Charlie The Example For Robin To Follow
Dec 17th, 2011 by 'holic
17th February, 1971. I can’t remember going to bed last night, but I can remember that evening vividly. Arsenal, firmly behind Leeds United in the chase for the League title, went to Maine Road to face a Manchester City in their pomp including the triumvirate that was Lee, Bell, and Summerbee. It was the fifth round of the FA Cup, a foul night, and the pitch was like a skating rink in parts, a bog in others.
We were definite outsiders that night, but a double from the genius that was Charlie George saw us progress. It was for many the moment that Frank Mclintock and his team realised just what they could achieve that season. Less than three months later the club that had not won a title in eighteen years celebrated the first of three (count them, Tottenham) doubles.
The parallels with this Sunday are not lost on me. Arsenal travel to Manchester as rank outsiders. A couple of months back they humiliated the reigning champions 6-1 at Old Trafford where we of course crashed 8-2. At home the oil money fuelled light blues have won all seven scoring a staggering 24 goals in the process. They are most peoples idea of Premiership winners this season, so why have I a strange feeling of confidence going into a game where we should come horribly unstuck if the formbook, and money spent, counts for anything?
One only has to look back to the last round of matches. City’s unbeaten record went south at the bus stop in Fulham on Monday night while our victory over Everton pulled us to within nine points, just three wins, of the table-toppers. Even at this relatively early stage of the season this is a six-pointer, if ever there was one.
It is probably too much to hope that we can stop them from scoring with a makeshift back four of central defenders. However, I have to believe that a side that has developed a wonderful work ethic, and has genuine width and variety in attack, can slice City apart at the back. After all, that Robin van Persie, he scores when he wants, doesn’t he?
The match has a significance that is rarely to be found this side of Christmas in any season. The aforementioned United and our fellow title contenders will all be praying for a second consecutive defeat for City, even if that means rooting for the detested Arsenal just for a day. Anything other than a home win will throw the Premier League wide open again, and make for a fascinating second half of the season.
As for the ‘holic pound, Arsenal look a little skinny at 9/2 considering City’s home form so I’ll look to land a correct score punt on 1-2 to the visitors (with a little back-up on 2-3 at fifties). Fancy an anytime scorer punt on Robin van Persie? You won’t get 2/1 against him again this season, I suspect.
That optimistic look forward complete, I need to thank you all for your support in the week just past. As I type on Saturday morning we still don’t know when the management will be released from hospital, but are hopeful it could be tomorrow, and probably at ten past four in the afternoon, the Law of Sod being what it is. To see so many still paying the site a visit when nothing new has been posted is both humbling and heartening. Thank you everybody.
Have a great weekend ‘holics.
310 Responses to “Charlie The Example For Robin To Follow”
Cheers ‘holic.
Here’s to good news for the management, followed by a victory for The Arsenal.
And a drink to Charlie George.
Morning Ollie.
A busy one. Now for housework, Christmas Cards, and shopping ๐
Superb post, ‘Holic. You’ll be surprised to hear that I share your optimism. An away win for the Arsenal and a Chelsea/Spuds draw will put a nice new complexion on the table. Hope all goes well on the home front.
More than 24 hours to go.
Hope the Management coming home tomorrow is the first of a magnificent double, ‘Holic.
Welcome back, BtM. You should have some mail.
Great post holic. I hope the management gets back to full health soon. Madman that I am I have risked a large amount on Arsenal to win the premiership 28-1, the question is whether to protect it with a top four finish at 11/10?
I really think we have a good chance of a win tomorrow.
A Case of Shake and the Pink Plonker
Has the Milk Shake of Abbly Dabbly been having second thoughts about the wisdom of pouring his petrodollars down the deep dark dry well that heโs drilled in Middle Eastlands? You bEtihas – and I have it on good authority (nudge, nudge โ say no more, insider thingy). Did he have a big smile on his face when Shitty opened up a twelve-point lead over the mighty Arsenal? You bEtihad. And the two golden teeth he sports in his west upper gleamed almost as brightly as the 24-carat diamond that shines on brightly from his south lower.
But recently, a troubled frown has replaced the glow of the two-gazillion dollar tooth job that has receded under the Shakeโs aquiline visage and neatly coiffured moustachio. A quick tour inside the Shakeโs thought organ reveals the following:
โJust how many new Milk Shakian oil wells do I have to spud to fund the ever-increasing gusher of pound notes that this moron Mancini needs to feed his low-life player buying habits? Iโve been belching greenbacks into the rain sodden atmosphere of Mancunia for him to burn on the Adeโs, the Tevezโ, the Clichรฉโs, that little twerp Nasri and their like? And now The Pink Plonker is asking for another 50 million to buy Robin Van Persie for Christmas. Itโs really got me Dreaming of a Shite Christmasโ
And even worse, the Shake is fearing that Shitty are on the slippery slope to a petrowellian blow out. Theyโve slithered their way out of the Championโs League at the hands of the pizza spinners from Naples. And even that other petro-fueled, people plundering, pal of Putinโs makeshift eleven shafted them at the Bus Stop
Heโs embarked on the Milk Shake money-go-round and it has gone completely mad and itโs beginning to fray and fester. Shitty sordid player greed and silverware buying, are at their very worst and even approaching the tacky standards that have prevailed in Madrid all these years. Itโs Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in reverse, in a different gear, going fast backwards in overdrive, without looking in the rear view mirror.
Since the arrival of the Pink Plonker, Shitty have begun to look a little bit better. But they have their weaknesses. Their defence is milk shaky and the the heads of the prima-donnas (Balotelli, Nasri and Co) go right down into their barrels at the first sign of surge up their pipeline. Arsenal need to take the game to Shitty today and BELIEVE! Do that and Christmas will come early to Goonerland.
The BTM crystal ball has a red hue appearing under a light blue sky. But donโt take that as any kind Arsenal subjugation. It simply means the sunโs coming up on a 2-0 Arsenal away win as the blue moon fades slowly into Manchester Harbour, leaving Shitty Sheiking All Over in their blue suede shoes.
Skeik Sheik, Sheik Skeik โ a Sheik it, Robin.
Nice look forward holic. A beautiful day here. Going to earn lots of brownie points with the kids by playing with them all day long…. Then disappear into a football fug tomorrow !!
An auntie beechams please. Bloody sinusitis.
A drink for all of the usual suspects and a toast of health to he holic household.
Best wishes to the management, ‘Holic.
Looking forward to seeing how we deal with City. They’re good, but so are we.
And bring on AC Milan in the CL. Exciting draw.
Top stuff as always, BTM.
Fantastic preview Holic . Hope Management is back with you this weekend .
BtM – Superb ๐
Now then , odds on The Arsenal to win at Shitty , Sunderland to win at SHL , and Wigan to put one over Chavski ?
430-1 .
Yep you heard right , the january sales have started early . Got to be worth a fiver of anybody’s hard-earned .
The only danger , as far as I can see , is if it comes in , would I be able to stop laughing in time to be able to collect my winnings ?
Great previews, ‘holic and BTM. Management homeward bound. All to the good. Optimism abounds among Gooners so let’s see the required performance on the pitch. Come on Arsenal!
Bollocks , forgot to change The Speedo Massive … … again ๐
Tabs. We’re I in blighty, I’d be heading on down to the bookies with a tenner right now.
Lovely nostalgic post ‘holic.
I shall be rooting for the Gooners tomorrow but I will spare a thought for you and The management, hope all is well.
Holic, Just the encouragement and proper perspective we needed. Thank you. AND a lovely bouquet of the management’s favourites being wished across the pond.
Wishing the management a speedy recovery. Thank you for your blogs, goonerholic.
Inspiring post ‘Holic. Best wishes for the management’s timely return.
Top form, BtM.
Best wishes to the management ‘Holic.
tabs, what a beaut that is! 430-1, oof…
If our lads collectively play to their fullest potentials, The Mighty Arsenal shall prevail. We have the resolve, talent, and grace under pressure. Not to mention class. And our fans are the best! As is AW. A little side note. After reviewing all the Nasri interviews since he left Arsenal, I’ve come to the sad conclusion, he is a little shit. Talented, but a little A Hole, for sure.
Re: Tabs @12: I would say let’s hope the Speedo Massive doesn’t get too stiff but have a feeling that would not quite be appropriate. ๐
Nice post holic, the sense of pessimism and resignation that preceded our last visit to mancland has dissapated and I think they are the ones now lacking organisation. A draw would do me with Nasri coming on in the 93rd minute and smacking his head off his own goalpost as our late sub Frimpong vollies him and the ball goalbound from the half way line. Best wishes regarding managment .
Top-hats off ‘holic. Only you could make that connection with City and ’71 and then distill it so sweetly into the here and now
And got to agree with your analysis too – I can’t remember a league match in December meaning so much. If we manage to sheik up city we blow the whole thing wide open – having come from further back than nowhere
Re another of your references – I’m toasting you with some doubles sir. Two pints of Pride each for everyone, please barman
UrrrrrRRRRREDSSSSS!
AL, I’ll have a double margaritta. Does Lars know you have his wallet? Cheers!
Nice goal by Grant Holt for Norwich against Everton.
8ball, agreed. He seems a rather strong lad, that one. Everton have dominated the game completely, but they can’t score for… well, toffee. Apparently, when Fellaini got away a weak toe-poke towards goal that was their first attempt on target in more than two full games.
…towards goal early in the first half…
Once again, best wishes for a healthy ‘holic household.
=====
I too, as mentioned in previous drinks, am quietly confident that our brave lads can steal a result tomorrow, I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s just a feeling I have.
As we all know, Citeh are top of the pile and have spent an astronomical wad of petro cash to assemble some very skillfull, talented, but also a few overpriced and greedy players, but for some reason they just don’t seem to have that fear factor that previous rivals had.
I remember, years ago, being scared of going to Anfield, later, Old Toilet and when Maureen was manager, Fulham’s, fan owned, bus stop. However, a trip to the oil wells of Middleastlands doesn’t seem so daunting.
Be interesting to see if Mancini has the balls to actually play an attacking team against us this time around, as the last few encounters he’s set up his side mainly to frustrate us and they’ve shown very little adventure going forward. Their home record suggests that they are more willing to have a go this season, so that could play into our hands.
A fraction under 24 hours to go now and I can hardly wait.
In the mean time, beers for the lads (and lasses) on me please squire.
Cheers.
Oh, and Holic: we’re the ones who should say thanks. This bar is a truly wonderful place.
What Lars said.
H2H, I feel the same way about Citah. Plus they’re rather boring to watch. No finesse. Don’t know if you saw the Wolves final game of the season last year. What a game, plenty of fighting spirit from those lads. Earned my respect on that one.
H2H, I wouldn’t be surprised to see City line up very defensively. Things haven’t gone quite as they had hoped in the last few weeks and it wouldn’t, from their perspective, be such a bad idea to first and foremost make sure they don’t lose tomorrow just to steady the ship a bit and make sure we don’t get any closer – because a loss to us (and consequently most likely losing the top spot to ManU) could really unsettle things. And as much as we fear the attacking threat of Aguero and others, they will fear the pace of Theo and Gervinho. They will not want to be caught to far up the pitch too often, because then we will eventually punish them.
Great post Holic
I feel as confident as you in reality and I believe there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of, now is there?
The much better news is that The Management is doing well and will be back at home in no time.
Lars,
I agree with you, not sure if you watched the Beer Cup game against them at The Grove? We looked better all over the pitch and only made a mistake right at the end. Tomorrow will be somewhat a different game altogether. Different plays down the wings and the middle too!
Come on you REDS!
*players not plays
Im doing the Legends tour of the Emirates tomorrow with Charlie George. I’m going to be even more in awe than I feared!
Afternoon one and all
Splendid post Mr.H. I loved the drawn parallels. Should we win tomorrow then I will believe that anything is possible this season. My best wishes again for your Management, let’s hope she’s back home soon.
BtM good to see back with a pantheresque bang ๐
Drinks for all the fine fellows in the bar please Mr. Barman and one for yourself of course.
Come on Wigan, let’s all stand against the c*ntery that is Chelski.
Thanks for the memory, Holic. After what seemed like for ever having to listen to spuddoublebrag (although it was nowhere near as long as the time since they last won the league, ha-ha), 1970-71 was a good season.
And like most I’m quietly confident about tomorrow’s game. Last year at the Emirates gives some indication of who fears whom between Citah and The Arsenal.
Arthur@33 I think it’s players and plays ๐
I am watching Wigan-Gazprom FC and I just heard the away fans sing “we all follow the Chelsea over land and sea AND LEICESTER” – isn’t that last bit supposed to be a very Arsenal-specific variation on that song? Or is it common among fans of many clubs? Have to say I most often don’t really pay attention to what other fans sing.
And in other news, Wigan are quite rubbish but somehow it’s still 0-0 ater about 26 minutes.
Lars, I’ve heard it been sung from many a supporter of different teams.
I think the And Leicester bit comes from a motorway sign.
H2H, cheers for the answer. I’ve heard various stories about how it started, and it has always been said it was Arsenal fans who came up with it so I kind of always assume that it was only sung by Arsenal fans.
I guess you learn something new every day ๐
That is an Arsenal song lads.
Teams without history are going to steal whatever they can.
Rum and coke pls virtual barkeep but am already on real stuff in celebration of err, last Saturday ๐
Wigan make it 1-1 in the 88th minute – would be a nice bit of help to us if they can manage to hold on to that point.
Come on Wigan, hold the posh russians back!
Points dropped for FC Abramovic.
Great spirit from Wigan. Martinez should have had DiSanto in the starting lineup. What a little firecracker he is.
Excellent post holic, I was lucky enough to meet Charlie on a Legends Highbury Stadium tour and he’s a top bloke.
Tomorrow will be interesting, I hope Oxlade is on the bench not Arshavin, if we have to chase the game at some stage he has shown already he will be a really good option. This is going to be a tough game they easily have the best squad in the Prem, fortunately they are only allowed to put 11 of them on the field..
Really glad to hear your better half is on the mend.
The same Wigan we thrashed 4-0 a short while ago, I love being a supporter of the “club in crisis”.
BTM nice to get a mention even if incidentally……..
Top post Holic, as usual.
Chelsea are so poor, exactly the reason why I don’t even take notice of them, I just know we’ll leapfrog them sometime. So so poor.
Robbie Savage (aka Cunt) being asked today on Football Focus, “who will go further in Europe, Chelsea or Arsenal?”
Cunt: “Chelsea.”
Interview bloke : “Why?”
Cunt : “Coz, they’re simply a better team.”
Me: “Nothing like letting the facts get in the way of, err, the facts, eh Cunt?”
That was pretty dreadful from Chelsea (two shots on target!), especially considering they usually demolish Wigan in their recent games against them.
Ah bollocks, I thought Marseille had drawn but apparently they got a last minute winner.
Can’t have it all, I guess. The Chavs drawing was quite the pleasing result ๐
@47 – you’re golden and I had you at front of mind as I typed WU.
Ollie ,you not gonna like it when you see the foul what led to the winner in Marseille.Valbuena has been taking lessons from Ronaldo ,Gerrard and the whole of the Barcelona squad.
He is quite the diver in general wuif, it’s true.
Of course he doesn’t have far to fall, so it’s quite painless for him ๐
Do that lot from N17 still think they’re gonna finish above us? I still this picture says it all.
Small club.
http://s1-03.twitpicproxy.com/photos/large/474620929.jpg
Nice, Snir.
Oi Holic so I read this wonderful piece of prose:
“Less than three months later the club that had not won a title in eighteen years celebrated the first of three (count them, Tottenham) doubles”
…and with a light heart went to look at the Holic Clock to wet my whistle (as we say) but shocks of all possible shocks!! No fecking clock! Where’s the fecking clock? Gasp…hope you haven’t hocked it to buy more curry or sommat?
..
Clock still here for me.
Great post ‘holic.
Best wishes to the management for a speedy recovery.
Holic
Nice write up,
I was at that game in 71,freezing cold night,never got warm,ended up in bed for a week with the flu.
In truth Dad wasn’t going to go to the game originally,but a mate had 2 spare tickets,so we took the plunge,and it was worth it.
But my memories of Man City go back much further than that to the
late 50’s,early 60’s,and my first indelible memory of a game at Highbury.
The great German Bert Trautmann was in goal for City,and David Herd was our centre forward.
Midway through the game playing towards the North Bank,Herdy unleashed a piledriver of a shot towards goal,Trautmann flew across his goal and managed to deflect the ball onto the bar.
Herdy had kept running towards goal and as the ball came back off the bar,he launched himself horizontally and a bullet header rocketed into the roof of the City net.
Well as you can imagine,that brought the Highbury House down,and amid all the applause and excitement,i jumped over the wall from our position near the dugout and ran on to the pitch to congratulate him.
I got a smile and a pat on the head for my troubles and ran back to my Dad.
Not one Steward made any move to intercept me,indeed the one nearest to our position actually helped me back over the wall with a smile.!!
City played some great football under Malcolm Allison back in the day,
and even won a league title,so they are part of my earliest memories of an Arsenal life.
i was always pleased when ever they managed to put one over the Red half of Manchester,particularly when they were the poor cousins for many years.
All changed now with the Oil money and the ability to buy the most expensive players.
But i certinly don’t begrudge them their moment in the sun,as long as they have a Total Fucking Eclipse at the Etihad tomorrow.!!
cheers
the Sweeper
GoonerTerry – If you’re on Google Chrome then it doesn’t work for some reason.
Doesn’t work for me either with Chrome, just IE.
I need to fix that I think ๐
Chrome is throwing an error when trying to display the clock!
Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (Not Found)
Which is nonsense.
Phew just checked on Safari and the beloved clock is there in all its glory reading: 50-years / 7-months / 30-days / 19-hours / 58-minutes & 56,57,58, 59…oh I could watch that all day…Better than the Wigan/Chelsea
Yes that’s right! The Holic Clock IS better than Wigan and Chelsea combined..
So there you have it, the original football hooligan, none other than The Sweeper with his solo pitch invasion circa nineteen canteen ๐
Nice one Clive.
I’d be very grateful if anybody can make the clock work on Chrome…
Please? ๐
Snir can you please check my site in Chrome?
Holic you have mail ๐
Well, The Rossinary won today, no surprise there. Will Per be guarding the big swede and Kos be keeping Pato company? Just looking ahead. Tomorrow Barca and Santos will knock back some cervezas. Then the Big one. The big kahouna.
Now that’s interesting. I thought the clock had some absolute timing (after all that sad event happened simultaneously on the whole planet),
But when I checked the clock was 50y 8months 0d etc. but since once more I don’t travel in time ;). I deduce a flaw an that GT is in the US, right?
Zico,
I would have put money on you having something to say.!!
Now i just need Tabs to throw in his shillings worth and we’ll be right.
My apologies for not acknowledging your past couple of Feelgood diary entries.
Top stuff as usual.
I see Sammy Nelson hasn’t reappeared since his one off visit.
I’m pulling the clock from this blog to my site and it seems to be working in Chrome. Have checked IE and works there is well.
Another CFC, that would be colossal fuckup by Chelsea, of course. ๐
Re: Clive @62, You’re lucky they didn’t stick you in gaol for good. ๐
Heh cheers Clive
Feelgood is currently under sedation ๐
Zico
Mrs Dale is of the strong opinion that the Feelgood boy should have been Sedated from Birth.!!
ATG – It works on your site on Chrome but not on this site… :\
It says “missing plug-in”
CW@62: Great memories. And loved the story of skipping onto the pitch. It really was a different time.
David Herd’s father, Alec, used to play for City, as it happens. And while we are on odd coincidences, the younger Herd’s Arsenal debut was at Leicester (see Lars@37).
-at
+against
Tabs, from the previous drinks: Important news for your training regime. I heard on the wireless that the marathon runners at the 1908 London Olympics fortified themselves with champagne as they went. I recommend you chuck out the Gatorade immediately and switch to Bollinger.
A glass of bubbly for everyone in the bar to celebrate this important sports science breakthrough.
NBN
It’s funny becasue the other half of Manchester is embedded in my memory as well.
I have mentioned here before,that my Dad took me to Highbury to see Utd play their last game before the Munich disaster.
I have no memory of the game itself,but do have a strong memory of the atmosphere,which was electric,and how crowded and crushed in we were in our little enclosure down the front near the dugout.
I used to be right down the front against the wall and stood on a little wooden box Dad brought with him,so i could get a better view.
Dad always used to stand at the back with his mates whilst keeping an eye on me.
But i remember for that game he came and stood right behind me and put his big shovel like hands on to the wall to prevent people pushing down on to me from the back.
Utd also feature in my other earliest memories,around 60/61,when we played them at Highbury,and the great Harry Gregg was in goal.
Unfortunately he had to pick the ball out of the net 5 times as we won 5-1.!!
Big Al Skirton scored,as well as George Eastham, and little Johnny Barnwell scored one as well i think.
I used to have all the old programmes back to the 50’s,but a lot have gone missing,i still have the programme from the pre Munich match against Utd,must be worth a few bob now,and i have asstd progs back to 64.
What’s your earliest memory of Highbury.??
You sound like an old geezer to me.!!
Apologies if you aren’t.!!
Cheers
Clive
Lovely story @ 62 Mr Sweeper, nowadays stewards at the Grove hardly let ‘Stand Up if you hate Tottehham’ be sung with accompanying leg action most days…
Once again, I’m finding it hard to disagree with his punditry.
Still hated him as a player though!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2075611/Gary-Neville-Now-discover-force-Arsenal-again.html
And this is even better.
Proper skipper.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2075584/Arsenal-ace-Robin-van-Persie-reveals-secret-goal-scoring-streak.html
And I’m delighted to hear that RvP’s wife is so involved in socializing with the other WAGs. It means that not only is RvP happy at Arsenal, she’s happy “at Arsenal.”
That would be a big factor in his decision. We already know how big her say is in RvP’s decisions as he converted to Islam for her.
Evening All ,
So Wigan couldn’t quite pull off the first leg of an unlikely 430-1 against treble to make me a rich man . Never mind , a point is a point , and from the 35 mins of the game I managed to catch , Chelsea looked two bob . Onwards and upwards to tomorrow when an O’Neill inspired Sunderland will win in Riot City , and The Mighty Arsenal will really put the cat amongst the pigeons .
8Ball @20 – not appropriate at all ๐
Clive @62 – Lovely story . And to put my “shillings worth” in , Constable Alex Morgan was obviously too busy twirling his baton to keep pace with the young orange juice-fuelled Clive !
Earliest memory of Highbury ? A 1-1 draw between Arsenal Res and Norwich Res in Sept 1970 . The Reserves used to get pretty decent crowds and my 5 year old Brain couldn’t quite work out why everybody was so happy after a 1-1 draw . The First Team had of course won 2-1 away at Burnley .
I remember the signs outside of up and coming games made quite an impression . Arsenal was written in big bold red capital letters , whilst the opponents were written in lower case blue .
Ned – cheers for the bubbly . Rest assured that it will from now on form an integral part of my “training programme ” ๐
Tabs
I was at the Burnley game with my Dad.
Big Raddy and Ray Kennedy scored the goals,and again their was a top class keeper in the Burnley goal in Tony Waiters.
Up to that game we had only lost once in the league,2-1 @ Chelsea.
The following w/end at Highbury we flogged Stoke 6-2.
I wonder if Tab dad took you to that one.!!
cheers
Holic and ArseGang:
From my view we have nothing to lose and everything to gain tomorrow. If we have any shot at the title it must be three points. Can’t believe that is still a possibillity given the start to the season but were on the cusp of great things now and the league results are utterly and completely unpredictable from week to week.
If things don’t go our way, going forward we can point to the fact that we’ve already played at OilCity, at Manure, at Spurs, at Chelsea and at Newcastle (although they are coming back to earth). C’mon you REDS!
Best wishes to the management.
Tabs
apologies,should read West Brom not Stoke.!!
Duh.!!
Clive , heh , brilliant to hear you were at that Burnley game .
I think the 6-2 drubbing we dished out was West Brom , but no I wasn’t there . For reasons best known to himself , Tab Dad restricted me to Reserve games for a good couple of months . My first First Team game was against Wolves in the December . Georgie Graham and big John Radford scored in a 2-1 win .
Funnily enough I don’t remember the 40,000 plus crowd making much of an impression on me , given that I was used to the 3 or 4 thousand who used to turn up to the Reserves .
Cheers .
Snir , thanks for the links , both good reads . Have to agree with you on Neville .
Ah I see you got there first re West Brom .
Tabs
time for bed,
Need to be fresh and ready for the big one this afternoon.!!
Mancini has made some interesting comments re Nasri’s workrate,or lack of it.!!
Obviously he prefers the non stop industry of a journeyman like Milner.
How embarrassing.!!
nite nite
the sweeper.
Embarrassing indeed Clive .
Goodnight Sir .
Holics on Chrome!
Clock should be ticking now ๐
It does work.
Thanks!!
*gives a through ball to Theo on the wing who is up against the useless Zabaleta.
Plays in Snir with a slide rule pass
snir@87, what a great article. thoroughly enjoyed it, thanks…
‘holic, i hope the management is better by the time you’re up and reading this, and ready to come home first thing in the morning. then she can sit with you and watch le arse win, with a cuppa for her and a guinni for you…
and he slides it in with no nonsense…sorry about that snir, thanks tabs for the assist…
Well in Scruz .
My work is done . Til tomorrow Gooners .
Scruz, Tabs (thanks for pass mate) – I can’t emphasize enough how Bouchra’s influence is important to RvP.
You don’t just convert like that and he did, for her.
Having her want to stay in London, is another factor in his decision (I’m pretty sure he’ll sign anyway), when he weighs his pros and cons, Bouchra being settles is right up there with the sport related pros.
Evening, gents. I’m ready for the ride north- this is the most excited I’ve been for a game this season, have to admit. We’ve had some good
matches under our belt and ready for another test. I’m not u er- confident, but ready for the battle. 3-2 would be lovely victory, no?
Hope all is well with the Significant, Holic. A drink and three cheers for ouran Clive as well for the half- century ago antics!
cheers, tabs, and thanks, snir.
i remember when he married bouchra, and everyone was worried because she was muslim. i thought now nice it was that he did, and brought such seriousness to the relationship (especially after his not-rape charge). and he’s lovely with shaqueel, and just seems to be at the top of his every game right now…so hopefully he won’t sacrifice that for money, and continue his rise and curve as a gunner.
that article is really great, he’s leading the team on and off the pitch, with the lifelong conviction of being a gunner. i always thought of cesc as an intense, petulant, kind of twattish, but our kind of twattish. not the same kind of leader off the pitch, certainly, he was always hanging with his barca mates. i know cesc is a touchy subject for you, so i’ll end it with that.
enjoy, pik, 3-2 would be loverly, and 3-0 would be even more likely to push the papers to label al-citeh “in crisis”.
well, chicken’s in the oven, along with the roast veg, so all that’s left to do is drink and make a salad… i am off for the next two weeks, on vacation, but staying home. i cannot tell you how much that excites me. lots of rye whiskey is involved, and woodworking, and watching footie…
scruzgooner, well in at 100 albeit with a grammatical error there being no such thing as a guinni, guinni being the plural form. Say it after me: a guinness, two guinni. Repeat ad nauseum.
The California gooners are out in force tonight I see. Rye whiskey please barman for all the Californians. Say Eureka Yreka Eureka Yreka three times fast. ๐
Scruz, the Cesc thing is history now.
It was a delicate issue mostly because I was worried about the team. Not worrying now, that’s for sure ๐
Bt8b, from where I hail, “a guinni” is any number of guinnesses more than one, and given ‘holic’s issues with management, a guinni is certainly what he needs.
Ok, it was a grammitical error ๐
rye it is, then. jim beam to start, moving to templeton…
A round on lars’ tab, barman, though at this hour in blighty the bar is sparsely populated, so lars gets off easy…
Nicklas Bendtner’s latest publicity is none too good:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16232981.stm
fair enough snir, just trying to pay attention.
listening to buddy guy sing “have you ever been mistreated”, could be singing about cesc…
bt8b, he is certainly not coming back, thank goodness. Now, Sunderland might *send* him back…
bloody iPad mangling mah handle…
Why is the game only in 12 hours? I can’t wait that long.
lol, snir, what I can’t figure is where you are. i thought israel, but unless you are a 24-hour playa, i can’t tell…
Btw, eureka yreka eureka yreka, plus an extra yucaipa…
Scruz – I’m Israeli, lived in Boston when I was young and now I’m in North Carolina studying Sports Management.
So I’m Eastern Timezone ๐
gotcha, snir, didn’t realize you were stateside. its why you are here at the odd hours…
I remember that match vividly. I think one commentator said ” Tonight, Manchester City have been totally destroyed by the genius of Charlie George” It was worth seeing him in those days just for one moment of genius – a 70 yard pinpoint pass, a dummy, a bullet header or a dynamite shot like the one (again against City ) that would have taken Joe Corrigan’s arm off, if he had been quick enough to put it in the way ( he wasn’t ! ). Come on Gunners – let’s really take it up to them. I fancy our chances of the title this season.
Thanks for the links Snir, awesome read. Have you seen “Les yeux dans les bleus”, the documentary about the french team during France 98? Clearly they were all mates, all in it together, and that was the key ingredient to going all the way. And Laurent Blanc was clearly at the center of everything good on and off the pitch, a perfect example of the role and responsibilities of the captain of a ambitious side. Football being at team sport and all, I can’t help but think a successful team is more than just 11 players. You need that extra bit of chemistry to overcome adversity.
Two things strike me about this group of players.
First, we have a proper spine, which is a must to build anything in the long term. Van Persie, Arteta, Sagna and Vermaelen are all talented, professional, consistent, hungry and proud players with the appropriate mix of age and experience. Then you have players who have experience and/or talent but who just need a litttle bit more time to reach their peak, such as Song, BFG, Kos, Gerv, Walcott, Wilshere, Ramsey, Santos… and… Blimey! That’s almost our entire first eleven!
Actually, I’d be tempted to add Song to the “spine” list. He’s skillfull but most importantly, he’s becoming consistent, something we clearly lacked in the past few years. I’d say he’s reaching his peak this season.
Secondly, some people have been crying out for “world class signings”, but half the team is already world class and would get picked to play in any team in the world. Its just that they didn’t cost 20mil per signing.
Also, for the first time in a long time, I think opponents fear the Arsenal again, and that’s definitely a factor that affects the way they play.
Agree with you Snir, 12 hours is a long time to wait, its been a long time since we could afford to be that bullish about facing a top-4 opponent. Bring it on!
Come on The Arsenal!!!
Can’t wait..9 more hours?!! Hope the lads are up for it
And now they’re nicking our songs – Ahem – ’tis indeed an Arsenal song (who else was likely to be that witty?) – ’tis indeed a reference to a motorway sign – on the M1 i think – “The North and Leicster”
Will be heads down, deep in discussion all morning with the HT legal team to see if i can’t enforce some kind of super-embargo thingy – for televised games at least
And it’s game day and the blue russians have already dropped a pair…
CoMoNuuuUUUURRRRRReeeeDDDDDSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
Snir @ 88, 103 – Are you sure he converted to Islam for her? Apparently, this is what he said.
Van Persie doesn’t need religion for that.
“I believe in myself. When you are a good bloke that
will bring positivity to the society. A better world starts
at home, they say. No?”
His wife is a Muslim.
And on certain websites it reads that Van Persie has
also converted to Islam.
So what’s the story?
“It’s not true. I am not a Muslim, nor a Christian or a
Jew. I have been raised liberally. If you want to
become a Muslim it should come from the heart. I
would not do it just to please my wife. To believe for
me is a quest for being a good man.”
I was always under the assumption he followed the religion out of respect for Bouchra, but never fully converted.
dutch-football.com/football/articles/robin_van_persie_holland_netherlands_euro_2008.shtml
Wind…
To be honest, I have no idea, I was sure he did up until I saw your post because it’s kind of “common knowledge.” You can find it everywhere.
I’ll have a look.
That’s rather weird… I’ve seen articles on him stating he converted, and stating it with confidence so I thought there was no reason to dispute it.
But I guess you’re right.
Still, Bouchra’s influence on RvP is pretty big, he really has become a family man.
Snir, thanks for the articles.
Blimey holic you are getting more and more famous; linked here from Arsenal.com. Well done!
Yeah Snir, the amount of influence she can exert over our Captain is amazing but understandable, she’s the beautiful mother of his two kids, that swings it in pretty much her direction every time, but the influence is especially amazing when it can be channelled towards good causes as the ABCs previously have done.
She’s one major part of the puzzle of Robin’s contract situation, that’s for sure.
PS – A belayed ‘Well in Man!’ to Scruz on the century ๐
Hope things getting better with the Management mate. Cheers for post. We can win today. Up the Arse!
Now you lot i’m gonna let you lucky buggers have a tiny peak into my BIG match day routine!!!
First i get her to get out of bed to make me a cuppa – well it’s MY BIG DAY – and anyway she’s got to get up anyway ‘cos she works sundays – after she’s typed up the blog – obviously.
Then i rub the fairy dust out of my eyes and anywhere else it might have ended up – and BAM! – ( just before i come over here to find out what yous crazies are thinking) – i switch on to my spiritual home – LG – to suck up their heady mix of carefully thought through Arse analysis tinged with just the right amount of respect for Arsene so-called Wenger/Wonga more like!!! (30/40 million pound STRIKER for Crimbo thank you very much Mr. Manager – and do get a move on!!! (once the transfer window opens obviously!)!!)!
Then there’s LG’s unbridled, intoxicating optimism – which is often cleverly couched in a subtle yet rampant and unhinged pessimism designed to prove the fellow that runs the sight – Pedo is it? I can never remember – was right all along to rubbish the so-called Le Prof (Le profit more like – ‘ere have you signed that centre-forward yet??? No!!! Hurry the fuk up, then!!!) and demand we dump him!!!
And before anyone criticizes him for that i will just say that i’m in bed right now literally standing up and applauding him for having the guts to literally stand on the cyber roof-tops and scream hysterically for an outcome most sensible football fans of all hues took to be self-evident lunacy. Now it takes a very special type of mentality to be able to do that!!!Fact!!! Consider yourself well and truly double-double-saluted – sah!!!
I do have one gripe though – in changing his site just recently Pedo – i think – has dropped the tag ( and you’ll like this Zico ‘cos i heard you slagging it with some smug streak of piss outside the Tollie the other week) which went – and excuse me as i paraphrase a little –
“LG – where you don’t just get an opinion you can give me one too – fact!!! Up The Arse!”
Me – i’m devastated it’s no longer there. If i’m wrong and it is still there somewhere then fukkin’ PHEW! If not and it’s GONE – then the campaign to bring it back starts RIGHT HERE, right now!!!
I know there’s plenty of you here who’ll be only too happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with me and tell Pedo exactly where you think he’s gone wrong with his sight!!!Fact! I think!?!!
So sign-up slackers and get campaigning – NOW!!! This thing’s just too darn important to completely ignore!!!Double FACT!!!!!
Anyway – back to the big game… CoMonUMightyRRReeeeeeeeDDDDDSSSSS!!!!!!
Or will we be wearing blue – it’s an away game after all?!?
Up The Arse!!!
Good work, Mr Rash.
Mr Rash – superb ๐
‘Holic, lovely post –
good luck today, hope the management is released in full health and in a timely fashion ๐
Afraid it’s Sky+ for me as i’m required at daughter’s birthday party this afternoon – shipping friends to the cinema for Arthur Christmas !!
Clive – good work up there.
BtM – another puntastic piece of Hallism ๐
Myself, I was there throughout 1971 but i’m blowed if i can remember scores and scorers like some here – namely, Tabs, for starters. Amazing.
Now where did i put those amnesia tablets ? . . . .
Pleased to say i share the optimism expressed above, so 1-2 for me, with RvP to score, well, whenever he wants ๐
LeG Rash – no time to read all that now, so will assume the usual high standard ๐
Snir asleep, pre-match nervous exhaustion, or gazing into his balls ? . . .
That Rash has caused a lot of confusion elsewhere ๐
FACTual as usual LeG, plaudits to Mrs LeG as well.
Forgot to mention – Feelgood from the last set of drinks – great stuff .
Wolfie’s got Feelgood just where he wants him . Or has he ? What could possibly go wrong ? ๐
Right , a Gutbuster beckons . The stomach will need some serious lining for today’s festivities .
The away juicer of choice will no doubt have a smattering of Spuds in , given their game earlier in the day . They will of course be sectioned off in the back bar , with only a portable black and white TV with the sound turned to zero , for company (such is their station in life ) , but it is unavoidable on occasions such as this that some of their nuggets of wisdom , ( eg Bale is not an ape , We are a big club , etcetera etcetera ,etf*ckincetera ) , will filter through to the main Bar , where us Gooners sit in our marvellously comfy leather armchairs , being fed grapes (suitably distilled) by Amazonian beauties wearing little more than stretchy Arsenal shirts and a smile .
It is of course preferable to ignore The Spuds , much as one tries to ignore the knowledge that in London , you are supposedly never more than 6 (?) yards away from a rat , but years of experience have taught me that the only real way to cope with their inanity , smell and all round c*ntheadery is to drink as much as humanly possible and adopt a beatific smile , rather like the smile one reserves for ex-girlfriends . Either that , or attack ’em with a pool cue . ๐
Right , tough tough game , let’s get through the first half an hour with our goal intact . Do that , and we might just sneak it .
Good luck everybody .
COME ON THE ARSENAL !!!
Enjoy Tabs, COYRRRSSSSS!
Cheers Trev , you too , when you finally get to see it !
Monsieur Rash,
I bow in the presence of genius. Top stuff.
Heh tabs, the pool cue approach. What a waste of chalk. ๐
Tabs, have you ever considered writing a book about how to deal with the vermin plague that are Sp*rs supporters? ๐
Feck it, I hope they let her out tomorrow.
Blog knacked, then fixed (cheers Blogs!), Bathroom floor cleaned, whole place hoovered, last Christmas cards written, book for sis packed and ready to post.
Grabbing a coffee before heading to Tesco for a portable hard drive and top up the managements phone. Should be back in time to see us attempt to overcome the sheik’n’vacs AND Phil Dowd.
I meant to put that in the preview. He’ll find a way of robbing us if he can.
Phil Dowd? Ah shit.
I saw the blogs trouble indeed, twice today ๐
I hope at least one of the good things happens today then, and the even better one tomorrow.
*(manly) hugs*
Wind, Bale is the Spurs’s fans favourite player. Need I say more? Cheers!
Hellollie.
Here we go again. Tesco, the Sunday before Christmas. Won’t be mental, at all, will it? ๐
Holic, You’re the man! Setting a good example for all the hubbys here.
abb, please say more!
Do I need bananas, a cage…?
‘Holic @144 – not as mental as Dowd ๐
Oh Wind, I’m thinking a dart gun with plenty of tranquilizers on hand.
Dr Z @140 heh ๐
Wind – That Book has already been written ๐
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rats-James-Herbert/dp/0330376144
Holic – Good luck with Tescos !! And best hopes that all being well , Mrs H will be home tomorrow .
Right …
Gutbuster – Tick .
Matching Arsenal scarf and Speedoes – Tick .
Nose clips – Tick .
Collins Little Book of Neanderthal Speak – Tick .
Smug smile of North London superiority – Tick .
Unchalked Pool Cue – Tick .
Off to the juicer . 2-0 to the Arsenal , Walcott and Ramsey .
COME ON YOU GUNNERS !!!
CW@62: I am guessing that you have a decade on me. I started watching football as a teenager in the 1960s, but didn’t go to many games. I always preferred to be playing. My family wasn’t much interested in football. So no one took me to games as a nipper nor passed on dynastic loyalties. When I did go, I mostly watched amateur matches. London had top amateur teams then, better than most professional clubs in the lower divisions of the Football League. As I’ve mentioned at the bar before, first time I saw Arsenal was in a London Senior Cup tie at Hendon in the mid-60s. First time I went to Highbury was in 1970 for the Fairs Cup home leg against Dinamo Bacau. It was the quarter final and we were en route to the trophy. We won 7-1 that evening with Raddy, Charlie George and Jon Sammels getting braces, and George Graham scoring the other. As I remember Raddy scored early on and it was game over as we were carrying a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
Afternoon all.
Snir, nice links, particulary enjoyed reading how seriously RvP takes the honoutr of being captain.
Clive, Ned, thanks for sharing.
Trev, congrats with the little ‘un.
Leg Rash, HEH!!
Drinks for the bar, make it a double for the guvnor, shopping on a Sunday before Crimbo? You are a braver man then I sir.
Cheers.
Our game against Villa can’t come soon enough, they are absolutly terrible.
Kudos to McLeish for taking a semi decent side and turning them into complete no hopers.
Afternoon all
tabs @ #136. Away juicer of choice sounds better every time you mention it. I will join you there fella (if I may) for a game in the new year. Look forward to meeting those grape feeders ๐
Thoughts now are with the mighty Arse and The Travelling Faithful. Here’s to us giving those Vulgarians a really decent game and let’s see if we can’t get some sort of a result.
COYRRRs!!!
(And come on a rejuvinated Sunderland too!)
Kolo and Lesbo start for the mercs.
Mr.Frimpong will be gagging to get involved H2H ๐
Our team as expected:
Szczesny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou, Arteta, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Van Persie, Gervinho
He’ll have to be restrained in the tunnel mate.
Heh! H2H.
They’ve been rubbing strips of the chinle$$ le$bian’s old kit across his snout all week, allegedly ๐
Come on Arsenal. We need a big performance from Arteta, Song, not to mention everybody else. ๐
So The ADVs finally get a return on their enormous EPL investment by being allowed to field 12 men. Thank you Mr. Dowd, we’ll try to beat you too!
TS ๐
Ok lads, downstairs I go, time to fire up the tv and transform myself to iH2H(from the bar)
The cunt is in the first eleven.
Come on you reds!!!!
Walcott against Zabaleta? I fancy that, let’s get him on the ball early
Evening all,
Anyone kind enough to share a streaming link…
Thanks in advance.
Matt
Pre-match nerves, I hate it
COME ON ARSENAL!
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/98650/1/watch-manchester-city-vs-arsenal.html
There you go Matt
Come on lads, lets ‘ave it!
Thanks Harsha!
COYRRR
abb @ 148, advice taken in ear ๐
tabs @ 149, a speedo massive ‘heh’ ๐
Song a ticking timebomb, yellow card means he has to adjust his game, I fear he’ll go…
Does so well not to get it against Everton, gets it within 12 against the Oil Gang ‘head in hands’
Geoff @ 164
Walcott is currently in Zabaleta’s pocket ๐
Sunderland are disappointing. ๐
not a bad first half, certainly against 12. no rhyme or reason to the dowdager’s calls, zabaleta damn sure should have been booked. walcott has been quiet, losing the ball in possession too often. impressed with the back line, massively given the combination of players. if dj comes off with the groin, I want to see ignasi at lb, kozzer at rb.
i think we can do them…
Might we just nab one in the second half? We doing pretty well, but could use a crafty ball that makes Yaya and Kolo bash heads so we can play 11 against 9.
12, bt8b, so 11 v 10…
Yeah Zico, agreed, Theo’s touch a little lacking, only needs one ball in front of him though
Fffackit!
Goal comes from gervinho giving the ball away when it was easier to fin a teammate. He’s fast but brainless
MiGuel doing okay but first team options are whittling down!
MiQuel rather
Couldnt agree more Geoff – frustrating in the extreme
Right come on lads, time for some mental strength (TM) now please
All a bit ragged in attack…
We’re on the severe backfoot.
Fuckin Zabaleta
Geo wastes alot of ops. We could of had a couple in the back of the net with the right decisions. But Geo’s workrat
work-rate second to none
Anyone but the Russian haircut, please…
Come on Arsenal
Again gervinho has Walcott free on the right and plays a ball behind him, just so frustrating
Fuckin ell AA
Have to say though this is a brilliant game!
I haven’t felt this stressed in a match in some time.
With you on that Geoff. The Gerve keeps making crap decisions up front.
Anyone else guess why The ox is not on the bench?
fffpppphhhhfffff!
Tap in…
AA’s pace is off! Tempo of the game is ahead of him! Needs to focus!
CG: he must practice decision making every day in training. I just don’t get it
Ahh… ๐
Geoff would have been better if we atleast equalised
Kos is a beast today!
Buy some fucking glasses Dowd you blind twat!
Frimpong’s drive and energy for last 10 please
Still, glad to get this game out the way before Xmas!
Fuck City trying to get R2D-Teta sent off!
We have been sensational today, regardless of result im so proud
Chamack, WTF?!!!!!
I wonder if Chamackhattackweneedyouback can actually score today?
No worries boys. Chamakh’s on.
Excuse my lingo bu Chamack is a useless cunt (unless he scores)
That was the lino on the same side of the goal….someone needs to chaeck that bastards betfair account
Come on Arsenal break their hearts
๐ at Richards cross! Come on Chamackh
87mins Come on boys!
Fuck sake AA!
In the box come on fucking Joe Hart!
Bollocks Geo!
Gervinho has pace and he’s direct but totally brainless NOT an arsenal Player
ooh TV!
Well played Arsenal – as an away side we deserved more – kept,kept going
URIPROARINGREDS!
We were unlucky not to score, Vermaelen and Van Persie both.
‘sighs’
bUgger…oh well, that’s the last of the worst away fixtures out the way
I have to say we were brilliant, that was a great game and had Gerv or Theo not been so profligate with the ball we could have got at least a point from today.
It show that despite the hundreds of millions spent by city there isn’t much to choose between the two sides (and I remind everyone that’s without our full backs, all 4!)
How Dowd didn’t see that pen I don’t know, he is two yards away from it. Unbelievable.
City players dived every time they saw Song.
AA has to go, he just has to. I get that players need confidence to play well, but simple stuff like not delivering a low cross to the keeper should be executed regardless of your confidence state.
Don’t want him on my team.
crap. dowd was crap. city were decent, but we were stellar.
i love youuuu arsenal, I doooo.
Shame, nice try by the lads. Shitty were out played and the home supporters out sung. They were shit scared of us.
Hold your heads high fellow gooners.
But well done to the lads, can’t really ask for more from anyone.
Theo and Gervinho both had torrid games but ran their socks off. That’s all I ask for.
As for City – bunch of cunts.
A very equal match decided by an episode. I feel they might have a bit more talent upfront, with Aguero especially who I think is somewhat brilliant. With the young ones like Ryo, Ox, and Campbell coming up I believe we can compete with them.
Cheers ‘Holics
@snir, he had a completely clear view. he either sucks as a ref, or could be suckling at the al-citeh teat.
BTW, how do Chamack and Arshavin get on the bench ahead of the Ox who has proved he’s a threat with every opportunity?
I have to disagree, I thought City played well and were wasteful in front of goal in the opening stages of the game and after their goal.
We gave them too much space and too many chances, but somehow we managed to make a game out of it.
Well done to the lads.
Greta display from our lads they kept going and never lost faith!
I would never put AA for Walcott I’m sorry but in those dying minutes Walcott could of made the difference!
AA kept misplacing his passes and his shot spoke for itself!
Frustrating as it is now, I should also say FUCK YOU to Dowd for no awarding us a blatant penalty!
We are going to be midfield thin for Villa during the week Arteta and Song are suspended due to five yellows!
Up the Arse!
Very tight game against the Eurotrash! Still onwards and upwards! AW would help if you could get us another good finisher! But 5th 3 points from 4th with most of the first team in tact with most of the tough away games out the way before christmas, not the end of the push!l
More twists and turns to come, hopefully not at our expense!
Well done on the turn around season Arsenal! I love you Arsenal!
Snir: I agree with you re: AA but complimenting Gerv and Theo on their work rate? That should be the minimum expected from every player
A few vermycentimeter from nicking it!
A little bit more application in the final ball from the front 3 and no one including Citeh would resist us. So close yet still short. That’s the last thing missing. Attitude, defense and organization are spot on bar from our most expensive player as so common now.
This game may dent our title hopes but we’ll be the best team of the second half of the season.
@atg, bad as villa are, coqpong and ramsey should do ok. and with yossi on the bench. i worry more about our utterly depleted defense.
Geoff – I can’t complain about Gervinho and Theo because they tried and sometime you just can’t seem to handle your opponent. Theo had a tough time against Zabaleta and Gervinho had a tough time against Richards. But they constantly tried and did their defensive jobs so I can’t complain.
AA barely tried, running through the motions.
Arteta and Koscielny did not derserve to be on the losing side today.
But on chances created, you have to say they probably deserved to win.
We will play a lot worse on another day, and win.
Don’t know for you but defeats with this team don’t hurt as much as they used to during Wengerball 3. No regrets this time, they gave it all.
@Zico: I thought it was very balanced, we deserved to win as much as they did. Stats look very even too. They won’t be looking forward to the return game.
Yeah, I’d agree with that Matt.
Our day will come.
I meant ageee with 242 Matt in case you think I’m contradicting myself.
I think they had 3 clear chances to score plus hit the post. We never looked that dangerous in my opinion.
Geoff @ 226 or future Cap’n Jack bossing the middle of the park – and what with late signings etc we’re going to get better as the season goes on – imo – not sure citah and the rest will
ureds!
Zico – Disagree.
We both had great chances.
They had the Balottelli shot, the Agureo shot, the goal, the Nasri wasteful cross and Zabaleta’s shot to the post.
You had Ramsey (when he was fouled and should have got a pen), Gervinho, RvP (2nd half when Gervinho crossed it and Hart caught the low shot), RvP from Theo’s cross (it was Ramsey who was offside), TV, TV and AA who I don’t know how he kicks a ball.
You certainly deserved something out of this game.
Still physio’s doing reasonably well this season (not to tempt fate). But god willing we will be getting some key players back by Feb, LJW, Sag and Gibbs/Santos. Now starting to see an opening for a quality proven finisher, hopefully with prem experience. Demba Ba would be a good nick! *runs for cover* ๐
Hi mates. A really gutsy game from our lads. I thought we could have had 2 penalties from my vantage point. Two salient points made from you guys. #1 AA has to go NOW. #2 Why not OX as backup? TV was a man’s man for me. I really admire him. Can’t put a price on his determination. Holic, I was hoping the lads could win this one for you, but there will be plenty of high fives soon enough.
Cheers!
Still a point would have been more deserved! Am I the only one who cannot stand the smugness of the City Manager?
You’re entitled to disagree Snir.
Still think they looked more likely to score than us – that said their keeper had two excellent saves.
We are not good enough front. If we want to get the better of teams like Utd and City, Robin needs more help than he is getting from the guys up front alongside him.
In my humble opinion. ๐
I’m with abb, me, her and ‘Holic are the staunchest supporters of AA23 in this bar but the Arshavin of ’09 and March ’11 never turned up today in such a vital game. What more could he want opportunity wise?
I bid you adieu from my heart Andrei Arshavin, may you find greener fields to ply your trade in Russia.
Zico – I’m not saying we were better, I’m just saying they got into good positions and got good chances, but so did we.
We should have gotten something from that match.
Not to mention Barry off, Aguero off, City players diving every time they see Song (that warrants a booking, doesn’t it?), and 2 blatant pens.
GC@ 250 Right with you on that. I also think it was pretty balanced. We looked dangerous enough. At least our team isn’t fueled by blood money.
Great effort from the lads, especially at 1-0 down(except from Arshavin)
We are a top four side but still a bit short IMO
Like when we are chasing a game we cannot bring on a guy like Arshavin
A striker/attacking player in January? Please Arsene
I thought Yossi could have come on instead of Arshavin
That was a handball and should have been a pen- Phil Dowd, you cunt!!
Gotta bounce back against Villa
V happy with effort today but we need game changers off the bench when u have arshavin and chamack coming on I jus have no confidence in them to get or to create a goal. Same with ramsey he doesn’t penetrate enough in the final third of the field and he looks v sluggish I can’t see where the goals are goin to come from if rvp doesn’t score. So for me podolski is a must in january he can play on the wing or in the middle and he knows how to score.
Evening Holics
Terrific game to watch notwithstanding the result. The sub of JD was the turning point , Kos lost his man and Balotelli was left unmarked in acres of space on the left, to set up the cross from which came Silva’s goal. Arteta who had raced back to mark Silva left him in the box for some reason, what a pity.
Our midfield lacked the strength and the power of Citys and after Song was booked he was much less effective and I would have brought on Frimpong at half-time.
We did create a number of chances and the 2 efforts from TV5 had me on my feet. Hart was brilliant in the City goal ,as was my man Szczesny and on another day the goal tally could have been in double figures.
On the debit side, Theo had an off day and our mid-field were not at their best. Gervinho is inconsistent and his decision making is questionable. It was just not RVP’s day, his goal was just off-side and Hart nullified the other’s efforts. All in all we deserved a point but unfortunately you don’t always get what you deserve, that’s life!
As always COYRs
Wind @ 252 Yes, gives me no pleasure to 2nd that but it is what it is. Time for a changing of the guard, so to speak. Can anyone offer a legitimate argument why OX shouldn’t be given a place, a chance for heaven’s sake? I won’t take the risk for injury (aka Jack) as an excuse. Arsene, his time has come, let the lad play!
Abb – AW will never take out AA from the squad when fit, he wouldn’t humiliate him like that, so we’ll just have to wait till January with the Ox with Gervinho out of the squad or AA getting sold.
One more thought from the peanut gallery and then I’m off to bed (work tonite). This would have been the perfect fixture for Santos as it was a very physical side we were up against. Que sera, sera!
Too true abb, too true.
But C’est la vie, life goes on, and it goes on to Villa away.
Reshufflle, re-organise and get back on track you rip-roaring reds ๐
Snir @ 259 Yes, I’m sure your’re right. That’s why I’m so bummed out. Plus Santos lost 0-4 to Barca. Double whammy for me, I’m afraid. Good nite all, our place in the sun is coming soon enough!
Wind @ 261 Luv you too! Now this little gooner is placing her head on her pillow, with sweet dreams of Arsenal winning the CL!
So, so, so frustrated right now. We deserved more. Phil Dowd can just go do one.
Just home from the pub, slightly drunk but incredibly frustrated (not just from the footie, work has a bit to do with it as well). Let’s make Villa pay for this on Wednesday and then we can all enjoy Xmas eve and day.
Will try and calm down now and start to back-drink. But before I go:
Fuck you, Phil Dowd.
And lester @ 246:
Great point re: Jackie boy, we look like a team and play with pride and passion. We’re short up front, if Gerv and Theo are slightly off their game we have no options. AA or Chamack are not options and have to go. The Ox is going to be a game changing player but Wenger is wrapping him in cotton wool. At least one forward is needed in January but overall we look a really strong team and I can see us pushing hard for a top 4 place. I’m amazed at how positive I feel after a defeat!
I have to say that even if we don’t get any silverware this season, I won’t be as bummed as I was for the last 6 seasons because I know that this team will give it their all, and even if we will experience an end of season collapse it won’t be for lack of trying.
Love this season’s team.
Geoff – It’s because this team leaves everything on the pitch. That’s what I meant in my @266.
Lars @264. You speak for me too. Word for word.
Question.
Arteta has 4 yellow cards with Arsenal and 1 yellow card (in the Carling Cup not EPL!) with Everton. Does that make him suspended for Villa or does he need to get 5 yellows with Arsenal?
Song is suspended for Villa.
http://www.thefa.com/thefa/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/Rules_Regs/FA_Handbook_2010-11.ashx/FA_Handbook_2010-11.pdf
Have a look at page #321.
I’m not too sure but from what I gathered, Arteta is suspended.
Excuse me, he’s got 3 bookings at Arsenal and 2 at Everton.
Arsenal: Swansea, Everton, Man City.
Everton: Blackburn, Sheffield Wed. (CC)
If both Song and Arteta are suspended I wouldn’t be surprised to see FrimCoq.
Loved the effort today.Hated the result.
Agree with Snir and felt we deserved something from the game but unfortunately we didnt get the ball past there keeper who had a good game. As did ours. Two best keepers in the league on show today and despite what they say about the LWC’s the two best footballing teams in the country too.
Fuck Pulis. Fuck Rddknapp (Snr). Fuck Dowd. Oh and did I mention Fuck Redknapp (Jnr)
Weird Snir, I’m pretty sure the thing on Sky showed ‘4’. So it doesn’t make sense. I reckon he’s eligible against Villa.
Not disputing your figures, mind, and Sky can get it wrong, but they’re not .con ๐
You’re spot in Snir and as fans that’s what we identify with!
wow, Snir you’re thorough!! Damn. You gotta be an accountant.
Club statistician Josh James just tweeted that both are suspended. I’m guessing they got the notice from the FA about it so can’t be wrong.
Wouldn’t be surprised if AW decides to start Ramsey and Frimcoq in midfield.
abb @ 263, not sure where I mixed the love in, but sweet CL dreams ๐
Snir, I’d rather think it will be Benayoun with either of Frimpong or Coquelin. Or even Benayoun and Rosicky.
And it does not matter what club you get your cards for, after five you are suspended. At least the rules used to be like that, can’t be arsed at the moment to check if it still is that way ๐
Also note that Song is suspended for two games since he’s already been suspended once this season.
Have calmed down quite a bit now. Still very proud of the boys and the effort they put in. I will never take any title won by ManCity seriously, bunch of lottery winners is all they are.
Fair do then, Snir @277. Sky are inaccurate, nothing new then, only have to listen to their pundits…
Lars are you sure?
Damn. I though that extra gale thing only kicked in if you had a second red of if you reached ten yellows or something.
Well, let’s win with or without Song then.
Lars – Don’t you think that’s a bit too offensive in an away match with both Ramsey and Yossi/Rosicky?
Also Ramsey and Rosicky doesn’t work. Early in the season they played together and we barely created chances.
Coquelin has some attacking abilities, he can do a job.
Are you sure he’s suspended for two matches? The first was a red, not 5 yellows. Does it matter?
Ollie, you get one extra game off for every time you have been suspended. Technically, you don’t actually get two matches after ten yellows, you get one plus one more for the suspension after five (and one for any red cards you have been given before).
Song will now have to avoid getting his tenth yellow until, I think, after the last weekend in March. If he gets his tenth after that he won’t be suspended, but if he does it’s three games.
Lars – Have a look at 330.
It has no mention of sendings off, just bookings.
Snir, it’s Villa – Benayoun can do what little defensive work will be needed if they play anywhere remotely like they have in the past few weeks.
And as my post@282 said, the reason for the suspension is irrelevant. One suspension == one more game the next time you are suspended.
page 330 in the link I posted @270
I was not very disturbed even when the game finished. We played quite good, with some exceptions we all know. Kos and Vermaelen are massive players, Scez too. Shame that Arshavin will just have to go, maybe we could bring Vela back from loan, maybe Bentner too. The problem though, is that I take a look at the table, and it aint great. What is more important is that Song and Arteta are both suspended as Snir mentioned, and we are so thin at the back that I just can’t beleive it. Let’s hope that we can beat Vila with half a team, then I guess Diaby and Gibbs are back from injuries, Song (my opinion is only one game ban) and Arteta from suspensions. Up the Arse!
@284 – I know, I’m just a little too cautious cause we CAN NOT lose any more points.
Snir, it would actually seem as if they have changed the rules. It used to be like this, but I can’t find anything in there about this still being the case. That one has gone completely under the radar for me.
Lars – I think you are right.
Have a look at page 331 section (g).
But if he is suspended for an additional match for his suspension, is it 4 matches since he was suspended for 3 matches or is it 2 matches because it was 3 matches for one action (the stamp on Barton)?
“Players dismissed from the Field of Play in a FTCM, having previously in the same season
been sent off in a FTCM (or suspended under the Standard Directions set out in Schedule
A in these Regulations for an incident in a FTCM), will be suspended for one extra match
for each such previous sending off or suspension, in addition to the automatic suspension
applicable to the dismissal.”
Snir, ah – there it is. How could I miss that bit?
So, two games it is then. And I was right from the start ๐
So is it 4 or 2?
Is it an additional game for every offense committed by the player or for every game?
Every offense = 2.
Every game = 4.
What do you think?
Meh! Gah! Pah!
I think we deserved something from this game for effort and application (e.g. a blatant penalty) but dem’s de breaks and most teams can complain about similar poor officiating this season.
I’m with zico, we’ll play worse on other days and still win, hopefully starting on Wednesday.
Overall, very proud of our performance but obviously disappointed with the result. If I remove my red&white-tinteds for a while, they probably shaded it. But they (the ADVs) have all become a mahoosive bunch of c*nts esp. their fans and that song about our beloved RVP. Let’s pray it’s only a song and will not happen.
Heard that the chinle$$ le$bo got the MoTM award???? Someone tell me that was utter bollix….
Looking forward to the next match. Wounds will be licked and clean by then ๐
Have a great evening all. Drinks on the bar for all those who wish to imbibe.
Kompany got Sky MoM, TS.
Wounds being licked here – have a difficult day at work tomorrow with that Man City tosser I was tellin’ you about ๐
Thanks for setting the record straight Dr.z
Try setting fire to him and then blaming spontaneous combustion of petrochemical substances?
New song that might ease the pain tomorrow by 5%:
We sell them our shit,
We sell them our shiiiit,
Citeh’s our dumping ground,
We sell them our shit
Snir: “will be suspended for one extra match for each such previous sending off or suspension, in addition to the automatic suspension applicable to the dismissal.”
As I said, one suspension == one extra match the next time you’re suspended. The number of games you’ve been suspended does not matter. In this case, five yellows is one game and his previous red card gives him one more.
zico, I feel your pain. But remember that you support a team with 125 years of class and dignity and he supports a team that no-one takes seriously anymore.
TS: haha, brilliant song ๐
Yeah you’re right guys.
I would have felt worse if we had played poorly but there was a lot to be happy about, especially when you consider the shape we were in the last time we were in Manchester.
The Happy Train lives!!
Where are all the lurkers???? OL????
Actually, just cannot be arsed this evening ๐
UTA!
zico: “I would have felt worse if we had played poorly but there was a lot to be happy about”
Very much so. This team is doing all I can ever ask of any Arsenal team – they are giving it their all for 90+ minutes. Well, maybe except for Arshavin who just doesn’t look like he can be arsed anymore. The way I see it we have absolutely nothing to lose by playing Oxlade-Chamberlain instead. We can not possibly get less out of him than we get from Arshavin.
This was easy!
2 in a row!
Up top!
Ooh, tempting to get the self-assist but I shall not…
Heh, missed it by a country mile ๐
Curses Oliva!
Outlurked, grumbles incomprehensible words…
Can Ox play on the left?
Even if he can’t, I’d prefer him on the left and not AA when Gervinho is at the ACN.
Wind, you lurky lurking lurk, I knew you were around:)
Lars,
Sightly off topic, I think we may be on the hunt for an LB and a striker in January.
The one thing that was a bit disappointing today (other than the result) was trying to impact the game by bringing AA & MC off the bench.
Twas a bold move by Le Boss, no doubt, but we lacked a little bit the depth of the squad . A double shame in that 12 months ago, they would have both been considered as really strong options to come on and win us the game.
“But at the moment we are short at the back and if Gervinho and Chamakh go to the Africa Cup of Nations we are short up front more than midfield”.
Knowing Wenger, is this the metaphor for buying striker, or bringing someone from loan, and I have a fealing that we may see Bartley and Vela in Arsenal colours in January.
Snir: not sure that Arshavin plays worse than he used to, the difference is that the team as a whole stepped up big time on the effort and commitment and his lack of both really shows. Gervinho has to progress in his decision-making but the contrast with Arshavin is so stark it’s hard to stomach when the latter is on the pitch. If an offer from Zenith comes our way in February I don’t think the club will mull it over for too long. And he’s 30 so the Arsenal laws dictate him to undergo the ritual of Carrousel.
Too bad our Japanese pocket wonder kid is injured with still has lot too learn while Sanchez Watts is honing his skills at Wednesday. Meanwhile Yossi could do a job for us there.
Well in Oliva, you live up to your moniker ๐