Is It Time To Let The Ox Loose?
May 31st, 2012 by 'holic
A week away from the start of Euro 2012, and England have suffered the second injury setback of the week. Normally not a subject that would hold much interest for me these days, but I cannot help but think that the loss of Frank Lampard creates quite an opportunity for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Now before you start, I agree wholeheartedly that raising the bar of expectation for a teenager with just half a dozen Premiership starts is not really in the best interests of the player. You cannot ignore the fact though that the England midfield, not exactly overflowing with true world class when the squad was announced, now looks paper thin.
I would imagine that Steve Gerrard and Scott Parker would now be the partnership of choice for the tournament. Neither is likely to retain full fitness and sharpness for the duration of the tournament should England survive the opening group phase of three games in eight days. The alternatives are not that attractive. Newly called-up Jordan Henderson? Defender come utility player Phil Jones?
Although the Arsenal supporter in me wants the Ox to be spared the likely scrutiny, if I were in Roy Hodgson’s shoes I might well conclude that the player most equipped to replace Lampard’s goals from midfield would be the young Gunner. The question about whether or not he could compete at the highest level in the middle of the park has already been partially answered.
Whatever lies in store for England, let’s hope the tournament provides rich experience for Alex, and Theo Walcott of course. We can only benefit if they do get a chance to perform at a major tournament and return home in one piece.
A Short Break
I’m off to attempt more brain-washing of the grand’holics this weekend so may well be taking a break from blogging until Tuesday. I hope those of you also enjoying a holiday have a great time. For those who are working as normal, could you please do a little bit more than usual. The world’s faltering economies need you to get stuck in…and I would quite like to have a pension to draw in a decade or so.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
345 Responses to “Is It Time To Let The Ox Loose?”
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First!
2nd…….
OMG i need to go for a lie down now!
Wonder if I can find a way to disallow Lars 1st?
(Thinks hard, looks a size of bar tab)
Lars, my heartfelt congratulations,
just dont take your shirt off to celebrate (my yellow card is getting withdrawl symptoms from lack of use)
I don’t believe it ! You got me again ‘Holic.
Was just writing ‘drink 270′ while you were changing the main post.
Don’t know how to copy it in here but will have a go.
Better read this one now then.
Yes, sir, I would let him loose for England and Arsenal.
TS @189 – heh
abb – @237, thank you for yet more kind words.
GTerry – @239
of course we’re buddies, even my original bit of feistiness was only ever meant in fun. I thought it was so out of character that it would be obvious.
Sorry abb, I know you have this weird blood-lust thing when it comes to tales about Arsenal supporters, but there won’t be any fights in this corner of the bar. GoonerTerry is too much of a coward for that
Blimey, I did it! @6 all refers to previous drinks.
Alex Oxloose-Chamberlain – has a good ring to it
Hey for multiple reasons Holic! I believe I’ve made my views about the Ox perfectly clear by now. Start him, let him play the first half of every game. His maturity belies his tender age. Theo, too. Give him some confidence, with Ox playing along side him. Brain-washing a particular Wolves fan sounds like a working holiday, but good luck! Here’s to you and the Management having a relaxing, well-deserved break. Cheers!
The lack of quality in general in the England squad is frightening TBH. I would play AOC behind Biffa bacon at least until Rooney returns, with Theo on one wing and Jacques Cousteau on the other.
If Roy plays Terry then we have even less hope of winning a game, never mind qualifying from the group.
I do like Roy, he is the best suited and qualified candidate and has excellent experience, which cannot be said of the media darling Twitchy.
Oh Trev…how you make me laugh. How about you and Terry sharing hosting duties at the bar while Holic is on vacay. Lars can be in charge of refreshments.
If The Ox plays, it will at least beef up the midfield a little. Will Roy start him or will he consider the steaks a little too high.
If a gap appears in the midfield he will have to fillet quickly and with skill, not just like some chump chopping down opposition players in dangerous areas.
It will be good to see him in an England jersey, although it may need to be a thick one as the Ukrainian air can still be fresian cold at this time of year.
With a fit, sharp Ox on the pitch, the cattle certainly be amongst those French pigeons.
2 – 0 to England ? It’s like moosic to your ears
If the Ox dont play we are burgered Trev.
This is certainly the joint to be seen in tonight.
Trev’s puns make a meat-eoric rise to a whole new level…
way to milk it, trev.
A big heh to capt punstastic himself. If England are under the cosh then the Ox to hoof it out of defence. I know, you’ve herd it before.☺
“GoonerTerry is too much of a coward for that”
That’s going straight into my little boon my friend
if the ox plays, i am sure he’ll show he’s no coward. roy might take some ribbing…i am sure he cud ruminate on it for a bit.
No bones about it, the England team is in hot water. So far only 3000 tickets have been gobbled up for each group stage game. Big misteak to have 5 Liverpool players on the squad. No need to stew about it or bust your chops, support the OX!
Nurse: My mind is all a-buzzing with thoughts of “tool-belts” as a sexual aide..
oooh, i missed that one…trev started punning @6, not @12!
i have been wondering about the lawnmower myself, gt. get’s ‘em all hot, sweaty, perhaps oiled, and leaves the perfect surface behind for, well, behinds…
Nice Ox-tales all round – even Nurse Abb joining the punsters
You guys are killing me! I’m no heifer or chopped liver. Nick is just full of bull(oney). Tis an Italion and French thing. I think I’ll buy a wood chipper.
You know what? I am not going to hold a grudge against my mate Trev – just as long as he keeps me smiling. I can’t believe I mistook him for a miserable bar-steward at first…
Holic, I wish you happy, and effective, brainwashing of the grandkids. As I recall, one of them was a Wolves fan and I believe it should already be on your mind to remind that one that Wolves were relegated this season and it is time to pick a team to follow in the Premier League (hint, hint, hint!)
If it is anybody’s time to break through in a major international tournament I should think it would be young Feo’s time. Come on Feo!!
Just dawned on me. If Ox inspires us all the way to the final, we are sure to be at least the silverside…
Sorry, I’ll get my coat
Heh, enjoy your break ‘H.
Leaving us to it on FFF – brave man!
I can trust you lot, I’m sure…
We could even end up the topside. Just as long as we don’t hoof it or use too many of the udder scousers. Then he can milk it for all its worth. That just leaves the likes of Nasri mincing down the wing.
You be careful up there Holic. You stay there for too long and they will be offering you the Wolves job.
Steve T @ 32 I like this udder side of you. Ducks under the bar…
abb, are you changing the theme? or are you just quackers?
Hey Scruzgooner. Animal quackers. Bummed out about Gigi Buffon’s legal troubles re betting. Say it ain’t so.
If they play the Ox will they try and tail him???????????????
Ok Steve, I read that one out loud, as in oxtail. Very good!
Oxtail soup and a hearty red wine please barman. Large bowl and large glass of both, if you will good man.
8ball, I’ll steer clear of the soup, but a beefy red, sounds delightful. So moo over.
What’s this call to do work Holic? Did my boss put you up to it?
Anyway, when Alex scores can we sing: “Moo let the Ox out?”
Abb, I’ll let you have a taste of my soup if you like.
Is Patrick Burger still playing??????
Abb, don’t drink 8ball’s soup, you’re just oxen for trouble
“Hay’ Fellas! Good one Cor. Being a vegan 8ball, I politely decline. Hot dog Steve, your’re on fire.
Seriously though, England’s team not too shabby. Ox, Theo, Hart, Baines and Cole. Lots of positives there. So crack open that bottle of bubbly 8ball and drink up fellas. Nite all.
Still looping on the previous post: Song (and Koscielny) were our best players after Robin this season, and by far I might add. Rosicky and Arteta are not in the same league. I’ve read that some disagree but I believe it’s mostly because a player is seen as being as good as his last few games and Song did fade quite a bit in the last part of the season. Song has been exceptional as our DM in many games and got more assists than anyone else, twice as many as Paddy in his best days. Were he playing next to a Gilberto or Petit he would have been simply imperial as a box-to-box midfielder. Unfortunately for him (and for us) the 2 other players that would have given him more freedom and more defensive support haven’t been available all season and for all his artistry Arteta doesn’t have defensive skills that match LJW’s or Diaby’s.
As for his inconsistency I don’t believe he’s been less consistent than Petit, Flamini, Gilberto or Paddy. The main difference is that those could rely on the other defensively-minded midfielder thanks to our 442 at the time so a bad day at the office was less consequential than it has been this year for Song considering how much less he’s been helped in his defensive duties. As many have said we need to defend as a unit because in too many cases the unit was limited to the back 5 and it’s much easier to spot Song not breaking up an attack than someone else not in position to help.
His number 2 spot is very well deserved in my view and fingers crossed, with Diaby, LJW back and Coq fighting for a spot to shoulder him we’ll see a monster Song unleash his potential next season (and he’s got loads of it). Of all our players it’s him I really want tied to a long-term contract. Arsenal should do it know because next year every big club will be after him and we’ll be outpriced again.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7789633/Capital-One-Take-Over-As-League-Cup-Sponsor
No more Beer Cup, it’s the Capital One Cup(COC?). No idea what they sell.
Matt: “and for all his artistry Arteta doesn’t have defensive skills that match LJW’s or Diaby’s”
I don’t agree here. We played ten league games without Arteta, also counting the Wigan home game where he was injured after just a couple of minutes.
In those ten games, we conceded 23 goals.
In the 28 games he played, we conceded 26.
Also, in the ten games he didn’t play, we only scored 13 goals.
In the 28 he did play, we scored 61, which on average is almost one more goal per game than without him.
This is why Arteta is second only to Robin on my list. He provided the platform for the rest of the team to work from. Yes, we played cup games without him and lost to Milan away with him but the Milan game was a collective mega-failure and the only cup game we won without him was Milan at home. In the CL group stage he played five games of which we won three and drew two, conceding three goals and scoring six.
PLayer of the season: Squillaci.
I think RvP is off then.
Matt @ 47
Couldn’t agree more re the potential of Song.
Losing a 29 year old with a history of injury problems, even one as fantastic as the skipper, will always be a bearable blow.
Losing a 24 year old who should hit top form in the next two or three years and who has already served notice that he can boss the midfield in big games? That’s EXACTLY the kind of thing we need to avoid.
When Cesc and Le Cunt went last summer Arsene made it clear that his greatest sadness was that, for all the time and effort spent in developing these players, Arsenal would not get to benefit from watching them hit their peaks. He was spot on.
If we can hang onto Song (and I suspect that signing a decent def mid this summer may be key to that effort) then he is a player capable of powering us to a trophy. He would not be the first to only start to find consistency in his mid 20s.
I think the two spot is a little high for him based on this season’s efforts, but in terms of potential I have him second only to LJW.
Lars: Interesting but we lost the exact same percentage of games without Arteta or without Song (21%), noting that Arteta wasn’t playing during the disastrous August start of our makeshift team and some big games, games with makeshift full backs or cup games.
At the same time while playing in a deeper position Song got 11 assists and 1 goal vs 2 assists and 6 goals.
Certainly I did not mean to belittle Arteta who has had a very good season but he’s not the one we’re going to pair LJW with next season if the lad comes back full throttle. Nonetheless an excellent transition player while the youngster develop. 4th on my list behind Kos and Song.
Song being only 24 has still a few years of progression ahead of him, I would really hate to see him leave before he peaks like Cesc, Nasri or even Clichy.
@N7: I fully agree too although I’d really like us to take a gamble on the best captain and striker we’ve had since TH left. If he stays he’ll have even more fire in his belly to win trophies. Granted it’s a risk but well worth the potential rewards. But if he has to go let’s not wait until the transfer window closes this time…
In terms of potential and to echo Holic’s post it’s Ox I have at the top of my list, LJW, Song and Coq not too far behind. Rambo and Woz have been less convincing this season but they’ve got a lot of time to develop.
And this is the time of the season when there’s are loads of great videos, Songinho http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFCoFS3kRXs vs El Artista: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3suHkjdl20
55th! Beat that.
Bravo, Camberwell!
Know Your Audience
Brendan Rodgers in the South Wales Evening Post, June 1: “It was an extremely, extremely difficult decision because my plan was always to stay here at Swansea for a number of years.”
Brendan Rodgers at his Liverpool press conference, later on June 1: “Once I found out I was the number one target, it was an easy decision.”
Great debate re Song and Arteta. TGIF everyone! Arteta has been the invaluable link for Song to venture forward more often this season. Mikel’s unassuming, disciplined presence has paired quite nicely with Song’s bold, physical style of play, he oozes confidence when he has the ball. No wonder many of us have said that he bosses the midfield and dictates the game. His passing has improved and can only get better. As for Jack, we must be patient with him, he has some catching up to do. So agree about Ox and Coq, a gold mine there, as well.
I left off 3 players @ 46 who are Alan Johnson, Scott Parker and Rooney. Can’t forget about them. Aside from JT, Andy Carroll, Lescott, and a few others, there is no reason (on paper, at least) for England not to do well.
Ollie, I’m just delighted that Martinez didn’t take the position, for he was their first consideration. Roberto is very loyal to Wigan’s owner and vice versa. Refreshing to see in this age of cut-throat deals and the like.
Nice post Holic, and good luck with the brainwashing
True, abb, glad Martinez didn’t go there.
I am, however, unsure why you draw a list of those shit England players?
(Alan Johnson? Is it Adam? HE is not even in the squad, right?).
Scott Parker? Do me a favour….
Anyway, I’ll support Holland, , Czech Republic, Germany and Denmark.
Plus a few individuals, like Kos, Ox, Feo, Szcz. And Obraniak.
England (and France) as teams, can do very badly, it will make me happy.
Nice post ‘holic.
For years many in the media have moaned that Lamps and Gerrard can not play together, now that Lampard is out the same are moaning that we are lost without him, twats.
England going into this tournament with expectations at the lowest levels that I can remember is probably a blessing in disguise. The pressure is pretty much off and I hope Mr Hodgson will use this opportunity to blood the new players in his squad.
==
Good luck in your quest to shepard the lost to the path of rightousness and happy holidays.
My bad Ollie, Adam not Alan. But these guys are pretty darn good! Scott Parker is a workaholic. Johnson is always a threat near goal. Cole, come on, you know how terrific is he! Rooney, well you know what he is capable of…anyway enough of that. Guess you’re not rooting for France, cause of Samir. For me, I hope individually all our players do well. Think Germany has the edge.
Indeed Ollie, it’s Adam and you’re quite right that he’s not even the squad, which I think together with Micah Richards are the two biggest omissions from that squad.
I’ll be keeping an eye on England, but from a business point of view be sporting orange t shirts, singing Hup Holland Hup.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18292544
heh. Maybe they should rename the (A-)Football team from Cats to Sheep.
Er no, abb. I stopped rooting for France after 1984. Probably because that’s when I realised how much I realised how I couldn’t bear chauvinism.
Sorry, I changed formulation in the middle of the sentence and completely forgot about the first part.
My brain’s really screwed
Ollie @ 67 Je ne comprends pas tres bien! Does that mean because of France’s fanatical patriotism? Well look at Spain…oh, I see (lo siento mucho).
66 Ollie.
Australia’s version of raining cats and dogs?
Grant Holt on twitter….
grant holt@holty30
I have loved my 3 years at the club and it sadness me to right this but want use to here it from me first. #lovedmytime
==
I think that he should sign for Reading………..
And Writing while he’s at it.
heh x2 H2H.
Have we signed anybody yet? I would even settle for an early retirement for Phil Dowd…
The silver lining for England to losing Lampard is that he and Gerrard never fit well together in the national side, and Gerrard’s game is the more suited to a Hodgson 4-4-2.
RvP only makes the bench in Zonal Marking’s European team of the season, though a starting front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Falcao is hard to argue with. ZM also makes an interesting point about the dearth of quality left-backs. http://bit.ly/LOR4Uf
H2H, just read your @63. I, for one, am holding fast to the view that Lampard out is no bad thing. Also, agree with you about low expectations being a blessing in disguise–though I suspect they will be met.
Matt@52 and Lars, is it a choice between Arteta and Wilshere? Wouldn’t our first-choice, everyone-fit midfield be Song, Arteta and Wilshere?
So, Theo Walcott’s family and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s family will not be travelling to Poland / Ukraine due to fears of racist abuse.
Can’t John Terry just stay in another hotel ?
Trev
NED @ 76: I would think so – or as least I would love to see a Song/Arteta/Wilshere midfield..
* or at least..
SAW that midfield too in me dreams – GT, WAS top o’ the shop
I’ll get me acronymac
H2H: heh, heh for your JT quip earlier – He deserves some klnd of award for keep us Gooners so happy
Where’s everybody – In the Beer Garden?
Young Alex is so well balanced and steady on his feet, I thought I’d do some research to find out where he acquired these traits. Apparently, his forebears also had some of these characteristics.
http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/education/ice-age-res/images/woodland-musk-ox.jpg
* for keeping…
(maybe it is me who should be signing up for Reading & Writing!!)
8th Ball: Now that’s what I am talking about… sign him up!
Ned: I would certainly not be against seeing Song, Wilshere and Arteta together. I was just addressing the claim that Arteta lacked the defensive skills of Jack and Diaby.
Trev@77: :laugh:
GT, Wasn’t Reading promoted to the Premier League?? And, do they use Kindles, Nooks, or do they just check out books from the library like us old-fashioned types??
Crap, wasn’t that the code for a laughy-smiley thingamajig? Apparently not.
Massive heh! at the video on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv3FV2N77c4
Lars, The figures in that video somehow seemed less than lifelike, but I bet you liked the Sweden 2 Turnips 1 scoreline.
H2H @71
On the Arteta vs Song thing – why ?
They are both capable of being top draw players.
I don’t honestly think though – well occasionally I do – that either is a natural defender.
I do think that Arteta applies himself better to the job of ‘sitting’ and defending, while Song cannot resist his forward forays, and too often finds himself too far forward when we need to defend quickly.
It may well be that given the freedom to play further forward that Song would be better in that position than Arteta – given his RvP assists alone this season.
Arteta, though, gives the team rhythm, and moves the ball quickly from defence to attack better than anyone else at the club – with the possible exception of LJW when he’s fit again.
I like Lars’ stats @49, and have to say that, in my opinion, it is wrong and irrelevant to say that Arteta is not in Song’s league.
When you sit in the stadium every week you cannot fail to notice Arteta’s class and influence on the whole team. I think his only poor games were the result of not having played so many high pressure games in such a short space of time for a long while, like RvP, due to his previous injury problems.
Well said Trev. Both first rate players. Anyone want to name their back four starters. Lets see, Sagna, Kos, …well now this is hard. Any thoughts?
Trev and Lars: Allright I admit I was a bit harsh about Arteta with my “not in the same league” comment although I rate Song higher. Certainly Arteta, LJW and Song would be a solid midfield trio but I hope we’ll go more often for an offensive formation with 2 of those paired with a more attacking player like… Ox.
@arsabeatbarca: that’s a tough one but given the track record of our LBs we’ll have to be happy to rotate them as injuries dictate. With BFG injured for so many months I’d give the immediate advantage to our vice-captain though.
The more I post the more I miss watching games again. It’s going to be a loooong summer…
Ok, From left to right. Drum roll please. Santos, Kos, Per, Sagna. This is the official (starting) lineup for next season. There, that wasn’t so hard (wipes her brow). Not feeling at all good about leaving TV out.
Hey Matt, Agree. Even read Gunnersaurus today…
With a title like this article has, I certainly would have expected Penelope Cruz to make the top six, but if Arsenal sign Kaka I’ll be so surprised I’ll rip my Penelope Cruz calendar right off my wall.
http://www.football365.com/spanish-thing/7790364/Six-Sexy-Summer-Signings-From-Spain...
Spots the Nurse in space down the wing and sends a hopeful one her way …
Of course, (frowning), Bac’s injury(s) a concern. Saw Per play this week and he seemed fit. Both TV and Santos like to go forward…(and personally, I find that very appealing), but they at times neglect their primary duty, to defend. And what of Gibbs…buckets of potential with him. Very graceful and limber. No, I haven’t forgotten about JD and he has proven himself when given the chance and his preferred position. And Coq, though a midfielder, has proved himself in the back.
Traps the ball on her thigh and lobs it (Song style) back to 8ball, then joins Santos for a cig brake.
Well ‘break’ not brake! Lesson here don’t smoke with Santos!
Well in abb, I like your style.
Merci beaucoup, andy! But I miss give some credit to 8ball as well.
Oops! Gooner Terry, please show some mercy here…compiling that list has left me nutters.
Breaking news: Police arrest drunk middle-aged woman screaming “Where are you? Let’s be avin’ you” outside Paul Lambert’s house.
How are you fine gentlemen on this quiet evening?
Nurse, Those are very impressive ball trapping skills you displayed. Well in!
It appears Derby Day is on the horizon so I went hat shopping for Wolfie and found quite an attractive number so young man lady I hope you like it:
http://closetbox.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/hat-image-4-41585476.jpg
I think I found a pic of Wolfie in a previous life
http://s.ecrater.com/stores/36328/4a8b0d89bcb41_36328n.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0IorhCxiiI
CoR, You devil you.
Nurse, After seeing your accusations about Santos being a smoker I, being an amateur defense attorney of sorts, went on Google to definitively disprove anything of the sort, and I can report that your accusations are completely unfounded. As proof may I submit the following results of my Google search for “Santos smoking a cigarette”:
Your search – “santos smoking a cigarette” – did not match any image results.
Suggestions:
Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
Try different keywords.
Try more general keywords.
CASE CLOSED.
Cor @ 104 I swear that wasn’t me! (lol)
I found this article about smoking gunners 8ball, may have to read it outside
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2124437/Marouane-Chamakh-pictured-shisha-pipe–Arsene-Wenger-decides.html
8ball, I intend to try this little experiment right now. I wonder how Holic would define “behave”?
CoR, I think Arsene actually approves of the shisha pipe, as it comes from one of the territories in the former French colonies. Santos, however, as he comes from a former Portuguese colony, could be treading on thin ice if he is pictured smoking. Gallas of course was French too but he was another case entirely and getting pictured with cigarette in mouth in the newspapers was one of the least objectionable things he did. And this comes from somebody who hates smoking!!
Abb, When ‘holic says we’re barking, I’m never quite sure if he means it in an approving or a disapproving way.
8ball (laughing @ 114). God, it kills me to admit it when I’m wrong. Tried googling all variations on the theme and could find no evidence he is a smoker, good for him. Did see a video of Rooney puffing on one while in a pool.
I thought Santos just smoke kebabs for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Anyhoo, any football news besides Oxlade and Theo getting ready to score hat-tricks in every game and help England win the European Cup? That’s what my money is on anyway….
Not quite Cor, but Theo providing an assist for Ox, or vice versa, highly likely if they both start. Wonder if Roy has consulted AW.
I would play “Theo” on the right and “Theo-X” in the middle next to him so they can interchange.
CoR, Do you have a link for the Paul Lambert screaming woman story @104?
@119: Heya 8ball, that was just a joke mi amigo. A tribute to Delia from the 90s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_8JLkwzpd0
How’s it hanging you groovy cats?
Does anyone know the origin and meaning of the old classic gooner chant:
B’Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well,
I think I’ll get up and I’ll sing it again,
so Paddy got up and he sang it again,
Over and Over and Over again.
B’Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well,
I think I’ll get up and I’ll sing it again,
so Paddy got up and he sang it again,
Over and Over and Over again.
What does it refer to?
Don’t ignore me ya bastards!
Coldplay at The Grove last night. Great evening if a little strange to be sat there with a beer and,watching a band. Good old Arsenal managed to put all of the prices up. I do hope that this was a one off and not something for us next season.
Worth a read, even if it doesn’t solve the riddle:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/49f4621a-aab2-11e1-9331-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1wcgw2z1H
Morning peeps.
Something to start off the day;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&src_vid=A0IorhCxiiI&v=CLcbR_i5v9s&annotation_id=annotation_443298
Good read Zico, Henk Span is a decent enough pundit.
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/900955-shanghai-shenhua-owner-zhu-junb-starts-himself-with-nicolas-anelka#ixzz1wYgL2SF2
Heh at the Sulk.
Morning All
‘Holic – Enjoy your grand kids and I will try to keep the economy afloat in your absence and your pension fund moving in the right direction.
Beefy Trev @ #12 – The Ox? Oh!
Lars, from the previous drinks – I am humbled. Your ‘research’ into The ‘Holic drinks archives was very satisfying for this ‘Holic. I think I might apply for the role of ‘Holic seuthsayer next season and take possession of the crystal balls currenlty nestling between the Geuli legs. I did have a very strong feeling last season, once we got over that awful start which ended with a narrow defeat at The Sh*thole, that we owed The LWCs a massive tonking and that’s what we dished out. Was confident about top 4 for most of the season too. However, just to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, I’ll make a few predictions for the summer and we’ll see at the end if I am worthy of a pair of glass testicles:
1. RVP contract thing will roll-on into next season. He’ll be with us at the start of the season but the situation will be unresolved.
2. M’Vila will not come.
3. Grant Holt will replace Adebayour at The Sh*thole.
There, that puts an anti-jinx on three things that I DON’T want to be right about.
(Massive) If I am right about all 3 then the The ‘Holic Pounds are on……. Lars!
Have a great Jubilee weekend ‘Holics and up The Arse
Fuck the Jubilee, TS, but heh at your predictions.
Surely Grant Holt will go to Man City, right?
I see Paul Lambert has joined Brendan Rodgers in the ‘managers I’m starting to really hate’ club.
Lunchtime kickoff, then?
CoR, Thanks for the link. Paul Lambert must at least be an improvement over Alex MacLeish in terms of the playing style Aston Villa will be employing next season, if Norwich City’s playing style last season is anything to go by. Already we have a couple of interesting story lines shaping up for next season, in the return of Brendan Rogers to Swansea City with Liverpool and ditto with Lambert at Norwich City with Villa. Come on the minnows revenge!
And I must say, that Delia is quite the rap artist.
Vermaelen captains Belgium today after Kompany is injured in warm-up, good luck to him, Alex and Theo
Hey Wind, enjoy the game. Ox raring to go!
2nd shot from Ox, he’s warming up.
I think I’ll have to support Belgium for this game.
Me too
Ollie, follow your conscience! I’ve got my England scarf on.
Fellanni asking for it!
I love seeing Ox charge down the field!
I’m not used to rooting for a team that can’t keep the ball (ie Arsenal and Barca).
Nice goal. Come on lads!
Hey Zico, Didn’t see you there!
zico’s famous kiss of death strikes again
Where is everyone?! Break out the beer, it’s a real game!
Nice tattoo Ashley.
I think it must be physically impossible not to absolutely loathe Cashley Cole.
abb, you are getting it all wrong: even AOC isn’t enough to redeem that bunch of despicable players.
Multiple giggles.
Hi Becks!
Ox is doing the work.
Rooney coming on for Welbeck.
Great tackle by TV!
Both Ox and Tommy gonna be sore after this match. Ox took one right in the face. TV in the gut.
Ox off for Theo. Young off for Defoe. The Ox did me proud! Theo, showum what you can do!
Oh, so close. Nice ball from Theo to Defoe…
Hendersen on for the injured Gerrard.
You completely forgot to mention that Belgium could have equalised, a shot hit the post, with Hart motionless.
Touche!
Very interesting play from Glen Johnson…
Another nice set up from Theo to Defoe…
good save from Joe.
First name for some Man City tosser now, abb?
Oh dear.
Where did your education go wrong? ;s
One Nil to England!
Hey Ollie, Being a sophisticated American, I wear many hats, so to speak!
Magic Hats?
Post game observations Rooney rusty. Theo a bit shy. HART(hey) has a strange technique of catching the ball, then bouncing it down like he is playing BB! Ox the most impressive for England !
Nite all, nap before work. Must do my part.
Apparently, Song played well for Cameroon, and Robin has just scored.
England game was a bit meh (from what I saw.
Holland 3-0 up within 30mins, RvP Netting twice.
I think Dudu scored for Croatia.
Hello Harsha.
Crotia have Dudu.
Brazil have Kaka.
England have John Terry…..
All different names for shit.
heh
RvP subbed, 2 goals and an assist, not a bad shift.
Holland 5-0 up and playing some very nice stuff.
Got a party going on in the backoom, the local gun club’s annual dinner and drinky, fun!
6-0 in the battle of the orange
i dunno where to start so i won’t
Read today that Arsenal are refusing to give RvP a fourth year on the new contract and that is the sticking point.
No idea if there is any truth in that but if it is the case then PLEASE Arsenal just give it to him.
If he is too old and slow to play as main striker by then he can easily enough drop into more of a Bergkamp role.
Thanks Ivan, in anticipation.
H2H on FIYA
TS @ 128: I am usually a big fan of your predictions – as they usually tally with my own views – but I hope you are totally wrong this time.. Except for the Grant Holt to the spurtz that is..
as richard hell said – love comes in spurts
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/european-championships-holland-robin-van-860205
I know its the Mirror but these quotes don’t sound to me like a guy who’s planning to leave his club any time soon. I am prepared to make the bold prediction that RvP will sign a new contract to stay with the Arsenal..
Henry Winter gushing tribute to the Ox – seems like he agreed with Holic: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9308191/Euro-2012-Arsenal-winger-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-shows-his-potential-as-England-defeat-Belgium.html
Depending what you read, Ox was good or not very good yesterday.
Can’t be bothered reading any crap by Henry Winter though.
Hehs! @ Ollie’s #s 129 & 130. I’m rapidly swaying to your way of thinking re: Lambert (esp. after that 3-3 draw a few weeks back). Not yet with you on Rodgers but I’m confident that will change once we’ve played the ‘Smashers next season. BTW, we had a Jubilee street party y’day and it was really rather pleasant. I wouldn’t expect anyone from France (let alone Belgium) to appreciate The Jubilee though
GT @ #181 – Yes, I did say that I don’t want any of them to happen, even Holt to the LWCs. I’m hoping I anti-jinx all of them by prediciting that they might happen.
Trev @ #179 – Have no idea if what you read is true or otherwise but it does sound like a very Arsenal/Arsene thing to do. he will be taking a long hard look at the stats and numbers relating to RVP’s performances and his medical record. I’m with you (if the article you read is correct) but maybe Arsene thinks RVP will just go ‘bang’ 4 years from now?
I very very much doubt the ’4 years’ thing.
And yeah, TS, it started striking me at that draw too. Shame, as I used to like him at Dortmund (I really liked that Borussia team).
As for Rodgers, let’s not forget he was a coach at the Bus Stop, so already tainted anyway
Jan Vertonghen, Georges Simenon, Hercule Poirot, zicoinexile, your boys took a hell of a beating
Heh! @ ‘Holic. How’s the weather in your part the world today, p*ssing down with rain here
Ollie, good point re: Rodgers & Ch3l5ea. He also got sacked from the job at Reading aaaand many say his success at Swansea was down to the squad he inherited from Martinez but that probably way too harsh.
*that’s*
The Neighbour would remind you that you forgot the main man, ‘holic: Plastic Bertrand.
It is indeed black in the Black Country.
No cricket today
Guinness to add to the blackness?
5 Guinness left. Lots of vin rouge. A drop of Talisker and a bottle of Bushmills. We don’t need to venture out into the monsoon.
Heh. Safe drinking, ‘holic!
Afternoon all.
So, who stole the sun?
Greetings Holics
Back from my hols in Turkey. Caught up with the Ox and RVP last night. Thought AOC looked good running at the Belgium defence, perhaps he was trying a little too hard to impress but he is totally nerveless and may come on as an impact sub at the Euros. Didn’t catch Theo as I switched over to BBC NI for the Dutch game.
My interest at the moment is in Roger’s progress at Roland Garros, so will be back when the Footie gets going next week.
*jixs past the onrushing midfield and lofts a superbly weighted ball through the defence….
Tries to get a welly on the end of it…
WELLIES IT
Well(y) assisted AL.
well scored old skool mudbath stylee H2H
pardon well(y) scored – quite right
Good Sunday all holics. Delia, hope you had a great time and welcome back. I think Ox will be a starter, just my own hunch. GT @ 183 Agree, feel Robin will stay…there must be something holding him back a bit, but it seems he really is trying to stay at Arsenal. Trev, agree, give him what he deems as important. Gt @ 184 “great pace and fearless”, yep, that’s our Ox! Oh and congrats to RVP’s great performance as well. Enjoy your day.
Did someone mention hols in Turkey? I had a suspicion we were in the company of high-powered gourmands … I hope the Sage Dressing and Mashed Potatoes were just as good.
@ 188
Oh well, best turn my attention to finding some distant cousins from France/Sweden/Ukraine.
Would be hard to root for a team with Nasri and Evra in it, mind. In fact, I just won’t.
COME ON ENGLAND!
You’re welcome over here on the Oranje tram, Zico ol’ mate.
Grab a Heineken and a board of cheese, sorted.
Board of cheese? O dear, that was a little bit Netherlish.
Bordje kaas = plate of cheese.
I actually have family in Enschede, H2H – so will be following RvP etc closely too.
Delia, Never mind Roger, my New York Times tells me the revelation of the French Open Tennis is a left handed Uzbek American woman named Varvara Lepchenko. Who knew? At any rate her thigh muscles seem to be in good working order:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/sports/tennis/varvara-lepchenko-continues-surprising-run-to-french-opens-round-of-16.html?_r=1
Afternoon all Holics – Morning for me here in sunny Jamaica. I am afraid that whoever stole your sun they stashed it right here over Kingston!! As we say here in the Jamaican vernacular “it hot no rass” and its only 9:26 am..
I am looking no further than Germany – Holland in the Euros, even though France might be dark horses.
Enschede, yeah my foggy memory seems to recall you mentioning that before Dr Z, in that case pull up a Grolsch which is the beer of that region.
===
Tel, dagnabit, send some of that sun back over here bro’.
Well wellied H2H with the goal and AL with the assist.
Interesting developments it seems on the RVP situation but if he wants to sign a new contract then it shows he wants to finish his career with us, so Wenger should just give him the 4 years if necessary, and move him back to the Bergkamp role in the 2014-2015 season to preserve his career when he’d be 32 going on 33.
Imperative that he remains with the Arsenal for more reasons than I can explain.
If RVP really has gotten over his injury problems then he should have quite a few games left considering how many he has sat out over the years. Of course, the same logic would apply to Diaby.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/picturegalleries/9140073/Arsenals-comebacks-this-season-in-pictures.html
Balm for the weary soul. I never tire of reviewing our comebacks last season
Afternoon Wind
8ball, not really (the same logic)
Diaby is broken I’m afraid, that one major injury has spurned too many niggles, his ankle is shot. He’s made more comebacks then the Rolling Stones, but sadly his appearances are brief to say the least before it’s back to the physio table. I hate to say this, but with the 25 man squad rule being what it is, I think it maybe time to say goodbye to Abou, I hope he proves me wrong and comes back to fulfil his potential, but giving his track record, I highly doubt it.
RvP is getting stronger, yes he’s had his injury problems, but these were all different inflictions and not reacurances of one major blow. I’ve been watching him in the friendlies these last two weeks and I don’t think he’s ever been in such good shape, he covers an inordinate amount of ground and just doesn’t seem to tire.
I’m not sure how much truth there is in the whole 4 years contract rumours so I won’t bother speculating on that.
H2H, You are of course correct about RVP having recovered from his injuries already but if Diaby can get one injury free season behind him he would be at a somewhat similar stage to where RVP is now. Not predicting that Diaby will have a similar season to what RVP had last season, but being an optimist never hurts.
Delia, did you do any Eboue spotting while in Turkey? It appears another has begun his Turkish holidays:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18316612
Apparently Eboue has scored again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJukmmDpJds
Not to mention winning a Turkish league champions medal with Galatasaray. Always like them better than Fenerbahce and Besiktas anyways.
I’m with H2H, I think that, sadly, Diaby is finished. I was still having vague hopes for this season, but the last 12 months have slashed any remaining positivity.
Fucking Dan Smith.
Fuck him indeed.
The Chester-Le-Street, Northen League second division dwelling cuntbucket.
Re Diaby: I will give up on him when Le Boss does!
“I only go to see Eboue” – well,used to.
heh Trev
‘Holic @192 -
think I spotted a little spelling mistake – that should be “Black Cnntray” showallee
@221 – GoonerTerry brown-nosing the boss, as usual
See GT, if it wasn’t for that winky thing, people really would believe we don’t get on
Just read that Cahill has been ruled out of the Euros and has been replaced by Martin Kelly.
I want a pint of whatever Woys been drinking.
WHHOOOOOOOOO ???
If any Greeks are ruled out of the Euros it could cause complete panic in the markets………….
My crafty “outside” tip for the Euros was, looking at the players they have, Belgium.
And then yesterday, yes yesterday, I found out they’re not even in it !
That’s worse tipping than the ‘Holic pound !!
My gambling appears to be as good as my drinking. Is there any hope ?
@ 228
No.
Pissing down here in Sweden as well. It’s done so for a few days and the weather forecasts say it will continue past next weekend.
Don’t really believe the “he wants four years” talk. Well, I most often don’t really believe anything until it’s offical, to be honest.
Terry, thanks for the link@215 – always nice to be reminded of the high points of the season
H2H @ 226
Putting two and two together, I’m starting to wonder whether Micah Richards has said he won’t play with Terry.
Otherwise, where exactly is he in the pecking order?
Don’t get me wrong, he’s not top class, but at this stage he’s a far better player than Phil Jones or Martin Kelly.
N7, didn’t Richards say he refused to be on standby? Although that may of course just be the official version of “never in a million years will I be in a squad with that cunt Terry”.
Heh Trev.
There was also a piece on a site (forget which one) with a “who to watch” segement, they advised us to keep an eye out for Eden Hazzard, who would undoubtedly be one of the stars of the tournament.
N7. Nice conspiricy theory there mate, I’m not too sure myself, but I think Woy’s got it wong, err…. wrong again. I mean, Martin Kelly!???!? Come on, he shouldn’t even be allowed in the vicinity of the squad to clean their boots. Isn’t he a left back (as in England while the rest are in Polkraine)? I thought Cahill was/is a CB.
I bet Rio will be itching to hear the “footballing reasons” behind this decision. I can see him and Micah giving it the Ali G retort of “Is it becoz we is black”?
Trev 228, if Italy don’t go, then maybe Belgium can be rescued, like Denmark in 1992 and who knows?
H2H: Jagielka is the answer for many different questions, I believe.
Hey H2H @ 216, I don’t want to agree with you on Diaby but I don’t think we can spare another spot in the 25 Man Squad for him anymore, I’d love him to recover so he can feature in the cup competitions with ease but we’ll have to see..
No offense lads, but the football situation over the last 3 decades makes me sincerely glad I’m merely British and not English, I want England to do well but the inner turmoil means its not happening, gonna be Heartbreak Hotel again methinks.
Hey Ollie.
H2H – “keeping an eye out” is definitely a Hazard.
Just wondered – how many Euros do you get to a ‘Holic pound ?
Is Tabs hibernating – or summernating, of course ?
Hey Lars -
seems that having JT (*pukes*) in the squad has alienated half of the players in England as well as half of the spectating population.
Seems a strange choice to have taken him over Rio Ferdinand if it had to be one or the other.
I imagine Roy wanted Terry where he could see him if Mrs Hodgson was being left alone for a few weeks
Trev@237: agreed, picking Tery over Ferdinand seems really strange if it was an either-or situation. Rio isn’t even half the player he used to be, but it’s hard to argue that Martin Kelly is a better choice than Rio in this situation.
Ollie, looks like Jag and Lescott maybe the way forward, them having played together before, Woy likes that I think. Evidence in case:
i) pairing Cahill and Terry.
ii) selecting Theo and O2DaC
iii) bringing the entire L’pool team.
=====
Wind, I agree, would love to see him recover, just doubt it will happen.
ps Everyone born in the UK is British (unless they’re Andy Murray and lose at Wimbledon in which case they are Scottish)
===
Heh again Trev.
arsenal.com are advertising Thurs June 7th as ‘come and get it’ day for the new kit.
It’s an old subject in this bar but: the hoops on ths socks are fine, but why oh why on the sleeves, and that silly blue ‘collar’.
Just cheapening a classic shirt to my way of thinking – maybe Stan will be launching us in the US as the Highbury Hoopers or some such nonsense.
Sorry but for me it’s ‘thanks, but no thanks’
It’s gonna be the kit for the next two years too.
Why not the one from two seasons ago? That was a proper Arsenal shirt. (imho)
Have to admit that the more I see the new kit, the less I mind it. I think it might look a lot better when you see it in real life too.
Still won’t buy it, though. I’m happy with my “99 GUNNERSAURUS” from this season
Breaking News:
Micah Richards, in a desparate attempt to get into the England team, signs for Liverpool.
Watched the Ox yesterday, he surely brings another dimension to England with his powerful runs forward. Thought he did well, the right back certainly was pinned back a bit and had to be careful of a burst forward. Sure, he wiffed on the first chance on goal but who cares? He got it out of his system and came closer on the next one. England, like us, needs someone to give it a go at distance. Seems he had great support from the fans. Any tool the criticizes him just needs to come-up with something to write about.
It is really hard to root for England given all of the players are from the top six with the rivalries we have with those teams.
Wondering how everyone from the UK feels about rooting for the national team that consists of all Arsenal’s main rivals?
Evening futbol addicts. Gedo, I’v no probs cheering on the England squad, lots of talent there. Come next season, I’ll join in poking good natured barbs at the same lot. JT, however, nauseates me. He’s a repeat offender. Poor Diaby…! But if we want the most efficient squad, I’m inclined to let him go. Saddens me to say so. Cahill out with double jaw fracture, I knew watching the game yesterday it was bad. You could see him fighting back tears. Liquid diet for the next 6 weeks, I imagine. Zico @ 206 Really! England?! Way to go lad (chuckling). Btw Zico, do you mind sharing with us your favorite Scottish team (terribly curious). As for Ollie’s French preference, Lille?
Abb not only do you get that ‘support England’ bit completely wrong, you are also not paying much attention to frog all chat. Does the name ‘Bordeaux’ not ring a bell?
It is really hard to root for England given all of the players are from the top six with the rivalries we have with those teams.
Have another look. 25% of them are from L’pool, they finished 8th.
Nurse,
Hamilton Academical.
H2H:
You are correct that I should have been written “most” instead of “all” but in any event I think your being a bit harsh. I’ll buy you drink to lift your spirits.
remove *been*, no more drinks for me.
Good morning gentlegooners one and all!
Hope you had a good weekend filled with alcohol as I did
I just saw that Gazidis is meeting with 300 Arsenal fans this Wednesday to explain our transfer policy. I hope they’re not being led by King Leonidas
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/254755/Arsenal-exec-Ivan-Gazidis-to-get-grilled-by-Gunners-fans/
@215: GT, I checked out that link. Some great results in there man. I completely forgot us having to come back in the Carling Cup Bolton match. Park’s goal was superb I thought at that time. Then he got benched for the rest of the season, doh!
Since nobody answered, I scoured the interwebs looking for the answer to my question. In the end I hope this on a REDaction forum:
When Paddy came over from Ireland
In praise of the AFC
We hadn’t won an awful lot since 1953
Well he’d stand at the back of the Clock End
In the sun and the rain
Week after week for many a year
But never a trophy came
Second leg of The Fairs Cup Final
We’d already lost away
We needed to pull something out the bag
In order to save the day
Then Paddy remembered a ditty .
His father used to sing
And quickly jumped up on to his feet and started to sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again .
Over and over and over again
B’ Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I’ll get up and I’ll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again.
Now The Gunners they all played like heroes
To the song that Paddy had sung
And Kelly and Radford and Sammels
Made sure that the Fairs Cup was won.
The next year things got even better
The Arsenal the best in the land
We marched up the Seven Sisters Road
And invaded every stand
We covered the whole of the High Road
And all the streets around
We knew that we would win the league
When we heard a familiar sound
Ray Kennedy’s header was priceless
And as Paddy sang out aloud
The Gunners were once again Champions
And The Boys had done us proud
And Paddy got up and he sang it again
Over and over and over again
B’ Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I’ll get up and I’ll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again
Just a few days later that we found out
As we marched along Wembley Way
That Paddy just hadn’t stopped singing
Since the match on the previous Monday
Now he sung for the full 90 minutes
And he sung right through extra time
And for all Paddy’s trouble
The boys done The Double
So Paddy got up and he sang it again
Over and over and over again
B’ Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I’ll get up and I’ll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again
Now we’ve won the League up at Old Trafford
We’ve won it at Anfield too
When Paddy was singing on Merseyside
And we had to beat them by two
We’d already won it at Tottenham
When we lifted the pot at The Lane
We liked it so much
It was such a nice touch
To go back there and win it again
So The Arsenal went back there and won it again
Over and over and over again
B’ Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I’ll get up and I’ll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again
Now he’s travelling all around Europe
Over land and sea (and Leicester)
He’s been drunk in Madrid
He’s been nicked in Kiev
And he got stoned at PSV
Now wherever The Arsenal may wander
Be it Munich or Paris or Rome
They all cock an ear
And they know that we’re there
When they listen to Paddy’s sweet tones
And Paddy got up and he sang it again
Over and over and over again
B’ Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I’ll get up and I’ll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again
Quite catchy
Trev: In response to your 225 I give you your 228! The prosecution rests Your Honour..
CoR: The Goonerholic Poet Laureate
Lars: The only issue I really have with the new kit is the blue collar. Unlike you I will buys this one I think (or rather I will get it for my birthday)…
hope=found*
Damn you redbull and your brain-frying effects!
Hey GT, what up homie? Everything alright down in jamdung?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-poland-must-cope-with-the-pressure
.con on the ball as always; even though their International Watch feature mentions Fabianski has been ruled out of the squad because of injury……
CoR @251. Words fail me. Bloody magnificent – any clue what the tune is. Multiple smileys
Oh bugger; sorry all. The massive praise should go to Shaft@253, or Shaft’s sources.
I just know the chorus Oxon. If you search it on youtube you can find some drunken gooners singing it
That seems to be the official words to the “So Paddy Got Up” song from back in the day. I got it from the REDaction website. Don’t know if any of the holic regulars can confirm whether those lyrics are correct though. They seem to be on holiday…
Thanks Shaft. I found the track on YouTube, after listening to it I will resist the temptation to ask whether there is a tune. I’m not sure I can ever remember hearing it, but it’s not too hard a stretch. Great working finding the lyrics; if they aren’t genuine, they should be.
Mugger mugged?
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/06/04/110053_barton-agresse.html
Well, back at work after a short break
Hello mentalists, how’s it hanging? Have we signed anyone yet?
Gedo, didn’t mean to be harsh, should of put one of those smiley things next to the comment. I was just continueing on the theme that there are waaaay tooooo many Mickeys in the England squad.
I will nab that drinky though,cheers.
===
Ollies story in English;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/9310181/Joey-Barton-punched-in-the-face-outside-Garlands-nightclub-in-Liverpool.html
Good afternoon all:)
Just have read that TR7 is back to full training, really good news for our team hehe.
Also I am surprised that AW thinks that Czech team is along with Russia favoured to go through from group stage (as much as I would wish that). Considering how many players Poles are having from Dortmund, I seriously think they will be major force to reckon with, compared to our goalscoring productivity…its downright scary.
Milan Baros is nowhere near the level he was on Euro 2004 when rumours that even Real Madrid might be after buying him were out. He is still on target pretty often in Galatasaray, but seriously struggles on international level as of late.
Except of him, we have no striker with an experience from big tourneys and that might be real trouble. Lets hope that midfield orchestrated by Tomas will produce something to even this out.
With Euro knocking on the door I realize how great it is that we finished third and can enjoy the tournament without more nerves than necessary. I hope that our team will again produce game to remember and this time ending well for us like back in Portugal (the game against Netherlands was pretty much the best our team ever produced..while against Turkey 4 years back…bleh:D). Bring it on already, I want to watch some quality footy!:D
CoR.
Can’t tell you the exact origins of that song, but I may be able to explain why it came about.
As you well know, Arsenal were situated in Highbury at the time, much of the encatchment area where the fan base would have been drawn from, lets say Holloway, Kilburn, Camden Town and Kentish Town had a very large Irish contingent in their populations. I, as my monniker suggests, am from Holloway and from Irish decent, most of my friends were Greek Cypriots, from the Caribean or also born of Keltic blood.
Check out the Arsenal team of the mid-late 70′s, the Irish influence is plain to see; Jennings, Nelson, Rice, O’leary, Stapleton and Brady all managed by Terry Neill.
The song we released, as was the custom, for the 1979 Cup final was to the tune of Wild Rover;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emHXqFWXPfY (don’t mind the photos)
You can’t get much more Irish then that without painting yourself green and ouzing Guiness from every oriface.
It’s Monday, Yippee! Just home after a long nite at work. Shaft, I promise to give your endeavors my attention tomorrow, looks like just the sort of entry one should read OUT LOUD! Zico, Your team, the Accies, were founded in 1874 (Arsenal, est. in 1886), not shabby. They also have the distinction of being the only professional club in British football to have originated from a school team (pretty cool). They also share Arsenal’s home colors of red and white. Ollie, je suis desolee! Bordeaux was founded in 1881 (very respectable) and have won 6 Ligue 1 titles (not bad).They come in 3rd place (10% of the French support your club), PSG in2nd place with 11% and Marseille number one with 20% support (shocking, really cause I think they are awful!).When at home, your lads wear blue. Thanks fellas, it was fun reading up on your ‘back up teams’. Now to take a nap.
http://www.football365.com/faves/7794992/F365-Says
This makes sense.
It does indeed, yet the biggest question remains unanswered.
Why did he choose JT over Rio?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan of Rio, but I would have definetly picked him over JT, who in my opinion is just a distraction.
Aren’t the other players of colour not just a little pissed that they have an accussed racist as team mate?
Won’t the glare from the spotlight of his upcomming trial be an unwanted distraction?
And more importantly, was Terry really better this season then Rio?
Terry’s acted like a see you next Tuesday throughout his entire career and got away with it. His disgraceful showing in the CL semi final alone should of been reason enough for his ommission from the squad. Cappello got sacked because of him (no biggie) and I feel Roy has made the wrong decision by sideing with him.
I also remember him being the ringleader of the revolution in the last tournament we (dis)graced, when the poor little players thought the big, bad manager was being too strict.
Nurse ABB is available for research projects it appears
P.S. For your information my Scottish team is Celtic; my rugby team is London Irish and I have been to three Dubliners concerts (more than any other group)… and my favorite colour is green… and all my favorite old Arsenal players were Irish – Go figure!
H2H: You forgot to add Archway, Finchley and Finsbury Park to the catchment areas for Paddy’s. Growing up my mates had the same profile as yours (hardly surprising) but I dumped them all when I discovered German, French, Italian & Swedish birds!
H2H, I see no explanation other than Terry must have a few compromising files on FA officials.
@266: H2H, you’re the man. Some Stolichnaya and tonic on the counter for you my friend.
I knew that we have a huge Irish connection but I was wondering what the title of Arseblog’s book and the song was all about. I hadn’t heard the chant/song before and nobody seemed to know more than the chorus…The link you posted was great too! New Arsenal song for my Ipod…
Btw, I wouldn’t have chosen either Terry or Rio for Euro.
They’re both colossal cocks and I think they’ve had their had their chance. It seems like England and the Netherlands always have personnel problems before every tournament, eh?
Indeed Tel, those three as well, the list in North London would be as long as my arm. Foreign birds also a reason for my exile.
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Good call Ollie.
Right on, Shaft.
All is pretty quiet around the Oranje camp this time around. Their biggest issue seems to be that Huntelaar is pretty pissed that he’s not first choice striker, RvP even gave him the No9 shirt. (he had first right of refusal) Maarwijk played KJH as main striker in the Bulgaria game with RvP on the left wing, but that didn’t work at all. Affelay has now come into the side out wide with Robben on the other flank, Sneijder just behind the frontline and RvP as target man, the results improved immeadiatly and the team looked a lot better.
RvP and Affelay, have by all accounts, struck up a good understanding and immeadiate frindship. (him being from Barcalona, some media ponce will surely jump on that in the coming weeks)
H2H, do you mean the media will assume we’re in for Affelay?
Oh.
Afternoon chums, back in the wild west, having left the youngest in an Arsenal shirt, though sadly not the eldest.
Enjoying a pint of plain in the local having negotiated a drink or two in exchange for a takeaway.
Heh Ollie.
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1 out of two not’s too bad ‘holic, the eldest will probably soon get bored with the gloating from his younger sibling when we win everything in sight over the coming seasons.
Hazard signs for the Chavs.
We can now officially dislike him.
Eden Hazard, John Terry now owns your arse. No, really.
And no doubt has designs on his girlfriend….
Hey Holic welcome back! Don’t worry about the old ones – start ‘em young and sell ‘em in their prime! That’s what we do.. WHAT??
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18298866
OK so here is what we should have been afraid of with Chel$ki winning the UCL – now their ugly football is being seen as an effective strategy. We already saw Man U try to use it against $hitty. I fear that next season will be dire..
COYR you are our only hope ..
Shaft @253 – great work – didn’t know all of that before, cheers.
‘Holic @279 – welcome back Guvnor. See, we played nicely.
“Eden Hazard, John Terry now owns your arse” -
is that compulsory, in a kind of “mandateTerry” way ?
GoonerT – your “@225 with your @228″ was very Times cryptic crossword – which I quite like – but I didn’t get it. Sorry ?
If you’ll forgive me. I would like to do a detailed analysis on the relative merits of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, and what they bring to the England squad.
Just kidding
Evening chaps and any lurking goonerettes. Holic, can’t really fault the eldest. He obviously has inherited the ‘loyalty’ gene, and I for one will miss the Wolves next season. Very scrappy lot! Gooner Terry, you don’t say, my fav color is green (hunter). Love to pair that with purple. Trev @ 285, perhaps a psychological profile on the both of them is what we really need. At some point (serious about this) I intend to read up on Joey Barton’s formative years…might provide me with some insight towards his being bent on self destruction. Finally, Roy shared his philosophy re his tactics (see the article at Arsenal’s website). Very impressed with what he had to say. No parking the bus and he is pleased with AOC. With Rooney banned for the first 2 games, really counting on Ox to grap the spot light. Good nite all!
H2H, thanks for the follow-up….hope the drink was a good one.
Re: Terry (not GoonerTerry, of course), has there ever been a positive story about him? Something he did for someone other than himself? The guy is a complete tool. Read that he was in a drunken state making fun of US tourists in Heathrow who were watching the events unfolding on 9/11/01. I mean seriously, who would do that? Of course I’m a bit sensitive to this BS given that I reside across the pond but this kind of action towards anyone whose home country is experiencing a terrorist attack cannot be rationally explained. Oh, did I mention the “Golden Child” Lampard was participating as well? Then I see the “John Terry Legend” signs at the Bridge, pfftt. I could go on and on…..
Hey Gedo, I didn’t hear about that Terry 9/11 thing before so I looked it up and found this rap sheet of misdeeds. One can only hope Diaby gets him again during the France match…what a spunkbucket
http://soccerlens.com/the-john-terry-controversies-a-complete-list/86817/
Jumps out of the crease and takes a huge pace down the pitch, brings the bat through and smashes the ball over the rope. Six. (Hours since last drink.)
Raises bat to acknowledge the applause of the crowd.
Glances down and discovers he’s wearing red shirt with white sleeves, shorts and blue and white hooped socks.
Retires to pavillion/dressing room in confusion.
[Slow in here today.]
It’s so slow in here I swear I just saw a snail rush toward the goal with the ball by his feet
How goes it Oxon?
Grim, mate. Grim. Reduced to attacking two-days of washing up to liven things up. Seriously considering the ironing.
Anyone interested in a sweepstake on if/when the 300 goes up?
Damn. Might I suggest the watching of Game of Thrones? It’s amazing. Like Lord of the Rings on steroids laced with crack….
Quiet indeed.
I’ve just realised I’m quite looking forward to watching football on Friday (though I guess I’ll miss part of the first game), as there’s no team I hate, and I’m quite looking forward to watching Szczesny, Obraniak, Rosicky, Plasil and even Arshavin.
The 300 better not come up before I get home! Now leaving the office, hopefully if I sprint I can score the Spartan goal…
Someone recommended that to me the other day, CoR.
As for 300, is there any money on Wind? Or is he AWOL?
First Hazard to the Chavs, despite him being a top target 6 months ago. Now Kagawa to the Manc,s depsite the fact we were told on here that he was 99% an Arsenal player????????????
Oh well, I guess you really should not believe all you read after all.
Bonjour Ollie! Comment allez-vous?
Game of Thrones is really good. The seasons are short too. Two seasons so far, 10 episodes each. Lots of sex, killing and magic. Kind of like this football season that just ended
Hey Steve! Seems like at the moment everyone is waiting with baited breath to see who’ll drink first, heh
Alright, the Spartan goal is on me lads.
Kagawa to the Mancs annoys me. Now I have to hate him despite the fact that he’s from Kobe.
Let’s face it, we’re not signing anyone that the press says we are, so let’s just read books instead of tabloids for two months!
Banggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
The fact is we seem not to be dining at the top table anymore? I guess part is because of the ridiculous money on offer elsewhere. That said I do feel that this is possibly one of the most important periods in the club’s history. Get it wrong in the next few months and I am not sure the locals will be as forgiving?
Belter, Steve T!
Can’t really afford a summer like the last one indeed, Steve.
To be fair Steve I don’t think we have ever dined at the top table. Closest we ever came was Bergkamp, but people forget he wasn’t having the best of times in Milan when we nipped in for him. Perhaps Arshavin was up there when we signed him.
By and large though we made the most of Arsene’s eye for bringing the best out of players who were on their way to making it.
Actually, Podolski is as big as most signings this summer.
Agree we definitely need to add to that though.
On hearing the Kagawa news, I was thinking what your 305 said too, ‘holic.
People tend to forget that when they talk about Hazard and Kagawa.
Although, glp, actually, Podolski still hasn’t officially signed, only ‘agreed to join’. (and pose for pictures… ) :p
A few more signings (not just LANS) needed indeed.
This has triggered another thought in me: for all the shouting about ‘Arsène can’t spot or sign a decent central defender’, which have been proved wrong a few times, I think it’s more ‘he can’t sign a ‘proper’ number 9 out-and-out striker’. Maybe Eduardo actually fitted the bill, but sadly, we know what happened :s
Beyond that, Suker, Jeffers, (the Beast?), Park, that number is still cursed.
Ollie, You asked for a signing so here goes …
http://www.initialhere.com/notary-signing-service-blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/signing-docs.jpg
You make a fair point holic. Perhaps the money men has seen the gap grow that little bit larger? My point was also a tentative prod at all the bollocks that appears in the media these days. All the made up lazy journalism that somehow manages to earn people a living?
One thing I would say is this. The move to the Grove was in no way meant to have any negative affect on our trading position. On the contrary, it was meant to greatly improve it and ensure that we did keep pace with those at the very top. Our dealing last summer still sends shockwaves through me. I just hope and pray we have learnt our lesson. We need to strengthen in several areas in my humble opinion and we need to add real quality this year if we have any hopes of competing for the major honours.
Ollie, you make a very good point re number 9’s and the signing of Park will always be a total mystery to me. I will never understand why we wasted so much money and paid him wages when the money could have seen far better usage. That is just one example. Interesting you mention Suker. I would have loved to have signed him 3 years earlier. Must say I always had a soft spot for him. I remember one particular goal at Highbury. It was a free kick inside the box for the keeper picking up a back pass. Against Newcastle if my memory serves me correctly. It was obviously indirect. The ball is rolled to him about a yard away. 11 defenders on the goal line. Super Dav smashes it to the only place where there is the merest chink in the armour and it nearly broke the net. Awesome stuff.
Howdy ‘holics.
I agree with the guvnor that we never really dined at the top table.
As far as I can remember our first million quid player was Clive I wanna shake your hand Allen, who we swapped within minutes for Kenny Sansom. The only over “big” signing I can recall, except for those mentioned above, was Charlie Nicholas, I think at the time he could of went anywhere (in the UK) but choose us.
Highbury was packed for his debut game, you could hardly move in the Clock End and I’ll never forget a bunch of geezers behind me pretty pissed off and uttering the words “where were all you gits last year?” throughout the whole game, before trudging off at the final whiste moaning about what a waste of money he was. Fans, eh?
Re: Big Name signings. Alan Ball?
Big Pat?
We should sign Jan Venegoor of Hesselink.
That’s a big name, so big I bet it would hardly fit on his shirt.
hahaha yeah H2H, he used to have only Venegoor of H. on his shirt I think. Regarding Kagawa joining manure, its a shame but screw him, we have Ryo and that lad will tear few defenses a new one next season
I had a soft spot for Suker too. In fact, Bergkamp aside, I can’t remember too many signings I have been actually excited about, and that was one.
As for Park, I am as baffled as you. My only guess would still be that Arsène expected him to bulk up but that it bafflingly never happened.
I remember him being barged off the ball during the very few minutes of Premier League football he had and thinking ‘oh, that’s why he doesn’t play, far too lightweight’. I suspect he’s a good finisher, but simply too slight, perhaps a morphologist (does that exist?) would have been needed.
Arsenal are in talks with Anderlecht’s Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia, 26. However, they face stiff competition from Real Madrid.
Full story: The Sun
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A Big(lia) signing?
Ollie. Perhaps he is just not good enough?????? My guess is he never was. I would rather see my 8 year old warming up than park. So, why did he sign? Who knows? It’s park’s life I guess? I can’t make it out at all. Just a Blur for me.
Well, Steve T, modern life is rubbish.
Hmm..being lightweight doesn’t mean you can be shoved off the ball easily, look at Tomas, he is not supermuscly either, or if you want to look at strikers, Chicharito seems to be also very thin and is somehow successful in Premiere League. Might be bit more about the stability and overall toughness.
Anyways I am puzzled by that signing too, his goal against Bolton was class, but why wasnt he used more then? Robins fantastic form might be one reason but seriously, only thing which pops up in my mind is that maybe Arsene bought him to advertise Arsenal more in South Korea or somesuch, which is really longshot but that just shows how baffling Park case is for me.
I thought Park was supposed to be better than Ji Sung at Man U? He always outperforms him in the national team.
Maybe it’s a case of Arsene didn’t want him in the first place? Or because he was supposed to join the military, Arsene didn’t want to play him? Hard to make sense of…
I think he can score goals but as Ollie said, to play in the Premier League he needs to be tougher though.
Ollie, isn’t that just a Stereotype? It seems people aren’t really Coping with the non-football season. Maybe that’s The Universal feeling of emptiness, like everybody feeling that This is a Low. There’s No Other Way to explain all the Girls & Boys moaning and whining. Yes, we all want Song 2 sign a new contract along with RvP, but if that doesn’t happen we need to be Movin On.
Lars, You are absolutely correct in my case. I am not Coping at all.
On the new contracts situation, are we already Out of Time? We need to plan For Tomorrow.
Ollie – Out of Time was a great hit record of of the 60′s by Chris Farlowe who was born in……..Islington. Another bit of useless information given to you by a G.O.F. (goober old fart).
Even a Gooner Old Fart.
Why is Ian Wright championing Rio to be included in the England squad on Twitter? So annoying…
Why is anybody following Ian Wright on twitter?
Haha, fair enough Ollie
Come on ‘Holics, keep up!
It’s obvious why Park was signed – it was so they could name that thing all the substitutes sit on as “The Park Bench”.
*fetches coat without stopping for a drink*
Perhaps with all the last minute transfer dealings AW got confused and thought he was buying ” Park The Bus”.
*Swiftly swigs down Trev’s leftover drink as he gets ejected from the bar*
Maybe AW gave in to his semisconscious desires and signed somebody to “Park a Swift but Effective Elbow in John Terry’s Chops”?
Suppose Park has been a let down in that area too, but expectations should be pretty low unless we expect him to enter the field of play without AW’s permission….
During winter, it was the Parky bench.
(are there enough coats left? *exits swiftly*)
Ollie, Well in for the 333, that favorite of numerologists everywhere.
In case you havent seen this.
One good reason to read the Financial Times.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/49f4621a-aab2-11e1-9331-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1wpodfSez
Cheers.
Sunset, Thanks for the great read. Since there are so many RVP quotes in the article, it is easy enough to read the following paragraph as if it were his views being expressed, rather than the writer’s:
“Arsenal’s recent signings have not convinced. Andrey Arshavin was expensive, inefficient and unpopular in the dressing room, Marouane Chamakh a mistake, Gervinho inadequate for the Premier League. And manager Arsène Wenger’s protection of the young midfielder Aaron Ramsey, with his deficient view of the game and meagre statistics (only two goals and four assists all season), doesn’t help much either.”
Also interesting to hear the part about Van der Vaart.
Same article as Zico posted earlier on this page.
Still, good read though.
WTF Holics! Look we didn’t need Hazard @ a combined 80+ Million fee when we have Jack coming back… likewise we don’t need Kagawa when we have the Ox just before his breakout season! What we are after is defensive midfield cover, second striker & back-up goalie.
Our priority is to re-sign RvP, Theo and Alex Song. Poldi will be a sensation next season, so will Gerv. I still think that we’ll get M’Vila and maybe the Argentine, Biglia, is a hedge against the M’Vila deal breaking down through his injury or through a bidding war which we will not enter into.. Get with it you lot
I am more pissed off today by the rumour that we are about to release Aussie Cup to a Turkish side – hope its a load of bollox because I think that the boy had a lot of promise. Can’t wait to see which youngsters get promoted to the first team squad now that Bouldie will have a say..
GT: I’m with you on Gervais. He showed glimpses of what he could be in the last couple of games of the season. He could shine next term if he gets a decent run of games. But if RvP stays, Theo re-signs and Poldi comes, he will struggle to start.
Evening all. Long weekend ends shortly, with a monster post.
Unless my Euromillions come up my nose will be firmly up against the grindstone in the morning….
Evening Holics
Just caught the end of the France-Estonia match. Kos was brought on as an emergency DMF and might get a start there as injuries hit the French. Could be an interesting watch against England!
Missed that Delia. Interesting.
Just checked. Euromillions disappointment here
sorry to hear that, ‘holic. on the one hand. on the other, that means a new post is coming!
gt@338, yes, very much. all the way down to the oz cup.
and do you think the twitch is starting to get twitchy and desperate? he’s letting go with double-barrels:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1087232/spurs%27-harry-redknapp-plays-down-champions-league-blow?cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1087233/spurs%27-harry-redknapp-issues-contract-warning-to-tottenham?cc=5901
the only worrying thing in either article is that moyes is somehow being mooted for the perhaps to be vacant scum manager’s position.
Evening all. Holic, life’s a beach, ain’t it (chuckling). Delia, hope to see that game. No one better than our Kos! Just got back from the pet store, it’s praire dog season. Held one of them and he/she climbed onto my shoulder and nuzzled into my neck. They resemble baby squirrels, sooo adorable. Life is good.
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