Whilst Out Looking for Llamas – A Guest Post
Feb 23rd, 2012 by 'holic
We need a distraction, in this of all weeks. I am indebted to Lonestar Gooner, one of the ‘holics from the Left Bank of the pond, for an indication of the reach of the mighty Arsenal family. Thanks LG, for sharing.
It’s another winter, and we find ourselves in another dreary February. However, take heart fellow Gooners for I have discovered an Arsenal sanctuary hidden in a veritable paradise. A place where the Sun shines, the beer flows, and nary Chav, Spud, or Manc are to be found – Lahaina, Mau’i. It’s a short trip really…
After dropping off Baby Lady Gooner in San Diego, Mrs. Lonestar and I caught the red-eye to Mau’i. The island was as beautiful as advertised. Boasting azure water, idyllic beaches, crisp breezes (although the tradewinds had died and, as a result, the VOG – volcanic “fog” from one of the many holes in the ground – obscured the view of the nearby islands just a bit – it was a light haze more than anything else), and more beautiful women than I cared to notice, Mau’i was a Siren I could not ignore. I had indeed brought sand to the beach (although Mrs. Lonestar outshined them all), but I digress.
The second day of our five day stay arrived, and I awoke ravenous. As we prepared to leave the beachfront (as in 15 feet from the water) apartment for a breakfast of champions, my most difficult, and in the end, fateful choice was what shirt to wear. Should I wear my 2005 University of Texas National Champions’ polo? Or, should I throw on my comfortable, but well-worn Eduardo kit? Mrs. Lonestar looked disapprovingly at my decision to represent the Arsenal, but was there truly any other choice?
Having made nice with the Management, we travelled up the two-lane “highway” from Lahaina to Naplili en route to local favorite restaurant. As we exited the car, I heard an unfamiliar voice shout, “Come on, Arsenal!” I turned around, avoiding Mrs. Lonestar’s look of exasperation, to find a tall, Hawaiian-shirt clad Anglo manning the water-events registration desk. He told me that although he wasn’t much of a soccer fan, his buddy, Roger, was a HUGE Arsenal fan and had forced him to watch enough Arsenal matches for him to know the badge on sight. Roger frequented a local bar in Lahaina that showed the matches and operated a vehicle known across the island as “The Carsenal.” At that moment, I knew meeting Roger would be a mandatory appointment. I thanked Craig for his hospitality and for reminding Mrs. Lonestar of the truly special quality of Gooners.
We finished a tasty, and affordable, breakfast – during which time I bargained away possession of the credit card in exchange for meeting Roger later that afternoon – and headed back to the car to start the day’s sightseeing. As we approached the car, another voice shouted, “My husband LOVES Arsenal.” Yep, it was Mrs. Roger hailing us. Under her breath, Mrs. Lonestar let slip a “You’ve got to be kidding me.” However, it was no joke, just the power of the Arsenal. Mrs. Roger was as lovely as she was welcoming, and we talked about Roger, the island, and the resort she managed.
Several hours later, the missus and I pulled into the parking lot for Roger’s bar – Lahaina Coolers. The sight of the Carsenal was my first indication of the fun that was in store. The red Honda hatchback was adorned with numerous symbols of Arsenal devotion. I simply had to meet the man who was confident, committed, and crazy enough to operate such a vehicle. Mrs. Lonestar assured me that if I EVER did something like that, divorce papers would be issued – or at the very least, she’d never ride with me again (hmmmm…I kid, I kid). As we entered, the bartender looked up, saw me, and announced, “Roger, somebody’s here to see you.”
A more fitting ambassador for the Arsenal, there could not be. Sitting at the bar in a Herbert Chapman tee-shirt and jeans, drinking from his personal set of Arsenal glassware, Roger made us feel like longtime friends. Not being a supporter from my youth nor a native Brit, I sometimes feel out-of-place discussing the Club with people like Roger. However, he would have none of it. We talked about the Club’s current state and its past glories, shared pictures of family, and made plans to stay in touch. Many drinks and plates of delicious island treats later – and after Mrs. Lonestar returned from her unescorted shopping spree – we took pictures to memorialize this fortuitous meeting. The next time the February doldrums set-in, head west, Gooner brethren, to the island of Mau’i and Lahaina Coolers. You’ll be glad for the diversion.
Mahalo, Roger for helping make Mau’i a trip I will always remember and giving me a talking point about the quality of this Club we cherish – and its supporters.
237 Responses to “Whilst Out Looking for Llamas – A Guest Post”
FIRST!
Love you bro LG
Love the story great post nice break from the doom & gloom
Great post.
Great post Lonestar. Sounds like the final reason I need to plan a visit to Hawaii.
Nice one, Lonestar.
And not a Llama in sight. 😉
6th! Europa for me, blood!
Meant to say Steve T, if you are looking in, top drink in the bar last night. I shall now never be able to look at pigeons without laughing. 🙂
Lonestar, thanks for brightening up my morning – that little story brought a big smile to my face!
…and I second what zico said@7 🙂
Excellent – a nice bit of light relief.
Thanks Lonestar.
Small chap….
Food for thought… http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-If-Theo-Walcott-is-such-a-bad-player-why-do-Lionel-Messi-and-Robin-van-Persie-rate-him-so-highly-By-John-Cross-article868942.html
Hazza will be jealous of this post.
Now to read it.
Morning all.
Lonestar, great stuff! Warm the cockles of my heart it did.
Here’s to Roger!
Does Roger drink here??
There are days I like the Meedja:
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/The-Arsenal-column-Why-fans-should-bite-their-tongues-if-they-lose-to-Spurs-on-Sunday-by-John-Cross-article868941.html
Cheers, Dr C. Indeed.
Sadly I don’t expect people wigth measured reactions and perspective to be the most vocal should defeat happen.
Lonestar, you could not make up the delight on my face when I saw ‘Llamas’ at the top of the page, excellent post mate! 😀
And Steve T, that rant from the last bar was legendary 🙂
So much, that I’m going back to read it again 😛
Sweet ride 😉
Arseblog and @PapalDiary calling it like it is. FOYS.
Enough of these fake Andy Gorams! 😛
http://player.arsenal.com/schedule/day/2012-02-22/player/1660-reserves-v-norwich
Reserve game link if anyone wants it, will need a log in though I believe, hope mine still isn’t in there or some’at.
Interesting links above Catalan 🙂
Great Post Big Man.
A true example of Little and Large.
We are in every corner of the Planet.
Little Roger looks as though he has been round the block more than a few times,so he probably knows all about Famines at the Arse.
Yet there he is,indefatigable,still loud and proud about the Club he loves.
I was walking my dog near home last year,and i was working my way down a long set of Stone Stairs down to the main road,when coming up them at a cracking run was this young black guy wearing an old 80’s Arsenal shirt.
As he got nearer i said,’ Up the Gunners ‘ and his smile was so wide it could have lit up the Planet.
He was a Trainee Priest from a little village somewhere in Africa,and he was on secondment for a year working with a local Church.
He told me that back home they had no television,only a Radio,on which he avidly listened to the football on the BBC World Service.
I never did get to find out how or why he ever got to follow the Arse,but i hope he got to see them in glorious living color whilst on his year’s training.
Cheers
The Sweeper
Top top post Lonestar . A drink for yourself , and a large one for Roger .
Now that’s what I call a motor !!
And a very nice story Clive .
Dear Mr Lonestar ,
I trust you were dressed in the correct attire whilst on the Beach ?
Yours fashion-policingly
Wolfgang Smallballs .
Smallballs he ain’t.
This is getting silly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu7vySQbgXI
Mahalo Lonestar
Great distraction, good story, we like…
Have been fortunate enough to visit the beautiful island of Maui. Found it to be full of welcoming people and it is a wonderful place as you say. Great to hear that its natural beauty can be enhanced by a touch of The Arse and appropriate swimwear.
What about setting up a llama farm and sanctuary over there? transportation might be a bit expensive I suppose. No obvious rail links for the HT either. Helluva journey for us Brits.
Cheers, drinks on bar and sweeties in the CMC for you 😉
I’ll echo tabs, Clive.
Yours is a great story too.
I’m quite sure you and your ‘ladies’ approve of a nice bit of light relief, per Dr.C.
UTA! & FOYS!
Dear Mr True Storey ,
“its natural beauty can be enhanced by a touch of The Arse and appropriate swimwear.”
Bravo , Sir , Bravo .
Yours agreeably ,
Wolfgang Smallballs .
All you other Andy Gorams are just imposters but I agree with Andy Groam at # 26, this is getting silly. Very silly.
@ #30 – P*ss off grandad! You’re just another fake.
test
Heh @ Wolfie 😆
Whoever Andy Goram (authentic since 64 ) is , he has just made me spit my coffee and fall off my commode (deluxe edition) .
Very funny Sir 🙂
Has anyone seen my cousin lately?
Or mine?
Top story. I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon in 2009, we stayed several days each on Maui, Big Island (also called Hawaii) and Honolulu. While we were on Big Island we went out one night for a nice, juicy steak to a restaurant called Ruth’s Chris(!). I was wearing a white t-shirt that had a crest right in the middle of the chest which delighted our waiter no end! He professed to having supported The Club for only about 3 years (having only been into real football for about the same amount of time), but had already built up a serious dislike of the chavs and manUre (them being our main rivals at the time) but was beginning to detest that small club down the road just as much. Every time he came to the table we’d spend several minutes discussing the latest news, players, results etc. all the while my new wife just smiled politely! It was a good night and needless to say I gave him a generous tip!
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again.
Positively barking, the lot of you….
When sport was sport , and sports reports were delivered in plummy Old Etonian accents ….
Please also note some handy tips towards the end of the report , should you ever require a lady to “loosen her bra” !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=KDPTC-yAmgo
‘Holic @ #38
Flattery will get you everywhere.
So says he who heads his post “Whilst Out Looking for Llamas” 😛
And the author was? 😉
Stark staring bonkers, all of ya…
Heh Holic 🙂
Well I must say the atmosphere in the Bar today is much more agreeable .
And the good news just keeps on coming .
On going through my emails today I find that one Abdelkader Khamis, one of the assistants of the former interior minister of Egypt (Habib el-Adly) who was ousted during the recent Egyptian revolution,wishes to deposit some of his funds valued at $22,500,000 (22.5 million dollars) into my account .
What luck !!! If the good Abdelkader sees good on his promise , I might even have to relieve Lars from round-buying duties .
Happy Days .
Top post Lonestar! How many Arsenal bumper stickers did the Carsenal have in all? At least seven but I may have missed some!!
Mr C @15 – Cheers for the link .
A couple of sentences stood out for me :-
“Arsenal will not sack him. Never in a million years. After all, he’s done a great job. The only way he’ll go is if he walks.
And if that comes from being bullied and chased out by angry impatient fans then they should be ashamed. ”
Much as I liked the man in person , (he was charming) , I think it’s a little rich of Mr Cross to state the above , when his paper does as much as any to stoke up the anger and the impatience , and when he regularly gives column inches to the pair of clowns at Le Grove , and presents them as the “voice” of Arsenal fans .
I don’t think he can have it both ways .
Just my opinion 🙂
37, did you forget to include your last name, Mr G? 😀
Yeah, tabs, you’ve got a point.
In fact, I was quite suprised to read the names ‘John’ and ‘Cross’ once I’d read the article.
The younger Andy Goram @ 31, 🙂
Great tale, Lonestar. Gooners are a truly universal fraternity.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/02/23/135700_les-bleus-avec-amalfitano-et-saha.html
No Sagna and no Koscielny for France, so not a single Arsenal player.
Well, I’ll take it as good news for us (unless it means Koscielny’s actually more injured than we think, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his non-selection is only due to Blanc being a clueless cunt).
thats a cracker , lonestar 🙂
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-announce-season-ticket-prices
If you’re not Club Level, no increase in ST.
What a nice post!
Brilliant Lonestar
More honey for our pot , Sports Fans .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQLv9M9XeHs&feature=fvst
Ollie @ 51
It’s a start. Now if Ivan can just arrange for the removal of tax surcharges on flights to The Smoke from Edinburgh, I might just distrust him slightly less.
Only slightly, you understand.
After all, tickets for meagre Reds like me will probably go up.
Tabs @ 44 – never trust the tabloids. You should remember that from your days in the music business 😉
Tis True , Dr Z , tis true .
Those blighters can’t wait to rummage through your drawers and dish up your dirt .
Thank God I only bought a mobile phone last week . If they’d hacked into my ramblings to Luscious Lucy and the rest of her gang , my musical career might never have got past the tables of The Tollie ! 😉
Howdy ‘Holics –
Just a quick drink today as I find myself swamped with “critical” work issues…right then.
First off, many thanks, ‘Holic for agreeing to post the story – you are top, top man.
Secondly, thank you everyone from the Usual Suspects to new posters and the Goram clan for your compliments. It was a very fine trip, and Roger is class through and through. I hope he stops in for a drink.
The picture didn’t show it, but the Carsenal is adorned on the inside as well with scarves and flags and other merch.
Wolfgang @24 – as it was whale watching season, I figured it best to avoid the beach, lest I become mobbed by tourists…
TS @27 – you, sir, suggest a capital idea. The missus and I drove to the southern part of the island, which is big farm country, to visit the Mau’i Winery. Great drive and pelanty of land for llamas. Also they can only wander so far, seeing as how they don’t normally swim and all that.
Before I forget – did you know that he’s got a twitch?
*I’ll get me coat*
BMBD
I thought the same on reading that actually, Dr Z. Likely that the tickets I buy go up again.
Just checked I’m 14 thousand something on ST waiting list. But to be honest I’m not sure there’s any sense in my taking over a ST while not being able to attend a sizeable number of games.
Wouldn’t mind getting Silver though.
Now if Ivan count negotiate discounts with Eurostar….. or should I go and support Ebbsfleet FC?
Heh Lonestar 🙂 , and top post again .
Right I’m off to see if I can round up the old members of the Band .
Laters , Chaps and Chapesses .
Who are all these bloody family members texting me?
Who are all these family members ignoring me?
What a great day in the bar. Very mellow.
Before Feisty Friday, how about Top Tunes Thursday?
As a starter for 10, I’d like to dedicate this to Wolfie.. with a nod to Rod the Mod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xkPJNgvWL8
Greetings Holics
I have refrained from adding fuel to the fire this week as quite frankly I don’t know how I feel about our present plight ,like the team I’m in limbo. We appear to be in a maze and no one knows the way out, least of all those who designed it!
I shall be there on Sunday ,without expectation and in dread of what might happen both on and off the field. I fear there will be a number of disgruntled Gooners ,fuelled up on alcohol , who will be looking for more than “friendly banter” with their opposite numbers from up the road!
Sorry Holics ,a trip to the Tollie will need to be postponed to a more low key fixture . As this week’s ticket is on Club Level, I might as well make the most of it!
As always COYRs
Rude not to think of our neighbours…. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtyIQ79LqY&feature=fvsr
#TTT#
Lonestar, Definitely what the good doctor ordered. Please tell the Missus I say hello!
Dear Mr C @61 ,
Well Sir , what can I say , thank you very much for the dedication .
One good turn deserves another , so this one is for you . 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-j-gtQArvc
Yours DJingly ,
Wolfgang Smallballs .
The Scene : Feelgood Mansions
It is eerily silent when the two men approach the front door, and the place looks deserted. They ring the door bell and no one answers. They ring once more, and wait a few further minutes, and then just as they are about to turn on their heels, the door opens and Roxette, as ever, presents her disarming smile:
Roxette : “Good afternoon gentlemen, what can I do for you?”
Man # 1 : “We’re from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, madam – is you’re husband in?”
Before she can answer, a door is slams in the rear of the house followed by the sound of hurried footsteps disappearing into the distance…..
Roxette : “I, erm, think he has already left…….”
Man # 2 : “Tell him to contact us as soon as possible, we have some questions.”
Some time later, the phone rings in the offices of D L Ltd and Dr Feelgood hears a pre-recorded message:
“You are through to the Operations Room of Delirious Locos Limited, please select from one of the following:
If you wish to reserve your seat on the Happy Train, please press one and have your credit card details ready or be prepared to explain how you can pay the Chief Executive in kind……
If you are a Supplier, please press 2 and have details of the narcotic content of your supplies available and your terms for supplying in bulk…..
If you are a creditor, why don’t you go……erm, ….your cheque is most probably in the post.
Your call may be recorded for quality control and training purposes.”
Feelgood thinks….. Edwin has been too busy to update that message. Wonder what he’s been doing? Feck, who else can I call?
Moments later…….
Feelgood : “It’s me. Run that routine by me again.”
Mystery man : “Well you need a dog. And a face that looks like you bathed in a deep-fat fryer. A nervous tic helps.”
Feelgood : “Thanks Harry. I was looking for something credible though…..
To be continued……
Dear Wolfie
I do hope that you’re not suggesting that members of The Quackery have been raiding the CMC??
Pass the pipe….
Dr Z , hahaha , 🙂 🙂 Excellent .
Dear Mr C ,
Wouldn’t dream of it . Now here’s your pipe with your favourite ‘erb .
Yours floating awayingly ,
Wolfgang Smallballs .
Heh, alter ego fuck up alert @ 69.
How apt 🙂
Want tickets for the NLD? Bet on the game in the next 3 hours at http://www.gunnersgaming.com and you have a very good chance of winning one of two pairs of tickets to the game. Good luck.
Yesterday, Arseblogger did an interview with ‘Harry Hotspur’ at the club’s site. Did anyone happen to read it? The photo/pic of Harry, is that who I think it is? If so, I’m really offended to the core. Hope I’m wrong.
Dr Z – heh , boobed again 🙁
Nurse Abb , Hi , yes I read the exchange on the H*tsp*r site . Not sure which photo you are talking about . Are you referencing the pic of Jenkinson on the H****ur site , or has the exchange also been posted elsewhere ?
Steve T – you, my friend, are an absolute genius!!!
I love hatred, and your post was filled with, and in the right direction.
Fuck Spurs!
Ollie@49: Kos not mentioned among the absent injured so looks like he was dropped. Sagna just not mentioned.
Tabs@53: you just keep dredging them up. Another brilliant one. Ever see the German show? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmWN9fwmOKM
CatG@61: Got to go with Rod Stewart’s Handbags & Gladrags. Think this version is off the An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down album on which Mike d’Abo, who wrote the song, is playing the piano.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edbFVGrTG-c
Andy Goram (the lot of you): have you qualified for your own phone book yet?
Hey Tabs @ 73 I read it at Spurs. Yes, I guess I am, in answer to your first question.
Pineapple juice please barman. You can put in an alcoholic surprise of your choice. 🙂
Tabs @44 – “I don’t think he can have it both ways.”
Wolfgang disagrees . . . . 😉
Nice post Lonestar. San Diego to Maui – I suppose someone’s got to do it !
Tabs, mail rec’d and answered.
Nice post LG. I always get the same reaction from my gf when I am out with her wearing my shirt and I run into fellow Gooners and strike up a conversation. I think the reaction is something akin to wondering why they are dating a child. But we both know they are just jealous of the childlike exuberance we get from supporting the club.
Great post. Am slightly miffed at the utter paradise of it all as I squeeze the rain from my socks. Malibu all round.
Amen, Bearded, amen.
BMBD.
Re: Tabs @53: Truly funny, and one I hadn’t seen before. My favorite was the 3,000 meter steeplechase for people who think they are chickens. 😀 😀 😀
Re: Dr. Z @66, Also truly funny, and I loved “Your call may be recorded for quality control and training purposes.”
That is indeed top quality. 😀
Lonestar, That’s a nice shirt. 🙂
I’ll let you know if I’m going to Maui and see if I can get Rogered too. 😉
Lovely little post Lonestar. Amazing where we run into Gooners eh? Whenever I wear my shirts out in public I am always pleasantly surprised at the number of people who acknowledge me and say: “Up the Arsenal” or something…lately however its more like a wry smile and a sign (0;
Lonestar, I really enjoyed your story man. It’s usually fun meeting hardcore gooners in unlikely places I find.
To show respect for the Carsenal I came up with this little song:
What’s that thing they call the Carsenal?
What’s that thing we all adore?
It’s a red and white Honda,
That looks hotter than Jane Fonda,
and it’s found on the island of Mauiiiiiii…
I took a few poetic licences to make things rhyme ^ _ ^
Argh, when will this week end…
CoR, Sometimes rhyming isn’t the be all and end all. 😉 Seriously though I have a feeling this week may be Groundhog Week. What if it does never end????
So with all the Daily Mail accusations flying around the past few days it didn’t seem appropriate to say this, but: I actually like the pictorial footie reports on their site. They always have great match photos and plenty of them…there! I’ve got it off my chest…
Craig here! Mahalo Lonestar for the kind words of Maui, I am please that you were able to meet Roger aka “The Maui Arse-hole”. Not only is he a dear friend, but I also performed his wedding with Diane the wife you mentioned in the story. Now that I have been mentioned on an Arsenal blog, I must seek an official Arsenal jersey!!
Go Gooners!!
Seems appropriate somehow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbt30UnzRWw&feature=related
Maui Craig@91: welcome to our merry band. If you performed Roger and Diane’s wedding, does that mean you are a man of the cloth, a calling that I would hazzard is somewhat underrepresented in this bar.
…with all due apologies to the Rev Andy Goram, Rabbi Andy Goram, Iman Andy Goram, Father Andy Goram, Cardinal Andy Goram, Bishop Andy Goram, Pastor Andy Goram, and any others I may have missed….
Don’t forget me!
Plays the ball out of defence to the right wing…..
….and sprints into the centre circle…….
stands around waiting for return pass.
Good Morning Sodom and Gomorrah, good morning sinners.
What did I miss?
Volleys fromcentre circle….well in
Morning z, end of the world not scheduled until Sunday. Must be averted with all our efforts.
Nice one bath,
I have the end of the world scheduled elsewhere in the calendar.
It has been avoided for over 50 years and doesn’t look like arriving anytime soon. 😉
Here’s to a Flash Gordon-esque contribution from somewhere in our 11 men on the park on Sunday, mate.
You didn’t miss, zico, you provided a timely assist to prevent baff from scoring the most shameless goal of all times.
Well in bathgooner. You almost dabbled in the dark arts of self-assisting there though…
Happy FFF everyone! It’s Friday evening already here, and I’m off to drink loads and loads of Guinness and get myself ready for action.
It’s going to be messy, melodious and mental…
Oh and FOYS!
Cannons – you just allowed me to look into the future!
Enjoy melodious, messy one. 😀
Good morning, I am in two minds about this game. Do I want us to rob them blind with an added time offside strike, or smash the horrible cunts into the middle of the next century.
To be or not to be…
Oi, that’s MY line!
Two minutes from the clock, no queue on the box office?
At least I guess it means there are less ‘glory hunters’ 😉
fuck, jinxed it, stumbled into a new BO bug?
Wouldn’t activate the log in button now had to hard refresh and bam: queued!
Cunts.
Same thing happened to me Ollie 🙁
How I long for the days of handing over my hard earned at the turnstiles….
Thankfully that was a short queue.
Having said that, I got in and out fairly quickly so I am sorted for Villa.
Usual suspects take note. The boy will be back in town…..
Ok, boys, then 😉
heh Dr Z
By the way, have we established whether anyone will be able to meet up with Snir for any of his 3 games?
My bet would be that snowy’s the most reliable person, I need to know who to give the Everton programme to (if I don’t forget it on sunday….).
Think TS has indicated that he will be at either the Barcodes or the European game.
That’s if he doesn’t expend all his hatred on Sunday 😉
“I could have brought him into the seniors, played him for 10 minutes and there would have been a body of opinion that said he had bypassed the Under-21s and should never play for them again,” he said.
“If we keep doing that then we will never win at that age group.”
I wonder who that utter cunt Stuart Pearce has got in mind?
Thanks zico.
Well we’ll try to establish that on sunday, though I feel I’ll have to give the programme BEFORE the game 😉
Will the programme survive a session before and after a NLD?
Very long odds, I would’ve thought 😉
I’m not giving it to tabs 😉
Jaysus, all these winking smileys might be misconstrued for a twitch.
Heh – try this 😀 8)
Morning All ,
Ned @75 – heh 🙂 No , I haven’t seen it but will check out the whole thing .
Abb @76 – Yeh Hotsp*urs pic of Jenkinson and accompanying commentary was a bit harsh on the lad , but I wouldn’t get too offended . All’s fair in love and war eh . For example , from my perch on sunday , I shall be vociferously informing all who want to listen that Bale is the horrible result of a failed experiment involving a rats tail and some monkey spunk , that Modric is the wicked witch of the East and should get back to terrorising munchkins , and that Assou-Ekottu is .. well .. just plain weird .
Trev @78 – heh 🙂 . Cheers for the mail and see you sunday .
8Ball @83 – Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Ollie @119 – couldn’t agree more with your description of Pearce . 🙂
Dr Z @99 heh , and well in Bath for the goal .
GT @87 – Come monday , the smiles will be back without the wryness 😉
@93 – Hello Maui Craig .
Did anyone see the Germany vs Greece game last night – food for thought methinks .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta1KfRX06kA
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7542052/Wolves-Appoint-Connor
Heh, all this for that.
Gareth Bale peels bananas with his feet
bananas with his feet
bananas with his feet
Gareth Bale peels bananas with his feet
bananas with his feet
bananas with his feet
Au Contraire , Ned@93 , Au contraire 😉
Love it, plain and simple Andy Goram.
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
71 two thousand and four
Seventy-one obviously too hard to spell 😛
Stand up, if you pay your tax
Stand up, if you pay your tax
Stand up, if you pay your tax
Stand up, if you pay your tax
Stand up, if you pay your tax
Stand up, if you pay your tax
Stand up, if you pay your tax
Stand up, if you pay your tax
I hope Andy Goram will be in the pub on sunday 😉
@ 132
Today, and for the foreseeable, I shall mostly, be sitting down 😉
@ 128
Congregation number of 1, perhaps? 😉
Dear Dr Z @135 ,
Well a small Band of Brethren , tis true , but rather more than you estimate . His Lordship Mark Spitz pops in on holy days (anniversaries of his gold medal winning performances ) , David Wilkie and Duncan Goodhew are regulars , Gok Wan advises on suitable pulpit attire , and Graham Norton has been known to pop in for a bit of guest preaching .
The next stage is to attract some female members . Billie Jean King was too busy juggling her balls , whilst Katie Price took the “Speedoes Only” dress code rather too literally and put out all the candles .
We are a small , but increasingly influential voice in the ongoing battle against Secularism .
Yours extremely piously ,
Preacher Smallballs .
In the words of Bad Company
I can’t make a deal with the preacher 8)
Well played Andy Goram , though I know not who you be 🙂
Dr F @134 – heh 🙂
@137 🙂
Generations of chippys have drummed into me the detest in which the LWCs should be held – So heres hoping we stuff the Pidgeon on a Sprout loving inbreds, Whatever else is said this is our Big Game of any season so lets smash the Marshmen,
Ive had a funny feeling all week that all will be good with the world on Sunday and 3-1 seems to be the score swirling in my head
Come on you Rip Roaring Reds !!!
“Pidgeon on a Sprout”
Well said Chippy 🙂
And Ollie @122 – I heard that 😉
** Koscielny and Gibbs to have late fitness tests
Cross yer fingers, folks.
….only to be early substitutions if they pass, Ollie?
Oh you cynic, Ned.
I agree though 😉
I hope we get a positive result on sunday, i’m depressed enough as it is.
Come with me if you want to win…The North London Derby.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/sagna-derby-has-special-meaning-for-me
I hope that Atchoo-Ehcunto gets karma’d on sunday.
Sunday? Game v Looting Town?
*sticks fingers in ears and shuts eyes* La-la-la-la can’t-hear-you-can’t-hear-you-can’t-hear-you…
But at least I am done for the week with work, it seems, and I’ll be off home in just a bit. The other day a few other things also sorted themselves and I did decide to go to the Milan game after all, so it’ll be two trips for me in less than three weeks, something I hadn’t realized until after I’d booked the flights and hotel. So Milan and Villa it is for me in the coming month. It’ll be nice to be at the stadium when we knock Milan out!
(well, a guy can dream, can’t he?)
Lars
As pointed out yesterday, a better AC Milan team lost 3 goals in 45 minutes in the final to a very dodgy Mugsmasher team.
All we need are the breaks that went against us in Milan. Oh and we need to try a bit too.
Ooops, now back without the assumed last name…
Bath, true that. While I wouldn’t exactly want to bet my last money on us turning things around I don’t think it is in any way impossible. We “only” need to win both halves by 2-0, that is certainly doable even if it is really bloody difficult.
And to have players come back to fitness.
That’s where the plan may fail 😉
Barman, I’ll have what baff and Lars are drinking.
From where I sit, it looks quality 🙂
On Lars’ tab, of course!
I am drinking Rooibos tea currently Ollie. I’ll put the kettle on. Over on Sunday?
Yep, I’ll be there.
I’m a glutton for punishment.
Miss B and i will be there too before I nip over to Wemberlee for some Country & Western. Wemberlee Arena that is, not the Stadium where there’s going to be Cuntery v Welsh Western.
Not daytripping for once, so I can enjoy post-game drinks.
Which, given the early kick-off, could be a non-happening thing should we lose.
heh, nice one baff.
I shall see you before the gig then.
Ollie@151: yup, that seems to be the one weak link in the chain…
Ollie @157 Hope so. Hope to hit the Tollie before as well as after. Staying up on Saturday night to get an early start.
Just trying out the new moniker for size . If you can’t beat ’em , then join ’em is what I say .
Exclusive footage of Andy Goram trying to enter the Tollie . The bouncer might have lost his ZZ Top look , but my word , he’s good !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLXaRtc1f4I
Hey tabs Goram,
How are the relatives?
Sky apparently reporting that Owl is going to Zenit on loan for a fee of £1m. Clubs completing paperwork.
Fuckity fucksticks. Thanks for the reminder, Bath.
Trainloads of Taffs up for the Beer Cup as well.
Deep joy 🙁
That will cut my end of season party short. Will have to beat them back to Paddington.
lg, that’s a great post. what fun to be a gooner! gotta love the car, too…
‘holic 164.
Does it matter? You’ll end up in the same place as them 😉
Go First Class ‘Holic. A man of your calibre and taste in the cratur.
Heh Bathgoram , the relatives are fine , multiplying in fact ! 😉
Good to hear you’re making the Tollie after all .
Arshavin off ? Pretty surprised , I must say .
Have to say that in regard to Sunday , I am suddenly feeling a strange sense of serenity . After all is said and done We are Arsenal and they are c*nts . That will not change whatever the result .
4-0 to the Arse is getting my money .
Serenity….what a good strategy tabs Goram.
I must get me some of that.
Rise above, rise above….
A wholly new experience for me Bath Goram ! 😉
i thought serenity was one of those number girls at the fights…
Heh Scruzgoram 🙂 joined the happy band I see ! 🙂
Off home now, laters all Holics and Gorams.
Most surprised with Arsh news if true indeed here too.
Russian window closes at 9pm so we should know pretty soon.
Loving the passion in Lee Dixon’s voice on the Arsecast today.
Be good if we had someone to grab a few of the current lot by the throat in the dressing room before kick off on Sunday.
Btw, Serenity – last seen up Kings Cross. 😉
Thought he was excellent Dr Z
tabs, yep, he has, and i have too…:)
z, i thought king’s cross was last seen up…ah, nevermind.
Heh scruz, careful 😉
I demand loyalties to the title of this post!
Should I wear my Alpaca jacket on Sunday then? Almost a llama – much softer though not quite as soft as Vicuna.
aaaah, loyalty. here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbPDKHXWlLQ
btw, if you’re down in cuzco looking to snuggle llamas while drinking chicha, ask for berke breathed…he can show you the way.
Ah well, too early for the preview. May yet have to scrawl a quick farewell to the Arsh.
I know he has been utter gash for a while, but is our midfield so strong that we can afford to be without him until the summer?
is it certain yet, ‘holic?
Very surprised I am, especially as it limits our attacking options….which haven’t been so brilliant lately.
But then, if his heat’s not really in it…..
Perhaps that sub shouldn’t have been booed at the Man U game.
*still seething from that, especially knowing that some of the same people will moan now that he goes*
heat?
heart
Baff,
Nearly forgot. Asda today had Jura ‘Superstition’ (the lightly peated one) at just £23. It’s £30 usually.
Have invested, obviously, and will report back on Sunday.
Random stat of the day:
In 1984/85 the average Premier League player was earning two-and-a-half times the average UK wage, but by 2009/10 this had grown to 34 times the average UK wage.
Just came across that in a post from last October in a new-to-me blog about the business of football http://wp.me/ptz7W-177
No wonder half of them don’t give a woggler’s moulie.
Time to Occupy The EPL, people.
If Arshavin goes now I wouldn’t be bothered. Particularly if this means we get a decent fee and of course get him off the wage bill.
I think the continued presence of such a hapless serial underachiever in the 1st team sends out entirely the wrong message to the rest of the squad.
Just shows that hosing wedge at big names isn’t the answer.
I agree our squad is threadbare but we shot ourselves in the foot over the Summer so we will have to live with it for a while.
I hate Spurs.
Just wanted to say it.
West Upper: the one circumstance under which I would think it would be the correct decision to loan Arshavin out now is if he, as you say, has become a negative influence on the team.
Lars not sure I would loan him, this would likely reduce the size of any fee we would get for him. But if there was a permanent transfer with decent price in the offing I’d go for it.
Thanks for the tip ‘Holic. I look forward to your assessment. I am still working through a 1990 Ledaig and have a bit of a backlog on the stocks of Glenmorangie so I may have to give it a miss unless you give it a top assessment.
Receiving the ball in the inside-left position GT looks up the plays the ball back to the CB…
No one in the bloody box as usual, Denilsonesque back pass…
Goalie boots it straight to the opposing striker..but a last ditch tackle by GT takes the ball away and out to the right side of our 18-yard box..
Bathgooner takes the pass and curves an elegant ball past the opposing left winger to space on the halfway line.
Returns it to the middle with Arshavinesque cross with outside of boot…
Runs into the box to touch the ball square
Ball straight back to GT and sets off on a lung busting run down the right..
Despairing lunge….
A fucking deflection…
Oh well they all count…
Evening all.
Well in West Upper!
GT was in the nets already? Great lung busting celebratory run!
Remarkable goal from that position, West Upper, but well in. Deft assist, bath.
Too much feckin tippy tappy again, yell the Norff Bank!
We just goes to show that we can still score even with our fucked up defense ..(0;
http://arshavin.eu/news.php?id=750
I have to say I’m ok with it. His absence from the squad means AW can’t be tempted to pick him.
I’d rather he’d put Chamakh as plan B in the dying minutes of a game and not AA, regardless of his assist two weeks ago.
* We = Well
GT sticks one finger up at the Norff Bank…and mouths ‘cunts’ sotto voce…
Snir @ 208: Best for all concerned. Hope he gets his groove back because an on song Arshavin is a joy to behold …
Yeah, I’m ambivalent about it, Snir.
Surprised, but not really disappointed.
This is from Telegraph, couple of hours ago.
“Arshavin, who netted twice for Arsenal reserves in their 5-0 midweek rout of Norwich, joined Arsenal from Zenit in January 2009.
Wenger, though, earlier today insisted the 30-year-old was not about to leave.
“At the moment no,” said the Arsenal manager. ”
Strange…
What’s strange about it?
That’s how AW rolls…
GT @ 209 tsk tsk; better to provide the traditional Nelson moon.
Have to say that the more I think about it the more “meh” I feel about the Arshavin loan.
It’s confirmed then is it?
I find it a strange decision and a sad ending to his time at Arsenal.
I am fully aware of Wenger strategies when selling or buying players. But, why lies, when we actually loan a player to a club in Russia? That’s what is strange for me.
I’m guessing he didn’t have the stomach for fighting for the team.
Sometimes Arshavin looked like he lived in his little fantasy land.
Such a frustrating player, a ‘luxury’ type we can’t afford at the moment I’m afraid.
lurky: ‘at the moment’ was the time of the interview. It wasn’t signed then even if it must have been near.
Things were confirmed later.
As Snir said, it’s the way AW rolls. Not a ‘lie’ as such.
I see we have got a loan fee as well as getting his wages off the tab. Hopefully he will do well and we can get a decent fee for him in the Summer.
I’m with Bath, a sad end.
Personally, I don’t think Arsene Wenger did him any favours, continually playing him in a position that wasn’t destined to get the best out of him.
I do accept though that he is a luxury, that given where we are, we could probably do with more graft than craft.
Anyway, Andrei, good luck to you fella.
I find this very strange ,leave on loan?? why not sell? i mean arsh is not coming back i guess,he couldve come out handy this season ,and i still find him better than ramsey ,and he at least can cross better than walcot haha ,good luck anyway ,was a good player in his first 2 seasons ,and we will never forget that liverpool game.
What do you think of Tottenham?
Are we simply being asset stripped?
Loan so we can sell him to Barça for more money if he does well until the end of the season and at the Euro (maybe Euro 2012 played a part in him wanting to go too).
SHIT!
Snir 223:
SHIT!
What do you think of shit?
Ollie, I know that, ‘at the moment’ was the time of the interview, but either am I naive, or Wenger is naive or Wenger is pretending to be naive. Why can’t he simply say the truth: Ok, we are negotiating, the deal is on the way, but nothing is concrete at the moment, or something.
We are talking about loaning a player. Not some esoteric alchemy experiment. Why always mystification and secrets.
And not a word of injured players today. Are we hiding something. What about Kos? Is he injured? What about the lenght of injuries for Le Coq and Ramsey. The last statement for Diaby’s injury of Arsenal FC is that he will be back LAST YEAR. Is that transparency?
‘Wenger is pretending to be naive’, I’d say 🙂
What do you mean ‘not a word of injured players’ ?
‘Koscielny and Gibbs face late fitness test’.
Thay haven’t put the whole story up on .con yet, but surely it’s a matter of time. They’re usually very slow on fridays
The game is on sunday after all.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arshavin-joins-zenit-st-petersburg-on-loan
Euro indeed mentioned.
And no, I don’t work for .con 😉
lo @ 228 – I agree. AW can be irritatingly obtuse/disingenuous with his statements. What purpose does it serve? Except perhaps to indicate what he prefers would/would not happen if he was in control?
I suspect there may be too many people who suddenly ‘love’ Arshavin again just because he’s gone.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
ScruzGoram – er Gooner – LOVED the “Llama Song” ! 😉
ALOHA Maui Craig – so glad to hear from you man. And I’m glad you’re gonna get that Arsenal Kit you’ve been dodging for so long. Once Roger gets it in your blood, man, it’s over!
I’m gonna miss our tiny Russian. Mercurial? Yes, he’s Russian after all. Slothful? Yes, again… But, talented? My, oh, my yes. I got his strip after the game at the KOP.
He scored 4.
He scored 4.
He’s only 5 foot 4.
Best wishes Andrei.
Good shout, Snir as regarding the scum. I’ll only add – funk the spunks.
BMBD
I feel now completely aligned with Lars’ post at 215.
I think of it. Am I disappointed? Am I happy? Am I relieved? Am I angry?
Nope. Completely ‘meh.
BG @ 231: You can’t take anything you read in the media as gospel. Maybe the cunt who asked the question is not one of Le Boss’ faves – we just don’t know the context do we?
Those of us who frequent BigSoccer.com know Roger well and a truer Gooner there probably never was.