This Is Not Just Any Derby…
Sep 30th, 2011 by 'holic
So you already know from my piece on Talking Heads this week that this is the most difficult North London derby to predict in a very long time. I know this because the supporters of the little club up the road have been full of it this week. The balance of power in North London is shifting, they crow as one. I’ve heard it sixteen years running. This will be seventeen, regardless of what happens on Sunday.
To be fair though they do come into the game as favourites with every bookmaker. They must be so proud to be in that position after all these years. If we were going into the game with a full side, and having avoided the calamitous defeats in our last two away games, that would not be the case. We cannot, however, rewrite recent history, in the same way that our friends and neighbours cannot rewrite their history to incorporate more than two League titles, the last of which is celebrated in the sidebar here.
The last meeting of the sides resulted in a six goal thriller,Β and honours even, somehow. The Arsenal side that will start on Sunday will be very different from that game in April, and hence the widespread feeling that this game is Tottenham’s to lose. They come into it on the back of three Premiership triumphs, and at home recovered from a 5-1 drubbing by Manchester City with an impressive 4-0 defeat of Liverpool. We would argue our run of three consecutive wins in three competitions put us in good shape. In truth, both sides appear fragile at the moment.
The injury news for us isn’t good, it has to be said. Midfielder Alex Song is likely to start as the central defensive partner to Per Mertesacker for the second consecutive game. That will put him in direct conflict with the enigma that is Adebayor. It will be interesting to watch the scum who once heaped vile abuse on him cheering him to the rafters in the crumbling surroundings in which he now finds himself. Considered opinion is that he will feast on our defensive frailties from set pieces, but is unlikely to be showing such enthusiasm a month or two from now. Ask Manchester City fans if you consider this author unnecessarily harsh on the player who has ruined his undoubted talent with a stinking attitude and tendency to sloth.
The midfield trio will provide an interesting poser for Arsene Wenger. Will he start with a different trio to that which kicked off our Champions League tie on Wednesday? I would be hugely tempted to put the young Francis Coquelin in there, but I have not just celebrated fifteen years as the manager who will be regarded in time as the best this great club ever had. The only likely switch for me would be the fit-again Yossi Benayoun for Tomas Rosicky. We shall see.
The front three will be determined by fitness tests for Theo Walcott and Gervinho ahead of the game. It is said that Walcott is likeliest of the two to be fit, which means a start for the promising Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is unlikely. That’s a shame for me, as he is the form player of the moment, but he will be a great asset to bring off the bench when Tottenham legs are tiring.
The result may be determined by whoever is able to keep eleven players on the pitch, and in that respect some might argue that Tottenham’s experienced midfield may have the edge. The ‘Frimpong factor’ cannot be ignored. We need to be combative as these games are usually feisty, but we have to keep our heads too.
The ‘holic pound has never been more nervously lodged. In the end I have gone for yet another high scoring contest, as the meetings between the sides frequently are. A 3-2 away win is 28/1 with Bet365 and Sportingbet. I had to grab a slice of that. It is far from nailed on, hence the price, but I reckon I will get a really good run for my money with that punt.
Now some ‘holics are making their way to the Lane in specially commissioned bio-suits. I hope you have an enjoyable, and above all safe day. Down the years I have watched us win. lose, and draw, from all four sides of that ground. I have seen a couple of League titles won at that ground, although strangely not by the hosts. Take in the sights of the day, because that place cannot safely remain in use for much longer. At least you will be able to tell your grandchildren, when you get to my age, I watched Arsenal play a League match at Tottenham when there used to be a club there.
Have a great weekend, ‘holics.
227 Responses to “This Is Not Just Any Derby…”
First!
Well in Lars ! Drinks for yourself and the Guv’nor .
Get in there Defoe and another from Adebayor!!
“I have seen a couple of League titles won at that ground, although strangely not by the hosts.”
Pure class ‘holic. Epic post.
I shall be wearing my bio-suit with pride π
No I hadn’t read the TH piece yet.
Reading it now, I stumbled upon‘Those of a Lilywhite persuasion’.
I can assure you that I read that as ‘Those of Lilywhite Cunts persuasion’ and had to read a second time as I was amazed that they let it be published, although I thought it not unimaginable, this being .con and all.
Oh well. I laughed for the first time today π
Cheers, ‘holic!
Strangely Arsenal would not allow their full title, Ollie π
…but Lilywhite cunts they surely are !
Cheers tabs!
Never tire of re-running my best day there, and watching Liam break off the celebration to run the length of the Shelf mugging them off π
Think I’ll take bet too holic no point going in half hearted.
Do I smell the bitter sweet stench of burning flesh. Should have kept you pound in your pocket and saved if some more Bushmills.
Injuries LOL!!
You could not even beat the brums in the Milk Cup last year!! Happy days at the lane.
Valiant effort, but fact is you are bricking it and you know and I know for good reason. The constant drain of players looking to reinvent their careers away from the PGRC s has been a indictment of the lack of faith in Wenger by his senior players. Now VP wants away!! What ever next!!
banter is fun but winning is more fun and we are having fun at the lane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYnhd8Cv3J8&feature=player_embedded#t=11s
Mid Table Finish?…
For the Spuds this season!…
Feels like I’m still watching ” An Idiot Abroad” on here at the moment.
Luka Modric where is he still playing.. Fabby and Nasri, Clichy all gone gone gone gone!!
The vehemency at which you treat Ade is really unwarranted he is fine fellow and if he scores I know
HE WILL KISS THE BADGE!!
Cuntop….I mean Cusop
You always be living in Arsenal’s Shadow.
Just face it you are the inferior team in North London. Will you ever see the Spuds win the Premiership in your life time? I don’t fink so!
Just remember 125 years of pure class and you know it.
Guess who we wiped our arse on in the Milk Cup last year, Cus.
At the Lane too.
With a bunch of kids.
Now who is smelling burning flesh, ho-ho π
Gentlemen, play with the puppy nicely, or I will have to put him back in the basket.
We are better than that, aren’t we?
Apologies Goonerholic
Forgot that we do things the right way…..cause we are The Arsenal. Just wanted the puppy to understand that it can’t go yapping a load a bollocks.
We love you Arsenal we do,
We love you Arsenal we do,
We love you Arsenal we do,
Oh Arsenal we love you
And repeat x20
Cusop @11
I was at that game , caught us a week before we had bigger fish to fry in a cup semi .
So enough of this wittering please .
34 times Arsenal have visited SHL since that game . Number of Spud wins , 8 !!!! 8 out of 34 , at home !!!
“banter is fun but winning is more fun and we are having fun at the lane”
I knew you were a closet Gooner , Cusop . That’s the only way you’d have had any fun at Shite Hart Lane the last 30 years .
And if you know your history … …
Clichy…at fault for first Bayern goal. Kolo…at fault for second Bayern goal. Nasri…at fault for being a money hungry bollox. Fab..gone with best wishes and am sure releif from spuds fans. Adebayore…no need to expand on this guy all will become clear when in two months he starts fluttering his lashes at PSG. I think we did pretty well on these and other outgoings, time will tell on arrivals but I know which side I would rather be on.
Hi Holics. Great Frimpong debate, loved it.
And since Kos is ruled out, I have to say I have no problem with Frimpong in the midfield instead of Song because I really think we shouldn’t be too adventurous to the point where we’re left exposed at the back.
With Frimpong, who doesn’t roam around and play Frimponingho we won’t be exposed as opposed to Songinho.
It doesn’t really matter who plays out of AOC or Theo, we have to have one of the two there and exploit the pact advantage we have over Assou-Ekoto, he truly is their weakest link.
Kyle Walker is inexperienced so we should target him as well.
2-1 to The Arsenal.
Hehehehe…What a life of torture it must be to be Spud…
I can almost imagine it …Always wishing,& pining & hoping & some more wishing & begging the dear Lord, that you could be like your well-to-do neighbours, but just! never measuring up…Each time you think ”Ah!…Finally caught up with ’em”…You look up & 125 years of pure Cl-Ass fills your vista…How painful & frustrating it must be…
Can’t really remember but I think I once read somewhere that ”Spuds are temporal & class like Arsenal’s is permanent” or something like that….Hehehehe…
COYRR’s!!!….
I have to admit to some sense of amusement that year in, year out, they come out and proclaim the ‘balance of power’ is shifting, but it never does.
Mind the gap, you delusional cunts.
Hey Snir, Frimponingho?… Did U mean Frimponginho?….
When it gets to the point that you have to produce a commerative DVD to celebrate a win over your classier neighbours you know that you must be thankful for small mercies.
It must be Frimponginho not Frimponingho, cos Gervinho is Gervinho & not Gerviningho, & Song Is Songinho & not Songiningho & Arteta Is Artetaningho & not Artetaniningho & Van Persie is Van Persienho & not Van Persieniningho & Mertesacker is….Nah ain’t gonna try that one…Bet it’d be unpronounciable by the time i’m true with it…it’d be like Mertesackerininininininingho!….
Hehe…Fuck Off…@25…If this were twitter i’d retweet that…
@26…True=Through…
DreamWright, you gave me a headache mate:)
I like the clip of Brady Holic!
I’m gonna grab AA to score in a 4-2 victory to the Amoury @ 75/1 with B65
Good luck to everyone risking it down at the swamp in Bio-Suits on Sunday…just don’t forget your disposable heavy duty wellies!
@ dream wright:its wilsherinho,,,im having spuds for dinner sunday,,,whos joining me????
Hehe…nice one @Irish gooner, but I think Wilshere’s got to have lots of ”ho”s in it, just to show how good he is…as in….Wilhoshehorehoingho!…
Hehe Snir…Sorry about the headache…But thank goodness we in a bar…How about I get u a cold one to hold to your head & maybe drink too…
Barman…Something icey cold (that he’d like of course) for Snir please…
a cool synide plz
Tabs – great response to Cusop @217 in previous drinks π
I have to say though, that you were goal-hanging for the ‘200’, nicking the ball right off H2H’s toe as he was about to shoot. That has to be banned every bit as much as ‘lurking’. π
F*ck off you Spurs @25 – that’s nothing, they actually brought out a commemorative watch to celebrate just PLAYING – and naturally losing to Real Madrid, so honoured were they just to be on the same pitch.
Headline from Talksport: ‘New setback for Vermaelen as Arsenal ace facing longer spell out’
Tweet from the horses mouth: T_Vermaelen05 Thomas Vermaelen Unlike what I am reading in several media today: I do not have a setback at all! On the contrary, I am exactly on track for a full recovery!
Superb post ‘Holic –
how you do that on 2 pints of Guiness and a bottle of red I do not know.
Like the Brady clip too – even in those days the Sh*thole looked like a cave. Not that I’m condoning them, but apparantly the recent riots caused Β£100 million of improvements to the surrounding area.
Great news Goonads – hope it’s genuine.
*looks round to see if Tabs is stealing into an early position on the far post* π
Best stat in world football? Eluded to here by the holic but it needs embellishing. Yes, we have we won the league twice at shite fart lane. Apart from the fun in that the best conclusion to that fact is this. It actually means we have won the league more times at the shit hole than those cunts. How funny is that?????
Talk of spuddy dvd’s is always a good one. The best ever in my opinion was after we managed to chuck away points at home in that 4 all draw. Within hours out came the dvd. Just think about it. A commerative dvd that celebrated a draw and left them bottom of the league?????? Takes Mickey Mouse to a whole new level.
And they all smell funny.
Big club? My fucking arse.
commemorative dvd even…………………….
Any truth in the rumour that police will use the game to launch an appeal to witnesses to the burglary of the trophy room after the recent riots? Officers are still on the look out for a blue carpet.
If they sign any more ex Gooners they will have to play in red. No shocks really I guess considering twitch boy was a North Bank regular.
Are you Tottenham in disguise????????????????
Rant over. Well for now anyway.
Nice post holic.
Cusop @14 –
don’t you Spuds have blogs?
After the literary good hiding Tabs gave you in the last drinks, I’m amazed to see you still hanging around in here.
Luka Modric ? – do you really believe he is still playing for you because he wants to ?
Oh yeah, of course, he is improving his game on Thursday nights, learning from watching you come from behind against (cough) Shamrock Rovers.
“Ade. . . . is fine fellow” – compared to what you’re surrounded by down there, he probably is π
Trev, save your breath, merely responding fuels their deluded egos.
Down here in Oz we reached October a few hours before the Grove and what did I find when I flipped my Arsenal calendar over to October? Gael “gee, they tackle hard at City” Clichy. Shit, maybe I could just skip October and go straight to November…..ah, fuck. Roll on December! COYR
I hope the Arsenal faithful just disregard Adebayor. LetΒ΄s not waste our energy on someone like him. Use the energy to encourage our players instead…
Excellent post, ‘holic, you know how to put the game in its proper context. For the rest all I can say is may the classier club win. π
Hola Holics,
blueberry tea and biscuits for me thank you.
Not going in for any of that gooner baiting spurs BS. I wouldn’t go over to their blogs anymore than I would walk the tenderloin at night with my zipper open and a ten spot stuffed in my skivvies.
You’re just likely to get some type of incurable,speckled STD and have a good deal less pleasure in the process.
Getting nervous a day early but the missus and mother in law are up in Seattle so I can get as sketchy as I like right here in the comforts of my own home. Nice it is.
I’m glad that finally they are the favorites and it’s at their place. Let them deal with the pressure for a change and we can just concentrate on keeping our shape at the back and doing what we do best in the offensive third. Personally I think it will be a draw but if it isn’t I think we’ll take it by a single goal. Just a feeling, no braggadocia intended. I would definately look out for Ade though, you know he wants his and he’s on form.
Did anyone notice that Manny Almunia quietly went out on loan to West Ham? So our second goalie I assume is Fabianski. This engenders a revision of the old prayer ” Dear Lord protect us from the wrath of the Norse and don’t let Woijcek get hurt”.
The odds are too good to pass up so I’ve got $20 USD on the win and the 10 spot hanging out my bloomers on (get this) Arteta to score first.
Como no? Ate a proxima dudes e cheers.
‘Mind the gap, you delusional cunts’
Possibly the classiest use of ‘cunt’ by a blogger ever. Normally I’m not a fan – but that just works.
Hehe, great blog as usual holic!
Btw, I was driven home after football practice by two LWC teammates and they played “When the Sp#rs go marching in” on repeat at the highest volume all the way home. I fear I may have caught something. Any recommendations for treatment? Or is the only cure wiping the smirks off their inbred faces on Sunday?
Btw, not sure if it was mentioned before but did you gooners see that Almunia was sent to West Ham on loan?
It is obvious the Spuds spaghetti is ARSENAL’s worm. Arsene Wenger’s worst is twitch boy’s best. Ade & Gallas were not good enough to continue @ ARSENAL but are the best stricker and defender respectively @ shit hart lane. Next up, Squillaci. Even if ARSENAL go in hibernation for a 100 years, the shit club with the chicken as their emblem will still be behind ARSENAL in every department. So much for closing the gap. Spuds are on their knees, begging to share the Emirates Stadium with ARSENAL. phwwww. Click……..click……….BOOM!!! GO GUNNERS!!!
Don’t the LWCs ever, ever learn? We get the same old shit from them every single year.
Don’t the LWCs ever, ever learn? We get the same old shit from them every single year.
“we’ve overtaken you this year”
“we’re going to dish out a right hiding”
“there won’t be a St Totteringham’s Day this season”
“4th spot is ours”
“you’re not the bigger club any more”
I’m going to say this slowly with small words in the probably vain hope the Sp*ds will get it:
No. You. Haven’t.
No. You’re. Not.
Yes. There. Will. Etc etc…
I just don’t get it, seriously. It’s like a mental illness or some kind of cerebral deformity. Or perhaps just jealousy and straw-clutching, like some little child in the playground who knows he’ll never have the posh toy the other kid has or be as popular or ever be able to catch him in British Bulldog, so he just goes around saying he’s better even though it’s clear as day to everyone he’s none of the above.
Just listen to Cusop’s latest: “4th is as good as ours” or crap to that effect. You really believe that, less than 10 games in?
Run along and play little ‘un, daddy’s got a hangover and you’re only making his headache worse.
Spot on Camberwell Gooner!
Fame at last, Lars. From Twitter this morning…
iandstone
Did a Swedish TV show the other night. Got heckled with “unlucky theo!” as I walked on.
11 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Is anyone watching the Merseyside derby?
What kind of refereeing is that?
Why is it that players and coaches can be fined and suspended for saying refs suck when they clearly suck?
As a pure neutral this screw up a good game. And now the crowd is throwing bottles yikes!
Trev@35 – Thanks for the kind words . Unfortunately it didn’t have the desired effect of the pet wandering back to his bowl with his tail between his legs , did it . What can you do ?
Spuds’ lack of self-awareness is a societal , rather than a football , problem , and I suspect that they will continue to betray their lack of intelligence , decency , and moral courage at every opportunity .
Schooling Cusop is a bit like driving a car round a circular track – easy to do , but ultimately you get nowhere . His Spud sensibilities are too deeply ingrained for the modern world to have any kind of impact .
Never mind – can’t help those who refuse to help themselves π
Heh Holic @58 – Well played Lars π
Drinks for all currently in the Bar . Got to keep the Bowl topped up .
Are there any odds for Adebayor scoring an own goal tomorrow? That would be worth its weight in gold.
Is the scouse Derby the only game in world football where they still have a valuables bag?
Afternoon All!
Super post ‘Holic, full of subtle put-downs for that lot up the road which is about as much as those LWCs deserve. Loved this bit:
…”It will be interesting to watch the scum who once heaped vile abuse on him cheering him to the rafters in the crumbling surroundings in which he now finds himself.”…
On that basis, my NLD wish from Gunner Claus is for AA to get the winner for the big team so that the travelling faithful can break out into my favourite song of “Five foot four”.
Will try to send a few pre and post match drinks as I share my journey with the crowd that is Wolfie, Carlos, tabs, Lucy and TGLM. Safety in numbers and all that. Edwin agrees…. π
Cheers all!
COYRRRs
FOYS you are FIOS!!!
Lars,
Congrats of your twitter fame. Well deserved, I’m sure.
*Congrats on* π³
Holic and TS, I feel honoured to have been dubbed King of Norway π
Heh Lars! Not long to your next trip now. You can give Mr.Stone a Scandinavian geography lesson whilst you’re over, if you like π
Read the bio of Mike Deane on Untold Arsenal last night…distressing to say the least.
TS keep your iphone in your pocket down there mate, the locals think they are 2 inch plasma tv’s..
Steve T @ 62, heh. And heh again.
Would love to see Chamack get the winner…a confidence super booster if ever there was one.
Brilliant post Holic
Drinks for all in the bar, on famous Lars’ tab of course π
Norwich miss a golden chance, cue united score
Fucking lucky cunts
*goes to check if it’s the right bar*
Nice one Holic – I particularly liked this bit
Take in the sights of the day, because that place cannot safely remain in use for much longer
To my good friends going tomorrow, have a fantastic day.
Whatever happens, remember they will be forever in our shadow.
We are the Arsenal, and they are the delusional cunts
@72 – was watching on bulgarian tv which for some reason loses a lot in translation, but 2 words stood out – ‘Lady Luck’
All made worse when Urinals go and score and then a deflection from a shot from the same Norwich player floats off the post back to the goalie
Let us pray to the great Arsenal gods that there is none of that shite tomorrow
COYRRR
I’ve got only one thing to say.
“What else are you gonna do on a Saturday? Sit in your fucking armchair wanking 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 would rather do. Tottenham away, love it!”
Lilywhite cunts!
Snir Gueli @ 21: Frimponingho, or even Frimpongingho; top notch.
LCG @ 31: Blueberry tea and biscuits??? Until I read your post I thought you must have moved to Seattle.
‘Holic: Measured post as ever, and measured to perfection. I fancy your 3-2, too. A glass of your finest claret, if you would, and for all the regulars.
zico@75: I have to admit that I was a bit concerned about the game tomorrow considering our injury list and frail confidence, bit then cusop turned up an reminded me that win, lose or draw in individual games they are still so far behind us that it will take years and years for them to even get close. Maybe they will take the points tomorrow, maybe not – but we are lightyears ahead regardless. We are the Arsenal, they are not. And that’s all that needs to be said, really.
Noel @ #68 – Big heh and I’ll take your advice. Will try & get a pic of the Speedo Massive too π
zico @ #74 – Cheers mate. Will be thinking of a corner of Scotland that will forever be Arsenal as we sup our first pint.
To all those poor souls of a lillywhite persuasion:
If we didn’t win the next 10 NLDs (Dennis forbid) you would still be in our red & White shadow and you will always be desperate c*nts.
FOYS
COYRRRs!
Extract β 1st October 2011
Dear Diary,
A bit of a long night, last night.
Happy Train management all out on a team bonding session at the pub. Wolfgang Smallballs turned up in leather trunks and chains, having heard βteam bondage session”.
Had to lead by example, showing the new junior Executives how to fight their way out of a Guinness cordon, which several of them took to, with appropriate gusto.
When I awoke, Roxette was mercifully out flexing her credit card, which meant my interrogation was going to be deferred long enough for me to craft some sort of excuse to account for why I felt it necessary to bellow out βGareth Bale eats bananas with his feet…..β at 1am .
She has no sense of romance, that girl.
Down the office, Edwin was found pre-occupied with his Bio Suit, and monitoring that all the passengers heading to the swamp, had been appropriately inoculated. I took the precaution of ensuring that our own medical team were not involved (for obvious reasons). I neednβt have worried, Doctors C and T were too busy climbing out of their own chemical vortex to notice that there might be any real medical matters to attend to. I love those guys. They make me look like a real Doctor, heh. π
The Happy Train heads toward our neighbours tomorrow. Some of the HT staff have reported back for duty and for some the journey will come too soon. That appears to include our auxiliary, The Sweeper, whose employment demands proved a bit too rich for some on the Board (and in any event we could not fit the four poster into the narrow carriages on the MKII).
We are not quite at full strength, but, hey, its only a short journey and its only to our smelly neighbours. Letβs remember who we are. We are the Arsenal. We are the Happy Train regulars and they are just Lilywhite C***s.
Gotta go, just heard Roxette’s jackboots crunching up the driveway…..
Hi everyone,
Can’t wait for the game tomorrow…feeling really positive about the game.
Just can’t shake the feeling that we’ll surprise a lot of people tomorrow. But that’s not strange considering the fact that this team is full of all kinds of surprises.
So I hope they surprise us all in a good way…
COYRR’s
Come on Arsenal !!!!!
Dr Z @75 Cheers mate , will give the Arsenal a cheer for you .
“We are the Arsenal , they are the delusional c*nts”
Never a truer word said .
Snir@77 –
” What else are you gonna do on a Saturday? Sit in your fucking armchair wanking off to Pop Idols?”
Quite right … What’s that ? … Oh π Lucky the game’s on Sunday π
Only joking … it would quite put Girlie off her egg soldiers .
TS@80 – The Speedo Massive operates a strict “no pics” policy π
Feelgood @81 – Class π π
Whatever happens tomorrow we’re the winners , for we will still be The Arsenal and they will still be the delusional c*nts .
Kir Royales all round .
Come on the Arsenal !!!
Tabs, I thought someone might pick up on that but I wasn’t going to change the best quote in history π
yep , its a good quote Snir π
Shame Danny Dyer’s a bit of a tw*t π
Dr.z – The Feelgood Diaries are an excellent read. keep ’em coning please.
tabs @ #84 – Have you not heard of building them up before knocking them down? I always operate a strict ‘what goes on tour stays on tour policy’ π Delighted to join you in a Kir Royale but I draw the line at Creme De Menthe π
Lars, well said at #79. It appears we all share the same views when it comes to the delusional creature known as a Lilly-White C*nt.
*coming*
tabs @ #86 – Well said re: Dyer. Not in the league of football pundits though. Savage I’m looking at you, you prize pranny.
Quite right TS ,no-one touches Savage for c*ntishness , and he can’t even do a decent Samba π
Having just returned from a far too lengthy biz trip I have to say that spuds fans surely must be the kids we all read about that leave school unable to perform any of the basic 3 R’ s
I had one clown whilst sat in a bar compare Adebuywhore to Captain Campbell….”well you know it’s just like you lot taking Sol from us, don’t see what the problem is…” to which I retorted “firstly there’s no problem. We sold the bastard for 25m. Also I suppose there isn’t much difference….well there is the double and the unbeaten league season – oh and the fact he was your captain. Oh and the fact that he came on a free, not on loan”
Double double double
Sol Campbell has won the double
And the scum from the Lane
Have won fuck all again
And Sol Campbell has won the double
Fuckwits – every single one of them.
I love it.
@ Takeabowson – 90
Now thats something you and I can definitely agree on. Savage is the Emperor Ming of Cuntishness.
What do you mean Flash Blonde cunt approaching….
Obviously he was looking in the mirror…..
NB1 – Welcome back . Those Spuds really do defy any rational explanation don’t they ?
As for Savage , just when you think he can’t sink any lower , up he comes with an even more eye popping display of ignorance , repulsion and c*ntheadery .
I think you can safely assume we can agree on this one π
Somehow I can picture the HT string quartet playing along on this , some in orange speedos and some in 71 jerseys. Very apt me thinks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvyxpdX7WRw&feature=fvwrel
Noel – and some in both π
Evening Holics
Whats on a spud menu tonight?
Interesting MOT tonight Nrowich came so close I felt for them!
@95Noel73
That went through his laces mate what can you say: PURE CLASS
Cent?
It will be tough tomorrow but we can fucking do em….
COME ON YOU SHINING REDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
AVE IT !!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mfQxzGLYKU&feature=related
Anybody here?
I’m slowly going crazy…
I can’t wait anymore π
Where are the doctors?!
@snir Geuli,
Hola Snir here and nervous in the service.
Literally sweaty palmed a day early.
I understand defeat is a possibilty but as long as we give a good account of ourselves and don’t get Martin Atkinson-like refereeing I believe we will be in good stead.
I win would be a great boost to all true followers of the red and white and close insolent lips. A loss will bring the nay-sayers and I don’t Know anymore’s of the world back in full cry.
US Grant once said “there are two sides as I see it traitors and patriots and I wish to be ranked henceforth with the latter”.
Nuff said.
BTW Who is the ref tomorrow?
I think the ref is mike dean
lcgooner – Defeat? They should thank the lord they’re in the same division as us.
There’s a nice phrase in Hebrew that we (Maccabi fans) say about Hapoel.
“Forever in our Shadow”
Nervous as well over here but you have to remind yourselves at the end of the day, chickens can’t stand up to cannons…
And before everybody goes crazy, @106 was me trying to be cheeky π
Lol, Maccabi uses it too, not just The Arsenal π
Destroy. Tottenham. Please.
Re: leftcoast: The Guardian says Phil Dowd will be the referee so God Save Our Souls.
In any case, Come on Arsenal !!!!!!!!
@bt8bbgfg
You know as soon as Atkinson pulled out his red card I thought,I hope we don’t get fat pig Phil tomorrow.
OK well hunker down just one more thing to overcome.
Almunia is over at West Ham and Denilson is out of the country so I guess it all evens out.
Nope, Sorry 8 ball Soccerway says Mike Dean (just Checked).
Whew, back with a scrapping chance.
Good Lord, when do you fellas sleep?
We sleep during the off-season lcg π
Morning all, A football fans life is so precarious. A victory today and we can say we’ve turned the corner, our cups will be positively overflowing with the feelgood factor but a defeat will have the vultures out in force on every message board and the club will be almost certainly begin crisis what with 4 defeats in 7 games.
Seldom has 90 minutes been so important this early in our season.
Come on Arsenal!!!!
We won the league – we won the league – we won the league at Shite Cart Lane…http://youtu.be/0Jj33JlM-Dg
C’mooooonnnnnnuuuuuuuuuuRRRRRRReeeeeeeeeeedddddddSSSSS!!!
Headache. Vague hazy flashes of memory.
Pills please. And coffee. Morning all…
I. Can’t. Wait. Anymore.
Oh the anticipation….
COYRRRS!
Morning ‘holics.
Remember, just smile at them, the two bob LWC’s.
Hmmmm…. reading the Arsenal Medical Team on twitter – it would appear that they, too, are fans of the drinks here….
ArsenalMedTeam Not Arsenal Med Team
North London Derby health advice: If travelling to The Lane today remember complimentary biohazard suits can be collected from the Armory.
‘Holic @ #117 – That and a whole lot of singing and shouting π
Dr.c @ #118 – Does the fame of our collective HT MkII Massive know no bounds?
UTA! FOYS!
PS: Please don’t forget to lay the LWC scum-traps at the entance of our bar please Barman. I expect a few unwanted two-bob visitors over the next couple of days….
@ Geoff
Feelgood factor, eh?
I know just the man…..
@Cusop: Is there a fire drill? Hahahahaha
hello fellow holics, it has been a while, and I have been so busy in the past few months (some of those life-changing ones) that I haven’t been able to visit this fine place as much as i used to, let alone engage in the drinks (BTW: is Lars’ tab still open π ?).
But today is a special day, and since i’ve recently relocated to E1, I am not sure yet where to watch this game.
Where will you be watching this, holics? (no “I’m going to the game” answers please).
Drs. z and F @ #120 – Nice one π
Geoff @ #112 – Good points and please note that according to Edwin, no matter what the result today, none would constitute a ‘Class One Event’ and/or derailment π
COYRRRs
Good to see you back in here RVP.
I’m going to the game. What? Oh… π
Can’t Wait!!!…C’mon Gunners!!!…Lets Do This!!!…For Pride!, For Glory!, For The Red & White Jersey!, For The Cannon Over Your Hearts!…Lets Kick Some Spud Ass!!!
Mahoosive game today, late night last topped off by the chance to watch the football rivalries on espn classic. And the only apt way to describe the spuds contribution to the programme was they really are delusional cunts…if it was ever in doubt how much we will forever be casting a shadow over these green eyed little scumwranglers just a quick view will re affirm it for you! Cannot wait for kick off now, come on you reds!
Bring it on. FOYS.
Yes rvp’s right foot, lars’ tab is the only tab in this bar
Fucking hell no power in my house, hope it comes back by match time
Power is back!!
Commemorative Rocky ’87 Speedos – tick
Red and White Slingbacks – tick
A couple of early lunchtime liveners – tick
Nose pegs – tick
Gooner ladyboy Massive on call – tick
Bet on 2-0 win – tick
We are the Arsenal and they are the Delusional c*nts .
Good luck everybody .
THIS IS ARSENAL !!!!!!
Up the Arse !!!
Good luck fellas. Stay safe.
What the barman said
Afternoon all.
I’ve been out of commision the last 48hours or so, I had a gig in Rotterdam on Friday wilth my old dj crew (explain another time) and I drunk so much that I think I broke myself.
I’ll have to catch up on the drinks another time, so before I have to start behind the bar again I’d just like to wish everyone a good game, give it a hearty “come on you reds” and a just as load “FOYS you LWCbuckets”.
Right, clear the way, it’s BM time!!
The Theo and high-five head fit, apparently –
uRedSSS!
Song starts!
According To Blogs Here’s Our Starting Eleven Against Spurs :
Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Song, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott,
Gervinho, Van Persie (via @Arsenal)
COYRRS!!!…
Between Song and Frimpong we should be able to win any back-alley battle, as well as provide excellent material for rhyming poems ending in -ong. No red cards today please Mr. Barman, unless they are for the LWCs. π
Very happy with the starters. Expect Benny, AlexOx and Russia’s finest haircut to feature if the going gets overly tough.
DreamWright, Do we have any player whose name rhymes with Coquelin? Maybe Arsene isn’t expecting as many back-alley battles today?
Something Tells Me Le Boss Knew All Along (At Least Since Wednesday) That The Theo & The Gerv Were Gonna Play….
Hehehe….The Sneaky Bastard!…
Padon – Radio 5 Lied – Le Coq starts in midfield – Go on, er – son!
uReds!
BtM, If that’s Russia’s finest haircut, I’d hate to see what the rest of the Russians look like. π
DW i make u right – uReds!
Just met tabs & Wolfie. Tabs & I a bit sweaty in our bio-suits. Wolfie looks effin’ amazing. Edwin doesn’t know where to put his eyes π
iStorey, tabs & Wolfie, What do you make of Le Coq? Now off to tell a few Spuds to cock off … COYRRRs !!!!!
Only half an hour til kick off boys, very exciting. I look upon today as a great opportunity to shout WE’RE BACK!
Interesting starting with the Coq, Probably a less volatile option than Frimpong as flashpoints are inevitable this afternoon.
COME ON LADS!!!!!!
@bt8bbgfg…Nah…None that I know of…Perhaps ”Henderson”…
Yeah perhaps…But like Blogs said via twitter, I guess AW went with Coquelin ‘cos he’s more disciplined & i’d add better at keeping the ball than Frimpong.
Wow just seen an amazing stat sky sports have shown. Wengers net spend in 15 years = Β£16 million…
RESPECT!
Bit more confident seeing the sides let’s be having these LWCs Come on you Rip Roaring Reds,
Up The Arse,
Done RVP 3-1 Arsenal & The Big German 2-1 Arsenal and of Course the Win Have these slags,
Well gents,
All the bullshit talk,puffery and lip-service jousting is over. It’s time to go out there and get all 3.
Come on you Gunners!!!!!
CoMonLADS!!!!
The Coq looks the bollox
Geez is Ram playing for us or them?
Ade can’t head over old Per tree!!
Ramsey!!!
The Sack caught ball watching – comon son
Ramsey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Theo should’ve –
CoMonUReds!
Ramsey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 dead on misses and 3 give aways.
Still, we’re very much in it but the misques and f-ups have got to stop.
fuck me!!!
Crap
Ramsey has to go off for Yossi.
He’ll be more careful with the ball and run his socks off.
Ball watching by Sagna but it looked handball to me
Come on Arsenal!
Half time: we always knew we’d have to score at least 2 to win so for me nothings changed.
If we stop given the ball away cheaply and be a kittle note decisive in final 3rd we’ll get something from this.
Kittle note= little more, oops
Jeez…is it my eyes or did VDV stop the ball with hand?…
@Snir Geuli
Dead on sir,too too bad. He’s a nice enough lad but completey lost out there I’m afraid.
Still, we were the better of the two sides but how many times can you miss the open net and still claim an away win?
I guess we’ll have to stay tuned for the answer to that question and hopefully our prayers.
Yeah, great call Snir, Rambo is ineffective and wasteful today.
COMONARSENAL!
Wow…the dump crumbles live in TV! π
RAAAMBOOOO
Ramsey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Compliments of Mr. Song!!!!!!!
Ramboooooooo!
Come on lads, let’s put these mugs away now.
Yep goal Rambo!! As I said ineffective and wasteful, my motivational comments worked ξ
Next time I agree with you guys please tell me to fuck-off.
RamBoooooUstar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes!1 more please.
Hey left coast- I’ll fuck off with you!
Van Der Vart orf – they’re playin’ 4 the draw!
Up The Arse!
Woj didn’t deserve to concede like that, he had a massive game.
As always, we lose thanks to a goal that won’t go in for the player throughout his entire career.
Well guys we tried but came up a little short.
Let me get out of here before I have to listen to the groaners.
Oh yeah, as always still proud to be a gooner(as in until I die)
Coq the stand-out performer for me
We were not good enough, no excuses
Awwww…That hurts…
they set up to counter attack and we get sucked in…..they had one goal….close Van Persie out. Very frustrated. Oddly the first 25 mins of 2nd half was our best of the season. I think that was Gibbs best match in the shirt so far……
We need to adjust our goals and try and claw into top 7 by xmas and push on from there. It’s depressing but that’s reality.
Can I be the first to say to Cusop “oh go and do one you insufferable little gloater”?
Gibbo had a good game too!
Rightio lads, I’m off to play with the little one…laters! π
Harsha, I disagree.
We played well.
Defensively we played well up until Sagna’s injury (one lapse for the goal) and just before Sagna’s injury you felt that we’re taking the game over.
The fact they almost made it 3 on a number of occasions is simply because they made it 2, they wouldn’t have gotten to those positions if we were still level.
Sagna’s injury is very worrying, both because of his quality and his replacement’s current ability.
I thought the Coq was magnificent today and deserves a special mention. Lots more I’d like to say but mows not the time.
We are becoming an ‘if only’ team – not effective up front again – why not the Ox on the bench?
Pity for Woj who didnt deserve to lose to a cracking goal like that
My men of the match, Rambo, Arteta, Coquelin
Song played AdebutShit off the pitch, but his passing was woeful all day, apart from the assist
The only way is up
COYRR
Snir you can’t base your opinion of a football game based on ifs and buts
At 2-1 even, right at the end, we struggled to create chances
Our right flank was weak today. Even Sagna got skinned a couple of times
I think their first goal was a handball and the second was the kind which only happens to us, but we were not good enough to win the game today
the build up to the second goal when sandro ran through unnoticed led to the 2nd being scored.
the only way is up
cmon Arsenal
We did quite well. The last ten minutes were poor, with a lot (and a few more) sloppy passes, we never really got the pressure on but that was also due to the speed of Bale and the, well, non-speed of Jenkinson. I’m sad, hurt and frustrated to see us lose, and I’m really dreading watching the league table, but I… I just can’t feel the same feelings as during the last few derbies against sp*rs.
I think I’m so concentrated on Arsenal, hoping for slowly get better that I don’t really look at other teams, or care how they are doing. It hardly even felt like a derby to me tonight, more like one step on the way for us. Very strange, since I’m usually VERY fired up for these.
Anyways, a bit empty now, will get something more posted later.
A game that we shouldn’t have lost. The defence continues to look very porous and likely will until Vermaelen returns (with Kos ahead of Per for me at the moment).
A very poor miss by Flipper before Spuds scored. Once we’d equalised the game was definitely there to be won but where was the penetration?
Huge negative focus by Stuart Robson on Rambo. He never said a word about Arteta who I thought was dire. Not one completed pass. No defensive contribution.
We’ve gone from playing to a strength of mid-field passing control to NO control at all. I’m sending Arsene the telephone number of Sao Paolo FC. There’s a young Brazilian there who was our only ever present in our last 26 game unbeaten run. He makes himself available. He completes his passes. I’d like a little more of that at the moment and so would the Brazilian girls in Block 91.
Will be back with a more positive outlook post-Holic’s post.
Noticed that I missed writing out a few words above…
Harsha, I do base it on ifs and buts because I disregard the chances they had after the 2nd because that has nothing to do with the performance. That’s the consequence of the goal, but I do base it on ifs when I say that IF π that goal wouldn’t have gone in we would have been good enough.
I’m trying to say that the performance was good enough regardless of the chances they had after the 2nd.
We took control of the game and dominated, Spurs didn’t look like scoring in the 2nd half before the goal and it seemed as if we can push on.
Every time you analyze a game in which you lost you have to base it on ifs and buts whether you like it or not.
Ramsey man of the match Cognac? If it weren’t for the goal I thought he had a shocker. Bad passing, bad decision making and positioning was dodgy at best. I really like Ramsey but wonder if he’s under too much pressure – one of his shakier outings.
You can’t say ‘despite the result’ really I suppose but I thought we were at our best today for the season until those final 20 minutes. Walker’s goal another flukey hit and hope – the movement on the ball was mental….but Spurs weren’t afraid to take a shot despite their lack of possession. Modric is a tool…..
Just wish we had tested their keeper far more. Gervinho really should have scored in first half.
So 4th spot gets interesting for the first time in a coupla years – bring it on u cunts!
Boys gave it there best but I’m afraid it’s a sign of the times we are sorely lacking game changers and the days of rolling them slags over is long gone, Its what happens when you sell your best performers year in year out and don’t replace them if V P gets injured we are truely fucked sad times,
Up The Arse,
And another thing
We have to agree to disagree, Snir
This “If they hadn’t scored the second goal…” argument sounds ridiculous to me
We played okay I agree, but we didn’t do enough to say we could have won it
Up the Arsenal!
so does the double century
BTM
That Denilson suggestion is making me think……our passing was (collectively) the reason we didn’t win today, I’d agree.
Harsha, will agree on that π , because I think we didn’t create a lot, but we did create enough to win.
Gervinho’s shocking miss and Theo’s chance are legit chances we should have buried.
I’m just saying that if someone analyzes the game based on the entire game including after the 2nd it brings a different picture to analyzing the amount of chances they created.
We didn’t create enough to score 5 goals, but we certainly created enough to score 3, they created enough to score 6 or more but like I said, they wouldn’t have created those chances if we would have scored the chances we did create.
Do you get what I’m trying to say :)?
What chippy said at 200. We worked hard but looked clueless at times and devoid of ideas. High time we considered a complete change in the way we do our business. If we have Cesc and Nasri in that side we rip then a new one. But that creativity has not been replaced. Does theo wear those boots so we know he is playing?
Snir my old friend. If you think we played well then I really want to be on the moon if we play badly.
You’ve said it all leftcoastgooner…but I’m not leaving ‘cos of any stoopid doomsday groaner…
Steve T – We played well enough to make a draw a fair result. We could have nicked a win too.
No, we did not play as well as we normally play against Spurs but that’s obvious because we’re not as strong as we were last season or even the past 4 seasons.
Snir. 2 points. The Spuds were average at best and 2, this is the worst Arsenal side in years. The only debate for me is why??????? You know my views by now.
Steve, I agree this is the worst Arsenal side in years in terms of quality, no question about it, that’s what happens when you don’t have one of the best midfielders in the world.
Why? Nobody knows. It could be the board, it could be AW, it could be Gazidis, I just don’t care anymore, I’m focusing on the players we do have.
If the Spuds were average, then so were you, they did not outplay you. Average should win a game, or at least get a draw. A draw WAS a fair result.
Snir. The squad we have is not good enough. I believe in evolution, not revolution. We have not evolved over the last 3 years. Per is a quality signing. But he came in far too late. I doubt he has played with the same partners twice in a row.
Their first should not stand. A draw may have been fair, but it is time to take the blinkers off. A draw just papers over the cracks.
Steve – I never said otherwise. I agree this squad isn’t good enough.
It’s good enough for a top 4, it’s not good enough for a 4 trophy run and that’s what The Arsenal should be aspiring for every season.
Wenger Out! Just seen the ol’ gunner up the Balls Pond Road havin’ a crafty kebab b4 tip-toeing home to Totteridge to recharge his batteries. Come out fighting Le Prof – it’s gonna be a tough’en – UReds!
Good Evening Holics
I thought we lost out in the mid-field . Ramsey’s passing was shocking, Arteta had a lot of the ball but couldn’t produce any defence splitting passes. Song was badly missed in the mid-field, his run and assist for Ramsey’s goal showed what he can produce.
On the positive side Le Coq worked tirelessly and effectively, Gibbs had a good game and Szczesny kept Spurs at bay but sadly was deceived by the late swerve on Walker’s goal.
Theo and Gervinho will want to forget their contributions and none of the subs made any impact.
Poor Robin was tightly marked and didn’t have a single chance but did lay on a fantastic chance for Gervinho, who should have at least put his shot on target.
Spurs were pretty poor at the back but the pace of Bale had us under pressure. Ade did provide an assist for VDVs handled goal but as in his Arsenal days was constantly Off-Side!
We badly miss TV5 and LJW and an in form Diaby. Their return will be very welcome. I think it is going to be a long, hard Season! Let’s hope Sagna’s injury is nothing serious.
As always COYRs
PS: I had a great day at Newmarket yesterday,following Marlborough from the Telegraph, 6 winners from the 7 races!
We have a lot to do to prove we are even close to top 4. Certainly on what I have witnessed this season. We could have a long few months ahead. My guess us that the next home game at the grove the locals will not be happy.
BtM, valid re the denny of 2 years ago. Not the one from last season.
We are the Arsenal and they are still c***s.
Another backward step on the road to recovery, this season is going to continue to frustrate. Thought young Coquelin was excellent today, but didn’t see too many winners in that team.
Sad that we are as average as they are just now.
Zico,
Tabs & I agree.
UTA! It’s gonna be a long season.
Was it the worst game we ever played. No way.
Was it good enough?
Never in a million years.
But having said that, we must not panic. We have a lot of work to do, and I still think we need to go 4-4-2. Just some plain “get it wide and cross it football” with two proper attackers, two proper wingers and so forth. Either that or make the roles of the midfielders much more clearly defined, i.e. “YOU are the defensive one, YOUR job is to run into the box at full pelt every time we have the ball out wide and YOUR job is to hang back a little and form the second wave” or whatever. Right now it seems we are trying to play some sort of total football where every player is supposed to do all jobs which gives enormous advantages when it works, but is also an extremely complicated way of playing and when it doesn’t work then almost nothing works and this is where we are right now.
Other than that I can only concur with what zico says @216.
I have a new, very simple target for this season. Finish above Sp*rs. Today reminded me how much I hate them.
Nothing else matters. Avoiding relegation would be good too!
Le Coq looked good.
I’m not even that upset at the moment (as I said earlier) and I still feel Arsene is the man (Perhaps more now than half a year ago), but I just did NOT want to see this headline on arsenal.com.
‘I felt we played with the handbrake on’
That sentence is tainted with loads of bad results that all grab hold of me when I hear it.
Feck.
Denilson? The answer to our midfield woes? Are you fucking serious? The boy had more than enough chances and failed to deliver, possession is important but being overtaken by a referee on your amble back to defend shows a lack of heart we can all do without.
Song showed on his one foray into the oppositions Half when he created the goal what a midfield player is all about with ambition, penetration, desire, heart and a good final ball.
4 of our 5 midfield players were poor today: Walcott, Arteta, Gerv, Ramsey.
I just feel the transition from the end of last season through to the beginning of this was handled poorly and is mainly responsible for our current predicament.
To be honest, I didn’t have much of a problem with the first hour. We dominated the ball, we gave away the odd chance and generally looked a team missing a player or two. But on balance we were the better side against a full strength Spurs at their shitehole of a ground LWCs very average today.
Once Sagna went off, the game changed dramatically. It was immediately obvious that Jenks, willing as he is, couldn’t live with Bale and we weren’t savvy enough to adapt and help him out a bit – mertesacker was, by my reckoning, the nearest centre back to the right flank but he ain’t the man you want helping you in a flat race.
Once the second goal went in our shape went out, heads dropped and tired legs from the midweek game started to become apparent, despite having rested players. We just didn’t have the “mental strength” to pull ourselves back level a second time.
Obviously, both their goals were avoidable (the first if Mike Dean had been on the ball), but there’s not much point banging on about the officials, as they broadly did their jobs well.
All in all, I fucking hate to lose to that baying mob of inbreds, but I’ve seen much worse performances from us lately and I thought that a couple of the lads (specifically Gibbs and Scez, until his rick) did us all proud. I’m not going to slag the team off as I thought for the first hour at least they showed bottle and worked hard, and that’s all I can ask.
Where does it all leave us? Well, clearly the goal is 4th – no more than that. We’re a ways off the pace but I don’t see either the LWCs or the Scousers as outstanding sides and if we’re still in touching distance come March we’ll have them in the run in.
What I do think we’re going to need, however, is reinforcements in January. We can’t keep anyone fit, as usual, and the squad looks stretched already. If Wilshere really isn’t going to be fit for months then we need to either bring in someone to play the Cesc role (because literally no-one is doing it right now: RAmsey and Arteta are right on each other’s toes playing the spot Jack had last year) or change formation. Today looked to me a good opportunity to roll out 442 but obviously Le Boss feels different.
Anyway, this fixture is always a fucker to lose but I’d hope that we don’t dwell on it too much. This team has a habit of following one bad result with another and we really can’t afford that. Time for Van Persie to earn his corn as captain – a press release this week to the effect of “I wouldn’t join Man City if they were the last club on earth” would do.
COYG
Geoff @221. I agree with nearly everything you say. This post is another. Getting a little scary now. Please stop it.
TABS and TS, hope you boys are in a nicer environment and surrounded by liquid amnesia fuel….??
Dr. C
Yup! π
N7, top post mate. You put my feelings and thoughts into words.
I can’t believe I’m agreeing with Pleat – but he does point out that tactically we were the superior team for 3/4 of the match. (not that this helps us secure any points).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/oct/02/arsene-wenger-arsenal-tottenham
I strongly doubt there will be any signings in January.
Besides we need to work with what we’ve got. I’d like to see Gervinho more central which could be accommodated in a 4-4-2. That’s all I’ve got really…