Getting The Buzz Again
Aug 17th, 2012 by 'holic
It is all but here. Let me assure you the excitement and anticipation of a new season is not diminished no matter how many times you have been there.
Preparation is key, so I have checked my timings, and visualised a relaxed journey by road, rail, and tube. I can imagine taking those first steps out onto Holloway Road. Three months is too long to be away from the manor of my birth. A steady stroll to the ‘holics second home, via the Armoury, and the first greetings of the season to friends old and new.
I have no doubt a new song or two will be rehearsed in the beer garden once the first few pints start to take effect under the midday sun. I’m hoping we will concentrate on cheering those who are wearing the cannon on their chest, although human nature suggests there may be the odd reference to ingrates past.
Looking at the team news as far as Arsene shared it with us at his presser I would imagine the back four in front of Wojciech Szczesny will be Carl Jenkinson, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, and Andre Santos. Unfortunately Laurent Koscielny is ruled out, and I think Santos may get the nod over Kieran Gibbs in order to maximise our attacking threat.
The midfield selection will be telling. Apparently Alex Song has ‘a little knock’ that may owe something to a door slamming shut on him. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is unfortunately gone in the fetlock, and Santi Cazorla needs to be ‘assessed’ after playing for Spain in Puerto Rico during the week. I would be surprised if he does not start in advance of a pairing of Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby.
Up front expect to see Theo Walcott and Gervinho on the flanks, but who will lead the new-look Gunners attack. Last week Arsene thought both Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud would be ‘a little short’ for the start of the new season. I suspect Podolski, rested by Germany and scorer of two goals in Cologne last week may get the nod.
Sunderland share one thing with us tomorrow, having opted not to purchase Nicklas Bendtner after his season on loan at the Stadium of Light they may be short of firepower. You can be sure a Martin O’Neill side will work their socks off. You could also assume they will line up in a variation of 4-5-1, Catttermole will get booked at very least, and Seb Larsson will score against his old club.
Under normal circumstances I would be suggesting patience may be required tomorrow, but the vibes coming out of the training ground hint at an Arsenal squad determined to show what they can do without the former skipper, and at a dressing room full of spirit. Good luck to Thomas Vermaelen, deservedly appointed captain of this confident bunch.
The first ‘holic pound of the new season therefore backs this feelgood vibe. Hell, I am even taking a Steve Bould inspired defence to keep a clean sheet, sorry Seb. I will check the price on Lukas Podolski to be first goalscorer once the team is confirmed, but have punted already on 3-0 to the happy hosts. The hawkeyes among you will have noticed a new addition to the site. The good folk at Gunners Gaming are offering a free £25 to new customers fancying a punt, subject to conditions. Obviously if you access the Gunners Gaming website from the banners on this site then I will get a little something to help with the running of the blog.
Gratuitous grovelling beg over.
The new number ten
The club have wasted no time in confirming that Jack Wilshere is the new number ten, and in what is surely a barb at his predecessor Jack has revealed
“Getting the No 10 shirt again at the Club means so much to me as I wore it all through the youth teams at Arsenal. It has a special place for all attacking or creative players. I feel proud to wear it now after some real Club legends have worn it, such as Dennis Bergkamp.”
At the same time we have an update on the England international’s progress. Arsene revealed that he, Tomas Rosicky, and Bacary Sagna should all be back training in ‘more or less’ a month, so no room for doubt there then.
The Goonerholic Fantasy Premier League
Fantasy Leaguers, if you have missed the code to join us this year in the drinks or on Twitter you will find it here…
840986-209160
You have until 11.30 Saturday morning to get your teams registered so go for it.
A Year On…
A year after we were making a frightening start to the new season it would appear that lessons have been learned. This time around we have replacements for the departing skipper in place, and although there is still the Song issue to be resolved we do look to have a balanced midfield in place for as long as tomorrow’s starting trio and Aaron Ramsey can stay fit.
I think most accept that Song will need to be replaced should Barca come up with the sort of money required to purchase an international with three years remaining on his contract who does not have Barca DNA. A quality defender and experienced back-up goalkeeper would probably add to the growing perception that we may be going into this season with the strongest squad we have assembled since departing Highbury.
Regardless of who does or does not come and go in these next couple of weeks let’s do all we can as supporters to keep the mood positive. It’s time to put aside the frustrations of years past, and yes, we have all felt those frustrations to varying degrees.
There is something of a fresh start for a new generation, led by a new coaching set-up, about this season.
Come on you Gunners.
234 Responses to “Getting The Buzz Again”
Top ten?
Cheers, ‘holic!
Cheers, Boz!
Good to see you.
I was a little distracted by your first paragraph ‘holic. Where is it that you’ve been so many times?
Beg pardon, couldn’t resist. I hope your journey and day tomorrow are comfortable, it’s the least you deserve in return for such an excellent piece.
I think there’s nothing to add. Best wishes with the first ‘holic pound of the season, I think I’d go for 4-1 myself, with Seb irresistable.
Cheer loudly for me.
COYG ICDDR
CL spot?
Don’t think I have ever been close to the top of the list. I feel giddy!
Cautiously optimistic about this season. It’s a great feeling to tell my daughter that I will be tidying the garage, cleaning the inside of the car and then settling down to find a stream of the first match of the season.
I agree ‘holic, the excitement never dies.
COYGs!
There’s something reassuring about a new season starting with the same ‘old’ ‘Holic commentary. Looking forward to the games and your words of wisdom. Thank you in advance.
Well in Oxon! Now to read
Nice one Guv’ .
I wish all you Tollie wariors a great day out, I’ ll raise a glass to you here as I plot my return to my old manor in the not to distant future.
Arsenal Bloody Arsenal
Good evening to everyone.
I was already super excited, now after reading this post, looks like I won’t be getting any sleep tonight.
Hope we have a similar result to the everton one a few years back.
Come on you gunners!
Optimism has to have some foundation in reality.
Sunderland will be very difficult to beat and I will be surprised if we don’t concede a few goals with that defence. A Songless midfield scares me to death.
Getting soo excited in here too, even we only get to see the guys in action on the screen. So jealous for you guys who get to feel the first game of the season buzz right there, in and around the stadium.
Have a good one ‘holics!
@11
Singfield needs a Song. 🙂
COME ON YOUR GUNNERS!!!!!!!
Song has been singing off tune all preseason. Our midfield will be fine without. Arteta, le coq, Diaby, and Santi. 3 of those 4 will start and control the midfield. I hope an early goal for us to settle the early gitters. 3-1
Poldi, Theo and Santi with the goals.
Can’t wait!!
Woj, CJ, Per, TV, Gibbs, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Theo, Poldi, Gervinho.
Nice one holic.
please, please can we heve a statement of intent from the boys tomorrow, I have heard enough negative shit over the last few days.
Excellent summary Holic for which many thanks
Its a new dawn with a team ready to show the recently parted what they are missing (and if someone is going for a Song so be it )
A 60th season of support for me (roughly) that is full of promise with a talented set of new entrants
Looking forward to watching again on Romanian tv, whilst hiding from the forecast 37C here (I kid you not), but still envious of all you guys and girls at the pub then off to the match – have a good one
Cheers holic,here’s hoping and praying for a big season with a silver lining,also all holics have a safe and sound seasons drinking and representing all the holics around the globe,coy reds!
Is 20 worth anything? I am not in this thing for the money however 😎
Holic pound backs the feelgood vibe
Never in doubt. 😉
Season opener at Blind Pig.
Life’s good again.
Still good enough for a squad number, GT.
Uplifting post, ‘Holic. As ever, you make us far-flungs yearn for the Elysian fields of N5.
Much as I would love a runaway 3-0 or 4-1 tomorrow, my gut says it will be 2-1. But a calm and controlled, never in doubt sort of 2-1, not the nervous hanging on by a fingernail 2-1 so common in recent seasons.
Matt, in the previous drinks. DD isn’t actually a registered agent; he is a solicitor who acts as “business advisor” to the ingrates you list.
Holic you provided us with a starting list (compared it to Snir’s), info on the ‘enemy’, proper perspective, a shout out to Jack and a pep talk. And some nice background too. What a swell way to start this season. Like everyone else, can’t wait.
Matt, I think I take that back about Dein not being a registered agent. He doesn’t appear on the list that FIFA keeps (not that FIFA registers agents any more, but it does keep a list of those registered by its national associations). However he does seem to be on the FA’s list, and I can’t tell which is the more current listing. Sorry for the confusion.
Hello nurse. Hope all is well.
Nice one Guvnor!
Feck I’ve nearly wet my beige corduroys i’m so excited!
4 – 1.
IPod, Mikel, Theo, Ollie (and I don’t mean the Beligian one in this bar)! 😉
COYBG
‘Holic,
I too am excited for this season. Even more than for the 2007-08 season after we signed Dudu.. Can’t wait to see Santi, Poldi & Oli (Giroud) along with Arteta and the other boys play some fantastic football.
Was bussing “He sells who he wants to” for AW since Wednesday and after today’s news of Song “being sold” (which has brought out the ruthless face of Arsene) & Old Red Nose’s admission that Arsene is a grand master in Poker, I’ve been bussing a new non-rhythmic chat for the last couple of hours:
He sells when he wants and who he wants to
He buys when he wants at the price he wants to
He is Football Poker’s meanest Grand Master
Even the Old Red Nose had to bend over
We the Gooners love him and proud of him
He is the only one in whom we trust
Arsene Wenger, One Arsene Wenger
I know it isn’t rhythmic nor will fit any tune but I just wanted to share this here!!
Shut down Sessignon and we’ll be on easy street amorrow avo!
Glad you mentioned Ollie, Dapper DanC@27. I’ve had many a rude awakening recently when some of the ladies in the bar were trying to decide who fancied OG more, only to realise that meant some other OG. Sniff.
COYG ICDDR
nicely put, ‘holic, i can just see it, even though i’ve never had the chance to see it…
i think saha might also be available for the wearsiders, so hopefully our boulders in defense will be able to resist his french tickle. 3-1? poldi, gervais, and cazorla.
we should be seeing wolfie soon, i heard he has a penchant for the “feelgood vibe”. sorry, good dr.
Regardless of who does or does not come and go in these next couple of weeks let’s do all we can as supporters to keep the mood positive. It’s time to put aside the frustrations of years past, and yes, we have all felt those frustrations to varying degrees.
There is something of a fresh start for a new generation, led by a new coaching set-up, about this season.
Come on you Gunners.
Beautifully said, Holic! What’s been has gone, there are new pints to be drunk and new games to be played.
Just got back from the pub where we have been decorating the crap out of the place in preparation for tomorrow (and had a few pints, of course!), and reading about the excitment everyone else feels just made me even more excited about tomorrow. Proper footie is back!
I shall make it an early night so I’m off to bed now, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep 🙂
IG @28,
In Arsene we forever trust! What a long-term strategic genius!
Good news for you Dan.
Sessignon is doubtful.
Hi Holic, I’m ok, the good peeps here and my team keep me going. Losing these players has been emotionally exhausting for us. Will be relieved when it is all truly over.
Two weeks to go yet nurse.
Song, Bendtner, Squillaci, Park, Arshavin… 😉
Don Ox @30,
Heh! I don’t think Wolfie minds either way! 🙂
Early night lads as it might take me a while to doze off in the four-poster amidst all the anticipated excitement!
Another round of each remaining patron’s poison please Barkeep and a large fruit juice with accompanying banana for the Guvnor’s presently delicate undercarriage! Salut and COYBG!
‘holic @34,
Sweet! 🙂
Night Abbs!
Hey you know Holic, Park showed some firepower when he played for South Korea…but I guess EPL is just too much for him. AA, gonna miss him (rug rat).
Something tells me arshavin stays. Could be worse, I guess.
Exclusive prediction, abb@35. When it is all truly over, you’ll be relieved for, maybe, a couple of weeks, then you’ll start counting the days until it all starts again. ’tis the lot of the footie fan, and none of us would have any other way.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS. ITA CENSEO DELENDAM DAEMONIA RUBRUM.
Nite Dan C, and enjoy the game, lad.
often in reading your blog holic..great work..still i must say the buzz isnt there anymore for me…selling two three of our best players year after year..kinda wreck it for me..
ever since 99…and the fact that Gooners seems to be overjoyed solely by the fact that we may end third..well good old Bertie would turn in his grave if he had seen what we have become under Kroenke..then again living the american dream seems to work for some Gooners too..
c’mon you Gunners..
Oh Oxon, surely you know I meant the disenchanted leaving. I never want the season to end! BTW, Giroud has been claimed by Fun…and I ain’t messing with that. No way!
NorCal, Welcome. Heard you are in the med. field. Your services will be needed. Love the San Fran area and northern CA, beautiful part of the world and fun to visit.
Would love to have a proper, positive start to the season. This squad does give me greater confidence that The Arsenal are back. The mix of players providing greater depth and versatility, and somehow improved unity.
Looking forward to following your posts Goonerholic. Always entertaining, insightful and well written.
Victoria Concordia Crescit!
Thanks ABB. yes beautiful area. I’m even further north, surrounded by mountains in the Sacramento river valley. Still very beautiful.
I am indeed medically inclined as well. Unlike the good holic yesterday, I get paid to pass gas.
Here’s to a beautiful start in the morning. Cheers all.
Cheers NorCal. Enjoy.
Actual money has been wagered on us to win the league at 14/1. Each way of course, I’m not THAT optimistic 😉
50? COYRRG
‘holic you might have a word with the Gunners Gaming team. The banner they have put on your wonderful page seems a bit outdated 😉
2-0 to the Arsenal for me. Poldi at the double.
Nice one Holic.
I think the betrayals of our wantaways will galvanise the crowd behind those in the shirt tomorrow, just as the poor start did last year after we were so royally stitched up by Cesc and Na$ri.
The anticipation and pleasure of a new season is doubled for me by the expected meeting of real virtual friends under the Tollie Brollie.
Hopefully the culling, and that is how I choose to see it, of our Double D whores, will mean that summers will become calmer times for Gooners.
Those who are criticising Arsene Wenger for allowing all these great world class players to leave, would do well to ask themselves who identified and brought them all to the club in the first place.
It wasn’t as though he didn’t want them, and without his skill and patience they would not be so hotly pursued by others. What can he do when they tart themselves around the petro-rich that we cannot compete with ?
Funny isn’t it, how certain radio stations who have never to my knowledge acclaimed the world class skills of Alex Song, now say that Arsenal’s hopes for the season are ended because he has left. Oh, and some Dutch bloke left too.
The reason they have gone, according to those expert broadcasters, is because the players have all lost faith in Arsene Wenger.
Yes I know, and I did switch off. It obviously didn’t occur to them that Arsene could be the active one here, ridding the squad of it’s remaining destructive elements.
Hopefully that job is now complete.
See you tomorrow Holics.
Back with those who want to support those who want to be here.
Nice one Trev.
Where the fuck is the Reverend And Lester and Snowy?
Hope they haven’t jumped out the transfer window – I’m travelling 455 miles in the morning and will be thirsty! 😉
Saturday’s return to sublime normality..no sky news or talksport just good old fashioned footie. Time to raid his college fund again..the roller coaster beckons
Eta zico ?
Trev, Bless you for saying that. Fed up with this nonsense. Jack would give anything to play…Aaron and JD too. And look at Sagna, with all the hell he’s been through. Yossi was more of a Gunner then RVP and Song. Take him in a heartbeat.
Funny Abb, I did wonder today, when the rats were leaving the ship, what Yossi was doing. He did a great and patient job for us last season.
Given our propensity to midfield-knack, I’d take him back too.
Trev,
12:30 if pilot is on his game. 10:30 if I take the parachute option. 8)
Now I should really pretend to get that one last sleep….. 😀
Trev, a month ago I’d been balling my eyes out over Song. Numb now. And when I saw that video of TV, learning about RVP leaving, that did it for me. Yossi always played his heart out, didn’t let ego get in the way.
Hey Zico, safe trip and enjoy!
The worse thing I heard today, is not confirmation that RvP is an official Red Devil. But sections of Arsenal fans have been targeting RvP’s wife and kids even with death threats. That type of criminal behaviour have nothing to do with football, but it is the lowest type of scum behaviour.
The years when a player would sign a life time contract with a club is over. Other we would be stuck with deadwood forever!
But the cowardly behave towards RvP n family should not be tolerated. Arsenal needs fans that are ambassadors and not thugs!
Coyg! !!!!
Fantastic post Holic. We even had the same team save for the Gibbs/Santos conundrum. See you tomorrow Sir!
Chaps and Chapesses , on this occasion, don’t follow the Holic pound. Get your money on 7-0. You heard it here first!
Indian – I’ll sing that Baby – Lovely stuff.
Scruz, glad you enjoyed the link in the last set of drinks (Wolfie was particularly intrigued by your slippers!), and Oxon, great link, had me on the floor!
Snir – My team. Bang on!
Songthegreat – Bertie who finished tenth,sixteenth and fourteenth on the bounce.Methinks he would have given anything to have Arsene’s record. You are either part of the solution or part of the problem. Time to get with the programme old son. Get the buzz back, and I’ll buy you a pint.
Looking forward to getting hammered with all the usual suspects tomorrow.
THIS IS ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ps – Dr Z : Tabs 8 Assorted 0 . Lightweight 😉
DDC@29: Sessignon has an ankle injury, apparently. Faces a late fitness test.
TBN@61: Well said.
Also, fair play to Bartley for his farewell tweet. Honest and gracious. The right way to leave.
Lovely preview ‘Holic.
Fighting talk Trev.
Drinking talk Dr.z
Have a good one tomorrow fellas. I will be there in spirit(s).
PS: Is Arsene now The Dirty Harry to Vermaelen’s Terminator?
Tabs drinks when he wants to…..
(Continue ad infinitum)
If only that were true Ned 🙂
@ 63
8 nil in a meaningless friendly. Flat track bully. 😛
Really, I’m off this time….
Tomorrow, Funsters.
Ps Thank You abb x
Bearman – Every Club has their scum (Just look at Le Grove). We have less than most (all).
Dr Z Flat track bully? Unbeaten on all types of wicket! See you tomorrow and safe trip mate.
Just watching BBC news with the sound down. Purple nose and RVP and then Arsene all featured. Without sound, the body language was very telling. Rednose pissed, RVP more uncomfortable than nylon pyjamas, and Arsene the master of all he purveys.
@61
Is it a Arsenal fan , or a twisted LWC?
media guilty until proven otherwise.
Tabs – i just watched it on Sky, with sound.
Rednose pissed, RvP more uncomfortable than nylon pyjamas, and Arsene the master of all he purveys.
RvP saying that when faced with adifficult decision he listens to the little boy inside him. The little boy wanted Manchester United !!!
The little boy that last February, as Blogs pointed out, said he only wanted to win trophies with Arsenal, otherwise they would not feel like his trophies.
Why do they always feel the need to elaborate.
Just move, say you will do your best, thank the club you have left, and then zip it.
NorCal….agree with abb, you are in a beautiful part of the States. In 2010 took a long drive over several weeks from LA to Seattle sticking rigidly to highway 1 so missed out on Sacamento itself but there were some beautiful towns we stopped at along the way in NCal & Oregon.
Northern Cal & Southern Cal are as different as chalk from cheese.
Anyway glad our gooner clan has spread to your neck of the woods.
What’s the website for holic’s PL comp?
Also, off to Copenhagen in the morning? Any gooners
pub to watch the game?
Trev 71 agree with you entirely but when did footballers speak with any true meaning.
Trev
Plenty of phnaaar jokes doing the rounds about “the little boy inside me” statement made by whatsisname.
They just can’t help themsleves can they.
Thought AW was masterful today at his pressie. Went a bit “seagulls” talking about reality and Olympics but the way he dealt with that utter cretin who asked him about some c*nt’s contract was brilliant.
Oh Uply, Highway 1, what memories for me too. Breath taking scenery. Love watching the surfers attack the waves and then ride them in. Great stuff.
TS –
Haven’t heard the ‘contract’ comments yet – will watch out for them.
No 10 at Arsenal, a shirt worn by Dennis Bergkamp.
No 20 at ManUre, a shirt wirn by Raphael, if memory serves. Twat.
As the new season is now upon us the old habits start to surface. What comes naturally in a few weeks, at this early stage still requires just a degree of thought to dust the pre season cobwebs away. If travelling from home my normal route would be to arrive at the Arsenal tube station. As you exit the atmosphere starts to take shape. You mingle with locals and tourists alike. Add to mix the odd away fan, obviously in total awe at the magnificence that unfolds before their very eyes. Turn right and there will be Fat Harry’s, selling foot long Beachwood smoked hot dogs. Always a favourite with the little man. Then on to the autograph and memorabilia stand. I have made several purchases over the year. Then the short walk to entrance B and we are in.
The pre season was going so well. The lessons seemed to have been well and truly learned. 3 signings of true quality to compliment the squad. Those that remained were that year older, that year stronger and that year better prepared. There was even a chance that the RVP statement may have been in haste and a retraction may be in order? That was never likely to happen though was it? We were too far down that path. I had genuinely hoped that the like of Giroud and Podolski were additions to the squad. Now it appears that all along that they were brought to the club as replacements. I welcome both with open arms. Both I feel will be great additions to the club but I still feel a tad frustrated.
The opening games marks the start of what we have all missed. It is quite obviously the start of the season. You can tell that simply because it will be the hottest day of the year. Isn’t that always the way? I am hoping for a commanding performance form a side that will contain several changes from the one that finished the season. It will be interesting to see how well it all works. I have everything crossed in anticipation of a substantial Arsenal victory against the negativity of O’Neil.
My trip to the game on Saturday will require a further stop at the autograph stand. As I arrived home from work today I went upstairs to change. I noticed in Ben’s room a gap on the wall. A gap that was once home to his signed RVP picture. Theo still proudly sits in the same place, but underneath is now blank. As BTM will testify, RVP was his favourite player. Not anymore. So, I ask, who do you want instead? I half hope it is not one of the superstars and is someone who will test my wallet a little less. He pauses and replies, “the Ox.” I pause for a minute contemplating explaining that no matter how talented AOC is, that there is only one Ox. I decide that at 8 years old that he may not be ready just yet for a lesson on old Thunder fingers. That can wait for another day.
Two weeks of the window to go. RVP has gone and even more surprisingly for me, Song appears to be on his way. I have no objections to players leaving. All I ask is that all the money is reinvested on quality additions to the squad. We will all have to sit back and wait and see. For me it will be a trawl through the pics hoping to find a bargain signed AOC picture that will not make too much of an impact on my beer token allowance.
The Tollie may be possible for me tomorrow, although a lot of other factors will need to fall into line for me to get there. It will be great to share an ale with a few like minded Holics.
4 nil to the Gunners.
Keep the faith.
Ah abb, when highway 1 goes around the mountains, some of those bends wow! A little more difficult for me as all the american drivers insisted on driving on the wrong side of the road (on the right) 😉
The Californians were so friendly and polite…a little different in the big apple. NYC what a great city…but not quite as great as my city of birth.
London. Well it’s not the home of Arsenal is it !
That’s me – the evening shift is over and bed time calls.
Sweet dreams all….18 aug and a great day beckons.
“I listened to the little boy in me and he was screaming for Manchester United”. Robin van Persie, 17/08/2012.
Somebody call the police …….
Uply, enjoyed that. Get a good sleep and see you tomorrow.
Somebody did Trev, look out your window (ha, ha)! Nite all. COYR!
Trev @ 80
Na$ri, RvWho, Gallas, Bendy, Song – put them all in the same sack, etc, etc…..
Trev/TS , I was one of those doing the phnaar/phnaar stuff about the “little boy inside”, the kiddy fiddling ex hero. 🙂
SteveT – Good stuff.
Would have been rude not to.
That’s the way I looked at it 😉
Just back from the inlaws, and there seems to be an odd pattern developing in the recent drinks. Three short of the century, followed by two short of the century. Could this be a conspiracy? 😉
Nope! 12 to go 8Ball. The floor is yours 🙂
tabs@63, still chuckling over that one!
norcal, what’s your drive to san francisco? i’m oh a mind that at least once this season i will take the 90 minutes before a game and drive up to that sfgooner pub for the love of it. redding area for you?
uply and abb, hwy 1 from santa barbara to santa cruz is one of my favorite drives ever. i also love the stretch from here to san francisco, often we see whales, pods of dolphin, etc. i always take our visitors back to sfo this route.
aside from a standing drinks offer if you visit our fair state again and pass through these environs, i recommend state hwy 49, north through the foothills of the sierra nevada mountains and the country of the great gold rush of 1849.
as for robin’s little boy, that is just code for “he was not mature enough to recognize the debt he owes to arsène, arsenal, and the fans…”. the little boy needs a bit of the strop, i should think.
Beer 22 H2H Done.
Have a great one holics.
TGSTEL will score the first goal.
Giroud, however, will score first.
Right on the mark Scruz ,I am in Redding. Have a sister in law that lives in the Santa Cruz mountains. If I’m ever there and the Arsenal are playing would love to watch the game in a real pub….we have little to choose from here. SF takes about 3.5 hours from here. Santa Cruz closer to 5. Beautiful up here most the time ( very hot right now), but quite isolated. Would love the bay area if you asked 10 million people to leave.
Oh and hwy 1 is the best drive mile for mile in the country. Love San Luis obispo and north of there.
As for Robin, he like most over-previledged athletes needs to just shut up. His comments only look stupid. Little boy, piss off.
@91, especially if ette or wolfie have anything to say about it.
norcal, it’s beautiful up there, at the junction of so much. if you can plan, the last 16 of the cl make a great midweek lunch & pints downtown santa cruz. or, if on a weekend the 90 minutes to san francisco takes less time with company. we are in felton, first town up hwy 9 from the cruz.
agreed on that particular stretch, i think those are the curves uply was talking about, too. big sur is heaven.
Seb Larson will score against his old club but the ‘holic pound is on 3-0 to the hosts. Am I missing anything here? If there’s a choice, I’m with the 3-0 and Larson not to score at all. 😉
It seems we’ve only lost once in the 20 matches we’ve played with Chris Foy as referee. More Foy stats at Untold Arsenal:
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/24403?
But personally I’m rooting for a big career for tomorrow’s fourth official, Trevor Kettle, who has a certain curiosity factor to his name. Maybe AW can launch his career with some photogenic abuse like tossing him a water bottle, but I wouldn’t advise calling the Kettle black. 😳
really working for that ton, eh bt8b?
Keeper rolls a gentle ball to the true guvnor on the field!
Simple pass to Mikel!
Pings it to Poldi who’s sneakily shifted from the left centre to the wide left!
Bounces in off santi’s head. Golaso golaso golaso
Instant control then whips in a delicious cross with his thunder-wanded left peg for the big guy in the middle to feed on! Vorsprung Durch Technik!
Nice 2-man combination. A little like Poldi and Gibbo combining for Poldi’s second against Cologne..
NorCal,
You selfish fecker! Looks like we’ve got another Rip Van Prick-winkel in our midst! 😉
Well in!!! As he belatedly, and rather subduedly, reveals a celebratory t-shirt with the words “the little boy within me told me to do it”!
Thunder well and truly stolen; top o’ the mornin’ to all across the Goonersphere! Finally, it’s match-day 1 – 2012! 😀
Off now for the new 2012 pre-match brekkie currently being masterfully prepared by the management: Bratwurst, Saurkraut, Black-Pudding, Mushrooms, Bacon, Poached Egg, Baked beans, 4 side portions of toast and 2 mugs of the best English Breakfast! Sweet as a nut! 😎
My wee boy”ll naturally remain with his usual pre-match routine: a combo of Coco-Pops and Honey Cheerios!
Enjoy the pre-match morn chaps and chappells!
COYBG
Great preview ‘holic and I agree with your line-up. Although, I have one slight difference to it (Giroud to start and Poldi on the left instead of Flipper):
————- Cheezer—————
Jenks — BFG —– TV —- Santos
——— Diaby —- Arteta ———
Theo ——— Santi ———- Poldi
————– Giroud—————-
My only worry today is about our RB spot. Sorry, I don’t mean to sound negative on such a day, but Jenks strikes the mother of all fears in me every time I see him on the pitch. Hopefully, Sagna has a speedy recovery and never gets injured again. Fingers crossed.
Before the window shuts I hope we get a top notch DM (M’Vila would be nice) and a defender that can fill in at RB. But that’s for another day.
A solid two goal victory will do for the season/home opener today, thank you.
Up the Arse!!!
Morning folks. Fucking hot down here in BN11 already. My old mate Sharpy always reckoned, ‘Arsenal are the bollox when the sun shines’. Here’s hoping. And get you money on tabs’ 7-0!
Morning all,
Seem to have woken up with all plumbing back to normal. Fingers crossed.
Which means, for those going, I aim to be at the pub for opening (11), but only for a couple of hours as I have been invited (along with a lot of other reprobates!) to a bit of a do in a box for the game by the club, all for a very good cause. Post match it will be back to the battle cruiser, possibly after the post-match crush has died down at the bar 😉
The match report may or may not be delayed until tomorrow. We shall have to wait and see…
Have a great day all.
ESSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Morning maestro 🙂
Ohhhh Arsene Wenger’s magic, he wears a magic hat, and when he saw the double he said I’m having that!!!
Have a great day out mate! Have at least found a rubadub in Worthing shows the 3.oo P.M. games illegally, so I will be watching live at any rate.
May I ask why no TS today?
Chim chiminee chim chiminee chim chim cheroo
Who needs van persie now we got Giroud.
Obviously full apologies to Kanu.
Up the Arsenal.
All the absolute very best to all the team in the pub and on the pitch…
Shee yousch guysh in shepetember…(not a moment too schoon!?)
Up The Arse!!!!
CoMOnUREdS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AL, they let you out the country?
Quick, pull up the drawbridge!
Only kidding mate, you’ll be missed.
Big silver bird beckons (I like ’em all shapes and sizes). 8)
Good morning Sir. Hope your travels are smooth and our victory large. Have a great day. Wish I was there.
Morning hoilcs, must say if I had a little boy inside me, I’d be very worried indeed, eh Wolfie…
The sweaty bus and train ride up to Athens HQ cant come soon ennough. After that I’ll be clocking a few air miles for the next couple of games, anyone know if there is a Gooner bar in Dubai? See from the net there were a couple, Goodfellas and Spiral but not sure how updated the info is.
Then it will be the Liz in Singapore for Liverpool.
Have a great day one and all, got a good feeling about this squad.
In view of ongoing austerity measures, I’m going 5 nil.
COYRRR’s
At the station. Here we go..
MATCH DAY IS HERE!
Steve T, great stuff there.
Nurse abb, agree completely about Benayoun. Would have been more than happy to keep him, but he’ll probably go to a club where he’ll get more time on the pitch. But he’s a proper professional, he was only with us for a season but he did more good for us in that one season than many players do in five.
Only a matter of hours now, time for me to shut down the laptop and get going. First pint of the day is about 1hr 45mins away!
COME ON ARSENAL!
First defeat of the season, platform switch unannounced. Oh well, 9.29 it is then. Eta at battle now around 11.30 🙁
Just wanted to wish all Holics the very best for the new season.
Family matters have taken up a lot of my time recently,very traumatic,which i won’t bore you with,especially as the day dawns on another season in the life of Arsenal Football Club.
The Cancer has been cut out,and new quality additions have been added,which in my humble opinion will make us a far better side.
I will raise my glass of freshly squeezed Orange Juice to the health of the boys meeting up in the Tollie,and hopefully we can kick off the new season with all 3 pts.
Regardless,having followed AFC for 58 yrs and counting,i still have the same hopes and dreams for the Boys as i always have at the start of each new season,and that will never ever change.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Have a wonderful time, all those who are going. I’ll be on the ArsenalPlayer commentary.
@ 53 Trev
Well said.
@ abb
I really liked BennyTheGoon as well. I think I was just about the only fan who went “yay!” when I heard we’d signed him this time last year!
@ 89 scruzgooner
“as for robin’s little boy, that is just code for “he was not mature enough to recognize the debt he owes to arsène, arsenal, and the fans…”. the little boy needs a bit of the strop, i should think.”
Bang on.
Oh what a wonderful day it promises to be! Steve T, I don’t know how I missed your post last nite, but you really delivered. So enjoyed it. Thank you (smiling).
Hey Fun, yes Benny has earned a place in my heart as well.
Mr Sweeper, Wecome back, you’ve been missed, and in our thoughts. Very happy to have you back.
Sweeper glad to see another senior supporter back at the bar and hope all goes well for you this season
To all those using the railways to get to the bar, may it run as smooth as the black stuff and enjoy the day
Was looking forward to a peaceful day in the cool indoors, but washing machine has just gone on blink , blowing all circuits in house — domestic bliss
Hot??????
I am sweating like a scouser in Dixons.
Hi Lars, Excited for you (your post last nite), sound like it will be fun! Agree with you about Benny.
SWEEPER! Got your mail Clive, will drop you a line tomorrow. They will be chuffed to see you have dropped in.
Which twat called me guvnor the other day?
Mirror mirror on the wall who’s the Guvnor of them all
Getting the runs again?
Oh no, the buzz.
Here it’s *boilk*
/heh, where are you now, Guvnor?
/ah, quick backdrink shows your ETA.
Hope you’re well, I shall backdrink the whole lot now.
I see you mention the skipper which is Great News
Clive. Best wishes dear fellow. I hope all is well.
Morning holics. It’s a scorcher.
And if you fancy a spot of breakfast, let me know, I’d be up for it. Drinking without eating last night wasn’y a great idea
/shorts weather indeed, Steve T.
Why is that left shift key on the Mac so short/badly placed?
/and when I say ‘left’ I mean right
Sweeper : all the best, take care.
On me own again?
Hi Ollie. Trying hard not to be Miss Piggy at the bar. Plus keeping my ears to Camp Nou.
Morning holicettes and holics! So it begins! Still drunk-ish after my yesterdays exploits in friends pub in Prague downtown and mere 5 hours of sleep it is time to remove certain letters from my arsenal shirt and wear the no. 10 once again and proudly roaring our boys in support! Shamefully only in front of pc watching some hopefully good stream but thats the least I can do:D
Cant wait, I like your line-up Snir and I think its spot on with possibility of Gerv being subbed by Giroud, moving Poldi to the left flank as the match progresses. Shame about Kos and Ox, hopefully Santi will not have too much of a jet lag but see him being subbed by Aaron later in the game too. Right…now to have something to eat 😛
Sweeper – welcome back sir.
I was sitting on the plane this morning, when I read the reports of van Persie’s press conference, which I missed on Sky on Friday, preferring instead to warm up for the new season in the pub. (Well, you can’t mess with tradition, right?)
There are no hard feelings he said.
Notwithstanding how horrified Wolfgang Smallballs would be with that sentiment, does he really believe that to be the case with us, the fans? He will be put right on that score at the earliest opportunity, I’m sure, but I couldn’t believe the anger that his pithy statements induced in me. Rage does not begin to describe it.
My anger is no doubt, irrational. I fully understand that for the most part he was (once again) playing to the gallery, that the comments to the media in these type of situations need to be taken with a cellar full of salt, but know this, Mr van Persie:
There are hard feelings all right.
No one signs for them and gets a free pass.
They are a team that is riven with cunts, followed by cunts and Managed by the biggest cunthead from cuntingville. You are now going to share a dressing room with more cunts than were posted at Greenham Common in its’ heyday.
And that makes you just another cunt.
No hard feelings.
My arse.
Sorry people, that one had to be shifted off my chest.
Anyway on the Happy Train to Victoria – COYR!
Steve- beautiful man.
Clive- good to see you here again mate! Hope all is well!!:)
3-0, Diaby MOTM 😉
Hello ‘holic and fellow holics.
Am going to be in London during Stoke away. As this is my first trip, any advice on a pub where i can watch the game with fellow gooners.
Totally ready for the new season.
COYG.
Snir 143…. With you all the way there…this could be the year of Abou – all that talent to be finally unleashed with an injury free run. 🙂
Zico…141. Venting your spleen is good..its better out than in….although Wolfie may disagree there. 😉
Sweeper 119 glad to see the return of another senior supporter to the bar. Age tends to allow a better perspective on life including the love of our Arse (down wolfie). Joining you in raising a glass or 2 for the coming season..full of high hopes.
abb..how are you this fine day..well I trust. Just 4 hrs to our first 3 points of the season.
And by the way I’m still California Dreaming 🙂
@ 144 imissbergkamp
Any boozer near the stadium / Islington should suffice as its being Sky broadcast. I’d recommend the 12 Pins right next to Finsbury Park Tube station meself; but I’m bias, been going in there before home games and to watch away games since 1987. The Tollington will have it on, as will the Gunners, and both of them will be full of proper gooners.
Anyway have a good one wherever you decide.
Right off down the Light Bar in Worthing to watch us better the mackems.
Come on you Arsenal!
Nice to see you back Clive, best wishes.
Bloody hot today, beergarden full. 🙂 But could impact my chances of watching the gae live. 🙁
Ah well I can always record it and go into media lockdown, it’s a bitter sweet life.
Enjoy the game fellow holics.
@ Esso, cheers.
Hey there Uply, Me too!
imissbergkamp,
Most of the pubs around the stadium are quite picky with only letting home supporters in, but since it’s an away game it shouldn’t be a problem at all. But just in case, pack your Arsenal membership card or bring that scarf!
It’s official and it looks like Snir got it right
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla, Walcott, Gervinho, Podolski.
Mannone, Djourou, Coquelin, Santos, Ramsey, Arshavin, Giroud.
Podolski and Cazorla with travel fatigue and Giroud with comparatively less PR expectation could only mean one thing: Giroud on the scoresheet today. You heard it here first.
@ Toby, not to worry, will be there in my 1971 Charlie George tee.
Nice write up holic. Especially the cannon on the chest bit (someone should use it as a handle here), and the Song injury from door shutting. Ha!
@Indiangooner. Nice song mate, we should sing it every season.
It’s ticking down to ten pm here. Can’t wait.
COYG!
The About vibe seems to be perking up in the drinks. That reminds me, it’s time for morning coffee. Strong one please, barman. 🙂
This is unbearable. Bring me football!
Should have been Abou vibe in 158. Dirty, rotten spell checker ….
Right. That’s IT. I’m watching Leeds now. It doesn’t quite scratch that “football”-itch, but at least there IS a ball on the field. At times.
Welcome back everyone!!!
Heh, cheers abb! Good to be back. God, I love this feeling. The whole world of gooners are thinking of what is happening at the Grove right now and I don’t think there are many that aren’t counting down the last few minutes. The anticipation is almost better than winning. Oh, there are so many great parts of football, which the doomers would do well to remember.
Good luck ‘holics and other gooners, both on and off the pitch. I’m going to grab some cigarettes, then I’m going for some Highland Park to settle the nerves. I love not having to live like a pro…
But I must say I kind of miss Iceman… Not that I want him on the bench today really, but he did great on that right wing a few times during pre-season and perhaps, had the manager been a bit more adventurous, he could have opted for him instead of Arshavin. Having that said, that REALLY would have been the end of our little owl at the club.
Sorry dapper DanC,
It was a true poachers goal. The cross was a bit low and I guess you didn’t see the diminutive Cazorla lurking in the shadow of the big piece of French beefcake in the middle.
Here’s to a great start!
Nothing like 7am football!!!!
NorCal, 7am(funny)! I’m in St Pete, FL but Iv’e been up since 4am, couldn’t sleep!
mmm, one down the hatch, another on the boil. tv on, sound off, looking at a wonderful world of red and white. let the game begin!
total truth, norcal…unless it is 430 am football 🙂
COYG! 3-0 sounds perfect to me. Walcott, Gerv and Poldi all getting on the scoresheet!
Oh the anticipation!:P come on you reds!
Nice save, chez!
Almost Santi!
Santibang!
what on earth – not offside
what a shot Caz needed top save
Good morning, nurse!
Yo scruz! Hey CG!
Nice run Abu
I like what I see from Walcott so far. Come on Theo, time to prove what you are made of!
i need a proper stream,one i’m using is crocked….someone please save me..
Our passing will get better.
Per instrumental so far
Ooooh, santi!
oh shame!:O nice run gerv!
good pressure
COYR
Santi is the real deal…..takeoff the handbrake boys
@179 foreign…here is a selection 🙂 http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=165299&part=sports
Gedo, Yes he is. Diaby and Gervais looking real good too.
anyone else find it hard to get to the bar? a round of “what’s your pleasure” for all assembled. nice first half with the new boys, love per arteta and gervais so far.
What`s this business of playing Cazorla a day and a half since playing a full match in Puerto Rico? A man should be given the chance to have his debut in front of his new fans when he is in fine mode. He looks really down.
Would you let player of Santis calibre sitting on a bench and not even use him for part of the match? ..I dont think so..he is going to be subbed by Ramsey I suppose eventually, but so far he has been very influental.
Not too bad, but not that great either. A fewdecent chances and a few minor scares. Reallky need to stop giving the ball away so cheaply. On the bright side, the longer the half went on the more likely we looked like scoring.
These players will need a little time to click, but when they do I think we’ll have something to get really excited about.
I’m having a bit of bother too Scruz.
COYRRR’s
Good defense Gervais!
Looking lively, gervais defending well.
Not so much this half h2h. great minds, nurse!
hey scruz…we need a goal fast!
Olivier in soon:P might be for Poldi…or poldi to left and Gerv off.
leave gerv on please!
Is the site down?
Or is it just me?
It has been down.
Thoughts on the game are pretty much the same as the manager’s. I thought we popped it around nicely first half but the longer the game went, the less likely we looked to score. Very impressed by Cazorla, less so by the two strikers, but they’ll get there.
I hope.
Wow…no Gooner Terry it’s not just You! Been trying all day and now off to work. Santi was the star, with Diaby showing just what he is capable of. Gervais has got it going on! Under no circumstances should Diaby play against Stoke! As for the Black Cats, job well done on parking the damm bus! Nite all!
Welcome back goonerholic. Disappointing result but a lot of hope for this team to gel and give us a very good run for our money this season.
Well in GT but you may be carded for the assist. 😉
Hi abb..agree with your synopsis. I think ther is every prospect he will become Saint Carzola 🙂
Enjoy your work session. Nite all.
Muuuuch too drunk to back-drink so I have no idea if I am just saying stuff that’s already been said, but in any case I hope you all had as good a day as I had. Sure, it would have been made better if we’d have taken any of the chances we had to win the game but hey ho, there we go. Upwards of 200 Swedish Gooners down the pub and a couple of Brits on holiday who were mightily surprised to find a pub full of Arsenal fans so far away from home. Russell, on the off chance that you’re reading this – cheers!
Anyhoo, I thought we played fairly well for large parts of the game and looked really nervours and lacking confidence in others. But we didn’t concede more than one chance all game and that’s also rather important, methinks. A win would have done wonders for our confidence, but the importance of not condeding any goals is not to be underestimated, I think.
And I’m sure I had loads more very intelligent or otherwise comments, but the sweeet and tasty beverages I have imbibed during the day have pretty much robbed me of any capacity to form coherent thoughts so maybe I’d better stop there… Cheers lads and ladettes, see you tomorrow!
Well well. The bus parkers started the season in fine form. They played for the draw for the 20 minute mark on. I am not discouraged though. I think we showed that with a bit of luck and a few more games the bus parkers will have a hard time this year. We were more imaginative with the ball in years past and Giroud offers a more conventional target in the middle than in years past.
I would like to see Poldi out wide and Giroud up top to give us 2 finishers on the field at a time. I thought Gervinho played very well but is afraid to shot outside the 6 yard box. Theo should have done better with his head ( both using it physically and mentally ).
I would have loved a better result but I am encouraged by the team.
Defense looked pretty good but still needs work and communication. The one save Szczceny made was well done and bailed out the center backs who flubbed there offsides trap and Jenkinson was not the most confident in his play.
We really could have used an early goal for so many reasons but it is what it is.
Glad to have regular football back. Now to beat the orcan army at potters alley.
Should say, we were more imaginative with the ball THAN in years past..
Anyway, we looked like we have a better chance to break the 2 banks of 4 than last year.
Been a long day.
Steve @ 58,
What to do with my Percy 10 top? My Scots roots preclude burning. It will never be worn again and is taking up a wasteful 1/4″ space in the wardrobe.
All suggestions welcome. Her Nellieness is contemplating using it as a duster, but my guitars may get slimey if she follows that path.
This season is looking like a real bar steward for home game visits but I’m thirsting to meet up and will do so at least once before Christmas. Asian Arsenal pub dwellers are likely to see more of me.
argh, the bar ran out of drinks today! glad to see the delivery truck has visited.
abb, alas, a goal was not to be.
btm, how about a footwipe at the door from the stables?
Inconclusive in the extreme is my conclusion without having seen the game. Instead of trying to find a stream I was eating breakfast out and riding around the local lakes on my bicycle. 37 games to go and improve on that scoreline. Come on Arsenal.
Well I thought it was a good start by our defence. In fact the whole shape of the team [especially when tracking back once we had lost the ball] gave me cause for a lot of optimism that we’ll not be conceding too many goals this season.
wrt to our offensive game I think that I’d have liked to see Ollie start in the middle of the attack with Poldi out on the left. Gerv was good but he does not create enough chances due to his inability to beat his man quickly to the byline and cut the ball back. That inability meant that Poldi had to feed on scraps. Apart from that we did as well as we could against the bus-parking brigade – damn you Chelsea. I hope you loose many, many points this season for making this ugly tactic respectable in the eyes of the weak managers …
Finally, me likes the new Spanish bloke a lot. Yes please 🙂
@GT 212
Couldn’t agree more, tracking back and filling in any holes was a pleasure to see. Far more cause for early optimism than worry if you ask me. Especially when you see how some others started.
The lack of a cohesive pre-season and the warm weather were also very evident especially after the hour mark. Couldn’t understand though why we kept it narrow when Giroud was brought on…he looks like balls fed in from the wings should keep him well fed. If he scores his chance he is a debut hero, as it is at least Cazorla knows where to look. Felt he (Cazorla) rushed his play and took too many shots in the 2nd half. Overall a reasonable start but we really need Sagna.
Only positives for me. First match after a summer with two tournaments, 3 new signings, and an interlull 3 days ago. Couldn’t expect much chemistry. Clean Sheet !!! Last August we probably would have given up a 85th minute goal to lose. As for Song, I’m not shedding tears. He’s a DM who didn’t want to defend. I expect a better Arsenal next week. Arsene said after that he prefers to play away at the start of the season. It could be worse … We could be LWCs 😉
Morning ‘holics and “glass-half fullers”!
Not the optimum result at the Grove yester-aft but at least we’re on the board! More than can be said for the LWCs & Red Scousers! Hee! Hee! Hee! 😀
Typical early season performance and frustrating atmosphere but certainly much optimism for the rest of the season wrt defensive work-rate and organisation (thanks already Bouldy! However it seems, yet again, that the parking of the proverbial bus against us is here for another season! Thanks for leading the way in this regard you Bus-Stop, Anti-Football cunts!
The lads will certainly bed in well as the upcoming weeks progress and they learn each others games and runs in an attacking capacity, and more pace, subtlety and quickness of the pass will materialise in due course! Santi & Gervais (particularly in the second half) were quality but the Oxo kid’s directness and trickery were certainly missed to assist in overturning the SunderBus!
With the disruptive and over-rated DD Song now thankfully gone for £15mil, good business that, and the now inevitable procurement of Sahin or A.nother CM to compliment Santi and Mikel till Jack’s return, we’re on the right track this term wrt the middle of the park!
All in all, not as D&G as I’m sure many will say but remember this, even with RVPrick, Cesc, Na$ri, et al; we didn’t always score in such matches and on occasion, we actually even lost!
1 or 2 more signings in the departments we all know need supplementing before the end of August, bed in the new, and build on our style and tactical acumen in earnest; then top 3 again this session is a certainty at the very very least!
Now let’s sit back and watch the form of the other major runners over the next couple of days. Draws at the most all round, with a few early injuries to their key personnel too, if you don’t mind Gooner Gods!
COYBG!
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Arsenal Bloody Arsenal.
Pint of the black stuff all around.
On a positive note, Schadenfreude style, at least we had a better first day and are above both the Spuds and Liverfool in the table 😉
What’s the deal with the BBC showing our game last it was the same last season,looking forward to the usual match reports..
Bleary eyed, the trip to the Airport is familiar. But this trip will not end at some business park at the arsehole of the world. Nor will it end in some Boardroom in the City, where a demeanour of sobriety and rectitude will be demanded, This trip does also does not require the uniform of sensible suit, shirt, tie and cufflinks and a professional (Hah!) attitude. This trip is for fun.
The squabbling children, the rowing parents, the disorganised tourists and the interminable security procedures, all things that would normally frustrate the travelling Dr Feelgood are embraced with surprising equanimity. For the end justifies the means. And the end is The Tollington, The Arsenal and The Tollington, in that order.
With the last drowsy words of Roxette still ringing in his ears, “have fun, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” he realises that the scope of the adventure has been widened and sanctioned beyond recognition, at least in his own mind. He decides not to think of the things Roxette wouldn’t do.
On arrival London is like the Tropics. Having left behind what calls itself the Summer in the Kingdom (it’s called monsoon season in more fashionable places) he for once can justify donning his shades. He boards the first Happy Train of the day at Gatwick bound for Victoria, and then underground lurching towards Finsbury Park.
Emerging into bright sunlight once again, he skips past the Twelve Pins where numerous kindred spirits are already ensconced with their breakfast beers and resists the temptation to join them. His discomfort is temporary, as a few minutes later he breezes past Jackie Pallo at the Tollington gate and spots the Coach in the usual spot, resplendent in his NYC gooner T. He pauses long enough to offer beer to Ollie and the esteemed Arseblogger and soon has one in his hand himself, which disappears South quicker than a retreating Edwardian army.
Trev, Bathgooner, Bathgooner Junior, Andrea and Jason from Brooklyn, Dan from Canada all make themselves known but there are one or two obvious absences. Eventually Top Man Snowy and Wolfgang Smallballs arrive, tardy due to Wolfgang having had a major disagreement with his hair-straighteners and not, as others claimed, that he had grown “too big” for his Speedos.
Fortified, Feelgood makes his way toward the stadium about 20 minutes before kick off. He is surrounded by earnest debate about midfield options, this formation, which left back etc but he does not engage. He is just happy to be there and wears a smile that would grace a child on Christmas Day.
Plastic is produced. The electronic lock is rumbled and he is in. The Clock End. The bastard stairs and the thin altitude. But once he arrives he never ceases to be impressed by that view. The proximity to the pub gives this part of the Stadium the edge over the equally impressive views everywhere else in the ground, and in any event, from the early days at Highbury, he was always a Clock End boy.
Out they come. Gunners. Brilliant, even if they are wearing that abomination of a Nike kit. “Look, there’s a Shiny New Player, oh and look again there’s another one!” His neighbour points out that one of those identified is in fact the lesser-spotted Diaby. A LANSP, indeed.
Unfortunately, the spectacle hoped for does not materialise. The opposition’s aspiration is to come and sit in for a point and their travelling fans go wild with excitement at the end when it is delivered. There are things to be optimistic about though, and Feelgood feels that the clean sheet should not be sniffed at, given the propensity to leak goals last season. The result looks even better when he sees how others fare.
The walk back to the Tollie is slightly laboured in the baking sunshine and it is clear that more liquid is going to be required. Wolfgang and the Snowman deliver the goods and Feelgood continues guzzling until the homing device, surreptitiously planted in his phone by Roxette, summons him to start travelling.
The Picadilly Line to Heathrow is long and uneventful. Thankfully, when he gets through security, a nice man sells him some Rum and Coke. He gets on the plane. And sleeps. He gets off the plane and a cab quickly takes him to meet a further Happy Train which delivers him back in the Kingdom. It is ten past midnight and he is already concocting a plan to do it all over again.
Seems I’m in the bar on my own so il just jump the counter and pull myself a hino and ponder why there doesn’t seem to be any fuss over song going,thought he had a big season last year.
Aha zicos up happy dayz now for a read.
Apologies for the rogue typos in the first para, garsguns 😉
Didn’t even notice zico fine piece always a great read pint of ur choice awaits you on the bar 😉
That will be mineral water this morning, then. 😉
With regard to your query regarding Song, the prevailing attitude to those I spoke to in the pub yesterday was that he can be replaced, and generally, happy to see the club getting on the front foot with players – if they don’t want to be there, “there’s the door”.
Nice report Dr.z/F. Sounds like a another top day out was had by one and all.
Have only seen match highlights but Cazorla looks like the real deal to me. ~~~> Just what the doctors ordered?
Much to be positive about not least that clean sheet and Diaby not breaking down against tough cookies like Sunderland. His real test will be to leave the pitch with two legs next weekend up at Middle Earth who will at least be ‘Sh*tehead-less’
Have a great Sunday all!
Yes all positive points, Professor.
Middle earth. Heh. That’ll be Mordor then?
Mordor, The Orc Army, Lenny, Pooless, The 12th Missing-Link that is the crowd. Take your pick. They’ve got everything for a decent goth’s day out apart from a team that plays association football.
Try putting a positive spin on that Stokies!
surprisingly not too boilky this morning.
hi folks, where were you, TS?
Morning all, good to see we’re back up.
Another scorcher here, today will be spent in the beergarden my thinks.
A round of cold ones for the bar as I go backdrinking.
Morning all,
Good to be back, albeit with a frustrating outcome from a lot of effort on a hot day. Sunderland’s lack of ambition should be an embarrassment for that gobby shite, O’Neill. Our boys will link up better in future.
Great to meet Zico and Trev for the first time and meet up again with the new slimline Guv’nor, Ollie (where did you sneak off to mate?) Tabs, Snowy and Arseblogs. Also I was shocked to have the real Wolfgang Smallballs reveal himself to me – a life-changing experience that one!
There’s a new improved (really it’s true) bottle of Glenfiddich sitting open on the bar. Help yourselves, boys and girls.
COYRs
Good stuff Zico, but what is this mineral water you speak of?
Sorry baff. ‘holic sneaked me out to watch the game on padded seats. Didn’t have time to chat or say goodbye
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This will very likely be clogged by the Guvnor’s new report, and proper thoughts on yesterday later.
Zico – that is one tremendous report.
Have to rush now. Laters.