Class Tells At The End Of A Dark Day
Feb 12th, 2012 by 'holic
Surely it was not lost on anybody on a day when two classless cretins dragged the great game through the mud that one of the few truly worthy of the tag ‘legend’ bowed out of the Premiership with a moment of perfectly timed drama. Thierry Henry, it is not only your temporary team-mates of the last month who have benefited from your return. Thank you. I am privileged to have witnessed you playing so many times.
The nasty taste left by the lunchtime clash wasn’t helped by the first pitchside shots from Sunderland. The pitch at the Stadium of Light looked about as well covered as Wayne Rooney’s head, patches of growth breaking out on a bumpy surface. I was persuaded that I would not mention that had we lost, and we came close. In victory it should not be forgotten. Pitches like that belong in a long forgotten era in English football.
It was bad for both sides, lest we forget, and both struggled to take the game by the scruff of the neck in a strange opening half. The main talking point of the first half was the performance of the referee, Neil Swarbrick, who incurred the wrath of the home support for a number of decisions which replays showed he got spot on. Most contentious of them all came when Mertesacker stumbled on the pitted surface, not for the last time, and the ball bounced up onto his arm. I rip into referees most weeks, so it is only fair to praise a good performance.
We seemed to start the second half with an extra bit of something you can’t quite put your finger on, but fair play to whoever had stoked up the mood in the half-time interval. I was expecting our added urgency to yield a result against a tiring team who had a tough couple of hours on Wednesday night. My logic was proven flawed when Sunderland upped their game midway through the half and Szczesny twice had to be alert to deny Gardner. Henry came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain, more to inject a degree of experience I would like to think.
With twenty minutes left Mertesacker, under no pressure from anything other than the craters beneath his feet, hit the deck with what looked like twisted ankle ligaments, and McClean made the most of his misfortune to put Sunderland ahead. No complaints from me about that. If it had happened at the other end I am certain we would have been as professional. As the BFG was stretchered off Ramsey entered the fray with Song dropping back. A bad moment brought about the change that would get Arsenal back in the game.
Five minutes later the young Welsh skipper let fly from the edge of the box and watched on as his effort struck both posts before spinning back over the line. 1-1. The pressure now was exclusively on the home goal, and with five minutes remaining a second match-turning substitution saw Arshavin replace Walcott. The Russian is the first to admit he has not been at his best this season. I suspect it is his last with us. I also hope the boo boys will leave him alone after his wonderful cross set up the crowning moment in added time.
Who would you want on the end of such an inviting ball. With 228 goals already behind him and just a minute left in his Premier League career it would just have to be Thierry Henry, wouldn’t it? Goal number 229 landed an additional two points that have hauled his beloved Arsenal back into the top four. The man brilliantly dubbed ‘the impact deity’ by the Arsenal Gent on Twitter applied the finish, ran to the adoring travelling faithful, and celebrated with players who will look back on his brief second spell with awe and gratitude.
It wasn’t a classic. It was never going to be on that surface, and one can only hope they can at least get the pasture flat for next week’s FA Cup tie at the same venue. Two consecutive wins after a January horribilis must provide a lift for all connected with the club. As I said beforehand we will face even harder tests, but momentum is being built.
Bring on Milan.
336 Responses to “Class Tells At The End Of A Dark Day”
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In the prevailing spirit in the bar of only acknowledging half full glasses here’s my take:
After the Lord Mayor’s show; definitely a case of sod the performance, we scratched out a result.
They should have a pen, but hey when the BFG fell over again later and injured himself they got some luck there so fuck off.
Positives; Ramsay scored, Arshavin (!) made the winner, Rosicky put in a good shift, Sagna lasted 90 minutes, and the Pole in the Goal made a couple of excellent saves to keep us in it. Titi decided to show our backup strikers how to snaffle a goal by being where strikers are supposed to be when a cross comes in, great to see you again and good luck in NY.
Sunderland packed the midfield and defense and I think it was about 70 minutes before their keeper had to make a save but maybe it was a cunning ploy to lull O’Neill into a false sense of security.
Wenger’s substitutions worked and turned the game around.
Fuck me first, I’ve got a wet patch in the front of my trousers…
Arsenal Shine on Brightly – Drive O’Neill’s Befuddled Brain Quite Insane
After last weekend’s trip to seven heaven, Arsenal deservedly tripped the light fantastic as they beamed their way northwards at light speed to set the Stadium of Light alight with a brand of football that shines like a shining torch in the spotlight and casts the shadows of dark black cats from the land. (And shows mental strength simultaneously, just for good measure, always with the handbrake off).
In the land where L.S. Lowry painted his matchstick men and matchstick dogs, the Gunners fuse was primed to strike a light in this match and glow like young renaissance proteges in a gallery of artwork, painted with skill on a canvas of grass, while the old master holds tight to his pallet of magic and looks on to the tapestry, with a knowing smile francaise to Pat the Ricefarmer in the Haystack.
Even without the glistening jewels, Jack, Diaby, Gibbsy, Gervinho, Le Coq and Chamakh in the chandelier, any repeat of the fast flowing, high-paced fare that was served up against Blackburn would surely be enough to ensure that the candles would glow brightly in the candelabra and that Arsenal wouldn’t return from Tyne and Wear feeling Tiny and Weary (Andrei Arshavin accepted, because he’ll be tiny and weary before he even gets there).
In days of yore, long since passed, Roker represented something of a Poker with every chance that Arsenal would draw the Joker and bring the whole season down like a NoHoker in a game of cards. But we have new aces in our pack to add non-rusting tensile steel to a back-bone sometimes previously prone to slipping a disk.
And from the very first whistle, Arsenal swept forward continuously in waves of royal and azure blue, pounding Sunderland’s defenses to achieve a breach and wash away the candy striped beach umbrellas that Sunderland had pitched to shore up their castle of Roker grade sand. But efforts on goal were few and far between as Wojczciek froze solid in an icicle of inactivity. Frankly, our guile outside the box was weaker than Jack Frost in hot July.
And Sunderland were, no doubt, happy to see the interval arrive at 0-0. Then off we went again. And incredibly, Hugo the projector man switched reels to a movie we’ve all seen before. Around 60 minutes, Sunderland finally came into the game. Szceszny kept us in the game with two superb saves. Then worse, the BFG self-inflicted, in a moment of complete non-danger. And from nowhere, we were one-nil down. This could ONLY happen to Arsenal.
But the team dug deep. They showed mental strength. They stood firm, showed great character and maintained their composure. Le Boss moved Song to the back four and introduced the attacking drive of Rambo in mid-field. Thierry up front was followed by Russia’s finest balder (number one grade) for Walcott.
The substitutions paid off brilliantly. Arsenal got what they deserved. Rambo pinged one of both posts then over the line. THEN, and you CANNOT write this stuff unless you’re Aesop, Arshavin (looking like the AA we want him to be) crossed and King TiTi put the royal seal on his last ever game in the Premier League by stroking the winner home in extra time while hovering five feet high.
The Sunderland Echo will echo loud and long all around Sunderland town that the Gunners flew northwards like a Sunderland Bomber that didn’t bomb, but instead exploded like a footballing force of power previously unseen in climes where the wind blows gustily, the rain falls gurgingly, and temperatures drop gravely.
Absolutely magical – and made even more so by Everton, who conjured up a win against Andre Feathered Boa and the Bus Stop Boys. And Liverpool’s nul pointes did us no harm either.
Newcy Broon seems appropriate tonight? A crate for me please, barman and one each for all of these fine fellow Holics. ”Here’s to width”.
West Upper: I hope that you are reading this at home then?
Well crafted as ever, BtM.
Thank you.
Bring on Milan indeed. Two very tough Cup games coming but Hey – we could be Manure and be watching and salivating – wishing we were still in both tournaments.
Expect to see Sagna, Kos, TV, Gibbsy in Milan, Holic?
Your up late tonight aren’t you? Past your bed time I would have thought. Hope all well on the home front with Ms P.
GT @4 rubber pants….
Dinner out tonight, sir. Had to get the report done after MotD. Now trying to come to terms with Whitney Houston’s death.
48? Jebus, that’s young.
Let’s hope Mertesecker is the only Victim that shitty pitch claims. That stadium is still relatively young s you’d expect the pitch to be better than that. Shocking really.
Anyway back in to 4th and now to catch the Tiny Totts.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/301621/Gunners-target-Stephane-Sessegnon?
Love it.
I for one would take (or Hoilett) in a flash. Especially for TGSTEL who is just not a good player.
Bobby Brown did her no favors. Very sad. A talent that was never fully realized.
Word, BtM, word.
It isn’t Whitney Houston (RIP) but -
Arsenal, I’ve only got one thing to tell you…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maAyfcO-X3k
Top reports, ‘Holic and BtM. We did indeed have to dig deep, which is unsurprising considering the terrain we had to play on.
Into the top four with all of our rivals in the table yet to play. Hooray.
“Just like a kid I just came on, and scored his first goal for the team that he loves. That’s exactly how I felt.” ….
“always I said it, it’s kind of difficult for me to say no. So if they need some help…one day…. I’ll be around.”
Thierry Henry. Some place in the North East.
If anyone at all wanted to know what it is meant to be like following this great club of ours just listen to the great man himself.
Legend???? The word Legend does not do him justice.
Lovely write up ‘holic (and you too BtM).
Thank you Thierry
Word?
‘Holic you slay me.
Still it is a pity that Whitney let Bobby ruin that talent…in my mind, we lost her (and Michael) a long, long time ago.
On to the Arsenal – What a game. The team showed the mental strength and spirit everyone else says we lack. 13 more league games for them to show the same metal.
As for TiTi, he may well be the “Impact Deity,” but for my mind, after coming back at an “advanced footballing age” and showing the youngsters how it should be done – he will always be “Sexual Chocolate”
…I’m sure Eddie won’t mind
BMBD
Hey Snir, holla atcha boy.
Agreed Steve T..wonderful stuff & BtM (as usual)…bummer about Whitney. My neighbor is playing her full volume. For once I will not take issue..I am just grooving along. What a waste of a beautiful talent…Bobby Brown Blood Claat..
* wonderful stuff Holic &…
Back at a sensible time with my thoughts.
Whitney? I won’t claim to be a fan but what I would say is that it is a sad and tragic loss. 48 is no age. RIP.
At times besieged by winter’s ruthless chill
With abilities and talents frozen
And ev’n the threads of fortune seem quite ill
Fighting hard against the path we’ve chosen
At times slowed down by harsh and rough terrain
With feet tripped up by unexpected holes
And it appears we’re not meant to attain
The now so distant and illusive goals
It’s in these times a hero may appear
With a single touch of inspiration
To lift us from our doubts and nervous fear
Into heights of joyous celebration
Though short they may stay in our company
They long remain within our memory
Having read it again a couple of times, that’s a super powerful first paragraph, Guvnor.
BTM @22 Personally I was rather taken with the 2nd sentence in the 2nd paragraph.
Great post Holic and BTM. I just want to say @ about 3:30am Oz time, I roared with pleasure and I am sure I woke the entire area around me as the great TH12 gave us a beautiful farewell present that will remain another cherished memory of the great man.
I was then disgusted by Sessingon’s disgusting stamp upon Arteta with about 30 seconds to go and I only hope the little bastard is done for it by the FA through the week. It was so much an attempt to injure a player who will be playing them next week that I am sure it was at the behest of the wanker MO’N.
Apart from that moment I thought we played with great determination and got the result we deserved. Get well soon Per as your calming influence will surely be missed.
Has Arsene Wenger, EVER, in his entire career, made more impactful substitutions — FOR ALL THREE SUBS — than he did in this fixture?
Check that — Has ANY FOOTBALL MANAGER, EVER, made more impactful substitutions — FOR ALL 3 SUBS — than AW did in the Sunderland fixture?
Well in at first West Upper! And great post Holic, and superb drink by BtM! How do you do it? Do you take daily multi-vitamin-literature pills or something?
What a game that was, I knew it would be hard work and I don’t feel like Sunderland should’ve stopped when Mertesacker fell. How is McClean(?) supposed to know he injured himself badly? Play to the whistle always. Terrible pitch they have there, you think in a Stadium of Light the groundskeepers would be able to see the condition of it????
Arshavin and Ramsey have been receiving quite a lot of criticism, some deserved, some not, but the most important question for me is, now that Arshavin has provided the winner for Mr. T, will he be welcomed back into the fold by Shaft until the end of the season before he re-enters the Zenit of his career?
Lastly, I might add, my girlfriend hates football but everytime she comes over vying for my attention and Arsenal have a tough game we usually win, so is she a keeper? She’s not a heavyweight though so I’m on the fence, lol
As Sunderland scored the first goal I just shook my head and wondered if we would ever get a break (not Mert, of course), a comeback, a heroic finish again….it has been one of those seasons…..
…then Ramsey’s ball goes in after ping-ponging from post to post…..I thought, well finally, a lucky bounce…..let’s get a point and get out of here…..Chelsea has lost, Liverpool has lost….but little did I know that…..
…the little Russian would crank a lethal cross in between two defenders and find the foot of a legend…..similar to the goal he scored for France in the WC which made me wonder at the time…”who is this guy, he’s amazing”….the rest, as I’ve posted here before, was the start of a beautiful relationship between the mighty Arsenal and myself….
…..I just kept shouting “he did it again!, he did it again!, he ‘effin did it again!…..’effin legend!”….my neighbors must think I should be in a white jacket in a padded room…..
Surely that crap pitch helped Sunderland plod along through the game and helped negate our speed on the wings….but after playing extra time in the FA Cup it must have felt like quicksand at the end of the game….
As I’ve said before, no talk of fourth for me until we win three EPL games in a row….that said I had a hop in my step the entire day. Will never forget this one. COYG.
Trying as much as I can to enjoy the return of Thierry on a short-term basis. The passion, the love of the club is so clearly there.
Great result today. But it seems The King is headed back across the pond just at the point where his fitness levels have truly kicked in. Was it just me, or did he seem to have an extra turn of pace about him today?
Hoping for more magic moments in Milan.
crucial points,but,AW should improve on tactics,game analysis because we’re predictable,we nick’d it,he’s become tactically inept,different teams will use same tactics and may get points from us,lucky the coin never flipped on us
Cannons
Is that, heavyweight as in, if your girlfriend sat on you, you would stop breathing.??
Re the pitch,i’ve seen plenty worse than that over the years,but i have no doubt it was deliberately left unrolled to blunt our passing game,and i daresay it will be more of the same next week.
As to the Game,
I thought is was absolute crap for all bar a few minutes of excitement.
We were never in top gear,our build up was light years away from the quick passing style of last week,
Sunderland defended so deep for most of the game that even Mert was playing in their half of the field.
Having said that,we did absolutely nothing with all the posession we had,there were too many Sunderland bodies in the last third of the field,no space to work in,and with our 2 wide men unable to get round the back of their defence,it looked like being a bore no score draw.
As usual it took the Opposition to score,to stir us from our slumbers,and Ramsey’s hit and hope shot,i don’t know whether anyone else noticed,but he had his eyes shut when he swung at the ball,but Luck’s A Fortune sometimes,and the ball crept over the line off both posts.
The only TRUE moment of sublime quality was not the Bearded One’s finish,but the superb cross from Arshavin,that just begged to be popped into the net.
As usual when this happens,the scorer and those closest to him,run towards the Fans and play Kissy Kissy across the barriers,while the Architect is left to ponder the ingratitude of his team mates.
But a win is a win is a win as they say,but we will need to raise our game several notches if we are to get anything from the San Siro on Wednesday.
cheers
The Sweeper.
Heavyweight as in, if you were to lift up the belly you would find another belly, like a sumo princess
As for Aaron closing his eyes, again, it probably was because the stadium is excessively brilliant….in any case, you can’t win the raffle if you don’t buy a ticket eh
Cannons
Ahh,a bit like those Russian Dolls then.
As for the Raffle Baffle,I’ve bought hundreds and never won a fucking thing.!!
great post, great points today sad about whitney RIP the song the greatest always rings with me,Joshua @21 great words very talented write.
In a season that has lurched between breathtaking and heartbreaking, the last week has seen a demonstration of all I love about this club. The exhilarating Blackburn win was followed by the excellent guest post by Steve T and the equally enjoyable contributions of Delia and many others.
So it was with a feel good feeling bubbling under that I approached this match. Confidence took a knock however as a result of a less-than-friendly exchange with the management a couple of hours before kick-off. In the past, similar passages of events have somehow resulted in depressing defeats so imagine my fear when the BFG crumbled a la Denilson allowing the hosts to steal the lead. Little did I know that the stage had merely been set for yet another thrilling Gooner moment. Rambo thoroughly deserved the goal for the stick he has taken of late in spite of his spirited AND talented displays. Titi scoring the winner in his final. Premiership match for the Arsenal … Well what can I say? Joy all around. I think even the management would have celebrated that one with me had she been present.
Switching over to another channel (I live in South Africa where virtually every Prem match is shown live) to see Everton 2-0 up against the stuttering Chelsea means I had earned the Merlot about to be uncorked.
Champions League qualification now ours to secure or miss out on. On to Milan.
The only worry was the injury to Mertesacker. Really hope that’s not serious. As good as Koscielny has been, I’m still curious to see which of the 2 will start with Vermalaen. Its a good problem to have. Happy to see the Arshavin assist (in spite of the attentions of 2 Sunderland defenders). As long as he remains an Arsenal player, I will continue to wish him the best.
All the best to Thierry. It seemed improbable 6 weeks ago that he could enhance his reputation at Arsenal but he may just have done just that.
Ramsey’shad 2 goals in his last 15+ games…coming off the bench (last was Marseile). Moral of the story: you get more from the youngsters when you ease them in.
Great write-up, Holic. Evra, Suarez and Dalglish have all done their best to drag the whole game through the mud and if the chaps at the FA have any balls (yeah, yeah, I know…) they will suspend both Evra and Suarez for their childish behaviour.
BtM, great work as usual!
Steve T@15: could not agree more.
Joshua@21: brilliant stuff!
Brendan@24: I had actually forgotten about that stamp on Arteta, but when it happened I swore at the ref for not sending Sessignon off. Hopefully he’ll get his comeuppance during the week instead.
And now for something not entirely different – brekkie and MOTD!
Henry our best man of the century, know this as the Arsenal fans stands up while heating and getting into the pitch, as well as shouting when you score and stands up, we also in my small old sitting room with 14 inch Black and white screen with my familly do the same, this has come automatically no body is telling who to do soo……………….Yestarday I visited a small like cafeteria watching the game there,Arsenal fun did the same, it is obvious that the whole world who are arsenal fans doing the same………uu know why is bacause u are so specail person in our herats, with true love with our arsenal,u have been doing wonders for so long,decent,cool,amazing.u scored 2 very importand goals,…………………God bless you Henry with ur generation, but We want to hear that u get a son who will play for Arsenal in the future as Van expecting to do ……………sayy hellow to our beloved Thea.
This is specail from my village Karatu-Arusha -Tanzania.
GOD BLESS U.
I don’t know why Arsenal didn’t start shooting from outside the box until Ramsey scored. It was pass after pass in front of a packed defence.Luckily Sunderland aint that potent in hit and run.
Against MU/Spurs/Pool the gunners coul have been two goals down as the attack broke down inspite of the 70% gunners had in possession.
Petit said the gunners are predictable.It aint goin to be easy when the gunners next meet in the FA cup or Spurs. Spurs with a tsunami attacking wave swept NU aside.
If Arsenal don’t start shootin and try to weave a way thru like they have been doin all the time ,get ready for a setback.
I agere with Wolfgang more
Last minute winners are great but you can’t rely on them
Most weeks that would have been points dropped
The teamm isn’t particularly inconsistent – it’s just not very good (imo) and certainly nothing like as good as ManU, ManC or Spurs, as the table and the way those teams can dispose effectively of “poorer” teams (like us).
All the same, we could be the best of the rest (although it’s tight) and if Chelsea are really in decline that’s fantastic. Arsenal have come from furthest back to have as good a chance as anyone, so maybe they should be favourites for 4th – still an awful lot of work to do it and very little chance of 3rd or better (though if Arshavin could really find his first season form, that would make a huge difference).
Other than that, I just wanted to say Gibbs is a risk defensively and I’d rather see Coquelin getting a chance.
Holic no mention of your prediction(1.2)I take it you won a few pound well done!have to start going with the holic pound myself.excellent result yesterday made all the better with teams we are competing with dropping points,at this stage performances mean little once we get the points.Rip whitney another songstress ravaged by drugs so sad..
Played ‘holic
Reesult!
Thank you Garsguns, I was too modest to mention that (get your Mick Bendtnaaaar voices going) …
Oi am the greatest tipstaaaaaah, that evah liiiiived…
Forgive me for struggling with the notion that ‘if we hadn’t scored the winner we wouldn’t have won’.
If my aunt had balls…..
Morning ‘holic.
And ‘holics
Morning Ollie.
Time for 4S.
Laters.
Once you don’t start wearing pink boots spiking your hair shagging princesses and keeping an entire police force busy you will be fine with your modesty holic.
Just goes to show that if our wide players are denied any space they become largely ineffective.
Tragedy that the crap pitch has denied us the services of the BFG for some time to come.
Clive, I can’t believe that Ramsey closed his eyes when he struck the ball that scored our first goal. Of course it might have appeared that way.
A precious moment of skill from AA, but I’ve never doubted his ability, just some times his attitude and application.
We need to be at our very best from now ’til the end of the season if we want CL football again. We have used up all of our lives. By good fortune the other results at the weekend went for us – again.
Onwards and upwards!
cheers for the report mr holic.
why didn’t theo try his luck down the left and ox the right?
arsenal look much less predictable when we have more movement.
only when thierry came on did we total football it. walcott is never in the six yard box when a cross comes in.
as for the brilliant substitutions, i don’t think wenger would have changed things as he did if he wasn’t forced to.
I think yesterday’s result was a much better one than the Blackburn demolition.
As Arsene was demonised for the worst substition in the history of football (even before Sky invented football), perhaps we should erect a statue for the best trio of substitutions in football, ever.
I have a feeling TH12 will be back in August.
as anyone seen Gervinho’s goal against Mali? It’s a bit special.
Got stuck in a traffic jam leaving the Black Keys gig last night and listened to a Radio 5 phone in with Liverpool fans lining up one by one trying to defend the indefensible. Are all supporters so blindly partisan or are they a little bit ‘special’? (special is not a compliment in this context)
Afternoon Holics
Eventually saw the Sky highlights way after midnight following my opera night at the Coliseum, where I bumped into a fellow Gooner in the circle bar, who flung his arms around me and kissed me when I told him the score! We get everywhere!
The pitch really was a shocker. Could it have been prepared to thwart our passing game? We seemed to have had the majority of possession but weren’t able to use our pace on the flanks to get behind their FBs. Bardsley seemed to have the Ox sussed and Theo couldn’t make any impression on the right.
TR7 and Arteta both had good games but were forced to play down the middle with the flanks being ineffective.Sunderland in the first half snuffed out our long range efforts on goal and RVP had little service.
The Mert injury is worrying just at the stage when our defenders are coming back from lay-offs. The ability to rest players in the back 4 has been taken away once again.Let’s hope Mert will be available very soon and Arsene’s fears are not well founded.
I am so pleased that Rambo managed to score.He has taken a lot of flack recently and his shooting boots have been elsewhere, certainly not on the pitch. We deserved a bit of assistance from the posts which have thwarted us in several games this season.
The icing on the cake was the winning goal from one of our all time heros, enough said. Ou Revoir Henry but not goodbye.Our away fans did us proud yet again, a pity Arsenal are not making next week’s coach transport free!
We will have to be more assertive with our attacking play in Milan, I await with interest Arsene’s team selection.
As always COYRs
Very fine writing ‘Holic. I doff my cap and offer a dram.
Re: Mammu @37: Top post and God bless all of the Arsenal fans in Africa!!
Re: CoR @26: Another good drink from you and yes it sounds like your girlfriend is a keeper as well as a good luck charm so hold on tight!
Thanks as ever, ‘holic and BtM for your magical match reports on a magical win for the Arsenal.
Re: tactics for breaking down a defence sitting deep, as Sunderland did yesterday. This piece from Zonal Marking about how Ghana struggles with the problem as it has transformed from an underdog to a favorite is a worthwhile read: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/10/13/ghana-counter-attacking/ as is this interview in the Telegraph with Villas-Boass on dealing with parked buses, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8699902/Chelsea-manager-Andre Villas-Boass-footballing-philosophy.html. You can see a lot of the way Arsenal plays in what AVB describes and where we fall short in the execution.
In keeping with Holic’s “Class Tells” theme, if you didn’t catch Ryo’s PL debut at Bolton, it oozed class. You can check it out here.
As he showed at Feyenoord, he is “bubbling under” being ready to challenge for a first team role at Arsenal. In my mind, he has as much potential to thrill at Arsenal as The Ox and Joel Campbell. His ability to ghost over the ground is breath-taking at times.
Interesting that he always plays on the left. He seems to be primarily right footed. The new Thierry?
http://football-talk.co.uk/59497/video-watch-ryo-miyaichis-impressive-debut-performance-for-bolton/
That AVB link didn’t come out right. it should be:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8699902/Chelsea-manager-Andre-Villas-Boass-footballing-philosophy.html
BtM: that clip shows Ryo has pace and skill. He didn’t look out of place by any means, though his final ball still needs work. Exciting prospect.
Ah, Delia, “Class Tells”! From the football and the Tolly one week, to the Coliseum and opera the next. Excellent report too on the game.
Your “we’ll need to be more assertive with our attacking in Milan” comment caused me to ponder. It will be a different game entirely, arguably better suited to our style of play than “unparking the bus”.
I don’t expect to see Arsenal surge forward relentlessly in waves of azure blue down there. Milan’s natural instinct is to play from a base of defensive strength with quick breaks. May be better suited to Kos and TV at centre-back than poor old Per.
No doubt Holic will bring it into laser sharp focus and clarity in his preview on Tuesday.
He’s not quite the finished article NBN, but he has ALL of the attributes to succeed. I’m hoping that like JW, he gets lots of game time at Bolton and comes back “ready” to play.
Add : Ryo, Chuks Aneke, Benik Afobe and Joel Campbell
Restore : Wilshere, Frimpong, Diaby,
Release : Almumia, Squillacci, Vela, Bendtner, Denilson, Rosicky, Arshavin, Chamakh, Park, (~30-40M)
Buy : Mario Goetze, Sturridge, Xavi Alonso (an old head) for 70M
We’ll do just fine.
I’ll keep Rosicky thank you.
And not buy Sturridge.
I’d keep Diaby in an ideal world, but I don’t think he’ll ever be fit again, unfortunately.
I’m not convinced Joel Campbell will make it either.
Wonderful write-up, goonerholic. A hard ugly game in which we kept going, dug in, were patient and eventually produced diamonds. Captain’s goal from Ramsey. Love that boy.
And what can you say about the King? TH is a star and magical stories weave themselves around him. This loan spell has been hugely positive and cathartic for us fans, the players, Arsene and of course Henry himself. For me it has been a matter of achieving closure. I didn’t resent him going to Barca, as I could understand and applauded his need to find new challenges. Furthermore, he had started to show signs of primadonna-like behaviour. So leaving was the right thing to do, but – I never got to say goodbye. And now I have. It’s been like that moment in Born Free when Elsa comes back with her cubs to say hello to her human mum. If you imagine TH as a lioness and the fans as… ok forget that analogy. It’s been gorgeous having you back, Thierry. See you next year? We could make this an annual thing….
Oh and well done, Arshavin – magic moment from him, too.
Yes, no doubt Rosicky is on the bubble, Olllie. But will he really compete for a place in a mid-field where Wilshere, Coquelin, Diaby, Arteta, Ramsey, Song, Frimpong, Goetze, Aneke are all available? And would you rather have him as the older head than Alonso? I think I’d take the money now.
Why not Sturridge? We really missed a trick when Ade and Kolo went to Shitty. Could have had him then for about 5M. One of the most dangerous youngsters on the planet. What’s not to like?
“walcott is never in the six yard box when a cross comes in.”
Well, that’s because he’s usually providing the cross!
If all were fit, I get your point, but him or Alonson? I’d keep Rosicky.
Completely different players though.
I suspect Sturridge has a mentality problem. Just a hunch.
I know you’re fond of Ade, but I think he’s got to blame himself.
As for Kolo, always loved him, but don’t think we’ve missed him quality-wise.
One of the problems about being the second oldest around these parts…. (Clive, my Sweeping friend, I think that honour falls to you)…. is that rock references soar over the heads of most. Maybe if I’d said “waves of Prussian Blue” I’d have had a bite?
I first saw Procol Harum in Edinburgh in 1969. Cost 19 shillings and sixpence – which was a lot. I earned 12 shillings and sixpence on my paper round at the time. Gary Brooker and Martin Fisher were excellent then in brown hair. I saw them here in Va in 2009 and they were every bit as good in hair of brilliant white. Don’t pass them up if they come to your town and, in the meantime, like The Arsenal, Shine On Brightly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XalOKdVG3ns
Shitty – Villa game is not inspiring. Clichy, Kolo, Nasri will be yawning wherever they’re watching from.
Lovely stuff ‘Holic – puts most of the newspaper hacks to shame.
BtM – CMC is wide open. Please help yourself, both in respect of general madness and particularly for including Chamakh in amongst the ‘glistening gems’.
Joshua @21 – enjoyed that, well played.
Snowy – well played too, for services above and beyond. Good man!
Obvious that Thierry is going to be missed by fans, team and squad alike, but what can you do ?
Thanks maestro – see you soon (we hope) . . . . .
Oh yes, and tell RvP about greener grass and all that . . . . Ta.
Trev, the glass is always bountiful and spilling over for me as you know. I noticed I omitted Mr Santos from the chandelier though. Poor attention to detail there.
Also, in my midfield pool competing with Rosicky for a game, I missed out the 400k wunderkid, Iceman. Definitely slipping.
NBN @ 56 – interesting links, thanks for that; suspect we have to be cleverer than we were yesterday until the last 15.
BtM @ 61 – pretty much agree with you on that list.
Tsk tsk BtM.
Have a dram of Scotland’s finest to refresh your brain.
BG@71: those pieces highlighted where we have been falling short in the execution when we have. In no particular order: 1. lack of incisive crossing and runs from full backs (partly caused by lack of full backs as was made blatantly clear in January). 2. Lack of inside runs from wingers making room for full backs (Theo doesn’t cut in well and needs space behind the defence to run into, unavailable with parked buses, AA has had a nightmare loss of form, The young Ox when out foxed by an old head as on Saturday, but not vs Blackburn, Gervais while still learning English game) 3. Lack of creative midfielder to unpick the really difficult defences (Ramsey or Wilshere to grow into this role but neither there yet) 4. Lack of diagonal horizontal passes (so to speak). When we do those things right, we look brilliant. When we don’t we look dull. Also interesting that one of those pieces said that Barca wouldn’t be able to play as they do if they played in the EPL.
BTM
12 shillings and sixpence,!!
You were a Millionaire my friend,
Back in 62,i was earning all of 7 shillings and sixpence,for morning deliveries of papers including Sunday’s where the Bag weighed a ton due to all the Sunday supplements.
I had to carry the bugger as it was too cumbersome to fit on a bike.
I still walk with a permanent tilt to the right,all these years later.!!
Procul Harum brings back memories,i think it was the Hammersmith Palais i saw them perform,i think it was there i also saw the Moody Blues for the first time,but my memory is not what it was,so i may be wrong.
The San Siro will be interesting to say the least,
Cheers
The Sweeper.
So we have a Champions League coming up midweek. That will be interesting I’m sure but is that Spud Blood in the air??
Well, there goes Gervinho’s season down the drain.
His confidence will be shot to pieces.
Well done, Zambia. Sad for Gervinho though.
Snir – still, so will Drogba’s with any luck! Well done to Zambia anyway, hugely emotional victory for them
It will Snir, if he`s made of paper. In reality he wasn’t in the first 5 penalty takers, he came at 7th, and Drogba missing his just before full-time was not his fault.
Good to see Zambia win it for the first time though.
Re 66..
the ox cuts into the edge of the penalty area, takes out a CB and the RB, Gibbs overlaps the ox finds him and kieren puts a tantalising ball across the six yard box, rvp goes near post but he misses it and walcott is .
W=where is walcott? he is selling choc ices to the front row of the crowd because he is chained to the touchline and must not enter the penalty area on no account becase of local bylaws stating crosses must only come in from the right wing.
All those excuses don’t matter.
Bottom line he will always be “the one who missed the deciding penalty.”
It has nothing to do with made of paper. He let down his country, he’ll be devastated.
on a slightly different subject. dalglish.
was john Barnes the last black player he has signed as a manager, because that scouse team has very few brothers?
The deciding penalty was Drogba’s. Gervais is strong enough to survive this, don’t worry.
Snir – can’t you enjoy seeing Zambia win this tournament and what it means for them rather than dwelling on the possible negatives of Gervinho’s confidence being wrecked forever etc – not everything has to revolve around our team! I’m sad for Gervinho but to be honest it’s secondary to the result of the game.
Great write up Holic. By the way, did you know that your posts do not seem to be appearing on Goonernews? Just for info.
Poetry BtM. Only a Scot could moan about a gig being too expensive that cost less than a pound to get in????
Not much to add to those above. Not a great performance but a good battling performance. Lots of bottle. I thought that Rosicky and Arteta were both strong in midfield. I think it was Snir that earlier mentioned about his ball retention. I would agree totally. He gives the side a controlled presence.
I could not see the Mackems scoring until the BFG was done by a divot. AR took his goal well and set it up nicely for the King to seal it. Some words of praise deserved for Arshavin. He came on in the 85th minute and managed to put in 3 decent crosses, one from which came the winner. I wonder how many column inches the red tops allocate to that fact. Theo on the other hand managed one successful cross in 5 attempts. Still, a 20% conversation rate is an improvement so it is not all negative.
On to Milan. Must say I can’t wait. Let’s hope we put 5 passed them and we can then rest a few for the home leg.
Charlie – I’m actually quite chuffed for Mayuka. He used to play for Maccabi.
We brought him in for 50K when he was 17 yo and sold him to Young Boys Bern last season (summer of 10-11) for 1.5 million.
So yeah, I’m quite happy for them
Snir. I think you have massively pre judged the Gervinho situation. We all know he can’t shoot. I must say that for a forward to be 9th in the pecking order in a shoot out tells you that he can’t take pens either. Not sure I would be judging the rest of his season though based on that just yet.
Little bit early but, I was hoping for us to avoid Prince and Pato playing for AC Milan.
Looks like there is almost full team avaivable for them, with Ibra, Pato and SAS the forwards. It is going to be tricky game for sure, but this kind of game is what we all are waiting for, don’t we?
Oh, Whitney Houston,
Gone so young,
What now can I do ?
As my duty
To your beauty
I was saving all my love for you.
Steve – That’s even worse…
He knows he can’t shoot, asks to be 9th, forced to have a pen and loses the cup for his country.
Only a man with a rock for a heart won’t be affected by something like that.
Oh oh, lurky’s back. Must be nearing a century mark.
I have to say that his shameful self-assisting yesterday brought the whole art of scoring on this blog into disrepute.
After I was so harshly carded for accidentally self-assisting on one of the very rare days when I have a chance to multi-post, it was inexplicable that his conduct went unpunished.
Let it be known that should we ever meet in The Tollie, I will not be shaking his hand.
See GTerry. I still haven’t forgotten !!
Snir.
Not sure the “and loses the cup for his country” phrase is too helpful.
I take it they have not asked you to do his pick me up motivational talk then??????
Snir, I demand your immediate attendance in The Quackery for overnight sedation, followed by a double dose of “uppers” in the morning – naturally Nurse Wolfie will be administering those.
Should your mood not lighten, I will be passing all of your contact details to Mr Waterman – something of which you shouild be VERY afraid.
Accidentally self-assisting, Trev? The Ox fatique? We have money avaivable for spending, just do not want to spend? I don’t buy that story, mate.
As a piece of general advice, may I refer you to -
conjunctivitis.com – now there’s a site for sore eyes
Gets clipped in the box and hands the ball to his mate 5heads…
But he blasts it over the bar.
A goal kick for the opposing team.
felt sorry for Gervinho’s penalty miss it was clear he did not want to take it. but the useless Drogba should have converted in normal time and not put his team through that, i was a bit surprised Drogba played the whole game he was useless did nothing apart from few head flicks.
Sends a ball drifting into the night…
Steve, what you have to understand is that a pound was a pound in these days. The first LP I bought cost 22 shillings and sixpence and even a single cost six shillings and eight pence. My paper round took an hour to complete and for 6 days I earned (the riches, if the Sweeper is to be believed) of ten bob or twelve shillings and sixpence if I didn’t make a mistake – which didnt happen often. Funny to reflect on these days. They seem only moments ago.
For a great finish??
Get in there for the ton!
Nonchalantly by BtM, that is ….
Triple kudos to Zambia. Any Zambian Gooners out there? Too busy partying probably.
oh man
BtM @100 -
I have to say that the fact you remember noy only the six shillings, but also the EIGHT PENCE, rather makes Steve T’s point for him
Thank you Trev. Took the words right out of my mouth. BtM. You will be telling me you held a raffle in the interval next???
Ollie – I’ve got a bet with my friends.
We have loads of Morrocans in Israel and the name Guetta is extremely common.
It’s pronounced gu-etta but my American friends are adamant David Guetta is pronounced with a silent U as in Getta.
That’s how they pronounce it here and it’s driving me nuts. Since he’s from Paris and the name is as French as can be – your word is the deciding one
.
How is it pronounced in France?
Well in, BtM.
Clive: ’62 was the year the Sunday Times started its magazine. Your tilt to the right is a footnote to history.
I swear I learn something every time I reads Goonerholic…NED is that so?
Stone the crows BtM I always thought that you were in your mid forties…your writing is always so fresh..I had no idea your were an old geezer mate..Blimey in 1969 I wasn’t hardly even allowed to go out by myself (v. protective single mom)…but used to sneak off to Highbury all the same..
Snir: Please go the Quackery – for all our sakes! I bet missing that penalty will have the complete opposite effect on the Gerv. He’ll come back blazing and wanting to ‘play’ himself into the ground to banish those memories..
I am so happy for Zambia. They should have been the first African team to win a World Cup until they lost a complete golden generation of players in that plane crash..I am just glad that none of our team got injured over there..
Speaking of which. The Africans play the game with the spirit the game should be played. You don’t see players trying to break each others legs or anything so nasty do you?
Re: Zambian Gooner @105, Excellent timing.
NBN
I wish the fuckers had waited a few more years before bringing it out,
would have made my life a lot easier.
Mind you it wasn’t just the Magazine,the Sunday’s always weighed a ton.
The Times and the Observer were the 2 worst,they were so thick with all the different sectional inserts you could hardly fit the bastards inside the Bag.
Sometimes i had to do a Double run on Sunday if someone was off sick or on holidays,and it was painful to say the least.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Well in Btm!
Looking forward to Milan already! I wonder who will play left back for us – Le Coq? Sagna? Gibbs?
Massive massive fixture
@113: Clive, your newspaper run sounds like my ex-girlfriend.
Weighed a ton, thick, and ready for many sectional inserts and painful to be around.
There should be a law in place to fine home teams where such surfaces are allowed to host matches. There could have more injuries.
*heatwave warning* !
+1°C this morning.
Morning All
Entertaining stuff from all the usual suspects above and The Maestro, of course.
My thoughts this morning go out to Gervinho. I’m sure Le Boss knows exactly what to say and do to help him get over his disappointment and turn him back into a real attacking threat for The Arse. Maybe he’ll bang the winner in for us against Sunderland on Sunday?
Per ‘Holic, bring on Milan!
UTA!
I haven’t backdrunk, not sure I want to, but I got willd on the arses last night at anybody having a go at Gervinho.
Great, composed, cool finish in the semi-final. Missing the 9th penalty in a shoot-out is a different story.
If Drogba (or Kolo or that Zambian player) hadn’t missed, Gervinho wouldn’t have had a chance to miss.
There’s a reason why he’s one of the last penalty-takers…
Snir 108, I’m afraid your American friends are right….
And well done Zambia indeed (massive heh at ZG above
).
The ‘Chipolopolos’. Just with a name like that, they deserved it
Was hoping Zambia would win especially after the shit at Old Trafford – Was a result football needed and to see the players having a sing song during the Penalties was quite up lifting
What a way to remember the 93 team too !!!
Shame for Gervinho but someones got to miss and anyone that abuses him for that fact needs their heads examined !
How young did some of the Zambians look ??? Saying that most of the Penalties were superb especially the keepers
Refreshing indeed, Chippy. Notable also that, I believe, they have the sum total of…..one player playing in Europe.
Ollie,
Yes heard that amazing isnt it – Most are plying their trade in the Chinese leagues etc with one playing in Switzerland, Thats why we all love football i guess the ability to surprise is still alive and kicking
Thought it was also notable that 3 prem league players missed pens !!
What was going on in the Bordeux game yesterday
?
Ollie @123 – Is that so? That’s quite a success story then. Where do they play then? South America or in Africa itself?
Racist alert at 85, 106 and 107.
We demand an apology – “it’s a disgrace, said Fergie”.
God knows, Chippy. The usually low-scoring Bordeaux ran riot.
Then the typical collapse happened (see Toulouse game earlier in the season : 2-0 up, 3-2 down to a last minute goal), but miraculously this time, the 5th goal came from the Girondins.
Well I was chuffed with the signing of Obraniak (may have been mostly bench material for Lille, but always quality and often decisive, a vital cog to their titles-winning season), and he proved his quality. Again.
Still, some crap defending both ways (looking at you, Ciani. Again).
Harsha – most of the Zambian squad play in Africa, with two Europe-based and two China-based players:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia_national_football_team#Current_squad
Didn’t even have to bring Bellion on….thankfully
Ollie@129,
Haha didnt even know he was at yours
Would have been a good game to be at ! Everytime i went and checked another couple had been scored
Dr.z @ #126
Fergie went on….
“If I was head of The Quackery, I would recommend that they get rid of him”
… or words to that effect.
Time to shake hands? No, not like that….
So…..
Shall we place bets on who will be the next Wolves manager?
Mr. Doubtfire? Orange Phil? Colin Wanker? AVB???
I really hope it’s not Andre, I think he’s doing a magnificent job for us at Chel$ki.
Heh, Professor.
That’s quite a lot of words for you to use in one sitting – Twitter starting to restrict your creativity?
Next Wolves manager will be Iain Dowie, no?
CoR @ #134 – Could be but can’t see him saving them.
Dr.z @ #133 – Cheeky! Creativity now restricted to 140 chars
Chippy @ #122 – Agreed. Wasn’t it Gerv who fired them into the final with that wonder goal?
Yesssss it’s Mayuka that plays in Europe !!!
Will always have good memories of him!!!
I miss being able to sing ‘Harry’s going down, going down’.
Did a bit of back drinking, and then gave up trying to comment, and just enjoyed them all:
BtM and Holic – great write ups.
Trev – congrats on scoring your debut goal for Arsenal. And a winner too! …. See CoR@26!!
Neversawhighbury@34. Hope negotiations have been resumed with the management. I assume the fact that all games are shown on TV MAY have been a factor?!
Mammu@37. Brilliant. Heartfelt.
Wolfgang @38. Meh. You listen to Petit?? He’s a rent-a-gob.
Chris @39. So you want to play Le Coq at left back?? Hmmm…
BtM @61. You’ve gone and got me all excited there. I like the idea of Sturridge and Alonso (better late than never). He can rotate with Arteta. Like Ollie, I’d keep Rosicky.
Fun Gunner @63. With you on the Henry goodbye thing. Closure.
Congrats to Zambia – love that country. Went there on my honeymoon. Some of the nicest people you could hope to meet.
Afternoon all,
Thanks for the kind words, as ever.
I saw that Bordeaux score yesterday , Ollie, and assumed a misprint
Mayo chicken is the pick at Macdonalds.
That is all.
hehs ‘holic
Mediawatch starts well:
handshake snub shocker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hstik457FJE
The most difficult thing about Mediawatch is to not burst laughing while reading it.
Afternoon All ,
Well the weekend was all very satisfactory wasn’t it .
Great post Holic . The contrast between the joy of The Great Lord and Master Henry ( for that is surely what we must now call him ) , and the antics that went on up at Old Trafford , was stark indeed .
Good to see that the Liverpool hierarchy have finally stepped in and saved both Suarez and Dalglish from embarrassing themselves any further . The only question was why it took them so long . Not sure how valuable an apology is , when it has clearly been scripted by someone else , but it does at least provide some respite from a situation that was threatening to get completely out of hand .
The away juicer of choice was rammed to the rafters on Saturday , (as it always is when an away fixture takes place at 3 PM on a Saturday) . Luckily , someone had saved me a seat in Row D , and so with pint ordered , it was in relative comfort that I was able to digest the news that AW had chosen his strongest available starting XI .
From the get-go Sunderland made their intentions very clear – 11 men behind the ball in a “we hold what we have” formation .
First half was a bit of a non-event in truth . We were largely untroubled at the back , but whilst our passing was neat , our lack of a cutting edge had me chewing into the beers .
Into the second half , and whilst the tempo was upped we were still struggling to make the Sunderland keeper work for his money .
Another “so Arsenal” moment when Per took a tumble on that dreadful pitch . Felt he’d had a good game up to then , and had spent the half time break defending him . Hope it’s not as bad as it looked . At that point , and given that we had only sporadically threatened , things looked rather bleak .
So thank heavens then for young Aaron . A swing of the right foot , two premature celebrations as the ball contrived to hit both posts , and then finally lots of fist pumping borne as much from defiant relief as joyous ecstasy .
Have to say from that moment on I thought we’d nick it . What I couldn’t have predicted was the manner of the winning goal . A perfect pass from the little Russian , and who else but the Great Lord and Master to flex his buttocks and volley it home . Cue bedlam .
It is moments like this that make it all worthwhile . It is what the D and G Brigade fail consistently to appreciate – that the journey , even if it doesn’t end in silverware , will always contain moments where strangers start back-slapping and everybody has got a smile as wide as ‘Arry’s financial dealings .
The final whistle signalled the start for more celebration . Wolfie was proclaiming all kinds of man love for TH12 , and even Carlos Kickemhard managed a smile . Stay til closing ? Well it was too cold outside to go home wasn’t it
Kudos to Snowy for braving the elements and getting yourself up there .
Flipper ? He’ll be fine – all part of the game . Can’t begrudge the Zambians their win . Congrats to them .
Oh and McCarthy has got the tin tac and that news surely must warm the cockles of even the most hard hearted . Let’s hope Tony Penis is next .
The Happy Train just keeps on Rollin’ .
Zambia: The most important thing for them is that – being mostly Africa based – they had three-weeks more preparation in South Africa than all the rest of the teams…
Nice one TABs. I actually liked the first half – in fact I liked the game overall and felt that it was a better achievement that last weeks 7-1 against a weak and under-manned Blackburn. We never stopped probing; kept the ball moving even though the pitch prevented its smooth transition. Thought that TW should have switched flanks with the OX when it became evident that their respective fullbacks had them covered – they have done that in the past few games but not on Saturday. Anyhoo I feel that the win will have given them a lot of confidence that they can win these type of games..
BFG ankle don’t look so good….
https://twitter.com/#!/rosssarsenal/status/169006100358762496/photo/1
Agreed GT , I hope the side can take a great deal of heart from that result . I was not as enamoured of the first half as you were but was pleased that we kept on plugging away and for large periods had Sunderland pinned in their own half .
I think another tip of the hat is due to Arteta . It surely is no coincidence that our form dipped with his injury and has picked up with his return . He offers our play the same sense of continuity that Scholes gives Manure – keeps it moving and rarely surrenders possession .
Fair point on Arteta tabs. A vital cog.
tabs, you just won’t give it up, will you?
who else but the Great Lord and Master to flex his buttocks….
Oh, and PMSL at McCarthy.
One less dinosaur to contend with away from home assuming they don’t give his job to someone like Colin Wanker.
The “Gooners from Afar” feature on the .com this week is funny. They take a look at the Gooners in Switzerland and its current in that they were watching the Sunderland game in a pub. You all should watch them going Ape-shit as we scored the winner. Funny for me too was when the presenter asked the VP of the supporters club what they could look forward to spending a day with the club supporters. He said ” Oh chatting, singing, swearing” Ahhhh to be a Gooner eh? (0;
tabs, Ollie – I think Arteta is what Arsene hoped Denilson would be without the wibbly headed samba jig. He has made himself a vital part of our midfield engine. Personally, I can’t wait to see him play with Jack.
Had a day yesterday where even sitting and reading was all a bit beyond me so I have only just done the back-drinking .
I see Wolfgang the Imposter was back stinking the place out even though we won .
BtM @various – Great stuff and cheers for the Ryo link . V promising indeed . Not sure that your list of players for “release” @61 will yield 30m . Looks closer to 20m to me , but I take your point . As for the purchases , yes please to Goetze and Sturridge but I think the ship has sailed as regards Alonso . Marvellous player but not sure that he wouldn’t replicate what Arteta already brings to the party ?
Mr T @95 – Heh
Ollie – Mediawatch was a great read today
zico @ #150 – I bet Colin’s already posted a job appplication at Molineux.
Dr Z @149 – Couldn’t resist it
TS – If Wolves have got any sense , they will take a leaf out of Swansea and Norwich books and appoint a good up and coming young manager instead of looking to one of the old dinosaurs – Bruce , Wanker et al .
With Allardyce languishing in the Championship and McCarthy now resting at home , only Tony Penis to go to mark the end of the Evil Triumvirate .
tabs, I’d make it a quartet and include McLeish
Good point TS .
Glasgow Rangers have applied to go into Administration !
Shocking news, tabs.
Although I guess that will STILL make them second in the League?
Could Real do the same and inject interest in La Liga? ;P
Ollie heh
Blimey.
Let’s spend loads of money on Superstars! That’ll ensure the future of our club.
What? Leeds? Rangers? Oh…
Tabs@156: and it would make football the better for it if they did.
Random stat of the day: Ivory Coast did not concede a goal from open play throughout the entire ACN.
Also it is less bad for Gervais in that his wasn’t the last kick. The was always the possibility that Stoppila Sunzu — love that name — would miss. Thin reed of hope. But reed nonetheless.
Rangers go into administration? That is what can happen if you rely on a fairy godmother, and she f***s off, people.
GT@145: I also thought it odd that the Ox and Theo didn’t switch wings more, or even at all. If the face of a team defending deep, anything attackers can do to disrupt the shape of the opposition is worth trying. It wasn’t as if the pair were ripping their full-backs to shreds.
Ollie @ 160
It appears that the contest of 2 bald men fighting over a comb is about to be decided by the suits. About as exciting as the league itself.
@ 157 – Don’t forget Mark Hughes…..
heh Dr Z
(and good point at 165)
Afternoon all. Shocking news about Rangers. If a club like that can go into administration then how many more will follow?
Another story doing the rounds is that Usmanov has got his 30%. If true thst could open up one massive can of worms. Not heard it confirmed yet.
Steve T@167: Arsenal Holdings plc was one of the five highest rising shares today on the Plus Market, where Arsenal stock trades, up 1.5%. There have been a succession of tiny share trades so far this year. More than 40 shares have changed hands in Jan and Feb, mostly in blocks of 1, 2 or 4, one in 10. No formal announcement from Usmanov that he has crossed any shareholding thresholds recently that he has to make public — or at least not yet. This is the relevant page on the Plus Market:
http://www.plus-sx.com/companies/plusCompanyDetail.html?securityId=10092
I read an interesting piece on the 30% and exactly what it meant.
Can’t remember if it was linked here, on twitter or elsewhere.
I think that was this one.
http://angryofislington.com/2012/02/10/alisher-usmanov-and-his-30-arsenal-shareholding/
In short, no massive can of worms opened
Cheers Ollie. Although I have heard from several sources that 30% does entitle him to a seat on the board. Only time will tell if that is accurate or not.
How could I forget Mr.Hughes, zico?
Leave him, he’s doing a splendid job at QPR. I’m figuring West London just doesn’t agree with his sensitive constitution.
Sad day for Scottish football BTW. That’s the opinion of ‘a neutral’ of course.
Cheers tabs @ #158. I think Dr.z’s suggestion means it’s now a quintet
Oops. Numbers slight understated in previous post. 18 shares traded so far this month and 44 in January. Quick back of the envelope calculation: Usamanov announced on June 20th last year that he had hit the 29% threshold, owning 18,116 shares. Which means he would need another 623 shares to hit 30% (perhaps up to 137 fewer depending on how much past 29% he had gone in June; the last block purchase before Red and White’s announcement was 137 shares). According to that page above, trading volumes since:
July 24 shares
Aug 31
Sep 67
Oct 80
Nov 26
Dec 51
Jan 44
Feb 18 to date.
That gives a total of 341 shares traded in all. Even assuming Usmanov had bought the lot and his effective target was the minimum 487 (623-136), he’s still “a bit short” — unless he has picked up a big block from somewhere he has yet to announce. One would think, though, that silent Stan would be out there picking up shares, too, where he could, to make sure Usmanov didn’t reach 30%. More to come on this, I suspect.
Tabs, I wrote about Arteta in the previous post and it really is quite amazing.
He had 116 passes (109/116 – 94 (!!!!)% completion rate) which was 50 more than the highest passing player for Sunderland!
Mikel Arteta’s 80.8 pass per game average in context: he’s 4th behind Xavi (105.7), Alonso (83.5) and Pirlo (81.2).
Shows why we struggled so much when he was out in January.
As for BFG – I think he’ll be out for the Euros.
If it was that important to keep Usmanov from reaching 30% Stan would have wanted them too causing a bidding war.
So if the shares were about market value I doubt whether it matters that much.
I think he gets a seat in the boardroom and a 30% share of a vote, whiich Stan will always win having 51% plus of the shares.
The significance of Usmanov hitting 30% is that he can demand to look at the books. He doesn’t get a board seat or anything like that that affects the running of the club. Given the rancorous state of the debate over the self-sustainability model and the vociferousness of the spend some f***ing money crowd throwing Arsenal’s detailed finances open to the world — and you can bet they would leak out faster than you can say Stoppila Sunzu (still love that name) — would just stir up a massive shit storm.
Ollie – How accurate are France Football?
Snir , great stats indeed . Whilst you’re here , did you see those quotes over the weekend from Kaka ? It seems that I was very very close to that statue
Steve T – that link that Ollie provided is absolutely correct . 30% does not give you any rights to join the Board .
It does however give you the right to inspect the minutae of the financial running of the Club . It will therefore be more important to keep Usmanov “on message” to prevent any public mischief-making on his part. Whether this ultimately leads to a much more inclusive attitude towards Usmanov remains to be seen .
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/02/13/192150_hazard-a-choisi-tottenham.html
Tell me I am having an hallucination.
So you got my drift there.
I suppose your question related to that, Snir
Let’s just say that sometimes they still get it wrong.
Ollie: am I reading FF correctly in saying that Hazard wants to go to the Spuds since they have the worst squad among Mans City & Utd, Chelsea, us and them so that is where he has the best chance of getting a game?
Tabs – Haven’t seen any Kaka quotes… Link?
You read that right, NBN.
If that is his attitude, Ollie, perhaps he isn’t right for us.
Exactly what I was thinking, NBN.
Although expect people to moan either way
Goetze it is then?
TABs/CG: I hope that with the Rangers news people will start to see the very real threat to top clubs in this economy. Entire countries are going bankrupt and so a few millions of liquid does not insulate any club from a sudden downturn. Wenger – and our much maligned board – know a thing or two about finance (PHW comes from generations of Bankers) …so I believe that we are on the right track being frugal. Buying superstars are not the assets they were 10-years ago what with contracts not worth FA these days (look at Tevez and Shitty)…only the honour of a player being any sort of insurance for clubs…then there are injuries…loss of form (Torres anyone?) and a host of possible factors that make splashing out millions chasing trophies a very risky business. Better to grow your own I say – Arsene Knows. IMO.
I can’t get excited about Hazard at all – he gives me a kind of Na$ri vibe. I have said so on here before. I felt the same way when we signed Gallas & Na$ri and my intuition is nearly always right (or rarely wrong…sometimes I read it wrongly)…
Goatze it is for me..more suited to the Arsenal IMO
Ollie – a follow up to France Football – http://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/etranger/france/detail_hazard-aurait-choisi-tottenham?id=7566843
GT – Give me a healthy Jacky, and Hazard and Goetze can fuck off for all I care.
Wait until Man C or the Chavs offer triple the wage packet the Spuds can pay, then we will see where he heads too.
“But it can’t sing and dance and it can’t walk”
He’s not saying much there, Snir.
‘Maybe it will be Tottenham. It’s a Big English Club [So wrong, mate! look at that clock top right
] I said I’d go to England and there are some very good players’
would hazard want to play under david moyes?
Snir @185 – Will look for the link , heaven knows where I saw it so could be gone sometime . He was basically quoted as saying that he thought that he was all set for Arsenal last summer and thought that everything had been agreed , but that the transfer fell through for reasons unknown to him . Probably the usual bollocks , but the story was presented with the direct quotes .
GT @190 – Agreed . I think its unlikely we will see a spending spree in the Summer .
Tottenham have about as much chance of signing Hazard as David Hillier has of an Arsenal recall . IMO
tabs, I think that Kaka quotes proved to be fake, no?
I don’t really know how to react to that if it is true cos while I did want Kaka, I’m quite pleased with what we have now (considering we have Jacky on the books).
Was absolutely over the moon when we got Arteta and I can’t wait for a Song- Arteta- Jacky trio which would be very daunting for opposing midfielders…
Chelsea and Liverpool have to be the laughing stock of the league at the moment. How much did they spend in the last 12 months and where has it gotten them??
Get in!
Opportunistic, Snir.
Rangers in administration. That is quite a story. Maybe Rod Stewart will write a song about it?
https://twitter.com/#!/gscully/status/169148625849552896
Regardless of the Hazard to Spurs rumor.
I find this extremelyyyyyyy funny!!!
Well in Snir
GT – with you on Hazard. Looks / sounds like trouble to me.
Goetze… well, wouldn’t say no, but like Snir says, if we have a fit again LJW, then do we need him?
And then look at BtM’s list of those expected to break through next year….
I really hope that Afobe starts getting some minutes on the pitch this year. He really can’t be worse than Chamakh or Park (*disclaimer – I have no idea whether Park is good or not, I haven’t seen him!*)
Ollie @ 197 Ah , is that so ? Thought they were too good to be true , but they did make me laugh at the time . Can’t find ‘em now .
Snir – Well in and heh @202 .
He might go to PSG next summer though, tabs.
Don’t think your statue is planned there.
Jumping on the Arteta bandwagon just read his interview pre Milan – If that isn’t a team player talking I don’t know what is basically he’s saying he’s curbing he’s attacking instincts for the good of the side, Fair play,
Hazard or Goetze would do me but Id be more excited about the German only just mind as both have the football world at their feet
Hence i’d go Goetze as he’s seems a tab more stable Nd more likely to fulfil it. Think both are a pipe dream tho as they will get drenched in Spanish DNA come the summer – that Catalans a dirty dog 
Well in, SG.
CG: Chippy just called you a dirty dog and I quote: that Catalan’s a dirty dog
Very provocative no?
Evening all –
good stuff above. It’s off to Catalunya for me at 4.30 in the morning so sleep is in order.
Back in time for the Spuds – anyone going to be in The Tollie ?
COYR !!
Cheers TaBs @180. I wonder if it may lead to a bit more openness from the board room?
Steve , i think it will , unless they bring Usmanov in from out of the cold .
Trev , Catalunya ? Quackery Convention I presume ?
Great finds Snir. That Twitter link was hilarious!
For me, we need players who will bleed for the team, not primadonnas who are looking for an easy time because let’s face it, it’s not the easiest thing to be an Arsenal player. Don’t know where he’s going to sign but if he’s not prepared to fight, he shouldn’t be a Gunner. I would hate it if we sign another bottler. If he does sign and he’s coming to put a shift in, by all means.
Anyone following Lansbury’s progress? I like Lansbury but all of this talk of signing midfielders (Goetze, Hazard, etc) means he probably won’t be able to fit in the squad though if new blood comes in right? I don’t know how he’s doing down at WestHam but more academy promotions can’t hurt team spirit, I think. I would be really upset if we get another young world class player from abroad who fucks off after 2, 3 years and disrupts what we’re trying to do. I guess the only solution is to sign those world class players and then win something then….
*CoR takes his rambling self to the counter and orders two pints of Old Speckled Hen and downs them without so much as spilling a drop*
In a week when Thierry Henry scores the winning goal in a critical away game there is not much else to add really …
Jenkinson, Coquelin, AOC have all made huge breakthroughs into the first team this season, not that they will all stay there when other players come back, but massive positives they have been.
Not a ramble, COR. Of Lansbury, Arsene has said within the last 12 months “He has what it takes to succeed at Arsenal”
I don’t think he’s (yet) world class – no disagreement there, I suspect? The question is, how will he compete with:
Wilshere, Coquelin, Diaby, Arteta, Rosicky, Ramsey, Song, Frimpong, Aneke, Iceman, Aussie Cup and Goetze* (For Goetze read World Class, pick of the bunch, creative midfielder – he’s my pick)
You could argue that in a two year time-frame, Lansbury (by then 24) is a better bet than Arteta (32), Rosicky (33) and Diaby?
I hope that he makes it. He’s coming through the hard way. I think that’s a good thing and is in contrast to Theo’s silver spoon treatment.
CoR@212: have another Hen on me. Competition for places is good. But the best teams aren’t necessarily made of the best 11 players you have. The mixture and the chemistry matters. So does the blend of youth and experience.
AOC cutups in the Guardian are worth a chortle or two:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/gallery/2012/feb/14/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-gallery-football#/?picture=385909064&index=0
Thanks for the drinks and the links BtM, NBN and 8Ball!
I’m upset at the Guardian though, they didn’t include my magnificent Photoshop masterpiece…maybe I sent it in after deadline or something :/
Will upload it later and leave a link in here after I get home from work.
I think with regards to our midfield we need another creative midfielder but Lansbury seems to be like Ramsey and Ozyakup, lots of energy and pretty good shooting ability. Could maybe fill in when Arteta and/or Ramsey are out of commission. I heard that he has to work on his positional sense though…
CoR – Lansbury will forever be a squad player. Nothing more.
It’s up to him if that satisfies him or not.
Holic – You’ve got mail.
GT – I think you are spot on as it relates to this Hazard chap. I get the same Nasri vibes as you. Also, I’ve watched him playing a few games and while I think he’s a good talent, I’m really more excited about the German (Goetze).
I think he’d definitely be a better fit for us.
By the way, I have a gut feeling that Titi is going to get a starting berth in Milan.
Let’s go Gunners!
The Fondue Thickens
London, England. Carlos and El Jefe are sitting in the backseat of a taxicab not saying much as their driver navigates through the narrow streets. Only one of the windshield wipers is working, so the driver has to reach his right hand out the window and manually wipe the water away. Carlos and Jefe are quite anxious and their worry is evident on their flushed faces. After an hour of this absurdity, they arrive at their destination. Carlos and Jefe exit the taxi, have a brief argument with the driver and then make a slight jog through the rain into the game centre in front of them. They walk around for a few minutes inside the busy game centre until they come across a young man playing Call of Duty. Carlos and Jefe glance at each other before walking up to the machine nonchalantly.
Carlos: Is this the latest one?
Young man: It sure is.
Carlos: Three really is better than two.
Young man: Most definitely.
Carlos and El Jefe then leave and go to a pub on the second floor order two pints and then wait silently in the corner furthest from the door. The young man enters the pub after fifteen minutes accompanied by another young man. They both order hard lemonades and join Carlos and El Jefe at their table. Carlos offers his sweaty hand around.
Carlos: Nice to finally meet you Eisfeld. I heard a lot about you. And you must be Ryo. This is El Jefe. Feel free to call him Huge Jefner, everyone does.
El Jefe: When Shaft said we were getting new legmen I didn’t expect I would be changing diapers, too.
Eisfeld: I’ve never used or even needed diapers. I consider it a sign of weakness.
El Jefe: Whatever short-stuff, I hope you pendejos are up for this. Here are your dossiers.
Ryo: My English is not perfect yet but surely this last line, “Keep Bolton up” is a typo?
Eisfeld: Yeah, and what’s this “Surpass Götze” line about?
Carlos: Just read your briefs. If you got a question you contact Shaft on these phones. We gotta move.
Ryo: But Shaft told us we’d be seeing some of the main action!
El Jefe: Gotta earn your stripes youngblood. See you at the end of the season.
Ryo: Kuso…
***
Milan, Italy. Henry is in the Hotel Portello’s state-of-the-art gym using the stationary bicycle. He is listening to the latest McSolaar album and thinking about the upcoming Champions League match against AC Milan. He also wonders whether Ibrahimovich knows that the only cool person to wear a ponytail and play football retired years ago. The door opens and Shaft enters wearing a black tracksuit and a black headband around his forehead. His moustache is now reminiscent of Yosemite Sam. Henry chuckles under his breath as Shaft walks across to him.
Henry: When you made me promise not to laugh, I didn’t realize it would be so hard not to.
Shaft: I was trying to curry a favour with a lady and it all went wrong. Whatever, shut up.
Henry: So, what’s my final mission then?
Shaft: It’s a tricky one but I wouldn’t give it to you if I didn’t think you could do it. Ever heard of Viktor Kassai?
Henry: The Hungarian?
Shaft: Yeah. He’s going to be the referee for the Milan v Arsenal match. According to COMINT, he’s also going to be receiving orders from Blatter himself.
Henry: Merde…
Shaft: Not to worry man. You’re to plant this disrupter on the referee which relays the signal to Emirates Command Center and then help Arsenal get a result. Can you dig it?
Henry: Phew, I thought you were going to ask me to do something difficult.
Shaft: You can do it, T. Make us proud.
Henry: All I can say is I’ll do my best.
Shaft: Alright.
Henry: What are you going to do now then?
Shaft: Well, as I’m here, I figured I would do some endurance training. Would be a shame to waste the facilities.
Shaft walks over to the rack of dumbbells, ties his moustache to a 20 pound weight and starts lifting weights using just his moustache.
Henry: Shaft, you’re one bad mother…
Shaft: Shut your uurrrh!
Morning all
First off …. Shaft. Heh
Secondly – please help. Completely random… but after Holic tweeted a photo of the great Lauren the other day I have been tormented;
Did Sagna take over directly from Lauren (I don’t think so), but if not, then who was RB between them?
Scary memory loss. Whatever could cause it??!
The Scene : Happy Train – Operations Room
Dr Feelgood is following Professor Storey around as he carries out an impromptu check of supplies on the eve of the trip to North Italy. As the Professor ticks various boxes on an extensive check list, Feelgood is wittering away inanely in his ear, much to the Professor’s frustration, but he politely ignores him and goes about his business…….
Feelgood : …….”and so I said to her, how many pairs of shoes can one woman own? And as for the eye-patch collection……”
Edwin : “Mad Doctors, five of (one unconscious), check.
Prozac, cabinet full, check.
Pires-is-King original californian weed, running perilously low….
Lundstedt Credit Card – one, check.”
Feelgood : “She’s watching me like a hawk as well. Seems someone tagged me ….. with The Ponytail, even though it was all quite innocent……”
Edwin : “Caught on camera with Andy Carroll eh, it must have been through time-lapsed photography?…..”
Feelgood : “Not THAT ponytail, dozey, The Blonde.”
Edwin goes on ticking off his list……
“Bubble wrap suits – check
Sweeper’s Del Monte – check
Jagermeister – none…..
(A faint voice is heard in the background….”two”…)
Edwin stops momentarily, non plussed by an unexpected item on his list:
“Who the hell ordered this magazine – “Domesticating your Cat”?
Feelgood : “I ordered it as a surprise for Wolfie – I heard him getting all excited about going to Milan and getting up on the catflap….”
Impeccable 1
Good thought about Henry against Milan…
Start him and bring on the speed of The Ox in the second half?
Dr C 222. I think he did.
Or maybe not, after a little research, must have been a season or half-season gap.
Justin Hoyte?
Oh, how could I forget : Eboooooooooooooooooooooooooooue, of course!
Eboue, I’m a 100% sure of it.
Heh!!!!! Thank you Ollie.
Blimey – Eboue.
Wiped from my memory banks! Makes me feel a little better that you struggled for a while too!
Moving on…
Favourite Eboué moment: that control on the touchline against Charlton, to keep the ball in play, many feet in the air.
Yet to see a replay/picture that does it justice but it was truly amazing live in the stadium.
(that was Charlton at home, not the RvP-wondergoal-at-The Valley game)
This work malarky really has to stop preventing me from visiting the bar. Long day yesterday, and a busy one today. Now for five minutes of back-drinking before work calls again… pints all round, just because I can’t stick around at the moment it doesn’t mean I can’t buy you drinks!
Morning All!
Big heh to Dr.z @ #223. Del Monte for our Sweeper? Inspired! PIK Californian is becoming as rare as a Tevez fan. We need Lonestar & Harsha to step-up. May need to go on another international reccy to find alternate suppliers too
Regarding the Hazzard discussion above, it looks like that young man’s DNA is poisoned with a tad too much LWC DNA:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/7520513/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Andy @ #177 – Usmanov will not be getting a seat on the board for 30% shareholding.
A morning round on me for all who care to imbibe and don’t forget it St.ChampionsLeague Day today!
Cheers Lars, Boddies please!
Hi Lars.
Just as my mind was kind of set, I get another job offer, staying more in the same domain, that may be appealing.
OK, my boss had told me it would happen as I think he recommended me, but really I may have a choice of things totally different,
providing I fulfill all the requirements….
Chippy – how very dare you? Is it Feisty Friday? No it is not…
Mr T. I’ve ordered the sunshine and the snow for you, but you’ll have to source your own visual entertainment. Shouldn’t be too difficult.
Where are you? On the border?
FINALLY I can access the drinks!
Welcome, ette.
Remember, drink senisbly
Welcome back, ette.
Have they sorted their routers in Kenya then?
heh Dr Z
Feelgood
Innovative as always.
Del Monte Indeed.!!
By the By,
Have the Doctors given you any indication yet when you can have another unsupervised outing.??
Or alternatively, drink sensibly
24th March Clive.
I will not be the only villain that day
Thanksee Ollie and zico.
@Ollie, it seems so – or maybe, just maybe ‘holic was being a little naughty
Dr Z @223 – You may mock Sir , but when Milan is swept away on a tide of Smallballs Fever , when my Speedoes adorn every fashion magazine cover , and when Isabella Rossellini is begging me for a date so that she may pick my brains on how to accessorize successfully with Jimmy Choos , who will be laughing then ?
242 : No, no that was appropriate first time Dr Z!
Morning All ,
Shaft
8Ball @216 – heh , a few good ones there
Hello Ette .
CoR
Kuso….??
Google translate doesn’t compute!
Morning Ette
Welcome back.
Didn’t realise the Scum game was an early kick-off.
Feelgood @ 243
Jolly Hockey Sticks.!!
Have you made up a little Calendar so you can cross off the days till the 24th,just like you did in the Village when you were a little Boy/Girl,counting down the days to your birthday.
I wonder what the Doctors would make of the birthday wishlists you made up when you were young.
They have not been published in Mrs Dale’s Diaries due to serious,
‘ Not in the National Interest ‘ issues.
They are currently under lock and key in the ‘ Purple’ file,which according to Mrs Dale, is very apt.
Whatever can she mean.??
By the By,
I still cannot believe that Penelope Cruz ever let that Poison Dwarf
Tom Cruise,shag her back in the day.
She must have taken leave of her senses.
Some things are just completely unexplainable.
Clive
How random is the working of your mind??!!
You do have a pretty good point re you Penelope though.
Whatever did the young aspiring actress see in the multi-millionaire Hollywood Superstar??
*half stumbles, half falls into the bar*
I.. I’ve been back-drinking for 2 days solid! A ice-cold water to soothe my burning throat barman…
I may be a legendary back-drinker, but doing it over two bars is too much for me in my current state, all I can say is nice write-up ‘Holic, waxing lyrical BtM, and hilarious stuff Shaft
Three is definitely better than two, although it is what Two should of been in all honesty, making it two point five in my eyes 
Welcome back indeed Ette, and anybody else who can access the site after a mysterious outage.
Sunday lunchtime kick-off is possibly partly in the hope of keeping opposing tribes relatively sober, Ollie. I expect Sky were guided by the Met who would not have been keen on 4pm start.
Yeah, early kick-offs are often the case for the NLD indeed, ‘holic.
Haven’t decided on my travel plans yet.
Clive,
Not many know about the Purple File and I’m surprised that you have ventured to mention it on the interSpace.
If I were you, I’d watch out for who may be following you, next time you venture outside.
And whatever you do, don’t go back to the Village
Good bye Henry, you will be missed !!!!!!!
The smile on my sons face when you scored against Sunderland was worth 10 billion pound the look on O`neils face Priceless !
You will be back, were else would you want to go.
Henry a true great a true legend and also a true fan !
On the Arses today …
http://i.minus.com/ibxB9LGOgt4SEw.gif
Tabs … Heh
in other news, looks like CoR has missed his chance of seeing Freddie in the flesh…
http://fourfourtwo.com/news/restoftheworld/95443/default.aspx
tabs ‘untrusted connection’.
Might check it at home.
Yennaris 1-0
Mr C – Don’t know whether it was the injuries , but whilst he may have made a stack of cash in the last 5 years , from a footballing point of view , his career has been a real mess since he left the Arsenal .
Who are the reserves playing Ollie ?
TaBS
One up against Wolves at H-T.
Re Freddie – yep, think he’s been a spent force since before he left us. Too many injuries…
Ollie @ 260
I could’ve told you tabs was an “untrusted connection”.
And best not to “try this at home”
Re: Tabs @258: What would that band be without the energy of SZCZ??
Re: Shaft @221 and Feelgood @223: You fellas have been pulling overtime again. Good work!
Cheers Mr C .
Dr Z heh
8Ball – Take your point , but I rather liked what Hodgson was doing in the background
See the John Barnes paragraph…. Mediawatch are clearly passengers on the HT Mk II !!!
http://www.football365.com/mediawatch/7520977/The-Page-That-Loves-It-When-A-Plan-Comes-Together?utm_source=twitterfeed_Mediawatch&utm_medium=twitter
Catalan,
Someone is always stealing our ideas (remember the Professor’s link to Top Gear in the summer?).
Watch out for Armani’s new line in Speedos.
http://www.football365.com/lookalikes/7496237
Heh , do you think ‘Arry’s motivational team talks involve the words “feed you to my pigs” ?
Care of F365 .
We can but pray for such a glorious day Dr Z .
Interesting comparison between “then and now” Arsenal teams v Milan. Cesc’s creativity and will to win are one of the biggest differences in JW’s absence.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24035349-has-arsene-wenger-really-found-a-new-batch-of-san-siro-heroes.do
Hey fellas! This was my submission to the Guardian that didn’t make the reel in time. What do you think?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150562338881298&set=o.123701174368610&type=1&theater
@248: Catalan, maybe this is easier to search 「くそ～」 in Google translate eh
Hen’s Tooth for everyone still semi-sober on Shaft, he’s good for it
So Rangers go into administration.
And remain 9 points ahead of 3rd place, heh.
But, still cannot get their hands on the comb, as the bald man in hoops runs away triumphantly…..
The (Glasgow-centric) media up here will still pretend that the competition is still somehow, meaningful.
Pathetic.
North o’ the Border , I was always a Meadowbank Thistle man , something about the name conjured up images of sheep gambolling happily amidst the Caledonian fog .
Entered the League in ’74 , when I was a mere pup , and I envisioned the Club’s rise to greatness would mirror my own .
The early signs for both of us were encouraging . The Thistle punched above their weight and my attendance record at school was described as “exemplary” .
The Club soon hit hard times however , funnily enough , just as my own income took a huge hit . My father stopped all pocket money as a result of an incident which came to be known as “The female changing room disgrace” . It has never been mentioned since .
Changing their name to Livingston was the final straw for me . If your Club does not provide an outlet for frolicking sheep reveries every time you hear its name , then frankly what’s the point ?
My romance with Scottish football was dead .
Excellent tabs @ #276! Is that ‘incident’, by any chance, an insight into the origins of a young Master Smallballs? Was our Sweeper being in any way prophetic and was there a plastic baby Jesus doll involved. Just askin’….
To answer your questions in order TS , I would say , couldn’t possibly comment , perhaps and definitely not .
Some good news .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17031609
Good news on Wee Jack, I see.
Fingers crossed.
And Jenkinson is still alive!
Massive heh @223!
tabs, I assume that despite the loss of money “the female changing room disgrace” was worth it?
CoR@273: great work!
Good news indeed tabs! Blogs is reporitng the same story and has an interesting suggestion on how to spend ST.V’s evening for both Jack & our BFG
ARSENAL 1971 @ #257 – Lovely stuff, another well-schooled young Gooner courtesy of The ‘Holics. The look on O’Neill’s face must have been priceless indeed. He should have stuck to appearing in those American Pie movies.
And a little gem from .con
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3492951/reserves/arsenal-res-v-wolverhampton-w.-res?tab=report
Wolves, meanwhile, fielded a strong team with the likes of Dutch international Ronald Zubar
That would be the Ronald Zubar who is French and only played international football at U21 level.
tabs@279, one month from now could potentially be in only three league games, but those three games are Sp*rs (h), Liverpool (a) and Newcastle (h) – exactly the games we could really use a rested and fired-up Wilshere…
Sp*rs is just over 2 weeks away really, Lars.
And by ‘over’ I mean ‘under’. Of course :d
Ollie@286, not really sure what your point is
Great photos of the ACON tournament from the BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16990797
Tabs, Meadowbank Thistle’s origins were actually from the manufacturer, Ferranti, once a very large employer in Edinburgh and from memory, had to change their name from Ferranti Thistle as a condition of league membership.
Ferranti actually made lots of money from the military and arms industry, so not quite as romantic as your mutton fetish would suggest.
Mind you, the young Wolfie might have been happy to get a view of the occasional weapon…
Lars @282 – Undeniably
TS @283 – Heh , yes I saw that .
Ollie @284 – Ha , will they ever learn ?
Lars @285 – Obviously would have been great to have had him back sooner , but heh , if we can get him back fully match fit for the last 6 or seven weeks , and we are still involved in the Cups and a top four finish , he might make all the difference .
Nice little piece on TA5′s FA Cup memories over on Arseblog video , if anybody is interested .
Dr Z @290 ,
Oh Dear , another childhood memory tainted !!
The above description of my attachment to The Thistle did , I confess , contain some poetic license , though there was a kernel of truth .
A schoolfriend of mine noticed that having just acquired league status , they were getting hammered every week and were stranded to the bottom of the Scottish 2nd Div . We decided to follow them for a laugh , and for a while they did do pretty well .
I looked out for their results well into adulthood and only stopped doing so when they changed their name .
And then they won a cup!
So YOU’RE the jinx
Dr.z @ #290
Aaahhh…. I’ve spent many an hour visiting the fine engineering folk at Silverknowles, South Gyle, Crewe Toll and Robertson Avenue. Thanks for stirring those memories.
The EW weaponry on display was always enough to make your eyes water.
Roxette’s old man worked most of his life for them TS.
And Feelgood Mansions used to be located in South Gyle – small world.
Therein ends the connection between Feelgood and the Arms trade.
Well, he would say that wouldn’t he…..
Tabs@279: not so good news on Mertesacker, though. Is this the first we’ve heard of an earlier ankle injury to the BFG? ‘Ankle reconstruction’ sounds serious.
Makes a darting run down the right wing with the ball at my feet and makes an early cross into the box…
Tabs@270: but when ‘Arry says, “I’ll throw you to the dogs”, that just means a trip to Monaco.
Sees the chance and shoots !!
Oooh, what a brilliant finish from an excellent (if I may say so myself) cross!
Ned @298 – Yeh I saw that . Certainly doesn’t sound good . I’m hoping “reconstruction” was just a case of Arsene’s semantics !
And @299 – heh and a nice assist , though I note (rather darkly) that it took the surging midfielder 10 minutes to chug upfield and arrive in the box . Still no matter , a goal’s a goal . Takes shirt off in celebration to reveal t-shirt bearing the message “McCarthy ha ha ha”
Excellent build-up play did not go unnoticed Lars
The linesman on the far side has spotted an infringement – tabs was clearly offside.
Boo jinxy
I have to say I really do struggle with the Laws surrounding Administration/Receivership . They are baffling to a layman .
The idea that Rangers can simply reform as a new company leaving their creditors high and dry ( as Leeds and Portsmouth have done before them) , seems to me to be against any notion of natural justice .
Surely the rules should be far more stringent ? -
1. Immediate demotion to the lowest professional league .
2. Immediate auction of any player that can command a transfer fee .
3. Embargo for one year on any purchases where a fee is involved .
Offside Dr Z ? How so ???
And as for the jinxy bit , I think it was you who told me that you’ve only been able to get tickets for The Arsenal since the move to the Ems . A period where the trophies have mysteriously dried up !!
Just sayin’
Spot on tabs, another example of football not being like any other business.
zico @ #296 – Small world indeed. Edinburgh definitely in my top 3 cities in the UK. Trying to think where we used to go drinking at the end of the day and often deep into the following morning but my memory banks just cannae take it cap’n. It appears we’re going full circle in terms of arms deals, drug running and MI5/6. Perhaps I should dust-off my stillborn episode #2 of EXIT? Err….ok…. maybe not
lars @ # 298 – A fine assist to an assist indeed, forcibly rammed home by the ever-present tabs. Any chance you two to replicate that at the San Siro tomorrow night?
Barman? Fresh drinks if you please and the odd one or two for yourself whilst your there. Cheers!
Touche, tabs.
But my remit is not to preside over the collection of trophies, merely to buy you guinness. Lots of it.
Ned ,
According to Wiki Per tore his ankle ligaments in April 09 , but was back in time for the start of the 09-10 season .
Good evening Holics. I hope that all is well with you all. Middle of the day here in paradise. Been a busy couple of days for me – only had time for some sporadic drinking yesterday and today even less! See there is a new episode of Feelgood. So its a cup of tea and a little back drinking then I have to dash off again..but just wanted to announce my arrival
BTW well in TABs for the 300..
Re: # 306
Shock. Horror.
So it’s not some LWC builder sticking his gypsy’s curse under the turf at The Ems?
It’s the Feelgood Factor preventing Arsenal silverware!?!?
OK, questions in The House are going to be needed to help get to the bottom of this earth-shattering allegation.
The HT windows will be held half-open until the defendant can clear his besmirched name.
That sounds a very worthwhile remit to me Dr Z . Permission to carry on Sir
TS – Whatever did happen to EXIT ? Did it not get the go-ahead / financial backing after the Pilot ?
Blimey, you lot been busy drinking.
Solid finish, tabs.
TS, we will do our very best to stick a couple past Milan.
tabs@305: could not agree more. I also think these rules should apply to any team managed by Tony Pulis, Alex McLeish, Steve Bruce or Harry Crooknapp…
heh Lars, good idea!
Excellent idea Lars
Well in, Tabs. It is always the late runs that are most effective. Defenders had clearly given up waiting for you to arrive in the box. Very devious tactics on your part.
Ankle ligaments can be nasty. I did mine late in my career. Never played pedal steel violin again.
TS@312: you never know. In 1967, in Argentina, fans of Independente buried seven dead cats in the stadium of their arch-rivals Racing. Years of success dried up. Thirty-five seasons without a trophy followed, as did near bankruptcy. Over the years, six of the dead cats were found, but not the seventh. A priest was even called in to perform an exorcism, to no avail. Eventually, in 2001, a new club president had the concrete at the stadium ripped up. Underneath, in what had once been a ditch, were the remains of the seventh cat. That season, Racing won the league. Its true. Story is in Goldbatt’s history of the game, ‘The Ball is Round’.
Right, @ 312
if it makes you and your Wolverine friend happy, I’ll take the blame for the trophyless years.
You can tell Gareth and Gervais to dedicate their next poisonous polemic to the Feelgood factor
re: Receivership, as businesses football clubs are treated like any other business. They are either wound-up or reorganised if they have any hope of continuing as a going concern on a smaller scale. There is, though, one outrageous exception — football creditors (clubs and leagues and their employees) get priority over other creditors. To my mind it is ridiculous that highly paid footballers are first in the queue of creditors ahead of small businesses and even charities like St. John’s Ambulance Service when a club becomes insolvent. Most businesses don’t operate in organized leagues so questions of automatic relegation are moot. It is up to the EPL and the FA to make the rules in that regard. They, in their infinite wisdom, think docking of 10 points is sufficient.
While I am on the soapbox, the taxman is going after football clubs in a big way (not unjustifiably given the lax finances, tax avoidance, late payment of tax and NI, bungs, offshore accounts and all-round dodginess in the way many clubs are run). But is the same happening with the same zeal to the banks and other financial firms?
Ned , heh @ the steel violin career , and blimey (!) at the Argentine tale of woe . Mind you , wouldn’t be the first time Good Men have been laid low because they couldn’t find no pussy
Dr Z – heh don’t involve me ! I’ve already said I’m perfectly happy for you to carry on in your present role as chief Guinness buyer
Ned ,
Aren’t the Revenue challenging that “football creditors first” rule , or have they already challenged it and lost ?
They are challenging it in the High Court, Tabs. I don’t think there has been a decision handed down. I am not even sure there is a direct case. It might be over-ruled in a particular case, so setting a new precedent. Perhaps one of our learned friends in the bar might know.
For those keeping score at home, here is a list of the clubs that in recent years have had points deducted for entering bankruptcy administration:
http://bit.ly/wxYO0F
Cheers for Info Ned
@ 321
Guinness for tabs, barman. And do you know the number of a local exorcist?
Arsenal squad for tomorrow:
Wojciech Szczesny
Lukasz Fabianski
Thierry Henry
Robin van Persie
Yossi Benayoun
Andrey Arshavin
Theo Walcott
Aaron Ramsey
Tomas Rosicky
Alex Song
Mikel Arteta
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Laurent Koscielny
Francis Coquelin
Thomas Vermaelen
Johan Djourou
Kieran Gibbs
Bacary Sagna
No Chammy, no Park, no Wolverine, no Pine Marten
Good looking squad though, no?
Cheers TS.
Welcome Ollie
….. but there is a Meerkat
…. and an Ox
Great stuff NBN @ #318. That is a story that will even make the hairs on Roxette’s mother’s lip stand on end.
…. with all due respect to zico’s potential MIL, etc., etc., whom I’m quite sure is a wonderful woman.
PS: We have a Ram and a Coq in the squad too.
Thank you, TS. As far as Roxette’s mother goes, I don’t think I have had the pleasure.
Anyone playing against Barcelona will have to put up with refrees decisons. I saw some laughable decisions going against Leverkusen tonight. Just brings back memories of RVP’s ridiculous sending off at the Nou camp
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So @ 330, how did you know she had a moustache?
Ned, Roxette’s mother and pleasure in the same sentence – computer says No!
Now here is a question of absolutely no import: when Arsenal names its squad what is the order it uses? The squad for Milan is not in alphabetical order. It is not by shirt number. It is not by age. It is not by nationality. It is not homegrown and non-home grown players. There is some positional clustering, but the goalkeepers are at the opposite end of the list from the defenders. So what is it?