Time To Get Back In The Title Mood In Middlesex
Apr 19th, 2011 by 'holic
I cannot begin to tell you what this particular North London derby means to me. There was a bit of a tradition while I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I would be at the game with ‘holicdad, and we would come back and discuss it with Dad of ‘holicdad at his place just off New North Road. He was born at the tail-end of the nineteenth century, so as a lad had a choice of Tottenham or Clapton Orient to walk to. Silly old sod chose wrong!
Maybe he didn’t. Had Pop plumped for the Orient the old chap may have been swayed, tempted by the healthier aroma of Clapton, but when he arrived shortly before Herbert Chapman, the old man had an irresistible option placed before him. Arsenal gave him the FA Cup as an eighth birthday present, and a year later the first of five Championships (plus a further FA Cup) before he had turned seventeen. One of Dad’s brothers was swayed to the dark side, but the other two were blessed with brains.
Either side of the second world war the rivalry was confined to North London, but in the years where we had ‘never had it so good’ supporters of the rivals from London N5 and Middlesex were spread to the four corners of the globe. For a brief spell the dominance of North London’s finest was challenged. Tottenham finally lifted their first title in 1951, although the Arsenal were quick to land their seventh two years later. It was at the start of the following decade when we had to hold our hands up and acknowledge their second. Who would have thought that fifty years later the winners of the first double of the twentieth century would still be waiting to land what for them is the big one.
Happy anniversary friends and neighbours. Of course they aren’t celebrating it much, given that we have claimed the same prize a further six times since then, including twice in the Middlesex Marshlands as they looked on in admiration and jealousy. Even better is the fact that their captain and spiritual leader converted to the other side, and experienced the previously unknown feeling of being a part of Arsenal’s third double-winning team in his first season with North London’s big club. Sol Campbell has not only won the double, but added an unbeaten season with the invincibles, as well as securing the title on the ground where he had not had a sniff of such glory for a decade previously.
Now things change over time, and funny things happen. This time last year we lost a league match against our old friends for the first time this century, and have traded triumphs this season in the Premier League (they won at our place) and Carling Cup (we won at theirs). The fact remains that St Totteringhams day, the day when they cannot pass us in the League, is a permanent fixture on the calendar. Regardless of the result at the Lane this is destined to be the sixteenth consecutive season that the festival has been celebrated.
And there is the rub. Did I really say regardless of the result at the Lane. It is critical to both clubs. They are fighting FA Cup Finalists, Manchester City, for the Champions League qualifier berth for the second year running. Three points will mean as much to them as it will to us, desperate to pull within four points of Manchester United at the summit, with just five games to play. A draw wouldn’t be too clever for either club.
I will spare a thought for my grandfather ahead of the kick-off, but then I will think of ‘holicdad. There was a point at which I started going to the North London derby without him. The phone calls that followed were always long. This was a game that fused father and son. Now, for the first time, we take on the rabble from the swamp and I won’t be able to discuss it with Gooner number one afterwards.
When the teams take to the pitch I will think of the seats where I often became an unknowing jibber in the sixties, remembering I once got in on a Spurs v Burnley ticket tucked in the middle of two genuine briefs. I will remember the Shelf, where ‘holicdad and I celebrated the title in 1971. I don’t think he went to the Lane after that. I will recall the different places I was when I carried on going, year in and year out, and would call him for that lengthy discussion afterwards. Just before that first whistle blows I will be in bits.
Once it has blown I will be at it. The neighbours already know what to expect. For all sorts of reasons this is not a game I could go to these days, but at home the air still turns blue as we get to grips with the dark side. The sensible side of me acknowledges this one could go either way as both sides are ridiculously inconsistent, but my inner self cannot accept anything other than the inevitable triumph of good over evil.
The ‘holic pound is very definitely going on yet another Arsenal triumph at the Lane, surely the ground (other than Highbury) where we have won most often. The bookies give the marshdwellers their best chance of turning us over for years. Can you remember them being 7/4 and us barely favourite at 6/4 at their hovel? Will lightening strike twice in a row? No! I am on 3-1 to the Arsenal at 18/1 with Bet365.
Now all I need is my team, unbeaten in fifteen league matches, to continue their fine away form. And then I need someone to phone afterwards and discuss the finer points of the fixture that means so much to so many. Ah, I have it. If the result I anticipate comes in all I have to do is grab the mobile, look up contacts, type in the letter ‘c’, andΒ I will find any number of Tottenham fans to call. Happy anniversary fellas.
186 Responses to “Time To Get Back In The Title Mood In Middlesex”
First.
Ah, sweet nectar – thanks, Hols’. Macallan 12, neat please, sir.
Win the NEXT match, you mighty, mighty reds.
Lovely , lovely piece ‘Holic , I’ll raise my glass to the ‘Holic Dad , in anticipation of sweet sweet victory .
Love the way you say ‘we won at theirs# completely neglecting the point that it was a glorified reserve game.
Enjoy the drink (being an Arsenal fan at moment must require it), mines a double.
PS – tomorrow you’ll hear what true support sounds like rather than the silence which spooks your own players at the Souless Bowl.
Fine post, there Holic’. From your lips to God’s ears (perhaps ‘Holicdad can facilitate?).
Delusional?
Raise your glass also to the memory of the spuds fans deserting the marshground in hordes the last time we played there π
A double Steve? Happy Golden jubilee
Fuck off you Arsenal cunt.
steve , wipe the tables, empty the ashtrays , and clean the loos . then run along – there’s a good lad .
There have been times this season when I’ve been ready for days in advance with a preview, just itching, waiting, impatiently for ‘Holic to get round to writing and posting so that I can get my contribution in the bar.
Not tonight. These last few games have drained my stamina to the point where just to type a few words is a challenge. The crystal ball itself has gone pop – and the dim light that is a sign of future life, simply says “ask Holic!”.
So 3-1 it is. I’ll drink to that and your quiet memories every minute of every hour until it’s realised. A very nice, thoughtful, impassioned post which makes me realise why I’m very happy to be sitting on a bar stool rather than behind the bar.
The Glenlivet perhaps.
Is Rambo injured?
“Regardless of the result at the Lane this is destined to be the sixteenth consecutive season that the festival has been celebrated.”
Very enjoyable blog, but it should be pointed out that if Spurs win they will be seven points behind us with a game in hand. And this Arsenal team would be in even freer fall. Top 4 in danger if we lose. A frightening thought.
felicity
Rarely have I heard a more aptly named Lilywhite cunt.
Bless you.
BTM , hi , not sure , haven’t seen any reports of it , but v puzzling he didn’t make the bench on sunday .
jekyll,
man up.
it won’t happen.
Holic , an apt riposte to the classy felicity
No place for him in full side until next season, BtM.
May make bench tomorrow?
Man up – couldn’t think of more apt advice for this team.
Time for men to be men. 3 points is an absolute must tomorrow. Nothing less will do.
Felicity. I am loving that. You made a sentence with 5 words in. Things are on the up. Now jog on and play with your hamster.
Steve@4. Valid point re the noise but I often find these really tiny, outdated grounds have little else going for them. Good luck with the Judicial Review.
Now come on you Gunners.
I wish more lwc’s came on here. It makes me realise how lucky we really are.
The sunshine bus leaves in 5 minutes my little spuddies……
Fuck off back to south London for another trophyless year you bunch of cunts
I’ll raise a glass to the Holic dad and the dad of Holic dad on this one!
Here’s to the clock of mediocrity!
Ahh this bar is going to take a while to air out isn’t it? π
Raj,
You are comedy gold. Thank you, Stratford reject.
Great post ‘holic. Back in the early 80’s when neither club was doing much but we’d suffer at their hands from time to time seems so long ago now doesn’t it? None other than David Rocastle got that goal at the lane in the League Cup and with few exceptions it’s been almost complete dominance ever since in our favour.
We’ve been steered by Graham and Wenger almost every match since and the correct and large gulf is now back in place. Don’t worry about their daliance in the big cup this season or a few recent scabby wins against us (first in how many tries was that?) Normal service will be resumed tomorrow and I’ll raise a toast to that divide growing once more.
‘Holic….I’d be happy to have a post game natter about this one….thanks to the barcodes we’ve really got something to prove tomorrow and I think we will.
‘holic, love your stuff, but you could do with a facebook link to get your stuff a bit more ‘out there’ no more drinks ta…pisssed
What a bunch of fucking cunts. The bricks will rain down on your soft heads after the game, tossers.
David Rocastle. Dead Gooner. Hahaha.
Fantastic post ‘holic, here’s to a demoralising rout at the lane that will propel us to further glory.
Don’t see why so many spuds (so temped to use the Y word) feel the need to come and comment on our blogs, have their lot not learnt how to write yet?
Felicity. You are pond life even for a lillywhite cunt. Fucking big brave thing behind a terminal. Grow a pair son. Dont want to be late for school in the morning do you…..
Don’t worry felicity, I like mocking dead people too.
And we have a winner! I couldnt sleep until i knew id upset one of you. Night night :o)
@Felicity – Wouldn’t be surprised if that ramshackle building you call a stadium actually did fall down such is the quality of it, and the team that plays within it now I think on it.
Nice post ‘holic, and a toast to you and the heavenly ‘holicdad in eager anticipation of victory tomorrow and our favourite feast day of St. Totteringhams day!
COYG
Oh YES “St Totteringhams day”.
You can keep your Champions League/League title/FA & Carling cups, as long as we keep this tradition going I’m still a happy man (in the main).
At least I can still walk into any pub with my head held high, @ the lowest spud fans attempting their version of wit, where they never stop to consider for one moment the irony of the spuds endless barren years.
Sixteenth consecutive season long may it continue, happy “St Totteringhams day” everybodyβ¦β¦β¦β¦β¦
Run along Felicity, there’s a big brave boy. Let the nice nurse tuck you in.
Ario, please feel free to say ‘Yid’. It means ‘Spurs fan’ not jew in this context. Racism at Chelsea is neither our nor your problem, frankly.
Is felicity a ladyboy do you think, Holics? She sounds like she might be with her bricks, upsets and her nickers in a twist. Maybe she was around 50 years ago when they last won the league.
Cheers, ‘holic.
Will toast ‘holicDad tomorrow night before kickoff. And your good Bohemian self, too.
Regardless of all our tribulations, some of these drinks above have reminded me how lucky I was to be captivated by the likes of Brady, Stapleton and O’ Leary. Then, I learned about our great history and moved to London 25 years ago to experience it and watch it happen, again and again and again.
It does, however, show that evolution is only a theory. ‘Cos none of the LWCs seem to have moved past knuckle dragging Neanderthal stage in the last glorious 50 years. Evidence above.
Here’s to a win later tonight.
They’re just comments, boys π such fragile egos! Maybe that’s why real women don’t date arsenal fans. Now let me sleep! Unless one of you has something worth staying up for?
Try one of your DVD’s lady boy. That is enough to send anyone to sleep.
Hello, beautiful supporters of The Mighty Arsenal!
Always enjoy reading but always fail to comment. Very heartfelt story indeed, Mr. Holic. It touched me to the core I gotta say. Cheers!
St Totteringham’s Day is the day when Arsenal fans celebrate the fact that Tottenham can no longer catch Arsenal in the League. It is the day to collect on bets made by over-optimistic Spurs fans in the close season who think that “this is the year.”
I can hear the parade in full effect! Here’s to a win tonight! π
Try telling that to a Jewish football fan, ‘felicity’ – one who doesn’t support your lot. And who lost family in the Concentration camps. Lots of family.
Its an offensive term used by ignorant cunts who don’t know better.
Or probably do, and choose to cause offence.
And ignore the fact that Arsenal have traditionally had more Jewish supporters than Tottenham in any case. But then again, facts, like history and trophies are something you lot like to forget.
50 years. Oh Dear.
Great read thanks holic!
Cheers to the holic, holicdad, and all gooners.
This will be edge of the seat, but I won’t think of any result but the triumph of good over evil.
Just mention Real Madrid and see how fast all these spuds will disperse.
The clock must be winding up a few around here tonight! Well it won’t stop ticking, that’s for sure!
Now owf to beddie byes you lot so you can get up nice and early to take the long walk to that shite hole tomorrow evening to watch NL’s finest grace your presence once again!
Ta ta!
…that fooking hole in the wall dive! π
Goonertown, a very intelligent man!
when people ask why I’m positive all sp**s supporters are scum I need to look no further than comment 28
Sorry Loft mate I just hate me a scumbag wrongen!
‘holic another great post. DublinGooner @43 that’s telling the scum.
Lower than snake shit Tim in the mainβ¦.
You only have to engage one for more than a sentence to find out.
Then they revert to type after that, but there again when your dad had sex with your oldest sister & you are the result, suppose itβs not all their own fault???
such a laughing stock that we’ve finished ahead of you 17 consecutive seasons….imagine if we really were trying
Holic – I think this is the piece I liked the most out of every piece of yours that I read.
Nothing I hate more than Spurs, wish the players would hate them too, that’s how it’s supposed to be.
@53 – Cesc overrated? I would say you got an overrated player in your squad, he’s called Gareth Bale.
One last thing, this quote is exactly what football is about.
“What else are you gonna do on a Saturday? Sit in your fuckin’ armchair wankin’ off to Pop Idols? Then try and avoid your wife’s gaze as you struggle to come to terms with your sexless marriage? Then go and spunk your wages on kebabs, fruit machines and brasses? Fuck that for a laugh! I know what I’d rather do. Tottenham away, love it!”
But Snir, whose quote is it?? Kebab is sounding quite tasty at the moment …
It’s Tommy Johnson from the film Football Factory.
Obviously it’s a “fake” quote since it’s from a movie, but that’s exactly how I feel towards football and I find myself trying to explain it to people who “are on the outside” time and time again but they never get me.
A love for a football team can never be explained, only two things in life are unchangeable – Family and Football team. You can’t change a car, house, wife, friends, job, even sex but you cannot change your love for the Arsenal.
Snir, I’d be there if I could but there’s a little question of geography keeping me away. But I’ll be glued to the television screen, screaming like an idiot for Arsenal to feck the scum.
bt8bbnn – I feel ya man, it’d be the same with me.
bt8 plse not so agressive, that was for last week
There’s no need, the visitors here are showing their excessive moronic nature
A nice gentle 6-0 game with no contentious decisions or excuses on their part will do wonders to restore our pride
We know we can do so lets get out there and show them
COYRR
Come on The Arsenal!
That is all…
today is totally crucially after Manure drew yesterday….so wanna see a spirited performance and 3 points…been a follower of this blog for a long time…my first post
Reminds me of my old jaunts to Highbury, thanks for the nostalgia ‘holic.
Come on you gunners, lets stick it up em and celebrate St Totteringhams day once again.
Nowt better than giving them a kicking at the lane and damaging their champions league chances at the same time, save perhaps winning the league there.
WG
Excellent post ‘holic…
I am bemused by the fucking nerve these cunts show. They know at the bottom of their scum hearts that Arsenal are the better team(History, trophies, level of football and fans) and yet they come up with amusing, empty comments about how they are going to beat us.
50 fucking years it has been, since you lot won the league.
We are ahead of you in the table, and still in with a shout for the title.
We have won the league in your ground time and again.
So, fuck right off with your ‘we are the better team in North London’ bull shit
Hope our boys are up for it. They better be!
Come on Arsenal!!
I am afraid your compass is a bit off my friend!
Tottenham is in North London, whereas Arsenal’s home is South of the river, rubbing shoulders with fellow aristocrats Millwall and Charlton.
Enjoy the game – I’m all for a good bout of crowing/bragging but am a firm believer that this is best enjoyed after the final whistle!
We have managed to get a bunch of gooners based in phoenix,Arizona together to watch games, we have a great turn out for every game, look us up on facebook at Arizona Gooners, our home is 640 S Mill Ave Ste 120 Tempe, AZ 85281 and is called the Robbie Fox’s Pub house, it is in the heart of tempe at mill avenue. If anyone here is from Phoenix and is looking for a place to watch our games on a regular basis with fellow gooners,please do come join us.
Great post Holic!
These pathetic LWC’s have the nerve to come here and take the mickey out of a dead perople? Goes to show really how much class and brains they posses.
Jealousy is a form of an ilness as soon as they get born they have to live with it for the rest of their sad, no taste in footy life’s. It gives me a great pleasure the Clock is serving it’s purpose.
Will pop in later to amuse myself even further with their hopeless pathetic comments!
Come on you Rip Roaring Almighty REDS!
I find it quite funny when Spuddies go on about us having moved from south London when their own club is desperate to make the move down to Stratford.
As for the game? If both teams play to their potential then we will win, because we are the better team. But since we haven’t really played to our potential for about two months or so I don’t really know what to think. Good thing I’ve got my work to focus on during the day so I can keep my mind off the game for a few hours.
How sweet – Phoenix as spiritual home of The Gooners – never mind they’ll all be supprting Citeh after you have another six trophyless years!
Still, I’m sure the atmosphere there will be a lot noisier than an average night at the emptycrates!
We kniow we’ve been rubbish but at least we’re not deluded like your lot, led by Mr ‘did not see it’ who insist you are the best team every season despite winning nothing and should have won every game even when you werent the better team.
BTW I find it amusing that you ‘classy’ gooners use the F and C words so often in your posts!
Spurs fans not deluded? Now I’ve heard everything.
Anyway I don’t believe the title is a possibility but stuffing Spurs tonight is a possibility, and that would be the best riposte to all the prats trolling on here. And would make me feel a little better.
Roller coaster of Love (Say What?) Roller coaster Woo-hoo hoo hoo!
Wowser, here we go again.
Hey all you guys do you really think it will be a wash? I think tomorrow will be a very near thing.
Bartender 3 fingers Herradura por favor y muevelos!
Why are all these bitter Spurs fans over here?
Don’t they have their own bitter little blog?
Miserable friggin’ sod farmers.
Green side up losers,green side up
COYG!!!!
Holics
I have to say that despite the Mob down the road being
Public Enemy No 1,2,3 and Four,!!! the foul and abusive language being used tonight and today,leaves an awful lot to be desired,.
Using F and C words every other sentence,just shows a complete lack of class,and lowers us to their level.
Our record speaks for itself,as does theirs,and whilst i am all for giving them plenty of verbal grief,using more moderate language would make for much more enjoyable reading.
Cheers
Clive
Cheers ‘Holic.
Great preview.
My my…. who left the door to the bar open then?? All sorts of rabble have come in and made a mess.
So many drinks already?
WHAT
A
POST.
Top top top top work, ‘holic. Despite it being the morning and me being at work, this can’t go without the finest drink available in the bar.
I’ll pay whatever it’s worth, thank you barman.
Leonardo at 68. You were doing ever so well until you said you were not deluded. It is a toss up between you and the geordies as to the most deluded fans in the world.
Clive at 71. The voice of reason and common sense. I agree totally. I guess jealously is such a tough thing to live with.
*raises glass to the ‘holicdad and his fine son*
Apologies Clive if my language was a bit off. I hate the Spurs that much this morning…
You are right, as fans we shouldn’t stoop to their level I guess.
I’ll pour myself a drink
Deary me, Holic, who let all the unwashed kids in from round the corner? They’re really stinking up the bar with their bad manners and gutter talk! I thought those Care in the Community cases had been rounded up and put back in their cell by the council.
Could it be that they saw the glorious clock ticking its way inexorably toward a century of mediocrity, somehow unstuck their tongues from the window of the bus, wiped away the stream of dribble cascading down their chins and limped/crawled/dragged/wheeled themselves/slithered into the bar hoping that their unintelligible babbling and playground insults would, by some stretch of the imagination, hurt?
(Don’t worry Spurs fans, you can use Wikipedia and dictionary.com to look up the difficult words – like ‘cell’ and ‘window’ – but give up right now if you harbour any delusions – along with all your other ones – of unravelling the complex grammar of the second paragraph.)
I have to disagree. Nothing wrong with calling a cunt a cunt ;).
It’s not what they do.
Fantastic piece ‘Holic, I love reading about your memories of matches that took place many moons ago. You really bring them to life.
I’m at a point where I no longer enjoy the NLD. I find the depression of losing to them (not something I’ve experienced many times) to be utterly suffocating.
Please sort us with a win lads, we need it!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.arsenalisation.com
We’re deluded? What about ‘arry saying you’re gonna finish above Arsenal or that you’re gonna win the league?
fantastic post.
Great post Mr Holic. You certainly do nostalgia well π
Tonight is vital after Manure tripped up last night. A draw is no good, a win is essential to take to a demoralised Bolton on Sunday.
But whatever we are doing lately just isn’t working and something needs to change. Yet again I am hoping for 4-4-2 from the start with Chamakh up front. We put in some quality crosses against Liverpool, crosses to no-one coz no-one was there. And I would drop Nasri to the bench. He has not been the same player since he pulled that hamstring.
Do hope Diaby retains his place, he deserves to.
Spurs have only lost once at home this season so it’s no cake walk. Lets hope they are having a CL hangover. A draw for them is not a disaster. A draw for us is probably the final nail.
Wow what a brilliant post but alas the bar has started to stink due to some un welcomed guest may i ask dint you get the memo?
Goonerholic what an absolutely brilliant writer you are, you should e mail this directly to AW, then things might change for the good.
Raj @ 22 Haha i take it Irony is lost on you
Felicty @ 28 Classless heeb at its best,
Never needs much reminding of why i hate that lot with a passion 50 Years and counting,
The bile could only really be explained if the boot was on the other foot Imagine what it must feel like to see your Neighbours win the League at your ground as many times as you have
Thats not even mentioning all and sundry seeing them as the second biggest cllub in London maybe even 3rd now, Whilst there Good Neighbours are building 60,000 seater grounds they are scratching around begging for one brought by Public money Forever in our shadow you LWCs, Have a good evening
Up The Arse,
SR – I too would like to see Chamakh get his chance, especially before NB52 (who is no use if you’re gonna bring him in and put him on the wing so that he’ll cross instead of being on the end of the crosses) but it seems as though our problems are only at home where sides set out to defend with 10 men from the start.
Away from home, there isn’t one team that doesn’t try and go forward which leaves us lots of spaces to exploit therefore we do exploit that and have the best away record in the league.
I actually think the 4-4-2 should be played but only at home. Away from home I’d rather us be more cautious, with the current 4-5-1 with Nasri and Walcott helping the fullbacks and sting the opposition on the break or from an organized attack.
Our problems occur when teams park the bus, and there aren’t any teams who would immediately park the bus at their home ground, especially not Spurs.
As for United at home – It’s vital in my opinion to play 4-4-2 even though the 4-5-1 worked against Chelsea and Barca, United seem to have our number with that formation.
Chippy, I give you a lot of respect as a fellow holic but that comment was out of order.
I’m a Jew and I doubt any one of those Spurs fans is in fact a Jew, and the last time I checked the word heeb isn’t exactly a compliment for Jews.
I’ve never ever commented on other religions here and I expect it to stay that way.
(And yes I know the Spurs are called the “Yids”, but it doesn’t say shit, just like I’m a Jew and I’m an Arsenal fan, there can be an Arab Spurs fan, Spurs have no special belonging to Judaism apart from being founded by Jews and being supported by lots of Jews, just like Ajax is not a Jewish club).
Splendid read, ‘Holic. Nothing is more in the natural order of things than to turn over the chickens at WHL.
Great post !!!!!
come on you gunners !!! 3 points a must , Dont make it a double plz for spurs
Troll fest in here since you posted ‘Holic.
It’s pretty obvious that you have hit a nerve with some of our friends from the dark side.
Saw a picture of David Cameron just now – got me thinking – do you know there have been 11 Prime Ministers since the cocks last won the league or put another way…..what do the following have in common?
Neill, Burkinshaw, Shreeves, Pleat, Venables, Shreeves, Ardiles, Francis, Gross, Graham, Hoddle, Santini, Jol, Ramos, Twitch
50 Years and never again you trumpets
UP the Arse.
PS – I’m with Ollie @ 78 – not really much more that needs to be said.
Snir,
Sorry if i offended you never had that down as offensive but if it is i appoligise
With tears welling in my eyes – I hope Holicdad, and all the other Gooner dads like mine who have passed on, get to watch a famous victory from the great terrace in the sky!
Apology accepted :D, it’s just that from what I know the term is used to insult Jews.
Anyway, all’s forgotten, let’s beat those Spurs hard.
From now on they will just be known as the C###s from the Lane π
Lets hope so – Not sure i could take that lot crowing about a shift in power till the new season starts π
Shift in power? Just point them to the clock on this lovely website and to the EPL table.
Great Post Holic and a reminder of the ties that bind on both sides of the turnstile. I bet there are a whole lot of people who wish for that father son relationship. Tonight I know is all about passion but if we dont get the tactics right we will be chasing counter attacks all night…we will still fucking win though..
Chippy and Snir, The only shift in power for Sp*ds is the behind closed doors locker room shenanigans between Crouch and Twitchy. Not a pretty sight.
I do not get the Bale bananas joke. It does not translate well in my area.
Afternoon All!
To Holic: Classy post for a classy club. Will be thinking of you at K.O. time. Shout the air blue in front of the telly and keep an eye out for a man in a bio-suit in the away end π
To Cusop: Are you proud to associate yourself with the type of trolls that have stumbled into this fine bar? I’m going to guess yes as it would explain why you chose to support the LWCs. You lot will always be in our shadow…. regardless of tonight’s result.
To all ‘Holics: Only 6 to go. If we win tonight it could mark the beginning of the end of the most unlikely championship winning campaign ever!
Drinks for all please Mr. Barman (no trolls, no LWCs, no ladyboys), put them on BtM’s tab and hang the consequences.
COYRRRs!!! FOYS!!!
433 @ #97
Bale = Galen look-a-like = monkey boy = banana peeler.
Simples! π
I just wanted to point out that we may be from South London but seeing we took over London as a whole, taking over North London become compulsory! π π
In fact we are the best thing in football to happen in North London. We became the eclipse which darkened those flea bags!
50 years you scumbags! π
…shit we may as well be known as London Utd from now on! π
Top post ‘Holic. If that was alcohol influenced, I would suggest drinking more.
π
Seems the bar is airing out nicely today. We may not yet win the league (though I’m still on the happy train in that regard), but a win against Spurs will be much appreciated. The marshlanders seem to be having amnesia troubles these days when it comes to league position and recent trophies (and the not so recent trophies for that matter). Go and remind them, Arsenal.
TS, Have fun at SHL. Just remember that there is strength in numbers, and Guinness boosts the immune system (or so I’ve been told).
Leonardo #64
“And if you know your history…”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_Borough_of_Tottenham
You weren’t even a London club when you won your last title.
Fuck off to Stratford, North London is ours.
Well what do ya know…not only are you ex-relegatees who failed to win promotion back to the top flight as many times as you’ve won the league, but you’re actually also London imposters
You scum!
True Storey – give em hell from me.
“We’re the Bio Suit end Highbury……..”
Joshua & Dr z,
Will do. I’ve heard that the ultimate boost to the immune system is an RVP hat-trick π
TS, Most certainly. It also reduces the risk of heat attack by 90%.
Well look at that, since this morning the pondlife from down the road seem to have well and truly crawled back into their stagnant pool and stopped stinking up this fine establishment!
Looks like the home truths in the drinks shut them all up good and proper.
“It’s all gone quiet over there…”
I’ve just been snooping around (with an oxygen mask of course) and they and their twitch bitch have been saying that they are hoping to take the pleasure of ending our title hopes tonight.
So that must be what this ‘letβs resume after the whistle’ banter is all about. They will obviously be absent from the country club upon a red and white victory tonight. But they are planning to sabotage us with stenches of piss and puke covered on their dirty tees later!
Either way the in-debts will obviously bring us back in to the race with another away game fuck up!
Meanwhile we must put right the little blip we have suffered with the stink bombs over the last 12 months!
The Mugs! π
PS: I had to disguise myself with gold plated St Georges, crappy Lilly white shite and a couple of stray staffs I saw peering out of the back window of a burnt out Escort on WHL for that camouflage effect!
Stink bombs!
We’re still favourites on bet 365 @ 11/8 to topple these milk bottles tonight like the inferiors they are and I’m now going for the 3-0 @20/1 as well as the 3-1 with the greatest of red and white pride and pleasure!
Huk tu!
Right I feel a cup of tea and a kit kat are in order now!
Holic,
They would do but unfourtantley they even managed to lose a two horse race, Same old spurs.
Crouch has ugly yellow teeth and Redknapp has a twitch. What more proof do you need. There is something wrong with them.
Twitch boy looks like he has been apple bobbing in the chip pan.
Didn’t mention those ugly bumps all over his face.
Beautiful prose, Mr ‘holic. Come on the Arsenal π
And you got mentioned on the Tuesday Club Facebook thing too. All good
I really shouldn’t have done that website. Oh dear
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Come on the GUNNERS
There ya go
GET IN WALCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They nicked our Nasri song which doesn’t fit RVDV!
So backward that lot!
get in there NASRI NANANANANNNAANNAAAAA SAMIR NASRI SAMIR NASRI
I beleive the song goes na na na na na na na na
Samir Nas-a-ri!
GET IN THERE VAN PERSIE !!!!!!!
Get in there RvP!!!
And Szczesny takes out Bale again. Brilliant stuff.
18 to 1, you say?
I’d rather more goals in our favour please.
Mine is a double J
Keep your heads lads
Not sure Bale is going to want to challenge our mountain of a keeper in the second half after Wojciech came out much the better on those two challenges. What a half of football. Come on lads you are doing great so just keep going.
What a game. Now let’s win this. 5-3 to the Arsenal I say. The Captain to score.
Reminder to self when doing report. First half we are back. Brilliant stuff.
What
a
game.
Come on ARSENAL!!!!!
Forgot what it was like to see us attacking so quickly — LOVELY. The campaign to see Walcott play as a striker instead of a winger needs to begin.
Job half done…come on you reds!!
Okay now I haven’t spent half a day working in football but this is what I would do in the second half…
My guess is that twitchy may try to chuck on Lennon to trouble Clichy as he is on a yellow card (which he has since done).
So what I would do is chuck on Gibbs for Theo to defend against Lennon and allow Clichy to bomb forward.
I would then bring on Bendtner for Diaby to receive balls in to the box from Clichy and Sagna alongside RVP.
Then if we still need a goal chuck on the Arsh for Clichy!
But that’s just me!
btw whatβs with all the yellows lads? Keep your heads!
Theo?
Ooh Sczcezney?
That may be the end of the line for this season’s happy train. Good to see our strikers back in action though.
so….can’t say the effort wasn’t there but a really stupid penalty to concede. Why did we look so knackered in the last 20 mins? The stupidest season ever continues….nobody wants this title…watch Chelsea come and nick it…
Szcezeney played well tonight and was very courageous. He was caught out by Lennon! Not unusual!
Van Persie was debatably on side with a goal that should have stood and with the chances we created we should have won!
We should have killed off the game!
3 – 1 up and we fuck it again. How many points have we thrown away from winning positions. Yet again, gutted.
@Stone Roses…..at least 5 times….4 draws and a loss
I thought in order to keep a 3-1 goal lead within 29 minutes we would have had to kill the game off heading towards victory!
Right, if he mentions mental strength I’ll hunt him down and shoot him myself.
We are now 3rd in the league.
Good luck summing that up!!! If that wasn’t modern day Arsenal I don’t know what is, 2 holding midfielders that couldn’t hole an ice cream in Serbia π Brilliant and shambolic in 90 minutes,
Key games have cost us. Those draws have literally drawn us out! Reminiscent of 2007-8
Yeah the Chavys are right back in it! Tut! π
Diaby looking like he is now back off of his break from the treatment room
Point when AW subbed NB and AA he looked to the skies and appeared aghast. Is he losing his mojo?
Pat Rice looked healthier than I’ve seen him for a long time which is nice.
Now, is anyone surprised with this outcome?
I have to say, where is AW’s tactical nous? He makes the same subs, plays them in the same positions, and expects different results?
About 3 months ago, Terry said that Chel$ki could still win the league. I thought he was bonkos…not any more.
Let’s look at how they responded in a workmanlike fashion (winning the games they were supposed to win) and now they sit in 2nd.
I don’t know what else to say.
Disappointed not to have won, but good to see us play with passion and intent.
Rash decision by the goalie – why is it ALL our goalkeepers rush off their line like a lunatic freed from the padded cell at times like that – it was Aaron Lennon FFS!! That aside, the keeper had a good game.
Joshua – you can disembark if you like, but the Happy Train runs until mathematics gets the better of us.
Up the Arse.
Oh and no arguments tonight please people. Imagine you’re down a pub talking about it, you wouldn’t fight if having a conversation.
We’re not LWCs you know.
Utd have to travel to Germany before coming to us! That is a loop hole in itself!
If we continue our unbeaten record and our away form there could be another positive twist for us yet to come!
Everton are in good form I here! Saying that In-debts home record isn’t to be sniffed at probably meaning a win at our place may become more important than previously apprehended π
3 – 1 up? Game ends 3 – 3? Surely not? We gave not gone and thrown away a 2 goal lead have we? How can that be with a team packed with leaders and so much experience? I just don’t get it.
Why bring on 2 substitutes in the 81st minute? 5 minutes to get the momentum of the game, waste of time. I am continually frustrated by our substitution policy.
No pub brawling tonight unless the LWC’s come a-looking for it! In which case we defend π
As easy as the Chavs run in is, I am still not covinced!
zico, I’m still on the train. Don’t worry π I’m just sitting in the caboose at the moment.
…all aboard…
Cesc was on a mission tonight to drag that mental strength out of his team mates, Am gutted that a ramshackle team as feeble as spurs managed to put us under that much pressure they are a bunch of lightweights parading as a CL team. We created enough chances to win this but where as their poxy shots from fat fucks bounce in, ours this season have bounced wide or off the bar. It was a great performance but we were playing our most hated rivals and but for some luck we would have buried them. They hung on as they have for 50 years.. I am a proud Arsenal man tonight no matter fucking what.
How long before Wemger finally realises that playing Bednter on the wing is akin to nick Mersons saying is like putting a fish up a tree. Our one dangerous player was replaced by a telephone box π
Due to the 25 man rule will that mean shifting players out to bring players in? π
According to the radio that is now 14 points we have thrown away this season from winning positions. Nowhere near good enough.
Unless Nasri was tired or injured the balance did not look right with B52 on the wing!
The thing is B52 can sometimes produce a goal out of nothing when you need it! Maybe more less than often! π
Goonertown,
NB is far far away from a player I can relate to but Wengers fucking him over big time the Lads an old style centre forward he’s about as close to a wideman as David batty I’m seriously starting to question Wenger, People are now saying every seasons like Groundhog day I’m starting to think every games like groundhog day.
Chippy –
Unless AW reverts to 4-4-2 our other strikers will continue behind RVP who is nailed on
Behind the 8 Ball!!!!! Open the god damn medicine closet!!!! I need in, quick.
Hit me! Hit me again! Hit me three times!!!
Have to admit Chelski going 2nd was something I hadn’t seen π
Too busy looking forwards all the time.
Oh well, another game of two halves, – sort of.
Surely Bale fouled Schezney? Which sort of led to their 2nd goal?
How come crouch didn’t get a yellow for using elbow on sagna’s mouth? Yet we pick up 3 daft yellows.
Ho hum… they didn’t do the double over us, gotta take a positive out of it, we wern’t actually that bad. I don’t mind the odd draw during a season if the match is like that, but newky away, S’land away, B’burn at home at the daft sort of draws that are becoming harder to stomach.
Goonertown,
Well that sure as well will never happen he’s busy telling all and sundry we can still win the league- And shergar will win this years derby, 4-4-2 at this present time is about as likely as said shergar ridden by lord lorcan beating Pegasus in a photo we carnt defend with a 5 man midfield let alone 4 !!!!
We could defend with a 4 or 5 man midfield if we had the right balance. I have argued for ages now that although we have wonderful players we have too many that want to play the same role just behind the strikers.
Drives me nuts.
Dropping 14 points from winning positions is obviously not good enough, but surely it points to a strategic flaw in the team’s set up.
We attack like mad, score a goal or two, sit back, panic, give away a penalty or free-kick, concede, go to pieces, make late substitutions with players out of position, rally, come close, wobble again and concede a late gutter so we all go home moaning.
It’s such a familiar plot that I know it by heart. But who’s writing this stuff?
Chippy –
We’ve been unlucky without Frimpong. As Wilshere has shown blooding from within our stock can balance the aims of the squad, i.e.: rotation.
TV5’s loss has also been another big blow! With the 25 man rule now in place it will be tricky bringing in a new defender!
I’m sure we can fit a few more players in to our squad somewhere, as it’s built up nicely over the last year! π
If one players sums up this Arsenal side it’s Diaby one minute looks a world beater the next coco the clown
Well played the lads.
It was a proper, full on derby and I couldn’t fault the effort. We looked tired in the last fifteen, but that’s probably not surprising given the extra rest spurs have had.
Top marks to Chesney – some big stops tonight and enjoyed watching him clatter the overrated chimpboy, even if he was rash on the pen.
Can’t see us winning it now, but at least we showed a bit of fight – away from home, as per usual.
Is it too early to play a bit of champ manager style prospective summer transfers? No major surgery required as far as I’m concerned, keep cesc, bring in Leighton baines, cheikh tiote (he can compete with song for bookings next season) and asamoah gyan, assuming there’s no chance of Benzema. That’s my 50ps worth – I reckon all three could move and they’d give us a bit more scope for rotation and a few decent crosses for a change. I know it’s not summer yet, but I need a bit of cheering up after the last few weeks, so I’m dreaming of better days to come.
Wilshere has shown that by bringing a different attitude to the squad (never say die) adds dimension! π
Well I sat with my son watching that and we said ” if we can stop them scoring before half time then we have a good chance – of course we couldnt do that – so onto second half – sir chesney made a bad error to cOme for that ball but these things happen – still made a great save to stop model from scoring – never mind it’s only a game ffs!
Mourinho has just beaten Barca in the Spanish Cup final. Tactically – the RM game plan was not the prettiest, but it was very effective.
The real lesson, we never seem to learn, is how to defend a lead. Thats the real issue in my mind. For all the wonderful football we play – you still only need to score one goal to win a game – if you know how to defend it.
I’m sitting here tonight – and I’m just numb. At 3-1 this game should have been over. But can anyone say that they’re honestly surprised with the outcome? So frustrating.
Goonertown,
Frimpong is a million miles away from the finished article and a club our size cannot use the excuse we’ve been unlucky by losing an 18 year old that’s never started a senior game the lads got talent no doubt but if you think he could shore up this lot your living Wengers dream – Hes had a few good performances in the close season but was dreadful in Poland but all of a sudden he’s our saviour and there in a nutshell is where were at,
Not that it changes anything but the ‘offside’ RvP goal was anything but…he was behind even being level with the two defenders.
http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=06af31934d0e40d7f0403a50ada3ea1f&t=ru
Thoughts after the game:
I have noticed tonight that once we run out of gas we have no authority in the game, we could have lost it tonight if it wasn’t for Szczesny! Yes he did fuck up but where were his defenders for cover?
We have no discipline at the back we panic like a bunch of retards that have never played football. There is no point to talk about the positives beacuse frankly we were never in control. You win a game by showing we are in control we were lost in the last 15 minutes which pains me to the bone.
I love my team but tactics need to be addressed by the man responsible.
It was an open game and either team could have won, on a positive note it is games like this that the prem needs. Open and competitive. In the end we pissed your season and you pissed on ours. The Sandro sub nearly worked for us. Your substitutions made no difference to you. The lack of faith your manager has in Walcott is ridiculous.
Your not gonna see a trophy and I suspect we will end up duke it out with the scousers for the Europa league. But it is still all to play for 18 pints still available to us. St Totters day looks like a long way off and still might not happen.
Great game shit result
Chippy at 180. Could not agree more. Frimpong our saviour? Fuck me, has it come to that? He my well be a good prospect and may well be a star of the future. But I read that 3 times to make sure I had got it right.
I wonder if people still think this is the best squad we have ever had?
Chippy π
I’m not sure if Frimpong is our savior but he definitely put in a convincing performance during pre-season than not!
My point was more about the 25 man rule and how we could accommodate from within as well as out!
Have a drink of your choice on my tab! π
Entertaining game. I enjoyed it. We played well tonight going forward. Having said that, Spuds defense was abysmal with a capital ABYSS and we had very good chances for three more. I thought Theo in a more central role worked well and he could/should have had three.
Excellent stuff from Wojzceck. It’s easy to be wise after the event from the arm chair. I wouldn’t blame him for the penalty. His earlier save when Chimp burst through was outstanding and he’s tough as nails. If he’d got to the ball before, Lennon – we’d be celebrating two great saves. The defensive cover in front of him was the fault for that goal and the first). The second wasn’t perfect either, but had a big slice of luck with it.
Defense in the mid-field was poor and both CBs had less than stellar games. Great to see Sagna back for Eboue. Alex Song hasn’t returned to his best though and Diaby didn’t look fully fit toward half-time. I was surprised to see him come back for the second half.
No issues from me for the subs. Nasri and Theo were still likely scorers but, with Cesc, were tiring very visibly as Spuds made us chase a lot in the latter stages. Fresh legs for the last ten minutes. I’d try that every time. Could easily have come off, but, the two debutants didn’t impress.
Arsenal didn’t lose the league because of this game though. I think we all know that. At the start of the season, I reckon we’d have settled for a draw. The home game was the killer.
Just for fu. The commentators here (Wacka Macca and D’Arc) said Man IOU have lost/drawn more games from winning positions this season that Arsenal. I haven’t checked. Does it matter?
I’m expecting Arsenal to beat the deeply indebted at the Emirates and Chelski to beat Manure in the leaue too (they won’t lose three games on the trot to them). Keep smiling.