Can The Arsenal Maintain Run At Goodison
Mar 20th, 2012 by 'holic
After a decent break Arsenal travel to Merseyside to take on Everton. The game will be preceded with a minute’s applause for Fabrice Muamba, of whom there has been more encouraging news today. Whilst his condition remains serious he is no longer critical. Here is hoping he continues his remarkable recovery.
The game itself pits the Arsenal, on a run of five consecutive Premiership triumphs, against an Everton team who have seen off Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City in their last three home games. That makes the game a really tough one to call. We are desperate to keep that run going and continue to reel in the neighbours who ‘entertain’, and I use the word loosely, Stoke at the Lane.
The team news is about as good as we could have hoped. The squad is likely to be unchanged from the win over Newcastle last week, and I suspect the starting eleven may also be retained as a surprising spell of stability threatens to break out. That is good news indeed as the Arsenal of recent weeks, with a settled back four, with an injection of directness from Tomas Rosicky, and with a more enthusiastic approach to closing down opponents, have looked the form side in the division. The game has come too soon for Abou Diaby, who got an hour in with the reserves against Liverpool today. Long term absentees Jack Wilshere, Per Mertesacker, Francis Coquelin, and Emmanuel Frimpong are obviously still missing.
Gibson and Rodwell are definitely out, and Coleman doubtful for the home side. That still leaves a midfield boasting the combined threats of Drenthe, Osman, Cahill, and Fellaini, plus the new capture from Rangers, Jelavic, up top.
Everton may boast those high profile scalps in their most recent home outings, but they have to go back to January 2006 for their last home win over Arsenal in the League. We have become their bogey side. Spicing up the fixture is the likely inclusion of Mikel Arteta in the Gunners midfield. Whilst a few may be inclined to jeer him I am told the majority of the Goodison faithful will afford him at least the round of applause warranted by his six years of outstanding service to the blue half of Merseyside.
Anybody who followed a news aggregator link to the Everton site, Blue Kipper, last night will not only now know my favourite cheese, but also where the ‘holic pound is to be pointed now I have a clearer idea of the teams. I am backing us to win 2-1, although it will be a test of our patience again. Most bookies are offering 8/1 against that scoreline. Pick of the Gunners Gaming odds is a decent 6/1 against Mikel Arteta scoring on his return to Goodison.
To those making the trip up to Liverpool, I hope you are rewarded with another high-tempo, fast-pressing performance of heart and spirit from the Gunners. I know how tiring getting there and back in midweek can be. My first trip to Goodison was with a handful of mates to a midweek League Cup tie in the seventies. We came home on the milk train from Lime Street and crashed out on the luggage racks. Almost certainly I had another couple of hours on a bench at Euston before I could get back to Paddington in those days. As ‘holicdad often pointed out, I must have been barking.
Cheers ‘holics.
240 Responses to “Can The Arsenal Maintain Run At Goodison”
Can they maintain the run?
Hell yeah.
Happy days, Happy train.
Get on board.
They are always a stuffy side, Everton, patience will be required but I fancy us to prevail.
The key could be to score first (for a change). 8)
Sorry about that link Holic, feel free to remove it ๐ณ
Link?
I have a feeling this will be a 2-0 with RVP and Ox getting the goals. Go the Gunners
Heh, cheers Guvnor.
Oh yes, there’s a game tomorrow.
Thanks for the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>, zico
Nice preview Holic . Hope we can sneak it , though I think Moyes will have ’em fired up , and a draw would not surprise me .
>>>>>>>>> brought over from the previous drinks >>>>>
DanCโs habitual use of ATF Cookies & Milk over the years has probably done for perhaps a quarter of his brain cells and any sense of normality. In this respect I believe that this fact makes him the perfect candidate for a post at DLL..
* ATF= Amsterdam Total Football Cookie is the euphemism for the All Totally Fucked-Up variety of imbibed hallucinogenic freely available in that City..
Holic and holics, When we played Spurs, Theo emerged a man in the second half. Robin has had this steely eyed look to him for quite some time now. The mid-field is solidified and the back four are looking fantastic. Woj is outstanding. We’re gonna win, just know it.
Ok @ 3 and 4 – weird stuff going on with my laptop.
I blame microsoft. For the foreseeable, will be posting from the feckin’ apple.
I’m not to blame when I post disastarous when I mean delirious though ๐
Let’s get the win!
Hopefully citeh/chelski ends up a draw and
Stoke pull off an upset at the lane but
could be difficult as they don’t really have
anything to play for after getting knocked
out of the cup at the weekend…
Would love to be there, but can’t take
any time off work at the moment. I have
a spare ticket if anyone going from London
needs…will need to pick up near the wharf.
Bollocks, Quevilly score in the 111st but Marseille equalise again just after. The cunts might get through, they just got a great chance there, but they won’t have deserved it.
3-2 Quevilly now, mental.
Goodbye, water-carrying dwarf cunt (well, for this competition anyway).
Nice review ‘holic!
Agree with your 2-1 prediction but obviously hoping for plenty more if possible; especially as we’re away and don’t expect their fans to admire any bus-parking whatsoever.
Mid-table obscurity for them and an FA cup replay outstanding should tilt the tables slightly in our favour but concerned about Drenthe as feel he can be a little tricky. Baines’ forward advances will hopefully be repelled by Sagna and Theo’s ever-blossoming quality on the right flank!
Here’s to chewing-up some more Toffees – sorry Moyesee!!!
GT @9,
๐ Yummy! Such a wonderful city with lovely odours!
“water-carrying dwarf cunt” ๐ ๐
Ollie @15,
๐
Everton vs Arsenal tomorrow . The fixture always has an extra resonance for me , so a story for you . (Apologies in advance for the length of this post Holic) .
In 1988 I met a fella called Jim when Jim joined the company I was working for at the time .
Jim was a Glaswegian who had moved down south as a young lad . Seduced by Match of the Day recordings of Evertonโs championship winning side of 1970 , Jim became a fierce Evertonian . He travelled up to Goodison for most home games and never missed them if they were playing in the Capital .
The work place in which we met was a trading room . Very laddish , and the talk over the lunchtime pints , (de rigeur in the city in those days ) , was generally of football . Most people had a team , but an allegiance to a particular football Club had yet to become the cultural must-have that it became following the 1990 World Cup . It is a truism , I think , that โproperโ football fans seek each other out , and in an age before daily internet analysis , before blanket TV coverage , this was perhaps an easier task to do back in the day .
The only real definition , therefore , of what constituted a โproperโ fan in those days was whether you had put the hours in , whether you had collected all the FKS stickers , whether you had gone through agonies listening to the dulcet tones of Peter Jones and Bryan Butler on the radio , and whether you had ultimately transposed your support from the sofa to the terrace . To actually pass through the turnstile was the only way you could glean sufficient knowledge and understanding of your Club and to differentiate yourself from those that suffered that most withering of accusations , the โplasticโ .
Despite the difference in hue of our respective club scarves , Jim and I both soon recognized in each other the same intensity of feeling and passion for the game, and we quickly became firm friends. Different Clubs , but part of the same โfootball familyโ , a phrase that has become so apt in recent days .
Our โbanterโ , though at times fierce , (especially after a few pints) , was a million times removed from the wind-up merchants in the office from Spurs and West Ham , who though they rarely attended a game themselves , always sought a vicarious pleasure from an Arsenal or an Everton defeat . Any piss-take between Jim and I was always tempered by the knowledge that we were both aware of the emotional effort and subsequent pain that a defeat engendered .
It helped that Jim openly admired Arsenal . A โproper Club Yatesyโ , he used to say in his still strong Glaswegian accent . He loved Everton for much the same reasons as I loved Arsenal , a rich history , an uninterrupted stay in Englandโs premier division beaten in length of time only by Arsenal , and a heritage , a way of doing things the right way .He would tell anyone prepared to listen that Everton were a โmassiveโ Club , and indeed in those pre-Premier League days , before the advent of Russian and Arab oil money , they were . Along with Arsenal , Spurs , Manchester Utd and Liverpool they formed part of the โBig Fiveโ . Publicly he was fiercely protective of his Club , (he would , I am sure , have been baffled by the modern penchant for slating your own Club in print) , but privately he was embarrassed by the worrying notion that more than footballing ability might have been considered when Everton came to make new signings .
The first game that we attended together was the 2nd leg of the Littlewoods Cup Semi in 1988 , which we watched from the back of the West Lower . Jim was not put off by the fact that his travelling companion for the day was stoned out of his head , (I only started to come to about 20 minutes into the game , but that is a story for another day) , nor was he disheartened by Evertonโs comprehensive defeat on the night , and our attendance together at all Arsenal Everton games at both Highbury and Goodison Park for about the next 8 years became a fixture in the calender , notwithstanding that we ceased working together in โ92 .
Jim was no angel , he was an inveterate gambler , (not only would he bet , and bet big , on the proverbial raindrops running down the window pane , heโd have each way bets and accumulators going on ! ) , he loved a pint and he had an eye for the ladies . In the last two , if not the first , he found in me a willing accomplice and many was the night that we fell out of the pubs and clubs at well past the bewitching hour . Due to his gambling addiction , (when he signed up for a Gamblers Anonymous course he wanted to bet me that heโd last the course ! ) , I often found myself paying , as Jim had done all his money on the latest useless nag that he had entrusted his life savings on . Nae matter , as he would have said , he had an infectious laugh and an easy charm , and I never begrudged the pints he cadged such was the exuberance of his company .
Nor did we merely watch football . We played together , occasionally for an 11 a side works team , but more usually we played in the Capital Radio Five a side League at Spitalfields Market . On his own admission , Jimboโs enthusiasm outweighed his talent , and he would chug around the pitch , laughing at his own shortcomings whilst at the same time exhorting his teammates to greater efforts .
The last game that we attended together was at the start of the 95-96 season at Goodison , when David Plattโs first goal for Arsenal helped us to a 2-0 win . It would be fair to say that during the period we watched these games together , Arsenal held the upper hand . It was probably just as well . Jim was a good loser , always prepared to give the oppo credit if his beloved Everton had been beaten . He was however a dreadful winner and if Everton had won , you had to steel yourself for the inevitable claims of impending world domination over the post-match gallon of ale and the subsequent trip back to London .
In the mid nineties Jimโs career took him to the Far East .Though I only met up with him very infrequently after his move , I could , however , always rely on a long distance phone call in the wake of an Arsenal Everton fixture , especially if the Toffees had managed to put one over us .
Iโm sure that one of the very first things Jim would have done upon arriving in Hong Kong was to join his local football Club โ not just because it allowed him to continue playing the game he loved , but because it would have afforded him the opportunity to sit in the Bar with like-minded compadres , check his bets , drink his lager and hold court on how great “Sharpy” , “Reidy” , and the rest of that eighties Everton side were .
In 2001 , Jim was playing for that Club he joined . With the ball nowhere near him , he suddenly collapsed . There was not of course a phalanx of first aiders or a defibrillator waiting in the wings . According to those that were there , Jim had passed away before he had hit the deck . There had been absolutely no warning . Jim had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of Cardiomyopathy . He died having only just reached his fortieth birthday , and left two small children .
More than a decade after his premature death , Everton is still Jim for me , and if Everton are in the news , I often find myself wondering what he would have made of it all .
Playing Everton at Goodison is always therefore a poignant occasion for me , provoking as it does memories of some great days out , but given the events of this week , it will be especially so tomorrow .
Letโs hope The Arsenal win tomorrow , but in the grand scheme of things , it doesnโt really matter .
RIP Jim , top bloke and proper football fan .
Keep on Fighting Fabrice .
Tabs,
What a great story. ๐ RIP Jim.
Very poignant stuff on several levels.
Top man, TaBS.
Top, top man…
Cheers Dan .
Thanks Holic .
Excellent work tabsmeister.
Decided on a back up pound (or two!) after Brendan planted that 2-0 seed in my head.
I have 8/1 on 2-1 and 11/1 on 2-0 to us.
Not bad, those odds, for a side on form. Shop around…
Another must win game for me. I want 6 points from the next 2 games. Everton will be a tough task, although I can’t help but think that the blues will have one eye on the FA Cup. I hope so. No excuses. We have the momentum and are well rested.
Whilst we have struggled against various Everton sides previously we have also given some a right good old fashioned tonking. I am all for giving them a right tonking again. Let’s hope so.
Yatesy, lovely tale. Explains in a nut shell perfectly how football is just one big Universal language. Top drawer my old son.
Great story Tabs…
As for tomorrow, I think Everton’s draw with Sunderland did us a favor and Moyes will rest a few on top of having injuries and then do the same on the weekend to get his team super fresh for a tough trip to the stadium of light.
I think we should be OK for this one.
Thats a great story & wonderfully told Tabs.
My thoughts on tommorows game.
Our side pick itself.
Their side… As far as I know, Pienaar is not injured, so I expect him in the starting line up against us. Drenthe is on the other flank. Dangerous player, but also error prone. So our FB’s need full concentration and no mistakes are allowed.
Jelavic is massive player, but I think that Moyes is going to rest him for the cup so that Staqumaqua argentine is going to start up front for them.
We have advantage in creativity in midfield, pace on the flanks, and RVP upfront.
They have advantage with dangerous corners and Baines freekicks around the box, so we need to keep possesion and make no stupid fouls.
The key to the game is the referee. If he decides to let them punch and kick, particularly Neville and Distin, we are doomed. Early yellow cards for both of them, and we should comfortable win this one.
Everton will stop Arsenal playing football.The gunners have been upset by anti football in the past. If thye fail to cope ie beat Eveton,they can forget about the cl 4th or even 3rd spot.
I believe Everton will play a physical game and try to intimidate the gunners with robust if not physical tackles.The gunners must fight fire with water . Expect RVP to face a cordon sentinel. This is where the other gunners come in.
Expect some gunners to be injured. If the gunners can score the first goal they will win.Moyes with his ego bruised by Liverpool,will want to show he is a force to be reckoned with.
Moving story, Tabs. And poignantly told. A glass raised to your late friend, Jim.
What a story Tabs, 1.00am and read every word.
As for betting, I have ten to one on on fifteen to eight – that’s kick off time , by the way ๐
Top Man Snowy – take care and enjoy if you’re ooop north tomorrow.
TABs: Wonderful, wonderful tale, told by a master story-teller. You’ve heard me talk about my mate Dale – the Liverpool fan who accompanied me to most games during the early eighties? – well Jim very much reminds me of him, gambling and all!
This game of ours is no ‘ordinary’ game is it? For the memories, for the friendships, for the joys and the pains, lets lift our glasses to the memory of the Jim’s in our lives..
See you holics after the game tomorrow…
TABS terrific post but very sad, thanks for sharing it with us.
Tomorrow’s game will be tough, it took a moment of genius from RVP to break the deadlock when we played them at home earlier this season.
If we are up for it and press hard and play at high tempo we should win. Fingers crossed that’s what happens and we avoid any injuries.
This must be the weirdest sports story ever. Is it April 1 already?
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/893706-lionel-messi-and-barcelona-accused-of-elaborate-syrian-rebel-weapons-plot#ixzz1pg2Z0ydR
What a post, tabs! Wonderfully written
*raises glass to Jim*
@ 30
“If they fail to cope i.e beat Everton they can forget about the cl 4th or even 3rd spot….”
Eh, how do you work that out?
The mind boggles indeed, Dr Z.
tabs, I shall read your prose…after I’ve had a coffee. It does sound promising though.
1-1 1-1 it will be 1-1
Great story, tabs.
Here’s to Jim, RIP. (but I hope you’ll have the chance to be a good loser up there tonight ๐ )
tabs@19: great post, thanks for sharing. I raise my glass to Jim.
Steve@26: if we do manage six points in the next two games, that would put us in a very, very good position for the last eight games. That would either mean (at least) a six-point gap over Chelsea or that we are in third place since Chelsea play Spurs at home on Sunday.
Tonight will be difficult, but those saying that Everton might have an eye or two on the FA Cup may have a point. However, I am not sure that that will have too much of an effect tonight, I’d rather think it will be their game on Sunday at Swansea that will see the effects of that. What we need to do tonight, I think, is keep pressing high up the pitch, make sure we score first and then make Everton have to chase the ball as much as possible because that will break them down.
A little light reading for ‘holic…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9707000/9707107.stm
As for the game later, gawd knows. ๐
I vote Lars.
When are you landing, noble Sir?
Chavs tickets sorted, eventually, after another Arsenal Box Office cock-up.
This interview of na$ri just begs the question, is it the money that makes them so deluded?? What a cock.
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/03/nasri-sitting-on-the-bench-has-improved-me/?utm_source=feedburner.com%2Farseblognews&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arseblognews+%28Arseblog+News+-+the+one+stop+Arsenal+news+site%29
A great laugh though. ๐
2-1 it is gonna be.
COYG
Snir – You may well have swayed me. Downloaded the FIFA 12 demo on the weekend and I like what I see!
Ollie@44, thanks for your vote even though I am not quite sure what the vote is for ๐
And in case the question was for me: me and two others will be flying over on Friday morning, and then other Swedes will arrive during the day. Not sure of our plans for Saturday yet, but I will be at the Tollie at some point no matter what.
I want to be back in the UK ๐
Cool Lars, the question was to you indeed. Friday night arrival for me, with pre-tournament drinks, oh dear.
Great story Tabs, i never knew it would end with such tragedy. RIP Jim and keep fighting Muamba.
A human…a very strong yet very fragile being! That’s why we gotta enjoy our time in this world!
4 – nil to the Arsenal!
It sounds like TR7 has learned some life lessons that can help us all, not just his teammates:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/rosicky-i-feel-young-playing-in-this-team
Thanks Ricey,
Esso, if you are looking in check out the link at 43.
Afternoon all. This work lark is a bit intrusive at the moment!
@ 43
Me old mucker ๐
Poignant tale tabs, it was very touching. I’ll pour myself a drink in honour of Jim as well. It’s been hard to talk football while thinking about Muamba in the hospital. Let’s hope he continues to improve.
As for Everton away, won’t be a walk in the park. Could be a score-draw or worse as they usually up their game in the second half of the season. But then again, they did fail to turn up in their derby to stay fresh for their FA cup fixture so who knows what they’ll do tonight…
I want to see some near-post flick-ons tonight!
Fine words tabs, straight from the heart @ #19.
Lars @ #42 – yep, sums it up for me too re: the game tonight. We need to be at our high pressing best.
Tough call tonight. A draw would be a decent result at Goodison. A win would be a really impressive. Everton are a decent side especially at home. If we can keep our form going, we could bag all 3 points.
Can’t see that poisonous dwarf Pooless doing us any favours tonight at SHL. A home win for the LWCs seems likley to me.
Hard to call the Oil Firm Derby too. A draw maybe?
COYRRRs!!!
Speaking of Pooless….
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/21032012/58/premier-league-pulis-pleads-relegation-dodge-driving-ban.html
What a pretentious twat he is. I wish the judge told him to “keep his opinions”
the people of Stoke could suffer if Mr Pulis lost his licence,
Jaysus, who’s that stoopid Judge who missed such a golden opportunity?
His Lordship Mike Pejic from the sounds of it !
Great post ‘Holic as usual ๐
tabs @ 19, very poignant, moving story. I’m proud to be your mentee in things Arsenal & even Life days like this :’)
So glad the Arsenal are playing today, seems like its been an age since I saw them play… Let’s beat the Toffees and continue on our winning streak in the league, I feel as if the lads are well up for it ๐
Glad to hear of Muamba’s progress, better by the day it appears, keep on trucking Fabrice.
Ollie, must be a member of the Pickles clan.
Which, coincidentally, would mean that one in-bred would have been judging another.
Did they shake eachother’s 6 fingered hands afterwards, I wonder?
Afternoon All ,
Many thanks for all the very kind words above . I suspect that Jim , were he still around , would have been mightily amused that he had featured on an Arsenal blog .
As for tonight I can’t see that their FA Cup replay will do us any favours . I think Moyes will want to get them back to winning ways as quickly as possible and will field his strongest available side .
Can’t see any changes to our starting XI from the Barcodes game . Important we close down any crosses into our box and stop their most dangerous area of supply . Tough game , but match them physically and we’ve got every chance .
Come on The Arsenal .
Oh and Pulis is a cunt ! ๐
Tabs@19, as with so many above, here’s to Jim, your friendship, and your storytelling.
The first Arsenal game I watched with my son (on television) was against Everton, so i have a sweet spot for them; they’ve been my second team ever since (50 weeks a year, as has been said). I won’t be able to watch today lunchtime (meetings), so will record it and avoid the ‘net this afternoon. Go, Arsenal!
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7615317/Fabrice-Family-Urge-Bolton-To-Play-On…
More good news. Which makes me feel lighter-hearted.
‘Hi, Doc!’ ==> I think that’s the worrying bit, if Fabrice thinks he’s Laura Palmer ๐
Zico @1-
I don’t know who you are, or what you did with our normal Dr. Z… but, welcome aboard! ๐
BMBD
You are obviously in need of a history lesson, Mr Texas.
Delve back into the archives and you will find where the HT originated ๐
TaBS – What a story. Told with feeling appropos your affection for Jim. You are an exceptional storyteller. I pour out a bit of coffee (sorry, it’s the strongest libation I can muster whilst at work) to his memory. I’ve not read Arseblogger’s book yet, but, seriously, you should look into writing – if that is not your current occupation. You’re really that good, mate – top notch.
Come on Arsenal…let’s keep the party going!
BMBD.
A sad reminder that while Muamba had the luck of excellently competent medical staff and locally available top facilities, not everybody can have that :
http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-footballer-collapses-at-stadium-no-ambulance-present-188564
Oh Zico! My Zico… I do remember, and credit you (and the other “Usual Suspects”) for the creation of the HT, the HT MK II, the quackery, the CMC – and all the concomitant hijinx.
My comment was merely a playful swipe at (to paraphrase Darth Vader) “Your lack of faith,” back during the go-for-it/don’t-go-for-it rabble a few weeks back. ๐
You guys are top men – each of you…
Join me in raising a glass-
to Fabrice;
to Jim; and
to those riproaring, never-boring, always-scoring Gunners!
BMBD.
My dear ex Llama Farmer,
“You guys are top men” Dr Feelgood and I, agree.
By the way how much humble makes a pie in this joint?
Dr.z
The humble pie is finished.
However, Edwin has ordered in a gross of new ‘humble crumbles’ for the buffet car in anticipation of sending the HT Mk II to T*ttenham on Sunday to feed the local ragamuffins and ne’erdowells.
There’ll never be enough to go around but he thinks it’s the thought that counts.
Who else has ordered their St.Totts day bunting?
btw, ‘holic, another for you today, to help light your whey…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3KBuQHHKx0
i believe that’s nurse wolfie and shaft dancing in the corner.
PS for Dr.z:
FYI, The HT Mk II will also be well-stocked with large, white breakfast baps (down-Trev) on Saturday morning. The HT Mk II will be in the sidings at Caledonian Road Market from 09:15. We may need help with the serving staff especially those with green eyes.
Lonestar – Good to see you back in here. I have a nostalgic urge for some llama flavoured Californian. I don’t suppose you could track-down PiK and go back to llama farming for a while could you?
Wolfie dancing?
I think I’ve found him…. Speedo action galore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyx6JDQCslE&feature=artist&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fartist%2FLMFAO%3Ffeature%3Dwatch_video_title
Up the Arsenal.Now come on you gunners,lets show em that class is permanent as we sprint for the touchline!
Top blog holic’ and holic’s.
Cheers, TS – shhh, don’t tell the missus, but I have already staked-out some prime llama-farming facilities in the Baja. Any excuse to return to Cabo…
APB on PiK already issued.
Until I locate him, perhaps some jasmine-flavored, dried milkweed will satisfy the cravings – that or maple-cured sassafras roots.
Sorry if none of this makes any sense… I blame work for my delirium, but I gotta pay the bills.
Starfish and coffee.
Maple syrup and jam.
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine, and
a side order of ham…
BMBD.
@ 73
Green eyes is back? Still, my (our) beating heart.
Sounds like The Professor has everything (baps ‘n all) in hand. ๐
Looking forward to Saturday, has the making of a top day out.
..and on a better musical note, as I know Holic is in the mood after his session last night…
A message to you, ‘Arry.
Stop your messing around
Time to think of your future
… or you’ll end up in jail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGDQ85Dg-ss
Two-tone-tastic Dr.C
A clip for Bale of Nazareth?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i71NC9-s__A
HAve you decided on shouting abuse early on the sidelines then, Z? ๐
Heh, Ollie – we’ll see what time I fall out of the sky……
tabs fantastic you sound like a man after” me own heart ” buying JIM a few sherbets here and ther,e when you think back well worth it !! great times proper fans /blokes great story I will raise a glass to Jim tonight whatever the result
Cheers Come on you gunners !!!
Heh TS!
To continue a theme…. this one is for you, Luis Suarez.
You odious c*nt.
Just because you’re nobody…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzNUAT3GUEs&feature=related
Nice Dr.C ๐
Dear Mr Catalan @74 ,
I dare not ask how you came to “stumble” upon that most interesting youtube video which you had the foresight to immediately link to . Some things are better left to the imagination .
I do however wish to convey my most heartfelt thanks for such an inspired choice .
I think the video does in fact capture the very essence of what being a Speedo man entails , and goes some way to proving what I have maintained for many years – that us Speedo chaps will prevail .
Yours completely vindicatedly
Wolfgang Smallballs .
Pre-match nerves really starting to kick in now. Good thing then that I am off to the pub in not too long!
Come on Arsenal!
Wolfie
Would you believe that I was in the local electrical store and it was playing on every 50″ plasma screen going?…. quite the sight
Disturbingly, I thought of you immediately. ๐
Scruz , Danny m and Lonestar – Cheers and many thanks .
Lonestar , I fear you rather overstate my abilities , but hey , much appreciated .
TS @71 – “Ordered the St Totts day bunting” ? It’s already up mate . ๐
Scruz @72 heh ๐
Ollie @68 – A sad reminder indeed .
Dr Z – A one man pom pom dancer on saturday ? Sounds right up Wolfie’s street ๐
Maple cured sassafras roots ? Sounds good to me . Off to fetch the executive pipes . Maybe those roots will provide the inspiration for some TS/Ollie songs for saturday . To help them in their endeavours ypu understand … ๐
ypu =you @88
Mr C ๐
Both Edwin and I are all for maple-cured sassafras roots. Anything that will boost performance (naturally) is most welcome.
Its been quite some time since we’ve seen the red and white grace any pitch, but I’m feeling confident that the boys know what need to be done, 3-1 to the Arsenal is my take, RvP, the Ox or Theo & Mikel of the Great Hair to score! ๐
Szcz kicks accurately and cleanly to Sagna. He bombs forward and kicks Baines in the goolies…..
Uses Fellaini’s hair as a trampoline , and executes a triple twist double salko perfectly to propel himself into space on the flank …
93, shit, didn’t realise the game had kicked off already.
*picks ball and stops game*
*launches it to coincide with tabs’ jump*
Waves at tabs for the ball…
Ball hits him in the crown jewels whilst still in mid air , wants a time out and looks to the Ref appealingly for a non existent foul . Ref waves play on …
Ping.
Pong
Assist from the flanks…
Nicely finished Ollie
Great assist Lonestar
Awwwww.
Ollie, that’s the last goal you’ll be scoring when we’re both on the pitch until Sunday, my friend ๐
Winded , he wanders over to the touchline . Moyes is having a go at him for simulation . Without saying a word back he launches a karate kick at Moyes wnd sends him flying into the terraces …
In the French sense of ‘assiste’ (i.e. atttend) then, TS ๐
Extra ‘t’ not meant. Though you can have that tea if you want.
Frimpong himself would be proud Lonestar and Ollie ๐
Cheers Lonestar, perfect one-touch football.
Heh, Ollie…
Gotta work on my premature, er, poaching…
*sheepishly, acknowledging mistimed shot*
Let’s go boyos…
BMBD.
Superb assist Lonestar and cool execution Ollie ๐
The old one-two – beautiful !
*applauds tabs*
Heh! Well played @ #104. We like.
Evening ‘holics,
Match day again and a happy one too; thank goodness! Hopefully a productive one too for us ! Come on you beautiful gunners (COYBG)!
Slash @46,
Na$ri, what a humongous cunt! “fluffer to David Silva!”; Lol, quality description! ๐
Behing the 8 ball @52, Nice piece about TR7!
Catalan @74,
Hee! Hee! ๐
Enjoy the relevant matches lads!
Well played Ollie & Lonestar! Clinical! ๐
Right, I’m off. I’ll fret about the result of that last test tomorrow morning.
Slash @ 46
He says being on the bench has improved him. Still looks plug ugly to us non-lesbians.
Saturday – what a dilemma. Get down the Tollie early for Wolfie and frenzied rythym (with ukelele) or tarry long enough to watch Professor Storey getting his maple-cured roots done. Or something.
Like I said, it’s going to be quite a day ๐
LOnestar @76
You are a Prince amongst men!
well in, ollie, and nicely pinged, LG. wolfie tabsballs, glad you liked the bouzouki music, i thought you rocked the house.
Hehs! @ 116 ๐
I/we don’t see why the two activities are mutually exclusive?
Thierry flew out from the USA to spend an hour with Muamba before flying back, I didn’t think I could love that man anymore than I already did <3
Catalan @117 – heh!
You can be the President…I’d rather be the Pope.
You can be the side-effect…I’d rather be the dope.
Cheers all on the one-two play. Great finish Ollie. I meant it to go down, just like that – yes, that was the plan ๐ณ
Fell like a bit of toffee…
BMBD.
Ollie @ 68 Shocking, I had no idea this happened in my town!
I am off for a nap before the match. Have to say, midweek 1:25AM kickoffs are cunts
Canons @57 ,
Just thought I’d drop by to see if anyone wanted to hear the inside track , containing incredibly sensitive information , of Peter Crouch’s transfer from the LWC’s to Stoke ?
No ? Thought not .
I’ll be off then .
Evening all.
Nice post ‘holic and excellent memories from Tabs, was a bit broken up at the end, I’m not afraid to admit.
Time to catch up on the rest of the drinks, before I go into pre match mode. *reaches for alcohol containing vessel*
Arsene drops Ox for Rambo and moves Rosicky away from the centre where he’s been so effective…..
*hmmmm*
I hope that I am mistaking, but that is bad news Catalan. I don’t rate Ramsey, but I’ll be glad if he grabs 2 goals and prove me wrong.
Shocking story about Pullis, talk about favouratism, what a joke.
Nasri being a cunt comes as no real surprise.
Some interesting vid links, I played the Speedoes song and my girlfriends daughter overheard it and came running into the room as she recognised the tune.
I asked her if she knew what LMFAO meant, to which she replied, duh, I’m 11 not 6.
Kids, eh?
Give Aaron a chance, we haven’t even kicked off yet.
I’m pretty sure the boss has a vague idea of what he is doing. ๐
Come on the big performance for the big game. Forza.
Nice preview, goonerholic.
Team in full:
Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Walcott, Arteta, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, van Persie. Subs: Fabianski, Andre Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Djourou, Gervinho, Chamakh, Benayoun.
Very funny Na$ri article. I guess he just has to rationalise his decision for himself, but one day it will dawn on him that he has taken a wrong turning and set his career back.
@ Ollie
I’m gasping so I’d love that tea if it’s still going. I’m not much of a one for the hard stuff and you so rarely get offered anything non-alcoholic here.
Go you Gunners!
I am pretty sure in the boss ideas too, H2H, but I want to awoid another sleepless night, so I need to take my sleeping pills called the Ox.
Bah fucken humbug. No trip oop norf for me today, current workload making a trip to Goodison on a school night completely impossible.
First game home or away I have missed this season and I am mightily annoyed. Particularly since it doesn’t appear to be being televised.
Harrumph…
Spectacular lead-up play on that goal. ๐
Criticising the manager after five straight winsseems harsh to say the least but moving TR7 out of the position where he has been an inspiration is curious – again to say the least.
We’ll have to wait and see. There are, of course, reasons why AW is the manager and I’m sat here typing ๐
Big game tonight. Come on lads.
Gaffer’s selection looks OK to me. Keep it tight for an hour and then get the Ox on and the little Mozart back in the middle to win it late.
COYG.
Fine tale tabs
Evertonight – Another big, BIG GAME!
No sign of GT – assumed to be deep into recently rediscovered pre-match ritual – check!
H2H in and around the bars – check!
Tim presumed to be still supporting from Super-Cali – check!
Comon The Gunnneerrrrsssss – let’s keep this 5 game awinning astreak agoing!
Up The Arse!
Catalan – good links above. As Tabs said – how and why you found the Speedo video is the worrying thing . . . .
Oh yeah, it was showing in a major store on 50″ plasmas . . . ๐
Hey AL – good to see you. Saturday ?
I’m in the hizhouse as the kids would say AL.
Got English commentary for tonights game, some Gary dude and Gary Birtles, are they OK or dipped in cuntyness?
Arsenal and Everton show L’pool how to put a t-shirt to good use.
Ramsey in for his combativeness, work rate and ball-winning, I reckon.
meeting cancelled…any good streams, folks?
COYRRR’s
My early impression is that Rosicky is pretty much playing in the middle.
Ouch.
YEEEEAAAHHHHHH!!!
Vermy.
1-0 the Verminator!
Ramb Oh – lookin’ good though – Oh ho TV
Yeah Trev see you there
UREDS!
2 goals in 2 games
He scores when he wants, Thomas Vermaelen, he scores when he wants…
H2H
They are not so much dripped as immersed in cuntiness.. but then you have probably worked that out already!
Afobe on loan to Reading – good move for him. Hope he does well and comes back flying for the new season.
Not against Ramsey at all, just don’t want to lose the inspiration that TR7 has provided recently.
But, as Trev has said… there’s a reason I’m just typing! ๐
Boys.. LMFAO – biggest hit of last summer. And this is their new one. I’m down wiv da kidz!
Cheers Dr C.
But they seem to be waxing lyrical about our lads at the mo.
Any links please?
sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/124893
thanks, snir, any nonsop flash links?
Phew!
A bit lucky there, he looked onside to me.
oooh, we got lucky.
Miles onside.
absolutely, h2h. damn lucky.
http://lsh.lshunter.tv/static/popups/8746502528750.html
wakey, wakey – laaaaddddsssssss
Come on lads, stop fucking around!!!
cheers, n16. i’ve been switching between two that seem to be working, this one best: http://atdhenet.tv/44960/watch-everton-vs-arsenal
That works n16, cheers
and that/s the half. not bad, still worrisome is everton on the counter. too bad for rozza, that was fiercely struck.
I had that one scruz, it kept freezing though ๐
Started the game with a bang, should/could of had it wrapped up within the first twenty minutes or so. Everton switched it up and started to claw their way back into it and should have had an equaliser, Drenthe was never offside.
These are the breaks you need to go your way in the business end of the season and I hope the boys appreaciate that and come out for the second half the way they started the first and wrap this one up.
Wow, started like a train, should have gone four up, ended up hanging on and grateful to a hallucinating lino. Thank fuck he’s boss-eyed.
You know how in American Football (ahem) some teams have a specially nominated ball-kicker they bring off the bench at the appropriate moment – well i reckon, when we get sloppy, we could do with a specially nominated bollocker on the bench – an Adams or a Keown etc.
They could come on – do the deed, liven us up – then get back to the bench till they’re called-upon again.
Does anyone here have Arsene’s ear?
Ramsey and probably Robin should have done better with their chances, but hey, I’ll take 1-0 at half time
Come on the Arsenal!!
And Schez, please don’t give me a heart attack, just clear the fucking ball
oooh, robin off the post!
Oooooooooooooooooooooooh.
Fucking post.
High tempo game this.
everton beginning to dive all over the place…screw jelavic, screw fellaini.
practicing for the olympic 3 meter competition…jelavic.
Super Woj.
get it together, lads, that was a knife through the heart of our defense for the corner…
how are we not stepping up to them anymore when they’re driving? come ON.
Come On You Gunners.
Come on Flipper.
Can’t find a consistent stream, but from the comments, it sounds like our shootin’ boots are a bit dusty today.
We need to create another goal… is OX on?
BMBD.
Lovely Alex Song.
1-0 to the arsenal, 1-0 to the arsenal…YES!
Briliant, briliant, briliant.
Hard thought 3 points, luv it.
C u guys after MOTD.
3rd place!!!
Take that, you Spunks!
BMBD.
Arsenal 12 Tottenham 1
nearly perfect set of results…if only the knuckledraggers had pegged the LWCs back for one more….but what a great set of results…st. totteringham’s day, here we come…YES!
Mind the gap you Tiny Fucking Totts!
Mind…
Fan-bloody-tastic. An ugly-ish win. Who the f*ck cares?
Into third already! We’ll stretch that at the weekend too, I reckon.
ONE TEAM IN LONDON! TOP TEAM IN LONDON!
Splendid.
Drinks on the Swede’s tab all round please Mr.Barman.
Gap?
Great sequence of results tonight ๐
fucking hell YES, ‘holic. take THAT.
the……
Didn’t see any of the action, but looks like a decent set of results to me.
Third! Big psychological boost.
GAP………….
St. Totteringham’s Day is on its way.
(BMBD.)
What a grinding win!! Aren’t we 3rd now?
1-0 to the Arsenal.. ๐
And oh the lineman was a Goonah.
FOYS
That…
Is exactly what RvP meant when he said winning ugly.
The least likely 1-0.
ts, i think this is what captan vantastic meant by “winning ugly”…
SNIR!
Fuck me QPR back from 2-0 dpwn to 3-2 up.
HAHAHAHA
What a great night.
And the Chavs play the LWCs next. Loving the look of that league table.
ReeeeesSSSSSSSUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLTTTTTTTTTT!
Fuk my ol’ wassernames that was a nervy watch – i’d done my nails after an hour. Fortunately my marvellous mrs. was on hand to lend me hers – she’s a fine, generous, kind and understanding gal.
Everton worked hard and we looked at bit ragged at times – but that lino was my MOM
And thought Gerv the swerve showed some fleeting signs of having maybe relocated his mojo.
A win, as they say, is one them though
UreDS!
boy, that went from 194 to 200 in a HURRY! i think i’ll just FLOAT through the rest of my day. and i’ll be going a few rounds with john l. sullivan after work…
Dearie me. Liverpool throw away a two-goal lead! Brilliant stuff from Kenny there. ยฃ100 million was it? Top guy.
Vermicielny partnership is Boss.
Also this is a pretty good read:
http://www.englishpremierleaguetable.com/
and the chinless lesbian helps us gap up chelsea, as well…
“Gerv the swerve” – I like that.
Well barring that event @ 209 this was a pretty good weekend.
COYG
Third and daylight!!!! Feckin’ result!!!! COYBG!!!! ๐ ๐
Arteta, Song and the back four were massive today.
What FunGunner said.
Right, I’ll catch the highlights tomorrow.
Sweet dreams all!
Thanks to a faulty alarm clock I only saw the end of the game but it seems our good run is maintained with the help of a fortunate call or two. Pretty good result I think. Hope the players don’t break out in pimples having feasted on toffees so late at night….
slash, i don’t mind it. unless a miracle occurred, we were never going to catch second…and i’d rather chel$ki have EXTRA incentive when they play scum saturday…
Now for some Irish coffee before heading to werk…
TV and Kos are the best, I think I already said that.
Their intelligence is outrageous. TV’s obstruction of Fellaini on Baines’ low cross which prevented a shot – genius, not to mention Kos’ tackle in the box.
Wow.
Well, I always knew we’d win it. Down and dirty all the way. Yes their goal should have counted, but TR should have been awarded a penalty. And H2H @ 182, yes!!! Is this a good time to bring up how EARLY on this season I saw something SPECIAL in this team?!
Poolis & Na$ri are still cunts!!! ๐
Though I hear EVerton had a legitimate goal disallowed for offside?
Karma for the one that was allowed at our place last season if you ask me. ๐
I see we are third. Jolly whee!
I thought Gibbs has been massive since his return, he is fast tricky and absolutely vital to our game. The balance of the team has been so much better since the full backs returned, there has finally been genuine width.
Even today in the first 30 minutes (best Arsenal have played all season imo) Gibbs was outstanding with his attacking positional play. Got behind Hibbert with such ease it was fantastic to watch also this gave Rambo the chance to play a bit infield which almost resulted in 2-3 goals.
Andy two saints has a fight on his hands.
@scruzgooner 216: I was hoping for a manc victory too. Just did not want edith piaf to score the winner. God I hate that dyke.
@221: I agree with you Ollie! Outrageous goal allowed that was! Saha was so offside that time he was onside (what does that even mean??) ๐
Have to agree AL @ 206, seemed a bit like the Gervinho of Old (last year) :@)
Ollie @ 221
Karma, indeed. Sure it was the same ref (if not the same lino). ๐
@ SlaSh
So right! Gibbs is not as flamboyant or eye-catching as Andre Santos (who I admit is my personal favourite) but clever and effective in a different way. This latest couple of games is the best I’ve seen Gibbs play. He’s really matured over the last year and he plays like he belongs in that company now.
And what Ollie said about KARMA. Who is a bitch, as we all know.
It’s also payback for the goal that should have been disallowed for offside at their place last season. So we’re still in credit with Karma as far as Everton are concerned.
London’s top-team – 6 in a row
Ta FG @210 and Ollie too – if the boy gets a game or two in the coming weeks – why we might be able to make it stick.
And if he plays at the Emirates this Saturday – and i’ve had enough pre-match snorters in the Tollie with Ollie et al – i might pluck up the dutch courage to road-test it live
“Go on Gerv The Swerve – give it some my son!”
Onward and that
We could’ve won this game by a bigger margin but this is what its all about. 3 points on the night. Apart from Song’s misplaced pass that led to their offside goal we looked solid throughout the game. Somehow I like these type of wins.
Vermaelen has scored more league goals than Torres??? Heh! if true ๐
Big game for all the back four, but especially Kos and TV5. They are turning into Ferdinand and Vidic in their pomp. Song and Arteta were the biz in the engine room. Not sure if I like having Ramsey playing on the left in preference to Gervais or the Ox, though. Speed on both flanks and the ability to switch wingers makes us more potent and more balanced. But I’ll raise a glass to a hard-won three points against a decent Everton side that has the sixth best defensive home record and stopped ManU and Chelsea from walking away from Goodison with anythingโtalk about a team being only a couple of players short of being a really good side. This was an important win, and not just because the LWCs and Chavs dropped points. Showing they could scrap to hold onto a lead is another sign of how this team is growing.
This was Gibbs’s ninth Premier League game of the season, the most he has managed in his career. Almost as amazing is the fact that Liverpool’s points total is closer to Wolves’ at the bottom than it is to Utd’s at the top. Kenny not looking so kingly.
“I’m in the mood for dancin’ , romancin’ …”
Get in my lovelies .
Arsenal in crisis ? Wenger out ? Le Grove , Piers Morgan , tabloid journos , just do one .
The Tiny Totts are beginning to resemble an already broken man , staggering from one disaster to the next , before being completely demolished by the unstoppable Arsenal juggernaut .
St Totts day moves inexorably and appreciably closer .
Oh look , its MOTD in ten minutes . Ain’t life sweet . ๐
Hah! What tabs said. LMFAO!
Wind @ 226 – think you’ll find that’s – ahem – Gerv The Swerve you and meself are referring to there.
I know, i know i’m pushing it a little hard but what’s a chap to do with beer and post-win adrenalin coarsing through ‘is veins. Oh i’ve just thought of summat.
UreDS!
Tabs
Bang. On.
I hope some of the doomers are having a good think about some of their conduct over the last few months.
Behaviour of that sort (I.e being a spineless cunt) will get you lined up and shot in wartime.
A few apologies are owed to Le Boss from those with enough class to admit they were wrong.
TV5’s best game this season?
Ramsey on the left flank was an interesting choice, similar to playing Benayoun there against the Spurs. Guess the idea being to play narrow when needed and add more defensive work rate. Ramsey could have had a goal or two as well. However, he does slow down the movement a bit now and then.
Also has the season started to take its toll on RVP? Couple of uncharacteristic misses today, there was one against the Toons. Guess he has set the standards so high not seeing him score at least once in a match doesn’t somehow feel right anymore.
Third place is entirely up to us now…
In the darker days this season I insisted we weren’t as bad as we seemed…..I stand by that. I knew Wenger would get more from this group of players.
Then in the winter I knew moving back to California was in order when we were 13 (??) points behind the tiny totts. My better half agreed (I didn’t explain to her how it would help Arsenal). The move was made.
We’ve not lost in the league since…..call me crazy but exactly as I drove the moving lorry over the border into California we were just kicking off against Blackburn in the game that started the run. I only make these confessions here!
COYR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
coursing not fukkin coarsing o’ course –