We Can’t Allow Our Minds To Go Wandering Against Wolves
Feb 11th, 2011 by 'holic
“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 meeting with Mick McCarthy’s men at the Grove.
Last season’s dramatic last gasp one-nil win is still fresh in the memory. In the wake of the debacle at Newcastle, and Wolves defeat of Manchester United, we know that the attitude of the side will be thoroughly tested this weekend. Denilson is fit to return which will make up for the absence of the suspended Diaby, and injured Rosicky.
I’m encouraged by the manager’s words. The temptation to rotate must be a very real one, but the points are so important we need to play the best available side against opponents who will give a hundred percent. Wolves last three wins were against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United. Not too shabby that.
For me that means Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny and Clichy in front of Szczesny. Song, Wilshere, and the skipper in midfield, Walcott, van Persie, and the improving Arshavin up top. We can start resting players in the second-half if we are in control of the game. Let’s give ourselves the best possible opportunity of being in that position. Wolves capacity to frustrate is a known. Control the ball, and make them chase it. Then gaps should appear as they tire.
There is the potential for the curse of the old boy to strike in the shape of Jamie O’Hara. The midfielder, who left Arsenal at seventeen to join a smaller club with a decaying stadium, is currently on loan at Molineux and hoping to seal a permanent deal. Alongside him will be Matt Jarvis, who has attracted much praise for his performances this season.
Having highlighted the positives for the visitors it is also fair to point out there is a reason why they are deeply involved in the relegation battle. Those impressive wins have been countered by defeats against the likes of Blackpool, Wigan and West Ham. That inconsistency has landed them in some difficulty, bottom but one and two points from safety.
I’m loathe to plant the ‘holic pound on a scoreline before seeing the side that is selected. I’ll have to assume we will be at full strength, and with our sensible heads on. The bookies make 2-0 their favourite scoreline at 11/2, and I don’t disagree with that.
Another Ticket Beg
I know. I’m still after Barca away tickets. Now I want an even rarer brief. A good mate who has been a season-ticket holder for twenty years has missed out in the ballot for a Carling Cup Final ticket. If for any reason you have been successful in the ballot but can no longer go please drop me a line to gooner at goonerholic dot com and I will put you in touch with him. If you could help, it would be fantastic.
That’s it then. If you are in the family enclosure tomorrow I may see you. Wherever you are in the ground let’s get behind the side, big time. We could be thirteen games away from something special. If we do our bit that can only help encourage those in the famous red and white. As one from Peckham once observed, “You know it makes sense”.
Cheers ‘holics.
128 Responses to “We Can’t Allow Our Minds To Go Wandering Against Wolves”
Any win will do tomorrow. That and Man City to play 10-0-0 and get another bore draw in their game at Old Trafford.
I just saw the Stoke game has been moved back 24 hours to Wed 23rd, so at least we’re not being made to play two games in three days again.
Couldn’t agree more..Need the three points every game
Priorities: 1. Beat Wolves 2. Hate Sp*rs 3. Everything else
BTW, ‘holic, which smaller club with a decaying stadium would that be?
Well said maestro.
Nice one nasri,
Priorities V2 For February :
1. Beat Wolves 2. Beat Farca 3. Beat B’Ham Shitty
LWCs = small, annoying club = low priority for all π
Drinks all round please Barman.
feb 9th – buy my train ticket for 22nd to come back early from the half term break at the in-laws, to see the stoke game
feb 10th – game moved back to 23rd resulting in me having to change the train ticket at a cost of Β£10.
how’s your luck.
at least wank mag united got the olympic stadium, 100 more years in our shadow and a shit stadium…. poor old spuds!
I’m tip-toeing into very dangerous territory … sitting here imagining the possiblity that we could do either of two things: win the league or beat Barca.
It’s naughty of me – we’ve been there before, twice in the previous three seasons, and been badly burnt. Such silliness, why have sleepless nights over such stupid notions?
Enoughing behind that counter to help me sleep better?
(*enoughing = anything … make it a strong one please)
“We can start resting players in the second-half if we are in control of the game”
Was your tongue firmly in your cheek when you put that sentence together ‘Holic?
Strongest team possible please. We have to “get back on the bike” to have a chance of winning anything this season so the team have to show that they are not unsettled by last weeks events.
Stream hunting again for me tomorrow.
Oh and I meant to say ‘Holic – hope you and your grandson have a great day!!
Alot of people are saying ” look out for wolves. They are on a high after beating United. ” Sorry but I see the exact opposite …. them falling to earth with a thud and a resounding 4-0 pasting by the Arsenal
Start a team that is as close as possible to the one that started last Saturday. I don’t give a flying one about Barca, that’s for later. I don’t care what the scoreline is, just make sure we beat Wolves, please.
Orange juice for the grandson son pls barman…
Come on Gunners!!! Unleash your FURY!!!!
Pint of Guinness, please.
Well I seem to have at least temporarily, connection to the bar again.
On the possible good news for the Carling Cup, it seems that a new wave of ballot results was realeased today, as implied elsewhere and here :
https://bookings.arsenal.com/matchday/login.htm
Now I see the man from Wiltshire is still influenced by his location when spelling out Jack’s surname, sometimes π
Oh, and matt p, it could be worse. I have thankfully not yet booked a train for the SToke game, still not sure I can go.
But if I’d booked the usual train ticket in advance, I’d probably have wasted about β¬150 or something. I’m guessing some people are having a rather rough deal with that game change too.
It is however totally stupid that they announced the change of date for Stoke when they did, since the actualy Orient game date and time had been known for a few days then.
Bad luck on the timing then.
Hopefully, you’ll be treated to a performance worth the extra tenner though.
Anyway, I’ll have one of these smoothies favoured by GT, keeping the drinking for tomorrow!
Something for matt p and others in his case too.
Cheers, we’ll see if this publishes now!
Apologies for the very very very bad quality of the above.
Totally agree, bollox to Barca, the next game is the most important and that just happens to be Wolves in the most important competition. Strongest team possible and start thinking about Champions League after.
I really want this league and being our “bread and butter” it should always be our priority.
An extra cold Guinness please sir and shout out loud in the FE tomorrow and I must just hear you.
CoYRRR’s
@ollie
spot on mate, espn changed it about 10 days ago, why the wait?
i’m just hoping ryan shawcross had bought his entire family and friends (both of them) advance tickets for the match for 22nd, and is well out of pocket too; at least i’ll be there to tell the dirty little james blunt what i think of him, that’s worth the extra tenner alone.
coffe for me just starting the night shift
I’ll be in the family enclosure tomorrow(block 27 to be precise) with my fully goonerised sons; hope your grandson becomes that too.
Let’s make the clock end lower tier noisier than usual tomorrow – give Karl Henry the welcome he deserves.
I’ll stick to my Purdey’s and peanuts barkeep.
Enjoy the match with the next gooner generation ‘holic!
Agree with sending out the best squad available. The bleeding has to stop stright away. Sagna can’t play Wednesday anyway. Three points are essential. Hopefully, we can gain two points on ManU and move two further from ManC. Plenty of rest time before Wed night also. 2-0 sounds right (RvP & AA). Whatever the scoreline though, keeping a clean sheet will be the right recipe for squad morale.
Go you Gunners!!!
Holic
I truly hope you and the ‘Young Fella’ have a great day out tomorrow.
Dad’s ritual never changed on a Highbury ‘ Home ” Saturday.
Catch the train in,arrive about 1.30pm,meet his pals at the local cafe,
Enormous cheese roll,with an equally enormous mug of tea,discuss prospects of the team winning,dissect the opposition,arrive at a verdict, hope for the best.
Arrive at ground around 2.30,use turnstile operated by a ‘Friend ‘,squeeze me in with him so only one click on the turnstile,take up position on left of dugout near the players tunnel,me down the front near the wall,Dad about 3 steps back directly behind me.
Watch game,end up happy or sad.
Afterwards catch bus to KCSP,have fish and chips for supper,get the Evening paper with all the results and reports,catch train home,
have a bath,tucked up in bed,sleep like a baby.
All that fresh air knocks a young fella for six.!!
Wonderful memories from the Mists of time,that i will never forget.
Dad did his Job well as did yours Holic,your Grandson could not be in better hands.
Cheers
Clive
Great post Clive
Good afternoon ‘holics,
Excellent preview as always, ‘holic. 2-0 will work just fine, but a clean sheet of any kind will do wonders for our back 5’s confidence ahead of what will be their biggest test yet on wednesday. But as AW says (and ‘holic quotes), tomorrow is all about tomorrow.
We’ll have 96 hours to prepare ourselves for the battle with Xavi and his fellow geneticists.
Assuming JD and Mr. Song Billong pass their fitness tests, I think the first 8 names on the team sheet are obvious. A front three of Theo, AA, and RvP worked brilliantly in the 1st half last week, but something tells me that the forgotten Moroccan might be in line to put himself in the XI after the little Ruskie’s midweek excursion to Abu Dhabi.
AW will at least be mulling that over, given the travel fatigue and the quick turnaround in the week upcoming.
So here’s to a 0-0 in Manchester tomorrow morning, and 3 more points to the Good Guys at the Grove. I’ll be sipping the sweet Troegs Brothers “Nugget Nectar” Imperial Amber, and another round of whatever you folks are having. Enjoy, ‘holics!
Me tinks bendtner mite get a start 2moro after his little moan. I hope he plays he strongest line up though,thank god johan is back
@ollie 15
no change there then! π
*runs*
DT,
Welcome back. Looks like your namesake was checking out Barton’s turtleneck @ the Toon and got three games for the transgression. You should have had a quiet word with him beforehand and he may have avoided such a situation.
Seems to me that AW prefers NB over MC if RvP is fit. With that said, if anyone other than the best available XI is to play, I would say Bendts is the more likely in place of AA.
I’m getting a little discouraged at the ‘Cuse. Have a word with them for me too.
Excellent contribution @ #20 Clive. I’m sure your experiences are greatly appreciated by all ‘holics.
* raises glass in tribute *
TvA- I’ve been in touch with Abou since Bartongate and we’ve concluded that AB’s lack of neckwear contributed to his short fuse last week. Bundling up is always key to keeping your cool. He’s assured me that it won’t happen again.
@ #20 Clive, wonderful memory. Seems a different world.
3 points will be massive. Either way, the team will know the result of the Manchester derby and whether they win, lose or draw nothing less than three points is needed tomorrow. A reaction is needed.
2-0 do us fine Holic,nice write Clive I am very jealous
People seems to want a draw between the Manchesters but I would certainly settle for a 10-0 pasting of United by City.
All my best wishes to your grandson’s conversion `Holic!
And thank you Clive for your inspiring post.
Tough game ahead, I think we’ll win it but don;t forget to keep your fingers crossed to avoid critical injuries by “not these kind of lads”.
And 10-0 Citeh works for me too π
Bt8bbnn has picked up on what i was going to say… 0 – 0 seems to be mentioned a lot, – surely not?
A citeh win has to be our most preferable result?
Is that fresh coffee in that Perky? Ummm, – yes please!
Love your blog today ‘holic, ‘holic pound is mean with the goals – again, we might put 8 past them.
3 points has to be a must for today. No more excuses. Just a good professional performance and 3 points.
I hope you and junior Holic have a great day.
Morning all. Early start today. At the station with a lot of England rugby fans.
behind the 8 ball but not nasri – wouldn’t that require Man City to actually try attacking though?
Something tells me those oil-fuelled bastards will not do what they did against us (ie, shit themselves non-stop for 90 minutes) and come out and make a proper game of it today. My theory is based on the local derby effect. But then again this is City, the most boring, dour, craven collection of overpriced defensive gold-diggers that ever walked this earth. Let’s hope I’m right, and they condemn Manure to their 2nd straight defeat!
Oh and Holic, I’m following the Holic pound today so here’s to a 2-0!
Just a virgin mary for me please as I’m off to the hospital to get my buggered shoulder looked at and I don’t want the nurses smelling the wicked water on my breath.
COYG (and COYB for the lunchtime kick off)
8ball: 10-0 to the Sheiks? Wouldn’t a massive 22-man brawl, lengthy suspensions and points deductions for both teams be better? π
Lars. That is just the first half.
0-0 between mancs perfect for me, both a threat to us hence both dropping points is good, injuries & suspensions for both a bonus, oh and 3 points for us!
Hej Lars @ #39,
Yes, 0-0, season ending injuries for all their key players (nothing too nasty of course), fines and suspensions all round. Plus, just for good measure, SAF popping a blood vessel and given a 12 match suspension for indecent exposure.
Most importantly, Arsenal n-0 Wolves. n = any integer from 1-10.
My regards to Stockholm.
Barman? A pint of Boddies each for The Arsenal Vikings, Carling for me (in deference to our soon to be first cup win) and a piping mug of Ovaltine for Clive W when he’s ready for his bed π
COYRRRs!!!
PS: Thanks for the memoires Clive, I could alomst taste those F&Cs. Never the same unless served in newspaper π
PS from TS: Sorry ‘Holic’s meant to say …. soon to be first cup win THIS SEASON. Tsk…
Lars and TS, excellent scenarios both. 1-1 at the moment with City on the rise.
Check again nasri. The Beeb are already calling it “goal of the season” from Shrek The Odious.
Meh and pah π
Whoops! Shrek has struck. I’d say we’re still in with a decent shout on the SAF indecent exposure charge, at least. Cmon Arsenal !
F*ckin Shrek!
Disappointing but let’s see how they come out of the game with Chelsea in 2 weeks.
C’mon Arsenal!
Well, forget about getting any Sheik help today. That opportunity has passed. ManU will drop another day.
Let’s take care of our own business now lads. Time to be professional.
Come on You Gunners!!!
I’ve got to endure an Ian Darke & Macca telecast and all of their tired cliches.
Barman, a double Jager please!
On the right foot!!!!
RVP,
Your right foot is sweeeeet! π
Get the fuck in!
@ TS: π
Arshavin looking lively today. Deserves a goal (or three). π
any feed suggestions? i keep losing it on veetle?
@pires
I’m using Sopcast, and it is working just fine.
Here are some links for you, courtesy of gunninghawk:
1. http://atdhenet.tv/33980/watch-arsenal-vs-wolverhampton
2. http://atdhenet.tv/33946/watch-arsenal-vs-wolverhampton
3. http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=103742&part=sports
4. http://www.magedtv.net/ch1.html
π
This is where we can’t let our minds go wandering. 2nd half to go boys~
Yeah. Keep it sharp. Keep it tight at the back. Keep focus. Let’s get an insurance marker … or two …
Theo (Walcott) you’re killing me. I could have hit the net on that one!
RvP! Get in!
Wenger must have taken RvP off to protect the ‘Holic pound. Solid result.
COYG
Congrats ‘Holic on the ‘holic pound..
Hope your grandson loved the performance today and became one among us.
Job Done.
Congrats to the Holic pound.
Much required result after Shrek’s wonder goal earlier. Well done lads!
Guinness for me please landlord, and whatever the rest of the regulars are having. π
killer win! RVP what a player!
I ll have a couple of pints please
RVP and Asharvin are looking the part, gentlemen. I think Theo’s got his head well in the game as well. Well played Gunners!
A pint for me as well, barman- cheers!
Big 3 points, bigger clean sheet. Good bounce back win, but we’ll need to be a hell of a lot more clinical on Wednesday (I’m lookin’ at you, Theo!)
Puyol missing out is huge for us, Pique and Abidal can be beaten for pace. Alves and Maxwell are good going forward, but there will be gaps all over the place. Of course getting possession off of them is easier said than done.
Also, loved the banners around the top tier of the Grove today. Well done boys, and bring on Barca!
Any news on Nasri’s hami? I pray he’s back for the return leg of the Champions League- I want to see Cesc and Nasri destroy Xavi and Iniesta. I’d also like to see Szchzceny punch Pedro, FYI.
Heh heh – LWCs a goal down π
PiK @67- AW said Sammy’s already back in training but will need another week or so. I think we might see him on the 23rd against Stoke, no point rushing him back for Orient.
‘Disappointing but letβs see how they come out of the game with Chelsea in 2 weeks.’
Bear in mind if Chelsea win their FA Cup replay next weekend that Chelsea v Man Utd game won’t be played on 1st March as Chelsea would have to play Reading in the FA Cup that night instead (it might well wind up in April if that’s the case).
Either way, good professional win today. And screw you Man City.
I couldn’t bear the commentary today. Some twat went on about some offside ambiguity which there wasn’t about the second goal.
It was a glorious goal…
@ Harsha
I couldn’t believe how he kept going on about it, being so confident that even though RvP wasn’t offside when Theo passed him the ball..well that didn’t matter RvP was offside anyway.
Even his co-commentator seemed embarrassed at his colleague’s ignorance.
He really should contempate a career in refereeing. Can anyone give him Phil Dowd’s phone number?
@ PiK & DT
…. Better than that, Le Boss is now saying there’s a chance for Nasri vs Farca. Maybe he means the away leg?
Bring on those DNA loving, Catalan charlatans!
TS – He means the home leg. Nasri was injured for 21 days when there were 17 days to the Barca game. He is a quick healer so probably that’s why “there’s a chance” he could be fit.
Did anyone notice how many volley goals there were in the EPL today?
RvP, Rooney, Krancar, Meireles, Demba Ba and I’m quite sure there were even more.
Snir,
Even better news then. I sooo hope Cesc scores at least once. Buck Farca!
Now – We can’t allow our minds to go wandering against Barcelona
I spent at least half a minute thinking of a “Barca”-word to replace “Wandering” but I gave up. Please, somebody make a joke out of it, it’s killing me.
Toby,
I think the Farca players constant bleeting after Cesc and his DNA and the way the press sucks it up and pukes it out is as big a joke as you can get in football.
Buck Farca!
Holics
Mick Macarthy’s comments after the match
” There was a murder going on out there today,they spanked us all over the park,they were stronger than us,quicker than us and stronger than us.totally outclassed.You have to admire the way they play.”
Wenger’s comments
” i thought we were fantastic today,we wanted to get a good response and result after last week.We know what we want to do and we are focused on the Title race.”
Looks like RvP’s knee is fine too, just watched his bbc postmatch interview. Sammy’s got a fitness test Tuesday morning according to Le Boss, what a boost that would be!
Barca down 1-0 @ HT. Pedro, Abidal, Busquets all on the bench. Looks like they’ve got a real fight on their hands in this game, Gijon are pressing them really hard, not giving them any time on the ball.
I just wanna hear the boos towards Xavi, Pique and any scientist that had something to say about Cesc’s DNA.
Clive,
Nice post, it just confirms to all how good we reaaly are. Mick McC is not known for mincing his words. One of the minority who are gracious in defeat, as is AW, as is not Grassy Moyes.
The 4 point pag is closeable of course but it’s going to be tough. I’m sure we will have to beat Manure at The Ems to do it. However, we shall see.
Interesting to note that after a win it’s cool, calm and collected in here and none too crowded. If we draw or lose, then it’s full of whingers making upteen snipes about this or that. Where are those “supporters” tonight?
pag = gap. Dyslexia rules KO.
Great game Holics, we could have score 10 easily I think I didn’t count honeslty.
I thought Cesc had a great game too, he tried and he tried and he tried Wilshere and Song were outstanding….Arshavin showed he cared for every ball.
We have team of winners Holics, United got lucky you have to say ….
A drink for everyone in the bar!
Come on you REDS!
Nice to have another clean sheet. Let’s file St James Park as an aberration our goals against in the league the last 2 months is much more like it.
Nice confident performance today and Arshavin’s best match in a long long time. congrats on the bet ‘holic
True Storey @ 82 – you just described me perfectly well – I am always on here moaning when we lose π
But heard you were buying, so turned up anyway! π
TS: have to agree with you about Mick McCarthy generally being gracious in defeat, I also remember him defending Cesc after the game at the Molineux where there was all this bollocks about Cesc deserving red for at tackle that was nowhere near being a red card. And I have never understood why Wolves have been branded a dirty team, apart from Karl Henry and that utter, utter twat Stephen Hunt they really try to play ball nad not just kick their opponents.
Snir: good point about the volleys. A whole bucketload of them, and as much as it pains me to say it, that overhead kick by Shrek was incredible.
Szczesny, Djourou and Koscielny are starting to form a really solid central defensive core. We have not conceded many goals at all with those three playing together.
Pints all round!
Double heh @ zico π
Sure, a round for all the regulars please Mr. Barman and a side order of chutzpah for zico.
Where’s all the moaners when you really need them? π
Lars
Great point re: our defensive core. Unbelievably, that pompous tw*t “Greenie” on Radio5Live said only last w/end that we should have bought a GK!
Wojciech is fast developing into our next Seaman. I’m still convinced that Kos will be a legend in a couple of seasons. DJ has equally impressed once he settled-in. TV5 will be fighting for his place when he’s match fit again.
There’s a reason why Stephen’s family name is Hunt… π
More Boddies for Lars please Barkeeper.
Follow the pound! *hic*
@TS, Hard to moan when Wojciech didn’t have to make a save the whole game, RvP scores two beautiful goals (one from the right foot at that), Arshavin has another great game, and we got another clean sheet.
Drinks all around. I’ll take a Guinness.
With the success of the ‘Holic pound this season, I hope you have some decent punts on us winning the league. π
Storey, how anyone can say we need a keeper based on last Saturday is beyond me. If there was one thing we all agreed on on the train back it was that finally we have a keeper. I thought he had a great game today as well, it is really hard to stay focused when you have so little to do but for every corner they floated into our box, Woj was on his toes and took the right decision every time.
‘Holic, didn’t notice it at first but once again you’ve got the ‘Holic pound spot on. Hope all went well with Operation Grandson as well!
Oh, and thanks for the Boddie, Storey – whatever you are having next, put it on my tab!
Cheers Lars, I’ve moved onto wine now. The management and I have enjoyed a surprisingly decent M&S Valentine’s special this evening so the hop must now make way for the grape.
Holic, did the grandson get a brief initiation into the post match celebrations at The Tolli? Surely not…. ;-). Great game to help complete his initiation into the ways of The Gooner.
Is TS buying??
re the Chesn%^&%y and Twat Green. I’d say that the silence amongst us over the recent weeks about the goalkeeper speaks volumes – he could be there for the next 18 years and we (I) would be happy. Sorted.
Great to see such a solid professional performance.
Cheers everyone!
Drrrrrink! On the ‘holic pound, of course
Ollie has left the building π
Brilliant performance today, wasn’t it ?
Really proud of the boys π wilshere, jd and kozzer have been phenomenal this season!
We look so calm when we have jd at the center, hope he stays injury free and we get verma back soon as well.
Hardly bothered by barca though, league is all I want!
Cheers and enjoy your drinks everyone
Night
great result today solid at back when DJ and Kos play .TV5 will have to earn back his place.Now the we can start thinking about Barca
and one of our young gun on loan look already favorite with his new club Feyenoord .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dqAJNUo8xQ
Top ten reasons to call it a good day to be a Gooner:
3 points: check.
excellent team performance: check.
clean sheet: check.
no new injuries: check.
goal difference versus United reduced: check.
first-half lead gained and protected: check.
yellow and red cards avoided: check.
RVP hot streak continued: check.
Nasri on verge of early return from injury: check.
still competing on four fronts: check.
Oh, I forgot there’s one more: Sp*ds are a f*ckin’ disgrace.
But the Spuds won today 8 ball? They did lose out on their stadium bid … poor sods. Not sure I’d want to be a Hammers fan watching a game in that new stadium with an ocean of a running track between the stands and pitch … poor sods.
Watching a replay of the match. Can anyone tell me why Jack the Lad is allergic to shooting??
JD & Song return from injury and provide needed strong central spine: check
Whoever came up with the Werewolves colour scheme should get the sack! Absolute trick or treat. Disgraceful Halloween prank.
My point TvN was that the S***s are always a disgrace and it’s one of the reasons it’s good to be a Gooner. I admit not seeing their game but S***s win was more than likely lucky, referee-aided, or both. Wilshire should have shot on that chance in the first half but the whole club is allergic to shooting at times so they must be taught to be unselfish to a fault.
Right you are about Djourou and Song. Our spine is so much stronger with them in the middle.
But Jack the Lad looks especially afflicted. More than once today he should have shot. It’s like he’s a Russian hockey player.
8 ball, can you help me with this LWC acronym wrt to the Potato Men? They’ll have their hands full with all of their injuries @ Milan (who also have injuries).
Watching the game again. It’s late first half. JD is an absolute classy rock back there.
8 ball – you must get the ESPN feed in MN right? Darke & Macca aren’t big Gunner fans. Darke with his unoriginal tired clichΓ©s and Macca always trying to be the stand up comic.
Walcott missed two great chances today. Hope he’s not entering a slump.
TvA- I second your commentator hatred. Darke is tolerable for me, nowhere near Martin Tyler’s class, but Macca is a complete idiot. The next intelligent comment he makes will be his first. One of these days I’m going to keep a running tally of how many times he says “if anything” during the 90 minutes. I suspect the total would approach triple figures.
I’m a big fan of Efan Ekoku as an analyst. And as for the studio guys on FSC…well, the less said the better I think.
Walcott could have had a hat trick. He better speak to RvP and touch his boots.
DT,
I’m not sold on Ekoku. He had the Rafael sending off v Spuds all wrong. He disagreed with the ref and said the contact was incidental/accidental and therefore not deserving of a card. Rafael knew what he was doing and was already on a yellow. Whether he intended to do it or was just clumsy is irrelevent. The result was the same. Ekoku seems to be too much of a pom pom waving ManU fan to me.
Now the universe’s attention can focus on ArsΓ©nola v BarΓ§elona.
Let the festivities begin.
I heard Arsenal bring in Β£3m for each home game.
Well, drinking by myself again. Not the first time. Dos cerveza por favor.
what a good win that was, i just know that we will beat moan u at home. this is going down to the wire, shame we balls up such silly game at home earlier in the season
Great all round performance but this team will get a lot better. We mustn’t forget this is Kos’ first PL season and you could argue the same for JD.
RVP is showing his class and must stay injury free. He must be closing in on the PL’s top scorers surely?
I think Theo is magic, he is now so confident and his control and decision making continue to improve. He works hard and there is a lot more to come.
Three cheers for the midget from Russia who also now works hard both in defense and attack. His class has never been in doubt, his form is returning and I am glad that he plays for The Arsenal.
I ask only for a performance as full-on, committed and confident as this one was on Wednesday, then you never know what might happen with a little bit of good fortune. Yes we could do with Nasri back, but I don’t want him rushed so that he just breaks down again. Let’s have him fully fit and mended before we play him again.
Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS – I should have mentioned that Lansbury scored in Norwich’s win yesterday.
ND,
Tend to agree I’m not so sure i’d risk him we’ve got massive games coming thick and fast why risk a more serious tear, And besides Walcott and the Russian are both flying at the mo so it’s not like we cannot replace him. That was young Jacks best display yet in an Arsenal shirt his all round game is superb hence his call up in an unnatural position this kid will become a legend at the club as he’s so more to give as has our Number One. Great performance and if I was a Barca fan I’d be sitting a little less comfortably than when the draw was made.
Up The Arse!!
Watched the Barca game yesterday. Milito was very slow and they missed Puyol….. let Theo loose on them! You never know….
About Jack and goals – I think he will go the same way as Cesc, who up until 2 years ago was only scoring about 4 a season. Then Arsene gave him a challenge to step it up. Looks like that challenge has come a little earlier for Jack.
Personally I think he could develop to be every bit as good as Cesc.
Strong coffee, black, please. Off to brave the sun in my pimp/golf attire.
With Jack’s emergence, it seems as though everybody’s forgetting we have Ramsey. As much as I love Jack, and I love him alright, I project a better future for Ramsey in the Cesc role than Jack.
Snir,
Ramsey reminds me more of a Gerrard type which is no bad thing π Mouth watering prospects in midfield !!
What time does the pub open today?
The bar is open, Ollie π
Theo, Actually I don’t mind Macca he’s not malicious he just hasn’t learned that he would sounds loads more intelligent if he just shut up once in a while. What can you expect from a scouser?
Yeah, Macca the Scouser is alright. With him being a Scouser he surely has no love lost for ManU, which is always a good thing from a neutral. He actually said, after the game, that he loves the way AFC plays and wants to see the league champs play (whoever it is) like we do.
BarΓ§a drew 1-1 at Gijon yesterday. They had trouble yesterday. They did not start three regulars who we will likely see from the start (Pedro, Busquets, and Abidal). Gijon got the first goal and were playing as many as 11 behind the ball after that for long stretches and packed the box. I believe the final stats had FCB with 81% possession. A few things are certain. We won’t be seeing Milito against us as his sighting at Gijon was a cameo. Getting the first goal v FCB is hyper critical as is minimizing away goals given. That being said, I don’t think we’re set up to fight fire with water as it is against our nature. We are set up to fight their fire with our own fire. In a sense, Gijon surely did not do us any favours. With the draw, FCB will be extra focused.