The Thin Red Line, And Adeu Cesc
Aug 15th, 2011 by 'holic
“I understand everybody’s worry, but I believe as well a club is a united front. Our players need the support from our fans. It is an important period for this club, but I am confident we will get over it in a very successful way.”
Arsene, I think you understate the importance of the upcoming Champions League qualifier. The coming fortnight promises distractions aplenty as supporters anxiously await news of reinforcements for a squad that gets thinner by the day. There is no doubt in my mind however that the most important thing right now is to get a confident and highly motivated side out against Udinese.
That squad is being stretched to the limit for the two matches that can make or break the finances for an entire season. From the side that started at Newcastle on Saturday we lose the suspended Robin van Persie, and Tomas Rosicky has a fitness test which may determine if he can continue in the role vacated by some Spanish bloke. Should he fail to make it I would play Arshavin in the hole, but I suspect Le Boss may give a start to Emmanuel Frimpong and let Alex Song have a more attacking role with Aaron Ramsey.
The replacement for van Persie would logically be Marouane Chamakh. I make no apologies for rating the man at his best, but such is his lack of confidence at present that Theo Walcott must be in the running to lead the line. Again I would go with the latter, but suspect that the manager will plump for the Moroccan. Good luck Marouane, I would love to see you get a vital goal or two when most needed.
It is somewhat surprising that we go into the game with few fears surrounding the defence. The current first-choice four have actually performed well in pre-season and were outstanding at Newcastle. Scratch the surface and you will find it is only gold plating though, hence the desire to see new blood. I have to say I am saddling one of the back four with the burden that is the ‘holic pound. Laurent Koscielny looks totally dominant in the air at the moment, so I am backing him to score at any time with Paddy Power at 10/1. I may have a little back up on the bookies favourite correct score, a 2-0 home win at around sixes.
Adeu Cesc
I cannot let Cesc’s departure pass unmentioned. It’s not a surprise to see the online Gooner community by and large responding in a classy fashion and wishing the little fella all the best. We have known for a long time now that this day was coming, that the lure of home was strong. I had hoped we might have had a year or two more out of him, and the manner of his going this summer will evoke a bitter taste when recalled, but for eight years of commitment, development, and genius, I would like to say thanks Cesc, and good luck.
I was asked by someone if it always hurts this much when a top, top talent leaves the club. My answer is it is like so many other things. It lessens with age, or perhaps more accurately I feel less rage and more numbness. Certainly I was an inconsolable nine year old when Joe Baker was sold. When Charlie George left I was an angry young man, full of rage. We kind of understood Liam Brady had to test his mercurial talents in what was a much bigger stage in 1980. The departure a year later of the far from legendary Stapleton provoked more rage, and not just because of his deception and apparent greed. The side he left behind was clearly going to struggle.
This time around I have to say the years have taught me, as if we don’t all know it anyway, that no one individual will ever be more important than Arsenal Football Club. I’m pleased to have seen Cesc grow into a world-class player under Arsene Wenger and the coaching staff at Shenley. It is foolish to say we won’t miss him, but compared to 1980 we have a wealth of talent left behind. Our first eleven remains a talented side capable of beating anybody, anywhere. It needs supplementing, but we will be adding to a strong foundation.
The King may be dead, but the Gooner nation will survive his passing, and grow stronger again.
221 Responses to “The Thin Red Line, And Adeu Cesc”
Pint of hino hol b4 I have a read cheers
‘holic – you are the plink-plink fizz of blogs, against my turned stomach. I’m well narked off today, with Cesc’s kissing of the badge and all this bullshit of the ‘hardest challenge of his life’ shite bubbling about – but you’re right… there’s a solid foundation at the club, time for a few boys to become men. Thanks!
Let’s not forget 8 fantastic years of loyal service.
” survive his passing ” hmm double entendre there holic. Reinforcements urgently needed and the gushing over man city after disposing of probably the bottom team at the end of the season will not sooth the faint hearted. Hopefully this time tomorrow night we are doing are own crowing..
Barca succeeded in turning Fabregas from the once-intelligent-and-most-loved Arsenal player to a disgruntled-and-worst ingrate to wear an Arsenal shirt. I hope for Barca’s sake he’s worth all the trouble. For Cesc, I wont wish him any better days without making such confessional statements that Alex Hleb sang on numerous occasions after toeing same inglorious line.
Fabregas wants to return to his boyhood club. A club that didn’t consider him good enough for first team before Wenger ingeniously did! He is going for trophies. Did he ask Messi which one he would have preferred – all his(Messi’s) Barca medals or just that one World Cup gold medal that proudly sits with Cesc’s collection! If it wasn’r for Wenger and Arsenal Cesc wouldn’t have made Spain’s team to Euro ’08 and WC ’10.
Wenger let Pat Vieira go once he sighted Fabregas. Vieira’s last kick gave us our last silverware. Six years ago! What has Fabregas given in return? Selfish struggles just to attract Barcelona!
Wenger made Fabregas Arsenal’s captain at the tender age of 21! What is Fabregas repaying with? Paying part of his transfer fee just to leave!
I was so mad at Flamini for leaving when and how he did. But Fab has broken the chain. And I am not a pretender. It won’t ever BE WELL WITH FABREGAS ON THE PITCH UNTIL HE CONFESSES AND PUBLICLY APPOLOGISES TO WENGER AND ARSENAL. By then he must have lost his spot on the Spanish National side and cost Barca the Liga and Champions League trophies. Unfortunately, he will never become an Arsenal legend.
On Nasri, the least said about him the better. But believe me, the duo would learn the hard facts of how not to quit Arsenal.
I do like a bit of sense in my blogs. Good read, as usual. Very sad to see Cesc go, but The Arsenal will go on, hopefully getting stronger over the next couple of weeks….and years!
Had far tyoo much to drink yesterday, but maybe a little something to settle the stomach and aid sleep, how about a nice Port?
Appears our other wantaway was offended by the chants on Saturday.
Did any of the ‘armchairs’ hear that?
Holic, you’ve got mail!
Glad it’s finally over….while I only have five Arsenal seasons on my resume (I’m a late-blooming yank, my apologies), I won’t forget the Goal vs. Roma, the breakaway vs. Spurs, the pass to Nasri vs. Barca last year and the 27 minute, 2 goal dominate cameo vs. Aston Villa, etc., etc. Truth be told, the last three years his starts in the Prem are 22, 26, 23….just not durable enough no matter how great he played for us when healthy. I will never hate but his kissing of the badge today irked a grumbling out of my mouth but I’m ready to move on. Tomorrow’s game is quite simply a massive, massive game given the CL money involved. As it has been said before, no player is bigger than the mighty Arsenal.
Steve T went on holiday too early if you ask me. Didn’t he say we could rely on him for a good 60 minutes?
Thin red line indeed, Holic.
I would most gladly gnaw your arm off for 2-0 tomorrow night, considering our current circumstances.
I am confident about tomorrow, seeing Milan against the Spuds last season highlighted what a parlous state Serie A is in at the moment. They’re not even getting a fourth place for next season’s European Cup. Just need to approach it professionally and not panic, the media all have their knives out, and it would be nice to make them choke on their prepared headlines.
The parallels with 1980 are there-solid foundation of kids maybe but a squad lacking in experience in key positions and in creativity. We have a bit more money than in 1980-but not enough to compete at the top level. The club is over-cautious and is falling from a position of promise through under-investment in players. There simply are no grounds for the level of optimism that you are stating.
It seems that 2 wins in 3 months is not enough to galvanise Wenger and this Board into spending available money on players. The truth is our best players are all leaving because of under-investment and those we want to trade we can’t get rid of because they are too well paid. Arsenal have to fail and fail badly for a whole season for some fans to realise that there is a problem.
I fretted a lot when it was announced than Thierry Henry was moving on but we survived (no trophies, admittedly) but we survived. We’ll survive Cesc’s passing too. He leaves a large gap into which the young lads can develop and grow.
Arsenal have to fail and badly for a season for fans to realise there is a problem??ffs get behind what we are doing as a club,15 years cl qualifcation,great core of English players with our DNA coming thru,we need to believe in the boss and the lads that want to play with us.
Courage mes braves! It’s time to get behind your team.
COME ON YOU REDS!
Some Oude Jenever please bartender, aaah lecker!
Spot on holic but I do think Arsene is well aware of how very important our game against Udinese is.
Our squad does look wafer thin at the moment so it will be interesting to see what Arsene does.
It will almost be impossible to replace Cesc straight away, however, by getting Cesc to stay last year, Arsene was able to give Ramsey time to heal and Jack time to develop. I think both these lads will flourish for us this year. We will still need reinforcements though.
Fabregas stayed a year too long and ruined his reputation, surely, with those two match changing errors: the handball against Tottenham and that unbelievably stupid backheel against Barca.Perhaps Arshavin will come into his own now that he’s the only creative superstar left….at least I hope.I think we are going to need him unless the great genius leaves him on the wing.
“Cesc FΓ‘bregas completed his move to Barcelona but not before shedding a tear of gratitude to ArsΓ¨ne Wenger and Arsenal. Not only did the former captain admit he was unable to tell Wenger how he felt as emotion got the better of him when he bade farewell, he also departed having signed a buy-back option.
For all the recriminations that have surrounded this deal, bridges were not burned. Should FΓ‘bregas ever leave Barcelona Arsenal will have first refusal on their former captain.”
Buy-back option? First refusal? 50% Sell-On clause? No Sell-On clause on Toral and Bellerin? Interesting.
Cesc has waived his 4M loyalty payment making the deal worth 39MΒ£ to Arsenal.
CG – Ryo can’t play cause he wasn’t registered for this match (he didn’t have his WP when everybody was registered).
NB is probably getting a chance…
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-news-Nicklas-Bendtner-set-for-shock-recall-in-Champions-League-qualifier-against-Udinese-article785938.html
Interesting introduction to the game, clearly a very important one for the season. Still make no mistake, as usual the fans will play an important part either way. Indeed our players need the support from our fans.
@TheWasp: I’ll bite. Didn’t hear anything either way, just saw the vid on youtube. He’s just looking for an excuse anyway as he’s been dissed pretty badly in France in the last few days.
@goonerboy: glad you feel enlightened about “the truth”. Let me suggest you stop by Le Grove, they’re currently having a competition with “Dear Mister Levy” to see which one of them wants us to lose the most. You’d feel certainly much welcome on either blog to share wishes for our demise.
Great post Holic,
Yes we will miss him too right but life goes on as he said himself today, Arsene must invest no questions asked. Bitter day today but tomorrow will look a bit brighter and we have a very importnant game to look forward too as well. It was rather strange seeing Cesc in a Barca shirt today it has to be said. It didn’t look nice!
Lets get behind the lads tomorrow I think that 12th man can lift them on!
I wondered where you had all gone!
Thanks Snir!
A drink to The Numpties and their bulging sack of points, from the bottom feeding Green Tin Rollers,
Cesc.. going to have to sleep on this one. A great player and a nice boy. Spanish TV obviously full of him in his barca shirt today. My 4 yr old asked “Is that Cesc, Daddy?” “Yes”, I replied, “But he’s not Jack.” Hopefully a mature response?
I always said I would wish Cesc well when he finally walked out the door. I do wish him well. I was however not prepared for the feeling of rejection that overcame me when it was confirmed. How much that has to do with our offensive performance on Saturday ? I suspect quite a bit.
The truth is who is there out there that can replace Fab? I truly can’t think of anyone. Granted, I am not particularly familiar with Jadson’s game but I suspect he is an attacking midfielder in the mould of Rosicky/modric/Arshavin (pre-Arsenal). Players with varying degrees of skill and drive that would run at defences, draw markers and create chances for team mates through short ro medium legth passes. Cesc on the other hand could opearte iIn the general area of the centre circle and Create chances for others with otherworldly vision and breath taking technical ability. I will miss him.
But we are Arsenal. We will thrive. I understand his motivations but I will suggest to him that there is no greater club.
Tomorrow is absolutely massive. I would play Song, Frimpong and Ramsey in the middle. I Think we will need the 2 holdining players to keep defensive discipline. As such, playing Arsh in the advanced role will leave gaps in the middle because he is so attack minded.
I do hope whoever wears the red n white tomorrow realises how big a game this is.
Up the Arsenal
Neversawhighbury – Agree completely. Conceding an away goal would be disastrous and putting both Frimpong and Song would add a bit of steel to the midfield (and also give Frimpong some experience for Liverpool, United and Bolton as Song will most definitely be suspended).
Am I the only one getting the feeling that Pep will be replacing AW when he retires (hopefully not sooner!) and bringing Cesc with him?
Cesc it’s really hurt seeing you leaving us, but we do appreciate your love, patience and kindness. We ever remain GOONERS!!!
Snir good find
Sounds like a long term deal to me, Barca couldn’t really afford him but he left beacuse he wanted to go back and I think it was a lost battle anyway.
23 – Here`s our next manager http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xax9c4_amazing-goal-by-manager-dragan-stoj_sport
And Cesc will come back anyhow!
π
That video clip was class!
maki mol. Heh – sign him up!
God I hope that Chamakh is not the reincarnation of Lee Chapman
Good post Holic, thanks
I am usually the most optimisitc of Gooners, but even i have been affected by the incessant d&G this summer. We have lost our most creative player, needed new signings before he fucked off and yet, we are STILL waiting.
We have lost Song for 2 very tough fixtures and Jack is injured and I doubt Rosicky will last the pace. Then there’s Gibbs whose injury record is as bad as Tomas’!
WE have played one fucking game and the squad is bare. Jesus H christ, what the fuck is the club up to?
Pissing about all summer saying cesc and nasri aint leaving, while not bothering to sign any players, apart from a 17 year old for the same price as a mata?
The manager has 2 weeks now, it is so fucked up I think i might just piss myself laughing!
Next someone will tell me we are waiting to find out if we qualify for the CL before we sign those players!
The club has fucked up massively this summer, they have allowed the media to run with stories of our demise and impending doom all summer long and I admit it, I have finally cracked under this pressure to such an extent that I am not even excited about going to the games, I cannot get myself up for them this season, how fucking sad am I?
I am fed up with football, the obscene money, the selfish ungrateful players and fans, the parasites, the hacks and agenda driven media and the fucking outrageous cost of following my tea\,.
I am fucked off (can you tell?)
Football is dead, Sky started the demise, FIFA and UEFA were accomplices and man city and the orignal chavs finished it off, along with some of the doom mongering so called Gooner blogs
Rant over, time to start knitting as a hobby instead
That 50% sell on clause is an interesting one…
Doesn’t help us right now, mind.
Evening all, and welcome to possibly the least interesting comment ever.
Nothing to say really. ‘Holic, the perfect word to sum up the feelings as, yet again, our best player walks away.
Numb.
Can’t blame Cesc. If I was lucky enough to be playing for Barcelona and Arsenal came calling, I’d be out the door the next day.
What is irking me is that one of Arsene’s reasons for transfers taking so long, is that once the selling club has agreed the fee, they have to find a replacement before the player is allowed to leave.
So where is our replacement ?
Can we get some two-way glass in this transfer window please ?
Maybe Citeh will go after him in the January sales huh Catalan. I can live in hope no, lord knows I have all summer
Catalan – so we’ll never buy him back, ‘cos we’d refuse to pay 50%, surely ?
Good hols ?
CG – You know the twitter saying – Watch this space right?
Anyway for those who don’t know what it is – It’s when somebody says something that he thinks will be true and let’s people know (sort of like a Seer π )
Anyway, here it goes – Watch this space.
First dibs on Cesc (why would IG even want that? IMO it only means the club is thinking in that direction), AW saying today – He might come back, you never know (he never said that on Bobby, Henry and Paddy even though the first two trained with us) and Pep possibly replacing AW when he retires – I can see Cesc coming back.
I know it’s a bit far fetched now, but I just have a gut feeling, a strong one.
No Catalan it doesn’t help us one bit, they put a 200 million euro buy out clause on his 5 year deal, means they wont loose much as well. You can see he loves the club I don’t see him leaving any time soon, I may be wrong, however by then the financial rules will be in so who will have this sort of money lying around?
And Adeu is the correct word usage in Catalan, if I’m not mistaken.
Re: Snir @18: Maybe this is the type of circumstance that turns things on their head and makes Bendtner go on a goalscoring binge, if he gets the chance.
Snir
Can I please borrow your crystall ball? π
Drink to Dr. C and the Green Tin Rollers. Bottom of the table but top of our hearts. π
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2026371/Fabio-Capello-rage-Theo-Walcotts-book.html#ixzz1V8tsCs6c
Walcott’s been a naughty boy…
Sad to see Cesc go great player but six years of no reward on wards and upwards bring us something home this year boys
This is totally out of control now: Eto’o (now 30) will be sold 32M to Anzhi Makhachkala (that’s a Russian club) where he’ll make 300K/week (that’s almost 20M/year considering there’s next to no taxes on it). As you guessed already Anzhi Makhachkala is owned by another Russian mobster who like Abramovic and Usitinov is trying to improve his reputation through football. I wonder how long it will take before the effing oligarch realizes he’s wasting his money in Russian football and buys Tottenham instead.
All this stress has affected my appetite.
I was half way through eating a horse tonight and realised –
“I’m not as hungry as I thought”.
Is that my coat . ..
Snir, you are a hopeful fellow (I commend you) re: #4’s return one day but may I ask what will be left in the tank when he is in his late-20’s? Given his track record of PL starts in the last three years, I think we would definately take a pass given the mileage….especially since the buyout is higher than the US national debt…even with whatever discount might be extended.. On the other hand, he just might get more rest than we all anticipate in that squad.
Given we cannot (or won’t) stack the squad like Chelski or Oil City, he is doing us a favor by going now so we can get sorted for the longer-term. Obviously, the shorter-term is a problem.
Why do I have a weird feeling Nasri is going to re-sign? If he was definately gone why would he have tweeted that his poor feelings were hurt?
I have a gut feeling more than hopeful it will happen.
Buy out clause doesn’t mean players need to be bought at that exact clause, an agreement can be reached for far less than the clause.
I see no way of Nasri staying. Just can’t see it. The fans have already turned on him and he’d get so much stick during the whole season. The club isn’t THAT stupid.
OMG, a scary thought just crossed my mind.
Imagine RvP being injured in January (obviously possible).
There is an ACN this year and we have Traore, Frimpong, Song, Chamakh and Gervinho will all go.
This basically means we will have no DM and no replacement for him as well (I don’t trust Diaby to play there, and I don’t even trust Diaby to be fit in January).
It means we will have no cover for our LB that could very well be injured as he’s a “bit” injury-prone.
It means we’ll have one of our most dangerous attacking threats missing.
It means we’ll have no cover whatsoever to RvP in case he gets injured in January.
Scary, really scary (especially both Frimpong and Song [Can’t Song hit Eto’o or something?] going).
Just wondering how long it will be until some enraged fantasy footballer, after selecting Citeh’s new star forward to his or her team buy turns out to be disappointed with the player’s performance, calls him Sergio Kunt Aguero.
Just 15 days to go now for AW & the rest of our failed management team to rescue our season.
I’m sure AW has already highlighted his replacements, but as soon as the negotiations start & we can’t pick them up on the cut price market, our management team will run away (yet again) & bank the money.
So AW’s master plan can be tested again where all the other teams fall into financial ruin over night.
This is where we win the moral high ground argument on that one, + in the future say 5-10 years time with these super stars coming through the youth system we will have a winning team then again alight. can’t wait can you!!!
Roll-on Groundhog day, how long do you think we have before even Wenger realises we have been here before???
@Snir: Lars mentioned already that Cameroon is very unlikely to qualify (2 games to win and favorable results in the other games). And TV can cover at LB, Jenkinson too.
http://www.eplindex.com/possession-wembley-changed-arsenal-season/
Very interesting read.
Snir, It is an interesting read, indeed, suggesting to me that in effect we are allowing the other teams to be playing Muhammad Ali with the rope-a-dope strategy in full effect against George Foreman.
Normally Foreman had so much offensive firepower that it was no problem for him to knock out an opponent, but Ali’s defense was just too good. Similarly, at the end of recent seasons Arsenal’s opponents have had too much strength defensively because our offensive firepower has become too worn down. This is quite possibly because we have punched ourselves out with all that 65 to 70 percent possession rate.
Snir
I have noticed you are getting a bit jittery again,
We are not even out of August and you are stressing out about what might happen in January 2000 and fucking Twelve.!!
Worry about the here and now,not what the future might hold.
Udinese/Liverpool/Udinese/Utd,that’s all you should be focusing on.
Anything beyond that is pointless.
Man Up !!
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Re: Mug @29 I’ve heard knitting is a highly rewarding pastime but please!!! Fed up with football? Have a look at Larsson’s goal against Liverpool. And don’t let your reaction be that Arsenal should have kept him. π
‘holic, 32 Programmes, the book you have been advertising, arrived by mail today and I’m just going to sit down and start reading it but it looks good.
BT8BBGfG
Cheers for the drink, and LIKE the new name!
Nervous about tonight. Happier if NB is up front in his correct position than Chamackh right now.
Cesc has gone! I think Nasri will go as well.
We have some money and I think new players will arrive, two for sure but I hope for three or even four.
The important business right now is to look forward not back and the team needs our support. The squad is thin but there is plenty of promise and whilst Cesc has gone plenty of good players are still with us and we mustn’t forget them in the disappointment of the moment. A clean sheet is most important tonight although a few goals and a win would be great. Great for us and great for the confidence of the players. Let’s press on with the business of winning matches.
Come on Arsenal!
Let’s hope Cesc’s departure isn’t weighing as heavily on the team’s minds as it is on ours!
So long and thanks for all the fish, Fabbers. You’ll be missed but I hope your new club crash and burn.
Onto tonight: Holic, I like your point about the state of Serie A, it gives me a lot of hope for tonight. Reckon Rambo will pull the strings in midfield like he did in pre-season…Theo to get on the end of one his glorious over-the-top hail mary passes? Would back him to score if he did.
Come on fellow gooners! Let’s get ourselves up and excited about tonight. If there’s six degrees of separation between everyone and Kevin Bacon, I make it about four between us and the team, so a bit of confidence could just trickle through to the right minds by 7.45 tonight!…and the less said about signings the better, if just for today.
UTA! COYRRRR!
AATJ…
To The Sweeper @ #53
You may be pleased to hear that I am only focused on getting to the HK&Udinese game tonight in time for KO. I’m more than happy to take things one game at a time until the club settles down and we know what the team will be post August (can’t believe I’m writing that).
Really looking forward to getting back to the home of football, to vanquish the memory of a humiliating home defeat to Aston Vanilla and to have a crack at the new Gervinho song.
Any chance you can join us for the ‘Holics meet-up vs The Mickeys? The Tollie serves a mean pint of orange juice and some of the bar-staff could give you fresh inspiration for the next time you write about the SU.
Cheers,
The Creative Midfielder
Norfolk @ #57
I hope for 3-4 also but expect 2 to join.
Hope for the best, plan for the worst and all that…
Trev – great hols, thanks!
I’ll join Clive in a fresh OJ.
PS from TS:
Are we all falling back in love with Bendy? A better bet than Chamakh at the moment?
PPS: Welcome back Dr.C. You left under a cloud by the way for picking Munsters in you team, much good it did you! π
Trev
With you @ #32 – I always thought it was a revolving door and not like a cat-flap set to ‘kittie out mode’ only π
Will our PR ‘machine’ never learn? Anyone impressed by this little beauty?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-open-market-would-have-raised-cesc-fee-
IMO, better not to say anything…
TS – my punishment has come from above.
Useless c*nts. Still, no Spuds… Maybe I’ll sell ’em on. That would have some satisfaction…. but is it an Open Market?
Cesc saying all the right things on Twitter…
CG
Cesc is a class act a very intelligent lad no doubt about that, unlike his team mates. I believe his 8 years here will always leave a special place in your heart for where you have lived the people you have met etc.
It also looks like Cesc will be a regular visitor:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2011/08/15/2621733/happy-homecoming-for-fabregas-family-but-london-lives-on-for
Now this is rather strange news to me:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/13/2617767/arsene-wenger-reveals-to-close-friends-that-he-is-preparing
ATG – Re the second story. Bloody hell!
CG & ATG
I referenced this story in the one of the recent previous sets of drinks.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Le Boss is reviewing his options at present but that must be a fairly routine thing to do for a man in his position.
A couple more bits of bad news and these stories will proliferate, I reckon. I’m taking it with a pinch of salt for now.
To the manager of the Frozen Numpties
Using Huth, Rooney & Terry in your team plus two other Munsters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You’ve traded your Gooner soul for a few precious FF points. Explain yourself sir!
Come to think of it, you may have doen that a few posts ago π
Dear Creative Midfielder.
Much as i would like to join you and fellow Holic’s at the Tollie for a drink,circumstances unfortunately make that next to impossible.
For reasons i won’t go into,my chances of getting to the Emirates at all this season are very remote.
This is a price i am happy to pay to keep a very delicate balance in place for Family reasons.
Such is life.
If truth be told my Soul and my Spirit still live at ‘ Highbury ‘.
Having spent most of my Football life there,i cannot reconcile myself with the new home at the ‘ Ems ‘.
I would rather live surrounded by my memories of that wonderful
Great Old Stadium,than try and start a new relationship with a
‘ Corporate Entity ‘
That’s my view for what it’s worth.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
TS
Not taking it seriously myself I have to admit I thought I would share my finding.
This is just pure speculation and goal.com is the only portal that published this story so far I think.
Badly need a result tonight and Le Boss needs to pull two gems out of his rabbit bag π
Dear Sweeper
Sorry to hear that but fully respect your situation. I will be sure to tip my hat to your soul and spirit the next time I walk past the previous home of football
Cheers
TCM
TS
He also favours three Pubis players in his team! π
ATG
Yes. ‘Munsters’ = Pubis players π
Eboue off to Galatasaray finally
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_7105712,00.html
Afternoon All ,
Great post ‘Holic .
As regards Cesc , maybe I’m too long in the tooth , but I just don’t get attached to individuals at the club anymore ( Arsene aside ). Most modern day footballers are cunts . If someone had promised to pay me Β£180k a week when I was 22 , then chances are I would have been a cunt too . Fab always seemed a pretty good guy in fairness . But i didn’t love having him at the club because he was a great guy . I loved having him at Arsenal because of his sublime footballing skills . Despite his perceived failure , Cesc gave and won as much as Brady in his time at the club . Along the way , he gave performances which often took the breath away .
He wanted to get home , nothing wrong with that , we have to accept it and move on . Cesc , thank you for the fantastic football that you played , and I hope you get one over Maureenho .
Goonerboy @12 , if you think there are parallels with 1980 , all I can say is that you clearly weren’t there in 1980-81 . There are no parallels !!! When Brady left , there was no Wilshere and Ramsey waiting to step up , there was no European football , there was barely a flicker of creativity within the side , and the Club far from playing to generally 60,000 people , often struggled to attract 30,000 to Highbury . You tell me Arsenal ” have to fail , and fail badly ” . I tell you , that you have to wise up , and wise up quickly , as to what Support is all about .
Snir @ various – mate , you’re behaving like a jilted chap , who’s still secretly hoping his girl loves him , and who still thinks that just because she smiles at him every now and then he’s the ” one ” , just as she’s being whisked off down the aisle by her first love . She’s gone , She aint coming back . Get over it . Get yourself a stiff drink on my tab , get down the nightclub and start looking for new talent , and remember that a whimpering man is never an attractive sight .
Dr C – welcome back . Having seen your team selection , I have allowed myself a little gloat at The Green Tin Rollers position . Wolfgang is very pleased , sitting in third . Indeed , with 8ball fielding Rooney and Terry , and Holic also unable to resist the lure of pikey boy Rooney and also fielding the cuntabulous Nani , ( where is your shame boys ?) , Wolfgang has mentioned to me that he is clearly the real leader of the league at the moment , and deserves full credit for trying to do things the right way in the face of all this fantasy doping π
Big game tonight boys . Given the team we’re likely to field , I’ll take any kind of win .
Come on the Arsenal !
Haha TaBS,
Do give me credit for no LWC’s or munsters…
tabs – What happened to the no Mancs/Pool/Spuds/Stoke rule (added the last one myself)??
Holic and 8ball – how can you have those odious little pikeys stinking up our hallowed league?
A pint of Listerine to wash the foul taste out of my mouth please…
Great post, once again, Holic.
Hello Tabs,
I agree with your take on Cesc. He was absolute class when he was here and his conduct yesterday was class too – he had nothing but good to say about the club, the manager and supporters since he’s left. As someone who watched and supported him during his tenure here, I have to say we should all be quite proud of the fine job the club has done in making him the player and person he is.
Hope tonight we manage to make up for the gap in midfield creativity with a committed and spirited performance. At all costs, we must not concede. Hope to see Bendtner (based on current form) lead the line with Arshavin and Gervinho.
Whilst I have had grave reservations about some of Wengers decisions and I can understand the frustration in relation to the defense – I really find it astonishing that his position at the club is being brought into question by some elements of the media and fanbase. The man has been nothing short of a revelation for the club (and indeed for football in general) in building this club into a European power. Who else could replicate his vision, style, prudence, responsibility and competitiveness ??
Time for a show of unity. Sometimes when I see how Liverpool fans support their club, I wish that we too might find that same sense of unity and cohesion.
‘Holic , of course I give you credit for not having LWC’s or munsters in your side … but I don’t mind telling you that your inclusion of Rooney , and vice captain at that , has knocked me sideways π
I can only buy you a beer of your choice and hope that you come to your senses soon π
Camberwell – to be fair it was never a rule . As Arsene might say you have to trust people to do the right thing . We can only hope the situation will soon be rectified . Pass the Listerine π
Joe , Hi , great post as usual , agree with all that , except for the bit about Liverpool fans . I think they have got more than their fair share of fans , whose sense of entitlement far outweighs any rational analysis . Let’s see how long their sense of unity lasts if Dalglish’s new signings don’t come off .
As regards your last but one paragraph , it remains the great unanswered question by those who wish to use any opportunity to bash Arsene . When asked who they want , they fail to come up with any name , because they know that any comparison between Arsene and those they seek to put forward would be utterly laughable .
TS, tabs, Holic, et al. I did feel a bit weird having Delap in The Rollers…. but truly his throws are a thing of awesomeness….. and I couldn’t find any other midfielders for just 4 million!
I’ll sell him on for someone from Swansea. That’ll learn me.
My main rule – no Spuds.
tabs @ 78 – middle paragraph – well said that man. Much that is wrong at Arsenal at the moment can be traced to these so called supporters calling on the club “to fail” – jeez. We can want lots of things to change but how can one of these be willing Arsenal to lose? Tossers.
And tabs @ 82 – re Liverpool. The fact is that they are currently getting an easy ride because of who their manager is. If Benitez had spunked a further Β£100m on players (all of whom bar Suarez and the left back are questionable buys in my opinion) and they had failed to win their first home game, then the xenophobic that is the British media would have been full of the same type of crap that they like to beat Wenger with.
100 % spot on about their spoiled supporters too – you just need to listen to that fat douche bag Mickey Quinn to realise that.
Pint?
Oh and welcome back Dr C – hope you checked the HT checklist a few posts back? π
No spuds and munsters in me team Holics, come on and 4th in the league can’t that bad π
Dr Z @84 – Cheers , I’ll join you in a pint of lager . Totally agree with you , re these so called fans . If everyone got behind both the manager and the side and utilised an “us against the world ” sense of grievance , then I think we would all be surprised how far that would take us .
No chance of that , I’m afraid , whilst an insignificant but vocal minority continue to agitate , further giving the lie to some away fans that its ok to boo the manager before a ball has been kicked . As you say , Dr Z , tossers …
Dr C – you might be able to afford a better midfielder than Delap , if you raised Β£20.5 mill selling off Rafael , Valencia and Park . Just a thought … π
Tabs – I know he’s most likely not coming back, but it’s just a gut feeling that’s all. Anyhow, I’ve been preparing for life after him, and I most certainly want a creative midfielder before a centre half.
Clive – That’s what happened when I’m alone in the bar and I start over analyzing everything!
As opposed to all the jittery feelings I have about this season (although I still think we’ll win the league), I’m pretty confident about today.
Oh and remember – mid table mediocrity is currently sitting snugly at ninth π
I can’t believe people took Rooney and made him Captain!!!
Tabs @ #78
I’ve tried this before but will try once again: I’d like to propose a moratorium on the C word for at least 3 posts? And no, I don’t mean c*nt π
It’s not going to happen is it?
PS for Snir: Sage advice from tabs for you there fella. Whimpering men = not a good thing. He’s gone, he ain’t coming back, move on, find a new love, plenty more fish in the sea and even more cliches available on this very site. I hear we’re talking to a number of sexy little midfielders at the moment to help keep your chin and pecker firmly pointing skywards π
TABS, TS et al. Fuck it – we are The Rollers, and when a Delap long throw bounces off Park’s head in the final minute of the last game for us to soar to ninth (one has to have goals in life) then you’ll be the ones crying.
Come on you GT Rollers – and fu*k the rest of them.
Pint still on offer? π
PS – Could you point me to that HT checklist? I’m sitting in the sun with girls in bikinis, and quite frankly have other priorities right now. π
Was that 8ball Snir ? If it was , he can surely take no pleasure in being top of the league π
TS – Already found a new love – Jack π³
Tabs – Not only 8ball, I saw at least (!) 3 people with Rooney Captain.
NOT ME – Arsene and I share great taste when it comes to captains….
TS – fair enough , said my bit on the lad , I shall mention him no more .
Dr C – I’ll have a beer please , even though you do seem to be turning into the Pubis of the HT league π
Dr Z’s checklist was last saturday . If you’re scrolling through past drinks , you might want to check out the finale of BTA posted on same day you went on holiday – you’re in it π
RVP has been appointed captain, with Vermaelen as assistant captain. Not very surprising.
I am extremely tired right now, I was down the pub on Friday night, then of course more or less the whole of Saturday, a good few hours on Sunday afternoon/evening and for a few hours last night. Didn’t drink that much at all yesterday or Sunday, but have had way too little sleep but there will be no rest neither for the wicked nor for me because of course we have the small matter of the Udinese game tonight which means another four to five hours (depending on when I get there) down the boozer… I think I may have take the morning off from work tomorrow.
Anyway, I digress. What I meant to say is that I hope that no-one who goes to the game tonight will have the bad taste to boo the team as long as they give it their best. We simply can not afford (in any sense of the word) to lose this tie, and whatever we think of the state of affairs at the club at this point in time we as supporters have to do our bit tonight and do what we can to drag the club into the group stages – because if you think missing out would somehow make it more likely that we will buy some big names then please think again.
Come on Arsenal!
Dr.C @ #91
Sounds like you have priorities set just right π
A round for all in the bar please Mr.Barman and one for yourself.
And a toast to a couple of things:
1) Well done Robin. A welll deserved captaincy. Good luck in the role fella. Go show ’em what your made of.
2) A win and a cleansheet tonight.
Cheers all!
Snir , I’m off to the fantasy league – these people need to be named and shamed !!!! π
Lars
What a tough time you’re having at the moment π
All part of a long, hot Swedish summer?
BTW, agree fully re: qualification. If we miss out on CL footie it could be used as a justification to not to re-invest the funds recently and to be acquired.
Only one choice really…. shout loud and proud in support of the boys tonight. I know they’ll be doing their best too.
Cheers TS , I’ll drink to that .
‘Holic & ‘Holics
I thought the ‘rule’ was to avoid LWCs, mancs (red), Munsters and Chavs.
I’ll admit to one Middle Eastlander (Ya Ya – come on, his bro’ was a well loved Gooner and we wanted him at one point) and a Pikey ‘Poolster in my back 5. That’s it.
IMO, T*rry & R**ney both big no nos. ‘Holic, still in shock that you have taken the natural syruped one into the heart of your team π―
Wow. 11 posts and no C word. π
Can’t believe there are higher priorities than the HT.
Do I detect some early season faint hearted-ness?
Send the fair maidens over here Dr C and do the right thing by your team π
Is Dr C allowed in the no C word rule?
TS – I’ll admit to breaking those rules. I have no United or Spuds.
Hart, Alex, Kompany, Benayoun (I think I deserve to get off the hook on him π ) and Sturridge as the sub.
All are tolerable, don’t you think ;)?
Heh zico!
Despite the obvious connection, Dr.C is absolutely allowed although he may wish to consider a brief change of name to ‘Putney Gunner’ for a decade or so π
Snir,
Alex? Tolerable??? π― Benayoun – you have definite dispensation for that one π
Looking at our official first team line-up on Pravda, we will have only 9 mid-field players after two more move on (Eboue confirmed today) and that includes 3 rookies (Eastmond, Lansbury & Frimpong). So only 6 with any first-team experience. Surely, we’re going to buy at least one more???
THE HALL OF SHAME .
8ball – Rooney captain ???? John Terry in ???? No Gunners ?? 3 Stoke players including Huth ….. Massive , massive boooooo .
Holic – Rooney vice captain , Nani on the pitch …. Boooo
H2H – Vidic at centre half …. Booo
Harsha – Terry and Carragher at the heart of your Defence ??? Best keep your eye on the valuables bag …. Boooo
Lars – normally a man of such immaculate taste , but Vidic and Phil Neville !!!!! …. booo
Dr C – 3 mancs , 2 Chelski , and Delap . Thank you Tony . …. boooo
Heh tabs @ #108. Still chuckling to myself here π
Incredible behaviour really….. π
8ball – No Gunners???? WTF?????????? π―
So does this mean Wolfgang gets the first place and ATG the second? If so, then I get 3rd π
I hope I get 8ball in the Cup , gonna kick his lot all over the pitch π
That’ll be equal 3rd with me Snir. Your only above me due to alphabetics.
I’m all for that Snir π , but i fear that we must put up with this blatant disregard for fair play .
By the way , what does your name stand for ?
Blimey, I’m the manager of this league and now I know what poor Arsene feels like.
1) There are no exclusions in the HT League :-p
2) I am in other leagues so have to remain a little competitive! Although I am excluded, unlike you lot, from picking LWC’s or indeed Mr Cheryl Cole :-p
3) Suck ’em π
So you’re one of those “Thanks, Cesc” guys, ‘Holic? I am not. I respect your opinion, but this time I cannot agree with it. As far as I am concerned, his name should be Mustardgas, because he poisoned us. For one year, with this cloud hanging over our head? Or for 6 years, with a team supposedly built around him? Either way, the poison gas cloud is gone, and we can get out with recovery.
The moratorium is going very well chaps. Please keep up the good work π
Uncle Mike
Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Heh!
Holic @114 π
Ooh! The Boss is pulling rank π
*tucks tail between legs, slopes off*
Tabs – Arsenal Football Club Maccabi Tel-Aviv
If I can lay off the C word everybody can! π
TS @119 , I think it’s the guilt , must be killing him π
Snir @120 – Ah , understood re the name .
BTW, Good lack Manu Eboue. Thanks for your service. Not one of our greats but a warm welcome awaits you from me should you ever return to the home of football. Will always remember that goal in the CL group stages a year or so ago when you ran nearly the length of the field to score.
Poor old gooners, fabby was not so fabby and he really did put his foot in his mouth. I predict he will fail to make the first team at Barca! And you will all bless the 35 million you got for him
Now go out splash the cash buy Joey!!
‘holic, TS, et al. A certain amount of sour fantasy grapes are to be expected, but is the level getting a little high around here today? π All will notice that the Numpties’ table topping position was achieved without benefit of LWCs. Cheers all and I’m expecting some stiffer competition soon. π
Cusop…
Fuck off, you and all those twitchy lovers.
Not only is he gonna be first team there, I predict at least one Ballon D’or in his career.
As for you? When do you reckon St. Totteringham would be this year? Should you even play or maybe you guys should sit this one to avoid any embarrassment.
Oh wait, that can’t happen, no matter what you do, you’ll always be an embarrassment.
50 years and counting…
Now sod off.
Cusop, after you dear boy….
Bowl need re-filling?
Easy Snir,
He’s dangled a little fishy and you’re biting. You can re-fill the bowl if it makes you feel a wee (sic) bit better π
Re: ‘holic @114: That’s the proper spirit. Mine @125 was written prior to seeing yours, by the way.
You sold your soul for silverware!
8ball @ #125,
Touche π
But no Gunners in your team?????????? Really, what were you thinking????
Go and sing three ‘Gervinho don’t like ’ems’ and five ‘We won the league at Shite Hart Lanes’ as pennance π
8ball @ 125 – Boooooooooooooooooooooooo !!
*joins in the booing*
We are the boo boys
We are the boo boys
We are the boo boys in Fantasy
Afternoon Chaps.
Firstly I’d like to say bye bye Fabregas, it was great while it lasted and good luck.
I never doubted his commitment, but he wasn’t the same player last year that he was before. It’s not a nice thing to say, but I suspect he’s a bit burned out, he’s been playing consistently since he was 16 and he’s finding it harder and harder to bounce back after injuries, which were far more frequent over the last few seasons in which he only ever played around half of the games in anyway.
Poor old Samir (algerian for some more) Cashri has had his feelings hurt by the fans, ahh didums. The “I’m still an Arsenal player” defence is pretty shabby too, if you indeed are what you claim to be, then why the fuck aren’t you playing? Get over yourself man,
Re the FFL league. Not such a good start, but I’m a late bloomer. Not to worry about Vidic in my squad for much longer, he’s crocked now. Only the Citeh players did me any favours this game week, I’m considering trading the rest in for Chavs IOU’s, Munsters and Spuds just to piss off tabs. π
Whoops, almost forgot to order a round…
How rude.
Barkeep, wnen you’re ready sir,
*breaks off booing to quaff H2H’s pint. Re-commences booing at thought of Vidic*
So the armbands gone to RvP (didn’t do me much good in the FFL league)
Good for him.
Personaly I would of given it to the Verminater, I don’t think forward players are in the right position to be captains, but maybe I’m just old fashioned.
OK, off to start my journey to the HoF. Catch you later chums.
COYRRRs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I know what it feels like to be West Ham (from last year). In relegation form from the start of the season. However, we will battle on. To wit
“Whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; [Marauders] shall never surrender!”
That’s the kind of fight we got.
*where’s my sword?*
To those with no Gooners in their FPL – Booooooooooooo
….and to those who got Shrek as captain even bigger Boooooooo!
Hope you’re all boo-ed out TS.
Have fun tonight mate, help cheer our lads onto victory. \o/ \o/ \o/
A retro pint of Harp for H2H please
TABS – you can kiss my baseball capped arse!
But… RVP my captain. VC – SZCSZ
AND no LWC’s.
Come on Rory…flex those triceps!
Before somebody else grasses me up, I’ll come clean.
I had the Dick barton in my team, (biggerst boo of all) but in my defence he was on the bench.
*slinks off to the corner to pelt myself with rotten tomatoes*
H2H @135 – never pissed off with you mate , as you always buy a round . π
Good stuff on Cesc and Nasri . If only your FFL managerial abilities were as astute π
We’ve got no players left LOL
Vela joins Real Sociedad on loan.
Dr C @143 π
Cheers CG, I’ll just scrub off the pomodory smell and I’ll join ya for that pint.
bath gunner@15.
the word you was looking for is “lekker”, nice try though.
Just noticed the Man U away game is on General Sale anyone fancies going up there?
145 tabs. Touche sir!
It’s only game one, so I think I’ll roll off some tried and tested cliches from the Alan Hanson book of crappy punditry at ya;
It’s a long hard season with many a twist and turn.
Quality alway shines through.
You can’t win the league in August.
The league’s a marathon and not a sprint. (or a marsbar)
There’s a long way to go.
And here’s a couple of my favourites;
Pride comes before the fall.
He who laughs last……………….
Probably didn’t understand the joke.
===
More beers here please guv,
Snir,
Just how are you so in know up there in Baa-ston?
H2H @150 – Can’t disagree with you there . I’m just making the most of my current lofty position – it won’t last long π
This round is on me .
LG – I’m currently going to school in NC so no Boston for me (although I’ll go to a Bruins – Canes game and Patriots against any one close) for the time being.
Couldn’t really understand the question. How much am I “in the know”?
TS@99: well, it’s not very hot here anymore – more like a comfortable warmth in the air! And the reason for all the pub-going in the last two days is that a mate from London is over here for a few days. But I have had a bit of kip on the sofa now and am now raring to go again – and now I’m off the pub!
tabs@108: I actually confessed in public to having Vidic in my team when I created it! But ok, P Neville was perhaps a bit of a bad choice. Might have to trade him for someone less vomit-inducing.
Nice tweets from Cesc:
..what i love most in this world that is playing football. And the most important, best of luck tonight, ill be watching as usual.
Once a gunner, always a gunner. Have a good day guys.
Hang on… I have 2 chavs??
*races back to FFL site to check*
Not to piss on parades here but words are easy actions alot harder lets just say Cesc hasnt been all sweetness and light since it all went tits up last season, In fact some at the club are glad hes gone as hes been a royal pain in the Arse over the last few months by all accounts,
Thats not to say im happy hes gone – He was the only truely world class player we had at the club and leaves a massive hole im sure young Jack will fill it in time but for the top brass to let it get to this is fucking shambolic if your going to night take your boots you may get a run out π
The only reason we never sold Modric was to see how much you were going to get for Fabby, now we know Modric is worth 50 million.
Gawd blimey we might have the Mojo from Togo playing against you in a few weeks
Tabs@ 108
I may have missed the HT league rules prior to this, so I plead ignorance on my part π
I’ll make some transfers
Scousecunts not tolerated too? π
Whoops..sorry about that
Harsha , there are no rules . Have who you like . π
No apologies I’m well glad to see the back of Eboue. Coward, who hid most of the time. Reminds me of marsh life.
It’s a stupid rule that allows only 3 players from a team
It would have been easier if there was no such rule π
Snir –
It just seems you have all the transferr gossip… so I just wanted to know your sources. Seeing as how we are both on the same side of the pond.
FFL update – just used my “wildcard” (yep, already). I don’t think it helped much.
I like bringing up the rear, anyway.
I’m with you Chippy.
It’s easy to tweet well-wishes, but the Spanish Bloke’s actions betrayed an altogether different affect.
It all rings hollow to me. Everyone has a right to feel how they feel. I wish I could be as magnanimous as most of you are towards him. But I graduated from the Homer Simpson school of interpersonal relations.
*Only two things matter in life: beer and anger*
Barca must be destroyed.
Is it ok to boo your own FFL team..cos mine are shit..
@146: Snir, Vela toγReal Sociedad? Does that mean he’ll probably be sold? I heard that when we loan players outside of England it could mean that they have no future with us…
@158: Good luck with the Togolese if he comes Cusop, he’ll play well for like 5 minutes before fighting with Gallas and Defoe. Do you Spuds really love sloppy seconds that much?
A London Pride for everyone in the bar and let’s keep our chins up soldiers!
Heh, Noel
LG – Mostly from twitter, a lot of people write all kinds of transfer stories from all over the world, not only England so I get the news from both sides :).
CoR – I think it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be sold. Chances are he will be sold (IMO) next season but not because of that loan.
I think he’s being loaned to Spain because he didn’t really adapt to the English lifestyle.
Cusop – Are you having a laugh? Modric isn’t even worth Fabregas’s shoe laces.
Cannons we have got the song ready for him
Ally bi YOR, Ally bi YOR, Ally bi YOR
Redsnaps wife is now your whore and
Jamie will be washing your elephants
ComonUreds!
COYRRR
Come on you RREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDS!!!
Get in there Theo Theo Theo Theo Theo! What a cross from Ramsey!
Theeooooooo!!!
That was fucking foul on Sagna he didn’t get the ball!!!
Great save by Szczesny!
Defenders playing as forwards..no need. Clean sheet is more important
Scary half.
We all know the ramifications of an away goal. We mustn’t concede!
To be honest it wasn’t just the defense’s fault that Udinese were so dangerous. They got their chances on a misplaced pass by Aaron, a free kick and a counter attack where Sagna was at fault.
Song screwed up the pass which led the counter, didn’t he?
Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!! Good to hear the home crowd singing up, need to hear them more still though. Udinese seem up for it, we need to calm them down a bit with some fancy footwork and sticking-it-in-the-net action…
Had to change my underwear a few times during .the first 45 mins
COYRRR
A second goal in this half would be ideal. Nice pressing again…all around the park. Gervinho is going to get a hatful of assists this season…..Chamakh is leading the line quite well. Team looks fired up if you ask me. Ray Parlour said it’s all about the players giving it their all the next few weeks…couldn’t agree more.
Come on you reds. I keep thinking we’re playing Newcastle again!
@170: That’s the worse song I ever heard Cusop! Doesn’t even rhyme!?!?!?
How about:
Adebayor, Adebayooorr,
Not good enough for the Arsenal,
So he went out the door….
H2H, you’re lucky to be in a bar mate. I’m watching this game in the darkness here at 4:44am π Maybe I should run buy a Kirin beer or something too…
Someone let me know when its safe to come out from behind the sofa!!
stay put Chippy….just in case!!
We are lacking a bit of confidence for my liking, we out passed them and then started to give the ball away cheaply!
An injury crisis already… Would not be the same with out it,. Come on Arsenal…
Come on Arsenal!
God help us this season if we don’t put the transfer funds to good use
Rosicky is meant to be an experienced member of the squad but has been anonymous pretty much the whole game.
Phew, at last. Take a rest Tomas.
We are looking very week!
For all the fluff about DiNatale its not like Udinese look that they could score even if we played another 90 minutes…
Matt – Are you serious man?
God knows how we didn’t concede today. Lady luck was halfway on our side, saving us from conceding. The other half was bad luck with Djourou and Gibbs.
I seriously have no clue how we didn’t concede.
Is it just me or didn’t Di Natale remind you of Barton???
Hey Chippy, it’s safe to come out now man. Have a Carib on me!
1-0 to the Arsenal, I’ll take that…
Get in!
Good win!
But we need to replace Cesc! It was so evident today
Come on Arsene, this team looks on the slide down unless you do something
Great effort by the lads though, they lacked the creative spark
We are lacking confidence, yes we won and I’m over the moon however we will struggle big time when the big sides will turn up and Udinese was just a test they were decent and not far off.
Injuries taking over, shit shit shit………..not again dear GOD
Our midfield does not exist and the worst thing that plays on my mind is the fact that as soon as we score we take a defending stance!
Szczesny my dear Pole made me Proud today!
Chippy are you there? If Theo had a bit of luck we could’ve had a second.
Look at this in reality….Frimpong/Jenkinson were on the field at the end and we kept a clean sheet. 2nd leg will be hard work but we’ve now gone 180 mins without conceding. More of the same on Saturday please.
Come on you reds…!
We panicked up front and at the back… very nervy game for my liking I have downed 6 San Miguel s tonight and teh last time I did it was against Inter at San Siro when Cesc scored that wonderful goal!
We need to beef up come on!
This was by far the most exciting 1-0 I have seen in a long time.
I don’t know about others but I really like the angry and a lot more direct version of Theo, brilliantly taken goal.
Now get a CB as well as a LB Arsene, Gibbs is promising but wont last the season.
Was it just me or was Rosicky kinda limping in the end too?? Fingers crossed for him.
COYG
happy for the win…just wondering what has happened to chamakh….he looks clueless and forlorn on the pitch…needs to sort his mind out
good result to take to italy.
Two consecutive clean sheets? You must be joking.
Cannons – Tim,
Yep i done my best meercat impression throughout the second half !! Holy Shit we got lucky but bar a great save at the end we could have had a comfortable score line quite bizarre really ! This team so needs wise heads and some extra quality brought in sharpish if they are to do anything this season if this is more or less the side that plays the next 3 games we are fooked, Rosicky and Chamakh are passengers and thats being polite !!
We have to get Jack back, I’ll get him a placenta, just make sure he recovers. Alex Song was on his own in the midfield battle until Frimpong came on!
The Song, Ramsey, Rosicky partnership isn’t working defensively or offensively.
We HAVE to get a creative midfielder. Our attacking play looked lackluster and had no spark whatsoever. We didn’t get a real scoring chance on goal until Theo’s shot at the end.
We are thinner the the pizza I have ordered tonight!
Phil McNulty on the BBC website:
‘Arsenal have the win but Udinese’s fans and players look well satisfied.’
What with not scoring an away goal and losing? Bog off you Liverpool supporting pillock
Not much to take from that match. No link up play, sloppy passing and Chamack..the poor lad looks like he has forgot how to play. Defence were solid but caught out too often. Song was very good at breaking up the play but no guile in our midfield at all. A good win but have a bad feeling in my stomach at the mo. Players to come back but over a long season your looking at that team playing a hell of a lot of games..Pint of sombre reflection please barman
@Snir: you got scared because you forgot how we played before Cesc. We never had 70% possession until we started trying to play like Barca when Cesc was moved forward. It looks to me like we’re reverting back to playing deeper and counter-attacking like in the good old days. In that context I thought our defense was well organized, better than previous seasons actually. We were very quick to switch from defense to attack and back. All Udinese could do was tentative shots from 30 yards and with a keeper like Woj I don’t think many of those will get in. As for us, on the other hand we look really lethal on the counter with Theo and Gervinho. Give the lads a handful of games on get match-fit and we won’t have to bother.
Yes the players are young, inexperienced and tend to lose the ball more often but our organization on the pitch takes that into account.
Good attitude all along too, we played deeper once in the lead but that’s exactly what we should do now. Oh and that Jenkinson kid in his first CL game was pretty neat, tidy and simple.
The most worrying parts is that we’re one injury away from Squillaci back on the pitch. And I really hope Chamakh will rediscover his form. He looked exhausted so early.
1-0 to the Arsenal! Rewind the time machine!
Matt
I disagree with you….
We were missing most of our players but these guys can out preform any team in this world in the first we had 62% possession but we panicked and got ourselves into trouble.
We need a leader in the midfield, Cesc was that person so lets replace him we have the money to do that and Jack is too young to carry that kind of weight on his shoulders!
Matt,
We must have witnessed a different game if one team attacked on the break with intent it wasnt the ones in red – Udinese were far more dangerous on the break, On the brightside Gervinho looks more and more like he could be a top player just need to find 5-6 more of his ilk,
Matt – I have no problem at all to revert to our old style but I seriously felt that Udinese was very very dangerous.
I don’t feel the same way you do about our counter attacking ability.
I felt we were a bit naive in the final third and not as dangerous as they were.
@Arthur @ Chippy: could we keep the discussion to the game and not to the players we miss or should get? These are 2 separate discussions really.
Arthur: we had a sketchy bit in the first half but aside from that Udinese was kept at bay. Yes they hit the bar, I need to see the replay (Arsenalist we’re missing you!) but from what I remember had the shots been in the frame they’d been in Woj’s hands.
Chippy: Udinese dangerous? We certainly have not seen the same game then but then I did not feel like hiding behind the sofa π
If we stay organized like that all season we may not win pretty or break our scoring records but we won’t let many in either. It’s too early to tell if it’s another era but after 2 games it looks to me like Wengerball 4 will be very different from Wengerball 3.
I don’t know, I’m under the impression that there’s a lot of projection in these analysis. It’s not like we should not replace Cesc and Squilaci and/or buy top players if we admit we defended pretty well.
If anything I thought we got unlucky not to score more, Theo missed his chip (too bad it was the right choice) and their keeper made the save of the game.
They had 2 shots on the bar and one nice but slow free kick. All the rest were 30 yards shots that would never had been in even if they tried all night.
It’s all a matter of perception anyway. 10 more clean sheets and I’m sure you’ll see what I mean, or else I’ll see more eye to eye with you π
1-0 to the Ar-se-nal!
Matt – Fully agree – we played very much for the counter and to use the speed out wide. Haven’t seen us set up like that for many years. It’s nerve wracking to see now but used to be the norm. I am not complaining 2 games into the new season, considering who is missing and who has had to play. I’d sooner mix and match our attack and midfield than our back 5…..but that might not be a choice on Saturday.
Brave 0-0 in Italy anyone?
When does Jacky boy get the #4 shirt?
Our #13 is still not hit his prime, if I’m correct a keeper isnt really worth anything til about 30. We’ve got a bright trophy filled future ahead of us, let’s all stay positive and stand behind our red army and hope the song….1- nil to the arsenal is a familiar tune for many days to come.
@tim had I known BAD was playing in LA I’d have been more than happy to cover for you, 2nd a draw at their home is a very brave suggestion we have to go there w/ guns blazing to think we can defeat that pesky Italian side a 1-1 draw would suit me albeit not satisfy my hunger nay thirst for victories.