Over Land And Sea, And Bolton
Jan 31st, 2012 by 'holic
Well, we don’t go to Leicester any more, do we? We need to freshen our songs up, much as we needed to freshen the squad up in January. We have some impressive ‘like a new signing‘s coming back, but as I start this preview the only new blood is destined to pep our our ailing reserves by the look of it. Still, let me offer a warm ‘holic welcome to Thomas Eisfeld from Dortmund who has slotted in like a modern day Alberto Mendez.
The new month will start with us up north on a very Eisy feld indeed. Bolton, on a Wednesday night in sub-zero temperature, will tell us a great deal about the desire and fabled ‘mental strength’ of our side. It is the final visit to the pie-munching trilogy after we scored four at Wigan and conceded four at Blackburn. It is a game that on paper should yield a result, but sometimes the paper can be torn up under such circumstances.
I have to say if all that sounds a little gloomy it isn’t meant to. I’m just preparing an escape route should we run into a dead-end. The events of Sunday should have raised the feel-good factor and the likely return of Bacary Sagna and Mikel Arteta, two ‘like a new signing‘s, should add to that level of confidence. Kieran Gibbs started training again today and hopefully will be available to swell that number of nearly-new faces by Saturday.
Before I check on the Bolton news I shall dive into the latest deadline day speculation. The latest news centres around Northampton Town, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, and Watford. With five Premiership games kicking off it is looking unlikely there will be any further movement for us before eleven, but we shall see.
Now the main Bolton news concerns a new signing who cannot make his Trotters debut against us. Following on from Jack Wilshere’s spell at the Reebok a couple of years back, we have loaned Ryo Myaichi to our next opponents. That should be a good move for him, as they will surely be able to give him more games than we can at the moment, being behind Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the pecking order. A relegation battle was the making of Jack, and hopefully Ryo will toughen up over the coming four months.
The home side may even benefit from the loss of Cahill to Chelsea. He spent the first half of the season looking like a player who had his eyes on being elsewhere. The Coyle effect seems to be growing as they recover from a diastrous start. The agricultural Robinson and Kevin Davies are likely to start on what will be a very cold bench indeed. In January Bolton got out of the bottom three by defeating both Merseyside clubs and advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup by beating the impressive Swansea at the weekend.
We have turned the tables on them to a degree, by becoming their bogey club in recent seasons, but lest we forget the one stain on that formbook came in this corresponding fixture last season, when our fading title challenge was effectively ended by a last minute Cohen header.
Before I reveal the destination of the ‘holic pound I’ll just double check there is no unexpected transfer news to bring you. Grimsby have signed someone from Hayes and Yeading, and York have signed someone from Sheffield United. It looks as though Harrods has shut for the night leaving the footballing equivalent of Aldi and Lidl to snaffle what trade is about.
So, the all important nugget. A potentially tight and dour battle is looming, but I have to fancy us to win it. It’s part of the job description. I fancy us for maybe 0-2, and you will need to shop around for 8′s or 9′s against that. I’ll have a little back up with Gunners Gaming on a draw at half-time with us winning in the second-half at 7/2.
To those hardy souls making the trip, wrap up warm and take the large hip flask with you. I think you’ll be doing a lot of jumping, clapping and singing just to keep warm. For once, I am not all that jealous being an old fella with thin blood! For the rest of you, good luck with that stream hunt. I’ll have a battery of machines up hunting down the action here.
Take care ‘holics.
293 Responses to “Over Land And Sea, And Bolton”
Arsenal News 24/7
Any beer?
Now to read.
OK, I’ll get them in then.
Guinness for you and me, Holic.
I agree, it will be interesting to see what side of Arsenal turn up tomorrow night – an energised performance from the off, like we put on at the start of the second half on Sunday is required, and for 90 minutes. If we could deliver that on a consistent basis, I would be very confident for what is left to play for.
The big question is, will Owen Coyle wear shorts tomorrow night. We’re made of stern stuff up here, you know.
Leave it out boys.
I’m Spartacus. And so’s my sister.
Heh, Spartacus,
I’m going to hazard a guess and suggest you’re not Spartacus, you’re a very naughty boy. Or Dr C.
Funny thing is zico it is going to be warmer in Bolton than down here in the south west tomorrow night. Good job we’re not playing Plymouth!
Make that three of the balck stuff. It will brilliant to have the spaniard back in the middle. Also I imagine AA will get a start as Arsene tries to restore some of his confidence in an environment that is less hostile towards him then the Emirates.
* black stuff
* than
Apologies…
Holic
I’m scared of Dr Z and his mysterious powers….. ;(
Interesting point, Bearded. On reflection you may have a point there.
Dr Z is all-seeing, Mr C.
Cheers for the heads up Dr Z – busy fighting off the Roman cohorts in the last drinks
Nice post Holic . Alberto Mendez eh ! Good player , looked good in The League Cup for a couple of games and then sunk without trace . Think he suffered a bad injury , but might be wrong .
Hope that that dunderhead Davies isn’t around to maim anyone tomorrow .
3-0 to the Arse tomorrow .
Beers all round .
As a southern softie , it is my deeply held belief that managers should be banned from wearing shorts .
When the real Spartacus shows up, it will be like a new signing.
Whoops , 11 was me . As I said I was busy proclaiming that I wasn’t Spartacus in the last drinks .
Just picking up the slack, whilst our resident Seer sits his exam
Can’t believe we didn’t sign that cunt from Hayes & Yeading, whoever he was
I can’t believe I actually went back to confirm my suspicion that TaBS was A Coward! A very slow night….
Good news – I was right.
Bad news – you outed yourself before my moment of insightfulness and general all round genius.
Curses.
Heh
Who’s “outed” themselves ?
Seriously DrZ, I typed 3 sentences….. how did you do it??
Impressive.
Catalan, since I’m Spartacus, I knew it couldn’t be you
Funny how your mind can play tricks. However, the only players to get clubbed with serious injuries in the Bolton v Arsenal fixture in recent years have been Bolton players! Ivan Campo broken foot being the most serious but Mark Davies was brutally attacked by your ex skipper Gallas 2 years ago. Also, how on earth is old “sharp elbows” Van Persie cleared to play tomorrow after that thuggish attack against Villa?
Give over Geoff, your Mr Davies would have been ashamed by RVP’s “sheiilding”. Don’t buy into the Meeja lies….
Say what you want about Willie boy, though….
But Geoff – why even bring it up??
Was there anything said in the Blog against Bolton???
Kevin Davies is to football what Iain Dowie is to the catwalk…..
Fighting talk Geoff
Didn’t think there was much wrong with RVP’s challenge at the weekend . The Villa player went in very low , the elbows weren’t raised particularly .
As for injuries , Diaby (who else?) got done at the Ems a couple of seasons back against Bolton .
Feel they are much improved in that regard since Coyle took over though .
Chelsea nick a point in the last min of injury time . Bollocks !
I think we can safely assume Geoff is not our Geoff. Welcome nonetheless old son. Pull up a chair and munch on your five a day meat and potato pies with us…
I am happy about Ryo going to Bolton – He will get additional education in the rough & tumble of the real world of football. I happen to like Owen Coyle and would love if he was the assistant of Le Boss at the Arsenal – as long there wasn’t a chance of him eventually take over that is…
* grabs my coat a runs out of the bar *
What two Geoffs??!!! wtf…
GoonerTerry, @ 28
Never trust a tee-total Scotsman
By the way Geoff, talking of selective memory, the last bad tackle in this fixture was effectively a career-ender.
Remember this cunt?
Zico @ 20, now I did NOT see that coming
‘Holic @ 331, that clip shows up hypocrisy at its max from Wandering Geoff, I’m sorry, but I had to say it.
That clip @ 31*
Getting ahead of myself I see
Oh yeah, many thanks ‘Holic, a certain soft squishy (easy lads
) ‘package’ with my name on it was lying on my sitting room tableunder a few letters when I got in, because its deadline day I haven’t opened it but come 11pm, its on 
Jesus that table does not look good viewing tonight a must win tomorrow I feel
Excellent, Wind.
Post a pic
13 points behind the LWC’s and no signings hope that gamble pays off
How is it possible we haven’t released anyone?
Who do you think won’t be registered?
Win the next four league games and that gap will be halved with two months to go. And the lack of signings is not a gamble, it’s an inevitability of the January transfer window.
Snir @ 38: Doesn’t the new signing replace Ryo?
Doesn’t look like we’ll be bringing anyone else in, we’ll be making do with who’ve we’ve got then…
Evening ‘Holic & ‘Holics.
*Checks News Now…. nothing*
Yes, welcome our Young F*cking German, hope to see you in the first XI sometime soon and try to keep yourself out of that impressive medical facility at LC.
*Checks SSN…. nothing*
And to echo ‘Holic again, good luck to TTF tomorrow. Layers of thermals and regular swigs from the hipflask sounds like sensible advice to me
*Checks Arseblog News Live…. nothing*
So, will the inimitable regular ‘And Lester’ now become ‘And Bolton’? Have to say I prefer the original
*Checks Twitter…. nothing*
Best of Japanese to young Ryo. If Owen can do to you what he did to Jack (easy Clive), then I can’t wait to see you back at the HoF.
*Checks BBC Football Gossip…. nothing*
A round of drinks please Mr.Barman for all in the bar. I’ll have a warming single malt. Cheers all!
Football isn’t like real life – you can’t just go out and buy something new to make yourself feel better! Trust Wenger, its better than sitting there driving yourself crazy…
Hello Austrian @ #37. Suggest you forget about the LWCs for now and rejoice in the fact that the team placed fourth dropped another 2 points tonight.
If we win tomorrow and Saturday, we’ll be level on points before the mob from The Bus Stop entertain Yanited who, I think, are now looking good for The League with b*gger all else to distract them.
Maureen to replace The Pink Panther anyone?
I know it sounds stupid to be cheering on their equally hideous rivals, but I really hope City wind up winning nothing this year. Whatever happens with us, City falling to pieces and being trophyless would give me a laugh at least.
Have to say, just saw a glimpse of the old Nasri on MotD, Thunderbolt against the crossbar against Everton, but then I saw the current Na$ri blast it into row J, must of had money on the brain in the 2nd half.
And
at the fan who chained himself to the goalpost at Goodison Park, that’s a lifetime ban and a court date methinks.
+, that was one fat deflection on Gibson’s shot, Shaft must of turned his head for a quick second
No. Ryo is under 21 and therefore not part of the 17 non-hg over 21 players.
Ooh aah Thomas Eidfeld.19, no one had heard of him, bags and bags of potential, no.first team experience. Why, because he has been injured. Oh yes, he is so tailor made for us that he has Arsenal tattooed on his arse.
I just hope and pray that RVP and Woj stay fit. The potential ramifications scare me shittless.
Tomorrow is one of many must win games. End of really.
Come on TS. Cheer me up with some music. Let’s have a mini modfest.
Free the Hleb 13.
Wrong way around.. anyone want him?
Evening folks. A sneaky back drink reveals some top work from all the usual suspects — thank you all for a laugh or two on an otherwise throughly dull Taxreturn Deadline Day.
Any other news then? No? Oh…
I’ll get back to digging out some Arctic Training gear for the trip north tomorrow then *shivers*
A round of nice heartwarming Jagerbombs is in order I think
Jagerbombs?
Yes please. 2!
Snowy,
Wear your rugger shorts
Good man, snowy.
Have a great trip.
Interesting that Goal.com reported that or new boy Thomas wished to leave Dortmund because he was behind certain players in the pecking order. The last player of those listed is Mustafa Amini who is currently on loan to the Central Coast Mariners * a bourbon and cola to whoever works out which league they reside in*
As I get to see Mustafa week in and week out it does not bode well for young Thomas’ future if indeed that was his reason for leaving!
Anyway hoping that we beat Bolton and close the gap on Chelski. As per usual a great post ‘Holic and well done in putting Geoff back in his box.
@Brendan: I read that’s because he got long injury spells and lost his top spot.
@Steve T: Every game is a must-win game indeed. That’s the mentality that got the team out of the slump at the start of the season and hopefully they’ll get back into it starting tomorrow.
Citeh’s loss at Everton is bad news. First for Mancini who’s about to learn why being level with United in the second half of the season is not a position you want to be in to win the title. And then for everyone when Mourinho will take over and be given the 200M he “needs” to make the squad competitive.
I’m saddened to see Moneky Boy was devestating against Wigan today.
Matt. Agree 100% re Mourinho going to Citeh. I will be surprised if the deal is not already as good as done.
‘holic @ 54 – thank you Guvnor – I will do my best
zico @ 53 – rugger shorts? Those were hung up for good after the ‘incident’ that occasioned my exit from professional Rugby League and subsequent relocation and entry into a witness protection programme. But that’s a story for another day clearly…
*shivers again and agrees with Dr Disorder that two Jagerbombs represents the only way forward on the ‘shorts’ front at this time of year…*
I’m still waiting to see who will be missing from tomorrow’s list…
Well the won’t be any new additions Snir. That is for sure.
Brendan, Do the Central Coast Mariners play in the Australian League?
Re: TS @42, A warming single malt sounds like just the thing. Don’t mind if I do the same.
Re: Dr. Z @24: That is harsh!
‘holic, Here’s to the large hip flask and the intrepid punt on the 0-2. May it come true and may Mertesacker, Koscielny, Song and company do all it takes to preserve that all-important clean sheet. Up the arse. Ahem, I mean Arse.
Steve – It has nothing to do with new additions…
We had to release one player to make room for TH.
& 58, Steve T
If Mourinho to Ci eh is indeed a done deal, we might as well put a cheeky bid in for Balotelli. Being born an Inter fan, I know those two bear differences (and similarities) that make the possibility of working together seem a bit difficult.
Cin-cin
Behind The Eight Ball spot on. The kid has talent but surely our new German boy should be better than him injury or not.
Bourbon and cola at the bar for u
For FUCKS’ SAKE!!!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2094673/Jack-Wilshere-injured-season.html
Trev, CG – How can a person suffer an additional stress fracture on his ankle if he hasn’t put much pressure on it (i.e full training)??
Yes, now I AM asking about Jack…
Just a lucky guess, Brendan, although we do get some A-league games on our local cable package if you are willing to stay up until 3 in the morning, so maybe one of the adverts stuck in my memory. Cheers!
Why is it a “disaster” for LJW to miss the second half of the season if it wasn’t a disaster for him to miss the first half? By that I mean, we should be able to secure a CL berth without him if other things go our way. The important thing is he gets better and is able to play next season.
I have to say that first it sounds weird to me that he suffered an additional stress fracture from light training only (the only pressure he put on the ankle, the other was on the anti-gravity treadmill which doesn’t put pressure on the ankle…).
2 stress fractures on the same ankle when the second stress fracture was caused by light training only is quite scary to me…
That sounds like a Diaby like ankle to me…
I’m officially worried…
Why haven’t we signed this guy yet? I figure he can do this at least once every other game. Also, who decided to call this a scorpion kick??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSkT6eGEcsY
SG@73: it is possible. Either compensating for the first stress fracture could have changed his footfall so putting is ankle under unfamiliar stress, or he could have been doing too much too soon – not inconceivable given his desire to start playing again. Worse thing would be rushing back for the Euros and then breaking down again there.
NBN – I get what you’re saying, but what kind of pressure did he put on the ankle?
I mean, he was either in the gym lifting weights or on the anti-gravity treadmill which is supposed to negate the whole pressure on ankle thing…
When he wasn’t rehabbing he had a boot on so minimal pressure was exerted on the ankle…
SG@76: hard to answer you without knowing exactly where the second fracture has occurred, and whether it is an old problem deactivated or something completely new.
Oops …old problem REactivated..
So is Eisfeld insurance cover in case Wilshere turns out to be stricken with the Diabys or Ramsey idoesn’t turn out as hoped, or just someone bought for £450,000 who will be turned into a £20 million sale in three years time?
@NBN
I wish what happened with Diaby’s career is never repeated with anyone else, let alone LJW. And I do believe Ramsey will be a proper legend, people forget quite easily this is like his breakthrough season. Sure he has to iron out some stuff but he is only 20!!
Eisfeld is one of those cheap punts that AW loves so much, you never know if he’ll turn out to be the next Cesc (highly improbable) or the next Wellington. Although it looks as if his last gamble ,Joel Campbell, might work.
SS@80: I am a great fan of Ramsey. I have said in earlier drinks that he is similar to Ray Parlour in that it may take a lot of people a long time to realize quite how good he is. I’ve also mentioned that if he was scoring goals we would unquestionably be saying that this was his breakthrough season. Fingers crossed for Jack. We all want a long and healthy career for him as an Arsenal great. Campbell has promise, no doubt.
Agree 100% regarding Ramsey.
But am shit scared about LJW’s ankle. Is it confirmed that the setback is a stress fracture?
Question for the bar: are any of the top Premiership sides significantly stronger post-transfer window, in terms of the rest of this season anyway? Saha gives the Spuds some extra squad depth but the sale of Pavlyuchenko makes that a wash. Man City, too, get some midfield cover with Pizarro, but Chelsea and ManU bought for the future, much as we did with Eisfeld. To my mind, our relative position hasn’t really slipped. If anyone was a big winner, it was QPR, but somehow if we had signed Zamora or Djibril Cisse I don’t think I would have been been turning cartwheels and saying our striker problems were solved.
No official word on Jack that I’ve seen. His last tweet, on the 27th, said he had had a setback but didn’t know how bad. The PL injuries list has him down as ‘no return date’.
Btw, ManU really are a load of old crocks. Thirteen playerson the injury list, including first wo choice keepers.
http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
I would guess that spuds are the most strengthened team (relatively) after the transfer window. Saha is much better that Pav as a backup and they also bought that despicable Ryan Nelsen, who will also be an OK squad player to have.
But it seems as if all the top 6 teams have kept faith in their original season squad this post winter season.
ManU do seem to have an awful number of players injured, only regret is that total number of long term injuries is few.
As for LJW i would rather have him sit out his whole season than make a comeback late in the season. You never know he might get picked for the Euro.
this* whole season
Great post as always, Holic.
Work will keep me occupied for most of the day and I need to be off rather sharpish so no time for a long drink. Will say though that until I hear official confirmation I take the LJW injury scare to be bollocks in the hope that it is.
Great work by all the usual suspects in the last hours of the transfer deadline malarky, and welcome back Top Man Snowy – we’ve seen far too little of you these past few weeks!
Right, time to down the last of my morning tea and then bugger off to work. Up the Arse!
Heh, Top Man Snowy @ 59
Not so Heh at Wilshere rumour – are we cursed, or what?
Cheers for Post ‘holic. The Wilshere ‘story’ has yet to be confirmed anywhere outside of the Daily Nazi.
Fair enough Esso,
it’s just that of all the rumours that surround Arsenal, it usually turns out that it’s the negative rumours have any substance to them…..
Alright, so I just panicked Tweeted to Ian Wright about Jack, he responded saying he’s going to the golf. Good sign hopefully…
Snir,
This may sound weird but i hope he is out for the season there is no point now rushing him back as the chances are he will break down again – Cannot see the point in him pushing himself to make at most 5-10 apperances, The best thing for us and him is a complete recovery followed by a full pre season, Strange this news leaks out the day after the Transfer window closes has echos of the summer all over it
3-1 The arsenal tonight, Poxy Wolves let me down for a 7 team Both teams to score acca last night that would have certainly warmed the cockles oh well always tonights games
NBN
Do you, perhaps, belong in the Quackery??
We could do with a few extra hands the way this season is going – I fear that the passengers will soon be needing sedation.
Hey Wind, is “going to the golf” some kind of Wrighty euphemism? I burst out laughing in my office reading that and coming up with possible meanings…
#brassmonkeys
So front-page news of today is that we signed noone, but we’ve got 2 LANS.
New signings, eh? Who needs ‘em when you’ve got half the backline waiting to get out of the infirmary!
Oh well, might as well play a bit of keepy-uppy just outside the D…
Right foot, right foot, left knee, right knee, balance on the forehead, roll it to the neck, flick it up, catch it between the knees, remove shorts, left foot, put shorts back on…
Knocks it up the air, winds up the right peg as it drops annndddd…..
GOOAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wheels away in delight, lifting up his jersey to reveal his muffin top.
Sad news about Jack – I hope it is only a rumour, but perhaps there was just too much stress put on those young joints last year?
Chelsea are definitely wobbly (as are Citeh – Manchester, not Norwich) but Liverpool are putting together a few results now so we really need 3 points tonight. It is quite doable, we just need to play as we did in the second half against Villa – magnificent, and it proves that it is there, we must just produce it all the time.
Don’t worry about Ramsey, he will be great one day. He is strong, skilful and determined, he just lacks experience. Don’t forget he is a year behind in his development because of that ‘tackle’ (assault?)
Arteta and Sagna coming back will help and Gibbs isn’t far away now so things are looking up.
Ryo to Bolton is a good move, he will toughen up and gain valuable PL experience.
Did anyone else see JETs 2 goals for Ipswich last night, I hope we don’t live to regret letting him go. He might have just needed some more time – but he did look like a lazy so and so.
How did I miss this last night?
http://www.skybet.com/cms/breaking-transfer-news.shtm?name=Andrei+Arshavin
Not sure how many yellows that is Camberwell…
Ref, I plead lack of help!
I looked all over for an assister and there they all were, kicking their heels on the bench and smoking fags in the dugout…
Holic
YELLOWS.!!!
That;s a straight RED if ever i saw one.!!
You would never catch me doing something as naughty as that.
I’ve just counted them again because i didn’t believe it the first time.
5 Self assists.!!
That is serious misconduct.
Could lead to banishment from the Happy Train and at least a 5 match ban.
The last time i did 5 self assists,i was sore for a week.!!
Heh G2S @107!!!
The one thing about American Football I like is when the refs throw in the flags when there’s a foul…..
I believe there would have been more flags flying through the air in that Camberwell move than in the whole Super Bowl (Shredded Wheat).
‘holic – never mind yellows and reds – is it time that Camberwell was added to Mornington Crescent – oh
Morning All
Messrs. T & C – Would you be willing to profer further professional opinion on what is likley to be going on with Young Jack’s leg? I’m not one bit surprised by the news but I am disappointed for him and for the club. Can a second stress fracture just suddenly appear? Is it possible that The Club knew little about it until yesterday? The news of a ‘setback’ has been with us for a couple of weeks or so….
It also strikes me that the timing of the release of this news from the meeja i.e. within an hour of the TW clsoing, is aimed at whipping up further discontent amongst disgruntled Gooners.
Get well soon Jack, see you next season???
Oh dear…relegated to checking tickets for the HT on the platform!
SlaSh @ #85 – Good point, I thought, re: JW and The Euros.
Camberwell – Sorry, but that’s a straight red for me too. Nice ball control though
Norfolk @ #102 – Re: JET. A mate of mine is a Tractor Boy. I keep asking him how JET’s getting on and he always replies that he hasn’t played all that much this season. I hope JET has turned the corner and realises his potential. He clearly didn’t have the right ‘mental qualities’ to feature in a Wengerball Team.
Dr.z – Morning! Are we cursed or blessed? I’m in a half-full mood this morning. Maybe Tommy Gun will prove to be another Arsene gem and as NBN said we’ll sell him on for 10s of millions in a few years? As for this season, we’re just gonna have to make do with what we’ve got and try and push on for a top 4 slot. Will be really tough but we have enough talent to do it. Chel$ki looking a bit average (esp. in defence) but Liverpool seem to have hit a decent run of form and they’re scoring lots of goals, even Carr-lol!
Snowy – Safe trip young man. Thermal rugby shorts and woolly hipflasks all round but please, not hats with bobbles or ears. Hope the boys produce a performance that will make the trip home seem entirely worth it.
Laters all…
Morning All ,
Bad news indeed re Jack if true .
Snir , I thought AW said at his pressie last week that he did it whilst running . Whether this was on one of those anti-gravity thingies , I have no idea , but I took it to mean normal running .
On this occasion I think talk of media conspiracies is wide of the mark . The setback occurred last week , JW was due to have a scan on Friday . The media will no doubt speculate on the results of that scan . Whether that speculation turns out to be true or bullsh*t remains to be seen . Given that we have not heard from LW himself , I fear the worst .
@100 – I think the dark art of self-assisting should now be known as “doing a Camberwell” .
Snowy @various – Welcome back . Give ‘em a cheer for us . Methinks that tonight some thermal speedoes would be wise Dear Boy .
Goody 2 Shoes @107 – Heh
TS
I’m sure Mr T has more experience than me, but I’d be surprised if all the meeja held back en masse if they had the news before.
More likely (if true) that the scan results weren’t known until yesterday. Or the club held back in case that made any purchases (ha!) they made more expensive…
Who knows.
But I’m with those that say it;s maybe for the best – better he doesn’t come back for a few games and then break down in the Euros…
LW = JW above
In my defence, Master Wind had actually succeeded in administering therapy in that department and will vouch my progress therein. I guess the leopard never changes his spots.
And to be immortalised in an idiomatic expression – I’m honoured!
The big question is (apart from will Coyle wear shorts?) :
Does Camberwell Green have the correct credentials to examine tickets for the Happy Train.
A board meeting will need to be held.
Saturday?
Count me in Dr Z .
I don’t want to pre-judge the result of any Board discussion , but I have to say my feeling at this point is that Camberwell will have to work his way up to the position of Ticket Collector .
It’s not as if he hasn’t been warned before . I reckon a stint as pet-feeder and Clive’s Butler might concentrate the mind !
Heh, I actually liked the self-assisted wonder goal Camberwell!
Don’t mind the red
Dr.C, tabs – My wording may not have been the best. I wasn’t suggesting a conspiracy per se. Just the timing of the first, as yet unsubstantiated, story of Jack (allegedly) being out for the season was so close to the closing of the TW. Anyway, fingers crossed this won’t prove to be the case.
Dr.z – Edwin cannot attend a board meeting on Saturday but he has asked me to say that Camberwell should be more than up to the job especially when provided with the ‘Do-The-Job-Right Suit’ that goes with the position. Basically, it’s a self-charging uniform, with lightweight, high voltage batteries that connect directly to ‘the Speedo region’ and discharge should the built in wireless camera and on-board AI detect inappropriate, ticket related activities. No…. I don’t know what the f*ck he’s going on about either.
A morning round for you all courtesy of the Scandinavian Tab.
Well as far as rumors go…
Somehow they are always right when it comes to injuries and always wrong when it comes to transfers
This seems like a reasonable summary of the situation:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9053844/Arsenal-hopeful-Jack-Wilshere-will-play-again-this-season-following-confirmation-of-second-ankle-fracture.html
How shit is the new BBC website design???
Answer – very.
All I’ll say in my defence is that when you’re out there on your own on the training pitch and there’s noone around to put it on a plate for you, and you’re pulling off the kind of moves that only go right when you’re alone…
…the ONLY option is to do a Camberwell!
* “…… and you’re pulling off the kind of moves that only go right when you’re alone…”*
Have you and Clive been sharing notes???
Re: Arshavin to Barcelona story, two possible angles: 1) Happy bench-sitting Andrei; and 2) Guardiola is losing the plot. Assuming the story is true, that is.
Customer happy = Ollie happy.
The rest of the week is more or less free of definite work commitments, so it should be relatively quiet.
Afternoon all.
@84 NBN
Did you note, the team with the lowest injury count is Citeh with a grand total of zero injuries.
Guess that can only happen when your squad budget exceeds the GDP of Somalia.
Checking the monetary figures in the Arshavin story, it’s got to be a hoax, right??
tabs @ 118 – nail on head. A stint of Butlering for the Sweeper is the least he can expect.
Camberwell, from last night’s drinks – how did you enjoy eating your hat? Digestive system ok this morning?
Professor @ 120 – now you tell us. Why could you not have told me about the Do the Job – Right Back Suit, sooner? Then we would have been saved the agony of DJ against United….
Snir @ 121 – my conclusion also.
Right got to go – I’ve an agenda to prepare
G2S @ 107, heh. Lack of feeling in the nether regions methinks.
tabs @ 113, doing a camberwell eh? Tis a shame
Relating to 116! I must take responsibility for Camberwell’s relapse, the therapy was on going, I took the pedal of the gas a bit, I thought his mental strength would be strong enough, it wasn’t. He must of underwent some sort of ‘stress’ I hadn’t seen, maybe a slight fracture of his mental state, ill-regardless of ball control and skills.
I should of been there along him as his therapist/strike partner to help bustle the ball into the goal *bows head in shame and curses Mac Computer Network at College*
I propose a 3 game period of intense assisting in a support play, and. a 4 match-day stint of checking HT train tickets, with the 1st week being a training period.
@ 8ball 129
It’s a wind up to promote Sky bet.
Look at the right hand side of the page. Drop any name you like in there and it’ll produce the “to Barca” story.
Thought it might make a nice change to hear about the Catalans coming in for a player we actually want rid of!
Right, so what’s the starting line up for tonight fellas?
Ox to start? Sagna to start?
I think Arsene might go with
Szcz
Coq Per Kos TV5
Song Arteta
Ramsey
Walcott RVP Arshavin(Ox?)
Ox will be on the bench no doubt, I’d be worried for Wenger’s Mental State if he started him in such a potentially rough away game, Arshavin for a confidence boosting start
Why would an Arsenal rightback want to wear a ticket collector’s uniform?
Would shorts and a football jersey not be more appropriate?
See, I’m so remorseful about Camberwell’s regression that I’ve gone an done one – by picking up my Dry Cleaning from the corner of the Green
Atoned, I have! *looks hungrily at Chicken Wings in hand*
Professor,
You’re starting to lose your grasp on the surreal world of DL Ltd.
Have you been for your annual competency appraisal?
I leave the bar for one second and Camberwell is playing in the field by himself like Tevez for the past few months. A goal’s a goal though, hope you come back fresh after your ban
CG@123: seems you are far from alone in disliking the BBC Sport web site’s makeover. See the comments on the editor’s blog http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2012/02/changes_to_the_bbc_sport_websi.html#more
Mr C@93: the real question would be, on which side?
CG@95-101: I never thought you were that kind of player…
IMB@128: I did check the bottom of the injuries table out of curiosity. May be luck, may be money, allowing more rotation without diminishing quality. Anyone have access to stats of playing time for individual players so comparisons can be made?
CoR@138: CG was playing with himself? And that early in the day…
You can’t beat an early morning livener Ned , or should I say , you most definitely can beat it !!
Due at the juicer tonight to watch the all-conquering Gunners , but am a tad concerned . I will of course be wearing my “Kevin Davies is a c*nt” speedoes together with matching Jimmy Choos . I fear however that I will need to strap a hot water bottle around my midriff to keep out the cold .
Will this make me look silly ?
hehe, yeah…to be fair though, if I were in the bar by myself I would wreak havoc. Lucky everytime I get here there’s always a llama in the corner with a sick pup licking the window in the other corner
That Bbc Sports website is complete and utter gash on a smart phone. Navigation? Like fuck
@141: Only if the water bottle actually has water in it
NBN @139
Left side, right side, it’s all the same to me.
Re: Wolfgang/Ned, There was and probably still is a famous billboard in New Orleans outside a butcher’s, You Can’t Beat Wagner’s Meat. Apparently some people didn’t catch the reference but with you two I have a feeling that’s no problem.
Mr C: Tsk! Tsk!
CoR@142: I have no idea what that means. And if I did, I suspect it wouldn’t be a good thing.
New BBC website is indeed dreadful .
Other random thoughts of the day -
I see that the ‘Arry trial is not confined to dogs but to rabbits as well . A veritable menagerie of lies .
Plucked up the courage to read Penis Morgan’s tweets following sunday’s game . What a despicable odious cunt that man is .
Craig Bellamy states “When I play , I am completely chimp-orientated” . Not as much as Gareth , Craig , not as much as Gareth .
If only Pedro Le Cunt would undertake the same means of protest as that Everton chump last night . We could all line up to take flying kicks to his head . First one to knock him out wins a Balti pie .
It means the lurkers are all around us. They are everywhere.
bt8b@146: and only a dime more for the plus….
http://failfun.com/wp-content/uploads/gasstation.jpg
Zico – digestion working fine, but now I can’t find my beanie…
Catalan – I did kind of imply I wouldn’t try ‘those kind of moves’ in front of other people. I only ‘pull them off’ when I’m on my own.
Wind – I’ll make you proud again, just you wait.
CoR@149: I shall henceforth always be wary of lurking llamas…
NBN, that’s a wise decision
On a less cryptic note, what’s wrong with football according to FIFA? Not enough subs!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/feb/01/fifa-fourth-substitute-extra-time
On a lighter note if you haven’t seen it check out the video of Mo Farrah training with Arsenal on the official site. He’s oviously not a great football player but the comedy gold appears around the 1:47 mark. He’s going through passing drills with Miquel, Eastmond, and the new signing Eisfeld. At one point Eisfeld who clearly doesn’t know who Mo Farrah is turns to Miquel with a confused look on his face and Miquel has to point out to him that no in fact Mo is not part of the first team Arsenal squad. That does make you wonder what the perception of the squad is though given Eisfeld seemed to actually think he was an Arsenal player.
NBN – good work at various above.
snowy – safe trip, cheer ‘em on as ever old chap
Camberwell – man up fella ! Stop making excuses for the self assisting – take the card like a man, and tell everyone else to go and do one ! Especially on Fridays
TS – I sincerely hope you’re wrong about Eisfeld. I would be sorely pissed off if we had unearthed a Wilshere-esque gem in order to raise a few more million quid on him, just as he has been polished. Down Clive !!!
Let’s hope he is not another Amoury Bischoff PI – I assume the PI stood for Permanently Injured
No real comment to make on JW’s “other” stress fracture.
Is it confirmed yet?
I have no idea where abouts the injury is, if it is fact, and I have no idea what JW has been doing on it.
As NBN said, it is possible that it could be a compensation injury, or something caused by his gait in the protective boot that the foot was in for many weeks.
Not really worth speculating as just about everything is really unknown.
Maybe your balls can tell you something, Snir ??
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7472273/Benny-Assou-Ekkoto
After the agression on Bac (welcome back), does this utter cunt get away with it every fucking time?
And once more, the fact the the referee saw it at the tim would be completely irrelevant to the case in France….or in Belgium in fact.
The FA is still a bunch of coconuts.
(And no, RvP still wouldn’t have deserved retrospective action after review of the video evidence :p )
(time not tim, Little Dutch not involved)
Trev , confirmed by the Club , though he has not been ruled out for the season .
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wilshere-not-ruled-out-for-the-season
Hi Ollie , that Assou foul a bad one , as was the Malouda jump tackle in the Chelsea game . Rules are a joke .
Mr T
Jack has confirmed stress # in heel – different site to last one and “not as bad”.
Trev @ #155 – Yes, I hope I’m wrong too. It was just an illustrative example to say that I hope we’ve signed a really decent young talent (down Wolfie). Perhaps he’s the next ‘Corporal Jenkinson’ as opposed to the next Wilshere, buffed, polished, stroked or otherwise *passes The Sweeper a box of Kleenex*
Ollie @ #157 – Spot on! He’s a dirty c*nt. I think tabs will testify that there was a certain amount of deliberation when he shoved Sagna to the ground in that incident at The Sh*thole in October last year and that challenge on that Wigan player last night was just bloody horrible. BTW, ‘hate to admit it but Monkey Boy played a blinder last night. Look forward to seeing him in a Farca shirt next season *crosses opposable thumb and forefinger*
tabs @ #159 – Yup, if there was any consistency in refereeing, Malouda should have also seen red last night. Funny to see C*ntley get sent off though. Forgotten what a petulant little f*cker he is. Two poorly timed tackles. Great player that he is/was, I guess he’s just past his prime?
zico @ #137
Surrealism rules.
According to my melting clock, it’s not time for my appraisal.
Why is there a picture of a daisy chasing a towerblock in Dr.F’s office?
Yours, Edwin
*Goes for a lie-down in The Quackery and wonders why the attendant nurse is a man wearing white speedos and slingbacks*
Saw the following link on twatter which I think may be appreciated in here esp. by a certain crystal-balled one
http://www.bootifulgame.com/portfolio/january-transfer-window-horseshit/
Trev – fair enough mate… *takes cards and slinks off to the dressing room looking resentful*
TS , sad to say I still think Ashley Cole is a bloody good player , tragically .
Brilliant link @163 . 0% truth in TalkShite stories . Heh
Heh! Thought you might appreciate that tabs
TS @ 163: I noticed that our man TABs is over there in the comments too…He’s here, he’s there, he’s every – f*cking – where, Take – a – bow – son..
I was sorry to miss Snowy’s BIG send-off.
Snowy – sir – may your North-Western Mighty Arse plunder be plentiful, and the tales thereof be listened to and read in this bar with a slack-jawed mix of awe and Stevie Wonder – sooner than soonish. Dennis speed – Squire!
And so the big Qs that need an A:
As Dr. Z has posited above – Owen to the chilly climes – will the, most definitely, mortal Coyle shake-off the shorts, and go long (not balls, but trousers) like what a proper manager should???!!??
And will the Mighty Arse keep their game raised to the heights it soared to in those magnificent seven minutes last Sunday when they blew The Villains away??!?
Go On The GunnerS!!!!!!!!!
Excellent link TS!
@154 – Bearded Gooner – That was hilarious… I couldn’t stop laughing!!
Is Blackberry down again or do my e-mails just not reach my terminal?
Either way, I’m off.
Nearly forgot we had a game tonight, no idea if it’s on TV.
Let’s hope for great stuff!
So Eisfeld is Jacks replacement huh?
He has the stature of Ramsey, to me.
Let’s see if he is another Ramsey or a Bischoff!
RIGHT!!!!!!
CALLING ALL LOYAL – CUT ME And I BLEED RED – GOONAHS!!!
Seeing as it was the booing at half-time that won it last time out – I SAY this time let’s start booing the boys in the warm-up – no???.
OR better still – start it when the team gets announced over the tannoy. BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!YOU’RE FUKKIN’ SHITAH! AND WE KNOW YOU ARE” etc, etc.
Tough Love!!! Tell like it is!!!
“You’re shit and you know you are – until you go out there and prove me wrong”. That’s the exact same pep talk as I give my boy before he goes out there for one of his Little League games on a Sunday.
“Wipe away the tears and the snot and go out there and make Daddy grateful he’s spent all this time and money getting you here – you big bloody cry-baby!!!” I tell him.
Cor!!! You wanna see him get stuck in after that. Alright he gets sent off after 15 minutes in most games, but WHAT A 15 minutes!!!! He’s practically unplayable! If I could bottle it I’d go into that dressing and hit some members of our so-called team over the head with it!! It works – no question!!!
And if Arsene so-called Wenger hasn’t got the balls/guts/heart to do that sort of thing – THEN it’s up to us – THE LOYAL SUPPORTERS – to take on the mantlepeace and stoke them fires!!!
RIGHT!!! If I’m not very much mistaken – there was a legendary english lion, who once led donkeys into another great battle – Earl Barry Kitchener, of course, who once said – “Your country/club needs you … to boo!!!”
Now I might have added that last bit – but I LIKE TO THINK he’d have added it as well – if A) he was still around B) Was an Arsenal supporter AND C) A “More On The Pitch!!!” kind of a guy – like me!!!
Come on you lot – let’s hit our team right between the eyes with it – as soon as they appear – even if you’re indoors watching it on a shaky Rusky stream (some of the ads are a bit saucy – no?) like me
BBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Soooo are you with me or agin??!!??
I think I know the answer already!!!!!!!
Woj, Sagna (!!!!!!!), PM, Kos, TV, Song, Arteta (!!!!), Ramsey, Walcott, RvP, Ox (!!!)
I like this starting lineup a lot.
GT @167 – Heh ,
, felt the man deserved a pat on the back for his efforts in exposing the transfer window nonsense .
Leg
.
Right off to the juicer Chaps where the Landlord’s super super quality dish will no doubt pick up the game from somewhere in TV land .
Good luck everybody .
COME ON THE ARSENAL !!!!
Snir, I’m with you on that!
If we can’t win with this team (or at least, if we don’t, feel that we were very unlucky not to) I’ll not feel that confident heading into the final stretch of the season. That’s pretty much our best team as things stand, with only Santos or perhaps Gibbs missing.
I’m not saying we WILL win, it’s football, we might get robbed by luck, ref or whatever, but I really am looking forward to this at the moment.
I just had to take a look at what Amuary is up to nowadays. He’s in C.D Aves, in the second tier of Portuguese football. That’s todays useless fact from Toby.
Snir @170 – I am also impressed with Ingnasi’s communication skills despite the language barrier.
Holic @ 9 – Looks like I was wrong and AA is on the bench behind AOC and Theo. I like the move though to stay with the on form (in the last game at least) pair of wingers.
Toby @176 – Agree almost 100% with the exception that when he returns I think Flipper gets the nod over Theo in the biggest games. Hope Theo uses the emergence of AOC to push him to greater heights and we have a real selection headache/nice rotation between those three.
And of course COYR!!!
And Bolster/Leg
Quality work there AL.
I like the team today….. Ox starts again.
*must read what others have written before needlessly repeating it*
Evening chums.
Looks like there are a few stream options.
Feeling for the travelling Gooners. It’s bitter out there.
Surprised that Bac is starting.
Ramsey still not getting a rest? Surprised about that too.
Any streams worth a look?
Heh, might well be true Bearded. But they tend to frustrate and impress in equal measure both of them, so I guess we’ve got room for both of them depending on current form and the type of game we expect it to be.
Anyways, come on you reds!
Zico – http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
or
Firstrow.tv
Streams
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
Lets enjoy our team’s football once more!
Putting things into perspective -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16845841
Cheers, Streamers.
Any streakers? Just askin’…..
I am dearly hoping the game over at Bolton will be less violent than that, but after reading this I am not as sure:
“”He [Robin] is a great player, but you have to get stuck into them or they can hurt you,” said Wheater, who was sent-off in the reverse fixture at the Emirates.” – Wheater according to the Beeb.
BBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOing coyle’s shorts/legs
Sopcast 6816, excellent quality.
Working on Mac streams still.
Arteta makes us tic!
I have no earthly idea of how Ramsey hit the goal keeper there. Oh well. Hopefully he’ll put the next one away!
k
And I have no idea how the Ox missed that! Oh well, we’re getting closer! Come on you reds! Don’t let the heads drop just yet!
Mac
http://stream.footballp2p.net/
Owen Coyle – short-man syndrome?
Phil Thompson is a numpty
ChesAve!
Kos is having a mare.
Bitter’s not the word Holic:)
So is Walcott
How is it still 0-0?
How is it still 0-0?
Walcott supposed to be a striker but can’t do one on ones
Theo dear – shoulda scored!
We started brightly now there is chaos
Fucking cheats!
Referee is an absolute mug
Why are we playing backwards?
It’s now official, Walcott is not a striker.
One fewer yellow card for Vermaelen and one more for Song?
Both ‘holic pounds very much on the cards. Is Lady Luck finally going to bestow her favours? 0-0 at the half and 2-0 to us will bring me a very tidy tickle.
sadly no goal scorers in the side, If its not RVP then we are in trouble. Think of Pires Viera Lungberg Bergkamp fabregas all midfielders who could score.Now we have a drought from midfield Ramsey is extremly goal shy. Walcott forgot how to score one on one. Maybe he needs to play as a striker for a number of games to have that confidence.
Calm down lads, this is Arsenal. You’ll see.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOZE at half-time – why, why ever not!
Well, at least we are trying! Lot’s of chances created, quite good movement overall. One or two scary moments always seems to materialize no matter what defense you have, hopefully we have already had those now and can push on to win this, even if it is to be with a solitary lucky goal. Can’t really fault the effort. Hopefully Bolton will tire a bit towards the end of the end of the game and we can make our quail… eh, enormous amount of chances count.
I’m liking this Ox fellow.
Evening Holic and holics.
Been a while, been extreamly busy the last few weeks (more on that later)
Not a bad first half, we pretty much dominated proceedings, more of the same in the second with a little more composure in front of goal should give us the points.
Sagna looks comfortable enough on his return and the Ox is doing some good stuff.
Come on you reds!!!!!!!
Darn it! Like me the boys should be 2 or 3 to the good! Come on lads we need the pints – err, points!
UREDS!!!
And now the half time pundits are DEFENDING that cheating half-wit saying “he got out of the way of a tackle coming in” and that Vermaelen tricked him to fall being “very clever” in threatening to tackle and in the end not doing it.
Well, I guess TV should have two yellows then. One for the almost-tackle and one for evil plotting.
Holic
Im holding you to that
I’m struggling to think who is our second top scorer. Is it walcott or Vermaelen? if only we had a poacher
Toby – seriously???
AL – I’m at least one ahead of you
Henry on for Theo on 60 minutes at the latest – licence to interchange woth Ox and RVP as they want…
..Or maybe Ramsey off, Henry on, Ox / Henry into attacking midfield?
Another pint please….
Catalan, I wish I could tell you it was a joke.
But, he saw it as clever play in a positive way from Vermaelen, not as cheating. But apparently it wasn’t a dive.
God I need a drink.
Toby
Allow Lars to buy you one….
I’ve actually promised to buy HIM a drink the next time I see him, so that’s why I’m hiding from him at the moment.
Front row stream gone ….. sod it, I’ll drink and watch Arseblog live…
Not that I’m cheap, no siree, but Lars just isn’t made for GETTING drinks. He is made for buying them. As we all know.
Blimey
Just read about Egypt – in particular that the majority of deaths weren’t from building collapse etc, but from kniezes and head trauma.
Murder, then. 73, so far.
Fucking hell.
Wow, somenoe is having a long range shot for a change
what was that from Ramsey? have a shot mate!
Titi time!!!
Desperate need of Rosicky, Ramsey off
this ref is wind up
Not looking good so far dont wanna be negative but not good enough!
Bolton are on the up. we seem anxious of conceeding
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
we can’t deal with any aerial ball
We got the quality I feel. Really feels like a confidence issue. We treat every chance like a hot potato and we aren’t relaxed when it comes to finishing. And as the game goes on, we get more and more scared of conceding.
As do I, I must add…
Oh very dear.
I said that against Villa and we promptly scored 3….
OOoooo RvP.
Bolton are coming forward more. We seem nervous and rushing everything
Shambles!
Thank you Woj.
what a mess at the back
Bolton want to win this game. we don’t
i’ll take a point at the moment. no fight
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLOX!
OK first half, poor second.
Questions will be asked.
Do you remember when we scored for fun? Wasn’t so long ago….
Do you think we practice?
See you in a few days guys….
I really was happy (Enough. Keyword being “happy enough”) with our performance in the first half. Some rushed decisions and some nervousness but we dominated and had most of the chances. We just didn’t dare to play in the second half. It’s down to nerves, we can play better, we just need one bleeding goal two of these games in a row to start rebuilding that confidence.
We hit the woodwork twice, they probably should have had a penalty. The next game will be better, I am sure of it, but at the moment that hardly seems like any consolation.
Fuck it.
We tried hard but this team can play better so NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Walcott needs to sort himself out in a big way!
BTW Chris Foy is CUNT!
FFS. Have some composure in front of goal!
Apologies is A FUCKING CUNT!
I think the weekend just became a must win, if it wasn’t already.
Thank god Chelsea dropped points last night.
It almost feels like it would have been easier winning this had we gone a goal down early in the game. We are so afraid of conceding that goal so it almost feels like we just should get it out of the way and have something to play for. So we have to play. If the deed has already been done, there is nothing to hide from.
Fucking handbrake.
Oy vey Arsenal, Oy vey.
Well, the best that can be said of that is that we didn’t lose. But with the woodwork struck twice and countless chances spurned that is another two points thrown away that we can ill-afford to throw away. Scrapping with Liverpool and Newcastle now for 5th.
Though with 73 killed at a game in Egypt when fans ran riot, it puts it all into a different perspective.
I think we are fortunate not to lose this game. Bolton should’ve had a penalty. It is very clear we don’t have goal scorers. Ramsey is way behind Fabregas and Henry is not the answer. I feel sorry for him at times, he lost his pace but I give him credit for trying to help this bunch of goal shy players. Walcott will have to think about lowering his wage demands.
NBN @264 – with you on that totally.
Now I am going,,,,,
Now we’re gonna hafta smash the Scouse, the Magpies and the Chavs in quick sucession, while taking league points wherever we go.
)
Is 3rd still achieveable? Depends if Tottenham cockrel it up. (Tears me up inside to type those words.
4th is thankfully still in our own hands, we need to be in the UCL next season, and doing it by winning it this season would be a very high order indeed, lets hope it doesn’t get to the stage in this season where our progression in that tournament will be our only chance of qualifying for it.
NBN, I’d wish I’d read your 264 before I posted my 267.
I’m off, see you all tomorrow.
Just to offer my congrats to the wonderful away support, once again.
And my summary?
Too used to groundhog day now. You can’t blame the players for not being good enough. The fault is at a higher level, that Arsenal FC do not have good enough players to be able to beat Fulham Swansea and Bolton et al away from home.
The transfer window slams shut, with £60 or £70 million still firmly in the kitty.
Exactly where does the buck stop then?
It’s an honest question, not an Arsene out kneejerk.
Wind- i admire your optimism but 4th is going to be very hard to achieve i’m afraid. No one else is scoring
Ack, at least a clean sheet’s something :/
Holic if you manage to put some positive spin on this then it will be your best post ever and if this team get to 4th it will be a miracle, looking forward to winning the Champions League
Just to get it out of the way…
It was never ever a penalty.
MtS – I’m not sure our players aren’t good enough to beat these teams, they just don’t execute, it’s uncanny.
Kos and Song misplaced the simplest of passes today that it really is hard to explain what’s going on with this team.
And I haven’t even started to talk about the fact that our players (RvP excluded) get so nervous in front of goal as if the keeper is a naked woman and their WAG is about to open the door.
PS great away support again got my ticket for Milan away so looking forward to catching up with some. Not blaming Arsene but surely he is not being given the money to spend as the problem areas are all to see
I didn’t think it was a penalty either.
Looked to me like Woj got both hands on the ball.
Oh well. Never mind. Those plucky northern chaps are jolly good you know. And our chaps tried very hard, bless their little cottons. 15 still to play. Win all of those and who knows what will be. And let’s not forget, the team we will have in 4 years time will be world beaters.
Glass of red please. After all, its only a game.
Least we didn’t lose. The End
Snir @ 273 admire your optimism but the table doesn’t lie we are in 7th and it’s not 7th heaven
We are 7th in the league, i was banking on 3 pts today to keep that 4th spot alive, but i serious doubt we will finish in the top 4. 1 pt from the last PL games is not good enough. Walcott, Ramsey & Song had a poor game didn’t create nothing all through the match and those two misses in the first half shows we need to work on our finishing. So pissed off ATM, in the past 4 weeks we have thrown away any chance of finishing in the top 4. We are Arsenal we should not be looking at other teams to be dropping points……..
the core of the team is Ok but an extra finisher is needed badly. Why our midfilders can’t score? are the players banned from having a long rage shot. The entire game there was one shot from outside the box
MtS@269: I agree that we need players other than RvP to score goals, but did any club land a forward during the transfer window who would have improved us if we had we bought him instead? Saha or Zamora, perhaps, but at 33 and 31 respectively, neither would be the RvP long-term replacement if it came to it. Next best would probably have been Papiss Cisse, but he is another one who would scarcely set a Gooner’s pulse racing.
From the BBC site:
And here’s Owen Coyle, again this time on his side’s late penalty shout: “I don’t think it was a penalty”
Here is something positive to salvage from today’s game, doomsters: Sagna. Right side looked both more threatening at the front and more secure at the back with his return.
Fin@282: Maybe he was blinded by all that yellow on BBC Sport’s new site.
Actually, there was no way it was a penalty. Woj got his hands to the ball, which is why it went away from the goal.
Also, can the ref rescind Vermaelen’s yellow if he sees the lack of contact on replay?
Ned, no he can’t.
Another stupid rule that needs to be changed
Signing a decent striker is a bit catch 22 – you want someone decent, but also someone who’s happy not to play whe RVP is playing.
Hard to see for me on that stream. My first thought was “no penalty” but after a few reruns I changed my mind. Might well be wrong though. Think my stream had a resolution of 128×80 pixels…
We are still well in it for fourth. Both Liverpool and Chelsea ought to be dropping points and we could end the weekend just a couple of points back.
That said, it was another poor performance tonight.
If we don’t finish top four this season, having not spent in Jan, then the minimum I think we’re entitled to expect come summer is either (a) an explanation of why Wenger is not being given money to spend and when the purse strings will be loosened; or (b) if there really has been a war chest, some sort of explanation of why we’ve been so cautious with it even when the need for investment was staring us all in the face.
I’ll always back the team and manager, but if this season and next summer go as tits up as they’re capable of doing, then I think it will be time for the cards to be laid on the table.
Now fuck all that and can we please crack on to Saturday?
NBN@284: Heh, it’s too bright for me, but I am a grumpy bugger who doesn’t like change.
With apologies >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Fin.
Yet another reason to switch to a 442 formation. We just don’t seem to have the players to pull off the 433 anymore.
Fin- Coyle want to repair the damage he has done with his comment over Cahill transfer in the summer. he is getting Myachi on loan. it is debatable but some referees would give it.
NBN- There are good players available but at a price. Loic Remy would love to join Arsenal and he stated it in the past but Spurs are after him
NBN @ 283 Sagna did indeed have a wonderful game! And seeing the OX weave his magic gives me great hope, not in four years time, but now, this season. We will bounce back, I’d bet my life on it.