Wigan, Win Chelsea Tickets At Gunners Gaming, And Blind Pew Revisited
Apr 15th, 2012 by 'holic
I doubt I am alone in considering the clubs that regularly appeared in the top flight in my formative years to be the ‘bigger’ clubs. That means to this old boy the likes of Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest will always be held in higher regard than Wigan Athletic. I first heard of them as a Northern Premier League side, and a decent one who lost by the only goal of an FA Cup tie to the Manchester City of Lee, Bell, and Summerbee in Arsenal’s first double season, 1970/71.
It was June 1978 when the Latics finally achieved their long-cherished Football League status at the expense of Southport. Four years on they were promoted to the old Third Division, but by the time Dave Whelan took them over in 1995 they were back in the bottom tier of the League, by now the Third Division as a result of the establishment of the Premier League. The new top flight looked a million miles away for a side drawing attendances of around 2500 in their old Springfield Road stadium.
I have to double-take that date. 1995. It took former Blackburn and Crewe player turned businessman, Whelan, just a decade to steer his club into the Premier League, where they have since remained. That first top-flight campaign saw them snatch a top half finish, and reach the League Cup Final at our expense. The purpose of this brief recap is to remind me that there is a generation out there for whom Wigan are a ‘bigger’ club now.
Although they may once again be engaged in a battle for top-flight survival they have won themselves a few admirers in the last couple of weeks. Roberto Martinez, who kick-started the footballing resurgence in Swansea, has them playing with some style. Only two hugely debatable decisions denied them the points at Stamford Bridge over Easter before they defeated Manchester United in their last outing. Indeed the reverse at Chelsea was their only defeat in their last six premiership outings, and as well as beating the champions-elect, they also won at Anfield against FA Cup finalists Liverpool.
Should we be worried about them on Monday night, no. Should we respect them and put our strongest side out with instructions to give a hundred percent. You bet we should. In fact I bet we should, and will. The ‘holic pound is based on us not gambling on the fitness of Kieran Gibbs if he is only fifty-fifty, assuming that Andre Santos is ready to start. The ‘holic pound is based on us going with Benayoun or the Ox ahead of Ramsey or the returning Gervinho on the left. The ‘holic pound is anticipating a nervous home win, 2-1. Eights and nines abound against that.
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What Is The Point Of Martin Atkinson?
Seriously. I know I have been chuckling and enjoying the result of the second FA Cup semi-final. The manner of it though raises questions. A week ago Martin Atkinson completely embarrassed the Football Association by saying that one of the officials had witnessed Mario Balotelli’s savage challenge on Alex Song at the Grove. I was astonished he was not relieved of his appointment at Wembley this weekend.
What on earth was he smoking at lunchtime to have concluded that Chelsea’s second goal against Tottenham had gone anywhere remotely close to crossing the line?
This man gets to play Darth Vadar, holding a magic wand as an additional goal-line official for the Champions League semi-final, Bayern Munich v Real Madrid, on Tuesday. Seriously, can we not take some action to withdraw the hallucinating incompetent before English football becomes even more of a laughing stock?
How can we continue to reward performances like his?
Still against technological help for referees?
367 Responses to “Wigan, Win Chelsea Tickets At Gunners Gaming, And Blind Pew Revisited”
First?
How did he get first?
Third !
Second?
It’s always pleasure to see Mug Mushers loose however, the REFERING so called standards in the England are way beyond normal lately. I have never seen so many bad decisions in a matter of days.
I know someone has posted a picture in teh previous post but this clearly shows the ball never crossed the line!
http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/4/11542/z11542794P,Polfinal-Pucharu-Anglii–Gol-duch-Juana-Maty-w-meczu.jpg
We would be fuming if this happened to us! Just have a think Spuds never deserved to win the game but I feel this may happen to us if it already hasn’t!
Forth and fith then
Wow, a first for me being first.
Anyways, I’ve been thinking about your last post re: goal line technology and I think I’m in agreement with the sentiment that they could probably review the play by the time all of the arguing is done on a questionable goal….what is another 30 seconds if they get it right?
Re: FA Cup, I just don’t see how these refs can see all of the angles with all of the players piled-up on the goal line….just reiterates your view and my previous paragraph.
Why is Fergie talking about the Arsenal/Wigan match-up? I found that quite odd…he is probably still steaming that they left the door open.
I really hope our boys are ready to play and don’t think the three points are in the bag given we are playing at home. Let’s get the three points and then focus on Chelsea. I really want to put the sword to them. COYR!
I’m beginning to take this personally ‘Holic.
Every time I get involved in ‘Evening drinks’, I immediately get done by a new post!
I’d already written a preview for you at the end of the last drinks – suppose I’d better go and read yours now.
Looks a bit longer than mine – probably a bit better too 😉
Are you OK ATG? The mugsmashers won yesterday…
Goodnight folks.
Available!
All very valid holic but don’t tell me you didn’t laugh a bit? I pissed my undercrackers.
Thanks Holic again for a well reasoned response. I too struggled with enjoying Tottenham’s loss, though the joy of defeating an enemy- even surrogately- is defined within the context of the game itself. As much as we pretend, refs simply awarding goals, cards, favors, unacknowledged mistakes willy-nilly undermines one’s passion for the game- whether victory or bitter defeat.
Thanks for your words Holic. A drink on me.
Gambletastic posting. Pints of plain all around please.
though = because. Caught between two minds with that sentence.
Played ‘holic – agree that our lot will be well up for it tomorrow night – why wouldn’t you be?
To wiping out a second “W” in a week!
UREDS!
The good thing about not having seen the game at all is that I can thoroughly enjoy the Spuds’ defeat while mostly ignoring who they actually lost to. I didn’t have to see the faces of those cunts from the Bus Stop.
Tottnum 1 Another Team 5.
Of course I laughed my bollocks off Steve, but if it happens to us and costs us third, or even fourth place this season, it will be a different kettle of something or another that you stick in kettles.
Trev, I shall do you the honour of going back to read your preview. 😉
An honour indeed ‘H, enjoy!
Ollie @ 8
I meant Spuds I got distracted 🙂 Ha ha
Don’t realy give a flying toss who wins the FA cup as long as it wouldn’t be those above.
It did cross the line.
That pic was not tampered with.
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/juan-mata-of-chelsea-scores-their-second-goal-during-the-fa-news-photo/142944001
Snir
It needs to cross with the full width of the ball on that picture it really doesn’t unless I don’t see it.
Anyway I’m still smiling and will be tomorrow at work too 🙂
Holic – not very cool to be sponsoring/ promoting
online pokie machines (videoslots). The first comp
is ok but these slot machines are designed
to lose 90% of the time and highly addictive if the
Australian example is anything to go by…
Hopefully 3/4 nil tomorrow night!
That pic is a) from an inconclusive and possibly misleading angle, b) in no way looks like the whole of the ball is over the line.
I’ll prefer the evidence of my own eyes and the 3d impressions shown after the game. No way could he award that goal.
Holic, Thanks for taking the time each weekend to write up your previews. We know you really enjoy doing it but it is still work. Time spent away from family. So thanks. As for Wigan, should be a great game. Di Santo is talented and one to watch. Now that second goal today; John Terry took down three men in the box and got away with it. I’m really in disbelief. Worrying, indeed.
Well, teknikally 6 days from wednesday last week – anyway!
UREDS!
ATG – I know the rules. 🙂
Holic – looking at that pic, you could understand why he gave it. Doesn’t look as far off as the TV replays.
Lars – 6 pens by Rooney.
RIght then. An early night, I feel.
I’m anticipating a busy day in The Quackery tomorrow. Have got a couple of beds put aside for Lars and Ollie.
I’ve arranged a special treat for them too; yoga lessons from our new chill out Zen master. Snir.
That goal/non-goal? A pox on both their houses.
Some sage words about complacency. Right now we need all of the commitment that we can muster. Martinez is a nice guy, and I have nothing against (indeed I like) Wigan, but crush ’em, please.
Atkinson’s decision was appalling, again. Let’s hope we don’t get him in any upcoming games; and I feel sorry for who ever is on the the loosing side of one of his decisions in the CL.
Felt sorry for Spurs, I have to say. What’s the worse of two evils here? And as much as I am reluctant to say it, Drogba’s goal was worth the tie; that was scary brutal, old Drogba. As much as I thought that we might be able to take them next week –what with their eye on Barcacheaters — we also have to be prepared for them.
By the way, is that Ollie from Tyndale/Holloway? It’s Pablo (Paul)
Nice preview ‘Holic, title got my hopes up about seeing us play Chelsea early on Saturday, the content dashed them right back down 🙂 I’ve got exams to focus on anyway, c’est la vie.
But I do agree with your 22, my first opinion of it was that it never crossed the line, Assou-Ekotto got the 2 footed block in and that’s what I’ll stick to. Decisions like that should be made in real time or as soon to real time as possible and in real time to me it looked like it was no way near the line, disgraceful decision, even if the LWCs were on the end of it.
And to compound this day, they were impeccable in observing the silence for Hillsborough, the Chavs’ fans showed their true scummy colours during that minute.
CG- busy day?!
Nah.
I’m anticipating a nice, comfy 3-0 win. 🙂
Wigan is on a run: 11 points from their last six games, and nine from their last four; but we’ve got 15 from our last six, and also nine from our last four. Should be a cracking game. They need a win to put daylight between them and the bottom three, so they probably won’t park the bus. Could well be a 4-2 to us.
Of course you are right. I was being a tad facetious. We all know that technology should have been introduced years ago. My spontaneous urinating I guess was at the demise of the Spuds, but with half a memory of how sympathetic they all were when van Der fart caught the ball at the shit hole before putting them one up.
Another must win game tomorrow night. I agree totally re the respect. Must say that I think if we play like we have recently then I am looking for another convincing win.
Bring it on. Anyone else going?
Nice work with the numbers NBN!
Thank you nurse. Our lives are made easier by the kindness of others 😉
You’re welcome Holic. Hoping for warmer weather in your neck of the woods as well.
Arsenal versus a team with Gary Caldwell at centre back and some are worried?
Behave.
Home win. Easy. 8)
Hopefully we will up for this, Wigan are not a bad side but have been toothless in fron of goal, let’s hope that continues tomorrow.
Must say I like the look of Moses, he will one of their main dangermen.
Agree with Holic, this is one we should win if we are focussed.
Incidentally I can’t say I got much pleasure from the Spurs result, I loathe Chelsea and all that they stand for, but also I just wish we were competing for silverware, I’d love to win an FA Cup again.
Thanks Zico.
You tell them!
Bonsoir holicamis.
Been so busy over the weekend that I missed the Miseryside derby and the Cunts v the other Cunts showdowns, so I’m in no position to comment.
I will however mention that even though I want us to kick the holy shit out of Wigan tomorrow, I’d like them to stay up at the end of the campaign. I have no real love or connection to their team, but I have to admit I have a soft spot for their manager.
No matter how bad things get (and they’ve been bad), no matter how bad his team have played (and they’ve been bad) and whatever shit comes his way, he always seems to be positive and have a good word for everyone. Even when his team was cheated beyond belief (against Chavs) he was still dignified.
He backs his team to the hilt and believes in their abilities (remind you of anyone?) and regardless of the opposition sends them out to play footy the right way (again, remind you…?)
So, for tomorrow night, the Latics must be put to the sword, but after that I wish them all the best.
Lars.
Thanks for the satelite/cable explaination.
I only have cable so I’ll have no problems.
H2H, Thanks for saying that about Wigan, agree with you word for word.
Zico, We missed you today!
Sure you all saw Frank Lampard’s interview on SkySports. He goes on the record to say the 2nd goal was indeed NOT a goal.
As AL would say, PSED,
Chelsea are the most classless bunch of oildriven, with ill gotten gains esembled, inflated sense of worth having, in two minutes of history living, bunch of cunttards that the world has ever known. They do however have one redeeming feature………….
They are not Sp**s.
abb, you’re welcome, glad I’m not the only one.
John Terry on ITV confirmed he thought he had cleared it before it crossed the line.
Move on.
It’s Tottenham 😉
G’night all.
Mind the gap…
From the beeb 2 days ago;
Despite their indifferent recent form, Spurs winger Gareth Bale is confident his team have sufficient quality to overcome Roberto Di Matteo’s side at Wembley.
“Chelsea are a great side and have done really well in the Champions League. It won’t be easy but if we are on our game on the day, then we can reach the final because I feel we have the better team,” the 22-year-old said.
They never learn, do they?
On the bright side for their gaffer, ‘Arry Potless showing a masterclass of how to lose at Wembley must almost guarentee him the England job.
A newish post and a long one. How will this affect my lifestyle?? Heavy rain in Minneapolis and I’m trying to barbecue in the unseasonably warm weather. What does this mean for Arsenal v. Wigan? That is the mystery of our times ….
Morning lads and ladies. Had a good one?
Hey CoR. The chicken on the barbie turned out OK despite the rain intervening. I have to warn you about the imminent threat in the HT League from the lurking Speedo Massive. There’s no telling when it may sprout up. Not good news. Not at all. 😉
I think it cross the line…there is a gap (to be minded) between the ball and the stripe 🙂
Hey 8ball! Speedo Massive and others are gaining momentum, we must get Martin Atkinson to trip them up somehow 😉
Btw, I keep trying to get that Shrek wanker out my team but it seems like he wants to part of a winning squad or something 🙁
Against technological support for referees? Not me. I’m not even against pharmaceutical support for their likes. 😉
Tim, I don’t think that is the gap he referred to (ha, ha). In other news, Ashley Young takes the cake by diving twice this week, the little twerp. And Fergie defending him. We are so lucky our club has values. Top people at AFC all the way round. Fans included. Nite everyone.
Martin Atkinson is hilarious. I never thought I’d find myself feeling sorry for Tottenham fans – and to be clear they were still well beaten…that Drogba finish, woof! – but I felt a bit bad for them today.
Here’s to hoping that we follow Super Tom’s warning and give Wigan the respect their recent form deserves. Can’t say I’m not a bit nervous.
COYG!
+1 arsabeatbarca.
Juan Mata running off to celebrate a non-goal was disgusting.
How lucky we are not to have these players without pride and sportsmanship, only playing the game for the money. We The Arsenal must maintain our class and recruit only those who will play the right way for the right reason (even Barca is not the team though they may be playing fantastic football).
Absolute no pain or regret seeing Cole, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, Nasri leave in reason years.
Robbie Fowler refusing a penalty was such a memorable gamesmanship so terribly missing in today’s football.
H2H @ 48: If you liked that quote you will like this comment I saw in the Daily Hail:
“At least the 5pur2 faithful observed a 15 minute silence towards the end of the game! by the way anybody know what they all did with their “please Arry stay’ placards?”
– John , Singapore, 16/4/2012 01:05
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2130148/Tottenham-1-Chelsea-5.html#ixzz1sAC6OVUE
Nice preview Holic. Of course the arguments will rage on about whether that ball crossed the line or not….and in this particular case not even goal-line technology might have helped…but as you said, Who Cares?
I would have been a lot more worried about Wigan if we had played them right after they played the Chavs. But united slipped on that particular banana skin..they won’t come to us with righteous indignation coursing through their veins, and more importantly, we will not be complacent knowing that anything less than a top, top performance and we will get tumbled.
Looking forward to Barca spanking the Blue Cunts before they come to us on Saturday….but one game at a time as Le Boss often advises..
I will be boycotting Goonerholic until AFTER the game tomorrow (later today U.K. Time)
A tout a’ l’heure..
GT, if boycotting the bar means we get a win against the feisty athleticos then I’ll pour you a Guinness and leave it on the counter till you return old soldier!
To the rest of you gooners still in here, can I have a pint of good cheer and brilliant banter?
I must admit I laughed a bit at 5pur2′ expense but it was a shocking decision to allow the goal. I wonder if they’re enjoying that “talking point”…I know I am 🙂
Kettles on – black with sugar?
Black with sugar?
How about Moroccan with Rizla?
Monday mornings are SO over-rated. 🙁
Two lumps in my moroccan please…but make it black and strong too – ta
Heh! I now to the stamina of you both!
H2H@40: you’re welcome!
If we stay focused tonight, we’ll win the game. That’s bascially all there is to it 🙂
Mr C @64
Is that Russ who treated me in Windsor 12 years ago – I dont believe it!
Heh!!!! I am unearthed! Reveal yourself, Cognac! 🙂
Actually, that didn’t sound quite right!
Clearly I revealed myself too much in the first place otherwise you wouldnt have relieved my twisted back
…. which allowed me to retire here later
@70
Praise be to Dennis! The Quackery has it’s first satisfied patient!
Nurse Wolfie – crack open the champers!
Carlos – you can stand down the Incident Containment Squad!
Lars, Ollie… report for your tranquilisers.
Lars, but a drink for Cognac on your way. 🙂
It’s drinking time on doctors orders?
Briliant, count me in.
Morning all. The sun is shining, Sp**s are shit and the mighty arse play this evening against a bunch of transvestites*, it could be a good day.
*Well, they all have a Wigan address. 😉
Morning All
Holic – Atkinson had a decent view of that ‘goal’ as well. As you say, the most worrying thing is that it makes a laughing stock of the national game. BUT, it’s Sp*rs so it made their collapse even more enjoyable.
…For you, my marsh dvelling friends, ze season is ohfer…
Dr.C – I am and remain a very satisfied patient of Dr.T so I believe that your prayers to Dennis are for your second satisfied patient.
Dr.z – I’ll join you and AL and shall fetch the golden pipes.
H2H @ #72
Boom! Boom!
Holic I have a spare ticket for tonight’s game.
If you know of anyone who wants to join me (it’s a freebie), can you let them have my email address.
Sir H2H – I order you to jump into your beer swimming pool.
That should do the trick…
*dives in head first*
@73
Mr T
Blimey – we’re on a roll! This could ruin our reputation, of course…
On behalf of the Feelgood Foundation,
Anyone treated by Drs C and T, considering lawsuits and citing malpractice, would be advised to forget it.
In the same way that Drs C and T will have forgotten ever seeing you in the first place.
Dr F …. I knew there was a reason you were in charge!
Or are you nowadays?
Was he ever? 😉
I don’t think tabs knows how popular he is on twitter.
Another ‘liar fucking fucking liar’ quote. :p
Dr Z, how are you for Norwich? Still on the lookout or sorted?
Still on the lookout Ollie – none available on TX this morning.
If I don’t get it resolved within the next 48 hours I may have to knock it on the head.
August will then seem a long way away from a session in the Tollington 😉
zico, have you tried @arsenaltickets on Twitter? If not, follow him because through him, tickets appear for more or less every game.
Dr Z, block 91 row 33 available right now. It’s a bit far back though.
It’s seat number 1 though, must be a collector..
If you want it though, I’ve just put it in my basket
If you reply in the next ver few minutes I can either release it once you’re logged in, or buy it for you.
Too many ‘thoughs’ what the fuck was I thinking?
I know Ollie’s seen it, but here’s JC’s goal at the weekend:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-joel-campbell-lorient-v-montpellier/
Does the video has the shocking miss from Alililililiadière’s lay-off ? 😉
-has
+have
I’m terrible today.
Hi Ollie – sorry had to disappear to “work”.
Do you still have the ticket, cause I can’t see anything on tx?
Lars, I will get on to that tonight.
West Upper,
Where is your ticket for tonight? I will tweet it if you have no takers yet…
yes I have it that’s why you can’t see it.
Stay on, I release in 1 minute (if I’m not timed out already).
E-mail me your number for quicker interaction maybe?
Got timed out, get in to have a look if you can.
Ollie – got it.
Thanks for the heads up.
Holic..
Block: 92
Holic still available…
Jossling for position at the far post
Puts in a cross…….
http://yfrog.com/mgpwozgj
Congratulations…..
Great assist West Upper and a hugely generous offer to the bar earlier, I thought.
Would love to be one of the guys you will no doubt have to beat off with a sh*tty stick but just can’t make it tonight. Cheers.
Great goal TS.
You have mail, Mr Upper…
…. To TS!!!
Nice cross West Upper
What a superb goal, TS!
Good stuff, Dr Z!
Cheers Hols & Dr.C.
Any excuse for a bit of LWC bashing.
… & Ollie.
Well in TS and 😆
Holic all sorted thanks for the help…
Ollie, is it true that Ashley Young won the prestigous Fallon D’Floor award at a gala event in Paris last night?
Great preview, thanks, holic.
Snir, hilarious as it is to see the Lily White Scum cheated, there is no way the ref/linesman should have given the goal because he can’t have been sure. And shouldn’t Mikel and Cech have been sent off as well? Seems like they just make up the rules as they go along, sometimes.
We’ve got to have technological assitance. I’d always rather have three points than a “talking point”.
No problem WU.
Now then ‘holics. Obviously I have banjaxed 2-1.
What will the real score be?
Three – zip.
RvP (2) and Walcott.
TS @100, An EPIC goal. 😀
Wigan like to play a bit, so that should be good for us. 3-0.
FunGunner, Cech should not have been sent off as he did not deny a goal-scoring opportunity.
But Mikel should have gone for kicking Scott Parker (if that is the situation you are referring to) in retaliation.
Lars – 6 Rooney pens this year.
Zico and I are on the exact same page.
Cheers 8 ball, glad you liked the link.
Holic, I want to say ‘big-nil’ but think your original shout of 2-1 is still more likely. Wigan are in great form at the moment and a real threat.
Another link, this time from the inimitable Mr.Santos:
https://twitter.com/#!/Andre_Santos27/status/191869838090706944/photo/1
Clearly, a diet of fish and chips and nicotine helps to improve a player’s sense of humour. Legend.
TS @ 100 – quality!
Lars @ 116 – Is it just my imagination, or is Mikel a snidey little shit-stirer? Memory may not serve, but when I saw the little girly love-tap he gave Parker I couldn’t help thinking he’s been at the centre of similarly surreptitious digs before.
Can you confirm or deny?
Stale Solbakken, fired by Cologne last week, tells @talkSPORT Lukas Podolski will ‘play in England next season’. Big hint. #AFC.
The closest non-confirmation, confirmation you can get
Afternoon All ,
Unfortunately I had to see my Doctor this morning . Ever since late evening yesterday , I’d been feeling a bit “funny” .
Anyway fortunately the Doc was able to diagnose pretty quickly , apparently I’ve got something called Compulsive Laughing Disorder (Laughmytitsoffatspursicus , to give it it’s full latin name ) . It’s pretty common apparently , especially at this time of year . He said I should be right as rain in about a month or so , but he said that I might face a few more minor outbreaks between now and the end of May .
If anybody else has faced the onset of this most strange affliction , the Doctor (a bit of an expert in this area of medicine , as he has been deluged) has prescribed that I must on no account come into contact with the following :-
1. Crying LWC children .
2. Calls for goal line technology .
3. People with a twitch .
4. Ape-boys .
I hope this is helpful for any fellow sufferers .
118 TS Heh again, you’re on a roll mate.
Santos really is one of the gays. 😉
Snir, I noted the Rooney penalty stats. Not as many as I thought but still four more than Robin in the league.
Camberwell: can’t say I have any memories of Mikel in similar situations before, which of course does not mean anything more than me not remembering it.
tabs: heh!
tabs, those first few lines had me worried there, glad to here it’s just a common ailment for this time of the year, it is highly contagous though.
Heh! @ H2H
One of the gays indeed. Someone else pointed out that it looks as if Mrs. Chamakh may have followed thru’. Seeing Squillaci sitting so close to Robin almost stopped me laughing 😉
We got the best pitch in the land;
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/04/smack-my-pitch-up/#comment-58146
Lars – Shall we just err on the side of caution and presume he’s a cunt?
Camberwell, that sounds like a good idea. Better safe than sorry 🙂
@ Lars
Yes, the Mikel kick was the incident I was thinking of.
Regarding Cech, I thought it was a clear goal scoring opportunity – was there a covering defender or something? (Can’t be bothered to watch it again, understandably.)
Cheers Lars , H2H . 😉
Just to pick up one thread from the last post , and I’m yet to do the back-drinking , But I have to say I’m firmly against goal line technology of any sort . That view was absolutely cemented by yesterday’s game . To think that had technology been used I would have been deprived of quite the most hilarious ninety minutes since the LWC’s last played .
And for those above who have a modicum of sympathy for the tiny totts – no sympathy , no tolerance , no compassion ever ever EVER .
Oh Dear , I think I’ve just set myself off again . The Doc said I’ll never really be free of it , it generally lasts a lifetime , but hey ho , I shall carry on bravely .
Right , off to do the back-drinking even though Doc specifically warned me against it .
NURSE !!!! Bring me my stabilising drugs and a DVD of Little and Large immediately . If that doesn’t stop me laughing , nothing will .
@ tabs
ha ha ha
@ 121
Be careful – one of the side effects of this well known disease is a large rip in your side(s).
I find that a glass or two of black liquid provides a certain anaesthetic quality.
Drink copiously.
Yours medicinally
Dr Feelgood
FunGunner@130: no, no covering defender but since the ball fell to Bale who had an empty net there was still a goal-scoring opportunity for the other team. It is the *team* that must be robbed of the opportunity for it to be a red card, not the player being fouled.
Fun gunner
He didn’t prevent anything – they scored! Weird loophole.
The funniest thing about the Mikel – Parker incident was the commentators saying “if the ref had seen that it would have been red”. But he DID see it as he booked him! Oh, wait, Atkinson…..
Credit Biggles with the correct response to a snidey lite kick. Better than the Argentinian one to Beckham.
@ Lars
Thanks for the clarification of the rule (didn’t realise it was “team” rather than “player”). So in a situation like this, if no Sp*rs player had been in a position to pick up the loose ball, Cech *would* have denied Spurs a clear gso?
@ 135Mr C
ha ha – yes. Weird. But kind of sensible. Which is weird.
I’ve just seen the highlights of the cunny derby and I have to say that is just some terrible officiating again, there’s no way he could see if the ball had crossed the line or not, even after a few replays I’m not sure one way or the other, how on earth can he give a goal he didn’t see?
On the 101 goals site there is a picture that claims that the ball is over the line, but again, I can’t really see it.
I did love this comment though;
Davewoodgate
its not fare it should have been a goal kick cos it want a goal and chelsea cheat again well win the league. COYS
Bless.
FunGunner@136: correct, if no other Sp*rs player had been there it would have been a penalty and a red card.
Tabs – On the money mate. Any team that contains the following:
– the lovechild of Tom Daley and Donkey Kong
– MoneyBuyWhore
…deserves no sympathy at all.
TABS @ 121… classic, hope you don’t recover too quickly…..
Above, of course, I meant 131 not 121 and therefore I assume so did West Upper.
Numbers? Slippery blighters.
Except I didn’t.
I need drink.
Fast.
The only numbers that count : Arsenal 3 Wigan 0
Cheers Fun .
Dr Z , always sage advice , thank you . Btw , congrats on the jam tarts win .
Snir @19 , now I’ve read some funny things in my time , but you saying the ball crossed the line must take the biscuit . When you say the ball “did cross the line” , are you referring to the line of the six yard box ? , in which case I might agree with you , but it’s bloody close 😉
Snir , please think of us Laughmytitsoffatspursicus sufferers before putting that sort of stuff up 🙂
H2H , agree with your praiseworthy assessment of Martinez . Dr Z , agree with your damning indictment of Caldwell . 3-0 to the Arse tonight .
TS – Heh at the pic and the century .
H2H @44 And Bang ! Right on the money .
Ollie @82 – The legend grows ! 🙂
Good to have you back and in good form, tabs.
Tonight? 1-1 I’m afraid.
Nice one tabs @121. I think everyone in the bar has caught it. Must be the chicken which was served on derby day, that kicked it all off
2-1 sounds about right to me ‘holic
Ollie feeling pessimistic, I see. Well, if we are not on our toes then we will drop points, there is no doubt about that. But I will be very, very disappointed if we do not win tonight. Just like v Wolves, it is up to us to make sure we do our bit and if we do, then Wigan will not have what it takes to come away with any points from this game.
About four and a half hours ’til kickoff, that means about two and a half hours ’til I have a delicious pint of beer in my hand. Mmm…
Why Ollie, WHHHHYYYYYYYYYY?
Are you really that nervous about Wigan?
Or are you just trying to play down expectations to safeguard from evential dissapointment?
Or are you just ´aving a larf?
A most excellent day to all ! Tabs, you had me worried at first…still do (laughing). Mr C @ 88 Gutsy goal indeed ! West Upper, very nice of you to think of fellow gooners. Ollie @ 87, didn’t notice it, THOUGH once you pointed it out, I did (yep, I’m a smart ass).
Can’t bring myself to predict the score or even a win.
Games against opposition like this always make me just as nervous as against stronger sides (in fact, in Oil Shitty’s case I was pretty confident from start to finish, but then when you’re up against 11 players only interested in building their Bentley collection and getting the newest Rolex…)
But then look at the FACTS.
1. QPR is a very recent reminder of what happens when you try and walk a game like that. It must be fresh in their minds.
2. Even more recently, the whole country has seen what Wigan are capable of.
3. Pound for pound, Arsenal have to be considered objectively better.
For these reasons, there is no excuse for not winning tonight – but that’s no guarantee.
I shall remain cautiously optimistic, no more.
…Forgot reason number 4. I’ve got a ticket for the game and I WON’T mention Arsenal’s record in games where I’ve attended.
That would be tempting fate.
The only better outcome than the LWC’s getting tonked at Wembley and conceding a phantom goal ?
Thanks to the great work of Arseur , Frugalbugle , we have the answer …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCOnxeWhQcc&feature=youtu.be
Cheers tabs @ #144. Good spot on Frugal’s work too.
Tabs, I didn’t have my glasses on so maybe that’s why I thought it was in 🙂
But I can see why he gave it according to that pic.
Much closer than what it seemed at first. Close enough to get that wrong.
The ref obviously didn´t have his glasses on either.
Had some food and a bit of kip on the sofa and now I am just about ready to head off to the pub. Here’s to the Arsenal!
Have a good’un Lars.
I’ll be knocking back my first pre match lager any moment now, I should have some left in the new tank. 😉
G’day all! tabs- nice little clip! H2H @138- whoa……
I say 4-2 Gunners tonight, gents. Robin will also score the most amazing goal he’s ever scored tonight me thinks.
As per Atkinson, h2h again said it right- you simply can’t call something you don’t see.
Anyways, off to get some work done before kick-off. Evening!
H2H 148, mostly the second option.
Especially after we’ve gloated a bit too much following yesterday’s cuntfest.
That lot’s defeat yesterday has no bearing on the infamous ‘gap’ lest we forget.
Anyway, off home, to chill out before the game.
Great news and great picture:
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7677766/Muamba-Goes-Home…
Ollie.
Sensible way to go, I’m usually the same, but I really believe we’ll do Wigan tonight, the way they play just falls perfectly into our style. They won’t park the bus, but come at us, it’s the Martinez way, and if we are fully focused we can take them apart.
===
Excellent news indeed.
Limbering up!
Psed – hats orf to Muamba
PPsed i’m in the H2H camp on this one – come on Ollie – stick yer chin – erm, sorry – chest awwwwt son!
MrC@88: dodgy first touch, but it broke well for him and can’t say a word against the finish.
Tabs@121: :), & again @131.
PiK@158: sounds plausible to me.
Ollie@160: It is indeed.
Song not nominated for Player of the Year. Parker is…. absurd.
Let’s get the statistics out shall we…??
To be balanced, Kaboul hasn’t been nominated either.
Ridiculous English bias.
Quite incredible indeed, Dr C.
Or rather, credible.
As someone pointed out on tweeter, players for these awards are nominated by players who are, mostly, idiots 😉
Dr C,
It must be because Song, unlike Parker, doesn’t have a ridiculous haircut…
Am I the only one who wouldn’t tire of punching Parker’s public-schoolboy face?
Even if you did tire, I’ll be waiting in the wings to take over. 😉
Tag team styleee
Heh, H2H
I’ll get the Bloody Marys in while you do…. 🙂
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Djourou, Santos, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Benayoun, Walcott, Van Persie (c).
Substitutes: Fabianski, Gibbs, Squillaci, Ramsey, Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh.
I predict a 1-0 win.
Mugabe communications lock down, starting no…
A Bloody Mary and a bloody LWC, good times.
Ollie do excuse my pre-match over-exuberance – of course whatever you choose to stick out, or not, in the cause of The Mighty Arse is entirely your business – and nothing to do with a virtual loud-mouth like meself…
Right – to other business…
Goonertel – absent without leave of his senses from bar for some 24hrs – known to be deeply ensconced in recently reclaimed ancient Goonah pre-match ritual – check!
H2H ensconced in around both bars – check!
And Tim presumed to still be ensconced the right side of the county line in the other Super-Cali – check!
CoMONuREDSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just ate some prawn crackers.
No, I’m not in Club Level! 😉
Well in with the prawns Ollie. Hope you get a game to match!
psed quite fancy RVP to p’raps emerge from recent relative slump (he’s only been very good lately – not superb) tonight…Go on RoooooooooooobbbiiiNNNNNN!!!!!
What joy! No Stewart Robson on Turkish TV tonight! Ray Parlour! Now I can enjoy the win! Inshallah as we say out here! Not taking anything for granted against a very respectable Wigan outfit.
I fancy Chamakh for a goal today, AL.
West Upper @ 75, what a guy. If I didn’t think I’d get a bollocking I would of taken you up on your very generous offer (I’m unable to watch the game today due to lack of TV/Laptop), imagine going from that to being at the Emirates cheering on the lads! (I wore this season’s Home Shirt underneath my suit today to college and all, don’t think a quick swap would of been a problem ;))
Great assist @ 99, and what a goal by TS for the Century, top quality 🙂
Good to have you back Mister tabs @ 121, and heh @ 131 😆
Looks like I’ll be following the game from the bar today until I can watch it tomorrow in full, hoping you’ll be on top form Cognac & Co 😉
Ok, time to start going home. Too young to pop into a pub and watch it there (fml), I’ll probably touch base at the 2nd half and see if I can catch the rest of the game, Arsenal Player tomorrow is the back-up 🙂
Enjoy it Bodrum 🙂
Good stuff, Bodrum.
Ollie’s bak!!!
I hated him with passion throughout his career, but Gary Neville is the best pundit I have EVER heard.
Absolutely brilliant.
On The Chamak Attak!
Heh, Song wasn’t ready when they started to walk out.
COYRRR’s
Stream anyone? Sopcast if possible…
http://www.lshunter.tv/streams/1/lshro1.html
For all the list
http://www.lshunter.tv/
Attacking the North Bank first.
Cunty Wigan captain.
Bad omen.
Come on Arsenal!
Cheers SG
works lovely….me not watching is the same as Squillaci as our centre forward
OOoooolooo Benny, nice try.
Fuck.
Double FUCK
sloppy as fuck….we’ve got a lot of work to do
It’s a cup-final NOW!!! Comon Arsenal!!!!!
Christ, what the fuck is going on!
TRIPLE FUCK, 2-0 down and Arteta gone
fucking wake up boys!!!
well, now. let’s see us come back. mental strength, lads!
It’s up to us to put this right now. First thing to go for now is a 2-2. After that we will see.
Get. It.
nicely done, dj shows some footspeed.
come on arsenal….don’t need 3 goals in 3 minutes…control things and settle it at the back….we’ll turn this round
No such thing as an easy game, eh, Zico?
Come on Arsenal.
BMBD.
first things first, keep wigan from playing keep-ball.
i am listening with the sound down. i hope the crowd at the grove are in full voice.
arrrsenal, arrrsenal fc…
fucking al-habsi. that’s two. great header by bennyjoon.
Benny on his nut again, nice save.
Wow. Bennys second header. We’re looking up for it.
two great saves already from Al-Haabsi
I expected Woj to do a lot better on the 2nd goal :/
crowd still believes…good to hear…get behind them
Fair play to the crowd.
Still behind the team, willing them on.
VERRRMY
GET THE FUCK IN!
that’s one! VERMS!!!
Here we go……
I called 4-2, let’s go!!!!!!!
Verminator!!!
Game on!
BMBD.
Great play ROOOOSICKY!!!!
what a lovely goal by TV….and the cross from (Rosicky?) excellent…..keep it up
excellent to the crowd, what a ball from rozza after a *great* turn broke the ankles of the defender. al-habsi didn’t move an inch.
7-3 to us
oooooh, bullet from van persie…
Heh would be some game for Djourou to get one.
JD nearly smashed that in….we look hungry
What a well-timed Wigan injury. Now, I’m not saying he is pretending, but I’ll at least pretend I think so, so that I can fume at it!
Fuck me, this is some game, it’s like watching a highlight show.
Spot on, H2H
Rosicky is playing like he’s 19 tonight
El Habsi is kicking like he is 91 tonight
*Al
it’s certainly juicy! let’s get another, then smash’em.
another corner. good movement by santos.
annnnnnd some brazilian flair comes to naught.
Heh, our left back is trying to bend them in with his right. Got a slight feeling he might be from South America?
a yellow for a tangle of legs…bollocks
of course moses will stay down until he finds a burning bush…or something….
This is ridiculous.
They’re worse time wasters than Newcastle!!!!
good effort from rozza…
snir, hopefully it will come to the same end as the newcastle game, too. 3 points to us.
let’s stop giving away stupid fouls then SG…we’re not up against Barcelona
Songy needs to get hold of things in the middle of the park –
agreed…it’s a bit fragmented at the moment….let’s have another before HT
I don’t know what santos is trying to do, he is all over th place
it better be +4 mins
fragmented because wigan is already playing up for time. we’re still up 60-40 in possession, and we’re making half chances. time to convert.
and i am REALLY getting tired of them kicking the ball away.
I agree SG.
And I really agree with you Tim, the solution really is for us to channel all this winning mentality into winning the ball back without fouling, since the ref clearly won’t help us with that.
Ramsey needs to start taking the ball forward a little. He needs to stop playing side ways all the time!
not a shocking half, but not a great one. take out that mistake of a header by sagna (that got stolen for their first) and it’s a good game, albeit sloppy.
Arteta’s importance to this side is crazy.
We keep giving the ball away in midfield.
Argh!
atg, agreed. we were on a break, he got the ball just shy of the defensive center circle, and held it up. silly…
snir, what happened to arteta? my stream died right around the time he was sitting on the sidelines, then next i could see ramsey was in.
Looks like Ollie might have been right all along! We may need Chamakh!!
2 goals and our best player of the last month down after 10 – it’s fair to say this is a bit of a test…CoMoNUreDS!
yeah,…30-45 seconds per foul and goal kick and we could only have 30 mins to turn this round….
I don’t think they can cope with our width, we need to exploit that more and I’d like to see RvP stop coming deep or wide for the ball…stay at the top and bang a few home captain. No time to look at the two conceded but the first was awful recovery from our corner to get back. I thought SCZ had his hands round the ball on the 2nd and it was shocking to see it go in. I think we need to move the ball quicker, Wigan do keep leaving men upfield, has to be half an hour for AOC to run them to death right?
tim, i keep thinking aoc in ramsey’s spot…but mr. wenger wouldn’t do that to aaron, i think.
SG
Not sure what happened to Arteta but he was on sidelines came on for a bit he hobbled when they scored from the counter then he was off
that’d be a tough message for Aaron…too true
Walcott looks static as well he has speed use it lad, will he ever learn to run at his defenders?
Scruz@257
I thought the same thing after having Ramsey on for 20 mins or so. I really want The Ox on at some point but at the moment I’d have Theo and Benny left on the field. Theo hasn’t had a great game yet but his moment will come, hopefully, he might only need one and Benny has been playing with real energy.
But as you said I have a hard time seeing Wenger doing that and I’m not even sure I want him to do it either. The boy is trying and he might well get into the game after the break. And who is to say the Ox will have a good game as an AM.
But, somewhere in my mind…
that cross from Rosicky was just magic…has to be said
Thanks Ollie and Wind. We’ll win cos we’re Arsenal! But, My God, Wigan deserve better than their placing in the league. They could also become my second team except I can’t/won’t have one! When I was 5 I liked Wolves – grown up since then!
Al Habsi seems to have caught a nasty case of the Kruls. I can’t blame him I suppose, frustrating as it is, it’s what away teams with an advantage do.
Nice game, a bit worrying how they cut us open so easily with a few passes while we seem to be hitting a wall when attacking.
I still think we can do them.
Come On You Reds.
I think Chamberlain could make the difference…
Tim
It certainly was the problem here is Rosicky is playing as if he was Ramsey’s age and he needs to try a lot harder.
toby, i’d like to see aoc, rozza, yossi, theo, and robin up front, with song held back. that’s some serious energy and movement, if they’re using it.
and tim, yes, tough, but maybe it’s time? he really does slow up our attack, though his work rate has been pretty good. and rozza’s cross was gorgeous, but the move that freed him up for it was even better!
Playing right behind rvp that is.
Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!
Come On Arsenal….time for an unexpected hero……
arrrrrsenal, arrrrsenal fc, we’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen….
I think Arteta got injured making a run down the left where he evaded a tackle and sent a left footed cross that got cleared away. I thought he could have gone down from that tackle for a second.
We can still do this. Oh snap we almost did narrow miss. COYG!
ohhhhh shit!! ping pong in the box
oh, god, how did we miss that?
boy, if they don’t have figueroa we don’t win the ball back much.
going through the back with a kick to the defender’s calf isn’t a yellow card, mr. marriner?
Super Sczez.
great save from moses? szcz… wow.
how are they getting so many open looks and we’re not? we playing too open?
another corner to us. come ON.
because they defend with 10 players scruz…
Awaiting a Lactic cock-up……
Way to easily cut apart again.
sure, but like szcz just saved again, they’re killing us on the break.
Apart from everything else he offers missing Kos driving forward with the ball from the middle of the park – something Arteta does too…Great game!
Come On The Arse!
come ON with the free kicks….
Flipper for Benny
gervs for benny. may be a good thing.
Song isn’t holding at all……rarely does when we need goals
clash of heads, sagna down, looked brutal.
sagna up, looks like disanto bleeding from the back of the head both up and disanto still getting treated on the sidelines.
santos, robin was open in the middle. you’ve *got* to make that pass…
Can Gerv make the required impact at this stage in the game?
Ramsey backheel exactly what we dont need. I really hope he ups his game…
it hard to notice wether Rasey is playing at all
Let’s run at Caldwell…he’s on a yellow and isn’t exactly a gentle defender
Please swap Ramsey for OX
Here comes the OX
Change in formation? Come on Ox we need a bit more penetration in the final 3rd..
Hope he goes BOOM. Like me
Dammit. Missed the goal!
Djourou off that is. Might well lose this 1-3 but I like us going for it.
All or nothing now.
COYGunners
exactly…lets just go for it
Mariner is a cunt
H2H.
I agree.
Also, whoever is the pundit on my stream is kind of a cunt as well. EVERY single free kick that Wigan wins he says that they are clever and playing well. How the fuck is that playing the good football constantly playing for fouls?
We’re going to get at least one, mark my words.
Too static
Flipper not having too much luck with his dribbling today.
IF I GET TO HEAR “[RANDOM WIGAN PLAYER] DID EVER SO WELL THERE” ONE MORE FUCKING TIME…
Heh, found a way to stop it. Turned the sound off!
Good thinking Toby.
COME ON YOU REDSSSS
back from a conference call. CRAP. five minutes stoppage time, please.
arrrrsenal, arrrrsenal FC…
fucking 30 seconds for a kick, properly given yellow, fuck off al-habsi.
I like Santos barging into a Wigan player, giving away a free kick but then at least running away 30 meters to get the ball back for the free kick to be taken quickly. That’s the attitude.
Oh, we got Fergie time! Let’s make it count.
credit to wigan, though, martinez has them well drilled and they play with an excellent touch.
So what is the fucking point of giving away one yellow for time wasting with 2 minutes left? Why not do it the first or perhaps at least the fifth time it happens so the FUCKING YELLOW MEANS SOMETHING.
except for sammon, he’s a bit of a block of wood.
well played wigan
fuck.
I am utterly gob-smacked.
Poor and unlucky (we were outnumbered on their first goal, ’cause Arteta broke down).
Regroup for Saturday.
Massive 6 pointer.
We just didn’t bring it in the second half, a missed opportunity to make third place a little safer. Shame, shame, shame.
Still, got to congratulate Wigan, they defended well and, to be brutaly honest, looked the team more likely to score in the second half.
Fair play Wigan. Ref a total
Can’t be giving teams two goal leads.
our weakness remains conceding too many goals….we need to cut that by at least 25% next season…..we’ve come back so many times this season but you can’t always expect it.
Apart from the time-wasting Wigan deserve credit…their midfield owned the 2nd half really….
Bad day at the office?
Well played, Wigan.
Evidently, we still have a lot to learn for next season…
BMBD.
Fucking negative play, conducted beautifully by the ref. fuckfuckfuck. Wigan are a solid team, but that type of shit is deeply annoying, especially with referee collusion.
Feel too much at the moment to talk about this.
I’ll leave with this:
We have played worse games. I’m far from satisfied but I don’t feel massively let down by the team at all. Just a bit let down. But mostly it was just an unlucky/bad start to the game.
Wigan do play some good football. But I would ask them to actually, you know, play football. I did go into this game having a little crush on them after the last few games, but at the moment I can see nothing but the fucking time wasting. I might take it a bit personally now, but I hope you lot go down. Not that I will feel that in a few days, and you probably won’t anyway, but at least for the next couple of hours I’ll hope for it.
And ref, you are wasting MY time.
we deserved nothing from this game. Wigan played their best game of the season they got everything spot on from defending to time wasting. took a long time to get going and Ramsey was simply pants. Arteta was missed big time tonight. 3rd is far from secured now. I can’t think of one player who had a good game.
We didn’t respect Wigan from the start of the game, clumsy play resulted in them going two nil up. We had possession as we always do but that did not help us one bit.
Too static and we seemed to have strolled in the second half where we SHOULD have been putting pressure all over the pitch.
TACTICS I would have taken useless Ramsey and Walcott off and kept Yossi Benayoun on he certainly gave me the impression he wanted it more than the two mentioned above. I’m sorry for going hard down on Ramsey and Walcott but they are professionally football players and I expect a bit of effort from both. Ramsey was non existent in the second half!
Looks like Ferguson is rubbing his fat red nose now!
And excuse me if I’m an unsympathetic ass for not believing just because Aaron worked his socks off
To come back front serious injury that he’s supposed to play 90 minutes every game regardless of form… Sheeesh.
Nah, have changed my mind already. Hope you lot stay up. I just remembered all the breaks you had when actually 4-5 players busted their gut to get involved.
I just hope I don’t have to see Al Habsi between the posts next season.
sorry Toby, a team that is fighting to stay in the league will do everything to win. Time wasting I have no problem with that its part of the game. we had 90 minutes to score 3 goals and we didn’t. they did everthing right and we didn’t
Two goals given away – we had plenty of time to win the game.
2nd half we did not do enough I’m afraid. And not enough craft to get through a packed defence.
Very disappointing.
I’m off to self-harm.
Wengers Coat.
I agree with you on the time wasting, if it was us in their position we would be congratulating our players for being smart.
Wenger’s Coat. I’ll not agree with you on that. To start phasing in some time wasting with ten minutes to go, fair enough, but to start 20 minutes into the game. I’ll not stand for it. Never will. And it is up to the referee to make sure it doesn’t happen. The might pass the ball around in the back line all day if they want and force us to come out and try to win it back deep inside of their half or near our corner flag. That’s negative tactics, that I might understand being 2-0 up away from home. That is fine by me. We have no god given right to play our way.
But to time and time again take more than the allowed time to restart the game is cheating. And I do not respect any teams right to do it, because there is none. The ref MUST make that clear. Then after play is resumed, as I said, be my guest, pass it between the centre backs if you like.
And yes, I still agree that this is down to ourselves. That’s not what I’m getting at. Of course I am reacting more expansively knowing that the time wasting payed off in amongst some great football from Wigan. Had we wouldn’t talk as much about it. That I know. But for me it is still two things in my head: I’m fuming at the fact that teams are allowed to time waste with the ball out of play and I’m disappointed that we didn’t win. Two different things and I’ll be damned if I can’t feel them both without saying that one is depending on the other.
Another Man of the Match performance by Aaron Ramsey. He broke up play all game for Wigan. Our midfielders Song & Rosicky were no match for the Welsh captain. Between Rambo’s interventions and Al Habsi’s shameless time-wasting ..it was a bridge too far for the Gunners to overcome. Here’s to hoping that Arteta has a quick recovery. The Arsenal line-up we viewed for most of the match will struggle against Chelsea (despite the midweek test vs Barcelona). Disappointing day of football. COYG!
‘Time wasting I have no problem with that its part of the game’
I have a problem with it when it lasts almost the whole game. And I mean that as a general point, not in relation to tonight.
Wow. Shows how much Arteta matters to the team.
Well that’s a bummer. Got confused by the time (fuck daylight savings) so missed the entire first-half…that AND no Arteta! We didn’t stand a chance. What a disaster..)0;
To clarify:
Time wasting is one thing. Slow down the tempo of the game is alright. Playing defensively is alright. Using backwards passing is alright. Going to the corner flag in the first minute, sure, it’s within the laws of the game.
Not dropping the ball after being one of the two only people on the pitch that is allowed to handle the ball and getting play restarted when a couple of million people are watching you? Not doing it within the laws of the game? That I’ll allow myself to be angry about.
Sloppy, sloppy goals we conceded. Poor game Song for his usual standards. He pushed too far forward on the cornercick that led to Wigan’s first when Arteta was clearly struggling with his injury.
Ramsey was worse than his mediocre performances lately. We needed more penetration after going behind but he was playing sideways too often, passing was also slow. Surely he has to take more chances on the ball, especially when he plays in a more advanced role than Song.
Sagna also had a bad night against Moses defensively, although offensively he contributed decently.
The Ox showed exactly what we were missing with his fast and direct game, even though it did not always came off.
RVP I think had a reserved game for his high standards. Had 3 defenders constantly eyeing him but he did not test the goalie enough apart from 1 stinging shot in the first half. His overall play was great as usual but when he had a shooting chance he seemed hesitant to take it for some reason.
Questions to be answered ahead of Saturday. Fingers crossed Arteta will be ready for Chelsea but AW will have big decisions to make if he isn’t. Play Ramsey when it seems he is incapable of covering defensively when Song goes forward? Risk Diaby? I hope The Ox gets a chance to prove his mettle yet again, and I think the Chelsea game might well suit him as a pacy midfielder.
Big 3 points dropped at home tonight. Saturday will now prove even more important and decisive than ever.
holloway, I agree they were smarter than us tonight and the result proves it. first half we could have got 2 possibly 3 goals, at time we were all over them but Wigan did their best to slow the game down, time wasting most of the time. they knew if we get the 2nd before half time then they would lose. Credit to them. second half we did not turn up at all.
H2H @ 335: No problem with Wigan choosing to waste time from the fifteenth minute. However it is the job of the referee to ensure that doesn’t happen, and there should have been a hello card or two at the beginning when this started. That would have put an end to that. Also, not even a single 50-50 challenge decision went Arsenal’s way. The foul on Theo not given was a strange decision too.
In the second half instead of replacing Yossi — who was playing with more purpose and skill — to bring on Gervinho, Ramsey should have been off, Yossi playing centrally and Gervinho to the right as Theo couldn’t dribble past Beausojour.
Other than Rosicky — who may not have the most creative game but was hurrying and pressing until the end — and maybe to some extent Vermaelen & Ox this was a poor performance from everyone. Predictable and yet inconsistent, especially in midfield. Arteta was missed. Sagna had a horrid time against Moses, Song is just tired by now and making too many mistakes, and Ramsey and Theo didn’t show even a hint of creativity.
I hope we do get a creative attacking midfield player for the next season, someone who can dribble past players and has wide range of passing, and not just hope Jack will fully recover and/or some combination of Rosicky-Arteta-Ox will carry us through for the entirety of the season. Ramsey, at this point if time, is not ready for that role.
toby- we agree to disagree but Wigan did what they had to do to win and we did not. its as simple as that. I can’t complain. you have to outsmart the opposition and beat them, we did not and its our fault. giving 2 gals away in 10 minutes has nothing to do with wigan’s time wasting. we put ourselves in that situation and we had to deal with it. Djourou , Santos and Ramsey were awful in fact the whole team was. I can’t think of 1 player who had a good game
Meant an yellow card, of course…auto-spell corrector on FF 🙂
I definitely can agree to disagree WC! I hope you don’t take my temper as directed towards you. They played the perfect game, we played a game that isn’t to described with any word nearly close to perfect. For me, their redeeming quality was that they didn’t really time waste except for holding on to the ball when we had free kicks and when their keeper was to kick the ball out. When they had the ball they went for it. They did really well. But I will say again that I won’t stand for not kicking the ball out in the allotted time, especially when it happens every single kick and they all take over double to time allowed. That is cheating and it’s up to the ref to make that clear with a yellow when it has happened a few times. Now, he didn’t do that, but I’ll continue to be slightly miffed that they did choose an illegal way of time wasting. That’s not blaming them or the ref for the loss, it’s down to us to win regardless, but what would football be if you couldn’t be a tad annoyed with the opposition when they do something that is now allowed?
My sentences are a bit strange at the moment. It’s not just due to frustration but also due to my autocorrect stealing a word here and there.
Koscielny was really missed. First goal would have happened anyway as he would be lurking around in the opposition near post. The second goal most likely would not as he generally intercepts balls at that area and does a brilliant job covering for Sagna.
Equally importantly he would have provided some more impetus in bringing the ball out from the defense into attack.
The first goal was really inept to concede. As Arteta was out of the field Song or Djorou should have stayed back and Santos should have been more conservative and spot DiSanto’s run.
That was so so very frustrating. I am speechless with anger at the stupidity displayed at multiple levels of our club. Throwing away the game and the half-salvaged season!
Easy bg, that’s too much despair packed in a sentence, this season is FAR from over and we are still third and deservedly so. Don’t jump off the cliff for a game we were never guaranteed to take 3 points from. I do agree though that it was very very frustrating not to score 2 and 3. But the first half was blistering!
@NBN 338- quite amazing, eh?
Been out this evening. Caught a couple of minutes of 5Live on the way home. Bollocks. Can’t be bothered to look at any reports and too knackered to back drink.
I hear that the shower from the nasty end of the Seven Sisters Road(tm) are now nailed on for Champions League football while the mighty Arse will do well to avoid relegation.
I guess these points have already been made, but clearly we need to recall Bendtner, Denilson and Vela from their loans in a desperate attempt to recover something from the ashes of our season. We must also get rid of Wenger and replace him with O’Neill who’s the only manager who can get performances out of TGSWEL.
Perhaps we could put in a cheeky bid over the summer to get Pennant back?
Steady as she goes? Stuff that!
Oh yes, and tie up Bevin quick quick before a real big club gets him.
We really DID lack Bevin out there today.
It’s obvious Bevin would have unpicked that Wigan defence – the game was crying out for him.
Still going to self-harm. So far, I have had no success with a butter knife.
Bevin = legend. FACT.
Even self-harm is easier with Bevin. He’s good with his left, his right, does well with his head, and is a master with the butter knife. But that’s just coming from a youtube-compilation I’ve seen.
toby. i’m really annoyed with all the antics that went on as well , but i have to give them credit for doing whatever they can to win. i thought we played too narrow down the middle lots of small passes in a congested area in front of goal then we lsoe the ball. I’ve seen us doing this so many times, it is the Arsenal way.
there are only 2 players who are willing to shoot from outside the box and that is arteta and Yossi both players played different football at other clubs. Our policy at Arsenal is one pass too many, yes it can be great and effective but against an organised team it is very difficult. A long range shot would lead to defelections or simply bounce of a player and fall in dangerous area. Against city I was screaming for a shot from outside the box and If i’m not Arteta’s shot was the only one from outside and it went in.
Sunderland have scored lots of goals with long range shots that is Oneal’s policy “shoot on site” we need to vary our game a little.
Just a thought…and in no way does this underestimate Wigan…but surely some rotation would/could have helped tonight. Surely at some point Walcott/RvP/Song/Arteta/Rosicky need one match off (have em on the bench)
Although the match didn’t prove AOC or Flipper would have turned things upside down had they played 90 you can’t help but wonder. Early in the match the commentator noted it was Arsenal’s 50th game of the season and Wigan’s 36th (I think)…perhaps that fact as much as anything was an issue? We have a deep squad but do we rotate enough?
Fair comment, Bevin may have made all the difference…for my part might have been too too easily led by Dr. Zee and H2H. Well!!!, at least one of them has invested heavily in a bar – so who wouldn’t be?!?
Sell farm?!? How much!?
It’s for that reason we should sign Bevin, WC.
His middle name is “Gamevariér”
Nah, but I do agree with you. But mostly it’s when the chips are down we must do it. I thought we started with quite a varied game today, and I’d like to add Vermaelen to the list of people that shoots from outside the box, and also Van Persie that doesn’t mind having a pop with his left if it opens up.
But during the second half we rushed the ball up the field and went for the killer pass time and time again at the first sign of defenders, which meant that many a try was made through two lines of defenders instead of one or nil if we had gone more for switching flanks quickly. I do agree that we did seem bereft of ideas and a bit too hasty and we felt less likely to score as the game went on instead of the other way around.
That we have to work on. Preferably with Bevin in the squad.
Bevin for manager! And captain.
the Ox should have started on the left, he loves runing down the flanks and stretch defences, it did not happen a lot and wigan had an easy task of simply crowding in front of goal they did no worry about any threats coming from the the flanks at all. even Santos keeps cutting inside time after time, Gibbs would normally run towards the corner area and cross the ball. those aerial balls are hard to deal with but sadly we did not put enough of them in the box
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Behave yourselves!
i s’pose the Wear-me-fukkin-out Wolves will be appearing later on tonight with their “see, i told yer we were gonna lose again at some point in the future – Wanger Out Now” etcetras
nevermind
Evening ‘holic & ‘holics;
and sadly not a good one to return from my hols on!
I’ve greatly enjoyed the distant monitoring of our beloved side’s continued resurgence this season (and the faltering of our rivals) from across the pond over the past few weeks away but sadly, once again, another spanner hits our delighful works! Frustrating! There certainly are no easy games in the EPL!
Pitched up at Heathrow just before kick-off and by the time got through my front door, we’re 2 down! Strange stuff!
After freeing one’s self from the inevitable checks that one must undertake after returning to one’s abode, sat down to catch the halftime highlights on Sky. From my opinion, both Wigan goals were somewhat unfortunate I’m afraid with individual errors, as usual, to blame! However, as evident many times this season, I still felt that the three points were not destined to be lost. However, Wigan are a much better side now than their league position reflects! Much admiration and respect has to be given to them for their quick counter-attacking play (a perrenial Achilles Heel of our beloved Arsenal side) and their concerted work-ethic off the ball! Time-wasting and gamesmanship certainly in much evidence but don’t think we can begrudge the latics their result! I for one have always hoped that they would stay up at the cost of Wolves, QPR and Blackburn! If we’ve helped them in that regard, I think we have, then I’ll take this loss with a pinch of salt, even if it brings up double-figures in losses for the season! Furthermore, Martinez comes across as a gent and good all-round egg!
With all that said, the boys did not assist themselves tonight and contributed greatly to their own impotentence upfront in chasing the deficit!
Arteta’s injury was the first disaster! The first goal would never have resulted if he was off the pitch or was fully fit to continue (he, and consequently Benny, was caught out of position)! Subsequent to this, the shape and cutting edge of the midfield was lost by 50% with his substitution and the intro of young Aaron (who sadly was never going to be creative and productive in a game like this playing in the middle of the park. AOC, as against Milan, would have been a better bet to assist TR7 with the creative central midfield role, and his quickness of movement and play would have complimented Rosicky more and made up the lost 50%! Alternatively, moving Benny there and bringing on Gerv or AOC was another viable option as he has the same burst of quickness and imagination!
Once Arteta went off and Ramsey came on, the central midfield became too predictable! Arsene probably should’ve kept Benny on and subbed AOC for Aaron instead (but since he came on as a sub in the first instance, morale wise, that would have further damaged the poor lad’s already fragile confidence – subbing a sub; never good for one’s confidence)!
With all of this said, 3rd place is still in our own hands so let’s pick ourselves up, brush-off the debris and get ready for the geriatrics at Fulham Bus-Stop then the rugby team at the Britannia! 4 or 6 points from these two then we’re back on track! Certainly hope that Arteta’s injury’s not as bad as it looked, and is just a simple sprain, because as many have already said in this thread and before, he’s now the fulcrum of this side and sets our tempo!
On another positive, at least Kos’ll be back with Gibbs to shore up the backline to full strength against the cuntiest of cunts in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, and I actually hope that Barcelona ends all this Di-Matteo loving that I’ve come back too! Wanker! Please Bayern, win the CL for all of us that like to see football clubs administered and playing in the right way! Please also Arsene, put more creative directness, akin to what TR7 brings, within the middle of the field to supply the PFA Player of the Year-elect, so he can do what does best – “score when he wants”!
COYBG!
@Oxon & Catalan from 3 posts ago i think (about to partake in a back-drinking marathon soon! 🙂 ),
I attended St Peters College as a Postgrad in 1998 when I was reading for my D.Phil! I was going to read Medicine as an Undergrad at Oxford but being a man of the people, opted for Edinburgh Medical School instead to further my love of Golf, and Scottish women – class of 91! Great times! 😉 Are you both OxBridge alumni too? “Elitist snobs” he mutters under his breath as he removes his tweed jacket, cravat and woollen trousers revealing a lovely pair of green Speedos with the “Masters” logo embroidered on the anterior! Very nice, the management comments, I wondered where you had put those! 😉