Only Five? I’m Gutted
Feb 26th, 2012 by 'holic
I’ve had worse days up the Arsenal.
I suppose in the interests of fairness I should confess I wasn’t quite so laid back after half an hour, or more. Who was? Such a difference from the optimism I had built up on the journey to the new home of football.
I had started the day on the train reading how we would be left behind by Tottenham, according to the erudite football brain of Henry Winter. That cheered me up. He knows as much about football as I know about needlework. Unusually early, I joined the queue at the Tollington eagerly awaiting the opening of the doors and the pouring of the black stuff. From all corners of the planet Gooners arrived to ponder what may happen. It was a joy to meet the Aussies, even though they did not bring an aluminium bat with them!
Once inside the ground it was clear that no matter which side of whatever arguments are currently taking place, all present were determined to get behind the side. That was just as well, given the nature of the opening spell. Just four minutes on the clock when we were rather exposed by a simple ball into Saha in the centre of the park, and his effort deflected off Vermaelen beyond Szczesny. You could not have scripted a worse start.
In all honesty, although they didn’t have much of a cutting edge, the visitors looked sharper in the middle of the park for a spell, but the better chances were falling the way of Arsenal. The skipper narrowly missed, then Rosicky saw a clever header tipped over by Friedel. Just as we thought we were taking control Tottenham had a penalty when Bale was seemingly shot by someone behind me, a full fifty yards away. I will be surprised if MOTD2 shows me to be wrong, but I will hold my hand up if it does. The sight of him laughing as he strolled off with Szczesny at half-time did little to placate me.
What had placated me by that time was the turning of the tide in our favour. The comeback was sparked by an unlikely source. Bacary Sagna, header. I’ll say that again. Bacary Sagna, header. That is about as rare as a Harry Redknapp confession. It transformed the contest, but strangely not the mood. The home support had stayed fully behind their side despite slipping two behind. The fortune with which the visitors had gone two up was not lost on the crowd. The Sagna goal turned the volume up a notch, and we were level. What a strike by the skipper.
The ‘holic pound became the topic of conversation at half-time. “Of course if Theo puts us 3-2 up we should shut up shop” I selfishly suggested. “Have you seen us lately mate, you’re having a laugh”. The fella behind me thought I wouldn’t land my punt. He was presumably feeling vindicated when the tactical genius that is Harry Redknapp took off the scorer of their only legitimate goal, and his mate Kranjcar, in order to introduce the hapless Van der Vaart, and the even more comical Sandro. Cheers Harry. Can’t wait to see England in the summer with you in charge.
True enough, the substitutions ensured the destination of the points. Arsenal took complete control, and for a fleeting second from my vantage point I thought Theo may have put us 3-2 ahead. “Shut up shop now boys!” The big money was gone though. The jumbotrons confirmed Rosicky had finally broken his drought, and nobody in red deserved it more today, although Yossi deserved one as well. Well played Tomas. That wasn’t the end of it though.
Theo, who endured a mixed opening half, suddenly found himself with room to work in. He fired one narrowly wide before the skipper set him up for 4-2. The fun was extending to the stands. “Harry Redknapp, pays tax when he wants”. The Tottenham bench were presumably regretting mocking the support behind them in the opening half an hour. Joe Jordan foolishly suggested that some of the Gooners behind him were Huddlestone shaped. Very unprofessional.
Song, much improved on his last couple of outings, then set Theo free for a fifth. With over twenty minutes to go I pleaded for a sixth, having not seen us knock in that many against the swamp-dwellers in my spell on this mortal coil. How selfish of me was that? All but a senile handful of the visiting support have not even seen their team win the title, and there was I begging for something as trivial as a sixth goal against a totally vanquished opponent.
The post-match tea and scones tasted so sweet on this, of all days. The worst Arsenal side in fifteen years, and we are, had absolutely humiliated the best Tottenham side in fifty years, and they are.
North London is ours.
534 Responses to “Only Five? I’m Gutted”
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Played ‘holic – The lads stood tall when it all looked a bit shit – who could ask for anything more?
UREDS!
So close! But I’ve had my maiden first already 😛
Ok, back-drinking, commence.
Great stuff from ‘Preacher’ Smallballs, the new members of the Goram clan and etc 🙂
I saw the news for Arshavin’s loan maybe on Friday evening, probably Saturday Morning, my initial reaction was of disbelief and sadness, this isn’t the Denilson situation, where a player with promise but no talent is sent off on loan, but a player with talent that some may say was signed without Wenger’s backing, some may say was played out of position but all will agree that he was a game-changer.
I’ll never forget that 4-4 game at Anfield at ’09, Goodbye (for now?) Andrei the Meerkat.
Excellent post ‘Holic 🙂
Joe @ 6, take a bow son 🙂
For someone like me who’s back-drinking from after the match, excellent words.
Snir @ 34, thank you, honestly, for the link. That man could make me cry manly tears with his words :’)
I’m with Lonestar @ 35, PURE CLASS our Captain is 😀
Chippy @ 45, I hope you’re living it large, along with Ricey @ 17 if he took the Theo bet 🙂
I said it in Dorking earlier today and I’ll say it again, Bale is a diving Cunt.
Top stuff & a Top Century Indeed Joshua @ 100 🙂
Ricey @ 105, my heart’s tearing for you mate :s
Snir @ 118, very nice, especially your #1.
NBN @ 119, well said.
Dr Faustus @ 122, too right.
cba @ 141, yep 🙂
Joe @ 160, well said *thumbs up*
Matt @ 176, my thoughts about the match near exactly
Oxon Gooner @ 195, what a debut, a NLD at home, you can’t make it up 😉
bg @ 200, what a century!
Back-drinking… End.
Now to go and read the post 🙂
ooooo….. if only I had had my eyes open!
G’night all…. going to celebrate! 😉
Lovely roving report, Holic. Here’s how it looked from a flat-screen viewpoint in deepest Virginia.
Five Star Gunners Roast Marshmallow Pretend-Men
Arsene called for togetherness. The Boo and Bleat Brigade did what they do. Those of a booooing persuasion, and dubious, bile-filled agenda, could be heard “Get OFF Walcott” and seen clearly (Song’s mis-pass after 5 mins : check out the reaction). “Only 8 minutes in and we hear murmurs of mutiny all around us!” : our US commentator.
It doesn’t get worse than Arsenal’s start to this game. That the importance of the fixture was weighing on minds with confidence reduced to the fragility basement was very evident. So too was the fact that, although this was probably Arsenal’s “first pick” back five – they hadn’t played together as a unit before. EVER.
The Marshmen went ahead inside 5 minutes while our defense was still trying to figure out who was doing what. And for 15 minutes, it was all Spuds – trying to look like Golden Wonders, as England’s future manager looked on – and twitched. (It’s always good to be a Scot, but there are times when it is VERY good).
Thereafter, Arsenal began to gel, Rosicky went close and RvP could have, should have scored from an excellent Sagna cross. But just as things were beginning to roll, an LWC breakaway saw Bale swinging through the vines, elbowing Gibbs aside before dragging his foot toward Szczesny’s arm – over which it bounced. No contact but a penalty was given.
** So, we gave Spuds a TWO goal start.
Then, with the majority in the crowd REALLY getting behind them, while the BBB booed on brightly and laid into Theo, we saw what this team can do. Maturity, spirit, tenacity, mental strength, character were all in evidence as Arsenal proceeded to rip Spuds a new one. RvP was quite magnificent. Rosicky, a revelation. Arteta and Song were supreme and Benayoun dispelled instantly all memories of the Russian coiffure that once haired up our flank.
It was GREAT to see 3 of our full backs back in action. All impressed and it was the best of the bunch, Sagna, who ignited the blue touch paper with a bullet header. RvP, who’d hit the post moments earlier, and looking more like Dennis than Dennis, made it two. And inside three minutes the score-line was back in proper perspective.
There was only ONE team in it as Arsenal showed that class is permanent and Spuds are shit. Rosicky scored a beauty before Walcott shoved a brace down the BBB’s throat. There was still time and 8-2 was definitely on the cards. Arsenal kept playing pure penetrating football to a grand chorus of OLE! while Marshmen in droves slumped back to marshland, damaging pavements as their knuckles dragged heavily.
And of Hawwy, what is there to say? His recent court case was a pantomime that proved conclusively there is only One Dick in London and it’s him. He brought on Fan der Fart (who really stunk the place up) and sand man Sandro to no avail, as he twitched and Joe Jordan gummed there way to the final whistle. Big Team? My arse.
***** And then we scored FIVE to thump them.
Only ONE team in London and only ONE Arsene Wenger.
Best post in a while for me ‘Holic, maybe its the occasion 😛
Nice one BtM 🙂
*raises imaginary glass in hand*
I am struggling to remember a day when I laughed more. Dullard deluded fuckwits. I guess world domination is on hold for another year at least????
And I have to share this:
i40.tinypic.com/i5bw3p.jpg
😆 😆 😆
Copy and Paste Lads, Copy and Paste 🙂
“All but a senile handful of the visiting support have not even seen their team win the title, and there was I begging for something as trivial as a sixth goal against a totally vanquished opponent”……one for the “best moments” scrap-book, Number 55.
Brilliant team support today, showed the lwc who the top north london team is, and well bale had a lot to say yesterday, where is he now the stupid diving cock
i40.tinypic.com/i5bw3p.jpg hilarious hahaha
you mustn’t forget that their first goal was a fluke and it wasn’t a penalty. hence record books should really actually record it as a 5-0 victory.
Just lost my very long comment that took me ages to write, so I’ll simply say:
Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!
F-O-Y-S (repeat x 90)
So what was that stuff in the hipflask?
Great stuff mate,
I love you holic, in fact I love all Gooners tonight. Still totally buzzing and cannot calm myself down.
Going 2-0 down has just made this all better. Can you remember the feeling when the penalty went in? It was horrible and I was waiting for the world to cave in, expecting the Emirates to turn red and horns pop up over everyone’s head but the crowd stayed with the team for the most part (apart from the Arshavin booers moving over to Theo)
What followed is what we have missed for the last few weeks. Fight, determination and spirit. Yossi, Tomas and Arteta racing around after Tottenham players to snap into tackles and win the ball.
If we could bottle this up and then pour it over our games in every game then we would be top 3 without question.
Theo had a shocking first half but his second half finishes were what we had become used to from him. His dinked first was sublime and his second was clinical.
I love this team, love this manager and love these lovely players. We are better than recent weeks, performances against Chelsea, Blackburn and the Scum prove that. Throw in consistent application and there is no reason why we cannot build on this group of players and make us competitive again.
On a train on the way home from work. My plan is a few beers and the highlights.
Great report holic. BTM likewise.
Now for the rest of the prog.
“Garth Bale peel bananas with his feet.” etc etc..
Good stuff ‘holic, thanx for that.
I managed to take a break in my over hectic scheduale to catch the game, there was no way I was going to miss a NLD, even though I was admitedly more worried about how this one would pan out then I have been for as long as I can remember. Thank God I didn’t miss that one, what a game, what a come back, what a performance, loved it, loved it, loved it.
A round of beers for those in the bar on this happiest of nights.
If we take 3 points at Anfield and Utd do us a favour next weekend, we’ll be 4 points behind with 10 or 11 games to play. Dare we “Believe”!
I’m afraid you well should chastise us Aussies for not bringing the aluminium bat because if we did we might well have hit the bastards for six!
I’m still in slight shock that we came halfway around the world for that. How do you script it? It’s just so typically Arsenal and it’s why we bloody love them. The whole day was an absolute treat and something we won’t soon forget. I only ask one final thing; accuse us convicts of anything you like but we certainly no longer sing only when we are winning. We gave it our all today and as you said they would, the boys responded. Get in you reds.
“To hell and back in half an hour”. Directed by Arsene Wenger,
starring: Alexander Song, Theo Walcott, Robin Van Persie and Gareth
Bale…and the Oscar for best supporting actor goes to……
……..GARETH BALE!!!
Who saw when RvP dribbled past about 5 sp*rs players hile doing skill haha took the piss out of the big headed cocks
Wow, the Mean Lean. I’m humbled.
I’m also unbearably smug tonight 🙂
Cheers, neighbour. You are a lucky omen in the NLD. Come again 😉
I don’t get it. I thought Monkeyboy was going to beat us on his own.
That’s what all the papers were saying…
BBC are just reporting some breaking news. It has just been announced that Garth Bale will be partnering Tom Daly at the 2012 Olympics.
Just saying like.
Mean Lean @ 17, bloody well said 🙂
And with that, I’m off to bed, till the morning guys.
@23 you mean this ?
http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=xp2egp
White Ox, you are a top man. Like you, I have no voice left.
Unlike you, I am expected to do a report tomorrow.
Fuck it 😉
Holic this is classic…
‘The worst Arsenal side in fifteen years, and we are, had absolutely humiliated the best Tottenham side in fifty years, and they are.’
I’ve managed to track down a British pub here that sells London Pride, the bar staff wear T shirts with ‘Bollocks ‘ stencilled on the back and the bar staff (blokes and women) wear kilts (only in America). I suspect BTM is the owner. I’m back tonight to grab a pint and celebrate..
@28 yep thats exactly what i mean
You fickle, fickle Gooners. One week you hate them and the next you are back in love. Fair weather fans you are!
Power shift. you’re having a laugh
@yid 5:2 mind the gap
@30 West Upper–not sure that this the worst Arsenal team in 15 years. It is for sure the worst in the last 7. Even Liverpool have finally won a trophy in that period
@ 20 Jokily..Nah don’t believe–you’ll lose next week
Today is why I love Football -it gives you pleasure you simply can’t explain to those who don’t go to to games. The sheer enjoyment of beating the LWCs is difficult to explain.
I’m a long standing season ticket holder who doesn’t do away games -to those who were in Milan and at Sunderland I salute you – you deserved this kind of performance for your loyalty.
I’m still grinning after a fantastic lunch and pints with mates – its why no matter how many bad performances there are each season I’ll always renew mt ticket. Watching ARsenal is like around of golf -, there’s always something to make you want to go again.
We simply don’t know how lucky we are at times – I watched us between 74 and 77 when we are truly terrible and lord only know how we avoided relation – tonight I sleep knowing we’ve kicked the shit ( again ) out of the scum from the wrong end of the Seven Sisters Rosd !
Yo @32 – you stupid fuck.
Are you proud that your moniker is a derogatory term to Jews? Despite the fact that you guys are dumb enough to adopt it as your own nickname.
Yeah, and after that we’re the mugs.
Fucking cunt.
@32 FUCK OFF why are you even on an arsenal blog, you lwc best MIND THE GAP.
have to admit at 0-2 and great gapping gaps in the deffence also 3.00am in the morning here it was the closest i have ever got to going back to bed,glad i couldnt walk away,great result that now that is the Arsenal fight,MORE PLEASE.
West Upper, I wish. Which City?
@32 ……………………5 FUCKING 2 NOW FUCK OFF YOU TOSSER
Respect to the boys in red! That is as good
as we get at the moment. Some of the play
down the left flank with Gibbs was exceptional!
Let’s beat Liverpool and then destroy Newcastle
and then we vmcan enjoy the rest of the season!
Well said ‘holic. Watching it on the box we too were wishing for the sixth historic goal. We were however treated to the next best thing which was Thunderbird Parker’s red card show by the season ticket holders which was simply hilarious. The icing on the cake for what was a classic and memorable victory. Oooh to be ah Gooner. Drinks all round barman !
Great report Holic
Fantastic result today. A much needed boost for the fans, players and manager. Good to see us maintains our fourth spot.
One thing that worries me in this otherwise perfect day is, I wish people would leave Theo alone. Sadly there is a pattern here. Eboue, Denilson, Arshavin and now Theo and even Ramsey sometimes. I wish those of us with large twitter followers and respected blogs like this one would repeatedly plea with fans until the message gets through.
Cheating diving chimp
BTM @41 Tampa FL – I’m working here for 3 months at the moment..
Gents, avoid using post numbers. The intellectually challenged will be deleted.
Enjoy.
What a great fucking day that was
Night everyone have to wake up 6:00 tommorow 🙁 well at leasst today has been cheerful 🙂
“Him”
From prev drinks.
Cheers Lars (and others) heres whats been going on;
At the turn of the year the lease on my bar was coming to an end and I decided not to renew it, it was a nice place, but small and there was no room to expand and not much chance for cliental growth.
Ten kilometers futher up, on a busy tourist cyclist route on the Westfriesdyke there was an old farmhouse that was converted into a truck drivers cafe that had been empty for a while, it’s at least 10 times the size of my old bar and cost a great deal more, but I met with the owner a few times, did some wicked wheelin’ n dealin’ and managed to persuade him to let me give it a go for a reduced hire/lease price.
For the last 6 weeks or so I’ve been renovating and cleaning it up, with a bit of help from a few mates, but mostly alone with my other half. We managed to open up last Friday and we’ve been working 12-14 hour shifts everyday, but it’s well worth it.
We’ve converted it into a bar/restaurant, it’s called t’ Wagenwiel (The Wagonwheel) and it’s in Lambertschaag;
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5113/voorkantklein.jpg
For those of you who believe in fate here’s a little tit bit you’ll enjoy; while looking for a logo I wiki’ed “wagenwiel” and this is what I found;
http://nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagenwiel_(symbool)
Check out the third image.
Any ‘holics ever in the area please feel free to pop in for a bevvy.
F*ck Off You 5Pur2!!!
Stirring stuff ‘Holic. Great to see you and the usual suspects today, and as always. it was another brilliant day out: pre-, during- & post-match.
We were the 12th man today and the team was magnificent bar a twitchy start.
Get back in that shadow you LWCs.
’61 & NEVER again!
One of the great nights of football viewing. I had my Mike Dean is an arsehole hat on after he waved away Gibbs penalty shout and ignored the little handball of Parker in the box, only to give the Chimp a penalty for a blatant and obvious dive. Through much gnashing of teeth, I said to my son “we can still beat the scum”. He looked me in the eye and said Dad “you’re not quite right in the head”….. How right/wrong he was. I might be NQR but I can smell a victory a mile off or I am just an enteral optimist.
I felt Theo in the first half was doing all the right things but just mucking them up @ the end and thought he had created our first goal with the sublime little flick to RVP, alas it hit the post, only for the ball to be recycled back into the box and the Bac showing his huge desire to get on to the end of it and complete a magnificent finish, while the Chimp just watched it happen… Can’t dive in the defensive half I guess was his theory.
I won’t bore you with what happened next only to say the LWC’s got put well and truly in their boxes and the crappy Scum supporting commentators that we get on Oz TV had to eat some humble pie. Especially the pre game blurb which stated after the announcement that Yossi would be starting, that Wenger “liked to be seen to be marching to his own beat.” with the implication that the British press know what’s best for Arsenal not their manager.
Now I hope we can to Anfield and Baptista them into submission. ” Adebeyor what’s the score”
@32 thanks for making the effort to post in a quality gooner website. Now do us all a favour and cock-off back to your smelly swamp, and don’t forget to avoid the partially obstructed views.
Delightful post, ‘Holic. The penultimate paragraph was a most elegant turn of the knife.
Lovely, lovely summary maestro. Enjoyed it as much as the match. COYRs!
@ #32
Mind the gaps!
http://yfrog.com/ocxcfalj
From a ‘fickle fan’ since ’69 who is STILL waiting to see if you lot will ever win the league.
Have a drink on me, you must be needing it after today.
Great post, ‘Hols…
Spunks are scum. Always have been, always will be.
St. Totteringham’s Day — it’s back on, b*tches!
BMBD.
It’s late.
But what a day.
For once, I might do Monday’s.
Incidentally, I hope someone put a self addressed envelope round tabs’ neck – how else is he going to get home? 😉
It was a fantastic win, but there was an added bonus: as Arsenal ran rampant, Stewart Robson, whose does the match commentary an inordinate number of times over here, had to simmer and fester in his bilious stew of hate and bile for Arsenal through the whole of the last two thirds of the game. His bitterness and resentment towards Arsene Wenger and Theo Walcott in particular almost verges on the pathological, and must come from being rejected by the former for any significant coaching position at Arsenal. What an odious, puffed-up windbag Stewart Robson is, and how great it was to have Walcott’s two excellent goals shoved down his suppurating throat.
It’s ironic on the weekend Arshavin leaves us we see the players attitude ‘we refused to be beaten’ reflect the commitment and passion of the fans.
Coincidence perhaps?
Now we know you’re capable of giving 100% boys I expect to see it in every game, I can live with losing as long as I see the fantastic spirit and fight the players showed today I’ll be happy.
Funny u should say that bstrum. He is extra-ordinarily critical of Arsene. He HATES our defense.. And last week he started pasting Arsenal players for trying to get opponents carded. Weird.
BtM – I’ve said this many times in this bar.
I haven’t seen him play in an Arsenal shirt, but I’ve got no respect for him as a pundit.
How he is on the ATVO payroll is beyond me.
He is the most Anti Arsenal pundit on Television.
More than any other pundit with no Arsenal connections.
Stewart Robson has also been trying to hang Theo for years,his coments on press pass make me laugh,not alot of love for Arsenal at all on that panel.
‘Holic, that last paragraph is a classic. Good to see you today.
Super, super Tom;
Super, super Tom;
Super, super Tom;
Super Tom Rosicky!
If I am watching on a stream, I now seek out one with commentary in a language I don’t speak. (The choice is wide!) The level of intelligence of any in English has sunk so low, it just doesn’t bear listening to. Today I heard the same remark that BtM heard on the Fox broadcast about mutinous comments. Yet all the background crowd noise was of the home support getting behind the team. Do these commentators think we are as stupid as they are?
Dadric: spot on. Rosicky’s performance in recent games makes one wonder what we have missed as a consequence of his prolonged enforced layoff.
As derby day approached I guess I was not the only one with slight
worries. If I am honest I was not sure what I expected today. I know what i hoped for and I felt I knew what we could produce. However, consistency is not something we can say has bothered to grace a lot of our performances this year.
The arrival at the Grove was a hurried affair. Work commitments meant that any pre match refreshment was to be in the form of ground beans and hot water rather than fizzy pop and meat, carefully wrapped in pastry.
There seemed an excited anticipation about the place today. It was
almost as if the Spuds were favourites but that there was a knowing Poker Face type bluff going on.
The atmosphere was electric. The match started and some poor defending and another bloody defection saw us one down. We looked a bit scatty for the next period until we really started to take control. The Bale penalty that followed was simply a disgrace. He should be ashamed of himself. Quite disgraceful. Someone mentioned it above and they are right. If that was Eduardo, or any other foreign player then he would have been crucified. I hope he gets slaughtered in the press tomorrow although I wont hold my breath.
What followed was pure magic. Recent results meant that today cried out for a performance. Today was a day that players had to be men. We were treated to some wonderful performances. Tommy R played as he has almost all of 2012. He has an energy and a drive that was superb. Arteta was just awesome in the way he held the midfield together. Song after a less convincing first 15 mins subsequently produced and awesome performance.
I was very pleased to see Bacs get the opener. I wonder how those dullards who deemed it acceptable to insult him at the toilet as he lay with a broken leg feel now? The RVP second was just awesome.
The second half was all Arsenal. Harry shit himself and went for bulk rather than quality. Our pace and movement just crippled a sad set of Spuds. As the time ticked on I would say I have seen milk turn quicker than Kaboul and King did, such was the raggedness they had been left in.
The fire alarms clearly sounding in the away end were immaculately observed by those who had made the short distance from the toilet as an orderly exit ensued. Cue more wit and banter. “Ade Ade what’s the score.” “Pays tax when he wants, pays tax when he wants. Harry Redknap, pays tax when he wants.” But none of those match my all time favourite. There is nothing better than seeing a load of crowing spuds, getting constant texts from other dullard spuds, only to tear them a new one and rub their noses in it. Then it starts. “Are you Tottenham in disguise?”Pissed myself laughing.
Just time at the end to see Ade traipse off. He was asked numerous times what the score was but he did not seem to know. I guess he is as good with numbers as dear old Harry.
Final word for Theo. I have on many an occasion felt that he has not delivered and has under performed. I also know that I am very much in the majority. But some of the bollocks I heard today was quite frankly embarrassing. I have defended fans to the hilt, but some of those fuckwits say behind me need to take a long hard look at themselves. First half Theo was clearly struggling. But what impressed me was he actually showed character. He did not hide or shirk. Second half he was a different player. Quite frankly he took the piss and was very unlucky not to get a treble. The fuckwits, finally realising that they might have something to celebrate finally shut up. If any read this then please, for the sake of our club, fucking grow up.
Onwards and upwards dear holics…..
Steve T, I shared your apprehension before the game. I said to a friend yesterday that we were either going to implode or storm to a glorious victory, but nothing in between. That seems to be how this team plays it, exasperating as that is for us.
Nice one, ST. I trust you gave these said fwits one of your famous looks? See you for Villa or City?
The commentator hit the nail right on its head when he said during the half time break “…….I thought Arsenal were dead and buried after half an hour, But, they are RIGHT BACK into it….” How appropriate.
..Finally caught up with the drinks – starting with the previous..
Nice one ‘Holic, BtM, Trev, Steve T, Oxton for the reports. Saw the match live and watched the recording twice! Can’t get enough..
Well we did hand them their balls in a bag as I wished for..
I just hope the real Arsenal ie the 5-2 winners turn up at Liverpool next week. Please no more jekyll and hide show. Third place can be achieved if the gunners play like Sunday’s winners.
Btw Inter could be there for the taking. It could be far fetched but yoy never know. Assuming the gunners lead 2-0 at ht,Inter could be quaking. That’s where the defence and never say die attitude of the players come in.
Sweet, sweet victory – still basking!
What a fucking day! Pleasure to see the man himself and assorted ‘holics. Roll on the next time!
This kid is an absolute legend.
Hugging the ball boy.
He just made a kid’s life, not day, life!
https://twitpic.com/show/large/8p5htf
SG he’s the one player who each time I’ve seen Arsenal this season ,Marseille and Milan has made the effort to salute the away fans .He is one of the new generation coming through who seem to have or adopted for life Arsenal DNA, Wilshere,Frimpong Jenkison and Chez going by their twitterings are with us for the long term.
Great shot @ 58 TS – get in!
or indeedy – get out! Still basking
How much was that needed! I am hoping, really hoping, that part of the strategy of getting Henry back was to illustrate to RVP what it’s like to be a legend at our great club and that the grass is invariably not greener elsewhere. Hopefully he may have had a few quiet words with him. Everyone was immense today and RVP, together with his wonder goal, played like a real Captain.
Gareth Bale. On Motd2 it was not even mentioned and yet when Pires left his foot in and went down against a Redknapp side (Portsmouth wasn’t it?) some years ago he was pilloried in the press because of Redknapp’s post match outburst. Eduardo did similar against Celtic and was nearly banned by UEFA because if the Scottish FA’s attitude to it. both incidents were analysed to death but not one minute was given over to Bale’s blatant dive. It is ok to ‘win’ a penalty. Just enough doubt for Dean not to show a red though. I am surprised at Dean.
I know we are too full if class to take this further especially after a win like yesterday’s, but Bale is a blatant diver and should have been booked. We need to stamp thi cheating out of the game. The FA should ban him for 3 matches retrospectively. I would also like to see video refs for all penalty decisions and all red cards.
Our fantastic win covers over the issues above, but imagine the totts without Bale for the next 3 matches. We may just over haul then anyway and they will not have Parker for the visit of man u.
Sweet mother of football gods.
The absence of post match analysis of that dive is absolutely extraordinary given some of the past witch hunts.
is it because he’s a media darling or because the newsrooms are full of LWCs or because ‘arry’s team would never do such a thing?
Holic, you missed one.
Seriously, if you want to know what’s wrong with our “fans”, look no further.
Oh and Wolfgang the Imposter @ 75, “Inter” ?
Probably all 3, Bath. 🙂
Serenity rules OK (as recommended by tabs)
I love working in an office with Sky in 45minutes i get to re watch the Humilliation of the LWCs all over again 🙂
Very late to the bar this morning and I haven’t yet imbibed any of the drinks so my apologies if I merely repeat or echo what has already been said.
Fantastic, fanbloodytastic!
Theo had a first half to forget, he looked devoid of all confidence and me and the missus were musing that perhaps he should be taken off for his own well being and sanity as nothing he tried worked out when he had a near miss, then he scored and from then there was no looking back he was a different player. It is apparent to me that he is no winger and is far more effective more centrally – we’ll wait and see.
Drinks to all of our players, le Boss picked the right team. Rosicky and Benny worked as if their lives depended on it. Captain fantastic was just that, he’s added toughness to his skills now. Gibbs? Terrific, especially considering how little he has played. The rest of the back four were all good, the whole effing team were good so I’ll pontificate no more.
I was a little upset when the living proof of Darwin’s theory of evolution dived for their penalty. Cheating bastard, missing link or what?
In the second half there was only one team in it. Credit to everyone involved, when it mattered they showed they have got what it takes, they just have to learn to do it again and again. The back four needs a run of games together (our defence must be tighter) but things look good this morning. Shame about the meaningless internationals which are now going to interrupt things, let’s just hope there are no injuries as a result.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/England-Stuart-Pearce-Tottenham-Harry-Redknapp-bis-up-there-with-Brian-Clough-Bill-Shankly-and-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article870392.html
I am just LOOOOOOOOOOLing at this .
I urge Gooners to watch this clip. Keep a close eye on Mike Deans reaction to the opening goal from Spurs, very suspect;
http://www.oohtobeagooner.com/video-is-ref-mike-dean-celebrating-spurs-goal-against-arsenal/
Shrek2be, I’m in disbelief at your link 😮
We lose = 600 comments
We stick 5 past those insufferable C*nts – 91 comments!
*sigh*
Misery loves company, Dr C.
Morning ‘holics, is it just me or does the world seem a better place today? 😉
H2H
It is indeed a better place – it is back on its axis, and just needs us to overtake them (could be just 4 points after next weekend) to start spinning properly again!
Fair comment Catalan @ 93 – it makes you wonder where all those mini-me-me-me-managers go after the good games. I would hazard a guess that some are getting rid of their frustration at The Arse doing well by playing Championship Manager and that – and covering themselves in erm – glory. But then again i think you may need reversible thumbs to play that lark. So who knows
Up The Arse
Good to see you back at the bar H2H – seems like our dip in form might have coincided with your absence – your big match experience was missed
Bam!
@93 I would suggest the reason for lack of comments yesterday is most people were in the pub celebrating!
Throws himself at the ball!
Cheers AL.
But if that turns out to be the case then I promiss I’ll never leave again. 😉
Classic, wind.
what a fabulous day that was. I wonder if tabs made it one piece.
Shouldnt have tricked him into one more for the road.
Then the Norwegian Gooners took over, they are always drinking monsters.
The Wasp @99
Good point – that had crossed my mind! When Tabs and TS et al clear up their hangovers perhaps we’ll be hearing from them! 🙂
Well in, Hurricane!
Ollie – enjoying a leisurely weekend?
Oh yes, Dr C.
Fine demo of the sniffers art Wind – well in
H2H – you’ve got to be one of the first names on the team sheet from now on – surely
Forgot to look in all the excitement – did AW shake c@nt Allen firmly by the scrotal sack at the end – or did that fukker sneak off early with the rest of the scum?
We’ve won the league at White Hart Lane as many times as they’ve won the league anywhere, ever.
Power shift my ***.
Fuck me Tasos, I think you’re right. Mike Dean looks to celebrating the goal.
@Norfolk Dumpling
Mike Dean cannot control his emotions, his jig of delight as the ball loops over Szcsesny is remarkable video evidence.
http://www.oohtobeagooner.com/video-is-ref-mike-dean-celebrating-spurs-goal-against-arsenal/
I love Monday’s, me.
“Smells like victory……”
Dubious to say the least.
Suffice to say that the Spuds can’t even beat us with 12 men.
Ollie, Catalan, AL, thanks 🙂
Greetings Holics
I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you all at the Tollie yesterday but will see you there for the Aston Villa game.
Gooner Kevin and I walked to the Ems from King’s Cross and neither of us had any great hopes of getting anything from the game let alone giving that lot a spanking. However ,my very expensive seat in Club Level turned out to be worth every penny (a treat for my impending big birthday).
Everything has already been said about their penalty, a blatant dive right in front of me and the Saha goal was just another of our defensive lapses with a bit of luck on their part thrown in for good measure.
Even though we were 2 down it didn’t seem a lost cause. The crowd were up for it in a big way and I had seen enough to think that our luck would change. Sagna had a shaky start but his header was quite wonderful and his reaction in picking up the ball and racing back to the centre circle showed us the kind of urgency missing of late.
Robin’s goal was a thing of beauty, the control , the movement and the curler passed Friedel had us all going quite mad. The two guys next to me left for the drinks 6 minutes before half time and missed both of our goals!
Harry panicked at the interval and his changes just helped our cause. It was all us from then on. Rosicky’s goal was almost Messiesque in it’s build up and execution and I couldn’t be more pleased for a very talented player who has been putting in some very good performances of late. He was my MOTM.
Then there is the enigma of Theo, who was quite dreadful in the first half but he showed us what he could do in the second, running at the defence and scoring 2 excellent goals.Let’s hope the confidence gained from his second half display can spur him into producing similar efforts for the rest of the season.
Praise must also go to Kos and the hard working Benayoun who gave Gibbs great support . In fact the mid-field engine room were responsible for our amazing come back. Arsene must have been very relieved that we picked ourselves up in such a dramatic way. He obviously has not been well this week and such a performance from all the side should do wonders for his cold. What we need now is a similar gutsy , fighting effort against the likes of the Pool and AC Milan.
For the first time this year the small party of Gooners on the 16.15 from King’s Cross were in high spirits and can’t wait for our next game with just a little optimism.
As always COYRs
Has anyone mentioned the little Mozart? Only saw the highlights but that looked to me like a vintage performance, driving forward with energy and dynamism. And as for his goal…more of the same please!
Redemption is at hand Brethren , it has arrived . Oh ye of little faith , smell that sweet scent of broken LWC dreams , that heady aroma of the glorious Arsenal firing their canons and sending those squawking chickens back to their shit-infested coops .
Refuckingdemption !
We should have put a bell in the ball so Friedel could at least hear it flying past him. That was PaulRobinsontastic.
Good to meet you yesterday Andy Goram.
*adds to the mystery*
Was it a family outing, Ollie?
There was a bit of silver lining for ‘arry. His accountant reminded him that even big losses are deductible…..
That was fucking ace, wasn’t it?!
I am so happy that it doesn’t feel like a Monday at all, even with a lot of work on my plate
Amen to that Preacher Man Smallballs.
I’m singing off the same as hymn sheet – Refuckingdemption sounds goodgodalmighty to me. Hallelujah!
Great report as usual, ‘Holic!
H2H: hope the bar works out, the building looks really cool. And if I ever find myself in the area I will make sure to drop by!
Gareth Bale is a diving, cheating cunt.
Have to give big props to the home support yesterday. I couldn’t hear too much of it when I was at the pub because it was quite noisy in there but when I watched the recording I was mightily impressed.
SteveT: great report and I agree 110% about Theo. Not much worked out for him in the first half but he kept going at it and then produced that little flick-on for RvP which lead to the turning point in the game and he was quite instrumental in creating the second goal as well, putting pressure on Kaboul to make him do that poor header and the goals were just reward for his hard work and application.
And it’s also worth noting that Gareth Bale is a diving, cheating cunt.
One thing that struck me after the game was that the goal I cheered the most was our second, and I think that was because I knew that that was effectively the deciding goal. Spurs had been unbelievably lucky to go two up but not even their luck could see them through this time. And in addition to the ‘Holic’s brilliant last words, it is well worth noting that in a season that has seen us suffer a ridiculous amount of injuries and where we are (partially rightly so, partially not so rightly) seen to have a disastrous season, and where they have hardly had one injury of importance and are doing their best season for 50 years we are still within touching distance and, dare I say it, if next weekend goes our way then we may even finish above them.
BtM, if you are at the Villa game I will see you at the Tollie!
Snir@78: I think I just developed a bit of a man-crush on Woj. That is the sports picture of the year, hands down.
Shrek2be: heh, great link for a good laugh! “The feedback you get from all the players is that they enjoy his management style and he makes everyone feel important. … have that ability to build their players up and give their players confidence. That’s why they’re successful.”
Make everyone feel important? Yeah, try telling Pavlyuchenko (or however the feck you spell it) and Darren Bent that. The genius that is Harry Crooknapp is the only manager who has managed to make Darren Bent not score loads of goals.
Delia@112: “Harry panicked at the interval and his changes just helped our cause.”
You can safely say that yesterday Arsene Wenger coached the crap out of “the greatest English manager in modern times” (you know, the one who has only ever won the most flukey FA Cup in history). Playing Benayoun and Rosicky in rather free roles and with Theo playing something of a cross between a 4-4-2 attacker and a 4-3-3 winger we just destroyed them.
Preacher Smallballs, amen to that!
Oh, and did I mention that Gareth Bale is a diving, cheating cunt?
Happy Anniversary Arseblogger.
Drinking competition set for 24th March I believe (copyright Ollie, the original bad influence).
Great post ‘holic. There’s a great line in this story about the game:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093405
“Spurs had already gone into terminal decline.”
No sense of humour, these LWC’s. Texting every hour, “What’s the time?” at five to, obviously!
A high 5-2 all you gooners. And to continue this merry spirit here is the official photo gallery from the match:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-5-2-tottenham-celebrations-gallery?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
Absolutely love the 17th one with the whole bench celebrating.
COYG
Camberwell Gooner, Rosicky would be mine and I think many others’ man of the match. His performance has been steadily improving recently. If he starts scoring the long distance goals he used to for Dortmund we might yet see the player we had originally bought.
As Arsene mentioned in the post match comments, if not for the years of injury and consequent irregular involvements, Rosicky could have been a very good player for us. Let us hope he ends this season at peak of his abilities.
Tasos @91. I am actually blown away by that video. I know everyone has the feeling Dean is a cheating bastard but I am usually the most skeptical of those ideas. Call me naive or more likely an eternal optimist. There are certain emotions that just cannot be hidden in the heat of the moment and that was clearly one of them. You could argue the first hops were to get a better view of the ball, but that last skip was undoubtebly oneo f joy. What an absolute c*** Mike Dean is.
Catalan @93 – So true. If we don’t get to 5 centuries we will have not shown the same amount of effort and committment the lads shows on Sunday.
As for my feelings on the actual game, well I would just like to quote John Keats:
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever”
Here’s my part to reach 500 today…
Lars, Bale is indeed a diving, cheating c*nt. As an aside, my sister, who played much more footie than I did growing up, is visiting and watched the game with me yesterday. Now, for the obvious reasons, I am not one for “monkey” or “simian” comments in football-related matters, but even my sister noted that Bale is one chimp-looking MF…I laughed in spite of myself.
Then I quickly knelt and did penance – this still being African American History Month and all 😉
Chezzer is the man, no doubt – thanks for the link Snir. Bring on the mugsmashers and Milan. We can do them both.
BMBD
Excellent posting Hollic on a fantastic display from the Arsenal. I may not post regularly, but I always read and enjoy the prospective shown on here.
I must mention both post 5 and 70, are quite indicative of the stuff that I really appreciate reading.
I just praying that yesterday’s efforts prove to be a seminal moment in our season.
Come on lads – nothing less than 500 will do. And Gareth Bale is NOT a diving, cheating cunt. He’s a cheating, diving cunt. In THAT order.
Cheaty little chimp
yup
thats me on the left now 🙂 🙁
god bless the Arse
LOL – my apologies Camberwall. B*le is a “cheating, diving cunt.” 😀
BMBD
Surely this is the one day when self-assisting must be positively encouraged…
Cheers again Lars, you’d be most welcome. Nice post, but I was a bit surprised that you didn’t mention what a cheating, diving, chimp mushed cunt Galen Bale is.
I hear it was Adebayor’s birthday yesterday?
Many happy returns you money-grabbing c***.
How do you like them apples?
Mind the gap.
LG – accepted. It must always be remembered that for him, cheating comes before everything else. The cheating, diving, Donkey Kong-alike.
What a B*le he is.
OK I’ll keep saying this until it will be understood by everyone.
1) I’m sorry Mikel for calling you Denilson with a better defensive work rate, you showed great vision today with lots of purposeful forward THROUGH passses.
2) I’m so glad Theo played toady, Assou Ekoto was exposed for what he is, the weakest link in Tottenham.
3) AW has often been criticized for not preparing the team for the opposition but only focuses on our play. He proved everyone wrong, by playing Theo despite his horrid form based on Spurs’ possession play which creates space and by playing Yossi who barely played this season in order to provide more cover than what Gervinho or AOC would have provided.
4) Rosicky was magical. Magnificent.
5) Kos is such a great CB.
That was my post from yesterday, took it from my twitter 🙂
Back home.
Any sign of tabs?
He looked pretty wasted last night, and I’m not sure if he carried on drinking with the Norges or managed to leave eventually.
We watched MoTD in the pub.
I have to say that every Norwegian I’ve ever met is a drinking monster 😀
zico, I heard that indeed.
Adebayor, what’s the score?
Adebayor, what’s the score?
Ollie, I got a text from tabs earlier today.
Claimed NOT to be in Oslo…..
*Sits back and just enjoys the sheer delight*
What a game !
Stunning !
From tears of despair to tears of joy !
Gooner for life !!!!!!!!!!!
Snir – Theo played toady? That’s a bit harsh, I’ve never know him to be sycophantic, bowing, scraping type…
Thank you, I’m here all week.
Delia @ 112, Do you believe in telepathy? Your thoughts on TR’s goal were just what I thought, Messiesque indeed.
Has anyone mentioned yet that Bale is a cheating, diving c***?
If not I think it’s worth mentioning.
zico : HEH 😀
Great write-up at 112 indeed Delia
Gutted by TR’s injury, and Ramsey still nursing an ankle injury. And TV…why lord?! As for the “Worst Arsenal side in 15 years”, well, not in my eyes. First time this season ALL the lads displayed their talents in the SAME game. But individually, they have shown us their abilities throughout this season. A season riddled with injuries, and the mayhem that ensued as a result of that. Something very endearing to me about this group of lads, and I’m so proud of them. True grit!
THAT’S the Tom Rosicky we bought, saw only briefly before serious injury and who only this season has been back to his best.
More please.
Not the worst Arsenal team in 15 years, just a very different one – with some great qualities despite this rollercoaster of a season.
Reality is – if you take out the spell when we were without full backs and the start of the year before summer replacements were brought in we’ve had a good season. Two big if’s I realise. But yesterday was the back four we hoped for (and I thought Gibbs played very well) – lesson being that we shot ourselves in the foot back in June/July or we’d already be in 3rd and maybe not too far off the pace. Other lesson – injuries do happen but not normally to every qualified full back at the same time as happened this season.
I’ve been the biggest advocate of Rosicky for so long and since late last year saw flashes of what he’s still got and that unmentionable hunger and fire so it was lovely to see him (in my eyes) just dominate the middle of the field yesterday. Some of his effort, vision, passing and especially runs that drag people out of position were exceptional.
So…do we have a consensus on Bale? 🙂
All the best ‘holic and ‘holics. Haven’t posted much lately but read every scrap on the blog/drinks. Cheers from San Diego (former N14)
How was the Country stuff, baff?
Tim @ 152 Well put. Enjoyed your bit about TR, have always been a big fan of his.
Always enjoy your write ups. What a great day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFNPmtEJ7Z0&feature=youtu.be
Here is a video regarding the Bale penalty incident. Seems Gibbs did clip Bale’s foot a bit. But Bale does seem to be going to the ground anyways .
That’s a dive Shrek.
I personaly can’t believe that no one here has bothered to mention what a cheating, diving, primate boat race having, cunt Bale is.
Ollie,
Didn’t get there in the end. Met WoB in central London and she was so knackered after a day in town (while Miss B and I were at the game and getting to and from it) that she did not have the energy for it.
So feeling emotionally drained by the euphoria of the game I ignored the £180 that the tickets had cost me and headed for home hoping for a Cardiff win on the radio.
On balance it was the best decision as I wouldn’t have missed the game for the world and I was totally knackered myself today after watching the game highlights several times into the wee small hours.
Good to see you yesterday. Sorry not to have more time for a natter.
COYRs
For true ‘futbol’ fans only. Has anyone one seen the Milan v. Juve game. Gigi Buffon made the save of the season, worth looking at, if you really enjoy the game for all the right reasons, for sure!
Well well haters, I didn’t see that coming…
…and they thought it was all over
Has tabs appeared yet?
The Bale dive reminded me of a much more poorly executed version of what Rooney did at Old Toilet a few years back in the game we lost 2-1 on a Diaby og. Run through kick the ball in front of you then fall over theatrically will dragging your foot/leg behind you and hope it makes solid contact with the oncoming goalies hand/arm. If you make solid contact with the goalie no one will ever call it a dive as Rooney did, but make no mistake it was a dive. To be truly honest in these situations you play the ball and hope the keeper makes contact but if he doesn’t you continue to stay on your feet and jog back for the ensuing goal kick.
Or if you are Eduardo the keeper is saavy enough to actually pull his arms back at the last minute (god I wish Almunia had done that with Rooney) and your dive is clear for all to see. If you are a foreigner you are then pillored to kingdom come by the media as a cheat and if you are Rooney or Bale it is said you were merely anticipating the contact but there was nothing malicious in it and nothing more is said on the matter.
Tim @ 152 –
In what part of the SD do you reside? Although we are in Dallas, the inlaws live in Chula Vista.
BMBD
I see, baff. Fair decision indeed.
Good to see you and miss baff albeit briefly indeed.
I believe TaBS did pop in under one of his many guises earlier.
Evening bath. Another problem with the Superstition. Three quarters of a bottle on top of a dozen pints of Guinness leaves you feeling a wreck the next day.
Normally I don’t like visiting blogs of opposition fans. But this is something we have to read for the moment .
http://www.glory-glory.co.uk/showthread.php?735-Absolute-laughing-stock-forever-and-ever&p=39102&viewfull=1#post39102
Hello Lonestar
We’re in MiraMesa/Sorrento Valley
Holic
The other thing about that whisky is the bloody stupid name – who wants to drink a whisky called ‘Superstition’. Must be for the superficial under-21/Merkan market imho.
Will taste the other one myself tonight as I don’t want to finish the Ledaig.
Good to see you yesterday. A day that will live long in the memory.
Haven’t joined the Drinks before, but wanted to say what a great time I had with a whole host of people off here in the Tolli yesterday. Tabs made me promise him a shout-out, so here is it…
We’ve come from behind to win three games in four weeks. Not bad eh?
Hi Adam,
Welcome,
but someone should’ve warned you about speaking to “strangers” 😉
A pic of Szcz back flipping after the 4th one..
http://pic.twitter.com/jwRCFwYU
baff 168.
On saturday night I drank a beer called Arrogant Bastard.
http://www.arrogantbastard.com/
Good to see you around here, Adam, and great to meet you proper at last yesterday!
Holic
Not impressed with Origin. A distinct lack of fire or flavour for me. I’ll need to keep it for guests who won’t notice the absence of the finer qualities of usquaebach.
I haven’t drunk Jura for 35 years, since a flatmate brought some back from an island trip when I was a student but I don’t remember it being as bland.
Most unlike my idea of an ‘island malt’.
Ollie @ 172
Interesting website. Not had or even heard of that. Was it good? What was it like…an amber ale or a dark ale? Did they have it in the Tollie or did you end up on a crawl yesterday? I must stop driving to games so that I can join y’all in a proper bit of liquid refreshment. I’ll need to join Holic on the train – I can make sure he gets off at the correct station!
Up the magnificent Tomas Rosicky. That goal was great!!!!!!
More amber than dark. Tasty.
It was on saturday, we went to a pub called The Dean Swift.
http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-dean-swift-info-11172.html
Had a bit of their locally brewed IPA too, not bad.
bt8b @ 176
It sure was. As Delia said – Messi-esque. How it didn’t make SSN’s Top 6, I just don’t know. Sympathy votes for Norwich (who should have won) and Giggs (who should be in a wheelchair).
I do like a nice Amber Ale. Bath Brewery does a number of variations. I’ll look out for Arrogant Bastard.
Ol, did you drink your way to Shad Thames yesterday? That’s south of the river! Tiger country!
baff: it is now monday.
Saturday = the day before yesterday 😉
My memory of the weekend’s game when Arsenal win by 1-0 or 2-1 normally just keeps getting rosier and rosier the as the week goes along so I can’t imagine how I’ll be feeling by Friday this week. 😀
Cheers Ollie, you too!
Ollie @ 180
Ah, I didn’t notice you said Saturday. I thought you were staying over Sunday night.
All the same, you ventured saaarff of the river. Very dodgy territory. Full of spivs and gangstas.
To call Rosicky’s performance magnificent is not to discredit Sagna’s which was equally so. Not to forget their two unforgettable goals and they came for two of our most loyal and deserving players. And we did all this the dear departed. Arsene knows, it would appear.
That’s *without* the dear departed. Jenkinson being the first substitute rather than Arshavin certainly brings a fresh air into things. End of an era feeling? My arse!
baff@175, stone makes three brilliant beers i’ve tried, arrogant bastard among them. actually had one saturday night, pint plus six in size, and it’s a nice swozzle.
their ipa is my least favorite (i gave up on highly-hopped beers when i worked in a brewery), but their stone pale is a regular sixpack at home (along with old speckled hen and red stripe). they have an oaked arrogant bastard i’ve not yet tried, and i really want to try their lucky bastard…
and for whisky it’s irish for me, or rye. john l. sullivan has been the home bottle of choice for the green, and templeton for the rye…
oh, and if you have yet to figure it out, gareth bale is a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt.
I do wish you all would stop calling Bale a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt.
He is not in any way a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt and the more you call him a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt, the less impact it has.
Just to re-iterate he is absolutely NOT a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt – so please…. call him something else other than a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt.
OK?
and, bt8b, speaking of jenks, i thought he played well in his limited minutes. monkeyboy tried to beat him once, and he put his foot in and stopped his drive, and i thought he ran and distributed well, especially playing out of position. it’s good to know he can play left, gives us another option of a corner specialist rather than a central defender pressed into service.
ok, tw. how about a monkey-faced, diving, cheating, foot-banana-peeling cunt, then? or a foot-banana-peeling, monkey-faced, diving, cheating cunt?
whatever we call him, he remains a cunt. his diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cuntery won’t go away either. add to that his being a cunt, and he’s a cunt.
@189 fair point.
@128
a somewhat less erudite quote, yet quite fitting
what is best in life?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
Evening all again. Just back from the hospital where I have deposited the management again. Could be a problem with the last procedure.
Typical of England today, I pay a small fortune for private health insurance for her, and would you believe the private wing is full?
ach, ‘holic. sorry to hear about that. sending her good thoughts and prayers and the like.
and as an american i have nothing to say about england’s healthcare. ours is so embarassing…
Damn, ‘Hols…really sorry to hear this. Hang in there, boss.
My Dad had diverticulitis a few years back. I had to go home and run the family farm for several months. It took some time for him to get fully mended.
These are tough times for you and your family. I’ll tell you the words of a drill sergeant friend of mine that, somewhat, helped me… “When you feel you are at the end of your rope; tie a knot at the end and hold on.”
He never did explain how one manages to tie a knot in a rope without letting it go, but he never was one for letting details get in the way of a good plan. 😉
We’ll keep praying.
Awww ‘holic – sorry to hear that. Here’s hoping it is but a minor issue, easily resolved.
All the best to you both.
lonestar, with his tongue!
let’s dedicate this century to the management, may she get well soon!
driving upfield on the right, looking for runners…
Wind appears, waving at Scruz…
drills a songesque throughball towards wind, out behind the defense…
ping.
Scores when he wants
and in sweeps lonestar to bury it! right off wind’s foot, what a way to send it all to the management…runs over to congratulate the twain…
What a run LG, nice workrate mate:)
Thanks for the assist, and I echo Scruz’s sentiments.
To the Management!
BMBD
cheers, lg! well in.
Holic, Really distressing news, so sorry to hear this…you both deserve some piece of mind.
Holic, what Snowy said.
All the best from The Kingdom.
LG nice finish but that was a great team goal, superb build up play…
Holic sorry to hear that, hope this is sorted out quickly..
Thanks all. Everything crossed here again tonight. Will know more tomorrow.
Adam, if you are reading, I have dropped you a line in response to your mail. I am ready to hit the button.
Catalan @ 93, I have to admit, I do like a good moan, but not at the Arsenal.
Delia @ 112, very nice write-up Ma’am.
What a Shot by Lonestar @ 200, the ‘ping’ resonates around the Ems after Wind cleverly let the ball go past his legs from the Scruz assist 😉
Well in lads, and here’s to hoping the Management gets better soon.
all the best to you both ‘holic
C’mon the management. Fingers crossed again. 🙂
Prayers from brentwood for the missus neighbour
‘Holic –
that’s tough – especially after seeing you yesterday, laughing and singing some quite rude songs at the top of your voice !
Hope it all turns good again asap.
Re: Any ‘holics desperately looking for an American stout, as opposed to a stout American (that for Shaft’s benefit). There’s Back Road Stout, made by Millstream Brewing Company in Amana, Iowa. A disappointed Packers fan brought a six-pack to our Super Bowl party and I’m having the last of it tonight. Toast to the management.
By the way, what did ‘arry do when the Gooners invited him to “stand up if you pay your tax”? Shift uncomfortably but perceptibly in his seat, perhaps? Twitch an extra twitch per second?
Cheers for the note GoonerT.
Tasos –
that Mike Dean link is quite unbelievable. Apart from being a terrible referee, he is evidently stupid enough to think he can usher the ball over the line with his arm waving and turn to sprint back to the centre spot while performing a celebratory jig, and not be noticed by 42 cameras !
Sorry, I know you know what was on the clip, but the description is really for anyone who didn’t bother to watch it.
We often have the feeling at The Emirates that we have to beat the ref as well as the other team, and if that clip doesn’t prove it, I would love to hear Dean’s explanation of precisely what the bloody hell that was all about.
I’ll apologise if my memory lets me down, but I couldn’t believe his early booking of Kos yesterday, either.
Sprawling out of control following an accidental coming together with another Spud, Kos fell headlong into Kranjcar (i believe) and caught his leg. Completely accidental, completely unavoidable. Result: Yellow card for Kos !
Friedel blatantly pushed Theo (i believe) in the back at a set piece, which could be clearly seen from half way up the upper tier. Result: Nothing !
Bale’s retrospective punishment for a blatant dive missed by the referee: Nothing.
That may possibly be due to the fact that it wasn’t actually a dive though. Oh no. On MotD2 it was referrred to as Bale “probably knowing what he was doing” or “he might have been looking for it a little bit”.
Compare and contrast with Sir Robert Pires effort vs Portsmouth –
“we have to get these cheating / diving foreigners out of our game because they are ruining it”.
Apologies to anyone who has already made the point but really . . . .
8ball –
couldn’t see from my seat.
Did anyone spot Clive Allen chasing AW down the tunnel to shake hands after the game yesterday ?
… and here we have it, the article that made Tabs go over the edge when somebody called him a Daily Mail reader:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105339/Laura-Maggi-Le-Cafe-Busty-barmaid-serves-drinks-skimpy-outfits.html?ICO=most_read_module
bt8b, i think her name is really serenity…
8ball –
Well TaBS should have gone over the edge. If I knew he supported such, sexist, commy, exploitative, chauvinistic drivel, I’d have brained him myself.
Any person connected with such leftist propaganda should be gragged into the streets and flogged. I’m certain even Wolfgang would be offended by this barmaid’s get-up and the pulp-producing, mind-numbing rag that printed it.
Proper society would have the decency to help the poor girl look after her own dignity. Cover her up with a blanket (I’ll offer my personal one, from my own bed even) or a fur…yeah, that’s it, some fur – no, wait…the wives are right.
I wonder the GPS coordinates for that bar… 😈
Good Morning All ! ,
First things first , Holic , I’m really sorry to hear your news , hoping that everything rights itself as soon as poss . Very Best wishes to you both .
Joe , from the last drinks , heh I was already on the floor by the time of your message ! Couldn’t have cared less what I was drinking by that stage , it was all good . I will look forward to clinking glasses together soon .
H2H – Great to see you back in here mate , I have missed your afternoon shots . Good luck with the new Bar .
Adam , great to see you again yesterday , and terrific to see you in here and cheers for the shout out 😉 .
Snowy , mon brave , thanks for the mail , and will get back to you first thing tomorrow (today) .
Great stuff from all the regulars and a few more besides above . Too many to mention individually so hats off to all .
Well sadly , I had the mother of all hangovers today and the muse deserted me just when there is SO much to write about .
What a day , what a day , what a fucking day !!! I am indebted to Snowy (possibly forever) for allowing me the chance to sample Club Level for the first time . Had I not had a ticket for yesterday , I think a rope around the neck might well have been a viable option .
A midday drink was as always a pleasure in the company of such luminaries as the Guv’nor , TS , Trev , Ollie and Snowy . To say I was confident would be an understatement . Never in any fucking doubt my friends . Mind The Gap .
The game has been written about at length elsewhere , so it would be silly to repeat what’s gone before , suffice to say that our midfield three were superb . Rosicky shone and has taken the well deserved plaudits , but it should be remembered that his sheen was only able to prosper because of the wonderful platform that both Song and Arteta (for me the stand out) provided . I’m getting all tingly just thinking about it .
And so a fairytale game was followed by a quick sprint back to the juicer and all the usual suspects . I salute you all . Memories are somewhat vague , though I do remember a terrific conversation with Bath and Bath junior , a few manly hugs with Esso , and trying (again) and failing (again) to get the whole Bar to sing the Liar Liar song . I remember talking to Jules , the lady who does the vids , I remember watching the Mugsmashers penalty shoot out , I remember sitting with Ollie and a couple of Norwegian Gooners . I don’t remember leaving , I don’t remember the journey home , and I certainly don’t remember watching MOTD in the pub . Are you sure I was still there Ollie ??
And so to today . What a write off . Some weeks ago I promised some friends I would accompany them to a hip hop concert starring the next big thing ,( they assured me) , Azaelia Banks . Now normally I would rank Hip Hop as just above having Gareth Bale (the monkey-faced, diving, cheating, foot-banana-peeling cunt) round to tea , on my list of things I must do before I die . However stung by criticism on these very pages last week that I could no longer get down with the kids , I was determined to enjoy it and enjoy it I did !
There is no better advice than to drink your way through a hangover , and by the end , I will even admit to throwing a few shapes . The girl is talented and make no mistake . Azaelia Banks – you heard it here first . The lyrics are a bit fruity , but hey that’s probably just a “generational” thing . 😉
Arsenal fucking Arsenal !
Arsenal , always Arsenal !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Jv9fNPjgk
Oh sorry , 223 was me 🙂
Oh and Dave if you’re reading this , I did ask ‘Holic , as he will attest , and the answer was an emphatic No !!!!! 🙂 🙂
This from Glen Moore at the Independent:
At the start of the season, yesterday’s back four was the defence of choice, and the quartet kept clean sheets in the first two matches, against Newcastle and Udinese. Then the injuries began. This was the first time the four have been reunited since and, in that time, Wenger has fielded 26 different starting back four combinations in 41 matches, involving 14 players and nine different central defensive pairings. In the circumstances, their defensive vulnerability is hardly surprising.
GT sums it up they have had no chance of building relationships.
Quite a day Tabs, nice report if somewhat lacking in total recall. By the way, it was not I who called you a Daily Mail reader in the first instance. The second instance, as I reread my last post, seems to incriminate me but I can plead lack of malice. 🙂
tabs- good to see you back on this side of consciousness mate.
Trev: What I saw was a Spud player pushing Kos into Kranjcar – I was astonished when he got carded. I thought maybe he said something to the ref but didn’t see anything like that…
I hope that the Dean clip gets reviewed by the Refs watch dog body…it was disgraceful. At first glance I thought that he just made an abrupt stop once the goal went in (he had been running full tilt to keep up with the play)…but further viewing showed the cunt looking quite excited and that little ‘jig’ is not of a person coming naturally to an abrupt stop as I first thought..
Wasp et al: I refuse to call Bale a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt because he’s a Gooner and I never, ever call fellow Gooners those kinds of names..
Remember he really, really wanted to sign for us but Le Boss saw him as surplus to requirements….
Fair point, GT. Thanks for reminding.
2 days left.
Hello ‘holics
Day two of positively basking/grinning randomly at work 🙂
Snir, 2 days left for what? Your trip to Londonium?
Yep.
I’m absolutely chuffed about it.
Not to mention my father and two brothers!
It’s my brothers first time on a plane!! 🙂
Enjoy Snir, have a nice time!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for the management, ‘Holic. Our thoughts are with you.
TaBS, I am glad to see you have come out the other side of that hangover mate. Serenity!
‘Holic, all the best from here as well. Fingers firmly crossed.
Trev@218: agree with every word. I could not believe my eyes when I saw that push on Theo. How on earth could that not be a penalty???
tabs@223: heh, the mother of all hangovers must still have felt like a small price to pay for what happened the day before!
Snir, have a safe trip and see you at the Tollie on Tuesday.
Lars – thanks. Didn’t know you’d be there! Have to say I’m pleasantly surprised!
Harsha – thanks mate.
Holic – once again my prayers go out to you and the management.
Everybody else – Swiss Ramble’s newest blog on Arsenal.
http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2012/02/arsenals-mystery-dance.html
Sorry to read the news, ‘holic. All the best to the management, fingers will be crossed again.
Tabs, oh yeah, you were still there, though probably floating away in a semi-conscious state already.
Good to see you made it back in one piece.
Safe journey, Snir!
classic monday feeling here, even though it’s tuesday.
Day off work was most welcome to recover though.
Not many people around as it’s the holidays.
Snir, I only decided last week that I should fly over after all so I hardly knew it myself 🙂
Funny how it’s still quiet here even after such a win 😉
I dread the interlull though.
Scott Parker, England player of the year 2011.
Heh. England really are in trouble.
(and I think he should have had a straight red on sunday)
Morning All ,
Ollie @240 – that is very worrying news indeed ! 🙂
Lars @238 – Indeed , it was the happiest of hangovers 😉
Bath – Serenity indeed . Difficult to acquire , and even harder to hang onto , especially in the maelstrom of emotion that is the Tollie !
Snir , thanks for the link and have a safe trip over . Any chance someone can post a 2 line summary of Swiss Ramble’s thoughts ? I’m sure it’s all very good stuff , but he does go on a bit doesn’t he ? I find all those graphs etc a tad intimidating .
GT @229 – Cheers mate , some fine work from yourself earlier in the drinks .
8Ball @228 – Ha , the thought hadn’t even occurred to me . 🙂
Right , back to full health today , so I’m in for the big push towards 500 .
I’ve read the Swiss Ramble post in its entirety.
The idea is
a) we should be able to survive without CL, certainly won’t fall foul of FFP rules
b) the big moment is 2014 with the renegotiating of some important commercial deals, and we need more ‘secondary’ sponsors too, but a second season of a) might have a big impact on b)
Basically, we still have to increase our revenues a lot. Oh, and somehow Arsène’s statement about having to make a £15m profit at the start of each season makes some sense.
Disclaimer :
I may not have understood all I read, he’s a very clever chap, that Rambler!
Cheers Ollie , I shall now pretend I am an expert on Arsenal’s finances 😉
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/19057
Classic ref review.
Only just caught up with your home news mate. Hope everything goes as well as it can do for you both.
Thoughts from me too ‘holic. Just read about it
Best wishes on the homefront ‘holic.
====
I read the SR report, intelegent stuff indeed, but he does ramble on a bit, Aaah, I think I just had an epifany about his monniker.
====
It’s good to be back, tabs, I got a new laptop for behind the new bar, so I can pop in every now and again.
A round of BM’s for old times sake.
Heh , that sounds good to me , H2H . Heavy on the vod , easy on the green stuff 😉
H2H , have to say I’m looking forward hugely to your explanation as to why Bale , Gallas and Adebuywhore all feature in your fantasy football side . I can only think that your account has been hacked – that surely is the only rational explanation ? 🙂
“We should have put a bell in the ball so Friedel could at least hear it flying past him”
– heh..that boy Andy Goram is a funny fooker innit?.
He is rather funny, GonnerTerry….if I say so myself.
Ollie @ 246 – as i understood it (feels ground ‘neath his feet start to shake a little) the 15 mill is roughly the cost of servicing our debt each year.
SR reckons the football business (gates, telly, sponsorship etc) pretty much covers the football costs (wages mostly). Then the 15 mill to service the debt has to come from selling players, mostly. The property lark helped – but not as much as expected, and the income there has shrunk loads.
so in short we sell players to pay 15 mill annual interest on our outstanding debts (that’s without paying the debt down) – which is apparently what Arsene hinted at the other week. Plus we have to then sell again if we want to raise money to go into the transfer market.
SR reasons that we would have more cash to spend if we were to shrink the wage bill and/or maximize sponsorship deals more effectively. Both are tricky strats to pull off in the short-term.
To be even shorterer – right now it means we’s very much a selling club and that even the income raised there can’t necessarily be spent on players. Gulp!
Yep, I read the same thing, AL.
I was just clumsily trying to more or less stick to the ‘2 lines’ request by tabs.
Not rubbing it in, but you were missed on sunday 😉
Oh, THAT Andy Goram?
Too kind AG or is that… nevermind your secret’s safe with me and whomsoever can be bothered to back read – rub away (if you know what i mean).
Was mightily sorry to miss the match, and just as sorry to miss The Tollie after. My thoughts were with yous – but couldn’t make it no way, no how.
And you know what – at first when i realized i couldn’t i wasn’t too heart-broken as dreaded the idea of them and our own booing us – i would’ve had difficulty keeping my big gob shut. Thankfully it didn’t work out that way – though it looked like it might and i feared for The Theo when he was having another stinker – before he got his confidence back and reminded everyone that he can still be a game changer.
Plus i stood on the North Bank Highbury at some point in the early 80’s when they stuffed us 3-1 (i think) and, to my memory, held about half of that mighty stand (tabs remembers them have much less – and his memory’s probably more reliable than mine), and boy was that a galling (and hairy) experience. The flashbacks still make me shudder. But we kicked theres – so there.
Up The Arse – and see you at the Villa. Wonder if Ollie’ll make it, think he owes me a pint
Well I don’t know about you ‘prudes’, but I quite enjoyed bt8b’s link at 220, distracted me from my Chemistry Lesson for quite a bit 🙂
No mention of her age throughout the whole article I think, or maybe I wasn’t reading the text… 8)
ahem – theirs – and by that i meant we kicked theirs in Sunday’s big, BIG GAME – nothing else
5-2, 5-2 5-2, 5-2
http://gingers4limpar.com/
Please take the 22 minutes to watch the delectable Hayley Wright take the piss out of a very game Spud. I am a huge fan of this girl (0;
AL: Do you mean that Andy Goram is Ollie in disguise? Badly kept secret in that case innit?
Je désespère quelquefois.
GT – i’m appalled that you would suggest that i would suggest such a thing. At least i think that’s what i think
hmmm – wonder who L’Andy Goram above could possibly be
AL: I hope Ollie makes it to Villa.
GoonerTerry, if only it were that simple.
I’m not sure who Andy Goram is anymore.
Which is a typically Andy Goram thing to say, I guess.
Oh and i meant ‘whomsoever CAN’T be bothered to back drink’ – which includes me (for fear of finding more typos) from now on
Excellent, oh dear, oh no and oh yeah.
Stop abusing my cousin!
I can only hope that the Gorams get married and settle down…whatever happened to that bird that proposed to ‘them’ the other day?…I think that she’s a 7-Pack isn’t she?…that would cover most of the Gorams I think with a couple left over
Djourou out for a month?
I guess the bench on sunday suggested Miquel is now definitely ahead of Squillaci though 😉
It’s rare that he focusses on a single incident, but there you are.
http://www.football365.com/ref365/7553734/Referee365
Did anybody mention that Gareth Bale is a diving, cheating, monkey-faced, foot-banana-peeling cunt ?
Ah…. to answer my question in the NEXT drinks, this seems to be the post to post on as well.
Confused? I am. :-S
you made me go back to that other post to check, TS.
I saw someone madly ventured to a Spu*s site.
DubaiSpur? ‘Liar, liar, fucking fucking liar’!
Actually, credit where credit’s due, when it was me, tabs, Adam and the Norwegian brothers sitting at a table, you could argue that a sizable proportion of the pub sang it.
Still too complicated though. If the Mertesackerena never caught up, this has zero chance.
Mertesackerena, Ollie?
Nice one Boss, you close the drinks on the comp just as I was about to order! 😛
Yes TS, you know:
He’s 6ft6 and his name is Mertesacker, he’s gonna fuck you up and his name is Mertesacker, he’s Ars’nal’s number 4 and his name is Mertesacker, Peeeeeeeeeer Mertesacker!
Heh! Thanks for the reminder Ollie 😆
Baaaaaaaaaah!, Holic. 😉
Whoever gets 299 and/or 301 could have a legitimate beef …
in that glory-glory(hole) quote from the next drinks, the gg poster is correct…”So no matter how many tin pots they’ve picked up, no matter how many times they jeeringly point and sneer, they will never truly equal Spurs.” arsenal will NEVER be equal to the steaming pile of troll droppings that are the spurs, their fanbase, and their imaginary history. even IF gareth bale is a monkey-faced, diving, cheating, foot-banana-peeling cunt.
Beef…it’s what’s for dinner.
‘Holic, I can’t believe you let the sheep punk you into closing the comments (and thereby fixing the fast posters into posterity).
I already hear the llamas and alpacas moaning about such priority treatment for sheep.
Deplorable. 😉
BMBD
Around 31′ minutes into the First Half of the Arsenal/Sp*rs Match on Arsenal Player, That Mike Dean is a fucking idiot for booking Koscielny for tumbling into Kranijcar (dinosaur sounding fucker) since it was Adebayor’s fault, this is on top of giving that penalty to the banana loving chimp that is Gareth Bale.
GT @271 –
We are an eight-pack .
Bloody left standing at the altar on Sunday we were . Well , at least 3 of us were , the other five didn’t agree with the hasty decision to tie the knot and didn’t turn up .
None of the Andy Gorams turned up , something about a football match , and celebrating North London supremacy .
Pah , its the single life for me !
It’s early doors – single sounds good to me – pint that is.
Still basking!
Still watching AL, 2nd half 46 minutes 🙂
Llamas, sheep, cows, Meatlocker. A veritable menagerie. All in a days work on the HT.
So….. Edwin’s first official assignment as DLL CEO was something of a success. But can the momenturm be maintained for the ‘Smashers away?
Dr.Spin will be flying the flag for that trip, joined by Patient GGG and possibly others from the bar.
Bring back Feelgood for the Scottish Mafia connection? I know who I’d back in a toe-to-toe contest.
GT: re you Spurs blog quote from a future (!) drinks. The reason they can remember all their trophies is that there are so few of them to remember.
From Twitter:
Andre Santos: “I’m already training with the ball, and I’m feeling better every day, I believe I’ll be back in 2 weeks, doing what I love.”
Fingers crossed.
Still feeling good about Sunday. Oh, yes I do. Had a shit day at work where absolutely everything that could go wrong did, but I didn’t particularly care because I am still so happy 🙂
Just wanted to say thank you for a great time at the Tollington after the match on Sunday. What a joy to meet such great gooners as Ollie, Tabs and Adam. You confirmed what I already knew.
We are the Arsenal, and we are great.
Snir @ 235 Here’s wishing you, your dad, and your brothers the trip of a lifetime!!! Whenever I’ve stepped onto British soil, my IQ soared to the top!
Lars
Saw that earlier. That is brilliant news. We now have Sagna, Jenks & nearly Santos back. Our cup runneth over again, or soemthing like that.
Oops & Gibbs!!!
Wait, who’s Dr Spin?
Thanks ABB, I can’t waitttttt!!!! 🙂
Sybil: I urge you not to give up…think of the closed season and those long, long, long, long days before the Emirates Cup when the Gorams will have nothing else to do…that’s the time to pop the question again….just sayin’
TS: Yay Feelgood rocks…Boo Bean-counters of all sorts – no matter how exotic..
Snir, did I say something wrong on Twitter?
I’m still kinda new, forgive me! :s
…dived headlong into the goalmouth..
Get in!
Seeing that no-one is going to set him up, he decides to turn provider with the rocket of a ball into the box… 🙂
Its Hurricane all the way…
Bloody heck Oliva…what a sneaky c**T…nice one (0;
LG@283: whatever the genus, all are artiodactyla. Time to turn the guns outwards. Alpacas packing heat. Sharp-shooting sheep. Loaded llamas. It could get ugly.
haha, Lurky Oliva snatched the ball of his toe as he re-orientated from attack to assist, well in!
Plaudits to GT with diversionary header on the assist 😉
Well in, lurky. Classic goal poaching. Appeared out of nowhere to be in the right place at the right time.
GT@299: impressive dive. Next time try it with the ball…
Lars/TS: So that is 2 LANS and a nearly LANS. Best of all they are all full-backs.
Ollie @ 244 If you want to see a game where there are real red card worthy offences, you must check out the Roma v Latzio darby this Sunday. Plenty of head stomping and head butting, courtesy of Latzio, of course (our Stoke). Their rivalry makes Barca v Madrid look quite tame.
It was great assist GT, and that girl from http://gingers4limpar.com/ is very interesting. I felt as I was at the game, almost shivering. And the depressed Spud fan was also enjoyable to watch.
Wind, what an attacking force we are, mate. Best striking parthership in this bar!
nicely in, lurky. wind, that’s two you’ve dummied over to the goalscorer in these here drinks…
nbn@304, they’re alpacking. and all the sheep have their safeties off, and the llamas, loaded though they may be, are aiming at russians…
NED: I had the ‘ol handbrake off innit?
Its like Animal Farm in ‘ere innit?
NED: Artiodactyla mate? Whoa hold up a minute..
Precisely so, NBN.
3 LANS actually (Bac, Gibbs, Jenks)…. even better!
I predict that the return of Santos will mean (A) increased fish and chip sales and the Holloway Road and (B) goals, lots more goals!
‘Terry @ #297
Edwin is NOT a bean-counter.
Arsenal agree terms with Podolski
http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/podolski/poldi-schon-klar-mit-arsenal-22879862.bild.html
missed that, gt. something about split-toes, iirc. definitely not spurs fans, whose feet have opposible thumbs, much like their monkey-faced, diving, cheating, foot-banana-peeling cunt of a bale.
*in the Holloway Road*, Ollie 😳
Apologies in German I’m afraid
Thanks NBN.
Great news about Santos.
This is more great news:
http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/1215418-liverpool-fc-facing-double-injury-headache-ahead-of-arsenal-clash.html
austrian gooner, google translate sucks for german. does it say he’s actually reached a pre-agreement? if so, where are the quotes?
Gorlamb!?!?
Yay Sybil that’s eight Gorams I’ve counted – one for each sister…could be an orgy every night….Gosh where the sweeper when you need him – I am unsuited by all this slapstick..
Kris, excellent!
Great to meet you and your brother.
I take it you’ve just come back home then?
Shame your post just got lost in the mad rush for ‘goal’, heh.
Wind, I shall keep a re-run of the game for tomorrow instead of interlulling it.
Did anyone notice that Austrian Gunner has the same initials as Andy Goram.
Coincidence?
Scruz doesn’t say much more than just an agreement mind you also says we bid 23million euros for him in November but this paper is not as bad as say the sunor daily mail and on sky sports news as well now apparently
Lars 290/ TS 293, I know we’re still buzzing because of the weekend, but I wouldn’t get ahead of myself for his fitness. I doubt he’ll be ready to play for the first team in 2 weeks.
As someone pointed out chez arseblog :
‘I believe I’ll be back in 2 weeks, doing what I love’
he might just mean ‘eating’. 😛
Ollie I assure you a coincidence
Bit worried as they are so similar in style that this is RvP s replacement bloody hope not though!!
Heh! Ollie 😀
You’ve p*ssed on our chips (TM) Tone West.
AG@316: that Bild piece seems to suggest Arsenal has reached terms with the player but not with his club. That correct? Also, is Bild any more accurate when it comes to transfer rumours than the UK’s own dearly beloved tabloids?
Yeah, Ollie. Just got home. Woke up with no voice and a bad hangover (no idea why?!) on monday, so glad we decided to stay another day!
Ned @ 304 –
My, aren’t you the rogue scholar?! 😉
Llamas only cared for one Russian…and he has departed (for now). Poldolski would be quite a snatch for next year.
Way to lurk, Lurky…
BMBD
@330 North Bank Ned Yeah that’s right we’ll probably balls the deal up from there by offering 5 mil plus Denilson or something however they are definitely more reliable than our dearly beloved tabloids although I’m reliably informed that Kicker are the best
GT@313: Artiodactyla till I die.
Well, not me, obviously, but the sheep and the others. Then they are chops.
TS@314: not sure about Gibbs. He seems to live on that injured/recovering from injury/about to be injured again continuum
LG@332: No. Either (i) too many years playing Scrabble, or (ii) too many years spent with sheep. Neither is a particularly uplifting story…
AG@333: 🙂
Kris @291 ,
Great to meet you mate . What a day you picked to come over !
Glad you made it home safely and look forward to the next time you’re in the Tollie .
Ok, so where am I now?
This feels like an episode of ‘LOST’, trying to post on an island of drinks that closes, reopens somewhere else, then closes and moves again in the time-space continuum.
Well if anyone else is here, and actually exists, here goes – no don’t go!!!
Tabs, Evening mate,
don’t bother trying to be an expert on Arsenal finances ‘cos I already am, and am more than happy to impart my wisdom.
I don’t care what Swiss Ramble says about whether we have money available or not, ‘cos I now the truth.
Arsene always has money available if he wishes to spend it – Ivan Gazidis tells us every season and I believe him ! 😉
That really is all you need to know. I thank you!
Finances.
Don’t believe what you read.
The end.
Ned – a scrabble buff ? Not me, I’m afraid.
However, I’m sure you will agree that the toccinaucinipilification of young Theo is both tiresome and misplaced after Sunday ? 😉
Evening Feelgood, drink old boy?
Hi Trev,
Only in moderation, as ever 😉
Wind – What is it that you said?
Everything’s cool bro.
Evening Trev , Dr F ,
Everybody still in very high spirits I see 🙂
“toccinaucinipilification ” Trev ? or shouldn’t I ask ? 🙂
Just watched the whole game again . Just great . The way we pressed was a joy . RVP and TR7 both superb .
Trev, happy to see I am not the only one to feel a bit confused at the moment!
I also do not have the faintest idea what “toccinaucinipilification” is supposed to mean 🙂
Possibly “floccinaucihilipillification” – the act of estimating as worthless as a feather.
A vaguely appropriate use of the word.
Sorry. I’ll get my coat.
Hi tabs,
I am like Ollie – I am saving my re-run for tomorrow night when we are fully in interlull. Only watched the 12 minutes version on Arsenal player which consisted of close ups of both benches and footage of the handshakes before the game (who the feck edits this stuff??)
Just to put on the record, I am still coursing with jealousy at missing out on Sunday and all that that entailed. Whilst the sessions at the Tollie already this season have been memorable (well some of it) I know that the context of recent results, their best team in 15 years blah blah, made this fixture extra special. Whilst I surrounded myself with Guinness and good friends, none of them really understood what it was really about.
So, that means, you have to recreate your frenzied rythym for Villa on 24th.
And, if I end up in Oslo, you can do the explaining to Roxette.
Bum! Floccinaucinihilipillification.
I wonder what you guys think about Arseblogger’s blog today…
I remember you telling me that hate is a strong word etc…
Apparently blogs didn’t listen to y’all lol 🙂
Heh Snir , quite right 🙂
Dr Z , frenzied rythym never a problem . Here’s to Villa 😉
rhythm – Sorry Ollie !
It’s all right, tabs.
As long as you can spell that flummoxycinephilywhitecuntation word mentioned above.
@ 346, 349 and 350 – I never could spell that word.
Anyway, tabs, travel sorted. Clock end sorted. Liver replacement ordered.
And its good to know that Professor Storey will be in charge of the agenda….. 😉
zico : Riddim!
Heh Ollie 🙂
Good to hear Dr Z . I fancy it just might be a rather better run in than we’ve got used to of late .
And I still haven’t completely given up on Milan . Long long shot , but get an early one and who knows what might happen .
poor confused Gorlamb @ 311, I’m a team-player 🙂
Ollie @ 323, interlulling it? Do you mean you’ve got a whole re-run on your DVR or something?
Snir @ 342, phew, because you didn’t reply I thought I did something wrong 😳
Are we dealing in organ replacements now then Dr.z?
If yes, there’s a couple of pr*cks over at Le Groan that need replacing first.
Then one at ANR, maybe?
Heh, TS.
Who knows what “we” are dealing now – it’s all down to you.
Now that a certain maniac has retired 😉
RvP had a knock in the Holland training.
Van Marjiwk says it’s minor and he expects him to start (groin).
Podolski’s agent when approached on Arsenal rumors – “no comment.”
Trev@339: did you mean floccinaucinihilipilification? Or possibly fantoccinaucinihilipilification, which might mean the substitution of worthless puppets for humans as worthless or the substitution of puppets for worthless humans. When you mix Italian and Latin, who knows where you end up apart from being further dislocated in the time-space continuum that these drinks have become.
Oxford English Dictionary, if you are reading — perhaps Oxon Gooner@345 has an in there — note the above is probably the first published instance of the use of fantoccinaucinihilipilification, so this bar should be cited.
oops, that should have been “which might mean regarding the substitution of worthless puppets for humans as worthless” &c
Sorry Ned, no in. Just your ordinary, amateur smartarse.
You fit right in here, then, OG. We are a whole bar of them.
sometimes we think we don’t hear enough from the club. sometimes we think the club says things we don’t like to hear. i tell ya, it’s just an information transmission interruption.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8k-G148Zqk
Welcome Oxon. Whereabouts in Oxfordshire are you? I used to play football and cricket in the south of the county.
So can the Podolski rumours be taken seriously? I read the article from the link above and his name is trending in London on Twitter but it all seems to be the same thing… Personal Terms agreed.
Can anyone shed some light for me please?
No light here Wind – just had a total blackout for 15 minutes !
Back now though so,
“toccinaucinihilipilification” is the habit of estimating something as worthless.
I thought everyone would know that 😉
I often picture ‘Holic sitting at home reading through the drinks, scratching his head and mumbling, “how the fuck did this ever happen?”
Evening boss, 😉
Snir – you have mail.
trev, i think that’s what we usually do with the monkey boy. of course, based on his diving this season, he might have come down with pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism…not a very benign case, either.
Whenever I look at Baby Lady Gooner, I think about the rythym method…
I got that wrong too. 😛
*Where’s my coat?*
BMBD
@263 GT – That Spurs fan said that Harry Redknapp must have been surprised that Yossi and Theo played so narrow.
Clearly, he hasn’t been reading Steve T!
Trev – I’ll have a look mate.
Trev @ 367 – Yes. Funny picture.
Trev, chucklin’ 😉
A good run-in could make this a very good season indeed. We could not only qualify for next season’s Champions League, but bring about one of the merriest St. Totteringham Days in living memory, and get our club into shape for a genuine title challenge next season. Not to mention the achievement of a good run-in in itself, which would be a real confidence builder after the last few seasons. Come on the good run-in, I can almost taste it. 🙂
My goodness Guv’ner you up a bit late aren’t you? Hope the management is responding to treatment…Mrs GT has flown to Houston for the week…so I am daddy & mommy to my two girls till saturday evening…they love it when there is no strict management around….send news of how she’s doing. I continue to meditate on her good health
Off to bed now (0;
Quite a task in front of you, GT my friend. Have you considered distributing sedatives? 😉
Just realized we have the early game this Saturday so I won’t be able to see it since I will be on a family outing to Washington D.C. including a day of unaccompanied child care. Not sure how things turned out this way to be honest. 🙂
GT & 8ball –
For times when I have the kid without Management’s presence, if the park doesn’t tire her out enough, I swear by melatonin.
One small dose, and she is out like a light…
Just sayin’
BMBD
LG / 8thBall: Said I was going to bed 1-hour ago – guess what I’ve been watching. I will give you both a generous 5/2 against guessing…that’s five times now and I can’t get enough…but I really must go to bed now..really..
The girls are fast asleep for a few hours now …they are great really – no trouble at all…both crazy Gooners – especially the younger one..proud daddy (0;
Gin in the milk, if they are young enough, is an alternative, LG. Course you have to get the gin off the Management first.
SG@379: at least floccinaucinihilipilification was coined as a joke; pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism is a proper word. But I raise you pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.
Oops, SG@369. Back to the gin…
Ned –
Supercalifragilisticexpialodocious…
Done and dusted.
Mary Poppins Goram: a midget of a word in comparison. Eleven letters shorter, and as made-up as floccinaucinihilipilification. Even more damning, it is really two coined words, supercalifragilistic and expialidocious, rammed together to make one. As blatant as a Bale dive, in my book.
Supercalifragilisticexpialodocious did, though, spawn one of the greatest football newspaper headlines. When Liverpool gave Queens Park Rangers a paddlin’ in the 1970s with Ian Callaghan scoring a hatful, the Liverpool Echo ran with: SUPER CALLY GOES BALLISTIC, QPR ATROCIOUS. The line was later ripped off by the Sun, following Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s shock Scottish Cup upset at Parkhead in 2000: SUPER CALEY GO BALLISTIC, CELTIC ARE ATROCIOUS.
Ned –
I may be a multiple personality, but I am not hermaphroditic… 😉
I think Mary Poppins was probably asexual, if anything, but with that umbrella, who knows…
And with that I hoof the ball towards the deep 390s, knowing Wind or Lurky will get on the end of it…
Picks up the ball in the middle of the park, dribbles past four of the LWCs ala RVP taking the piss..
Keeps the ball, plays a triangle with Ned and Lonestar, still taking the piss, all the while laffing at scum midfielders
Morning ‘Holics
Anyone contemplating some furious self-assisting?
Dr.z @ #357 – We all know this a year where people come out of ‘retirement’ and jump straight back into the saddle 😉
Mr.T @ #367 – A true Frankenstein’s monster but rather a good one all the same.
Well played Harsha, keep it going for as long as you can 🙂
Trump card in pocket, running up the middle of the park, he waves at the Triangle of Harsha, NBN & Lonestar for the ball…
Are all these long words the new ‘in’ game after Mornington Crescent?
Playing on, waves back at wind
Takes the ball, foot-roll past Modric, plays it forward to…
Me.
Passes it out to left wing
Nope Still Aint Stopped Smiling 🙂 I was always best in the Hole !
Ollie
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Thank Dennis for Wiki and the cut-and-paste function
I wonder if our resident doctors can provide further information or should we get back to talking about football?
*chips*
*content with the unconventional assist*
Superb goal Ollie!
Felt sure LO would be skulking in the trenches with finger poised on the trigger of his rifle.
Actually, we should elongate Ollie’s goal with:
*we p*ssed on their…*
FOYS!
With mayonnaise? Neat dink Ollie
Nice one Ollie, I dropped out of the attack cos a Welshman was moaning/shouting at me for what consists of an assembly in my 6th form college 😐
Re the radio 5 live stuff on The Arse’s finances last night – thought it interesting that they mentioned – almost in passing – that they’ve asked Ivan ‘the mediocre’ for an interview on several occasions – and that he’s always turned ’em down.
They’re mostly a grown-up bunch of decentish journos on there (am ignoring Alan ‘puffedupangrybutthole’ Green and Robbie ‘knobbyfukwitmassivemoron’ Savage – obviously) – and the Arsenal supporting public have questions they would love their CEO to answer – so shurely he can find the time from somewhere.
After all he found the time to eff orf to Mexico during the pivotal part of our season so far (when we were playing Milan followed by Sunderland) – just sayin’ – as they say
Morning AL. Fair comment….
So surely the answer must be for Arsene and Co to find the best 18 players with the highest energy levels week in week out, as all of our players must know ‘ze passin game’
No?
You can go back to my posts from around 2 years ago to hear me utter these same words!
In Arsene we trust?
Most if not all of the inferior teams post 1st Sept beat us when we should have won because our energy levels dropped.
Over to you…
Top of the M back at you TS –
If anyone hasn’t heard the thing it’s on bbciplayer from 8.30pm i think. A whole hour special on our money matters featuring among others the Van Nistelrooy destrooyer – M. Keown, and some bloke from the AST. Not much new – as someone above said – but worth a go nonetheless
I might be forced back to Madrid. Again.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhhhh!
Are you all blind? Deluded? How obvious do I have to make it for you all?
Sp*rs:
Europa league – knocked out at group stage
Carling Cup – knocked out first round by Stoke (as far as I can make out on their awful club site).
FA Cup – replay against Stevenage in 5th round.
League – 3rd.
Currently above Arsenal. If it finishes like this then it will be the first time in 16 years.
Best season EVER. ‘Arry is a genius. FACT.
The Arsenal:
Champions League – most likely to be knocked out by 5 times Champions AC Milan. This follows on from similar failures in the last two years against Barcelona (Best team in The World Ever (TM))
Carling Cup – knocked out in 3rd round by premiership leaders Man Citeh
FA Cup – 5th round
League – 4th
Currently below Sp*rs for first time in 16 years.
Worst season EVER. Sack Venga. FACT.
Meedja Tosspot knows!
I see Ryo’s been voted Bolton’s player of the month.
LJW MKII?
NBN – Love that headline!
My other favourite is when Ipswich beat Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA cup and the headline was:
TORPEDO HIT BY A TRACTOR
Genius.
Camberwell Gooner – self-assisting all the way to the quintuple ton.
…and 414 just happens to be the name of a legendary Brixton club.
Well in, Ollie
CamG: like it.
Iif Cologne want £15 million for Podolski, and Arsenal’s initial valuation is £8 million, is the logical half-way point £13 million straight or £11.5 million and Denilson or some’at?
Wind…. how’s your maths?? 🙂
AL @ 205: What do you expect the CEO to do when the team is on the field playing Sunderland & Milan: serve the oranges?…Stop complaining (or get LegRash to do it – he’s funnier)…all men deserve holidays and as the season gets busier from now onwards there is not much time in the Spring or Summer months (what with RvP & Song negotiations, transfers, Tours, Emirates Cup, Pre-season preparations, New Season etc..)…so cut him some slack – he’s not the enemy..
<>>
btw..forgot my manners…Good morning – or afternoon to some – Holics..(0;
Hmm….I’m in, again, after a week out – go figure.
G-day anyhoo.
CG: heh…the education system these days..(0;
GoonerTerry @ 419
To quote the peerless Keith Dover
“I wouldn’t let Gazidis paint my fence……”
Meedja Tosspot: where have you been? We’ve missed you! (0;
Dr Zee: Me either (0;
Arseblog today, ” A lot of people are more interested in transfers than actual football “. Amen to that. So don’t worry about the ‘maths’ (is that like George W. Bush’s reference to the ‘internets’?). If I had to pick one one word to sum up this season so far, it would be ‘injuries’. That’s what I’m concerned with, and of course finishing 3rd.
A little Perry Groves fun on a slow day: http://youtu.be/-OeoRMeGl18
GT
I’ve been out researching down the pub.
These brilliant insights don’t come cheap, you know! 😉
TS, et al –
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis – the doctor thinks I may actually have that, but it’s hard to say !
For all those making up long silly words, ‘toccinaucinihilipilification’ is actually the longest word in the dictionary, beating ‘antidisestablishmentarianism’ by one letter, 29 – 28.
‘toccinau . . . . .’ means, the habit of estimating something as worthless.
Pfff, bloody obvious I thought 😉
abb @ 425
That word could sum up last season as well. And the one before that.
Assuming of course you want to use an alternative to “meltdown”. 😉
zico @422 –
I would. Probably finish up with a giant Arsenal mural – or a lifesize Martin Keown to scare all the stray cats away 😉
Trev are you trying to say that
“Ijustwanttobepaidwhatiamworthlikethesameashenrybecauseideservetobe” as spraffed by Emmanuel Adebayor is not a word?
Cause it sure as hell sounded like one.
GT @ 429 IG is paid a wheelbarrow full of dosh to represent the club off the field. He runs the business side of the thing. He is the club’s CEO.
Those were 2 massive games in the middle of a very important season. In my opinion he should have been there doing his job for the club that rewards him so well.
He’s got the close season for holidays.
No-one was suggesting he’s ‘the enemy’ just that he works for us. For me it was slack and smacked possibly of the disconnect that seems to exist right now between those that own/run the club and the fanbase
But hey, he’s back now holding the fort – so maybe Arsene or RVP can pop off for a week or so when Milan come to our place – it’s been a long tough season for them too.
Oops – pardon 419
@ 430
No, you wouldn’t.
You would end up with a half-job by Dodgy Drip and Dip, because we only pay what we believe is fair value.
Ivan would later be inform you that we were interested in David Hockney though. 😉
Hey Lester, GoonerTerry is right – where is LegRash, he’s much funnier than you !
zico @434 – 🙂
I agree with AL @ 432.
The Tuesday Club intimated he was away ski-ing for the Milan game.
Didn’t know you could ski in Mexico, but hell, there was sun-bathing in Scotland once. 🙂
‘Tis true too Trev – can’t find the fekker at the moment
Either way Dr. Z it’s a slippery slope i reckon
I’ll get me goggles
Your right, he should never have been allowed to go out on the piste….
You’re
Catalan @ 418, its terrible 😉 But you have to excuse the fact that I’m working with Wenger logic here :p
Nice save Zico, I thought I heard a certain Frenchman charging down towards the bar with the correction… 😛
The Arse board not the snow-board
Afternoon All ,
Dr Z @434 -Now I don’t want to inflame the debate , but I think I’d rather have Dodgy Drip and Dip paint my fence than David Hockney . D, D and D would of course be a lot cheaper , and I see no reason to think that Hockney would do it any better .
Further , I’m pretty sure the Hockney accent would begin to grate after a while . He is from Bradford after all 😉
Get off the fence, Smallballs.
Oh and paint it while you’re at it. 8)
OK I am in the mood to discuss the game now! Normally when we lose we would have turned over every stone 10-times by now ‘looking’ for reasons for our demise…so why not now? After the most momentous game of the last 5-years!
I have now watched the game six (6) times and I think I have noticed a couple of things worth mentioning:
1. The balance of that team on Sunday was the best I have seen for many, many years. Only the addition of Santos at LB, I feel, could have improved it…
2. Theo is not a winger; nor is he the classic center forward either. His true position is in the inside right channel where he scored both his goals from.
3. We don’t need Theo to be a Winger a winger (with only RvP capable of getting on the end of his crosses) but Sagna does brilliantly in the over-lapping role and has a deadly first time low cross..
4. We would have lost that game if Radcrapp had not taken the piss by allowing Adewhore to take the penalty – that in combination with the blatant Bale ‘incident’ galvanized the passion in our players so much that from then on they got stuck into the cunts big time..
5. Wenger being so sick had no energy to pester the 4th official (that was left to Redcrapp) and so he could not tell Dein to ‘lets fuck these moaning bastards’ or words to that effect..
6. We do the pressing game very well and should try to perfect this art. Teams really have no answer to it – as we have found to our detriment on several occasions this season (Swansea anyone?)
7. We are back to our ‘Rapid Fire’ goal scoring tactics that was a Wenger staple for so many of his early years at the Arsenal. This tactic depends on movement from the front six – but not all going forwards (all kinds of movement that pulls markers out of position)..it depends on players prepared to attack the box (18-yard) from all angles; its depends on pace & quick passes – 1-2’s and other rapid combinations; but most of all it depends on being prepared to take a facking shot – any facking shot! Once the ball is pinged in at pace the defender is automatically under pressure and has to make a hurried clearance…Good things can happen once that happens..
Finally we must not ease up after just a couple of goals but press on until the bastards heads go down…then we should just kick a few of them behind the refs back like…(0;
That’s my considered opinion. Any comments?
P.S. And RvP in a ‘free’ Bergkamp role behind a main striker, I feel, would make us champions..
Ned @387 – Hate to break it to you but Mary Poppins was a sexual deviant .
Nice goal Ollie – Bergkampesque !
AL @405 Cheers for the heads up re the Five Live stuff . Will give it a whirl .
What Lars said @411 🙂
GT @426 – Cheers for the link .
Trev @428 – heh 🙂
Dr Z – Ha 🙂
Ole, ole boyos –
He pays tax when he wants…
Guess I should get my head out of the clouds and focused squarely on the mugsmashers. I really hope the boys stay focused and are up for it.
I want it them to make it rain on Reina.
Win the next match (it’s time we bring it back for the run in).
BMBD
Dr Feelgood,
not sure whether I should address this to you or the bumbling (sh!) Professor Edwin. Who is running the HT these days, or are they all on holiday ?
At our recent tete-a-tete in the Pyrenees, Mr C and myself were tossing around some ideas on a new state-of-the-art, high-tec Quackery, when summer modifications / refurbishments are carried out on the HT MkII.
One item of high-tecery under consideration, which seems now to be needed almost immediately, is the Anti-Gravity Bubble Wrap Suit.
As more ‘Holics find themselves drawn into various states of semi- and un-consciousness at certain cold-drinks establishments, these suits could be invaluable in the prevention of injury, as said ‘Holics attempt to mount, dismount and dance on the tables.
Of course, we must only spend within our means, but there are many versions of exactly how much cash is currently available in the DLL accounts.
If funds would allow, these Anti Gravity suits could be issued en masse to passengers stationed behind the goals, with hilarious results.
Imagine hundreds of HT passengers airborne behind the goals, as they perform Anti Gravity impersonations of monkey-faced, banana foot-peeling, diving c*nts, going over far too easily in our area.
Worth every penny, I’d say.
TaBS at 449 –
Mary Poppins was indeed a deviant, a perve, to wit:
http://familyguy.wikia.com/index.php?title=Mary_Poppins&image=SOB-png
BMBD
Mr T , I want one of them there anti-gravity suits !! 🙂
So if i understand it correctly it was Adebuywhore’s penalty what won it for us – is that what they call forward thinking?!?!?
Indeed Lonestar . A danger to children everywhere 🙂
AL @ 432: Yes as you said “IG is paid a wheelbarrow full of dosh to represent the club off the field. He runs the business side of the thing. He is the club’s CEO”…..All correct!
But when you say: “Those were 2 massive games in the middle of a very important season. In my opinion he should have been there doing his job for the club that rewards him so well”…I say that as CEO he can’t do anything that can affect a game on match day…that’s the job of Wenger and his players..
Further he can’t bugger off in closed season because that’s when he does most of his work! I have given most of the reasons why above…
I understand the frustration but blaming IG will not get us anywhere. And take my advice and don’t take anything you hear on the Tuesday Club as gospel (0;
GT @447 –
re shape: it certainly helps to have some full-backs who know the position when you’re playing 4-3-3. A luxury that has been denied us since October.
For me, the biggest single difference on Sunday was that we had midfield players running past the ball, in behind defenders, for the first time since Fabregas left.
And the other biggest single difference! was that we actually pressed the opposition to brilliant effect.
This works! As shown by Everton (a) 6 – 1, Chelsea 3 – 0, Sp*ds 5 – 2, why don’t we just do this, please.
It proves that this team does not lack ability but, sometimes, application. Hence the frustration of the fans when it doesn’t happen.
Anyway, for now I don’t want to think about frustration. Be happy.
I still can’t stop singing Arsenal songs to myself, and it’s Wednesday afternoon.
I have to say I’m still a bit ashamed that such was my prolonged high from Sunday, that I started singing Arsenal songs to my EIGHT year old daughter’s friend, who had come round for tea on Monday in a Tottenham shirt!
The worst of it was that she turned out not to be a Sp*rs fan anyway!
She had simply worn the shirt – a present from an uncle – which had been left out for her by her mum!
And people will insist that Dads are embarrassing . . . ? ?
First of all this is for Ollie, Scotty Parker named England’s captain. Oh dear.
Hey Tabs – a pint of smooth black stuff on the bar for you.
abb –
the whole England captaincy thing must be THE most boring non-issue since the last time the England captain was named or sacked or whatever they did to him
WordPress for sleepy face, anyone ?
Zico @ 429 No way…this year’s team is buried in my heart, for better or worse.
Mr T @ 452: My impression is that Prof Storey has all the fun(s) he needs for additional ‘equipment’….
GT ,
Some nice points . Having proper full backs back on both sides of the pitch makes an enormous difference .
Theo is I agree most effective in that inside right channel but only when coming in from a wide position . Jury still out on him in this household . He is clearly at his most effective when the oppo play a high line (Totts , Chelski) , and their centre half (Terry , King) is devoid of pace . He still however must do more on a week by week basis and must do better when he receives the ball with his back to goal before he can lay claim to a more central role .
Still believe a fully fit JW would walk into the first team .
Not convinced about RVP playing behind a centre forward . He could certainly play there but I think we would on occasion get swamped in midfield . Just can’t see him being played deeper whilst he remains such a goal machine .
The pressing was magnificent and makes such a difference . I accept that it is probably impossible to do that for 90 mins (even Barca struggle to do that ) , but I do think we should at least start all games like that . There are too many games where we start in second gear and then struggle to up the tempo later in the game .
Dr T
Your post will be sent on to the retirement home, where it will be received with the err, gravitas, it deserves, I’m sure. But Professor Storey is the man who controls the Happy Train these days. Hence the upturn in results. 😉
I have a feeling your device could be required long before next season though.
Quite so GT – I’ve heard he has a big bulging bag – of cash, of course.
I’m not blaming IG for anything specifically just suggesting he should do the job he’s very well paid to do – and that’s represent Arsenal Football Club off the pitch.
Players, managers, etc generally holiday in the close season (there are some notable exceptions of course) – as traditionally do CEOs – after all they can’t sign off on contracts etc without the other key figures being around. And most of the time it’s not them doing the nuts and bolts negotiating anyway eg a bloke called Dick Law is specially employed to do the bulk of Arsenal’s transfer deals/negotiations at the moment
Anyway we’re going round in circles here and probably starting to bore others – if not ourselves – soooooo
Three contortionists walk into a mini-bar…
@465 – are you demoting me Feelgood ? And you’re not even in charge.
wordpress, sticky out tongue thing !
ps – i didn’t hear off The Tuesday Club – but thanks for the advice, will most definitely keep it mind
Hi Trev , Cheers for the drink .
I see you got there first re the pressing . Such a joy to watch when they do it . As a layman , its very difficult to understand why they don’t play that way every week . Compare and contrast the acres of space and time Milan midfielders were afforded .
And heh at the Spurs shirt story . You naughty man 🙂
tabs, I agree with all of that @ 464 with particular emphasis on the last sentence and the sentiment on LJW.
oops, pardon – “anything” and “in” and over and out
Mr T @ 468
You clearly have ideas above your playstation 8)
Trev @ 458: Agreed on all counts: Said that about the full-backs several times in the previous drinks – makes a massive difference to our game. Hope that we keep a settled back four for the rest of the season!
That’s funny. Poor little girl. Glad it wasn’t a boy or you might have ‘steamed’ in eh?….but you think that’s embarrassing? My girls now try to distract me whenever they see anyone wearing a Man U shirt…because they know I can’t resist saying: “you probably don’t even know where fucking Manchester is, do you?”
Oh Trev, You do have a way of making us smile. Best be on your toes, as Dr. Feelgood and the original Andy Gorham are right behind you.
As regards the IG thing I’m in AL’s camp . Could he have influenced the result ? No . But he is the public face of Arsenal’s Board . The Manager was under incredible pressure . A loss to Spurs and meltdown would have been an overused word (if only in the fevered imaginations of the media and internet scribes ) .
He should have been there . He should be at every Arsenal game . It is the very least we should expect for our money .
A huge PR gaffe to take a holiday at this time imho . Has Arsene taken a holiday ? Not on your nellie .
@476 –
I don’t want Arsene anywhere near my Nellie thank you very much !
He’s got quite enough to do without any of those sort of shennanigans.
And I can tell you that when IG goes on holiday, it is not to “AL’s” or anyone else’s camp.
He is far too rich to go fucking about putting tents up!
Boots the ball high into the stand and heads for the shops . . oh yes.
Would like to put it on public record that I wouldn’t touch IG with a large pole – Chesney!!!!
PHW and AL – heh 🙂
Off to think of some risque camping metaphors .
Lonestar Gooner, How about flying out the Dallas Cheerleaders to root our lads on for the rest of the season…and seat one of them between AW and Pat, just to add a little zip in their step. And on that zany thought, I’m out the door.
tabs knows
TABs: I don’t really think its a ‘camp’ thing…I am just saying that if one has planned a holiday and some shit happens, then is he expected to cancel his holidays and come back? To do what?
And Le Boss should be taking more holidays IMO…last season he was a mess and I definitely think that just his ‘demeanor’ contributed to our low self-confidence on the pitch.
Its a very ‘English’ thing to want people to shed blood in doing what is – essentially – their jobs! There are labour laws that governs what conditions workers have to put up with – Even CEO’s of major football clubs..
I would very much love to discuss what are some of the reasons for our lack of consistency over this and the past few seasons…but I don’t think that it lies with when IG chooses to take his holidays!
IMO..
* is there any orange juice in the bar?….stronger stuff for everyone who needs it barman? *
when IG didn’t show up and make some corner of a foreign field ours – was it a horrible portent, and the rich git don’t do those
i’ll get me waterproofs
Above not risque – i know – but am assuming camping counts
AL: I ask again? Where’s LegRash?
…only Arsenal fans can be pissed off after a game – and a result – like we had on Sunday. Is there any hope for us?.
* sighs *
Away – ski-ing in Mexico GT
Very belated thanks to NBN@362 and the Guv’nor@364, happy to be here. If you’re still bothered, ‘Holic, I’m in Wantage, except that I’m not, as I’m working in sunny North Lincs at present so only get back to Oxon at the weekends. Oh, and I’m off on the piste for a week from Friday.
An early round for all in the bar, please.
UTA
AL: Ok you win..I am going over to Le Grove to see if anybody there wants to have a serious discussion about our CEO…
* where’s me stick? *
..taking his instructions directly from the CEO…GoonerTerry prepares to come on for the final 10-minutes…
* there is fire in his eyes *
GT – none of us are pissed off.
For me, Gazidis has lots to answer for, not least the piss-poor PR from our club. Him going on holiday at this time was a poor show in my opinion, but not in yours, fair enough.
Personally I think you are making more of this than either AL or anyone else intended, but in the spirit of friendship, have a Banks on me because I know you just love that Bajan beer 😉
GT you can’t go now – after all our hard work we’re nearing the big 500. And by the way 484 was an attempt to join in with the camping puns – nothing else – bar-room banter is part of the culture – no?
And what Zico said at 492
Evening all. Y’all still basking in that rosy glow?
BG nips the ball off a LWC on the edge of our own box and plays a silky pass up our left side while sprinting down the centre.
Dr Zee: I didn’t say you – or anyone else – were pissed off – I was only trying to be funny! Should have made myself clearer with one of these (0;
…taking the field to boos ringing out all around the stadium GT clatters into a tackle and digs the ball out and sends an inch perfect pass to his right..
* dusts the poster of his hero Vinnie Jones off *
BG curls the ball from GT out to the left wing position to….
Me. But I mis control the ball due to quaffing a guinness 🙁
Feeling generous today… Sets him up for the tap in.
misses the net with a screamer!
* turns round and hits Dr Zee with a Red Stripe bottle *
Oh. The pass goes in!!
So talented this kid…
Venga should sign that Lansbury bloke at West Ham. He just scored a cracker.
An Englishman rather than all the Frenchies that Arsenal develop, contributing nuffink to Ingerland.
Oh.
Such a killer pass SG, that it went all the way in without needing a touch. DB10 would have been proud of that one.
I just want to say…
…That attack broke down because you are all a bunch of selfish punts…and as soon as the window opens I am off to St Petersberg..
Laters peeps…got to go get my girls from school (0;
Meedja Tosspot knows..
Mr Lansbury
Take a bow…… http://yfrog.com/0ggmtz
Wicked deflection, can’t get jammier than that.
Think that disqualifies him for Arsenal.
Not too bad for someone who’s played in goals more than on the field lately though 😉
Evening all.
Barazite is leading the line for Netherlands U-19 v Scotland. Is he still an Arsenal player or did he not make the cut?
Evening Ol.
Bath
He missed out. Hope Henri gets a chance to breakthrough next term.
And he can bring a bit of that luck with him!
Snir sneaked in – well played sir
It’s fair to say that the youth team has not delivered the number of first team regulars that they were expected to provide over the last several years.
LJW is of course the jewel in the crown, indeed he would grace any crown, and he might be said to more than compensate for the rest. However apart from LJW and the flickering flame that is Gibbs, there has been a uniform falling short. Fingers crossed for Henri L.
I overlooked Szjesus of course. Another fine product.
Bath
You’re right that JET and Watts, Bartley have not made it.
But how about Frimpong and Le Coq?… they’re on their way. Together with LJW, Gibbs (ahem), Sczczczc and Henri, that’s a potential 6 from one generation. Not bad going.
Miguel, Yannaris, Afobe, Aneke, all look as though they could make the step up if they are handled correctly.
On the same theme – Joel Campbell could feature tonight for Costa Rica against Wales. Hopefully we get a good look at him.
*Miquel*
..and I call myself Catalan! 🙁
baff, Barazite is at Monaco now.
Right, time to check if my VHS works!
CG – I had forgotten le Coq and Frimpers. I had marked Miquel down as an import (much like Cesc) but the list looks a lot healthier now and I agree Yenaris does look promising. I haven’t seen enough of the others.
I guess my gloom was rebounding from the weekend generated endorphins.
Btw, Joel Campbell had just scored!
Blimey, there’s been a lot of drinking in the past few hours 🙂
Listened to the Tuesday Club on my way home from work. Quite possibly the best one ever. People must have wondered what that strange bloke sat on his own on the tube was laughing out loud about…
Agree with Trev and others, having fit and proper full-backs makes a huge difference to our game. Just watched the goals from Sunday again just now and they are all feckin awsome goals.
Catalan@514: JET could and even should have made it, but he wasn’t prepared to put in the extra work. Wenger hinted at this quite often. Massive, massive talent who could play just about anywhere on the pitch but was just too bloody lazy.
Praise be to JC Halleluyeah!
The Joel Campbell goal that lurky olivia mentioned:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/the-arsenal-youngster-scores-joel-campbell-costa-rica-v-wales/
Gerrard was just taken off.
That’s great news for our weekend fixture.
Stewart Robson doing his best to make me hate him even more.
“One thing you can say about RvP is that he goes down rather easily…”
He’s either daft or extremely daft.
Snir, not sure Gerrard won’t play on Saturday. It might even have been a pre-planned sub, it is after all not at all uncommon to make early subs in this type of game. And I’ll be mightily pissed off if Robin isn’t subbed at half-time.
And it’s probably best if we just stop listening to what that plonker Robson says, it’ll just make us go mad.
Lars – He went straight down the tunnel, so you never know.
As for Robson, you know how many times I complain about him, but I give him the benefit of the doubt for being a former Arsenal player, but it’s become crazy.
He’s talking as if he hates Arsenal.
I remember in 09-10 he kept on saying we’d win the league on Arsenal Live with Dan Roebuck and when he would commentate on different channels days later he would kill Arsenal, namely Cesc and AW.
And he gets a salary from ATVO!!!
Interesting quotes from AW.
‘Physically we have to monitor him because after every game he can have a little problem,’ Wenger told Arsenal’s official website.
‘We know now that a large percentage of players who play a lot of games between the ages of 18 and 21 have bony stress responses.
I never expected the number to be so high.
‘[It happens] because your skeleton is not completely finished and the bones are not completely developed to absorb the kinds of shocks you get in the Premier League.
‘We have to be cautious about that. But you are always in a trap when the player is as good as he is, like Jack Wilshere is too.
‘You cannot take him out of the team, you have to keep him there. They can win you games.
Robin off, Huntelaar on. Thanks for that, Mr Dutch manager.
Van Persie not comming out for the second half.
Bedankt Bert.
How Robson has any official position with Arsenal is beyond me. I recall watching a pre-season game on ATVO where he was skewring the defensive organization of the team. A pre-season game!
Now that Robin is safely off I can say I was only following that match to make sure he wasn’t injured, and I am a die hard Oranje fan.
England now getting spanked.
Huntelaar scores and in typical Dutch fashion gets somee grass straight in his gob and gets groggy,
Ahha! H2H
am now mainly watching in the hope that someone’ll kick that cheap-shot shite parker up in the air for Tommy V’s sake – england captain – how low have we sunk
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Adebayor, what’s the score?
Adebayor, what’s the score?
Enjoyed that.
Is the interlull over yet?