s why La Liga has recently surpassed the EPL wrt marketing revenue. And as for bankruptcy, many EPL clubs are struggling wrt finances including the EPL’s Holy Grail ManIOU. Liverfool needed new ownership to avoid financial troubles.
I’m not in awe of FCB. I respect our opponents greatly. Those who do not respect history are doomed to repeat it. Last year they took us behind the woodshed (6-3 aggregate, 4-1 at Camp Nou 2nd leg, dominated us in the first 20 minutes in the first leg at our house). That kind of utter beat down is deserving of our respect in the way your childish dismissal does not.
And we shouldn’t be talking about Barça at this point in time (sorry ‘holic and ‘holics) but when I hear utter tripe and sheer disrespect I will call it out.
As for that score prediction for tomorrow Dutts, I kind of like it. 3-0 to the Arsenal, although generous, would be very nice. Cup Finals bring out the best in over matched opponents so my prediction is a more conservative 2-0 for us (RvP and Nasri).
Up the Arse!!!
I am so fucking scared of Mike Dean.
Snir – I’m not looking forward to that ‘referee’ either. Please refresh all of our memories as to why we should be worried about his whistle, if you please.
Admire your dedication towards the Gunners, Holic. Must say I share the same fjinx.
Don’t even know what to make of this story, but Cashley brought a loaded .22 rifle to training and shot a fan from point blank range? Im Surprised he didn’t airmail it over the bar though lol
Arsenal we love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
boy am i waiting forward to the match today. we have had so many near miss seasons but wenger has taken a different approach this season by playing stronger squads in the lesser competitions. whoever the coach plays we are much stronger than Birmingham. the only problem might be if we do not turn up for the match.
@ Dutts #51: LMAO
Come on you Gunners! It’s time to cowboy up and git ur dun.
Up the Arse! (Hook ’em)
looking forward to this big time…
Come on you reds!!!!
Dutts & LG,
Looks like we don’t share the same political persuasion. C’est la vie. At least we share something more important … a love of the Arsenal.
I’ll quote one of my favourite sayings (original origin unknown) as applicable Gunner wisdom for Sunday, “Score early & score often”.
What do you say we save the politics and the barca game for another day and another bar. We’ve got a big game ahead of us and even bigger for the players. Let’s all raise our glasses to the return of Rambo and the chocolate leg of rvp that will spark the win followed by our little Russian in a 2-0 triumph over the brummies. Holic don’t stay too far away as I’m sure you’d like to sip on a fine red at the final. How about some johnnie walker red for myself to keep me warm in this cold southern California winter and another for anyone in the bar on me…
Speaking of cowboys 😛
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/27/ashley-cole-chelsea-air-rifle
Oh Cashley Cashley…
🙁
Seems like Cashley is still a gunner at heart.. 😛
TvN – http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/11088
Need I say more?
Guys,
You have to read this. Just have to.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8348363/Arsenal-v-Birmingham-City-revealed-the-117-questions-that-decide-the-fate-of-aspiring-Gunners.html
Dont know if anyone heard interview with Gazadis this a.m on 5 Live
Probably avail in UK with Ipla*yer
Interesting insight into him, the club, AW, Cesc and widow Kranky
Holic I am sorry you are staying away (just as I am I suppose ) but expect a wonderful result for all of us
COYR
Hello Sir,
I couldnt come to Blighty and not drop to share a drink or 7. See you in April and here is hoping that your absence is duly noted by the 1st team and that they deliver.
@Theo….. stick to your american sports because you seem to know absolutely nothing about football(soccer as you lot call it)
On the train now. Bring it on.
At the tube station on my way to the pub. Pre-match nerves are playing merry hell with my stomach. Desperately want us to win today. Come on, Arsenal!
‘Holic, I’m afraid my own ‘finals’ history is depressingly similar to your own.
Good news for Gooners though – I’m safely tucked out of the way down here on the edge of the Pyrenees ’til Tuesday evening – back for Orient on Wednesday.
TV is ready to go with Sky – hoping for commentators and pundits with strong Arsenal bias – no problem there, surely.
Nerves are jangling nicely. Quality will be no problem – the only obstacle to our success will be the extremes to which Mcleish has whipped his men.
Lunch and beers are ready – have a great day all Gooners who will be there.
I can’t wait to see Cesc with an Arsenal trophy in his hands.
Here’s to one for all of us – COME ON YOU REEEDDDSSS!!!
Snir @ 69 – great stuff, the man keeps surprising us.
Come on lads, show us a big time arseing. Let’s enjoy it and hope for the glory we deserve.
Szczesny, Sagna, Clichy, Djourou, Koscielny, Song, Wilshere, Rosicky, Arshavin, Nasri, Van Persie
So little Moart it is…
Clichy. Stop playing the opposition players onside please!
man… rosicky needs to step up more… it just not enough effort…
What has happened to Rosicky?
He’s usually a good passer
Excellent goal by RVP
Come on Arsenal!!!!
We don’t need extra time or penalties.
Come on you reds!!!
Bendtner for RvP? The Duthchie must be injured. Not exactly what we need right now …
No words…
Lack of spirit and determination to win.Too much wandering around with no conviction for long spells in the game.
Unbelievable. Can’t beat Birmingham City with our best available squad on a neutral ground. There’s a very dark cloud over this club. When will it end?
Absolutely shattered.
Gutted.. Absolutely gutted..
If we could put as much effort in as Birmingham we will be unbeatable.Until then always a good second.
we played a good 2nd half it was a fucking freak goal for God’s sake. the players need us now more than ever.
Arsenal forever!
Heartbreaking..
I thought the players took it too lightly..they choked..
Anyway, there are three more trophies to fight for. I don’t know how the hell we can do it…
Whiskey please.
Shows you what arrogance does. We played like we only had to turn up to win it.
Stone Roses I agree.I don’t think we should blame Wos and Kos.We have the players, we have the squad we just lack sheer determination in a few positions.Fine margins but important.We have to strike back against Orient and Sunderland.
A round for the ‘Holics, please. Speechless…
Well… With all respect, truly:
RIP Rosicky. You were great, but I think you are done.
I actually thought at first the squad was surprised with Birmingham’s commitment and was scared to get the ball so they won’t get horribly tackled. In the 2nd half, they shrugged it off and played better, but I’m absolutely shattered.
I have no idea how LK will recover from this.
We lack mental strength. Period.
Looks like Cesc will be the captain to hold up this Arsenal team’s first trophy after all…
And we’re going to get a result @ Camp Nou? This Beer Cup Final was supposed to be a springboard to further success this year. The way we lost it … it could actually have the exact opposite effect.
Not sure what this will mean to the rest of our games this reason. Big dent to confidence and morale for sure. Rosicky was poor, surprised he was not replaced. Any word on how series RVP’s injury is ?
There is no excuse for Kos not seeing Woy ready to collect. None. Having that said it was a freak and it wasn’t the first nor the last time the Arsenal have lost a final to a weaker team. Some perspective is in order. I’ve cursed Kossy for this already and will probably hate him for a few days. But when we play Orient and then Sunderland I’ll be right back cheering him on. We didn’t play well enough and I am angry and gutted, but this is football and these things happen. A few days of media blackout and I’ll be back.
Fucking fucking fucking fucking fuck.
1) The omission of Fab4
2) The substitution of RVP
3) The late goal
I’m so fucking pissed of at this team, the players, Wenger…I can’t see straight. From tactics (why start Rosicky? why?) to committment – everybody wears this stain.
Fair play to City.
Until this club finds a way to set this right…I just can’t
Fair play to City. That’s all.
I was listening to the radio leading up to the game and they actually commented as to how late we were getting to the stadium!
No suits, well fuck guys, its just Birmingham, lets stroll around the park for 90 minutes, pass it around a bit, score a few goals, get a winners medal then put our feet up while the second string beat Orient. Piece of piss really, after all we ARE Arsenal, all we need to do is show up late.
Just got in from the pub the glee that surrounded Brums second was enough for me had to make a sharp exit 😉
Carnt say I’m devastated as in the grand scheme of things I wouldn’t count a carling cup as a succesfull season but any trophies a trophy and thus side needed one but hey ho out of adversity comes strength,
A couple of things I will mention tho What the fuck is turning up to a cup final in tracksuits all about !!! Remember who you are and what you represent was a certain ex Arsenal legends saying and wearing a fucking suit is the least they should do when representing The Arsenal maybe standards have dropped and it shows on the pitch Also I’m sorry to say this ad the bloke used to light up a pitch when the ball was at his feet but that injury has killed Rosicky he’s a shell of a player.
Anyways onwards and Upwards
Up The Arse,
Is that true, Stone?
Sadly, another example of Kozzer’s over-eagerness. He’s got to hear his keeper calling him off in such a situation. Cheeser’s ball all the way.
We give up the first goal on another corner and gift them the second on a comedy of errors. The press is going to have a field day on us after this one. And I thought it would start to end today.
1. Totally unlucky — we deserved this and were by a whole heap, the better team.
2. Shit happens — don’t blame Kos: he’s a great player, he just made a bad mistake
3. It’s the mickey mouse cup — we’ll win big this year
4. The media bollox is one thing, but Arsenal fans whimpering on blaming Wenger or Kos or mental strength is another. I’m not going to look at a web-site for at least 2-days
5. Up the Arse
Complete media blackout for me Theo. I might not be back in the bar for the rest of the season.
If I don’t see any of you for a minute, keep the faith for me mates…my tank is empty.
*wipes forehead with kerchief…settles up tab*
I’m out.
LG, yeah, its true, they said how Birmingham had been there ages and we hadnt got to the stadium. The whole thing reeks of arrogance.
@chippy –
same as you mate, left the pub after we got the consolation prize and I feel awful right now, but its less for the Cup than for the players. I hope they can pick themselves up and we can all let them know that we believe in them Wednesday and Saturday.
Don’t know what you’re talking about with the track-suits comment. Who bloody cares? They can come in with bath-robes if they please.
Gutted but that’s football for ya. I hope this dissapointment drives them on with extra determination and that we don’t suffer a huge hangover from this we are still in a very good position and if I had a choice of losing one competition then it would be this one still hurts to see tossers like Carr and Bowyer celebrating though. The team need us and lets face it Birmingham will be playing Brighton next season.
Up The Arse
I never thought I’d cry so much cause of the CC.
I have no idea how they pic themselves up from this, after all they do read the papers and all that.
I just see this beautiful season getting ruined against UTD in the FA cup and at the Nou Camp and the team will have no belief of surpassing UTD in the league.
Unless they do prove me wrong, I’m still hoping, but not as optimistic as usual knowing the personalities of these players.
*from the door*
Thanks for the confirmation Stone. That kind of hubris deserves the punishment it received. That is on Wenger.
Ivan, if you can’t see what’s wrong with that…disrespecting your opponent – not taking him, the event, your fans seriously… then you’ll be happly with any kind of slop. I’ve played competitive sports, you never do what this team allegedly did.
Late to a final…that’s awesome.
*sigh*
Can’t agree more with my namesake 😉
Leave the tab open bartender, next round’s on me!
Ivan,
My point regarding suites is they Are representing Arsenal football club not having a kick about over a local park maybe I’m a traditionist but our club has certain standards and they are being eroded away, At home or one the traing ground i couldn’t give a fuck if they are wandering around in gimp suites but when they represent the club they should set certain standards but that’s just my view,
Holic, it seems you could’ve gone to the game. Made no freaking difference in the end. This competition just doesn’t like us it seems.
Mugabe media lockdown for me.
Those flaiming injuries again
On the upside I cried when Luton beat us and don’t feel half as bad tonight 😉 Ive had 20 years of whicker hat nightmares as I’ve never seen so many before or since- maybe that re occuring image of Gus being mugged will now be replaced,
As for the Brum c@@t that slapped Kos on the head after their goal all I will say is Karma is a bitch and we owe you bigtime,
I only understand half of the suit argument. We play football (well, most of the time) and in all seriousness, track suits are not that wrong a garment to wear if you play football. The wrongs we commited today we did on the pitch and not at the tailors. Whenever we see Arsenal players in public situations like money raising for charity, we dress appropriately (I’m not counting pics with Nicky in his underwear!). I will not be a Hull City employee here. If we didn’t show enough class it was on the pitch. If we didn’t take this game seriously enough it was on the pitch. And I’m not even sure about that. We just didn’t have the creative midfield we are used to. That’s why it was more sideways than forward passing. Not because we thought we could just turn up. At least that is what I saw. We let in two goals, one from a 3 meters tall player and one from a bad mistake. None of them was down to us not taking the game seriously.
I hate this and I am furious at the team, because that is what you are after a game like this. But it wasn’t THAT bad a performance. No nonchalance what I could see. We just didn’t perform.
This was not down to tailoring, and before anyone say that “it’s not the clothes it is what they represent” I’ll just have to say I disagree. The suits are for the galas when we have won silverware. Not NECESSARILY for before a game of football.
A round of drinks for everybody that disagrees! After all we’re all Gooners, aren’t we? Oh and an extra drink for Matt, I’m not where you are yet, but I’ll be there soon I hope!
Short on mental strength & professionalism. High on hubris. That’s not the cocktail of winners. Sorry lads. It just is not. It needs to be sorted and nipped in the bud or this will only get worse.
If you can’t win the Beer Cup under almost ideal circumstances then how on earth do you expect to win bigger prizes consistently?
An extra drink for the “real” Matt as well, as he apparently agrees with New Matt.
And a drink for Chippy as well, since I think he might not agree with me for once!
…need to pick ourselves up now and keep going…
…the triple anyone?
Oh Nayim from the halfway line was also far far far worse !!
I have to drown my sorrows, trouble is, being a beeratypical (?) philistine, my drink of choice is Carling.
@lonestar @chippy
Fair enough – I admit that we were complacent but this was down to everyone. Us fans, the manager (the subs were bizarre) and the players. I don’t get what track-suits had to do with it, but perhaps you’re right…maybe it all shows how we approached the game.
In the grand scheme of things, the next big big test is how we recover. The loss hasn’t sunk in yet for me but I’m dreading when it does.
Forget next week, the two upcoming games are huge. I can’t be at the Emirates but any show of unity on Wednesday for the players would be great.
You should see the amount of F and C words on Le Grove. Enough to make a grown man cry.
I just can’t stop crying.
Haha Toby no worries it’s all about opinions – Mine are always right tho !! It’s a funny old game as that wanker from up the road once commented and I’m not going to get to down over the lowest priority trophy would have Bern good for the side to win it but there’s always the next one 😉
that was no way to loser a cup final, that goal was heartwrenching..
Ivan,
Spot on that’s what worries me far more than the result in years gone by the club would close ranks from the fans to the tea lady and come back hard very hard has this team got that in them and have the club as a whole? Let’s hope so for all our sakes mine round isn’t it, beers and chasers all round please Guv.
Beers and chasers it is Chippy. If for nothing else this was a useful test proving that ‘holic has not been our jinx all along. My heart is wrenched too but Birmingham had not won anything since 1963 if I have my facts straight so their fans deserve today. Fortune was certainly with them.
Polish/French/English
moja pika = ma ballon = my ball
The only thing that worries me is how they’ll react and I’m quite worried.
If there was such a thing as a “springboard” then why can’t the league be it? This was always the smallest priority and we can’t just drop everything we’ve built on this. Yes, it hurts like f&#k, but lets judge us on the next few games. If we win the league then this day will be forgotten.
Not good enough but still not over.
And those re-emerged “Wenger-Out” people can piss off, get off their computer and go to a game for once in their life.
btgbnn,
Indeed and fair play to Brum – 47 years is alot longer than 6 and to be fair they put up a great performance we had the majority of chances but they created some very good ones as well not to mention we were lucky not to concede a pen and be down to 10, So let them have there day in the sun they earnt it – Ours is not a million miles away and will be all the sweeter when it arrives.
On a down note tho we have no pace without walcott and lack imagination without Cesv let’s hope they are both back in time for Barca. And the games after and pray to the football gods VP is not seriousy hurt as that would be season over,
At the two minute mark there was an omen of things to come. Clichy plays an opponent onside again (this time Bowyer), the linesman got it wrong calling it offside when it wasn’t, Cheezer brings him down all alone in the box. Had the officials got that right, we would have been down 0-1 on the penalty which would have been awarded and down to ten men. It would have been a Jens Lehmann moment and Paris all over again I thought at the time. Our heads weren’t in it from the very beginning.
lose to Manchester United
beat Chelsea
give up 4-0 lead at Newcastle
beat Barcelona
lose to Birmingham
beat Barcelona again? pretty please?
meh.
My wife is due to give birth any day now. In theory. Perspective.
Drink?
Always beware an ego thats bigger than the related IQ. Chezzer’s Ashley Cole comment ‘kicking them out of the FA cup’ comes back to haunt him big time.
On the suit argument – I’d just point out (IMO) that preparation and mind set are important on a subconscious level. Dressing the part is always an important step. Just my opinion.
More drinks?
Amen, Dr. C.
Congrats on the healthy, soon-to-be arrival. Hazzah!
Suits.
It’s about tradition and respect, honouring the occasion, a Wembley cup final. We one fingered tradition, respect and the occasion, and got what we deserved. Birmingham were in the mindset and deserved their day.
Query whether ‘Holic is redacting comments. I’d certainly have expected some of the Brum to flame the bar by now. Regardless, for those who are haunting about in the shadows – credit to your team.
They played hard.
If you don’t like have your head slapped about while you’re on the ground, don’t go gifting goals…
‘We one fingered tradition, respect and the occasion’
Based on what? What we wore? What time we turned up? Are people this desperate to find easy answers and something to blame?
Fair enough Catalan, I’ll say what Chippy said, it’s all about opinions and mine are always right 😉 Still think that being in clothes meant for football before a football game is not such a huge crime (nor is wearing a hoody and a leather jacket after a game!) but I absolutely accept the argument. As long as our players are (mostly) decent blokes, pay (most of) their taxes and never ever hit a woman (or a man partner for that matter!) I couldn’t care less what they wear.
Or to put it like this – I’d like them to wear the celebratory clothes after having something to celebrate, not before! Sharp suits are for the party, not for the game.
Actually feeling a bit better now. Still gutted, and still think that we’ll go out to Barca, lose to Man Utd in the FA and then be so demoralized that we’ll lose the title as well, but I’m slowly getting my act together. Season isn’t over yet!
A nice Rioja for Catalan, please!
CG,
Another young Gooner in Catalan land hey 😉 Maybe he or she will be born the day we dump Barca lol,
Good luck to you and the better half – and on that note I’ll shuffle to the bar for some sangria and chorizo 😉
The no suits issue shows a lack of professionalism. The tardiness a lack of focus. The missed golden opportunity to lift silverware a lack of mental strength, a winning culture, and ruthlessness.
The press will start chirping, ‘Is this the start of another Arsenal implosion?’
Toby – not bothered whether what they wore upset anyone else Hull style, just think that small things like that make up the mind set for the day.
Amateur Psychology only.
Cheers for the Rioja… coincidence has it that one is already open here (don’t think I’m going to the hospital tonight!).
Cheers Chippy and Lonestar.
I don’t think it signifies anything at all to be honest.
And to hell with the press, if we’d won they would have started drivelling on about a quadruple that was never going to happen, it’s all or nothing with the media.
Re: Arsenal’s failure to wear suits, was it perhaps agreed with B’ham beforehand?
B’ham had apparently cocked up their own suit order with Harvey Nicks, so maybe both sides agreed not to wear them?
viz. http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/02/26/birmingham-city-players-to-wear-normal-outfits-after-leaving-it-too-late-to-order-suits-97319-28238713/
Re: Rosicky, I agree with comment above – why start him? Today’s team looked too like the one that could only draw 1-1 at Orient.
I’m also surprised Chamakh didn’t start in place of Bendtner. What’s happened to him? Why not a 4-4-2 with Chamakh and RvP upfront, with Nasri and Arshavin on the wings?
Because earlier in the season, there were several games where Wilshere, Nasri, Chamakh and Arshavin all seemed to have developed something of an understanding between them, some of the interplay was great, lightning fast (eg for Jack’s 1st CL goal, assist by Chamakh if I remember rightly).
Rosicky has barely played all season. When I saw the team selection, I kind of knew we’d struggle.
And now add Robin to the list of the injured.
Gutted.
Do you think ManIOU would have behaved wrt the way we did in my points @ #147? I don’t think so. In fact, I remember seeing them dressed up in suits with the team crest on them for big matches before. Where are our equivalent team suits for such occasions? I hate ManU with a passion but they go about the details like professionals. We can learn from that and this entire day should be taken as a valuable experience to the team, club, and fans.
I’m still gutted. Triple JD please barman.
Boys. The bar is open down the street.
CG,
I wasn’t sure you were serious at first or only using an analogy to provide all of us with what is truly important in life. Congratulations on the expected new arrival to the family. Salute.
Tvn
still on my way home, been a long day lots of beer drunk and in a pub drinking more at the moment, been Reading the drinks and to be honest your beginning to get on my nerves, maybe it’s because I’ve had a few but then again you was getting on my nerves last night and I wasn’t pissed then. Get back to you with sober reasoning behind that soon but in the mean time shut the fuck up