Captain van Tastic Secures The Points
Oct 24th, 2011 by 'holic
The resting of the skipper was an outstanding call by Le Boss. He had prepared us for it in the week, and duly delivered today. In the pub beforehand there were raised eyebrows. No van Persie, are you sure?
The game itself didn’t quite go as I had feared. Keen not to lose the season ticket I have leased this season I tried very hard not to get upset with the baseball cap wearing middle aged chav and his team. Dear God it was difficult.
The pre-match socialising was excellent. The difficulties presented by the closure of the Victoria line and overland services from the south meant some missed out, and indeed people were taking their seats in the ground long after the kick-off. The game took shape early doors.
I looked at the clock when Gervinho feasted on a superb Aaron Ramsey chip to give us the lead. Less than half an hour. I had suggested we needed to score early if we would win comfortably. It wasn’t that early. but in the end we did.
I suppose I will be in a minority when I say that I thought Marouane Chamakh put in a decent shift as understudy to the master, but his best work was done coming back to link up play. He had one great cross to feast on, and unfortunately put the header wide. He should also have had a penalty, but sadly one man in the stadium didn’t see it.
I was expecting to sing the praises of the defence, and indeed they were excellent once again, but in all honesty this game was all about what we could achieve going forward. That is hard to understand given that we were level again before the half-time whistle. Not for the first time, or I suspect the last, we crumble at a dubious free-kick, and the lanky streak of nothing that is Crouch produced a goal we possibly deserved to concede. It was a solitary blip.
A friend from the West Stand provided the half-time entertainment with a decent Talisker bottling. It lasted until we were ahead. I would have preferred to bring on van Persie for one of the redundant defenders, but Le Boss was on the ball . What do I know? The skipper produced two straightforward finishes, and a potentially difficult game was secured.
Many chose to see out the transport chaos by staying on for a pint or two, and it was once again a pleasure to meet ‘holics old and new. Considered opinion was that this could be a turning point. Stoke are a half-decent side this season and we won as comfortably as we have so far. We got away with Djourou at right back, and Gervinho provided that little something that made us a threat going forward.
It must have been a good day. I ended up coming home via Bristol again. Thank you for the drinks, and your company. Have a good week.
83 Responses to “Captain van Tastic Secures The Points”
First.
Fuck Pulis.
You eventually poured yourself through the front door then, ‘holic?
From last post.
YDWBHL – I loved that pass and the one before it which Begovic caught off Gervinho’s chest.
Ramsey is starting to find his groove.
I have to say this though.
Every team struggles without its talisman.
Have you seen United without Rooney? Real without Ronaldo? Barca without Messi/Xavi? Chelsea of the last two seasons without Drogba?
Arsenal without Henry?
It’s obvious that a team will struggle without its best player, I don’t understand what’s wrong with it.
Great report Holic. I agree that Gervinho brought that little something. He was my MOM by far.
Our defence is looking very good and I haven’t given up on this season just yet (I know it sounds stupid, but hey, that’s why we’re part of the HT, isn’t it 😉 ? ).
Cheers ‘hoilc! Some amusing tweeting last night!
Not being there and missing Motd no real idea of how Chamakh played. However persistent, childish abuse of him by those also not present, has put me right off top again. Hard to say where the shit cunts are right now, on the pitch or off it? Actually no it aint.
Would just like to add a word about Permielny axis…I think TV has a challenge on his hands.. Kos has been superb this season alongside Perm.
According to the BBC stats, Stoke had two shots on goal. I can remember the one from which they scored, but the other one? If they are supposed PL high flyers the league is in serious trouble. I cannot recall such negative tactics from a visiting team.
Thought we played well considering how many men Stoke had behind the ball. We may need Robin to finish, and we definitely need a back-up for him, but overall the team were like a new signing…
*boilk*
You should have stayed on and had one for the road, ‘holic 😉
I don’t remember going home. Much.
Good result against a team that is difficult to break down.
RVP is now a player and captain of real stature.
Ramsey is getting better, some of his passing and vision is sublime.
Arteta also seems to be settling in nicely and has a nice balance between defence and attack. I think some of our defensive improvement is down to him.
The centre back paring are starting to look solid and like slash @ 7 I think TV won’t just walk back in. A good pointer was that apart from their pinball goal Crouch was hardly noticed. One of the three may well have a spell at full back and it will be nice to have proper cover for a change.
JD didn’t disgrace himself and I hope his wobbles are behind him now – there is a good footballer in there somewhere, I’m sure.
Cham did OK for me and worked hard, he was unlucky not to score.
Gervinho probably MOTM.
Pulis is so ungracious, and couldn’t force himself in the post match interview to admit that we might have played quite well and he said that two of the goals we scored we were down to their poor defending rather than anything we might have done. What an objectionable little man he is!
Morning all. Please keep the noise down. Ta.
Arteta is doing well indeed defensively. He’s calm, experienced and holding the ball well, but sometimes I just wish he’d be more adventurous and starts pushing more into the other’s half. Seems like Arsenal is playing three defensive midfielders at times. Really wonder what it’d like when Wilshere comes back after X’mas.
HOLIC!
Nice write up!
Only 13 drinks? Surely there are more delighted supporters around here than this… 😉
Stoke are all the more harderer to break down when Chamakh is your centre-forward and you don’t have a proper wing back. Sagna or Jenko would have given us much greater width and thrown in a few more crosses for the front man, which is where his strength is. They also would have taken a defender away from Theo, who was far too quiet.
Djourou sat back on the halfway line most of the time. Not blaming him mind, he was being sensible.
But we were forced up the middle which just wasn’t working until RvP came on and the through-balls started sticking.
Never mind Pulis, biggest villain is Israeli cable TV channel who have a habit of advertising the Arsenal game, starting with it and then switching to Roma v Genoa for fifteen minutes at a time. A cardinal sin, and reason alone to boycott Israel, never mind all that Gaza stuff. 😉
6 wins, Holics, 6 wins…read it and, er, grin.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. That will be one of my results of the season. Sending those neanderthal knuckle-draggers packing (their axes and animal pelts?) is very, very high on my list of priorities.
Mason, you’re a cunt for not giving the pen after Cham was hauled down BY HIS NECK in the box. The Moroccan Marauder would have buried it and got back on the road to form. He’s basically got a month to score before it’s an entire year since his last goal. Come on Chammers!
Happy Mondays, pals.
He scored at Blackburn, Camberwell.
*lowers his vocie*
Morning all and *boilk*
Turning point? I think so, little by little.
I recall being a little harsh on Chamakh post match, perhaps because I have supported him against some firece criticism from fellow Gooners this season so far. Fair call (as always) on his link-up pay ‘Holic.
The result was ‘never in doubt’ in my mind. It contributed to a great day out with fine Gooners for company.
Kos fast becoming a legend from what I can see. More importantly, perhaps, is his partnership with our BFG.
Have a great day all.
I too thought Chamakh put in a good shift – loved his link up play. He’ll be good back up when he gets going again.
Lots of positives from the game – Arteta, Ramsey, Kos, Gerv to name but a few.
Cheers!
Holic. Ah.
OK, so make that “a month to score before it’s a few games since his last goal”.
No, I don’t think it’s got the same ring to it either…
Hello ‘Holic,
I loved seeing Wenger and Pulis try to look each other in the eye at the final handshake. It’s fabulous to be moving up the table at last.
Otherwise, I sit in Block 32 so if you are that side do let me know another time you are meeting people and I will buy you the Guinness I promised you. I think you still have my e-mail so let me know if that works for you one time.
ReEESulT!
UReDS!
Another ‘Holic wants to meet-up in The Tollie? Top stuff Poppet 🙂
Block 32, heh, you must have
seenheard ‘holic already then 🙂I meant seen, sorry
strikethrough, ffs
Another solid three points, thought their goal was a lucky ping pong effort although the cunt shawcross should have been taken out before hand. Chamack cant catch a break at the moment but RVP seems to instill a confidence in the team, they just know he’ll score. Sounds like the Tolie is the place to be post match so hope to pop in after everton match providing am not forced into xmas shopping. Alker Seltzer all round it would appear.
Don’t encourage him Poppet
Heh. Did anyone stay on for the reserve match vs Chavski?
Just for 5 minutes or so with Lars, Snail.
Sadly, beer and good company beckoned 😉
*dons shades and settles down to bask in the glow of another win*
Wake me up tomorrow when we take on another bunch of dirty slags. I know they’re less cuntish than when the fat farmer was in charge, but they’ll always be wankers in my eyes.
FOPYC!
FYR!
heh!
Camberwell @ #32
FYR = F*ck You Rooney? Ryan? Rergusson? RacistTerry?
😀
or… Forward You Reds?
Heh at Jackster.
Thank you Poppet. I may never drink again, however 😉
just make sure you get a phone that can wake you up next time, ‘holic 😀
TS – Intended to be Fuck You Rooney, but definitely like to include Ryan on that one :0
‘Holic @ #35:
“… I may never drink again…”
Has a squadron of ‘Swindon Saddlebacks’ been flying overhead too?
Next thing we’ll hear is Sh*wcr*ss nominated for The Pulitzer Prize, no doubt.
😉
Thanks for the clarification Camberwell.
FYJT!
Psed – quad still on…
Up The Arse!
Heh AL! That’s the true HT spirit. Will promise to settle Lars’ tab if it happens.
*worried*
Ollie, there was never any chance I would remember to set the alarm in that state. I blame Snowy 😉
Snowy, the gauntlet has been laid….
Good call on Chamakh, Holic. Worked his sox off but little worked for him. Best games yet from Arteta, Santos and Per. Rambo coming back to form. The corner is in sight! Yet to turn it though.
It’s up there in writing TS
And do we have any reserve defenders left for the Bolton game – apart from Miquel and the unmentionable one? As would hate push for the quad to unravel V Coyle’s lot. Maybes we’ll switch to a 2-4-4, with the ox in the box and Park to provide the sparks, and light up the Worthless with some all out attacking fireworks
UreDS!
Amazing weekend for sports fans (of certain persuasions)…
New Zealand won the Rugby WC, Arsenal beat the Stoke, 9 man Chelski went down to QPR and ABUs across the globe are united in glorious laughter at the demise of Manure at the hands of Citeh.
With regards to the Arsenal game, I felt Chamakh put a good shift in. We were unlucky not to get a penalty when he wrestled to the ground as well. Gervinho played well, he seems like he’s starting to settle into the team now. Ramsey also had a good game, finding Gervinho with some crucial passes. The rest of the team held their own physically, don’t remember anyone being bossed. The captain lit up the Emirates with his class on the field and also here’s some of his class of it…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMzvZirwcks&feature=feedlik
As for Stoke, what can you say, Jerome barging into Szczesny, Lennie elbowing RVP in the face and other rubbish didn’t help them in the end because as I said before the game, we’re stronger and we won’t be intimidated by that lot anymore. Eat our cannon Pubis, long and hard.
Pints of London Pride for everyone in the bar!
UTA
Forgot to ask, I don’t know if any of you gooners watch the reserve games but why are we playing our games behind closed doors at Colney? Can anyone shed any light on that? Does that mean those games also aren’t televised when we play at home?
Morning Holic and Holics,
Still working the day’s first cup of java und Die Zeitung.
I just read at soccerworld that we are sending Miquel Ignasi out on loan after the Carling Cup tie. I hope this is incorrect. I really don’t see how in our present fix for defenders we can afford to do this.
But then again I’m just a supporter.
Still, it is nice to have a couple of wins in a row in and who knows but we may pinch a point or three of Chelsea this coming weekend.
First things first though, leave us sink Bolton.
Cheers CoR, canine hair for me please. Actually scrap that, I’ve decided today will be an alcohol free day so I’ll take a rain-cheque if I may.
An unusual sporting weekend indeed. Unfortunately, the demise of Marco Simoncelli in a MotoGP horror crash contributed to the unusual circumstances and was very upsetting.
*sits in silence for another minute* 🙁
@CoR
Thank you kindly for the London Pride.
It is just after 06:00hrs here but I promise to get to it when the sun warms the earth a spell.
Ah, yes, the ole’ I’ll never drink again chestnut. I’ll give you until tomorrow evening …
😀
Didn’t realise you were in that bad a state, ‘holic.
As I said though, I hardly remember going home myself….
Now: this
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-train-ahead-of-bolton-tie-pictures
tells me Vermaelen could make an unexpected return tomorrow already.
Still no sign of Diaby. TS’s favourite player (Squillachi) features though.
Ollie
Surely we’ll save The Verminator for Chelski, assuming he’s fit? Hopefully, he’ll tear JT a new one should he dare to wander into our box (ahem) for a set-piece.
Isn’t Squilly everybody’s fave Arse player? 😉
Oh dear, ‘holics – it appears I have been remiss in my duties !!
All I can say in my defence your honour is that our ‘holic leader was very much awake when last seen – departing the train at Piccadilly Circus and heading purposefully towards the Bakerloo line…
Such dereliction of duty will not happen again 😉
*makes mental note to bring large ‘Please wake me up before Swindon’ sign to next Tollie gathering…*
So that was how I got on the tube. I was wondering. Thank you Snowy. You are a star. Ollie influenced me again.
Heh Snowy, top man 😉
I kept myself coherent-ish on the way home by tweeting, did you notice? What? Oh….
Also explains why I didn’t put my headphones on blasting out choons from the ‘hPod at volume 11.
Note To Self: 23rd of October, 2011. Gervinho and RVP Unveil Historic Arsenal Partnership. The Premier League Will Never Be the Same.
Ollie @ 53: Lot’s of pictures of Arsene, too. As we are so short of defenders, perhaps he is thinking of giving himself a game. Most Gooners would play him ahead of Squilli.
Got to love TV5 wearing his GPS bra outside his shirt. Batmanesque.. But if he is being monitored that closely still, a start on Tuesday seems unlikely.
Team selection will be interesting. Only Fabianski, Miquel, Frimpong, the Ox, and Rosicky are certain starters to my mind. Will Coquelin, Rio or Park start? Will Chamakh get a game? Lots of pixs of Watt, so he may get the nod. And who will play right- and left-back?
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2011/10/24/173234_mombaerts-a-l-emirates-stadium.html
This would suggest Coquelin starts.
Can’t think of any other France U21 player in either team, right?
Right, back home again now – and contrary to Ollie (not to mention my previous visit to the Tollie!) I do remember all of the journey from the pub to my hotel! Me and Ollie walked up to Holloway Road tube station and this time I did not stop in at the Twelve Pins to have one more for the road – instead I went for the much healthier option of a chicken kebab at that little pizza/kebab place right next to the Twelve Pins 🙂
I am in a bit of a hurry now so I haven’t yet caught up on today’s drinks so I will check back in again later, but I would just like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved yesterday for a great day out!
Having set of nice and early because of the proposed transport problems I found my journey for some reason even quicker. The advent of new technology in less than young hands prevented my proposed early meet up, so a trip to the club shop preceded an early entrance to the Grove. An expensive luke warm hot dog was purchased for my daughter to go with my expensive luke warm pint of Tetley’s. It did not take me long to remember why my pre match drink rarely takes place inside the perimeter of the ground.
The team news filtered through and like many I was pleased, if not a bit surprised to see RVP on the bench. One of the things conformed from yesterday is that we have no suitable back for when he gets injured. I agree with those that elude to the industry of Chamakh, but he can’t buy a goal at the moment and I do not see that changing anytime in the near future sadly. Carlos Tevez anyone??????
Stoke are just awful to watch. I have no idea why some in the media say that they are a benchmark for others. They play a style of football that just epitomises all that is wrong in the game. The fact that Pulis could not even acknowledge that they had been beaten by the better team tells you what he is all about.
Positives from the day were the increase in the influence that Ramsey has started to have on games. The back four looked solid with the exception of another comedy set piece opposition goal. RVP will rightly take the plaudits but Gervinho announced himself in style on Sunday. Let’s hope that there is a lot more to come from him.
Negatives from the day include the lack of creativity yet again. It was a good battling victory and a good team performance. However the lack of attempts that tested Begovic is still a major problem. A much sterner test faces us next Saturday. Perhaps that is the real time to judge how close we are to turming that corner?
I smiled at the “Shawcross, Shawcross you’re a cunt” rendition. I sat a tad uncomfortably as my daughter looked at me wondering what had amused me. I so hoped that she would not ask. We both joined in with vigour the “one Aaron Ramsey” chorus that echoed around the Grove for some considerable time. You could see at the final whistle how much he appreciated that.
A great victory was concluded by watching the first half of the U18’s. Only a handful stayed but were treated to some decent football. Nice to see Shezza make the effort to come out and watch the kids. Even better, after Zak Ansah put the Arsenal one nil up was to see him lead the singing on the bench of “one nil, to the Arsenal.”
Bolton tomorrow night with both the saucepans. Then the Chavs. Hopefully soon I will manage to enjoy a few ales with many of you in the Tollie. I look forward to it.
Onwards and upwards.
Re: my 62, I possibly forgot Ngog.
Good stuff, Lars!
Same thanks from here, great day out.
‘holics outlasting the arsebloggers in the pub. Although obviously some of us count as both….
Tommy V starting tomorrow night….more good news. Where has Diaby got to.
Evening ‘holic, & howdy?
Good to ”see” you…was a tad worried you had been kidnapped by Pubis & his Orcs last night.
Glad though, to see you had a great time yesterday.
Have a great week ‘holic. & you too ‘holics…
Secured 3 tickets for me my brother and the good luck charm of my son to see bolton. This will be his 17th appearence at the grove and is yet to see his beloved Arsenal defeated on home soil.
Before anyone says anything I know I know I must get him a season ticket !
Lars @ #63,
What Ollie said @ #65, great to see you again. One point, how you can describe an inner London kebab as healthier than a pint of beer, is beyond me 🙂
Steve T @ #64,
Thanks for the report, we saw the same game. Looking forward to sharing that pre- or post-match pint with you one of these days. Marseille is my next home game unless your visiting a certain bus stop on Saturday?
Soixante-neuf eh?
TV back tomorrow in the squad.
Lady Robbie slipped and bashed his hooter.
The good weekend keeps going 😉
What’s that? Squilly to play CB tomorrow vs The Munsters Light? Oh…
The advent of new technology in less than young hands prevented my proposed early meet up
Heh! 🙂
sent from my ‘hPhone
Waiting for the boss’ interview to come up on Arsenal Player before what may be the shortest preview ever.
Don’t know what our team will be. Don’t know what their team will be. ‘Holic pound could be anything. Have a good one
…or something like that.
******************* Breaking News ********************
Due to the recent evictions at Dale Farm the travellers have been offered an alternative site at The Spuds’s Shite Fart Lane.
Furious at the thought of dirty, thieving, in-bred, semi literate animals living right on their doorstep, the travellers have turned it down.
😉
“Can’t think of any other France U21 player in either team, right?”
Gael Kakuta is with Bolton on loan from chelski
Steve T @ 74
You are such a wicked man!!
If Cusop reads that,he will choke on his Ovaltine.!!
You might have to get the little ones some earmuffs for future games,
some of the language can be quite appalling.
And don’t think the Littlies don’t absorb it because they do.
Picture a Sunday lunch with the gr/children,and the 6 year old pipes up,
‘ Nana,what’s a fucking blind,deaf fucking tosser.??
Nana has heart attack on the spot,recovers to ask where said 6yr old heard such language,and she promptly dobs me in,
‘ Pa was shaking his fist and shouting it out in the car”.!!
Cheers
The Sweeper
Great weekend, Arsenal wins, ManU spanked (3 after the 90th), Chelski hits the post a number of times, misses a point blank header and gets two reds….and the Bears take over London….they almost blew that lead at the end after dominating for three quarters of the game…..that use to remind me of some beloved London football jugarnaut we support…..
One game at a time boys, one game at a time……
Any television for the CC tomorrow?
It’s good to see more members have joined in the party celebrations. Welcome one and all!
CoyRRR!
😀
Looks like the only US showing of the CC game is a replay on Thursday and Friday on the YES network. My apologies ‘Holic, I think I’m gonna leave my money at the bar for your gang to enjoy while I go offline for a few days so I can watch the game “live” on Thursday evening. Cheers all.
Nice post The Sweeper @ #76. Always the reasone voice of experience. You might need to get your hob nail footie boots out for the BS@F on Saturday mate. Still no defenders available for the bench other than Squilly & poss DJ20 if TV is back in the team. I’d pick you over Squilly any day 😉
King of the tens!
Storey, there might have been just a hint of sarcasm re: the nutritional value of a fast-food kebab vs a pint of beer 🙂
Steve, agree completely about Stoke being dreadful to watch. Why on earth is Delap never booked for timewasting and why does he always, always get away with stealing ten yards on more or less every throw-in? It’s ridiculous, there was an instance in the second half where Lee Mason made Stoke move the ball back half a yard on a free-kick near the half-way line – why was that never applied on the throws?
Anyway, that’s them lot out of our faces for a while so don’t want to spend any more energy on talking about them.
Ollie, the Holic was definitely showing signs of having been on the sauce when he left. It was more of a stagger than a walk 🙂
Off to bed now, see you again in this very bar tomorrow!
Ollie @ 62 & 65; Passenal @ 75: David N’Gog appears to be 22 so may or may not qualify for France’s U-21s. Kakuta is certainly young enough.
Happy to see Coquelin start. I expect a 2-3 midfield of Frimpong and Coquelin, with Rosicky and Rio flanking the Ox ahead of them. Chamakh as the one up front.
iLars @ 82: Delap getting subbed early on Sunday was an indication of the ineffectiveness of his long throws.
A glass of your finest claret, as ever, ‘Holic, if you would. I recommend it as a restorative.