Our Thoughts Go Out To The Muamba Family
Mar 18th, 2012 by 'holic
It is a very different Sunday morning to the one I anticipated at the start of the weekend.
All of our thoughts this morning are with a young man facing the ultimate fight. I defy anybody who saw the photograph of Fabrice Muamba with his young son on Twitter yesterday to deny they shed at least a solitary tear. It will stand him in good stead that he has a history, even in his brief existence, of overcoming hardship.
There are those who deserve special mention for their actions and behaviour yesterday. First and foremost obviously the paramedics and medical staff of both clubs. Their prompt attention has given Fabrice his best chance of pulling through.
Howard Webb is not always acclaimed on these pages, but with his police background he was the right man in the right place yesterday. There were a series of decisions to be made as events unfolded, and he got each and every one bang on the money.
I cannot deny the rivalry between the supporters of the two North London clubs. It is deep-rooted and will go on. However yesterday was the second occasion in eleven years when the respect shown for an opposing player by the Tottenham fans left an impression. Fabrice was not an ex-Arsenal player. He was a young man clearly in difficulty. The reception he received mirrored the respect shown when the one minute silence for David Rocastle was impeccably observed by the visitors to Highbury in 2001. Sometimes you need to be reminded that there really are things that over-ride institutional bitterness.
Most deserving of special mention though are the Muamba family. I hope circumstances take all the right turns for them in the coming hours and days.
229 Responses to “Our Thoughts Go Out To The Muamba Family”
Heartfelt piece Holic .
All thoughts and prayers are with the young man that he can pull through .
Nice and touching words ‘holic. Well put.
Please recover soon Fabrice and I pray to God that you pull through soon.
Indeed ‘holic.
Football is and always will be just a game. Rivalrys and petty differences matter not a jot in the wake of such tragedies.
Respect to all at WHL yesterday and my prayers go out to Fabrice, his family, who have endured more then their fair share of hardship and close friends.
‘holic has a knack of posting new blogs just after I post a drink these days.
thoughts with the Muambas and hopes for a miracle (i.e. full-ish recovery)
Well put, ‘holic.
Nice one Holic I think all by now know my hatred of the LWCs but as you say that’s twice I’ve had to tip my hat to them it would have been quite easy at first before the full extent of what had happened for the familar chants to suffice but thankfully they didn’t,
Let’s hope it has a good ending for all Fabrices nearest and dearest Get well young un.
beatiful piece #Pray4FabriceMuamba
I’d typed this yesterday, but due to me being busy and the whole FM tragedy, I didn’t have a window to post it, hope you don’t mind;
If you were born in Holloway in the sixties and was of the caucasian persuasion, then it was more then likely you were from Irish decent.
When I started regularly going to Highbury the team was, as far as I can recall;
1 Pat Jennings
2 Pat Rice
3 Sammy Nelson
4 David Price (later Brian Talbot)
5 David O’Leary
6 Willie Young
7 Liam Brady
8 Alan Sunderland
9 Frank Stapleton
10 Steve Gatting
11 Graham Rix
A lot for anyone of keltic herratage to be proud of.
I too remember the complimentry tickets and the close report between fans and players. Many have also, on previous drinks, reminised over the late great Jack Kelsey, who would always find time to have a chat, cherished memories for me, growing up as a local lad in the vicinity of the greatest club in the world.
I wish Fabrice Muamba a speedy recovery,IJN.
Holic – I agree with every word of that. Truly sobering.
My thoughts and Prayers are for Fabrice and his family.
I pray he makes a full recovery
Well said holic. I echo every word. It is at times like this you realise what a universal family football manages to unite. Rivalries are rightly fierce, but there is always the underlying feeling of the universal football family.
My thoughts go to Fabrice and his family and this amazingly difficult time. We can only hope and pray for positive news in the very near future.
Well put, ‘Holic. Nothing to add to what you wrote beyond wishing the best recovery possible for Muamba. Prayers and thoughts with him and his family in what must be an unimaginably trying time.
Really hoping Fabrice pulls through – nice heartfelt post ‘Holic.
Nice piece to wake up to, California time. Thanks.
It’s a cliche, but I’d so hoped Fabrice Muamba would help fill the departed Vieira’s shoes and was upset when we let him go to Steve Bruce’s Birmingham. At that time, we’d only vaguely guessed at the horrors he must have witnessed in Zaire as a child but even then, there was talk about his strength of character and willpower that drove him to success despite the odds. We can only hope that that same strength will help pull him through.
Have to fully agree with you about the Tottenham crowd, ‘Holic. Watching the game on TV, the genuine empathy and concern shown by most of the supporters of both clubs viscerally conveyed how critical the situation was. There was one bloke shown early on standing and trying to lead all those seated around him in chanting Muamba’s name. Towards the end, they showed him still standing and chanting his name.
A sobering circumstance for everyone connected in any way with the game. Best wishes for complete recovery to Muamba.
Mario Machado was a big influence on the development of football/soccer in the United States. It was his “Star Soccer” program that gave me a love of the English game when it was shown here in the 1970s giving me an exposure to such great players as Liam Brady, Viv Anderson, Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham, Kenny Dalglish, etc. I just found out he has an entry in Wikipedia I would like to share here:
As a star collegiate athlete and former soccer player, Machado was able to indulge his love for soccer by serving as the English language commentator at four FIFA World Cup soccer championships: in Mexico (1970), Germany (1974), Argentina (1978) and Spain (1982) for audiences throughout North America, and also at the 1984 Olympic Games.[5]
He was the Voice of Soccer for the CBS Television Network in 1968 and in 1976, covering the North American Soccer League (NASL). He hosted the weekly soccer program, “The Best of the World Cup” for the Spanish International Network. Machado hosted “Star Soccer” from England on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Public television stations for six years.
He served as Commissioner of the American Soccer League in 1986.
Between 1976 and 1984 he published Soccer Corner Magazine, for fellow enthusiasts of the sport.
He was one of the founding members of AYSO with his friend Hans Stierle, and in 1971 he helped change AYSO policy to allow girls to play. In recognition for his contributions to the sport, Machado was inducted into the AYSO Hall of Fame in 1999.
Excellent piece ‘Holic.
Its too much to ask for him to go on and play for Bolton again, let alone play football again full stop, I can only hope and pray that he pulls through and recovers to lead as normal a life as he can have with his fianceé and son. #PrayforMuamba
The last verse of Coldplay’s Fix You seems very relevant to this situation to me as I listen to it –
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.
Evening all Holics! Hell is no internet connectivity for three-days, no Goonerholic, and everlasting drinks to get caught up with but never quite managing to get caught up before there’s a new post….ah well, at least we are all Gooners down here eh?
Too many excellent drinks to mention: But TABs of a couple posts ago was outstanding. Some wonderful links too – I especially loved that Chinese link with Martin. And of course where would we be without Dr Zee, Steve T, DanC, and Nurse ABBeee…
Then there is Trev, Ollie and the Tollie. The Dutch, Swedes and all the Holics who hate Leeds, There is a Wind of change in North London chums and that smell you are smelling is the leakage from their bums…
Could go on and on, but alas must stop, before my mate CoR starts a strop…
(Poet and don’t know it!)
Bang on the money Holic RESPECT to all,Thoughts to Fabrice and Family.
Excellent and heartfelt piece Holic. My thoughts are with Fabrice Muamba and his family too.
I was also very impressed with the empathy and respect shown by the Tottenham crowd who deserve compliments for their behaviour.
Fingers crossed for a full recovery for a clearly well-liked young man.
So glad was I to finally get caught up with my Holic pals I neglected to read the post first…had I done that I would have better respected the spirit and solemness of the occasion..
Fabrice Muamba was one of the ones I was sad to see leave before fulfilling his enormous potential with the Arsenal. As with all such players I have followed his career since and was always particularly nervous whenever he was on the opposing team. I am saddened by this news and as with the others before me I hope he will pull though this latest trial for him and his family..
No problem Terry. Good to see you here.
Thanks everybody for your contributions today. If you think it has been tough for supporters just imagine what the family are going through.
As Bath said, fingers crossed for a full recovery for a clearly well-liked young man.
Holic, You always seem to know just what to say. Read your piece this morning after another long night at work. Managed to send an email to both clubs involved in this heartbreaking tragedy. Fabrice and his family will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Off to work soon so goodnite everyone and chin up.
My thoughts and prayers are with Fabrice and his family. I hope he pulls through.
Sadly, still critical tonight.
Your piece says all I said yesterday and much more.
Wonderful post ‘holic – nothing to add except I felt the same about the crowd who seemed to quickly and instinctively know this was no ordinary injury.
A recovery of any sort is step one and I know anyone normal associated with the game will be wishing him all the best
Tragic, horrible stuff. We can only hope for a full recovery.
I can be pretty tribal about Tottenham Hotspur, as many of us around here can, but everyone associated with that club, from the medical staff to the players to the fans, reacted fantastically to some awful circumstances. Very classy stuff, Spuds…absolute kudos.
C’mon Fabrice. C’mon Fabrice. C’mon Fabrice.
While first thoughts must be with Fabrice Muamba’s fight for life, and the medical team treating him has given no information with regards to the cause of his heart attack, I see the Guardian is running a piece on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the geneticly caused thickening of the heart’s walls that can cause seemingly fit athletes to collapse suddenly with cardiac arrest. This kills an average of nearly 70 young athletes a year in the U.S., half of them while playing school sport. The condition apparently affects only a tiny minority of people, one in 5,000, but being competitive athlete fit exacerbates it. The Guardian piece says it has killed 80 footballers in Britain over the years. Clearly all clubs should be screening their players, and particularly their youth players, for cardiac problems every year. The Italian league requires annual heart screenings, so the Prem can certainly afford it.
North bank Ned @31,
It does seem that Fabrice’s underlying heart condition that has led to this awful time is a genetically inherited cardiomyopathy.
It is the commonest cause of sudden cardiac arrest and sudden death in young people and in adolescents and pre-adolescents even here in the UK. It is dominant in inheritance so there is usually a family history somewhere in the past if one questions deeply, however, having come to the UK from the DR Congo, Fabrice’s family’s medical history may not have been fully and easily ascertainable.
Additionally, and sadly, it can be very difficult to clinically detect all cardiomyopathy cases early as there are invariably few clear symptoms and signs that raise alarm bells to most doctors until it is too late; especially when elite athletes or regularly active young people are the patients concerned. After all, who would think that someone in those two apparently healthy groups could have an underlying heart condition?!
In this unfortunate case, what makes it even the more difficult to fathom, in my own mind from what i know about modern, top-level football, is how does a modern footballer’s regular (and I assume thorough) physical check-up (usually annually) not at least indicate something amiss like the development of a structural heart problem?
When a player is being signed, returning from an injury, or returning in pre-season what is involved in the “medical” check that we so often hear about that is undertaken?
We may never know these things and they are irrelevant in the poor case of Fabrice at this time but i am very sure that for the Bolton medical staff, this must be the most painful time in their professional and personal lives. To have someone you have taken care of for several years, and most likely become very close to as a friend and not just as a Bolton Football Club employee, this must be incredibly heartbreaking; and to have to perform advanced-life support (the most horrible of medical tasks) in such a public-setting on that same friend, well, I can’t even put into words the horror of such a thing. There are just so many sad things in this shocking situation that it is utterly unreal. 🙁
My continued heart-felt sympathies to Fabrice and his young family; and to all those involved at this very difficult time. I pray that you recover fully soon young man, and you return back to the person you were in both your body and in your mind. God bless you.
Nice post ‘holic.
Well put ‘holic
Hope he comes through
And to cap a crap weekend a young player loses his father to a heart attack after winning a cup……thoughts are with Liam Kelly and family.
Well said ‘Holic, spot on.
Well said zico @ #35.
Morning all, still feeling a little sombre but I heard The Sweeper was back in town?
DanC: as far as I understand, those medicals are of very varying quality and thoroughness. At some clubs it’s basically “are you knees fucked? No? Alright then, sign here please” but at other clubs they check pretty much everything.
Keep fighting, Fabrice.
@ TS – I think you may have mis-interpreted a tweet from a certain clairvoyant.
Clive’s still MIA.
It’s not easy to find the right words at times like this, but you’ve done it.
Ah, OK Dr.z and thanks.
Morning All ,
Where is Mr Waterman ? His posts are always something to look forward to .
Hope all is well Clive .
GT @20 – Cheers for the kind words .
TS – Something for you mate …
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/sporting-life/blog/2011-12-19/my-sporting-life-bob-wilson
Afternoon all,
I have dropped Clive a message. Like you I hope he is ok and we’ll see him back soon.
DanC@42: you raise a good point about the players’ check-ups. My GP checks my heart walls during my annual physical as a matter of routine. You would expect football clubs to be paying even closer attention to their most valuable assets. If Lars is right about the variable quality of clubs’ physicals, and I have no reason to disbelieve him, that is as foolish as it is scandalous.
‘Holic@43: thanks. We miss the Sweeper and it has been a worrying while.
Cheers for the link tabs, nice one.
Well done ‘Holic @ #43.
Holic,
A little post to say sincere best wishes to Fabrice & family.
And also to say thanks for the Irish theme Blog over Paddies weekend. The Tullamore Ceili Band have been playing a few pipes to honour your taste of their dew!
TABs @ 42: Thanks for posting the Bob Wilson “My sporting Life” interview. It was wonderful listening to the great Gooners and gentleman. I thoroughly recommend it to other holics – its a bit long (2-hrs) but well worth it on a slow Goonerholic day..
All LWC players to get heart tests, according to Associated Press, http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-tottenham-hearttests.
Anyone know situation with us? Do we do this already? ‘Holic, any inside info from your visit to the medical facility at the training ground?
tabs (again) – thanks again for that link.
Really heart-warming stuff. Bob Wilson should be cannon-ised, the main is a saint never mind an Arsenal hero. Please pardon the pun.
Recommended listening ‘Holics to those of a certain age…
NBN, I read somewhere that we do it, also with youth players, and that Muamba would have had one while with us. I think the same article mentioned that what should be done is have them very regularly rather than only on signing or something.
TS, I think it’s ‘recommended listening’ full stop.
Sorry Ollie, for you young’uns too 😉
Tks, Ollie. It would make sense to screen yearly. As I mentioned in an earlier drink, my GP routinely screens my heart as part of my annual physical. I lie there hooked up to some electrodes and a PC and she explains to me the pretty coloured pictures of my heart pumping away that I can see on the computer screen and the measurements of it she is taking (I think pretty coloured pictures is the right medical term). She has the kit in her office, so it can’t be that expensive. When you are paying players tens of thousands of pounds a week, it would seem to be money well spent.
Oh, Phil Dowd to abuse on Saturday as well as McLeish and Hutton.
The fixture that keeps giving….. 😉
Oh and there appears to be some good news on Twitter re Fabrice
Afternoon all.
I understand that there is a glimmer of hope from Fabrice today according to Bolton and the hospital; encouraging news – let’s all keep praying.
Lars, Ned,
I certainly hope that the nature of some of the medicals are not as unprofessional as that Lars. I would be very surprised if they were particularly at the top sides and in the EPL where the players are very valuable assets.
I know that an ECG is performed at most sporting medicals throughout the world with general cardiorespiratory testing undertaken at rest and during activity. However that would not necessarily indicate a cardiac abnormality, unless there is already some concern or the test is performed at the most revealing time (which is why it may have been missed before the dreadful event and at Arsenal). An MRI or CT scan of the heart may reveal such abnormalities earlier but as with most medical things, the definitiveness comes from the quality of the doctors and specialists that are involved in the whole process from assessment to diagnosis and treatment. Lets not forget, Fabrice would have gone through at least 4 “top” sporting medical set-ups before this dreadful event happened: Arsenal, Birmingham, Bolton and England.
Ned @53,
Very sensible of you mate! Especially as I assume you like to partake in the “amber nectar” every now and then?! 😉
Oh and there appears to be some good news on Twitter re Fabrice
I understand that there is a glimmer of hope from Fabrice today according to Bolton and the hospital
zico, learn from DanC ;). Twitter is not a valid source of information for me.
Unless it’s a tweet from someone I personally know and trust.
Oh shucks Ollie – do you mean Dowd ain’t ref on Saturday ? 🙂
Nice one Holic @43 .
My pleasure TS . Glad both you and GT enjoyed it .
The man is just so clearly such a very very nice chap .
I have a friend who I was at Uni with , and who has since leaving Uni worked for BBC Sport . He is not an Arsenal fan (far from it) , but he speaks very very highly of Bob .
One thing Bob said in that interview resonated very much with me …
“I love this man , I have always supported him (Arsene Wenger) … it’s not blindly … … but I am so totally biased … what you’ve got to remember Danny is one thing about Bob Wilson . That without Arsenal Football Club and the fame that it brought me and then led me into the television career , hmm , my subsequent ability to do what we’ve done , there would be no Bob … I owe so much to that Club and all I have tried to do always is to try and support them in a sensible way and give a little bit back to what they have given me .”
If only some of the more condemnatory “fans” on the Internet could take that little bit of wisdom on board . From the most celebrated of players to the most ordinary of fans , Arsenal Football Club have given us all so very much . Is it too much to ask that we all just “try and support them in a sensible way” in return ?
* pops into bar, raises glass of respect to Holic for sensitive post, another to all concerned at WHL, and to all of the above Holics. Downs it quickly and scuttles out again *
Good stuff Tabs, although tarnished somewhat by trying to get others to believe that you went to Uni.
Tabs,
Cheers for the link mate. He’s such a classy guy our Bob. Always have alot of time for him.
“…..it’s heading for the postage stamp but up leaps Wilson akin to a Scottish grasshopper and flicks it away for a corner! Quality goalkeeping from the Arsenal number one!” 🙂
Steve T @62,
Hee! Hee! 🙂
Muamba is speaking!! Very positive news!!
Steve T – Heh 🙂 , I was there reading that most tricky of subjects “Booze , Fags and Table Football ” 😉
Tabs @66,
Hee! Hee! Hee! Not “reading” girls too?……
tabs, great stuff@60.
And Steve@62: SMASH! 🙂
Snir, is that confirmed in any offical way?
SG @65,
Very encouraging and amazing news that! I’m very glad! 🙂
It is good news indeed, if true
Link to the latest offical statement from Bolton:
http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2673101,00.html
His heart is beating unaided and he can move his arms and legs but the long-term prognosis is still unclear. In other words, it does at least look promising even if he still is critically ill.
https://twitter.com/#!/SkySportsNews/status/181809585638748160
get IN! both languages, important. shows some deep parts working. thank god.
http://www.football365.com/bolton-wanderers/7609567/Muamba-speaking-and-moving-
If Fabrice does recover to have a semblance of a “normal” life (and the mortality and morbidity prognosis is still unclear at this stage), then this will be a minor miracle and a major medical one! Keep fighting young man, you can do it.
Official Bolton update 19:00 BST
Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at The London Chest Hospital. He is continuing to show signs of improvement this evening.
He is now able to breathe independently without the aid of a ventilator. He has also been able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately.
These are all positive signs of progress.However, the medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him.
His family and club would like to thank the media for continuing to respect their privacy at this time.
http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2683551,00.html
Thank God that Muamba’s talking and recovering 🙂
Would also like to add this hallowing piece to your attention if you haven’t already read it, again pertaining to events before I was born let alone conceived but a reminder of things that shouldn’t be forgotten: thedaisycutter.co.uk/2012/03/dear-scum-an-open-letter-to-the-sun/
SG @75,
That’s great news! A good friend of mine at the hospital has also told me the same developments.
Keep praying one and all. Much of it is now down to Fabrice’s fighting qualities and his will and strength; all attributes which we know he has in abundance!
DanC @67 – Girls were extra-curricular . Booze , fags and Table football were part of the syllabus 😉
Obviously still very early days for Fabrice , but the latest news is very encouraging .
Keep fighting Fabrice .
Snir, that is really good news.
The news today is heartening. Hope the improvement continues and leads to a satisfying recovery.
Fingers crossed.
Tabs @78,
Ahhh, how I used to enjoy those extra-curricular activities too! 😀
As for the main syllabus; it’s all about continues learning!
“Main syphilis”? What kind of Uni was that???
heh
Lars @83,
Hee! Hee! Hee! And gonorrhoea! 😀
Guess that’s explains alot of where many stand now, eh Tabs?! 😉 🙂
Off topic and onto further lighter issues, where does everyone stand with regards Vertonghen desiring a move to the greatest club in the world and Podolski’s (I refuse to calm him “iPod” any longer until it’s official) seemingly new “extra-curricular” activities with the Italians?
“He has also been able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately”
Not sure that means he is talking but it is tremendously encouraging after all of the previous updates.
Keep fighting Fab.
Its a great start. Long way to go, but considering he was regarded as ‘dead not much more than 48 hours ago, its pretty encouraging.
See you Saturday mate?
NBN @31 –
I see DanC has already largely answered your point about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – HCM – but just to supplement a little:
It literally means – sickness caused by the over-toning of the heart muscle.
Apart from the congenital form, the condition can also be caused by constant exertion and stressing of the heart muscle.
The cardiac muscle, under those conditions, will thicken as will any regularly overloaded muscle. Eventually the heart chambers will be reduced in size by the thickening walls of the organ.
This reduces the amount of blood that the chambers can pump with one contraction, and so to maintain sufficient pressure in the system the heart begins to pump more rapidly.
This rapid and heavy pumping is often the first sign that anyone – including the sufferer – has of the presence of the condition.
Unfortunately, by then, the sufferer will often only have about 30 minutes to live before the exhausted muscle seizes. The heart chambers are so reduced in size that it is impossible to restore function.
Personally, I doubt whether that is what Fabrice Muamba has suffered because the word tonight is, apparantly, that his heart is now beating independently again.
I hope that is of interest – if you didn’t know it all already.
Tabs @60 – here, here.
Clive The Sweeper – all the best from me too. Hope you are ok.
Will do big man. Good and early 😉
Erm, what constitutes early for a 3pm kick off?
Just askin’ …..
‘Bout ten, zico.
Caledonian Road market.
Astroturf 😉
Yeah, was thinking that too, ‘holic. AT this stage it could just be that he responds by raising his hand for yes or stuff like that, but exactly what Esso said. Hugely encouraging indeed.
Cheers for the explanations, Trev.
And yeah, zico, you can even support TS there, although he is a Piss-Drinking-Yellow.
Something else for anyone who doesn’t already know –
Fabrice Muamba’s early years were spent in a war-torn Zaire. At the age of eight his father was forced to flee a deteriorating situation in fear of his life.
He told Fabrice he was “going out” as it was too dangerous to tell even his son the truth of the matter, which was that he was fleeing to England.
It was the last time they saw each other for three years until they were reunited at Heathrow airport.
Fabrice did not speak a word of English at that time, but taken under the care of Arsenal’s academy system at 14 years of age, he went on to achieve 10 GCSE’s and 3 A Levels in English, Maths and French.
He clearly did not quite become the new Patrick Vieira that many hoped he would at the age of 18 to 19, but he is liked and respected everywhere he has been, for an unassuming nature and an indefatigable spirit.
He’s going to need that spirit now like never before.
It doesn’t seem fair that so much hardship should fall on one pair of shouders. The chances are though, that he wouldn’t complain, but just get on with the job.
These thoughts are taken form various bits of the national press and my own personal knowledge.
It is an amazing story which I thought might be of interest especially to overseas Gooners who may not have the detail.
Apologies to them if they did, and to the regulars here who doubtless knew it all already.
Trev, your post @ 88 was a lot less mystifying (to a non-medical Doctor) than Ollie’s at 93.
I’m assuming that those “in the know” must be referring to Arsebloggers 5 a side game. Or something.
As for me I was just wondering what time to parachute into Hornsey Road. 8)
You are assuming correctly, zico.
Tournament is scheduled to finish at 12, so non-players (like ‘holic :p) should be there shortly after that time :p
*kicks ball, Carlos-style*
blows in to slide a ball across the box after the rebound…
*plays reverse ball*
backheels it into the net, nutmegging the keeper…
and runs over to the camera, pulls up his jersey, revealing a t-shirt that says “pray for fabrice muamba”…
Splendid, scruz.
I hope the ref has enough sense not to book you for that 😉
cheers, ollie…your assist was sumptious…very songesque! and it was worth any booking…:)
Trev @ 88, 94
Nicely explained and compassionate posts.
From the, thankfully, rare HCM cases that I have seen in my years of practice, such a recovery as Fabrice is exhibiting is possible but an immense deal has to be gratefully attributed both to Fabrice’s innate athletic physiology and reserves, and the rapid and focused resuscitation and intensive therapy he has been receiving.
Let us all keep praying that this miracle continues to the incredible conclusion we have been praying for. A talented and gifted young man who certainly deserves all of the luck and breaks that life has to offer.
Many positive thoughts for Fabrice Muamba and also many thanks and congratulations to the medics, doctors, nurses and caregivers, and not forgetting the researchers who all contributed to save his life. Had this happened 10-20 years ago we would have been grieving instead of hoping.
Sad as it may be it’s refreshing to see that for things that really matter we can all concur and remember we’re part of the same family. Thank you Holic, Trev and many others for your beautiful posts!
Inspiring stuff Scruz @ 100/101:’) Same for the pass Ollie @ 99.
DanC @ 85: I like Jan Vertonghen very much and feel he would fit in very well at the Arsenal. He is quite versatile and will provide cover at CB, LB and DM – that a three-for and at $10M would represent good value IMHO..
Everton away? We can do this and we’ve done it before. Even without the benefit of Eduardo’s silky finishes we can do it. Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DanC@57: the odd drop slips down, but purely for medicinal reasons. &@104, there is indeed a long way to go for Fabrice, so thoughts and prayers with him for the long haul, especially that his brain isn’t damaged. If anyone deserves a miracle, it is him.
Trev@88: I am not a medical man, and bow to your greater expertise. Plus we’ve had no official word from those treating him. But from what I’ve read about HCM, I thought doctors could insert a stent to provide a channel for the blood flow and an in-heart pacemaker, though I guess that wouldn’t count as a heart beating of its own accord. What are other plausible medical explanations for what happened?
Well in, SCG@100, and tip-top celebration. Deft assist, Ollie.
GT@107: would Vertonghen comes as cover? He is Ajax’s captain and a 30+ cap Belgian international but I don’t see him replacing TV5, Kos or Song in the starting line-up. As for replacing Gibbs or Santos, is he a good enough attacking full-back? Don’t know, so asking.
Cheers, Wind and Ned. Hearing about him moving and answering has made me a happy man today, yet he still needs our prayers.
Ned, everything I’ve read about Vertonghen implies he is adept with the ball. It makes me think he could play attacking left back (iirc he is left footed?), maybe DM in a pinch. Still, if he starts, who doesn’t from TV5, Koz, or Santos/Gibbs? Or is he just that much better strength in depth so JD doesn’t get even a CC game?
Good stuff mate. Bright and Early indeed for me. Foolishly volunteered assistance to the tufted one, so need to be up the Break-Out Cafe good and early. Mind you the brekkie in there makes it worth it. Will have Junior and the youngest in tow, so should be a right day out!
Arseblog 7s should be a wheeze apart from the fact that ‘Capi’ o the PDYs has insisted on an initiation ceremony of imbibing on a finest cocktail of aqua vitae! :-p
Ollie – how very appropriate that you will play for Les Blues.
Well volunteered Mr.Esso.
Trev – brilliant post on Fabrice Muamba. Hardships that most of us, thank Dennis, will never endure.
Cheers all, morning libations of choice please Mr. Barman. Nothing warm or yellow for me…
Super, Super-Fab!
Trev and DanC, cheers for some great posts on heart condiditions.
TS at the Arseblog fives, does that mean you’ll make the game and the Tollie as well?
Morning Lars!
A session at The Tollie is a certainty pre-match so I guess I get the added pleasure of sharing a pint or three with your good self.
I’m doing my best to source a ticket for the game, so I hope to be there and join in the pantomime booing with zico at Widow Twankey (McC*nt), Tweedle-Dee (Dowd) & Tweedle-Verydum (LWC Hutton). Dennis I hope we give those boys a spanking and help McC*nt ease himself out of the door – he’s way out of his depth at a big club like Villa and many of the Villains can’t stand the twatspatula either.
The Storey crystal balls predict a draw with The Toffees (no mean feat) and a home win on Saturday versus a home win (SCRFC) and an away loss for the LWCs at The Bus Stop. Soooo…. come Saturday I’m guessing we’ll be the top team in London on goal difference.
Now that would be something to celebrate 😀
GT @ 107, speaking my thoughts on Vertonghen to a ‘T’ 🙂
Quackery
Memo: FYI, to Mr T
Should we consider getting DanC onside quickly, before “the others” snap him up? I appreciate that he doesn’t have true Quack qualifications, but perhaps we could find him a consultancy role?
I’ve found that a little bit of flattery and regular alcohol normally keeps these doctors amenable…
Your thoughts?
Mr T
That memo should, of course, have been marked “For Your Eyes Only”.
Bloody Moneypenny.
Carry On..
Oh dear,
Down at the Doctors.
Dan C, be wary of men in smocks……
DanC
I was seduced by Snir (which is never a good thing) into a twitter conversation about Mr Vertythingy just yesterday.
Esso and I were both in favour, along with Snir. The common thought was that him + Podolski (quite right, no familiarities until the tart commits), and maybe one other woiuld make next year very interesting indeed.
Zico and I were both perturbed when Snir mentioned “Suarez”, but apparently there is a non-cunt version somewhere.
Matias, Dr C
Gesundheit, Ollie
Zico
When you refer to “men in smocks” are you talking about Mr T and myself?
I can assure you that I only operate in tweeds and a cravat.
Nurse Wolfie, however, could probably be described thus…
TS, hope to see you at the Tollie then!
I am not really sure what time I will get there, it depends a bit on what my fellow Swedes have in mind. I know a few of them will want to go down to the Eaglet to see the Away Boyz but I am not that keen on that.
But before that we have the small matter of a very tricky away fixture v Everton to deal with. It would be great if we could win that one, but considering that they have beaten Man City, Sp*rs and Chelsea up there then we have to accept that this is a fixture that will require us to be more or less on top of our game.
Ticket sorted. Cheers to all for the help, you know who you are.
@ 124
Wolfie is more “men in frocks” – in fact, he could be Scottish 😉
Arseblog 5 asides? Is that some kind of annual tournament?
I’ll get my gloves ready for next season then (quite the ‘keeper, I could be the backup for Woj you guys are clamoring for 🙂 ).
As for Everton – Don’t worry fellas. My crystal ball is rather happy with the outcome for tomorrow’s game. Away win it is.
Dr C. – I don’t seduce men. Never have, and not about to start! I will however keep trying to convince everyone Gotze is not needed.
The ONLY AM out there in the market today I think is worth putting off JW’s transfer to AM is Kaka and he’s extremely settled at RM now.
Not Gotze, nor Hazard would be better options than a player who dominated the midfield against Xavi and Iniesta.
And I don’t want to hear about how he’s 19 and needs to develop because Gotze is 19 as well, Hazard is 21. Signing young players like that to play AM is gonna kill the idea of putting JW as AM.
I will not be wearing my smock on Saturday. Dead giveaway one is from the West Country.
Afternoon all.
Dr Z @127 – Aye Laddie .
Afternoon All ,
Trev and DanC – Thanks for the medical explanations .
Snir – JW had a marvellous game against Barca last season , but “dominated the midfield against Xavi and Iniesta ” ? Pffff !!!
Holic @129 Heh 🙂
Dr Z – 11 30 at the Tollie for us non-playing types 😎
Why didn’t the Holics enter a team ?
@ tabs,
Can I suggest that you refrain from table-dancing until I arrive? I was thinking about using one of the tables as my target, as I parachute in….. 8)
The clue is in the tournament description, TaBS.
It is the Arseblog Fives, in memory of a popular former Arseblogger.
We will be reperesented by a couple of players on Saturday, and I will ensure our patronage is not lost on the breakfast bap van.
TaBS
I think you’ll find it’s spelled; “pffft”.
Careful, or editor Ollie will be on your back… and you don’t want that.
? spelt?? Oooops — that’s me in the corner, losing my language… 🙁
Yes Tabs. Dominated 🙂
The amount of 50-50s he won was extremely impressive.
True, they had somewhere around twice as many passes as us but only 20% in the final third.
Jack’s drive and engine drove us on that night everytime we had possession.
Holic, who will be representing the Holics ;)?
I think the can of worms that is who or who not Wolfie would like on his back is a vessel best left unopened.
Did somebody mention breakfast baps?
Two large white ones please Barman, splendid! 😉
Baps….. *drifts off with silly smile on face*…
Ollie is Wolfie???
I believe that is the correct medical term Dr.C 😛
Almost 52 years since Sp*rs won the league.
Get well soon Fab.
Cheers TS, Tabs.
Catalan, Mr C, My dear old thing, – usual dry humour above 🙂
NED, will try to answer your @109 later – bit of a rush at the moment.
Have to hurry to a meeting with Mr C to discuss how we can nobble DanC.
Sorry Mr C, that ‘nobble’ should of course have read ‘best utilise the skills of’ 😉
‘Holic @137 – 🙂
Dr Z @132 – I shall make sure there is no table-dancing prior to the arrival of the flying Caledonian . Just make sure that your entry is “clean” , and you don’t take out any pints on impact ! 😉
Holic @133 – Ah , got yer .
Mr C @134 – Noted 🙂
Snir @136 – PfffT . 😉
Holic @137 – haha 🙂 Penelope Cruz seeing as your not asking ! 🙂
your = you’re
Not having a good day on the syntax/spelling front 🙁
TS @138 –
white or brown baps ? Beggars and choosers TS, 😉
Someone has obviously put out some nutter bait – they’re swarming all over this place…..
Gotta go, I’m off to my para-glide lesson…..
Aren’t you a year ahead, ette?
Assorted hehs above.
On the health news, played again today, didn’t have a blinder but definitely feeling fitter by the day.
Arsenal Live @ArsenalLive
As has been pointed out the game is on Liverpool TV, but why not keep me company instead…
Heh, Arsenal Live fears being on his own this afternoon.
Who in their sane mind would watch Mugsmashers TV though.
Abou Diaby starts, hope he can last however long is allocated to him today (the customary 45 or 60, I guess).
Trev @ #146 – I thought I specified but I’m not fussy of course.
Ollie – Fitness training in the park last night (stop sniggering you filthy beggars). Gent’s Fives on Thursday. Sevens on Saturday. Oh yes, I’ll be ready for you Blues not that I’m competitive in any way, shape or form 😎
TS, king of the 50s, still in my 40s 😛
tabs @ 144, I’m with Snir, even Xavi & Iniesta acknowledged his prowess that night. (2 shirts)
At home with GoonerTerry:
Daughter # 2 is staring at the Goonerholic clock…” Daddy I really like looking at this clock”
GT: So do we all darling…
D #2: I find it very…erm..
GT: therapeutic?…You know that it tells us how long its been since Totterinton last won the league title don’t you?
D #2: Yes Dad, remember you told me that before?
GT: Yes but I never tire of saying that!
(both dissolve into giggles)
Mrs GT (from the kitchen) What are you two giggling about…..
Heh, nice one GT 🙂
Afternoon gents.
Thanx for the med info DanC and Trev, a dimwit like me can learn quite a lot here.
91’holic, mentioning the ol’astro turf fields on the Market Rd brought memories flooding back from summers past, when me and me mates (probably after being turfed out of the Sobell Centre, cheers GT ;)) used to make our way down the Tollie Rd, up to the Camdern Rd turn left on to the Callie and right just after the tube station to have a kick about on that new fandangaled astro turf, I still got the scars to remind me. There was always a barney with other groups for rights to annex the pitch, plus the bloody carpet burns, good times.
Diaby scores….. and injures himself in the process, possibbly :s
-b
As for Jan Vertonghen;
Once again, I’m not going to go into the speculation as it’s an exercise in futility at this point in time, however I will admit then when I heard, a few seasons back that we were signing a CB from Ajax, I was very surprised that it was the Verminater, as JV was considered the better player, many thought that TV wouldn’t be able to cut it in the PL but once again the old adage of le boss being in the know rang true.
JV is a very capable player and the anchor of the Ajax defence, I’ve seen him play many times, he is versitle enough to play as LB and even does a good job as a makeshift DM, he would be a very useful addition to any squad.
Looke like Diaby played on 10 minutes, subbed at 61, which I guess is part of the plan, so good news!
H2H and NED: I agree Jan Vertonghen would fit well within our system but I doubt that Le Boss will go for him – unless the unthinkable happens and Song doesn’t sign a new contract – we do need quality covers at both DM and CB, but when both the BFG and Santos are fit then JV may be surplus to requirements…
H2H: Had I not occasionally turfed you out in the fresh air you’d never have become the man of the world that you are today…see its me you have to thank for how your life turned out (0;
Wind @152 – I have already acknowledged JW had a marvellous game that night @131 , but if both you and Snir think he “dominated” the Barca pair , then you saw a very different game to the one I watched .
GT@153 🙂
H2H – Cheers for the inside info on JV .
Ollie – Good news re Abou – he’s a big miss .
A round of shots please Barman . H2H can use his to tend to his carpet burns 😉
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/team-news-diaby-squillaci-and-coquelin
Great news folks: Squillaci is back in full training. :p
Excesive shots are the reason for more recent carpet burns, Tabs. 😉
Cheers.
The return of the Coq.
Top news Ollie.
Unfortunately it looks like Le Coq is still a couple of weeks away, H2H.
Oops, I should of read the piece on thye link first, he’s not quiet there yet, but the Coq is coming soon.
Those last few posts suggest a few shots have been downed, H2H 😀
More then a few Ollie, mate. Got a touch of the flu, so mixed with some beecham’s like substance and they’re hitting home fast.
😀
I see. GWS, H2H.
Shot of Southern Comfort and a couple packets of Beecham Powders for me barman…and leave the bottle on the bar please…
Haven’t had Southern Comfort in ages. For some reason it was my drink of choice at uni (well, besides snakebite&black :-P)
Cheers Ollie.
Got tonight with the ladies billiart team to visit, but I’ll be free tomorrow, plan to curl up with a hot toddie and the Arsenal game on the big screen.
A nice away win will be just what the doctor ordered.
*places Southern Comfort on the counter and walks away*
Hey H2H, Kinda like your laid back writing, but feel better soon.
Re: GT @153. Top, top post. 😀
I must teach my daughter to be more like that. Maybe I’ll try the theurapeutic clock watching angle on her. 😉
Speaking of feeling better, Fabrice asked about his 3 year old son Joshua today…a miracle in the making, please lord. Some changes in the Premier League re medicals; hopefully will include echocardiograms as the de rigueur in exams. Also on my radar was El Nino scoring 2 goals and credited with 2 assists; very happy for him. Just wish he was playing in La Liga, instead. And of course, really looking forward to tomorrow’s game.
Heh, what’s the opposite of a flashback?
I’m having one – got off from work on a flyer and it’s me and a Guinness, all friends together. Clearly a premonition for Saturday.
Speaking of which, I’m also tempted to get some pre-match heckling practice in, by attending the Arseblogger gathering and giving some abuse to Professor Storey (for services rendered to the transport industry) – what are the co-ordinates? And how do I get selected for next season?
Market Rd, just off Caledonian Rd tubs station, Dr Z.
Bring on your boots, you never know, there may be available spots if you fancy this season already.
tubs?
tube
What time is kick off Ollie?
NED – I’m very happy to be corrected, but I believe with a case of HCM that the problem is not one of obstructed flow, but that there is not enough ‘flow’, due to the greatly reduced size of the heart chambers, which in turn is caused by the thickening of the cardiac muscle tissue.
To counteract the drop in blood volume, the heart beats more and more rapidly to try to increase output. Eventually it seizes.
Inserting a pacemaker to slow down the heart rate would, due to the reduced volume in the chambers, simply reduce the volume of blood being output. Back to square one.
Heh! Dr.z, you could drop a tweet to @BawstonG and explain in less than 140 characters why you might like to drink other people’s piss. I’m sure you’ll be most welcome in the PDYs 😛
Edwin will support and second your nomination of course. Go on, you know it makes sense.
Auntie Beechams is popular today – I’ll have a half please 😉
Ollie @179 – tubs ? Is that how Tabs gets round London ?
zico : 10 am kick off. Until 12pm.
Doesn’t work this way, TS.
Any extra player may be allocated a team, depending on players dropping from already established squads at the last minute.
No endorsement of mates and choosing your team.
That’s a long kick off.
Feelgood Foundation executive jet lands at LCY around 9:45 – at best an impact sub.
Will discuss next season with you guys on Saturday.
H2H 😀
Just chewing over whether to attempt a Toffees preview, but think I’ll leave it to BtM – must be Werth-an Original post from him. He Revels in that sort of thing – much better than me Fudging something in a hurry.
Your starter for 10 maestro . . . .?
Work for me 🙁
I stand corrected Ollie!
Look forward to it Dr.z. Nice wings, BTW 😉
Heh! @ H2H.
Sweet Trev and bang on Topic! You don’t need a Reese-on to pun in here. Remember we play a long game, were Marathon runners not sprinters.
Heh, nutter bait works a treat every time Trev 🙂
Toffee puns now? Sweet!
More good news :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17447938
GT @ 153, warm 🙂
tabs @ 161, fair enough, that night the rose-tinted might of been in contact lense form (Ollie ;))
ollie@194, just a hard crackle…maybe they should hire woy again.
slips the ball forward along the left…
*ignores the ball*
Ball into the box
*dummies*
I thought your tweet meant you got the century win, but when I saw it was available, I wanted to create a little situation:
in this case, as Wind got the last touch, he should be credited with the goal.
However, he didn’t get number 200 :O
I’m sure it just touched your boot Ollie, oh look! The football has gone on the scoreboard next to your name, no complaining son 😛
Well in Thierry Ollie 😉
heh Wind. Cheers.
Knackered again today. And my landlord is massive cunt
Oh and good news indeed re:Fabrice
Evening Gents and Pseudo-Gents! 😉
I see alot of good drinking has been had today and our young boy Fabrice is continuing to improve! Super stuff! Ongoing prayers please!
GT @107,
I agree mate, a good versatile player that’s good on the ball, and with proven quality too! Cheap-as-chip at 10mill too! Perhaps Le Prof would then consider the option of playing three at the back as a further strategy on occasion?!
Ned @109, Trev @181,
Hee! Hee! Hee! Better keep that bib on then lads! 🙂
Wrt Fabrice’s treatment, he would almost certainly have had some sort of external cardiac-pacing initially with therapeutic hypothermia (cooled down to protect his vital organs especially the brain from the oxygen deprivation). Rather bizarrely, the cardiac out (pumping efficiency) of the heart at rest, especially in such a previously athletic individual, can still be quite good in HCM so once the electrical activity of the heart returns to normal, the heart can start beating alone once again. However, there is still a very high risk of an irregular heart rhythm recurring with a subsequent arrest again (especially upon exertion) so a trimming away some of the overgrown (hypertrophic) heart (called a myomectomy) or burning it away (called an ablation which is usually the best in HCM) would be essential and can produce great results. IMHO, he’s in the best country for all this (perhaps only the US being equatable) and I can see some real hope now which is wonderful news. Let’s all keep our prayers ongoing.
Lars @115, Tabs @131, Holloway @155,
My pleasure mates! 🙂
Mr C @118,124, Zico @120, Trev @143,
Hee! Hee! Hee!
You’d better all hurry, Dein jnr’s not averse to taking the more financially beneficial option over a footballing one and I’ve noticed some Arab and Italian looking-fellas stalking me lately! 😉
Catalan @121,
Hee! Hee! Sounds like an interesting discussion!
SG, “Suarez”, come on mate?! :-/ Unless you mean “Matias Suarez”, then yep, good call! Also agree with Gotze! I’d prefer him over Hazard as Hazard appears to be a rather promiscuous cunt! 🙂
Lars @125,
I agree mate, the lads’ll need to be on top form to get all 3 points!
Zico @132,
😀
Tabs, Snir, Wind,
Wrt Jack, he certainly played a blinded and carried Cesc in both matches but agree with Tabs, was the best midfielder but unfortunately didn’t dominate! Kind of unrealistic for a baby to do that against 2 of the best 5 players in the world! Jacky certainly would’ve slotted straight into their midfield with no bother whatsoever!
GT @153,
Top post mate! Hee! Hee! Hee! 😀
Haha, Marseille are 1-0 down after 38 minutes against….Quevilly in the Cup.
Probably won’t last to the end, but cool 😀
Mr C –
We are right up the wrong end of Shit Creek with no apparant means of propelling ourselves out again.
Have you heard this DanC chap talking ? Sounds like he could be a real doctor !
We simply have to get him elected to the DLL board – they’re rather fond of doctors, real or imagined on there – and as far away from The Quackery as possible.
Our cosy little recreational substance enhanced lives may never be the same again.
This fella clearly knows stuff and we certainly don’t want his sort anywhere near The Quackery.
I think he may even already have come up with an explanation for Wolfie’s bizarre gadding about in Speedoes and Jimmy Choos.
“Therapeutic hypothermia” I heard him say – what we thought was just Wolfie weirdness, was actually our Senior Nurse preventing his vital organs from overheating !
This chap could be useful, but we must act with caution, old boy.
By the way, I am in complete accord with your operating theatre attire of tweeds and cravat. I must seek your advice, however, on some less ungainly optical equipment than my current monocle.
I await your soonest,
Mr T.
Fixed that for you, Dr T
This fella knows stuff and we certainly don’t want his sort anywhere near the Boardroom
Heh, battle commences.
On the other hand, if neither of us want him anywhere near anything . . . .
Do we have a job for Carlos Kickemard . . ?
May I leave it in your capables ?
So-called Dr Feelgood,
That is my line, sir, and I would thank you to remember it.
Not the line, of course, but the fact that it is mine.
It has caused me more than enough grief in the past, and in my experience you would be better served by leaving well alone.
Oh, don’t mind me, I’m retired.
Professor Storey. He’ll know what to do.
*Takes a large fistful of happy pills and departs for Sainsbury’s*
Marseille truly are shit. They are lucky that Inter are equally abysmal, and that Borussia were going through a difficult patch during the group stage.
How the fuck did they qualify for the quarter-finals?
Still 1-0 down and more likely to concede than score at the moment.
(I’m probably jinxing Quevilly now)
Professor Storey wouldn’t know what to do if you stuck his dick in his hand and pointed it at a porcelain bowl.
Heh, Mr Hill-Wood,
Don’t even think DanC is from the ewe ess of ay.
H2H @163 heh 🙂 Hot toddys are the order of the day , easy on the lemon and hot water .
TS and Trev – Good sweet work ! 🙂
Wind @196 heh 🙂
Exquisite goal Ollie .
Harsha , is your landlord one Mr J Terry ?
Mr T @208 🙂 🙂 Oh the machinations of the Quackery .
Mr T @210 and Dr F @211 ,
At your service …
Ollie, Mr T, Dr F,
Hee! Hee! Hee! 😀
Always happy to consider consulting elsewhere! However, mint speedos, milk and cookies are a must – might just seal the deal! Have had enough of the Saville Row tweed and cravat ensembles as bonuses!
Bollocks, Marseille jammily equalise.
Dear Mr T ,
Whilst I have long advocated the health benefits of a tight pair of Speedoes , I do wish to assure you that the main reason for my choice of everyday swimwear is entirely due to their fashion credentials .
It is important to me that I am seen to be at all times “with it” . I take my fashionista responsibilities very seriously .
Yours Catwalkingly ,
Wolfgang Smallballs .
Milk and cookies ? The bounder’s a bloody septic !
I knew it – my instincts are never wrong !
Oh, I stand corrected Smallballs.
Mr C and I thought you just like showing your knob off 😉
DanC @218 , Another Speedo man ? Marvellous news . Welcome to the Nurses Union .
Please report to Nurse Abb . She insists on giving everybody the once over before joining our happy clan .
Now then – he said oxymoronically – who was I ?
I have to get some dinner.
WS @220 – 🙂
And what a very fine knob it is Mr T 🙂
Wolfie, PHW, Mr T,
Hee! Hee! Hee! 😀
You’re in the wrong saloon 😉
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Nurse Wolfie @223,
I’ll have to run it past Dein jnr of course, but seeing as he’s a bikini man, I dont foresee too many concerns!
I hope that Nurse Abb’s extremity tests aren’t too demanding?!
DanC’s 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..