Players Gone, Chances Missed, But Much To Look Forward To
Aug 19th, 2012 by 'holic
Let’s start at the end, shall we. It was debut day for all manner of people yesterday. Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, and me. Yes, that’s right, me. I made my debut in the post-match presser. Alright, only as an observer rather than a participant, although I suspect I might have found something a little more challenging to ask Martin O’Neill than a couple of questions about socks. Thanks to all at Arsenal for another unforgettable day.
You will by now have seen the match and formed your own opinions, so I will use what Arsene had to say as the basis for this piece, given the unlikelihood of me being invited back into the journos not so mystical world. Most tellingly he observed in response to a question from Amy Lawrence that,
“The formula didn’t work, with three strikers up front…”.
I hope the word ‘today’ was missing from that, for surely the preferred front three all season will be ‘strikers’? Funnily enough, the least ‘striker’ of the trio, Gervinho, may find himself behind Podolski in the pecking order on the left with Giroud starting in the middle, once all are up to full match-fitness.
More encouraging was the wry smile and glint in his eye when getting the question he really wanted about Santi Cazorla’s contribution.
“I think it’s difficult not to be pleased with him because he played on Wednesday night, the whole game in Puerto Rico. All the chances were created by him, basically.”
Indeed most of the discussions about Cazorla afterwards had to, by law, include something to the effect that we knew exactly why we tried so hard to sign him last summer. It is easy to see he is as close as you can get to our last but one departed skipper. One magnificent early drive hinted at sumptuous goodies to come once we have settled into the season.
The topic turned to the agreement to sell Alex Song. I don’t think many would be surprised. There have been question marks about his attitude for a while, but it is disappointing that another player who improved in leaps and bounds under Arsene’s tutelage should turn his back on his mentor so willingly. Politely Arsene observed,
“Because we have Wilshere coming back, I believe in one and a half months. We have Diaby back, we have Rosicky not far away and we might bring another midfielder in as well.”
We might bring another midfielder in? I think Arsene knows we have to. Great though it was to see Abou Diaby yesterday you cannot help but feel that Stoke’s midfielders will be the first, but not the last, to test his ankle bones next Sunday. Relying on him to remain fit for the season is just not realistic.
When one interrogator suggested we might have won had van Persie been playing Arsene resisted the urge to respond with ‘No shit Sherlock‘, preferring instead to point out that,
“Maybe people are right, maybe they are wrong – you can never check that. We have played some draws at home with Van Persie, we have lost some games with Van Persie as well.”
Of course any such question would have been ruled out had Giroud converted the chance of the match with eight minutes remaining. A hundred and twenty yards away we were on our feet acclaiming the winner as the Frenchman drew back his right foot with the goal at his mercy. A second or two later everybody was back in their seats engaging in a collective head in hands moment.
“Giroud had a great chance on his right foot. I think he had more time than he thought and we expected him to score that one, of course.”
But as Arsene himself said the Frenchman has “a presence when he is on the pitch” and the time to judge will be when he has reached full sharpness. The inquisition moved on to the question of whether or not this was an opportunity lost?
“It is always frustrating in the game when you have so much possession and so little points. You have to calculate that you make a draw or two or three during a season, but you don’t want to make it at the start in the first game.”
Arsene had already commented on Sunderland’s approach “in the final third and defensively”. It is a topic we return to so many times during every season. I guess we have a right as paying customers to be critical of sides who come and park the bus, a couple of removal vans and an articulated lorry in front of their goal. At the end of the day however we have to accept at some stage that it isn’t in their interests to play into our hands. I wish more would follow the example set by the likes of Norwich last season, who came and slugged it out toe to toe and earned a point as a result. West Brom, Hull, we can all think of sides who came to the Grove with a positive approach and went away with the points. Sunderland would point out those like Blackpool who tried the same and came unstuck.
So we end matchday one two points behind the leaders, with thirty-seven still to play. That is the reality, frustrating though the result may have been yesterday. Now it is time to focus on results we can do something about, rather than those that are gone, starting at Stoke next week. Ugh.
U-21’s Start This Week
Arsenal Under-21s take to Emirates Stadium to play host to Bolton Wanderers (Monday, August 20, kick-off 7pm) and Blackburn Rovers (Saturday, August 25, kick-off 2pm). The matches will be Arsenal’s first in the newly formatted reserve league – the Barclays Under-21 Premier League – where a focus on youth will mean teams are limited to fielding a maximum of three outfield players over the age of 21 and one over-age goalkeeper.
The new league will mark the start of an exciting season for Terry Burton’s youngsters, who are also taking part the Champions League-style Under-19s Next Gen competition for the first time. The Gunners, who will be one of 24 teams from across Europe to compete in the elite youth competition, have been drawn in a group with Olympique Marseille, Olympiacos and Athletic Bilbao. The Under-19s kick things off against Olympique Marseille on Wednesday 29 August at Underhill Stadium.
Tickets for the Under-21s games at Emirates Stadium are priced at £4 adults/£2 concessions. That sounds like a great deal to me. I would certainly be there if I lived closer. If you do get along and give the Young Guns a cheer.
1,411 Responses to “Players Gone, Chances Missed, But Much To Look Forward To”
First?
Well in Ollie.
D’oh!
I hope the U21s do better than the U18s. They got thraiped 5-1 by Bolton yesterday
And many thanks to the landlord for this great day.
The neighbour!!! Good to catch a brief glimpse of you and The little’un
Cheers ‘holic!
Good stuff ‘holic, I’ll leave my match reflections for another trime, for now, It’s beer(garden) time.
Gervhino is probably gonna be our best player this season and you think he’s gonna get dropped to the bench. Lmfao, you clown.
Thanks for your considered response E9. I’ll let others judge the sentiment.
I see the Sweeper made an appearance yesterday – mate, you have been missed round these parts! Hope everything is ok with you.
zico, a travel report well worth reading as usual. Will your next travel be v Southampton in September, perhaps?
Clean sheet yesterday, that was good. Cazorla definitely showed that he can bring a lot to this team, let’s not forget that he and Podolski have had about five training sessions and half a game with the team. At times we looked a bit disjointed in attack, but interestingly not really ever so in defence. Granted, Sunderland didn’t exactly kill themselves going forward but on the few occasions they did attack we never really looked troubled apart from early on when Mertesacker pushed up too late. Thought Jenkinson did really well in defense but surprisingly his crossing which is normally his primary strenght was a bit off.
We still created enough to have won the game, Giroud should of course have scored when Cazorla played him through and Podolski was inches away on two occasions in the first half.
And we’ve still got Chamberlain, Wilshere (pretty please with sugar on top), Sagna and Koscielny to come back, so things aren’t looking too bad.
Did keep half an eye on the Magpies-Spurs game and how NUFC managed to win that game I will never know. They bascially had one chance and a penalty and scored both while Spurs hit the bar and the post. Spurs desperately need an attacker and Newcastle need to improve drastically from that performance if they are to repeat last season. But what really astonishes me about that game is the way Alan Pardew pushing a lino is reported. “Had an altercation”, it says in the Guardian. Can you imagine the outrage if it had been Arsene?
Carried away by the excitement of it all, Pardew was dismissed to the stands after an hour for pushing Stuart Burt in the back. The assistant spun round and heightened the comedy with the classic response: “Don’t you push me.” The Newcastle manager was understandably incensed that he had not seen the ball go out of play before Bale played a pass to Sigurdsson but manhandling officials is not a viable option and Pardew at least had the grace to look sheepish afterwards.
Comedy? Classic response? What the bloody fuck? Plucky old Alan, he was just a bit miffed they didn’t get a throw-in, of course he should be allowed to go over and physically attack the lino then!
Anyway, back to Arsenal – I thought I’d be a bit upset about losing Song but I am not. If he has had his head turned by DD, then so be it. We haven’t played with a designated defensive midfielder for a few years and I think he can be replaced. And what Barca want him for I can’t really understand. Will he even make the bench there?
Like the landlord said:
but it is disappointing that another player who improved in leaps and bounds under Arsene’s tutelage should turn his back on his mentor so willingly
Could not agree more. But hopefully we have now cut the last of Darren Dein’s greedy, slimy tentacles off. Let’s hope so.
With Song off, and a Turkish player like to replace him, that’s one less Africa Nations Cup casualty.
I did enjoy Barcelona’s need to bill him as the next big thing:
“…powerful aerial play, rapid movements and solid defending also made him ideal as a defensive midfielder, a position where he is now regarded as one of the finest in the world…”
And I agree with all who think Gervinho could be a big player for us this season, I was really pleased with his willingness to shoot. Go get ’em.
Great restraint ‘holic and very noble of you not to go into a battle of wits with an unarmed man.
Seeing the sausage of journalism being made is rarely inspiring, ‘Holic. But why shouldn’t you get participant status one day?
Still not sure what to make of yesterday’s game, save for had it been later in the season we probably would have found a way to score. Cazorla looks the real deal. Arteta showed in his undemonstrative way why he was so badly missed at the tail of last season. Goals could have come from any of four or five players, despite AW’s comment that a three strikers formula didn’t work. A clean sheet is always welcome. As you say, still 37 to play. Still unbeaten.
All the comments about Gervinho being our best player this season, I just hope they’re right, but I also hope that the money spent on our new players proves worthwhile and that Giroud, Carzola and Podolski prove to be excellent additions to the team. As for the gossip that Walcott could follow RvP out the door I for one wouldn’t miss him, I don’t know about the fans, he shows potential and then disappoints. I just hope we pick up pace for our next game against Stoke who as we all know are more a rugby team than footballers.
Great post Holic. Just out of curiosity, which journalist smells the worst?
Hard first game, another hard one next week, the team will have to be on their toes and work as hard as they can to function as a team and get some good results over the next few weeks.
We’ll always complain when teams park the bus but we should be accustomed and ready to break them down I reckon. With a few players just coming back from international duties I’m not surprised at the relative lack of sharpness. Our intensity will increase.
I hope the fans don’t soon get on the backs of the players though. They want to be here, we should help them settle in with our continued support.
Cazorla looks amazingly good though! Great signing.
Gervinho reminds me of that big awsome Kanu we had. Not by his shoooting, size, ability to find the net, but he always looks like he is falling all over the ball (even when not). He did show some fire, I think he will be hero a couple games…… I am probably just missing Kanu
E 9 Gunner , could you put some flesh on those comments about Gervinho . Exactly what do you see in him ? All I see is a show pony with little end product. Glenn Helder mark 2.
Haha! Glenn Helder Mark 2 made me laugh but I think that’s a bit harsh though.
He has great dribbling ability and a directness that previous players in that position lacked. Of course, his shooting needs to be sharper…
Little white balls drove a late taped viewing. MacSmo and ItDa commentary. Their very first garbled cliché gurgles condemned them immediately to mute and I settled for the sound of silence in Bergkamp Acres with ten green bottles for company. Good way to focus on the action without prejudice. BUT, when will ESPN introduce a crowd noise only option? Puleazzzze, guys!
There were new signings everywhere. Mert and Diaby were “just likes” while Santi, Oli and Poldi were the real thing. Of the five, Cozorla looked the most likely to make something happen. No one set the game ablaze, no one stunk the place out and there were sufficient positive contributions from all to indicate that Arsenal will have better Saturday afternoons than this one on this year’s voyage to the silver diner.
I’d seen this movie somewhere before. Yes, I’m sure I had. Arsenal with 70+% of the ball. Playing at a very slow tempo. Against a busload in the box. Unable to create anything much of real danger in front of goal. Now, when DID I last see that?
Cozorla tested their keeper from just inside the box, then shot just past the left hand post when Poldi got in his way. Poldi should have scored after Diaby and Walcott worked some right wing magic that saw him knee the ball out (for a corner to us!)
Arsenal looked like a group of players still getting to know each other and still dusting the rust. The rust infected our passing game quite badly. Gervinho was a livewire every time he touched the ball, but despite giving it everything, he struggled to create any real danger.
The second half saw Russia’s finest haircut appear as another of our “nearly” new signings. I hadn’t really expected to see him again in Gunners Red, but he’d had his favourite blowtorch barber in Minsk touch up his back and sides especially for the event. Rambo too came on, effectively I thought, as Diaby ran off to what looked like a warm round of applause for his longest stint on the field in nearly two years.
Then we should have scored! Santi served up a peach to Giroud who could have made himself an instant hero by bursting the net. “Unbelievable!” mouthed Arsene as Oli’s shot whizzed wide and that, was pretty much that.
We didn’t lose a goal. We didn’t lose the game. We didn’t lose a player (a la Gervinho on Jail Bird Joey) and we didn’t have another player banned for stamping (a la Song, also on Jail Bird). So, all in all, we’re a couple of steps ahead of where we were after the first game last season.
Oh, and Sagna, Frimpong, Wilshere and Rosicky are still to come back – just like three more new signings. And who knows, there may be a couple of real new signings in the wings before the window closes.
I wonder if TaBS and Dr Z enjoyed a haddock at The Chip Inn Fish Bar?
Great report, Holic. Delighted to see that you made it into the press conference. With progress like this, it’s only a matter of time till you’re sitting right up there beside Arsene fielding some of the more difficult questions.
A question: tickets to the Southampton game go on sale for Red Members tomorrow – but does anyone know what time? I need to buy three tickets so I have to be in early but I can’t find any info on arsenal.com about when it opens up. Is it midnight? 8 in the morning? Something else?
Ollie will put you right Lars, but I think it is normally 9.30 am UK time.
Nice post ‘holic.
One has to admire Mr. Wenger for the way he conducts himself under trying circumstances (losing two of his top players to continental rivals in yet another transfer window). The man is sheer class. Someone we can all look up to and try to emulate.
Poor old Pete sends his regards ‘h
Chelsea’s banged home two goals in the first seven minutes. Thanks for showing up at your home ground Wigan.
I’m looking forward to seeing him again neighbour 🙂
Hello ‘holic. Great report! What was the exact question you asked of Martin O’Neill?? Our new home shirts must be confusing to the referees since the black stripes make it look like every Arsenal player is wearing the armband.
First presser?! Bet it was a pretty cool experience. Holic, Santi was visibly worn out but he delivered, didn’t he. Gervinho has got his rhythm back and as you point out (thought provokingly) it will be interesting to see how le boss plays him. As for the Black Cats, man oh man, reminded me of Marseille. Now to the the bit about The Next Gen series, totally excited for these lads. Manu making a big mistake not participating in it. Thanks for bringing it all together.
Zico (previous drinks), ah, lad, pure heaven. Could picture, hear, and feel your words. I felt the baking sun and huffed and puffed up the stairs with you. Thanks for taking me along.
The narrative for yesterday’s game was we didn’t score because RvP wasn’t playing. The alternative narrative could be we didn’t concede a goal, despite playing BFG and Jenkinson, because Song wasn’t lolloping round the pitch.
My three pet hate phrases for this summer are ‘to medal’, ‘to podium’ and ‘player has had his head turned’. I’ve even heard ‘to stadium’
It seems clear that Barcelona are a more succesful team than Arsenal and they pay more. I reckon I could have told Alex Song that myself. Darren Dein may have a grudge about the way the Arsenal board treated his daddy, but he does a good job for his clients. If Song wants to be a squad defender / DCM for Barcelona and then move on to Galatassaray in two seasons then so be it.
There are other DCM’s who can kick a ball in a straight line, run faster and tackle better.
According to Arshavin’s website, he has gone to on a work visit to St Petersburg. Is he self-employed as well as PAYE?
Regarding Song: Well, I guess I was flat out wrong when I said that the Haitian Space Agency (HSA) will land a man on the moon before Alex Song plays for Barcelona.
Count me among the crowd that cannot see what Barça sees in him that will help them out. He’s strictly a squad player there and can only help them out for depth purposes. If that team is fully fit Song wouldn’t even make a match day line-up (top 18) for a key UCL game. We did some great business on that transfer — €19m sale. How much did we pay to acquire him? I believe I heard around about £375k on a podcast? Although, don’t hold me to the purchase price. I may be misremembering. Anyhow, the club made quite a capital gain and great transfer business on that one (on the Unmentionable Left Footed Clogger (ULFC) too but he will be much harder to replace).
Now, let’s reinvest some of that before the end of the month wisely please.
Afternoon Holics
Yesterday was a day of frustrations both on and off the pitch. Having caught an earlier train to avail myself of the goodies on offer at the Armoury, I found myself in what can only be described as Bedlam. I grabbed a shirt ,bypassed the printing queues and joined those endeavouring to pay and escape the hoards.
Perhaps not having my shirt printed was not such a bad move, as this can always be done locally and has given me space to consider my options more carefully. However, the hour lost in the scrum prevented my attendance at the Tollie, which was a big disappointment, still it was only day one of a very long season.
As for the game, we faced a familiar problem of the parked buses, 70% possession and no goals. I suspect there will be more than Sunderland who will adopt this approach at the Ems during the season. We do potentially have a gem in” Cathorla” and he showed enough to think that if the strikers find their shooting boots we might get somewhere this campaign.
Yesterday Podolski was very tightly marked and Giroud sliced wide one of the misses of the season, having found the space to receive a beautiful reverse pass from the Spaniard. It’s early days and both strikers will improve with more time to integrate with their team mates.
Arteta and Diaby both put in solid ,if not sparkling performances and Gervinho’s runs and cut-backs suggest he may yet make a PL player. Theo started brightly but faded away in the heat of the afternoon and the centre backs did their jobs efficiently, without being put under any real pressure. My main concern was the full backs, who are both still in the learning stages of their careers. Gibbs in particular found himself caught out of position in the Sunderland half and failed to sprint back to assist his defenders. When faced with tougher opposition he is going to be found wanting.
If any of you use King’s Cross for the journey home you will have been caught up in the chaos of delayed and cancelled trains, following a tragic incident in the Hornsey area. I was lucky to come across a train running an hour late and heading for King’s Lynn, not posted on the indicator board and was home by 8pm. Gooner Kevin, my travelling companion, who walked back to KC, failed to find the mystery train and was still on Cambridge station at 9.30pm, along with several hundred others, waiting for a train to King’s Lynn. Such are the joys of supporting Arsenal.
Next week is Pulis mob and I wonder how the new boys will fare, a little worrying. Diaby’s ankle could also be at risk but fingers crossed. On the whole the glass remains half-full and the loss of two points, however disappointing, may not matter too much in the long run.
As always COYRs
Cheers Holic, I will await official confirmation from Ollie 🙂
Afternoon All,
Lovely stuff Holic.
From the previous drinks, fine work Dr Z. Top rant and great match day report. Fantastic to see Mr Waterman back in the drinks. Hope everything resolves itself for you and your family as well as can be expected Clive.
Well, given the burning sunshine,The Tollie garden was a popular place to be yesterday. A friday evening sesh meant that Cider replaced Guinness as the “Drink de jour”, much to Dr Z’s bemusement and. it has to be said, mockery! Trev, Bath, Bath Junior and The Snowman together with the aforementioned Caledonian were all there to chew the pre-game cud. Predictably, Trev’s pint proved too much for the old chap so he decided to throw most of it on his new shirt, and Bath turned up in some new natty headgear, which as tradition dictates I tried on. And very nice it was too!
The most surprising (and amusing) question of the day came from Bath. “Who is this Wolfie chap? Is he for real?” I shall let the Reader decide on that one. Bath also came out with the biggest truism “Tabs is my fashion guru” he declared, and who am I to argue? 🙂
Onto the game and there’s little I can add to excellent reports already provided by BtM, the comments of Arsene as relayed by Holic’s great report, and Blogs over at Arseblog.
We huffed and we puffed but only rarely looked like we would blow Sunderland’s mud hut down. Both the searing heat and player unfamiliarity militated against the speed and fluency of passing required to overcome the utterly negative approach adopted by Sunderland. Disappointing result aside, there were positives to be gleaned. The Defence looked cohesive, with Gibbs to the fore. Cazorla looks the real deal, and Giroud looked lively and imposing, albeit he fluffed his lines at the crucial moment.
Back to The Tollie then. More drinks, more laughter, and good to catch up with Holic and Ollie, fresh from the press con.
The evening ended, (not with Fish and Chips BtM 🙂 ), but with Dr Z force feeding me scotch.
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose 🙂
Lars, from .com…
Remaining tickets will go on sale to Red Members at 10am on Monday 20th August 2012.
Wakey wake 😉
Afternoon TaBS. Sorry couldn’t partake in the usual volume last night. Will make up for it shortly, no doubt.
Afternoon Holic. Heh, no doubt!
Will look forward to it Sir.
Match reports aplenty so no need for me to add to them.
All I would say is that we had a midfield that had never played together before, behind a brand new striker (or two) and in front of ‘like a new’ centre half pairing.
Not surprising then that things were a bit disjointed at times, and a bit cautious at others.
The players were having to get used to each other, and a new discipline introduced by Steve Bould, which I imagine accounted for the amount of ‘very careful’ sideways and backwards passing.
Cazorla looks sheer class already, others need and deserve a little more time to adapt.
As ever it was great to see Holics familiar and new, The Guvnor, Zico – brilliant report Dr Z, if you didn’t see the comment in the previous drinks – bathgooner, Arseblogger, Tabs and Snowy, still white in what felt like 45 degree heat under the Tollie
And two new, may I call them friends, Holics in Andrea and Jason from the US. What a great couple. Over from the States – and day tripping from Paris – like two kids on Christmas Morning, just at the prospect of seeing/ being in the stadium and seeing The Arsenal for the first time in the flesh.
Jason, with almost Snir like dedication and passion for The Arsenal, and Andrea his beautiful and talented partner, an already award winning opera singer, who is a little newer to the Arsenal ‘thing’.
Andrea, I googled you afterwards and found plenty of clips of your achievements and indeed singing.
Beautiful stuff – the very best of luck with the career.
Please keep in touch both of you – should you be reading this – either through the drinks, or Holic will give you my email address.
Amazing people, Gooners.
In the light of some of our disloyal players, these match day get togethers are even more of a pleasure, and an even more important part of supporting our still great club.
Lars –
I had it from a very well connected source yesterday that the departure of Song is not only because he was a DD man.
Let’s just say that Arsene was not exactly reluctant to let him go.
Expect good news tomorrow.
Cheers Gooners. Good things to come, on and off the pitch. 😉
Tabs. 🙂
Clive The Sweeper –
sorry forgot to include the usual best wishes.
Get back in the bar as soon as you can manage, sir. You are missed.
Holic – cheers for that! Hope I am better att buying the tickets than I was finding that info 🙂
It’s all true. ’twas a fine session,Tabs.
Afternoon Trev, good stuff.
Afternoon Lars, look forward to seeing you in September.
Heh Bath 🙂
ESPN at moment Bordeaux v Rennes
strong rumours that Mvila playing his last game(s) before joining us , but that was from SB
Hey
to everyone who commented on my “travelogue” in the last set of drinks, for that is what it was, many thanks for those kind words.
The main motivation for spraffing it was to concentrate on something other than my pounding head. I have taken a note to avoid raiding the beer fridge when I get home after these trips – sheer gluttony. 🙁
I would also like to thank “my editor” for removing a couple of erroneous extra words resulting in the post now reading slightly more coherent than it did when it first appeared.
Trev – intrigued by the impending “news”.
‘holic, have to agree with you re Gervinho in the ultimate pecking order. Am I the only one who thinks that even when Gervinho has a good performance (which to be fair he had one yesterday), he actually detracts from everyone else’s, as things just slow down and there’s no movement while he dribbles all over the place? EPL teams have no doubt scouted him and are willing for him to dribble into black holes near the touch line and gum up the overall attack.
I think that a Podolski/Giroud pairing, both of whom historically have shown efficient, well-timed movements in the box, coupled with a pacey right side player like Theo or Ox, with Cazorla pulling the strings, is the way to line up going forward, especially at home against the draw seekers. Use Gervinho as a late match change of pace substitute, or start him in the group stage European fixtures where he’d be more effective.
The gang is all here.
Also, TaBS, forgot to buy you something for winning the HT League. Will do so at Southampton game.
Jason and Andrea were fun, weren’t they Trev. I checked her on YouTube as well. What a voice.
Bath, I managed to avoid the firewater until I ran into the Irish Gooner at hometime. Tasted better than ever after a couple of dry days 😉
Trev, good news tomorrow does indeed sound terrific – let’s hope your source is right!
Likewise, tabs@41!
Lars,
The Southampton game co-incides with a weeks holiday – I may be abroad. Will not be seeking tickets tomorrow – if situation changes I will try ticket exchange nearer the time.
Looks like Aguero might have done his cruciate……
Hah Silva misses a pen
Gedo@49, that was my first thought too. That looked really nasty.
zico@48: you may be a broad? I thought only Wolfie had such insecurities about gender 😛
What Trev said at 38. You are missed, Clive.
Heh, Lars, you’re right – a few hours in Wolfie’s company and I end up thinking about going native 😉
Without wishing to get too rumour-tastic, Canal+ say we’re close to signing Sahin, M’Vila and Llorente.
The last of the three sounds fanciful to me, but the first two sound both plausible and exciting. The M’Vila fee is apparently now down to £11-12m.
We really have done some fantastic business this summer when you look at prices paid. Hats off to Le Boss.
What does M’vila do – in 42 minutes he’s taken a free kick and otherwise been anonymous
Cognac –
We are more than likely to see Sahin walk through the door at the Emirates than M’Villa.
The latter currently playing for Rennes as we speak (thanks for the heads up re; ESPN). Although SR commentating does not make great viewing. Think I’ll switch between eyeing up YM (who would be an incredible replacement for Song)and watching Southampton rough up the billionaire boys club. Heh!
Sahin on the other hand is reported to be preparing to make his way over to the Ems (being omitted from todays RM squad-as per usual-so nothing strange there. Right?), prob in an effort to beat YM to prevent a move to a lesser regarded club.
Well two for the price of one I say and if we can get this Bendy/Mexes deal sealed (provided AM pull their fingers out and meet the three demands of the worlds greatest striker), I would say anything more would be a bonus. Those of you who think our squad is good as it is, don’t forget about strength in depth. Something Carrick was quick to boast to SSN upon the ex-employees departure/arrival.
Hands up if you think Santi is Wenger magic at it’s best! Heh!
Maybe Dr Z has a little cross-dresser inside him? 🙂
Have to confess that I had to look up the word “spraffing”
The Urban Thesaurus states that it is “A Scottish term describing someone who is lying or talking utter shit to you. Commonly used by young chavs to describe their discontent about someones chat.”
The Urban Dictionary describes it as “chatting bare shit, when under the influence of narcotics (i. e: MDMA)”.
Dr Z, I can only think you are a Dictionary rather than a Thesaurus man! 🙂
Holic, heh no worries. Good to see The Speedo Massive make a solid if unspectacular start to the defence of their crown.
Still laughing here at Lars’ collection of Bellends 🙂
Deelightful trip report in the last drinks by Dr. F/Z. Keep ’em coming please. 🙂
Tabs –
You sound as though you have been watching a lot of MC Harvey on BB.
Has it been any good this year. I hear they are lucky to have a big star like ‘the situation’ involved in this years, er, situation.
😀
N7, Wow !!!!! Rumourtastic Indeed. You have me leaping around the Living room doing The Funky Gibbon.
Where the hell is Snir? 🙂 He’s very quiet. Perhaps he is here, there and everywhere tying up deals for The Arsenal?
Snir, your fans must be told!
Interesting comments on Gervinho.
Seems the dead space yesterday was Theo, however, not Flipper.
Agree, his running the touch line everytime he has the ball becomes a bit irritating but seems he was threatening for good parts of the match. He did have a couple nice moves to the goal and was playing direct at times. Fair point tho. Front three of Poldi-Giroud-Theo/Ox would be nice!
Nonetheless.
Saturday morning, Arsenal football, Guiness … a win would have been gravy. But I was just fooking thrilled to be alive!
The new boys look exciting. (not “exciting” exciting but you know…)
Arsenal ran Sunderland ragged. If there been a goal and the 3 pts., then and AW proclaimed genius from the [media] rooftops.
AW is still a genius. We looked tasty, and still bedding in the newbies. I for one am freaking excited. (damnit theres that word again).
I’m off. Cold shower.
Goonertown, have to confess to not following your drift mate? MC Harvey? BB?
Tabs –
Talking of urban chat I see ‘Barker non classer’ are bragging, er, chatting their business on their website as follows:
FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alex Song for 19 million euros. The player will sign a contract for the next five seasons with a release clause of 80 million.
The schedule for his presentation is as follows:
Monday, 20th August
• 09.30: Photo session in front of the Club offices
• 10.00: Medical at the Hospital de Barcelona
• Following that, a medical at the Joan Gamper Sports City
• 17.00: Signing of contract at the Club offices
• Immediately after that, a photo session in front of the offices with Club president Sandro Rosell
• 21.10: In the Camp Nou, presentation with the rest of the first team squad at the Joan Gamper Trophy
Tuesday, 21st August
• 12.00: Presentation press conference in the Paris Room.
Heh bunch of wankers (because of the Fabregas situation)
GT – yes SR is total pain – commentary on a penlaty for Bordeaux was stunning ‘ never a penalty’ but from ref’s view it was a clear take out of man and ball!
With you totally for strength in depth, given our well known fragility in injuries
Just saw Tevez offside goal – another newly rich ref’s assistant there!
Tabs –
I also must confess – I don’t believe you.
😀
The MDMA would explain a lot 😉
Goonertown,following your drift re Barca.
Bunch of classless tosspots indeed.
Cognac –
Missed the penalty commentary. Was watching Southampton get tired but not before slicing that little rat who would have caused Mancini to exchange handbags with red nose if RN hadn’t gotten so desperate gaining AW sympathy regarding our ex-employee.
Bunch of mugs that Mancunian lot!
Holic makes the big time.
Remember that I knew you when you were merely a blog host!
😀
Tabs
Man makes the money mate (Re; Barker).
Altogether now :MNMTM
Cognac –
I ‘ve always thought HW to be a little inconsistent. But which ref ain’t?
Good stuff above from the Tollie Warriors.
Interesting rumours from N7, personaly I’m not so sure about the YV guy, seems like more trouble then he’s worth, but what do I know?
Exciting times still to come.
Ricky Lambert!!
Yaaaaaay!!!!
Tabs
I only hope there’s some truth in it all.
Add those three players and we would have the best squad in a very, very long time. Only problem would be getting all that talent out on the pitch at the same time.
If llorente goes for the quoted £15m then that’s a steal. Might be a bit similar to the beautiful Frenchman though and I don’t see Arsene buying three pricey strikers in one summer.
M’Vila does look broadly what we need – a player who can break up attacks, move the ball well and has very little interest in joining the attack. My gut feeling is that this deal is on, but we are playing hardball over price and it will run until the last day of the window.
Snir will, as ever, have a better idea about all this stuff. That guy is seriously in the know.
2-1 to Southampton!
Yayyyy!
Come on you sea-siders!
Come on the Saints. This is great.
Wish Sky would stop rattling on about that “magical” day last May. Beating ten men who have just narrowly survived relegation is not my idea of a footballing fairytale, much less so when you’ve spent half a billion yourself.
The only thing i can say in defence of the sky blue scum is that they have options.
introducing…Mario!
Very strange game at Middle Eastlands, City have wasted a ton of chances and Southampton have basically scored from their only two chances. Not that I am complaining, mind!
But of course they make it 2-2 as I am typing that. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted 🙂
just missed the city goal. oh just saw them go ahead through the lesbo.
oh well
Unlucky Soton – 2 subs out of 3 scored, but there’s always some little *** interfering at the end
Lars@51: Wolfe has no gender insecurities, either of them.
Ned@81: heh, you do have a point there!
A hectic day meant that I only arrived at the ground with 15 minutes to spare so the Tollie meet was not made. A swift pint of Tetleys that left me wondering if I had ordered the tea rather than an ale left me wondering I had even contemplated parting with the £4.20 that the club seems fit to charge for such a beverage.
There is little I can add to the Bosses report and those who have commented above. I must also say how much I enjoyed reading Zico’s account of his day.
For me it seemed completely ironic that on the hottest day of the year that we seemed to be a tad under cooked. We have debated this a few weeks back but for me we seemed to just not be ready. Perhaps 2 friendlies short?
Of the new bods I thought all played their part. Poldi worked hard and I have no doubt that he will play a big part this year. Giroud will know that he should have done better with his strike but again I would suggest that the vast majority of that may be down to rust. I am sure that with a few games under his belt that he will discover the sharpness again. But for me the stand out player was Cazorla. Considering he has been at the club a matter of days and has just returned from South America that he was outstanding. I really think he will prove to be a steal. He has a vision that I do not think you can teach someone. It is all natural. Everything that went well yesterday went through him. I am indebted to the man who sits behind me for the following. After some more good play for big Per the crowd sings the normal BFG song. Cazorla only a matter of seconds later lays on a great pass and we are treated to “small fucking Spaniard. We’ve got a small fucking Spaniard.” Made me laugh.
Some interesting times ahead I feel. We are not ready yet and it would appear that from recent events that there are still some changes to be had. Yesterday was too slow and lethargic at times. I am sure we will all come to accept that if we do start to play as we all hope, but as mentioned above 70% possession and only 3 shots on target needs improving. I do not buy this park the bus theory either. Teams have done that to us for years. We should both know how to beat that and have the quality to do so. I though that again yesterday we played too narrow with the wide players cutting in far too much. For the bus parkers all this does is ensure even less space.
Stoke do not bother me too much at the moment. I really see no reason why we cant go there and get a result. Let’s see if there are any further squad changes by next Saturday.
Keep the faith.
So I have a silly american question. The family and I plan to be in England for the weeks of November 10-25 and really would all like to go to a game. The Nov 17th game is off course the Norht London Derby and the chances of me getting multiple tickets (5+ ) are slim to none. I have a contact who thinks he might get 1-2 for us, which I great so just me and my son will probable go to that. But my question is, if I buy tickets to the Aston Villa away game for the 24th on the Internet and it says you have to be a Villa supporter to buy those tickets am I going to lose those tickets because I support the gunners? I am a red Level member. Do they really check that stuff?
Thanks in advance for any information.
And no I don’t want to give money to Villa but it may be the only chance my kids get to go to a game.
NorCal.
As far as my experience goes, you can go to Villa, but if you’re outed as a gooner (eg cheering the lads on or doning our colours) then you will be removed.
Good luck.
Pretty much everything I had in mind regarding yesterdays game was said already. I was especially pleased by the displays of Per and Santi, except for the chance when Sunderland beaten the offside trap, Mr. Mertesacker was instrumental, positionally sure and calm.
How Santi played spoken for himself so no words needed, Arsene summed it up in his press conference. I feel sorry for Olivier, that chance he had was a sitter and could do world of good for his early confidence but I am sure that next time he is in that sort of position he is going to convert it.
Gerv is showing what kind of player he can be, just needs to work on his decision making in the final third and then he is going to terrorize PL defenses, now he is always one touch too many or less. Theo and Poldi didnt show much, but both worked hard..fingers crossed for Abou to remain fit.
I think that Giroud will be first choice striker ahead of Poldi next week, giving us some aerial and physical presence in the box, with Poldi subbing either Gerv or Theo later in the game.
As for Song going to Bar*a, kinda sad to see him go since I thought that he might part of the spine of the team for few years to come, but as the rumours are that it is more about him being real disturbance in the dressing room..for 19 mil. it is great business and good riddance.
Somebody should say Song that is forbidden to show off your legs that much at Camp Nou.
NorCal, your money would go to Arsenal, but you will be sat in Away section with Villa fans, so won’t be able to cheer Arsenal or wear colours. As H2H says, if you “come out” as an Arsenal fan, you will be removed.
Best bet is Ticket Exchange. Also Twitter is surprisingly useful in that regard. Often see tickets being advertised at face value as the game nears.
Agree with what you say N7. Sahin looks a racing certainty, Mvila a possibility and Llorente a longshot.
I honestly dont care about what he is going to do there, I mean going from pretty much first choice DM at The Arsenal to Bar*a where you at best will be second in the pecking order behind *groan* Sergio Busquets *groan* sounds just mad. He might reach qualities to become real world class player, but not there yet..and now he is hardly to ever reach them since his playtime is going to be limited at best.
Ned 🙂
Thanks for answers. I appreciate it.
TABs, the game is at villa so we would be sitting in amongst the home crowd.
Only worried that my 5 year old will blow our cover. He is quite the little Gooner and may be hard to keep under wraps.
We will also have a local B’ham friend with us, maybe she can help us not lose our seats.
Bye bye Alex
HlebSong.N7Gooner –
forget that amateur Snir ! My source is impeccable – can’t say any more – and the announcement is due tomorrow and it ain’t M’Vila.
I am now going to look fairly stupid if that doesn’t happen, but hey-ho…
Must be thousands of pairs of moist Speedoes at the impending arrival of Mr Song in Barcelona.
No ? Really ….. 😉
I may be alone in this, but I think Song will do well at Barca.
I actually think it’s a good deal for both clubs: we get shot of a dressing room trouble maker who lacks discipline and consistency. They gain a player who can cover multiple positions in the squad, add extra physicality, still ping a pass, who probably won’t dare raise his voice too much and whose inherent doziness will probably not be as quickly punished as in the Prem.
I’ve always rated Song. His leaving doesn’t change that, although I am glad he’s gone, assuming we sign one of the mooted replacements.
Bring on Stoke. I fancy Giroud to get off the mark.
Trev
Due tomorrow? Awesome – looking forward to it.
Unless we’ve re-signed Silvestre.
Silly S Y @87 –
this whole ‘rolled up shorts’, strutting peacock stuff is symptomatic of the reasons he is being let go.
There must be some mineral deficiency caused by the cooking at the training ground, which is leading to an epidemic of amnesia in our players.
They all seem to have forgotten who stood by them, developed their careers and gave them chances that others would not have done.
Then, when the ingrates leave, they forget to keep their traps shut !
N7 –
I believe Barca want Song as a CB where, if he actually holds his position, he is a better bet than as a DM.
Not to say that he doesn’t have talent going forward, but as you say, he lacks discipline, and that is not good in a DM.
Mind you, as a CB at Barca, he shouldn’t have much to do anyway.
That should suit him well.
Trev….the jungle drums are beating the arrival of Sahin – is your “news” for someone else ?
Heh at the Barca speedoes getting moist….guess Wolfie is getting his passport out right now. Ooh aah misses 🙂
Trev…think you are spot on re Song at CB….Señor Puyol is no giant but great in the air and an animal to boot (literally 😉 )
Wenger covered it. Not fully in shape, some tired from international play, a bunch of players who haven’t played together. Not a bad performance and not a great one.
Yet I was generally pleased. The biggest individual disappointment was Theo. He was not sharp, but that wasn’t his type of game. However, rarely does he look like he wants to earn his playing time. Speed merchants are like that sometimes. Maybe he will grow out of it. Probably somewhere else.
That RB is such an odd looking player…always looks to be getting beat, but his stride makes up the distance. It was so nice to see Diaby play and use his size to hold players off. We didn’t see enough of it.
The biggest team disappointment was set pieces. I don’t recall the team coming close even with the size out there.
As for Song? Whatever. He reminds me of Warren Zevon’s The Hockey Song…coach he said, I wanna score goals, buddy coach said remember your role its the stars who score, protect them…very cute song if you don’t know it…he was born in Big Beaver on the border line…I’m told that Hunter Thompson helped write it as Warren and a couple of others were consuming all the salty margaritas in Woody Gulch…
Song sang off key much of last year forgetting his role and now he is at Barca. How does he fit in there? We shall see.
BANG !!!
I liked Song but I didn’t know that he was a dressing room troublemaker until the recent whispers. As I said in one of the bars earlier in the year, he has the potential to be world class but was way too inconsistent. Nevertheless, it has really surprised me how indifferent I am about his departure. It might possibly be that I’m now immuned to our ungrateful players trying to leave for so called greener pastures.
Damn! Well in Dark and Bloody !
Uply, I would love to say more but promised not to.
The news should delight you though ……
Well in D & B for the ton.
Also well in Trev for the much sort after 101. Will have trouble sleeping tonight in excited anticipation. 😉
Thought Theo really missed his ‘ol buddy Sagna yesterday….they really link up well down the right and put the pressure on the opposition. Perhaps Sunderland were playing cautiously and didn’t allow Jenks and Theo to get it going, not to mention we had 99% of the possession in the second half in there half of the pitch. I recall Theo having the same issue getting involved last year when Sagna was out.
Sad to see Song go, he was really the only “wrecking ball” we had in the midfield other than Frimpong. I think early on we are going to see some growing pains as these guys learn to play together.
Trev, we should have started a sing song in the Tollie yesterday. Methinks we would soon have been silenced.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5-oaXirA4s
What a cracking couple they were.
Must say that I agree with many others. I have been Song’s biggest fan. A good player but one who in my opinion lacks self discipline. I also think he is a better player at centre half.
Evening ‘Holics
Some triffic posts and reports up there. A real pleasure to back drink. My thanks to all the contributors.
Good to hear The Sweeper is back in town too. Another LANS that will help this season go with a bang?
Looking forward to seeing a gelled squad start to overturn some of the big clubs and to making those clowns on MoTD sit up and eat their predictable and premature words.
I’m with Steve T re: the trip to middle earth next week. We have nothing to fear other than common assault. We should be more than capable of getting a win there assuming our players are allowed to leave the pitch each with two legs in tact. Like ‘Holic, I really do fear for Diaby.
‘Holic, thanks for highlighting the U21s matches. £6/game for a father to complete the education of a young son who already decalres his love for The Arsenal really does sound like excellent vfm. Do you have details on how to secure tickets?
Looking forward to one or two Actual New Signings (ANS) before the end of the TW. Twatter seems convinced of Sahin AND M’Vila. I remain skeptical until I see it written all over Snir’s balls.
PS: Regarding all ANS. Can we write a clause into all of their contracts that sets out a restraining order preventing any contact with the house of Dein?
With Song now gone, my guess is Dazzer is looking for fresh Arsenal meat, the b’stard.
Holic, I wondered whether to try and engage our couple in a soprano version of “Liar, Liar ……” as Tabs was there, but thought better of it.
Andrea actually said to me that she might sing after one more drink, but that folks probably wouldn’t like it.
I told her they would most likely stop, listen and applaud. Having heard her sing on YouTube I’m damn certain they would.
I bumped into them again after the game in Hornsey Road and gave them a card with my details but it doesn’t have my email on it.
If you have an address for them maybe you could send it to me through back channels.
Cheers Guvnor, and hope the management’s results are good. This week, I believe ?
Sweet dreams Uply. That’s your second and final clue. 😉
Trev…thanks for the cryptic clues…I could eat some right now 🙂
Trev is like a new Snir? (LANS!)
Better believe it TS !
Some more great write ups from the usual suspects, enjoyed them all. Two quick observations. Barca’s fan site , hails Song as the Seventh African to join the Club. Mmm. That’s all I’ll say on that. What I find intriguing is the holics seem split on Gervinho. Will be very interested to hear more of your opinions. A very good nite to you all.
113 TS….competition is good for everyone….Snir will have to raise his game.
He’s dusting off his balls as we speak Uply. 😉
Hi abb…..how are you. Today was a beautiful sunny hot day in southern England.
Now onto “flipper”….currently he is Hleb mkll. The skill is there, if he can turn it into some end product he’ll be a must on the team sheet.
117 Trev….no doubt Wolfie will volunteer to assist him in his task 😉
Uply, from experience Snir is not one to shirk as challenge. Snir will be Like A New Snir?
abb – this is Gervinho’s year. If not, I’m guessing the new ruthless Arsene will instigate a personal introduction to Dazza Dein.
I have asked the question Trev.
Evening nurse.
TS, the U-21 tickets are on .com
Tickets for this fixture are now on General Sale via our Ticket-Fast facility up until Monday 20th August 2012 @ 2pm, after this time supporters who would like to attend this fixture will need to come in person to the Highbury House Box Office located in Drayton Park up until 6pm.
Members who made a purchase for this fixture from 9.30am on Tuesday 7th August 2012 – Thursday 09th August 2012 up until 11am will have their membership card(s) activated.
Supporters who made a ticket purchase from 11.30am on Tuesday 7th August 2012 up until Friday 17th August 2012 @ 12noon will have been sent paper tickets.
Ticket-Fast Fee – £2.00 per transaction
Just had some punters from the City of Barcelona (great people) in the beer garden, one of them wasn’t sure who Song was, the others were not exactly wetting themselves with excitement, (sorry, don’t know the Spanish word for Meh) and thought it was a pretty curious purchase.
That was my guess H2H.
A Song for sure, but a big hit ?
Anybody else think that “Lawro” on MoTD2 tonight looks like the ghost of Groucho Marx without his ‘tache ? 😉
Trev 🙂
I’m afraid he just looks like a punch-bag to me. 🙄
Everytme he came on I zapped, it’s the only way I can watch that programme, the commentaters where their usualy twaty selves too, dire.
Hmmmm… The Daily Mirror (that bastion of truth and integrity) is reporting that the LWCs have made an enquiry re: the prospect of taking Chamakh on loan for the season.
Sounds like utter b0llocks to me, but you never know. If he does end up going then either another striker is coming in, young Afobe has made a huge impression in pre-season or Park has incriminating photos of Gazidis and is threatening to use them.
Regardless, seems a good excuse to point and laugh at the Spuds, Nelson Munz style:
*Points*
Ha-ha.
Thank you Maestro @ #123, much appreciated.
Zico knows at #127.
N7 @ #129. Hasn’t ‘Agent AVB’ made a wonderful start for us? Rumours that he is on a retainer from Le Boss are entirely credible. I wonder if he could also be tempted not taking Squilly to help ‘upgrade’ their creaking defence?
Song’s departure must be hailed as fantastic news for the entire Arsenal community. Song’s position is arguably the most important on the pitch, yet his glaringly obvious limitations have been dragging us down for far too long. This could be a real turning point for us.
TS – Squilly would be perfect for a creaking defence. 😉
Trev also knows!
Just for the record, I’ve heard that Song wasn’t dressing room troublemaker in the past. He became one, only couple of days ago, knowing that his agent arranged Cesc reunion. The story of his lack of discipline this past week and his conflict (physical?) with Bould is around the corner, waiting for the transfer to finalize to show up.
However, I think that we lost a very important player, with tons of PL experience and it will not be easy to find a player to replace him. If M’Villa is that player, we are downgrading. My view is based on just few last season Ligue One Rennes matches, where he had no impact, passing sideways, negative approach, was moving to slow, to Denilson-esque. But maybe I have missed his quality ones.
If we get Sahin, and it looks like a done deal, that is another story. Not a direct replacement for Song of course but, irresistibly reminds me of Fabregas. His long balls on the counter will be perfect for our pacey wingers. He always finds a pass no matter the number of opponents surrounding him, can dribble, can shoot, and most important can track back and tackle.
About the Sunderland match, I agree with most of the regulars. Woj had two beautiful saves early on. Santi looking great, goals will come for Giroud that is for sure. He is born attacker.
Gervais is quality and should start every game for me, especially when they are parking the bus, because he can beat his markers, and make space. Podolski had a quiet game, but will be better.
Bring the heavy artillery, the Evil orks awaits us in the hills next week. Must win.
The scene:
Feelgood and Roxette are shopping at the supermarket.
Feelgood stops and puts a case of 24 Budweisers in the trolley.
Roxette: “what do you think you are doing spending all that on beer”, she says, and puts the case back on the shelf.
Feelgood: “but they’re on special offer – only £10 for the 24 bottles !”
Roxette is unimpressed and walks off to continue shopping. Moments later she stops and puts a £20 jar of face cream in the trolley.
Feelgood: “what do you think you are doing ?” he asks.
Roxette: “it’s my face cream”, she replies, “it makes me look beautiful”.
Feelgood: “so do 24 bottles of Budweiser, and they only cost half as much !”
Have you ever been hit in the eye with a jar of face cream ?
Feelgood has. 😉
Not joining in the pointless and undeserved Song bashing. One of the first names on the team sheet for quite a long time, fully deserved. He’s Arsenal’s loss and Barcelona’s gain.
So who remembers the story I told a while back about the year I gave up supporting the Arsenal and followed Liam to Italy? [actually the truth is I got lured to Sicilia by a dark-eyed temptress called Cinzia] but Liam decided to go as well – for the money. Cunt … find the link ..
🙂
Anyway, my year and half in Italy was instructive in that all away teams – and quite a few home sides as well – played like Sunderland did yesterday! The good teams like Juve and Napoli did not play like us yesterday. They did not go for all possession and run themselves into the ground. They “invited” their opposition to come at them. I swear to god I was at this game once [Palermo at home when they were in Seria B] and at one stage both sides had all their eleven men inside their own half! The “attacker” got so frustrated that he kicked the ball into the opposite half and stood there watching the other team looking back at them..
The good teams tho played a counter-attacking game of lightening -fast breaks on the counter … I feel the Italian Mancini has taught some of this tactic to Shitty. We need to learn that. We also need to learn that the whole point of the game is to score goals to score goals you have to take shots!
Fast breaks and lots of shots! End product I believe those ITK call it …
Dr Zee: that was a stupendous report in the last set of drinks my friend. You have set the bar high for the rest of us mate. Well done..
🙂
Uplympian@98: that’s not Wolfie’s passport…
Song is a top-class player without doubt. But AW made him into that. And he can make another out of the Coq, Frimpong or whomever else he brings in.
GT (@ 137) knows.
BMBD
Please get a dm along with sahin, arsene, please. ,A third striker option and we would be unstoppable. I will put money on it. !
Don’t agree with us being pushed around by Song and Dein wankers that they are.
Why pander to their antics and encourage future mischief?
I don’t believe that Song carries a recessive Catalan gene nor is he running down a contract with a year remaining.
We should have kept him till Januray at least and givent he new chap time to bed in. It seems a bit mismanaged that this has dragged into start of season.
I don’t believe for a moment that we had to wait for Song to be sold to bring the new chap in. The 39m should for our 3 new players should have been covered by carry over from last summer leaving the 22m from RVP’s sale ready money for Song’s replacement.
being that we knew RVP had to go, we could have wrapped up Sahin earlier (Report cost being2m for the loan not sure if it will come with the first right to buy clause thingy)
But my real objection would be that wenger is being pushed around by a player firmly in contract.
Could we not offer to pay him a raised salary for 4 months based on certain performance criterias till January? let Barca stew a bit if they wanted him so badly(80m release clause my arse)
We rolled over to easy on this one and I fear we may precipitate more such issues. Walcott next?
Seems like we have added 3 and lost 3 of our top performers…again. The next 3 signings ahve to be top (I think a Song replacement, RW if Walcott goes and a third striker to increase our odds on an entirely new front line)
Should have at very least bargained for Affelay the other way for Song with Wally dithering to put pen to contract.
There’s a rumour going around that Song had a physical altercation with Bould recently. If it’s true, it could have a part to play in the swift decision to sell…
If you want proof of the creeping and sinister use of CCTV cameras in this country, look no further than post 135.
However, I wouldn’t drink Budweiser if you plonked me smack in the middle of the Sahara. 😉
GT, cheers.
Trev.
You are evil. WHO???????? 🙂
@ goonerholic
I’m glad your intestinal tract sorted itself out in time. Great match report as always. But you didn’t tell us what the response to your sock-related grilling was?
I’ve got a feeling in my bones about Giroud. I think he will be a star.
5 years back who would have thought we’d be selling Song to Barcelona??!?! Back then we all wanted to see was Song Out! We’ll he matured into a good player – a great player? No.
However while he might not have been the best / an out and out DM etc, he does leave a gap. One which i hope we CAN find a great DM for. We’ve missed a proper midfield enforcer, of the nature of Viera. So Mr Wenger, you got 2 weeks to find one 🙂
Hello from Dubai-sur-Seine.
Just seeing this abit late, Lars if you’re about, it’s now 10am UK time for tickets.
And I’m fucked off with this, because for the second time this season, the logging in fails me at the crucial time and I find myself starting from the back of the queue again.
New system not good for me.
Cunts.
Might just wait for ticket exchange.
Ollie, I am looking at the progress bar (or rather lack-of-progress bar, it keeps going forwards and then backwards about as much as it went forwards) as I have been for the past 25 or so minutes…
FUUUUUUCK, got three thickets next to each other, entered credit card details and all that shit and BAM… “unknown error”. Piece of shit software they’ve got.
Three thickets? Probably describes the programmers rather well.
FUCKING USELESS GARBAGE TICKET SITE!!!
Hey holics, how goes it?
Do any of you rate Mexes?
http://sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/ac-milan-prepare-to-offer-mexes-in-pursuit-of-arsenal-striker-19232/
At long fucking bloody last I got the three tickets I was after, but not next to each other – though two in the same row with one seat between them and one in the row below it a few seats away. But they are in block 92 so very good seats. Now I can calm down again 🙂
CoR: haven’t seen very much of Mexes but every time I have he’s been about as reliable as the Arsenal ticket site under high loads (yes, I am still a bit pissed off…). Wouldn’t be anywhere near our starting XI, I’d say.
Think I’d better go have some lunch, I need to calm down 🙂
Haha, nice one. I was just feeling like we needed to up the ponytail count among our squad for some reason 😆
Have a good one fellas, I’m leaving the office now. Maybe I’ll pop in later for some R&R
Lars, it really is shit. And probably as I predicted, it’s harder to get several together.
Before, you entered the number you wanted, and they tried for you, and presumably they could privilege isolated spots for single tickets, and etc.
Now if there’s a line of ticket together, you’ll have people trying to select seats one by one. Someone will start from the left, someone from the right.
Someone looking for a single will try too, will want to be near the exit or not, etc.
Loads of bollocks.
As I eventually got in, I had a look at the options and said, sod it, I’ll wait for Tx.
Bit of a gamble, but we’ll see.
LESSON FOR TODAY
Sometimes, we think the grass is greener somewhere else.
We get greedy and think we know best.
Many a player has tried to wangle a move to pastures new.
Many also find out that after moving not everything is at it first appeared.
So beware,because you may find yourself in a situation you cannot get out of.
Repent at your leisure.!!
That is the end of today’s lesson!
CoR
Meh-exes. Can’t see why we would need an over paid 30 year old CB.
=============
Congrats on the securing of tickets Lars.
Teach us, o wise sage………
heh, cheers Skipper!
or Sweeper, even
Right,
Thought I’d bring a little bad news to cheer everybody up this morning.
Well remember what happened with Vertoghen during this transfer window?
Well looks like it will happen again:
NB: Bear in mind that COS are a crap source. It’s just that they have the quotes in there, which is always important.
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/08/20/rennes-confirm-yann-mvila-is-in-talks-to-sign-for-tottenham-and-not-arsenal/
Personally,
If we go for Sahin over M’Villa, it looks like Wenger is looking to go back to the 2007/8 season with Rosicky, Cesc, Flamini and Hleb-esque
…and we all remember what happened there
but in a 4-3-3 shape
Do not mind a former player of the year and Wenger ‘best young midfielder in the world’.
As for the Song situation, there’s obviously more to this one then meets the eye. I can’t recall anyone coming out to say they’re surprised he wants to go or asking him to stay. Neither can I remember AW being so public about not getting in the way of a transfer of a first team regular with such a lengthy chunk of his contract remaining.
The lack of noise coming out of the club regarding Theo’s contract situation also leads me to believe that AW’s not really that bothered about him either, plus it’s not exactly like clubs have been knocking down the door with offers of riches to steal him away. I wouldn’t be schocked if Theo plays out his contract and signs on a free somewhere for more dough next season, he’ll probably end up as one of the highest earners at Liverpool.
Massive heh! @The Sweeper!
Ollie@159: I can see it (assuming the damn thing would have actually worked properly) being quite good for just buying one ticket since you can choose your seat for yourself now, but trying for more than one together really tests your patience. Will try to avoid that in the future…
Goonertown: by all accounts, we have not been interested in M’Vila since early July for some reason – if we ever were, that is. Also, yesterday there were quotes supposedly from his agent saying he was only interested in CL clubs and that no English CL clubs had been in touch.
In reference to my Wenger/Sahin reference above, this is what Sahin said in response to Wengers admiration for him season befor last (year before Madrid signed him).
In an interview conducted by state-funded German television channel Deutsche-Welle in 2010 Şahin was asked about his opinion on Wenger calling him one of the greatest U-18 talents in football.
Şahin replied by saying, “For me it was beautiful, Arsene Wegner is one of the best trainers in the world.
“At that time I was one of the most talented youngster’s in Europe, if he said that it makes me happy.
“I want to ask him, ‘Is it true what you were reported to have said and that you wanted me?’ and maybe we can work together.”
Lars good point re; the CL part of the deal.
It would also fit in with what AVB said last week.
But stranger things have happened this window. Nothing else would surprise me.
(only a trophy win would knock my socks off after this transfer window, I’m telling ya).
Caught Offside is to reliable rumours what Joey Barton is to being a nice decent thoroughly likeable chap.
Mr. Clive Waterman knows and it appears RVPWho was also misquoted.
What he really said was “I asked the little bull inside of me”. So RVWho is a closet cowboy, who knew?
The Sweeper could be the ALANS of the season.
H2H – Your assessment of the The-o situation is interesting. Like you, I think because we’ve let two first-teamers leave Le Boss may well be willing to take a little punt on a ‘non-renewed’ Walcott unless somebody turns up with a truckload of cash and/or a player swap deal before the end of August. Personally, I’m happy with him staying. Once the new team is properly up-to-speed, I think he could fit very well with Cazorla, The Ox and Giroud all playing in the same team. We’ll see…
So… Sahin in on-loan and possibly a defender (Angel Rangel???) to conclude our TW business.
What’s the consensus ‘Holics?
Dear AW – if you want my 2 pennies worth (in euros the square root of f**k all) – (and quite honestly you know better than me anyway), after watching Rennes yesterday for the first half ‘cos M’vila was apparently playing – forget him ‘cos he did very little
= did not cover his left back who was under the cosh all of the time
= did not make half a dozen passes of note
= did not make any tackles of note
Mind you I was dozing when after 22 minutes when they stopped for water ‘cos it was so hot!
The important thing, cognac, is that Bordeaux won 🙂
Sorry TS I’m not familiar with Angel Rangel apart from when Merson was worried about him before the game v Swansea which we eventually lost. Quite notably as AW pointed out ‘we lost with RVP in the squad’
I’m full of quotes today.
Does anyone know if he’s supposed to be any good (AR)?
I thought we were going for the experience of Mexes.
Afternoon TS.
Theo to me is an enigma, I just can’t decide if there’s a decent player in there or not. He shows flashes of genius and total ineptitude in equal measures. I’ll always support him when he pulls on our colours, but if I’m brutally honest the thought of him leaving doesn’t really miff me in the slightest.
I do hope ofcourse he can change my opinion, but as he only ever really shows consistancy in being inconsistant, I won’t hold hold my breath.
HSH –
I know, I’m just a sucker for quotes. Like this one from Wenger:
“We are looking to bring one more midfielder in of course, and maybe one defender as well because we still feel we are short in some positions,”
Draw your own conclusions people. It’ll all be over next weekend thankfully!
Tweet from D @AFCAMDEN
Just been informed that a deal has now been finalised & Nuri Sahin is now expected to report to the Arsenal training ground after 4pm.
Gt – See earlier comments on Mexes. Often-linked but past his prime? It’s a resounding meh! from me and most prob. media bollix.
Angel Rangel had a good game against us last season. Have now idea if this is just rumour because Le Boss quoted that we are interested in signing ‘one defender’. I’d doubt we want to pay Premiership premium prices.
H2H – Good word that enigma. I think many agree with your sentiments on Little The-o. Not convinced we’d let three first-teamers go in the same window. Just an opinion of course. BM???
Jebus, I knew I felt tired. Looking at my grammar in that previous post confirms it *prostrates himself at the feet of Ollie*
Well in FG. Camden is normally a decent source of intel. Quite a handy 5-a-sider too 🙂
It looks like the Sweeper knows!! 😉
Challenge eh??
Accepted.
Sahin’s on his way to London.
Jean Makoun has replaced M’Vila at Rennes who will be sold this week.
I’m skeptical it’s to us though.
AW has been quite honest in the last couple of days and he said in his post-match interview that we’re looking to add one more midfielder and one more defender.
The rumors are that defender is Angel Rangel, with Lansbury going the other way to Swansea (although he does have an option to go to Norwich).
As for Llorente, I think it’s highly unlikely, but you never know with AW.
Fun, if AFCAMDEN says it’s a done deal then we can be pretty effin’ sure it is. He/she, whoever it is, seems to be very well-connected on Arsenal matters.
Can’t say I know too much about Sahin though. I know I have seen him play but obviously I wasn’t paying enough attention 🙂
Cognac -after watching Capoue very closely in his last three games, I’d take him over Mvila any day of the week.
TS –
hmmm? Mexes past his prime? from what I saw he was throwing a lot of weight around during the euro’s. But then again I didn’t watch much of the french games.
I think Mexes experience as a ‘squad player’ could be invaluable for the reserves and during rotation/bank card cup etc…
…but a better class of squad defender would of course be better.
So much for continuing with the two for one theme!
Re: Lars @152-154 & 156. Was going to say “Let it all out mate” but glad to see you started to do just that after the situation got a bit better in the end. 😉
Snir
Although Wenger says ‘one or maybe two’, it usually means ‘plus any bargins’:
#buy one get one free#
#buy one get a second half priced#
#buy one for £1 buy three for £2#
Snir, you and I are aligned in our thinking (see my #173).
Like you, I also think AW has been very direct and open in his pressers during pre-season and the season to date. Very refreshing IMO.
I’ve said since day one M’Vila is the wrong name in the right position. Sahin, on-loan, it is. Our MF is now like The Sweeper’s cow….. stuffed.
I think those hoping for another forward are likely to be disappointed. Let’s hope The-o and Gerv can really deliver on a consistent basis this season. Giroud and Poldi will come good with goals and assists.
I also think we’re going to build our team around Santi C this season as Jack will be in ‘come-back’ mode and The Ox still a little too raw (albeit he’s an equally fabulous prospect).
Gt
Your opinion as valid as mine. One word though: Squilacci 😉
Cheers TS, don’t mind if I do.
How long did it take Squillaci to be on the pitch until we conceded a goal in his last appearance last season? If memory serves it was fewer than 10 seconds, and he was in the thick of the action.
Is that Squillaci with his head under the fence in 160 by any chance?
Funny you mentioned that at 191, TS, as I was just about to say I reate Mexès about as high as Squillaci :p
bt8: I’ll never forget that Squillaci came on against Man U (the season before, was it?) with about 10 minutes to go, and we didn’t concede!
Sorry, it was at least 20 minutes, I think.
We need more chants for new players.
With Song and van Cuntie leaving, that’s 2 who had songs.
After all that juggling the ball, I’ll simply cross it.
Curls in a dainty cross hoping the onrushing Squillaci can redeem himself with a critical headed goal …
One of those crossed crosses that normally result in a goal at our defensive end when a certain number 18 is butting heads with our other central defender. Good first cross though Ollie. 😉
Yet another shambles.
2 players crossing instead of shooting.
Wenger out!
Sahin is a Good Signing – lovely little player with a great range of passing looked to be the next big thing when at Dortmund but like many went to Madrid to early, which has stiffled his growth, Just hope we have the option to buy as he will flourish at Arsenal. If AFCamden says its a done deal thats good enough for me by far the best Twitter out there,
Mexes – No thanks Slow ponderous and Totally un Suited to the Pl in my view,
Still would like to see a proper DM bought in as well as Jokevic or Lewandowski but think that might pushing it !!
Heh, not a classic finish by any means, but well played bt8
heh zico
Jokevic, Chippy? Do you mean Jovetic, or is it yet another player I haven’t heard of?
8 ball: it was a quite carthartic to have a bit of a rant 🙂
Jokevic…sounds like the Croatian version of Park or Chamakh. 😉
Talking of Mexes…thanks but no thanks. Do not rate the fellahin and would he come as a no 4 or 5 choice…me thinks not.
Was this Sahin signing the one Trev was referring to, btw?
And I’d love Angel Rangel to come simply because of his name! Think of all the puns.
Haha You are correct my Friend i mean Jovetic – I think hes got all the talent to go to the very top, Wicked little player.
Jovetic would be too good to be true.
He is just AWESOME!!!
But he’s probably signing for City, now that Aguero is injured (albeit for weeks, not months…).
Afternoon all.
Some interesting debates and the final squad will no doubt continue to be debated just as long as the window remains open. One thing I would say is that having already made 3 top signings that there is not the frenzied anxiety that most of us tolerated last season. That has to be a bonus. With that in mind I wanted to have a look at what we currently have and where we are heading.
We all have our opinions and one of the beauties of a forum like this and those who are regulars is that it is a great place to air those views and have them debated. I have often spoken about my desire for more width in the team and that the side has to have the right balance. It is because of these points that I ask this question. Why do we seem to have a squad so full of central players? Why do we try and get those players to play out wide? Look at the current squad. We have Diaby, Arteta, Rosicky, Wilshere, AOC, Ramsey, Cazorla, Coquelin, Arshavin, Frimpong and Song. Now Song is on his way as well all know but the Trev rumour store already has his replacement at the training ground. You can add to that list the likes of Cesc. Nasri etc along with the others that have decided that they want to be the cow stuck in the fence.
I have often wondered why we have never seen the best of the likes of Arshavin? I wonder if he had been given that role sat behind the front two if we would have seen the player we had all hoped to see? Whatever peoples view’s are surely that number is far too great? I would love to see the likes of Frimpong and Coquelin making it at Arsenal but I just do not see either getting enough game time.
So why do we not buy genuine wide players? Why do we continue to try and play those that we buy as attacking central players wide? I would love to know the reasons behind that. Clearly there are reasons and clearly they are way above my head.
So what of our wide players? Theo the Enigma. I am still not sure what future he has and in what position. I am sure that AW had plans for him to play a lot more as a central striker before now. I do not think he has developed at anywhere near the speed those at the club would have hoped. Then there is of course Flipper. I like many am still not convinced that he has what it takes to make a real success of it here, This is a big season for him and one that I think will define his future at Arsenal. He clearly has ability, it is now about the final ball and his decision making.
I for one have no problems with the sales that we have made. I am disappointed that RVPO wanted out. I do feel that the Song departure is more of our making than his. The feeling I have is that we are quite pleased that Barca want to offer us loads for him. It is a first for me to actually say thank you to them.
All I ask from all of the sales is that every penny is reinvested into players. As Cazorla has stated, we need to replace those that have gone. I really hope that RVP is replaced despite AW’s comments about his replacements already being here. Being greedy I would also like to see a quality wide player, cover at the back and a decent experienced back up to Szczesny.
Once the deals have been concluded I would then ask for a bit of stability. We could be playing with a side that contains virtually no one from the side that played regularly in the 2010/11 season. I just hope that we now manage to keep those we want to keep. If we do then I have no doubt that prosperity is just around the corner.
Keep the faith.
Isn’t the trick with these limited squad things now that you can’t sign a player just to ‘replace’ an injured player though, Snir?
Blimey! The Sweeper’s back, quite literally with a bang ! Welcome ! 🙂
FunG – you said WHO ????
I already gave Uply two unmissable clues.
‘Sweet dreams’ ‘news will delight you’. Not allowed to say the name but ?!?!? 😉
Snir – is rhat an Arsenal prediction or a weather forecast ?
..” .. Think it’s unlikely but with AW you never know …. ” !
Hand over those crystal balls. 😉
Sweet Dreams, Trev? Have we signed Eurythmics?
Steve, interesting thoughts as always. Drink of you choice on my tab!
Trev – I’m looking at the crystal balls and don’t see Llorente joining Arsenal. Crystal clear 😉
But, I would gladly be wrong as I rate him very highly.
Ollie – It all depends if they have enough non-HG spaces to fill him in. I’m guessing they’re either selling or not registering Santa Cruz and Adebayor, so that should free up two spaces.
As for us, we are at our maximum re squad spaces.
Now with Sahin, it means that we’ll need to sell/not register one of Squillaci, AA, Park, NB52.
Steve T @ 212
Yikes – hit submit too soon.
Steve T @ 212
Great post. Agree with every word.
Good stuff Steve T. Your quest for width is insatiable, I like it. I’m not saying it’s right but the chances of us bringing another midfielder or striker in now, I believe, are about as likely as that cow up above escaping with her dignity in tact. Width will have to come from The-o, Poldi, Ox & Gerv. Maybe Sahin too. And of course, Santi C has a license to play where he wants….
Ollie – He plays where he wants, He plays where he waaants, Santi Cazorla….
….or Super, Super-Ol, Super, Super Ol, Super, Super Ol, Super Ollie Giroud.
Snir – Your balls continue to be coveted by many here. I see Trev now desires a hand-full.
Snir – me neither. 😉
Snir @ #216
Good points.
I hope our meerkat stays for a bit of bench impact from time-to-time, when he has the energy. Can’t help it, I’m still a fan.
Surely NB and Squilly will be gone and are not registered???
As for Park, didn’t we have Sylvestre training with us the other day and building up his appetite? I believe he was confirmed as having had a particulalry hearty sweet and sour dish for his supper. Ju Young has, allegedly, not been seen since.
Re: FunGunner @208. IMHO, Angel Rangel is one of those names that could be improved by inclusion of a falsified middle initial such as J., S. T. or X. For what it’s worth. 🙂
Trev
So the ‘delight’ must be as in Turkish therefore Sahin.
Is the ‘sweet dreams’ also a reference to said confectionary?
Or is there a 2nd signing you have heard?
Duh!
The ‘sweet dreams’ if of course. ANGEL Rangel…
Well done Trev.
@ Trev
‘Sweet dreams’ ‘news will delight you’.
I am hopeless at crosswords, clues have to be a lot more obvious for me to get them. For future reference, when I say “give me a clue” I really mean “tell me”. 🙂
So you meant Sahin?
****
At the risk of starting an M’Vila-style internet frenzy, I recall a Fiorentina club official (ex-official, by that time) saying last autumn that AW had made a bid or an inquiry for Jovetic. Can’t remember why nothing came of it – think he wasn’t for sale that summer or something.
http://www.calciomercato.com/mercato/tottenham-e-fatta-per-m-vila-859519
Rennes have confirmed (if you believe Calciomercato) that they are in talks with Tottenham over M’Vila.
Bollocks.
@ 222 behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
ha ha! You’re right – it does work better. Angel J Rangel trips off the tongue.
Why the big M’Vila obsession?
Adrian Clarke who is ATVO’s new Stewart Robson (he’ll do a skit called Breakdown instead of Talking Tactics) had this to say about Theo to Inter.
”He’s been linked with a few clubs because he’s only got a year left of his contract to run and everyone’s speculating that he’s going to leave Arsenal. I just don’t see him leaving. I think he enjoys playing for the club, enjoys working with Arsène Wenger. It’s just a matter of sorting out a new deal at the Emirates and he’ll stay. Inter Milan want to introduce more pace into their side. So, I can see the logic, but I don’t think it’s going to happen, not this season anyway. I’ll give it a two out of 10.”
Satisfies me. He works for the club, he should know.
Sahin was indeed my Turkish delight FunG, et al.
Not a great surprise, i know.
The delay was over getting a buying option at the end of the loan, but that has now been secured, I believe at a fixed price.
ANGEL DELIGHT
It’s a good MATCH.
@ Trev
Yes, I eventually got there!
Looking forward too seeing him in action. Excellent signing which gives us options and takes pressure off JW.
Wasp – Sahin indeed. I had no angle on Rangel. 😉
Fungunner – I don’t really mind not getting M’Vila, I just don’t want Tottenham to get him.
I would actually prefer Capoue. Have watched him against MHSC, Uruguary, and Saint-Ettiene.
He was absolutely awesome in all three of those games. If I were a scout I would definitely tell AW to sign him.
Cah.
– too
+ to
Trev – There is great confusion re the purchase option.
Some say it is just like any other loan deal. Some say we get first option on him, IF RM decide to sell.
In any case, it’s a 2m Euros loan fee and 8m Euros permanent fee.
Trev. When will that be confirmed as official? Do you know?
No obsession here Fun. We’ve no room for him anyway.
Interesting thoughts from Steve T.
If Arsene thought along the same lines then he could of haggled with Barca to throw in Affelay coming to us as part of the Song deal.
Snir, do you really rate this M’Vila dude? He just doesn’t do it for me from the, admitedly little, I’ve seen of him. Plus there’s the attitude issue.
@ Snir G
I see – but never mind, perhaps he’ll turn out like Anderson or that Sp*ds Brazilian midfielder who we turned down whose name I cannot recall.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2190897/Nir-Biton-set-Tottenham-switch-ahead-Manchester-City.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nir Biton the “new Vieira?” You HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
The guy won’t even get a WP unless he’s filed under a special talent visa.
No confusion here Snir.
Today is all I know H2H.
@ 238 TS
Not here particularly, but remember when the “M’Vila to Arsenal” rumours were rife? And people were still asking over the weekend whether our new midfielder was M’Vila.
I do rate M’Vila, yes. But I rate Capoue higher.
Plus, I already wrote here that I think AW is trying to go back to two CM instead of a CM and a DM.
Neither of Gilberto and Paddy were DMs and it worked out just fine.
As for physicality, I hope they’ll be OK.
Possession wise Sahin, Arteta, and Cazorla would be magnificent and the opposing team would only get the ball off Gervinho or Theo out on the wing 😀
Sorry, Steve T not H2H.
@ 244 Snir
Certainly looks that way! Was that what you were saying the other day as well, btw?
Add Jack to that, and we’re good, eh :)?
Steve T – Song did not jump. 😉
Too-Shay TS
Steve T –
I would imagine we do not buy ‘genuine’ wingers because we do not play in a way that requires wingers to beat a man out wide and put crosses over to a big man.
Our style requires the full backs to overlap for the final run and, more often than not, cut the ball back to a more central type of player.
Mehhh que un club
From what I ‘ve seen of Gerv so far, I cannot see anyone taking the ball off him either.
Theo just needs to be quicker and more clinical.
He is the luxury we can afford to keep (provided nobody else leaves next season).
We should make Sqillachi captain and maybe he’ll leave next season.
Heh! Uncle Charlie knows. Mes que un blog 😎
Trev @ #248
He did when Le Boss stuck the boot in. Or maybe it was Bould’s?
Anyway, just about to make a cuppa. Pass the Dein-ish please.
Hey TS – back to work for me. Love this heat – not. 😉
Clive@160: welcome back. You’ve lost none of your inimitable style.
@Thomas_Bergkamp: Dreossi ( Rennes chairman ) about M’Vila to #Arsenal : “Arsenal ? Maybe. You have to call Wenger. But with Song who’s gone they’ll recruit.”
@JamieDalton82: Drerossi says 3 offers for M’Vila. Zenit, Spurs and a mystery team
Clive Waterman, hilarious since 1954.
And scholarly too.
(I’ve only just seen the post as it was intended, thanks to a fussy IT administrator who configured my desktop at work, to strip out pictures).
Great work, Mr Sweeper.
http://www.mercato365.com/infos-clubs/rennes/rennes-trois-offres-pour-m-vila-883001.shtml
An article saying we are in talks with Rennes.
Just a reminder that the phone-in is on the Player at 7.30pm ,alternatively the under 21s can be found on line with LSHunter TV and FirstRow Sports EU and probably other streams.
Hope you all got your tickets this morning. I got through on the phone at 10.02 before my on line effort had hardly got going! Luck I guess.
Dreossi is not the Chairman, by the way, Snir, just the Sporting Director, or whatever they call it.
Why do you do this to yourself, Snir?
In the end, I couldn’t be arsed, Delia, as I got pissed off with the queue thing.
I’ll check for tickets on Ticket Exchange.
263 Ollie – at this rate Snir’s glass balls will eventually be rubbed down to match wolfies 😉
So, what’s the form then? Have we actually bought anyone? Taken anyone on loan? Got bored with the whole transfer window thing?
Me, I’m with option 3. (Yawns.) Wake me up on September 1[1]
COYG ICDDR
[1] You could also wake me up, with a nice cup of tea, one hour before any kickoff on any match day between now and then. Thanks.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9487891/Arsenal-did-not-sell-Alex-Song-to-Barcelona-because-of-his-unprofessional-attitude.html
Darren Dein getting a bit angry?
Oh fuck off.
Club was testing Song to see if he’s committed. If he is, why not wait till after 1st Sept?
Stay at the club, and start negotiating a new deal that you’re so “dying to sign” after the season starts.
Darren Dein just exposed Song.
…and bad news from Lord’s. England lose by 51 runs with nos 1, 2, 4 and 5 scoring 12 between them. Wegnar out. Where’s my bin bag?
Ollie – Do what 🙂 ?
@Darrenarsenal1: Sahin has had his photoshoot at Colney this afternoon. Expect confirmation on website with story tomorrow #sahin #arsenal
I’m confused, should we believe people called Darren?
Snir 267
Song was only on £55,000 a week? Wow, how did he survive? No wonder he left. :sarcasticlookingwhatacuntsmiley:
I can understand getting into a fuss about earning the same as Chamakh and Squillaci, but if you’re so “desperate to sign,” then show your commitment by staying after the window closes and negotiate a new contract.
If there is one person who knows how to reward a player after good seasons, it’s AW.
The Ox on front cover of FFA13 and speaks (well) for himself, the club and country
http://www.youtube.com/embed/tTe0xKe29yA
He had three years left to run, as well. Does anyone get a new contract or an extension at that stage?
I’ve noticed the beginnings of a pattern here. With RvWho and Song – first player engineers move or makes his position untenable. Hot on the heels of the completion of the move, “information” fed to press that player “was willing to stay”. Intended inference is that club/Aw sold him unnecessarily to make money. Got Fat & Orange fingerprints all over it.
Also presumably he was trying to get a new contract on a higher wage, not a lower one?
Bright lad, that Ox – genuinely, not just bright considering he’s a footballer.
Good one @275 FunGunner.
Another interesting view I read recently was about the prevalence and newly propogated myth that Song was the best DM, apparently ever. E-V-E-R.
If memory serves, he was part of an Arsenal squad that conceded what, near 50 goals last time? Wasn’t he present at the ManIOU debacle as well? Where were his Barca-annointed indefatigueable, superman DM skills then?
As many here have already said, as a DM Song’s biggest shortcoming was the “D” part. Not good. Arsenal will survive this handily, and more than likely for the better.
All this renewed contract bollox is what’s got us stuck with all the so called deadwood.
A player signs a contract, it’s a legal binding document (tries to keep straight face)
Everytime one of these ingrates learn how to kick a ball straight or score a goal or two they expect to have their outragous salaries doubled, it’s fucking ridiculous and it has to be stopped.
Agents are all cuntbuckets, it goes with the terrortory, it’s up to the clubs to call their bluff. I’m glad we did with Song, he’s gone so fuck him and his stupid granny hair do. Now lets take steps to keep that Long John Silver affienado Double Dick Dein away from the rest of our players, I’d like to suggest a moat around Londey Colney infested with sharks fitted with laser guns who are instructed and trained to shoot on sight at any agenty looking types (and Joey Barton).
Let’s be honest, though, DD is only doing what the players want. He is recruited by them, not the other way around. They don’t have to ask his advice nor do they have to take it once given. So the ire should be directed at them.
Unless of course he “advises” only Arsenal players?
What Mr H2H said.
Hey, won’t you play
Another somebody done somebody wrong Song.
Only £55,000 PER WEEK ?
A wonder he turned up for training at all – never mind late.
Show him the training video of Sir Chris Hoy falling on the floor with burning legs full of lactic acid.
Looks like no new signing to waffle about tonight, and at crack of dawn tomorrow I am up to prepare for the journey down to St Mellion for three days of wonderful golf with eleven other ‘imbibers’.
What could possibly go wrong?
I will try to find time to pen some sort of update, maybe Wednesday…
I’m with H2H and Ollie.
Let’s not stop at Agents and Joey Bamstick though….
Well, you can blame the agent, but it’s the player who makes the decisions. Can’t let them off lightly.
any stream for u21 please
I think 282 is ‘holic via ‘holic rather than the Sweeper 😉
@277Homer. Song did n’t play at old Trafford, was suspended after stamping on Joey Barton.
Who is up for switching Cescs’ song over to Cazorla?
Not sure I like the ‘little fucking spaniard’ talk. Look what that sort of shit has done to Andrei.
I don’t know, cognac,
but
https://twitter.com/arsenallive
we’re a man and a goal down already 🙁
Yo Esso.
Ta Ollie – have tried all usual sources but either not showing or when offered is not available ho hum
Oh twat. Forgot to change it back. I wonder…
Y, YIC 🙂
Ollster! See you at the Scummers I hope.
Okay here is what happened and I kid you not.
At work I tell two spuds (nice guys though) they are in pole position to sign M’Villa.
Their eyes light up and they gaze into each others eyes and then both yell ‘yes’ throwing victorious fists into the air.
So I say, “but don’t you already have defensive midfeild options?”
They then say (at the same time but not word for word), “yes we have Parker, Sandro and Huddelstone”
I then say “oh right so then you’ll also have M’Villa”
Then they say (at the same time but not word for word), ” yes because (admittedly), Sandro could do with a loan spell and Huddlestone could do with losing weight”
Heh! Testimant to “it could be worse, you could be a spud”
😀
RVP starts on the bench for the Mancunian bitches tonight with red nose talking about ‘headache, decisions, 1999, blah blah blah
What a bunch of mop quiff ben sherman wearing twats
ESSOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Good weekend by the seaside I trust?
Don’t work too hard you lot while I chase a little white ball (or more likely a couple of dozen different little white balls) around the wild west.
Arsenal contracts are typically for four years. If Song still had three to go on his, he presumably signed his last one a year ago. If he was happy then to sign on to be “one of the worst paid players” at the club for the next four years, scrapping by on more per week than most Brits, let alone his countrymen, earn in a year, he can’t have been such an idiot as not to know what he was signing up for, can he? Professional footballers seem to be taking the definition of contracts not being worth the paper they are printed on to new levels of absurdity.
I don’t believe it. /Meldrew…
Finishing touch, or just the penultimate one?
292, ‘holic: Sorcery!
Guess that answers my question. Well in, Ollie.
Must say thee Utd bench looking kinda shite, apart from you know who. But I’m just a moany git!
I’d say players and agents are taking the general public for idiots, Ned.
You know, us guys….
I may only see it on the surface, but there seems to be a genuine destruction mission from Dein/Usmanov, it’s silly.
Hopefully no other current Arsenal player will involve themselves with Dein now.
Thanks for the assist Ned!
Evening All,
Clive – Back with a bang in your own inimitable style. Trust you to get the first exclusive pictures of Rooney and VP training together!
Snir – Gilberto not a DM!!!!!!! Pffft. He was the archetypal defensive midfielder, and with the possible exception of Makelele, nobody has made a finer job of it in modern times in the Premiership. Granted, Gilberto ventured forwards more in our first season at The Ems (and his last full season) when he assumed the Captaincy due to Henry’s injury that season, but that does not mean that he was anything more than a midfield shield for our Defence for much the greater part of his time at Arsenal. I agree with your wider point that Arsene may well look to play this season without a destroyer whose principal task is to break up the opposition’s play but your comparison with Gilberto as an example of how it might work is way off beam.
Trev @110 I would pay seriously good money to hear “Liar Liar” performed by an operatic soprano !!!! And heh @135 🙂
Sharks with laser guns H2H? Couldn’t agree more. The Daily Telegraph “source” for Song’s less than honest side of the story, clearly one Mr Darren Dein, needs to do one sharpish. Hopefully the Club will now be proactive in trying to keep him well away from any employees of the Club.
Beers anyone? I’m gonna need a livener to watch Manure replete with the Dutchman on their bench.
Whoops!
I would rather listen to Roxette than listen to this guy Parry.
Blood starting to trickle from both ears…… 🙁
I have a nice Ligue 2 game to watch if I really want to watch football tonight.
Announcement made about people standing up at Everton – Thats red nose warned then
come on everton!
zico, at least you don’t have to listen to ian “through a glass” darkely, and his sycophantically moronic partner, “macca”.
Arsenal U21 2-1 up now.
scruz, equally bad here, believe me.
Gems like “you won’t like it when Sir Alex is angry…..”
lol…these two have the american commentators disease, to talk and talk and talk and say very little about what’s actually happening. if they learned to shut up and stick with describing the play, they wouldn’t be too bad. but it’s pure logorrhea.
must say, everton are impressing.
Evening Tabs,
Heh! At the Clive comment.
Have to agree with you about Gilberto. He was a brilliant DM, quietly and constantly sniffing out danger, extinguishing it and moving the ball quickly and simply to the more creative or attacking players.
I must have missed Snir drink saying he was not. Can’t let you have that one mate. 😉
3-1!
SG –
Those moody blues need to score though mate
Great intensity about this game – could have done with some of that urgency ourselves on Saturday, although I accept it was much hotter at the Grove…..
Jelavic is a full decent player
gilberto = the invisible wall.
song = the invisible dm.
goonertown, if jagielka were looney, they’d have a penno by now.
Don’t know who these two are on Sky but they don’t seem to realise that I have the benefit of a picture.
Saw Scholes get away with an early assault on his ex team mate Gibson. Nice !
If he’d been wearing anything other than a ManUre shirt he would probably have gone off. But that scary Sir Alex was already cross, so best let it go.
trev, i’ve always wondered, but you’ve let me know. saf means “scary alex ferguson”…
fellaini, too, goonertown. the hair is just enough to be replacing song’s…
Clive! Oh my goodness (blushing). Hey holics. Thought it might be fun to keep track of Gervinho comments and so I’m logging them in my journal. Best improved player by end of season or just a tease. So keep them coming. Kinda like Everton right now.
wolfie can help you with your request there, nurse.
de gea keeping mancs in the game.
SG – I see the Man-you forwards getting more involved in midfield duals. Wonder which training session over the weekend they saw that?
I’m telling ya I can see the ghost of 1999 formulating here, how exciting!
last minute of the half, time for a macs penno.
SG – Yeah that de gea fella also lifted by the arrival of you know who.
Hi Scruz. Yes de Gea grew himself a pair!
goonertown, you mean a treble for manu? fuck, i hope not.
Gilberto not a DM 😆
SG -I’m afraid so. I can see it now, pl, cl the lot! 😆
everyone lifted by the cunt’s arrival, whatever. let’s see him get fellaini’d two minutes after coming on, for a six week spa treatment.
abb, i don’t know, but at least one seems to be there. he might have beaten the other away. 😉
should be a winkey there, not a laughy, goonertown.
Ok, the Swedish commentator just jizzed in his pants when De Gea made a save. “Oh, look how the ball takes a deflection and he still has time to get his left arm up”.
Well, let’s break it down then, shall we?
1) the deflection took the ball CLOSER to De Gea and not away from him and also took some velocity out of it, making the save quite a lot easier
2) it was his right arm
The same commentator also had a chuckle and said “he has never really learned how to tackle in all his years” early on in the game. No prizes for guessing about which player he said it.
Have to say though that this commentator is normally much better than this but today he seems to be in lazy cliche mode.
Why are you lot watching that game? :s
3-1 to Le Mans here (and still 3-1 to the Young’uns, but no picture for that)
Arsenal Live @ArsenalLive
Full time: Arsenal Under-21s 3-1 Bolton
Hooray for the U21s!
I’ll swap your Swedish commentator Lars, for one used Parry.
Hopefully his earlier climax will keep him “quiet” for the 2nd half 😉
lars, lazy clichy mode? does that translate from the french?
zico@341: heh, maybe it will!
scruz: lazy Clichy mode is what Arshavin always is in – i.e. never tracking back along the left wing.
true, that. he does better chasing balls he’s lost…
Hi Trev,
Sorry mate , have I missed something? Snir’s comment about Gilberto was at 244. I’m not sure what you mean?
fellaini!
Yay totally deserved
Hair scores!
rvp up and warming. HA. shut him out, everton, mancs in crisis…
Get in Felliani!
You’ve not missed a thing Tabs. My ‘can’t let you’ was directed at Snir, not your good self.
Only a matter of time. Fellani pushed every manc cunt out of the way to score.
Red nose then sumonses you know who to warm up.
Heh!
Fellaini has been absolutely unplayable so far. He is chesting down goal kicks to teammates at will prior to making Carrick his bitch on that corner kick.
Team in crisis. So many strikers but none can score
RvP: “I won 6 – 0 up here with Arsenal. I don’t like the direction this club is going in”.
Polish commentator just said that red nose increased his chewing revs from 180 to 220 a minute ha ha
SG – ffs here you go 😉
SG – Anymore 1999 tribute requests while you’re at it?
It is still the first game but neither Manchester club appears invincible. We will improve but will they?
Everton has been in attack all game. Nice to see positive play.
lol@ goonertown 😀 backatcha
goonertown, no thanks, we’ve already got purple reign…
Gilberto was one of those players that you never realised how good he was until he wasn’t playing.
Any news Trev?
steve t, i remember when he broke that vertebra in his back, and how we suffered with him out.
robbing spam pursey is in for the mancs. get in, marouane!
These SS commentators are having a laugh. Describing two shitty one, two’s from Man-you which were neatly blocked off as ‘nice play’ or something along those lines!
heh!
Arthur and Clive back on the same post? Welcome back gents.
Van Pursestrings on. Good old scousers giving him a good old welcome.
Arthur! Were’ve you been, mate?
@363 –
Only what I said @230.
Was due to be announced today but you know Arsenal, they’ve managed to make it take an extra day.
Maybe they prefer to not have the announcement clouded by the Song departure.
SG – i’m fucking off to drive home, had enough of this boring Aon shite for now.
I’m sure upon my arrival I will see RVP on the scoresheet for the club formerly known as treble winners 😆 😉
Cheers Steve T
Lars
Have taken a break got back from Hols just in time for the start of the season! 🙂
Trev. Can you say anything now or are you still sworn to secrecy?
It’s all over twatter Steve T,
Sahin tomorrow.
I think I have a selective filter on twatter 😉
Cheers Zico. I have only just worked out how to use this. Twatter is well beyond me.
Your filter was not to go on it 😉
Good timing, Arthur!
Have to say that seeing Dutch Bloke come on for ManU filled me with… not very much emotion at all, to my surprise. I really do feel as if the Robin van Persie who played for us doesn’t exist anymore, the one at ManU is just a player who looks exactly like him. I thought seeing him in that shirt for the first time would fill me with Sniresque levels of hatred for a while but I don’t really feel that much at all.
I think not watching it made me avoid wanting to punch my TV, Lars.
Your young fellow Swede was on, er, tip-top form on Saturday.
Arthur, Welcome back and big heh at 357
Steve T –
It’s already all up there. Uply and FunG weedled it out of me.
It’s Sahin, 12 month loan, delay caused by Arsenal wanting an option to buy while RM did not.
AFC finally secured the option but at a fixed price. Could work in our favour though if he is a big success.
Are you ITK, Trev? 😉
Hey Ollie looks Van Greedy got his taste of first defeat!
Haw Haw.
He lost when we want.
Final whistle blown then?
I didn’t dare mention anything for fear of my usual jinxing 😛
Lovely result.
Ok then…
We are ahead of ManU in the league.
We are ahead of Spurs in the league.
Liverpool are in the relegation zone.
All in all, a rather good weekend, don’t you agree? 😉
there it is, mancs have no forwards.
Direction?
What the fuck do I know?
Robin van Persie
Result Red cover dutch cheese comes off bench and loses his skin
Must look at FFL soonest
If Vidic is not video booked for that hold and pull on Coleman there is something seriously dodgy going on.
If only Man U had Van Persie, surely, surely they would have scored, right?
Oh.
Mwahahahaha.
Yes. Well done Everton. Fellaini deserved MOM and Jagielka was lovely. Can’t wait to match our wits against them.
GTFI
Haha, he doesnt score when he fucking wants anymore.
Fellaini=awesome, has he got velcro on his chest?
That was fun!
Well done Rotten van Pigsty….start as you mean to go on. I don’t think MUFC have enough ambition you prick…
I do believe the treble winners now trail the Gooners.
This is just how it was in 1999. Or was 1998?
Heh!
Yep. Just as I thought: RvP has transferred the jinx to Yawnited – well done my son
🙂
Lurks in the box
shoots…
First time shot
Lurkers one-two.
Well in Sajit!
I would have had more rum on Saturday night if I had known the Utd score in advance.
Proof that time-travel is bad for your health. 8)
Yaaay.. My first goal 🙂
Thanks Ollie and an assist for you lurky olivia 🙂
Now that was more fun than watching someone I used to know and now dont care about lose.
so will the papers say “mancs need strikers, none of theirs are worth their salt”? or “red nose puts the hairdryer to van persie’s unrealized ambition”?
Ollie@379: I did draw that conclusion from the photo he posted on Twatter of him snogging the ZZ Top bouncer 🙂
Lars a very good weekend indeed!
heh zico 😀
Saf what happened? It must have been all of those headaches and decisions to make. Should have stuck with what you had you greedy cunt!
Tabs – I meant Gilberto wasn’t the physical player everyone is now looking for. He was no De Jong, that’s for sure. Much more elegant, albeit still physical enough to win any battle, but people are now clamoring for a physical player, and that only.
Ollie,
I have two very good contacts who are most definitely ITK.
One is able to be fairly anonymous, the other would certainly not.
I don’t hear everything but I did know about this one.
But, to avoid any possible embarassment to the individuals, or compromise to the club’s position, I would NEVER say anything publicly while anything was at a stage where it could still be jeopardised.
Ask me at The Tollie and I’ll tell you who they are.
Heh @ zico. 🙂
Indeed it was good in retrospect Lars. Oh no, it’s that time travel thing again;)
http://hasrobinvanpersiescoredformanutd.com/
nice…
Heh
nice one, thanks tim. that’s tim travel for ya.
Snir – it’s only really Citeh with de Jong and Chelsea with a fading Essien that play with a destroyer DM anymore.
Most if them are now less physically destructive ‘cos you can’t get away with it with the referees any more.
It’s more about agility and timing than brute force these days.
Lol at the mancs. Share price dropping by the minute.
There is a problem in with signing Sahin on loan. RM wants 14 mil buyout clause, we offer 8. Doesn’t look good.
The share price of Manchester United (MANU: 13.06, -0.36, -2.68%) slid today, reaching and then falling even farther past its previous 52-week low of $13.29 to $13.
Robin the Rich
Just seen the Manure result.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
He’s worth 14 if song is worth 19? Sort it Arsene!!!!!
Ah Trev, with you. That means we’re both for the high jump when Snir turns up! Safety in numbers … 🙂
Alright Arthur, good to have you back.
Agree with Bearded. Fellaini was at times unplayable tonight, though Carrick will never a centre-half make. Well done The Toffees. Thoroughly deserved, but why did they inexplicably drop 20 yards deeper and hand the Diabolical Mancs a way back in when they were offering very little? Winds me up.
Agree with Lars. Seeing Gobbin’ in that disgusting kit was a bit like having your BCG as an 11 year old. Wasn’t looking forward to it but it was surprisingly painless. Ultimately all it was was a little prick.
25 mins and I think he touched it twice, and one of those was to take a corner. Get used to the splinters Gobbin’.
So proud of the kids for comign back after going a goal down and being reduced to 10-men. Emphatic 3-1 victory.
Snir @409 – Not me old chum. As Trev says those type of players just don’t get away with it anymore. It would be lovely to have a Viera again, but they don’t grow on trees, so in the meantime, I reckon combinations of Sahin, Arteta,Diaby , Ramsey and Wilshere will do just fine as the deeper lying midfielders.
Trev – That’s actually what I wrote when I wrote why it’s ok for us to play without a caveman in the engine room 🙂
Nobody plays with one anymore.
Ahem “Vieira”
Tabs – we’re saying the same thing! 🙂
Okay let me clarify.
When I say he wasn’t a DM, I mean, he wasn’t the DM that everybody wants us to sign, i.e De Jong.
He surely was the shield in front of the back four and therefore a DM. But, people want us to sign a DM who would be able to out-muscle everybody on the planet and teams don’t play with one anymore.
Arteta, might very well be a DM if told to be one, as he has the defensive discipline to be one, but more importantly, the right TECHNIQUE in the tackle, as opposed to a certain Alex Song who loved giving away free kicks on the edge of the box.
Nobody wants us to sign De Jong Snir !!!! 🙂
The point stands. Our midfield as it currently stands cannot be compared to a 2 man midfield anchored by Gilberto, who was an out and out defensive midfielder.
So, no support for a cheeky £15m bid to buy a Dutchman from Manyoo? I reckon it would be worth it just to watch Ferguson’s reaction.
I have to say I would be very satisfied with Arteta and Sahin in front of our back four.
Toffee anyone?
Oh, I hear a little boy screaming!
Awwwwwwwwwwww didums.
Mikes broke up and intercepted a lot of Sunderland moves on Saturday. Second only to Santiago as MOTM for me. Very important for our mf this season.
Fucking predictive text
Mikel
And Santi
Of course
Lars: I am almost certain that you can’t say “At long fucking bloody last” mate – the stronger expletive traditionally precedes the lesser. So “bloody fucking” is preferable but not really that elegant. In future perhaps the simple & versatile “fucking” used alone will suffice…I hope that this helps..
😎
IBath – 🙂
I certainly don’t want de jong. Gilberto’s strength was that he could be the 5th defender and then the link between the back 4 and those in front of him. His link up play gave the team a certain fluidity.
I would like to see a cheeky bid for Huntelaar. We all know that he and rvp don’t hit it off. How funny would it be if his goals secured the trophies that elude the mancs?
Steve T – I think you’ll like Gary Neville’s analysis on how the game has changed. He mentions width and analyzes the change between the Premier League he knew to the game of football now.
It’s in the pre-game.
http://www.motdgoals.com/2012/08/epl-full-match-everton-v-manchester-united-20-august-2012/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-jack-wilshere-could-return-1271280
Hi all
thnks for your kind comments on my belated return.
I thought you would enjoy the conjoined Cows.!!
Due to family commitments i will be popping in sporadically over the next couple of months.
I will try to make the visits count.
One observation,The 3 teams that had the most players away on Int’l duty last week,Arsenal,City and Utd,were all below par in their first games.
Lacking sharpness both mentally and physically.
Only City managed to grind out a gritty win.
With a clear week ahead,i expect a much sharper team to front up to Stoke.
As long as the boys wear shinpads back and front,as pioneered by Big JR, [ the old guns will know who i mean]we should survive intact and victorious with the 3 points.
The little Spaniard is going to be a revelation in the PL this season.
Stay safe everyone
cheers
The Sweeper.
OK if the Manyoo shares falls to around $5:00 I am getting me some of that. That would represent great value and I need something to impress my Man U friends [some don’t even know where Manchester is never-mind visited old toilet[ So imagine how impressed they’ll be to see me owning Man U stocks!…
Yep I’d paper one wall of the guest bog in the share certificates and deliberately forget to put a roll of toilet paper in there when the fuckers come to visit [as they like to do whenever the Arsenal lose a game] … Yes seems to be a great plan indeed … Come on you Man U investors SELL, SELL, SELL
🙂
Hey Sweeper, I think the cows enjoyed it as well! My bad. So glad to have you here again, lad. Take care.
ABB: No if I am not mistaken that was a bull under … erm … pressure 🙂
Oh Gooner Terry, sorry I missed you! You know if I commited a crime, I’d want you to be my judge. You are so forgiving! RVP and Song, I know they’re human but so am I. Will try to follow your lofty example in this matter. Gonna be hard though.
To all of you who already counted that Sahin is Arsenal player.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2191230/Nuri-Sahin-Arsenal-stalls.html
Jinx.
Oo-er Trev. Sahin off?
Hey Fun and lurky, hope they can work it out. Been relishing the first encounter of Poldi and Sahin as Arsenal lads…you know when guys fight like that, they often end up as best buddies.
Sounds like old news to me Fun. Don’t panic yet.
Today’s AS.
Sahin’s agent finalized the deal with RM, transferring him to Arsenal, although we have NO option on him.
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/agente-sahin-sello-cesion-arsenal/20120821dasdaiftb_15/Tes
Hey everyone. Another hot day in the office, another sweaty dollar earned…
I laughed my head off seeing the score of the mancs game. If only they had RVP eh?
Nothing like schadenfruede to start the day 😆
I found this teensy-weensy article and thought I’d share, seeing as it was written by someone with a brain 8)
http://afootballreport.com/post/29865877838/arsenal-as-gatsby-at-war-with-the-ideal
Also, Lars, you didn’t tell me that you had an evil twin Mackem brother?
This is like some sort of DC comic storyline 😉
http://salutsunderland.com/2012/08/the-lars-word-arsenals-wastefulness-with-captains-how-wags-view-sunderlands-shops/
You fellas need to fight to the death atop a bridge somewhere I figure!
Anyway, time to continue looking at the transfer news in hope of some good news.
It has been quite a summer for Ollie Ollie. First he makes a huge profit by selling the Olliempics naming rights to the city of London, and then he ties for top spot in the first week of the prestigious You Ropey league. I wonder, Can he top this?
Musn’t leave out all due plaudits for the first place tie achieved by Storey’s Strollers, who never achieved half this glory in all of last season. 😉
I only love one thing as much as my Arsenal.
Joe Strummer would have been 60 today. Missed daily.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqEOOvoEi_w
Thanks Tim,
Heading for YouTube and Twitter.
Hey 8ball, what’s up? You should know I’ll be back challenging for honours soon enough. The new look Goon Patrol are changing their transfer policy to ensure success and prevent the last second debacle of last season!
…I still bear some regret and ill-will towards Wolfie for having to cancel my open-top minibus parade. I spent a fortune on that bus 😉
Nice one, Tim.
RIP Joseph.
Forgot what hippy Joe turned out to be in later life, gods bless him…..
I know we shouldn’t pay attention to other teams and we should focus on our own performances, but i have to thank everton for making this mornings headlines just a little easier to stomach.
Hats off to the sweeper, if the words didnt do it, the cows did! Gud class that one, wish my teachers lncorporated teaching aids, say graphic pictures:) Regards to the management n all. Jus watched youtube clip of sahin, that lad can pick a pass with pin-point accuracy its even scary!
451, cheers! HAdn’t checked that.
Top of the League? Wow, and that’s without Giroud scoring or Cazorla ‘assisting’.
If you consider the 2 points deduction that shold be TS’s with Wellbeck on, and 3 points for the 2 Scousers with Uplympian….. 😉
Remarkable though, these top teams are rather devoid of cunts, even the 3 players mention above don’t make me jump through the roof (a Manc is a bit too much though… 🙂 ).
Otherwise, another lesson from the great Herbert Chapman (though I’ll admit in this case I hadn’t thought it through):
pick a team name that’s going to put you first in the alphabetical order 🙂
Right, table framed, it won’t happen again: a bit like Fulham and Swansea being Top of the League….
tabs@421: Ultimately all it was was a little prick.
Yes, he’s called “Smallballs”, what did you expect?
Terry@434: I think you have a sodding bloody fucking point there 🙂
CoR@450: an evil twin Mackem brother? Yuck, not to my knowledge at least! (and judging from his name he seems to be from Denmark or possibly Norway. last names ending with “-sen” are usually not Swedish.)
Good point also by the Sweeper about the three teams with the most internationals also being the three teams with the greatest difficulties to find their rythm. Man City were in no small part helped by very inept defending by Southampton.
Ollie my “purity” team is so named as it has no manure, ManShitty, LWC or “the bus stop in fulham” scum dirtying the team. 😉
Morning all,
How awesome is it to see PurseStrings and his picnic-blanket-wearing buddies get turned over by the haircut? Just like they asked Arsene, the hacks should have asked Fergie, “Would you have won that if Van Persie had been on the – whoops”
Now I’m a game behind but is it too late to enter the Boy Racers FC into the FFL?
@friebos: Spanish blog @soymadridista says Mourinho told Sahin that if he went to Arsenal he would never be allowed back. Bah humbug.
Camberwell, I think you can enter a League any time, the points are counted for your team from inception, whether you join a league or not.
Spanish blog on twitter, must be the truth, Snir 😉
Ollie – awesome thanks. Do I need an invite or something to get in the HT league?
@446 ABB, I like temperamental footballers too. Not Barton like temperamental, but you know what I mean:)
@447 Trev, old news? Take a look at today’s papers, mate:)
What amazes me, is that we are reluctant of giving 5 mil. euros more, for Sahin. Even more, we have an option not to buy him if he is not suitable for our team.
So, he is not good at the end of this season, sent him back to Mourinho.
If he appears to become good player, which will be the case simply because he is one, 14 mil euros is not bad business.
Moan-rinho is a prick if that’s true.
So much trouble to take a player that they don’t use.
Imagine being his neigbour and trying to borrow his lawnmower or something…
Sorry, “if that’s true” was probably redundant 😉
Ollie – I have decided you don’t believe anything even after its official so there’s no point of trying to convince you of anything 🙂
Camberwell, ask ‘holic to send you an e-mail.
heh, Snir :p
@462: Lars, maybe you fellas were separated as kids like the “twins” in Double Impact. I still think you need to smack the other Lars down though, maybe with your wallet? 8)
@ Trev
Phew. Thanks. And Snir, thanks.
You guys do know Sahin is pronounced Shahin? Right?
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/agente-sahin-sello-cesion-arsenal/20120821dasdaiftb_15/Tes
So who do we believe, Snir?
Unless Sahin has told the Special Cunt : ‘well you know what? Fuck off. I don’t want to come back. You might not even be there next season anyway’.
2 questions.
1. Holic, could I respectfully request an email invo to the new HT league please? Being a game behind I won’t be a threat to anyone!
2. Anyone know a link where I can watch highlights or the whole game from Sat? Without paying .com…
If anyone has nothing better to do than analyse stats for last year
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2012/aug/21/premier-league-2011-12-performance-data-interactive
No it didnt help me lead FFL – is the HT league summat else – if so please teacher can I join?
At St Mellion, on the Guinness pre 2 pm tee off. Yum.
Camberwell, I’m sure I sent you one. Remind me when I am back Friday.
Here’s a link from a Russian website Camberwell:
http://rutube.ru/video/c8ec4be1bc2a33e3a37e3013891a9b1a/
I must warn you though, in Russia, highlights watch you…
Afternoon All,
Ollie @ #461 – Wow! That’s a long post for you. FYI, the only reason I ‘signed’ Welbeck was because I couldn’t afford Robbin’ who should fit very well into a team destined for mid-table mediocrity.
Thanks again to ‘Holic for the tip re: U21 football at The HoF. The temptation of two tickets for £6 (+£2 p&p!!!) was too much and so this Saturday I get a chance to cement The StoreySon’s indoctrination.
It’ll be weird going to The Arsenal and not imbibing but that’ll be offset by not having to queue for a pee with your legs crossed for 10 minutes. Also, the chance to watch Eisfeld, Yennaris, Ganbry, Akpom, Miquel, Bellerin and co. is an exciting one too.
Will need some CLEAN songs for the U21 players. Come-on ‘Holics, I know you’re up to the challenge 🙂
Ollie – I was way ahead of you with that piece, I linked it @449, so I already read it.
I just wrote the other post to relay info I saw, and to say outright that blogs can’t have info is wrong, since I do believe if it was arseblog or Holic then the info woulda been taken seriously.
Me personally? I believe he’ll be an Arsenal player come September 1st.
By the way – I like Ollie the transfer guru linking articles 🙂 A refreshing change lol 😀
Classic; freddie just posted long thing on twitter slating RVW and Song, and their lack of respect for AFC and AW.
The best bit? It was retweeted by Diaby!!
Good lads. Both of you
I thought an article would have more credibility than a tweet.
Although well, I should know better, journos talk bollocks.
I believe things when I see them on .con.
Dr C, could that be a fake Freddie retweeted by a fake Diaby?
Think Diaby is real Ollie. Why you so sceptical? 😉
Embrace good things. Even if they’re not true!
Afternoon Bull-sex Voyeurs,
TS @483 – I’d go for “Akpom, Akpom, Akpom, Akpom, Akpom, Iddle I po”.
Snir – Covering all bases there I see, a true ITK! 🙂 Agree with you, he’ll be an Arsenal player sooner or later.
Ollie – Congratulations on your early lead in HT League. Good to see a properly pure team leading the way.
Up @463 You need a lot more than that to declare yourself “pure”. No Mancs (either City or Yanited), no mugsmashers, no LWC’s, no Bus-stoppers, and no Stokies.
TS – That Welbeck excuse must be just about the weakest excuse I’ve seen since I proclaimed that my dog ate my homework (and I didn’t even have a dog!) 🙂
Lars @462 Heh 🙂
Canons – Cheers for the “Gatsby” link, good read. Oh , and just so you know, Wolfie is still on his “open top parade” around the beaches of the world. 😉
What The Sweeper said about The Little Spaniard, and the Internationals.
Have a good one Holic.
Oh and I haven’t laughed at Gobbin yet, hahahahahahahahahaha.
tabs, I wish I was there to throw a scornful look in Wolfie’s general direction. ;D
I hope Wolfie knows that next time there will be no stone left unturned in my quest for cold vengeance, might even turn to the dark side…
Glad you enjoyed the Gatsby article. A good change from reading about why we’re going to be relegated down to the Blue Square Premier without our Man of Glass Morals, isn’t it?
Tabs, is anyone actually following NSC’s this season in the FFL? I was quite chuffed with my 9th place finish but giving in to the dark side this one…
Canons – Heh 🙂 , Wolfie is too busy building sandcastles to worry about Speedo assassins 🙂
Camberwell, haven’t checked out everybody’s team yet so don’t know. I’m pure, and so is Ollie who is top of the League. Lars and Zico both seemed to have picked teams based on their players “cuntishness”. 🙂
Pick who you like mate.
CoR, tabs drink@489 reminded me I forgot to read the Gatsby article but now I have and I can only agree, it was a very good read.
Boots the ball upfield and returns to trying to get some work done…
Tabs, Ollie top on NSCs? Blimey!
CoR, cheers for the link – they put us last on the billing on MOTD again? C%nts.
Cheers, tabs-in-the-style-of-Wind 😉
Where’s the Hurricane? – although I’ve seen him on twatter
Ah Wolfie, so simple and innocent. He won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late. By then, my loyal minions will have laid waste to his castle walls and burned his speedos like an old RVP shirt! 8)
Camberwell, at least when you dare to watch MOTD (shudder) you can skip over all the garbage and go straight to the real football. Rubbish analysis on that show anyway. What do you expect from a studio filled with supporters of the LWCs, Mancs* and Liverpool eh? 😉
*including Shearer
May I get in another ckeeky assist?
Now I can 😉
The half grand? Oh go on then…
Cheers Ollie – most kind!
The below is pasted from f365.com:
Arsenal
* Gervinho attempted 20 dribbles v Sunderland – the highest in a PL game since Ronaldo in 05/06. Ten of his dribbles were successful.
* Santi Cazorla created seven chances for his new Arsenal teammates at the Emirates – the most of any player over the weekend.
* Mikel Arteta made a phenomenal 119 passes with a 96% pass completion rate.
501!
503!
Any new blood yet or are we still trying to drink the old?
Well in Camberwell and Dr. T for the exact and near-exact half century honours. 😉
Oh what a fine day it is holics. Some giggles earned by the usuals. Now since certain individuals have brought up the ‘special’ one, well that made me think of our Sammy! What a game the mecurial Frenchman had. His best since leaving us. You know, Iv’e given a lot of thought about Samir’s reaction to the booing by AFC fans last season. You’d have to have been blind not to have noticed how badly shaken he was by it all. The question is why did it affect him so. I know the answer. Tis why he still has a place in my heart.
Well played, Camberwell!
H2H can count better than Trev, I see.
504 should have been, of course, half millenium honours.
Abb, Your reasoning for Nasri having a special place in your heart should certainly apply to Eboue and probably a few others too? Eboue at least made me laugh.
Nurse abb still being too kind with traitors, I see 😉
Eboue didn’t desert, we shipped him off. That also makes it a massively different case.
@northbanklower: Sahin hold-up is definiely because of buy option. Real Madrid want £14m clause put in. Arsenal haggling.
Hey, Eboue made me laugh as well…but I did my fair share of cursing as well (lol).
Well in Camberwell!
And how magnanimous of you Ollie.
Teamwork like this is a reflection of the new look Arsenal I figure.
@505: Abb, you’re too kind on those who shall not be mentioned! But then again, it probably makes you a better person than I am 🙂
Off to nibble on some food and attempt to digest some undigestable transfer lies before bed. But before I go I leave you with this brain-teaser;
What’s the difference between Tampax and Man Utd shirts?
Man Utd shirts are for arseholes!
Anyone who guessed it right gets a pint of Guinness from Shaft…
Dr C. Can you post the links to the tweets for us not tweeters to view please?
Tabs, camberwell. I can assure you that the Pure GT Quackers are squeaky clean. Hence their name…
… And I have a feeling that Snir’s rabidness will ensure his team are too.
A difficult start for last season’s runners up. CoR in crisis??
Arsene winning another game of poker ? 😉
Hey Cor, you’re bloody well right. Oops, not FFF yet.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/08/21/154349_song-le-barca-un-reve.html
‘A few weeks ago, I was supposed to extend my contract with Arsenal and it took some time. When Barcelona came knocking, I said ‘yes’ straight away […]’.
Got the agent briefing then, but hardly the picture of commitment and desperation to stay with Arsenal, eh?
Ollie, pleased with myself, I could read that one!
Tabs 489 and there I thought I was in the clear…it seems only the mug mashers “taint” my purity. I bow to the considered judgement of the longer establised visitors to the bar but what’s the big deal with Liverfool…I consider them more farcical than arsesical of late.
Lars (and others).
I’ve only now noticed the ‘Overview’ Button when you attempt to buy tickets.
Due to this having an orange block while all the blocks in the seating plan were red, I had a look, and it seems like you can still book tickets ‘old-style’ this way.
Might be a good trick when buying bulks.
P.S: of course, the block didn’t actually have a ticket one I selected I wanted one, but that’s another thing 😉
abb : bien joué! 🙂
Uplympian: by the same token, you could practically allow Spurs players, and we don’t want that, do we? 😉
Re: 522, there’s a little button on that view too to specifically check TX (but right now the 2 blocks where it says there may be tickets didn’t yield anything…. but then that was also the case in the ‘old’ days while someone was holding them).
Ollie @496 – Never too old to learn from the young! 🙂
Oh Dear Abb, Nasty Nasri needs to be tortured with a pair of pliers and a maltezer. Nothing else will do!
Mr C @516 – Well done Sir. I was prompted to go and have a look at our fellow competitors. Of the 18 sides (so far) in, only 5 teams ( our goodselves, Ollie, Snir, and Oxon) have gone down the “pure” route. Lars and Dr Z get a special pass because they have filled their sides with nobody but bellends and scum. In the absence of a creditable defence of the Title from The Massive, these will be the teams I am rooting for.
I reckon Canons is too busy trying to “knock off” Wolfie to concentrate on his team. Relegation beckons!
Trev – You’re asking us now? 😉
Ollie…….LWC have alway been no 1 no goes for time immemorial. For anyone born & raised in Islington, they are simply a no go – purely there for abuse and amusement only. It’s irrespective of them being a bunch of cunts and their supporters most suitably matched. The scousers are just a bunch of cunts. 😉
Up, Are you seriously asking me what’s wrong with Liverpool? 🙂
That is gonna need a lot more paper and a lot more ink! Butler, fill my quill !
Very good, sir.
On standby and on full alert.
I’ve got Wolfie’s back!
Heh @ the alters
@528 I really do have a Butler?, and he calls me Sir and everything.
That is the most welcome news. 🙂
Oh Tabs! and at @ 528, giggles galore. Btw, just sent an email to AFC to get us a Tunnel Cam. Would be loads of fun to see just what goes on in that tunnel!!!
You hired me in the 80s, sir.
But then you went out to see Cats and locked me in the basement.
I only just found the keys…
tabs @ #489
‘Akpom Iddle I Po’ it is. I like that and it’s a bit more distinguished than Eis, Eis Baby.
Any more for any more?
BTW, the Robbin’ thing wasn’t designed as an excuse per se although it was weaker than a Squillaci clearance in a crucial league game.
Have a P of G on me and a cocktail for WSB.
FYI Ollie, buying tix for the U21 game could not have been easier.
I don’t do this often but ‘Bravo Pravda’ (a) for the prices and (b) for making it so easy to get tickets.
“I ‘ate you Butler”
Good for teams that park the bus?
TS@536 Boo! Hiss! Kindly leave the stage!
Just in case you missed it the first time around, sir.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/arsenal-3-bolton-1-under-21-league-august-20-2012/
ABB Tunnel Cam?
Sounds right up Wolfies alley.
Hello all,
My take on the Song situation is that wages and trophies appear to be assembling block with players at the club.
His situation is reminiscent of the Ca$hley cole saga, where certain players earn more than others for instance where new players walk in to the club and earn more than others who have put the work in the season prior.
To me the battle between club and agent is a murky area and I still maintain that the agents look at their clients as new houses, sports cars and little Amy and Josephs’ trust funds.
Players are merely athletes who get shown their stats and glossy brochures and get turned by the money and trophies they could get. Na$ri, Cliche and Cesc winning trophies last season earning 100+ thou a week doesn’t set a good precedent.
Song is a rowdy Cameroonian defensive midfielder being touted as one of the best DM in Europe. The only undisciplined area of Song for me was holding and tracking on the pitch.
What went on elsewhere didn’t really seem to matter for me, because most of the time, Song was good at being Song.
For those reasons I salute you Alexander Billabong and thank you for all of the good Songesque play while wearing the shirt and I hope you go on to do good things for that piss taking club.
I much prefer you at Barker than with one of those bob haired Sergio techini wearing twats!
Oxon @ #537
Which U21 player is that song aimed at?
H2H, hey!
TS, cheers for the drink. And Wolfie thanks you for his cocktail.
Abb – Heh, a Tunnel cam eh, good thinking.
Butler – Apologies for the mix-up. Good to have you back, I thought you were dead. Please bring me my monogrammed shirt and dust down the horses. I must away to Town on urgent business.
H2H 🙂
Trev @ #517
He’s trying to flush-out that old queen Maureen who is, let’s be honest, a bit of a joker. Sahin, on the other hand, has spade loads of talent.
Surely there can be only one song for the U21’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwzoxMPbFys
Sorry in advance to all music lovers.
Oh Tabs, Wish I could take credit. You see I watch Man Citeh’s cams. Very enlightening stuff. Don’t think Kompany likes Samir too much, from what I’ve seen.
Excellent, sir.
*climbs into the aquarium wearing yellow trunks and starts rubbing the seahorses with a rag*
Thanks H2H, that brings back memories of Pringle jumpers and Farah troos.
A drink of your choice for that.
Abb – Kompany always strikes me as a good sort, so it goes without saying that he won’t like Nasty Nasri 🙂
Butler 🙂
Daily life at Tabs’:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/Satorarepo/Livery_butlers_uniform_1900.jpg
Butler @ 538, Just watched it. More excited than ever for these youngsters, esp. for the Next Gen games. Europe, here we come!
Do you think that Trev giving out easy to follow clues on sunday night like this transfer will “delight” you and will give us “sweet” dreams has materially affected Arsenal’s negotiating strategy?
I demand an inquiry.
TS @ 548 For me it was the Madonna shirt off the shoulder and big hair as well. Oh the eighties, we need the 3rd invasion of British pop, please.
@550 might be Butler handing in his transfer request…
Exactly like that Ned! 🙂
Heh Ned.
Butler @various. Heh! 🙂
Let’s just pretend that the Daily Mail story is true that David Silva is holding out on a new contract until he is paid as much as the other top players at Citeh. Which club says does his agent threaten the player will move to for higher wages?
Loved Arsenal 3-1 Bolton highlights including Burton interview. 10 men. Red card against. Grit. Drama. Youthful spirit. Nurse Wolfie running nude onto the pitch. Well, all except the last, actually. 😉
Steve T,
Freddie’s tweet (or fake Freddie’s tweet) said, in essence:
van Persie and Song – disrespectful. Cunts. (Some of that might have been added by me).
Btw everyone, my ambition for my fantasy team of scum is to have negative points by the end of the season. 8)
I heard AOC giving an interview on talk sport last night before the Manc thrashing.
He appears to be a very level headed youngster who was able to articulate the vision of the club without sounding naive.
They even tried to trick him in to revealing the signing of NS, which judging by his response, is not as much of a done deal as we would all hope.
The certainty of the situation is that we have partly agreed the deal, most prob the loan fee, however we now have to deal with the post Song sale negotiations regarding permanency .
I don’t buy in to the notion that we wanted Song out to replace him with a better player. I just reckon that once AFC got fed up of the antics of DD they analysed their options and thought everyone would be better off if we moved on.
To me we were always going to try to get NS in this summer merely because of our injury situation and of course because the boy has bags of talent.
Now with a permanent vacancy available quite rightfully clubs are going to try to get the best deals out of a club with a need for a replacement.
I will not be surprised if we get frustrated, clinch up and withdraw from negotiations. As stubborn as it may seem, sometimes walking away from a volatile situation is best.
But back to AOC. I think this kid is going places and is definitely at the right club to develop. No other prem club has this level of youth development to offer at present.
I just hope that when AOC goes on to do greater things he is still with us winning trophies.
@ 552
Worst. ITK. Ever. 😉
abb @ #553 – Big hair and a Madonna T? No doubt power shoulder-pads were worn as well? Sounds like you could have been Wrong-Song’s fashion consultant 😉
tabs @ #552 – I think you may have hit the nail on the head. Questions in the house AND a full enquiry.
8ball @ #559 – Surreal as ever. Love it!
Thought from left field: Why not go after that Fellaini fella? How much would he cost? Maybe too much?
Still, the lad is a beast, is very versatile, and has an understanding with Arteta and TV already.
Also, his hairstyle is more suited to the red and white than blue 😉
Gt – I think it was a case of Sah-IN only if Song-OUT. Right now, it’s in-out-in-out-shakeitallabout.
Dr.z knows at #562
Oh TS, At the Daytona Speedway, the young lasses enamored by and emulating her (me one of them) spray painted ‘Madonna’ on one of the concrete barriers. I didn’t take part in the graffiti, just a big fan of hers before she went all Hollywood.
Even if I didn’t book it (not great enough), I can confirm now that you can get tickets on the Overview bit that you don’t get on the interactive bit.
So it’s not just an impression, it is still fairly hot, about 30° here.
Bah, I’m going out anyway.
Goodness abb, you’re full of confessions of guilty pleasures today 😉
Do you live near Daytona Speedway?
Roberto @ #565 – See abb for details of how to wear big hair properly…
abb …..I was a bit concerned where you were spraying the paint as the queen of pop would have been a bit more adventurous 😉 glad to see your modicum of good taste was not compromised.
One of the reasons some clubs buy Asian players or Beckham is for the shirt sales, allegedly. If we get Fellaini we could offset his transfer price with wig sales 🙂
Goonertown, Read both of your juicy entries. I will reserve comment on your first one for now (cause I’m trying to be like Gooner Terry, take the high road, but I’m not there yet). I do very much support your comments about AOC. He, Jack, and Aaron represent the club admirably, esp. given their tender age. btw, high road has nothing to do with YOU, but your comments on Song. Whew!
I’ve gotta admit that I’m a big fan of that Fellaini fella. Even before he did what he did to those damn red Manc bastards yesterday.
Oh Uply…A game of ‘Truth or Dare’, I think not. Do love the ongoing fued between her and Elton.
TS — Since I am a man that’s lost my hair you can imagine why I’m so fond of that Fellaini fella 😉
TS-
Or maybe the DD mobb got paranoid and thought ‘what is all of this M’Villa talk about?, so that’s why you have not been answering our calls’
But I don’t think it is unusual for us to want to bring in reinforcements.
After all we bought two strikers and that fella that joined the moody blues said we wanted him too!
Sorry TS, Didn’t see your question, Fellaini’s hair was in the way! No, I live on the west coast, near Tampa. My dad use to take us rug rats to Daytona for holiday and let us loose.
abb –
Got no idea what you are trying to say about Song, but it sounds as though you have got whatever is eating away at you under control.
Good choice 😉
Goonertown, I sweated that one, I’ll tell you. Thanks (smiling).
abb –
A lot of AOC supporters have jumped on a bandwagon. For a kid of his age he outshines a lot of more experienced players.
You can tell he has got that natural gift to play football (that and his father is an ex-pro).
But after hearing him handle those stroppy radio presenters like the amateurs they are, my estimation of him has grown.
However he talks about returning from injury this weekend. I’m not too sure about that. I would like us to continue to wrap him up the way we did upon his arrival to the club whilst he continues his development.
Just my view!
Sahin is already a hero for me. Not only did he reject Sp*rs twice , he stood up against the Special One.
Hopefully we can conclude the deal. Also, we are paying 3mi for a player we have no option to buy at the end of the season – that pretty much sucks.
And apparently,on twitter, we have asked Bilbao to keep us informed about the Llorente situation? Serioulsy.. Why would any club do that..Show the money , Arsenal…
Tabs….you mean your reply would even exceed your GB allowance.
As this is my first year in the HT Ropey league, I will remove the offending players at the earliest opportunity (assuming I can do this) in order to keep the integrity of Geriatric Purity.
I don’t want to offend anyone who locks his butler in the cellar for calling him a cer. 😉
RS @ 565: If I recall correctly couple of years back Fellaini fell out with Moyes trying to push a move through to a team competing in CL, since then I think they tied him to a rather high wage and it may indeed cost a lost of money to get him. He is a truly versatile player — for Belgium he plays in a more advanced role quite admirably — and the fact that there is no rumor linking him to other teams indicate that the price may indeed be exorbitant. But Everton is a tightly run club and I am sure there is some room to negotiate. He would be a good addition to our midfield, if that is ever to happen.
Tabs to avoid confusion, my 584 was in reply to your 527.
abb 576. A battle of the queens eh 🙂
Query to folks with ears on the ground: what exactly is going on with Theo’s contract? I hope we are not going to lose him as well. Sure he is not everyone’s cup of tea and can be frustrating, but he provides a different dimension to our attack and especially against European teams (and more and more PL teams who like to come out and play against us) often very effective. If he is to leave we would only have AOC — Ryo being out on loan, though he was not even on Wigan’s bench in the weekend — and Gervino as the only real wingers, with AOC being groomed for a more central role.
abb@ 581
Just pop a budweiser, wipe the sweat and chill! (winks).
Uply and Goonertown, Cheers!
@GrooverBlog: Wenger to French TV CanalPlus, about Song’s move : “We have plenty of player in the middle. We have Coquelin, who is improving a lot”
No Sahin then???
Surely he’ll sign someone!!
Doctor Faustus, In response to your observation Of Fellaini, judging from the comments at the bar, he would be most welcome. As for our Theo, he is an enigma. But I agree that it is imperative we retain him, as long as his requests are reasonable. For Arsene personally, don’t want to see him suffer the loss of another ‘son’.
I think that Arsene “toughened” now after RVPs departure abb, hence thats why he let Song go that easily considering he had 3 years left on his contract and was yet another player whom he nurtured to what he is these days. I fully expect less “fatherlike” approach from him from now on and think that we will see much more ruthless Arsene than we are used to.
following in the footsteps of the blessed, i’ve cleared out the great unwashed from my ropey league team.
once the incense finishes burning, i’ll feel pure.
579 ABB.
What happened to Tampa?
Last time I was there it was on the East Coast. 😉
Tabs, zico –
It’s only fair to let you guys know what’s going on.
I only gave out any clues, or so-called information, ‘cos I was told on Saturday that it was all done re. Sahin.
Just waiting to announce it on Monday, my man said, who works for Arsenal.
Have no idea how that can have gone wrong, but wrong it seems to be.
So, I’m sure there are no bad feelings with you guys, I just thought you guys deserve to know. 😉
Anything to do with Maureen, is by nature, wrong.
***Attempts to rope a dope and/or dope a rope.***
The latter seems to be the more likely strategy as there are so many ropey characters in here, and they all seem to be looking for chemicals …
Bamm
H2H, No, the west coast (looking out my window now). But for one milisecond, my friend, you had me going!
Was hoping to awake to the Sahin of Sahin today, but alas not to be ,yet.
Still a mad game of poker going on between the Master and the only special one, he is so special isn’t he?
Would love to get him signed but I don’t think it is imperative that we spend over the odds for him. I like our midfield with Jack coming back, AOC playing more central and the king of slide tackles who feels like a 27 year old coming back soon.
I am not sure Arsene wants a true DM, and from what I have seen Sahin is not one either. Looking at the large sample of our erm..1 game, we had 2 deeper positioned midfielders ( Arteta and Diaby) who both had some freedom to move up but it appeared both were more cautious than their usual style in going forward. My guess is they were being overly cautious, and coached to be so. Sahin would fit in there nicely.
I think we have some flexibility in the forward spots too. Poldi both left or center. Santi And AOC can play creative middle or out wide. Where we still need a utility player is in the back.
We need a fullback. A second Sagna if you will for when our real one gets broken again. A left back to really push Gibbs would help too. I think our Cuddly Maverick is mostly going to play more advanced this year if preseason was any indication.
H2H. Purveyor of fine chemicals in the low countries, and an expert lurker. 🙂
Up – Plenty of room down in that cellar for those who misbehave! 😉
FFL allows you to do one transfer a week, or if you have a transfer-free week, carry it over to the next week (max of two transfers). You can do more than two transfers but they deduct points for that. From memory, there are two designated weeks in the season when you can do unlimited transfers.
By my reckoning, you can be “pure” if you ship one out before the weekend, and one next week. I suggest benching them until then 🙂
I shall raise my glass to The Geriatrics on that happy day when they become Mugsmasher free.
Snir – You’ve changed your tune! Relax, it will happen.
Faustus – Always rated Fellaini. He’s had a couple of terrific games at the Emirates in recent seasons. Reckon they’d want more than we can pay (£25m ?). After last night’s performance, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Slur Alex stick in a bid, if he can find any more money behind his sofa that is.
As for Walcott, the silence is getting noisier and noisier. No idea what might be going on. Amy Lawrence seemed to suggest on the Arsecast last week that Arsenal had not received any offers which might make them consider selling, whilst the player is quite happy to stall for time.
Sky Sports on line are reporting that we have agreed a deal with Real. They are saying that it is now just up to Sahin himself.
Just saying like.
Sorry ABB, but isn’t Tampa in the Great State of Florida?
Or am I just confused? I am after all the Purveyor of fine chemicals in the low countries, ask 8ball. 😛
Trev @597 Haha 🙂 🙂
I shall have to confer with Dr Z as to whether we accept your statement at face-value, or whether you are in fact being manipulated by Darren Dein .
Well in H2H.
Here’s the link.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8008360/Gunners-close-to-Sahin-deal
H2H, Yes sir, Tampa is in Florida…halfway down the West Coast. St Petersburg is across Tampa Bay, that’s where you’ll find me (nodding my head).
For once, Steve, I’m inclined to agree with SSN.
If Snir’s comment at 592 is anything to go by, Snir’s balls need a bloody good rinse. With 10 days to go until the window closes, one can’t help thinking that Snir is feeling the pressure already! 😉
Scruz @595 Well Played Sir.
Tabs,
When the Sahin deal is sealed, I’ll tell you about another done deal that was wrecked by Real Madrid. ‘Til then, I’m keeping quiet – don’t want to upset Maureen again. 🙁
Tabs – I already said I believe it will happen. AW already confirmed he’s signing someone by saying we might bring someone in :)!
Personally, I think the club is spinning out the Sahin deal just to keep rubbing the salt into Totteringham’s wounds ‘cos they’re definitely not getting him!
Snir’s balls are all washed up – never mind in need of a rinse. 😉
What do you guys think about the prospect of getting him without a purchase option?
A lot of people seem to think we shouldn’t agree since we’re too big of a club to be “a training camp for other teams’ rejects.”
Personally, I’d take him. I mean, he won’t have a place in their squad next year either and could force the move if he likes it here, anyways.
Hold on ABB, I get it now (thanx wiki), Tampa is on the west coast of Florida, which is on the East Coast of the States.
Confusing shit for a Lowlands Londoner.
I can assure you that everything here is fully functioning!!!!!! 🙂
Have we signed anyone yet?
According to the ever-reliable source “someone on Twitter”, Man City will pay £80K per week of Adepaymemore’s wages at Spurs despite him having signed a permanent contract. Utterly ridiculous if true.
Totts confirmed Adebayor buy.. well, I hope he does an ADebayor …
@ 618 Lars
I read that it was a lump sum payoff – perhaps the equivalent of £80,000 a week for however long.
H2H, Totally can sympathize with you. Cheers!
There was a young man named Snir
Whose balls used to see things so clear,
As he grew more rowdy
These visions went cloudy,
Now he’s no more use around here !
😉
How can a league with any integrity at all, allow one team to pay a player in another team anything, let alone £80,000 per week. Stinks.
Trev @611 – Now you’ve got me racking my brain!
Snir @612 – I think you’ve covered all bases mate from “we’ll get him” to “No Sahin then”. 🙂
Lars – Agreed. Absolutely ridiculous.
Fingers crossed re Sahin…
Fun, a lump sum sounds more credible. Not really happy about them signing him, he might be a Grade A see you next Tuesday but he is a rather decent attacking player. I wanted them to buy someone utterly pants!
Trev@622: heh!
They’re paying him in a lump sum to get round any issues, I would think. Ridiculous, but I imagine their lawyers and accountants have checked it out.
Yeah, Lars, they are worryingly slightly less crap than they were.
In other news Ryan Giggs has tweeted that he loves RVP so much that he has vowed to treat him like a brother. This after being introduced to the Dutchman’s wife.
Just saying like.
Heh Steve T.
Don’t worry about Ade, he’s got his dough, he won’t give a shit anymore.
Tabs 604 I’ll follow your advice unless of course you cellar is a bier keller and I might be up for that. 😉
H2H. Well in for the 600 . Btw should that read low life Londoner 😉
SNIR suggest you change the subject…too much mentioning of balls and Wolfie will be on the case.
Does Maureen have the say over players terms and transfer conditions. Do RM have their own sporting director who would sort out terms – Maureen just advises who he wants in. & out (and picks the teams). If he does have a say then no doubt he will be as difficult as he can with AW and would be likewise should we wish to buy Sahin in a years time.
Lars…adepaymemore.,.. If City are paying £80000 per week of his wages, that would probably match the highest earner at AFC………
FFP works. 😉
Heh, well spotted Uply.
Citeh is making up the difference. Oh and Eandy, hi.
H2H@631: that is of course entirely possible, but he had the money last year too and still played quite well.
Lars –
Would you please not mention lumps and pants in the same sentence round here. 😉
The scene:
Feelgood and Roxette are sitting awaiting Evensong in their local church.
Roxette leans gently towards Feelgood and whispers in his ear,
Roxette: “i have just, quietly, I’m afraid, ever so ever so quietly, passed wind. What do you think I should do ?”
Feelgood: “I think you should get a new battery for your hearing aid !”
Trev, I will refrain from such crap from now on!
Maybe Citeh could pay my contract too. I’ll start darning some light blue socks …
Light blue that switches to Arsenal red in a flash when things get tight …
8ball, That’s more like it (grinning). Anyway, BBC futball has all the details on Ade.
Lars, I believe he was playing for a contract, putting himself in the shop window so to speak, he obviously wasn’t that great otherwise he may of had a few offers. Let him rot with the cocks.
H2H, let’s hope you’re right 🙂
In any case I’m off to bed – see you tomorrow, lovers of the Arse.
Goodnite Lars!
Hey abb!:) just got into feisty mood after finishing Red Tramin wine (which is funnily enough white wine:P) and trying to work my head around the Sahin deal, option to buy should be really included if we are going to take him in on loan since I think Arsene is going to give him lot of game time, and I dont like the prospect of RM snatching him back after hes nurtured to someone who actually might play in their first team (and come on ..we all know thats going to happen under Arsenes tutelage).
If the clause is going to be 14m..with 3m for the loan itself thats pretty steep…getting it down to 10-12 might be suitable Id dare to say and he might be worthy of that.
Trev – big hehe!
Tabs – when did I say no Sahin then? Remember what I wrote on twitter two weeks ago as a prediction? I said that the Dutchman will leave, Sahin will sign, and Song will stay. Not that far off! Didn’t think Song will go forward with his threats and actually leave…
I’m still of use around here!!! 🙂
Eandy, Impressive reasoning, there. well thought out. But with what Maureen has been leaking to the press, I don’t even think the special one knows where HE himself will be a year from now, let alone his players.
@ 645 Eandy
I think you’ve put your finger on exactly what we were arguing for.
Maureen has been leaking ? Ugghhh ! Please Nurse ! You are supposed to prevent things like this !
Hehe, we will see, I hope he joins and that might be that for the midfield improving..MVilla would be great asset too but I just feel its less and less likely to happen now.
Also with Song now gone ..I can so see the midfield of Arteta-TR-Santi happening in later stages of the season and that ladies and gents, is going to be awesome 🙂
Trev, away a couple of minutes, and, oh well, carry on good man.
Eandy, now you just know mentioning the maestro is bait enough for me. Quite agree!
Snir@646 – @592 ?????? 🙂 I also believe you had him off to Liverpool last thursday 🙂
Trev @622 and @637 🙂
Up @632 🙂
@ 637
Feelgood in church?
*shudders*
Uplympian @ 632 : Arsene has ‘connections’ in RM — Perez & co. had wanted him desperately a few years back — and I don’t think the general intransigence of their current manager can alone determine whether a deal with Arsenal would be made or not.
Eandy, looking forward to seeing TR7 continue his fine form. When he is on form like he was in the second half of the last season, he improves the overall speed of passing and movement of players around him by a few notches. That and some of the old Rosicky’s long-distance goal scoring feats … to think TR7 may yet to have his best season in Arsenal colors.
Feelgood in church?
Visting his altar ego?
True- I had him in Liverpool, just like everybody else, but the initial prediction stands 😉
Heh H2H
Don’t get me cross 😉
In all seriousness now, does anyone know what happened to Jon Toral? I haven’t seen the club signing him to a pro contract and I haven’t seen him playing in the reserves/U21 in the last five or six months.
Toral is still around. He was a sub in the under-21s match v Bolton yesterday.
Snir, Toral signed a pro contract. I think he’s still with the U-18s.
Just finished watching the U-21 (new name for reserves) match against Bolton played at Emirates. Spirited performance with glimpses of genuine quality — coming back to win 3-1 from 1-0 down and the first choice goalkeeper sent of at 25th minute.
Henderson, Gnabry, Akpom, Eisfield and Shea the goalkeeper all caught the eye in the highlights. So did Miguel with his leadership from the back. Henderson has a lovely left foot and if not for that injury at the beginning of last season may have been pushing for the obligatory preparatory loan stint at the top level this year.
Hopefully at least one of Henderson-Eisfield-Aneke would be able to break in to the first team in the next couple of years in the very crowded midfield. And hopefully one of Afobe and Campbell in the center forward position.
If we lose out on Sahin because of minor bean counting, I will be pissed ❗
Sure, bring Real Mad’s price down a bit. But not so much that we risk losing out on the player altogether. Remember, this cat was Dortmund’s player of the year two seasons ago. Dortmund’s won the Bundesliga two seasons running. He just needs regular footy. He is the real deal. Even at the price Real Mad is asking.
Don’t be Stingy! Spend some fucking money! But wisely, of course 😉
Ah fair enough Fun.Hadn’t realised he’d made the step up.
SG @ 660 : Toral played a part in the U-18 thrashing we received against Bolton. :–) He has signed a professional contract I believe.
snir, sky now reporting it’s the deal with real is done, and it’s up to sahin to make the choice:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8008360/Gunners-close-to-Sahin-deal
as for jon toral, he signed a pro contract in february, but was hurt, at least twice.
first was in the fa youth cup[1]: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/12/15/article-2074464-0F1B2C0900000578-85_468x311.jpg
he was then injured later in the month, but as of august 18 was back playing for the u-18s in their 5-1 loss to notlob:
http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/unfamiliar-u18s-suffer-heavy-defeat-on-opening-day/
[1] he actually did get a knot above his left eye, but this isn’t him 🙂
my comment is awaiting moderation? what’s that mean?
Interesting to see that Bellerin is more advanced in his development. Being used as a starter for most of reserve/U21 games as soon as he joined.
Actually he was in the squad but not used. Sorry. Great game though. Bellerin, the RB bought at the same time as Toral, played.
well, as ‘holic is out smacking little white balls (or sharing outrageous stories over fine whisky), i’ll repost at least one linkey, for snir:
sky now reporting it’s the deal with real is done, and it’s up to sahin to make the choice:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8008360/Gunners-close-to-Sahin-deal
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2191666/Arsenal-sign-Nuri-Sahin.html
Notice it says “Arsenal SIGNED Sahin.”
No official confirmation on .com yet.
toral was out injured for a few months this spring, that might have hampered his advancement. he might get a look in at the u-21s after some game time in the u-18s?
That link backs up what #AFCAMDEN tweeted yesterday. But I won’t quite believe it until it appears on the website, or AW himself confirms.
Fungunner – AW confirmed we’ll sign Sahin by saying “we’ll maybe bring another midfielder. Sahin is one of the players we follow.”
In Wengerish – that means he’s already in the starting eleven for Stoke on the weekend LOL 😀
Snir & other insider information holders: any chance of another striker coming in? Or would we simply rely on Chamakh as the 3rd choice? (I mean something gotta give — either he will break down in the field crying or start playing like the Chamakh of first few months, if not better). I guess Theo would now given more time down the middle as well, if he stays.
We also need another cover for RB. Jenk and Yennaris for all their youthful abilities and effort still a little raw and cannot just hope for consistent performance from them in Sagna’s absence.
Faustus – Angel Rangel is rumored to be a target. A decent option at RB.
There are plenty of rumors about strikers but I’m not too sure they will materialize.
They just aren’t realistic. I don’t see AW paying 25m pounds on a player and if there was one player I coulda seen AW go for it woulda been that Mirallas guy that just signed for Everton.
I’d rule out Llorente and Jovetic, just because they’d cost too much for AW’s liking. But, people are saying “ruthless Arsene” is back (it’s actually quite evident), and he may want to make a statement.
Theo has also been told he’d get more opportunities down the center, so if I had to guess (guess Tabs, not predicting anything, just guessing!!! :)), I would say our strikers for the season would be Giroud, Poldi, Chamakh, Theo.
Dr. Faustus, there are whispers that Angel Rangel is coming as RB,
one more prove that Wenger is considering mainly experienced players this summer.
Sahin is close.
Striker may come, if we sell first. As far as I know Bentner, Arshavin,
Park and Chamack are still Arsenal players.
@ Snir
We suspected that AW was trying to sign Sahin. Arsene’s words didn’t confirm that he had been successful, only that he was trying to sign him and that the negotiations were advanced. A deal is not done until it’s signed.
Hehe, Snir, what was I thinking anyway.
Not that I believe Balaque, but
“Guillem Balague says that Real Madrid expects Arsenal to announce the signing of Nuri Sahin on-loan tonight.”
SG @ 676 — quality strikers who can fit in with our style of play is indeed hard to find. Evidently we would need more of a goal scoring threat from midfield this season — Arteta and Cazorla both could be important contributor. So would be TR7 when he is back. But I am hoping Ramsey gets this part of his game polished. He always gets into very good positions in or about the box, he has a natural ability for it, but then the acual attempt is generally frustrating. If between Cazorla-Arteta-Ramsey-Rosicky we can manage 25 goals, and a few more typical eye catching ones from AOC and Diaby, and 5-8 between Vermaelen and Koscielny, the overall pressure on this new look strike force would be much less.
We shouldn’t really expect Poldi and Giroud to hit the 20 goals mark each in their first season.
Angel Rangel, the Swansea player? Not really convinced … but a decent back-up I guess.
655 Feelgood in church…Bishops Finger on offer? 😉
Dr Faustus 656 jungle drums seem to be saying deal is now done…with or without purchase price option tba. I go along with you that side of the deal not Maureen’s call but fire sure if he could screw AW it would give him great pleasure.
Mourinho must really hated Arsene – he only gets the jobs that AW has turned down!
Oh Dear , it’s being reported that Andre Santos has been involved in a police car chase at 130 mph.Front page of Sun tomorrow apparently.
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/arsenal/135624/snapshot-arsenals-andre-santos-on-front-page-of-sun-over-alleged-car-chase.html
Sounds very serious.
Not a smart thing do, we’ll have to wait and see how serious it is.
*to do.
It’s the reason why he was fleeing which worries me.
H2H, had he done this in Turkey or Brazil he`d be off with no trouble just by being a high class footballer. If you allow me to correct, not a smart thing to do in England!
Could be serious.
why the police were chasing, I mean.
Lurky –
Thought you said that the Sahin signing was off – it was in the Daily Mail after all – must have been true.
I did say it sounded like old news, exactly what was being said at the end of last week. That would be about right for the Mail.
Told you not to panic FunG. 😉
Sounds like a job for Mr Loophole, Nick Freeman.
He’ll have to plead the “PurpleNose” Defence.
Get that wig out Tabs !
Now you’re talking Trev!
Can’t decide between the “classic bob” or the “Farrah Fawcett seventies glamour”.
*Lurks on the wing with several wigs disguising him as grass.*
Grass 8Ball? Smokin’!
Maybe he called one of the officers “gay”.
A 130 mile an hour cross from the cuddly convict…..
bang?
Maybe he can wear purple strips in prison. With fly emirates on the front. Hope he doesn’t call to many of his prison bodies ” gays”.
Get in?
Lob
Thanks for that magnificent assist NorCal
norcal, well in. btw, how far are you from the ponderosa fire? that’s your neck of the woods, yes?
Trev, where were you all day long, mate?
Where have I said the deal is off?
All I said last night is that there are problems regarding buyout clause, but no one here payed any attention as usual , till the morning.
“417lurky oliva
There is a problem in with signing Sahin on loan. RM wants 14 mil buyout clause, we offer 8. Doesn’t look good.”
Considering our luck with transfers in the pocket from last year, for
example Mata, considering Mourinho on the other side, considering our tough negotiations team and unwillingness to pay more than you have to, does the fact the RM wanted 6 millions more looked good?
I do not have any certified information of course, I just read to much Arsenal related stuff on the net when my wife sleeps.
Cheers
To many of his prison bodies “gays” = too many of his prison buddies
But bodies probably works in this case.
Now we absolutely need a fullback. Is Debuchy still wanting to leave Lille? Too expensive for AW?
You holics are still up chatting away about the beloved club. How beautiful is Arsenal.
Scruz,
There are a couple of big fires up here right now. Nothing real close to us, but lots of smoke in the valley. I saw the SF chronicle had commented on the fires up here. We know they are big when they mention little old’ us in their paper.
We have significant fires every year but this year is pretty bad again. A few years ago even George W was kind enough to spend millions of dollars to come fly over our fires and say something along the lines of “huh, that’s a big fire”.
Ironically, it is so smoky that last night the field behind the hospital was on fire and I didn’t think anything of the smell of smoke in the hospital until it was announced that we were on lockdown until it was extinguished.
Nice on touch ( word) finish Impec1!
Steve T
Thanks for the link mate. Shame about the lame comments at the end but as per usual- SSN understands.
Impec1@700: well in. Not many 700s scored.
http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=3379
Sahin is done, with a 14m euro option.
I’m loving this.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/arsene-wenger-reviews-robin-van-persie-first-match-100735630–sow.html
Snir:
Haven’t seen Sahin play…is he a direct replacement for Song?
It depends how you view Song, Gedo 🙂
If you view him as a box to box midfielder who isn’t an out and out anchorman, then yes.
If you view Song as Nigel De Jong, i.e anchorman who stays in front of the back four and that’s it, then no.
Either way, he’s a magnificent player. Absolutely wonderful.
Howdy ‘Holics,
All this talk of church reminds me of the dream Joseph interpreted for the Pharaoh of the seven fat cows and seven skinny cows. Only, we’ve endured our seven lean years already.
With the purchases Arsene has made, and the attitudes shifted off onto other paymasters, I think we might can expect seven years of plenty.
Make it so, Number 1.
BMBD
Snir thanks for the 2 above links. The rVp one made me laugh out loud. Needed some orange juice.
I agree about Sahin. Very gifted. Hope he comes in sharp. Think he will help our speed of transition with his eye for the long pass and or through ball. I think we should also look to invite some pressure against the bus parkers to pull their shape. But then Sunderland wouldn’t even commit forward with their corner kicks.
Snir, I laughed and I laughed and I laughed. Thanks for that, a line of drinks awaits you.
Can’t wait to read his book!
I can’t believe some of the manure fans on there thought Arsene really wrote that! They really are imbecilic…
I hope Santos gets off from that charge.
I mean, if they could be lenient with Pulis, Terry et al, they should be with him as well right?
A couple of days out of the bar and 700 odd drinks have been consumed?!
Well, just read the Santos news – He was speeding in his tiny little car of his? Oh dear
The scene : An unidentified place of worship, somewhere in Scotland…..
Dr Feelgood is visibly shaking, totally uncomfortable in his surroundings as his long-suffering wife periodically elbows him in the ribs in a vain attempt to stop him fidgeting…..
Feelgood : “Rox, this is not good. You bring me here, it’s only a matter of time before the Big Guy starts asking some questions…..he’s liable to ask you about some things you would probably prefer to forget about too……”
Roxette : “Be quiet. I can’t hear the sermon…….did he say, “blessed are the cheesemakers”?”
Feelgood : “No he said, “blessed are the peacemakers, I think he’s Spanish….now can we go?”
Roxette: “Most certainly not. We haven’t got to the singing yet…..”
Feelgood : “OK, I’ll start……”
Before she can do anything about it Roxette hears:
“WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TOTTENHAM……?”
*with apologies to Sir Monty’s Python
Snir@710 Magnificent link. Thanks.
Corruption or incompetence?
Will be at the Brittania as well I think…
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/24264
Not great news for Santos lovers this morning 🙁
‘E’s not Dr Feelgood, ‘e’s just a very, very naughty boy!
allegedly
Allegedly, Mr Deayton.
Maybe Santos was being chased by The Stay Puft Marshmellow Man ! Actually scrap that he would have just eaten him 🙂 !!
CoR, that was a cracking link cheers for that. If he really is that bad we will basically have to play perfectly to come away with anything from Middle Earth. Hopefully Sauron’s baseball cap will obscure his one eye, making it impossible to give out his kicking, stamping and biting instructions to the unclean hordes.
Starting to brick it about the weekend now.
I think he’s the only ref from the South though Camber, so maybe he’s just scared of them and their projectiles? 🙂
Should be a good game though, charged with excitement. I’m very interested in seeing how our boys do!
The scene…….a church somewhere in Scotland. The doors swing open and in walks Feelgood and sits down at the back whilst the service proceeds.
Afterwards the priest comes up to Feelgood and says its a surprise to see you here. Well says Feelgood, as you know I’ve never been to church before..normally I’m down the pub. What brought me here is that I’ve lost me favourite hat and I knew that McTavish had one just like it, that he would come to church on a Sunday morning and leaves his hat at the back. I would then steal it but I’ve changed me mind.
Aah said the priest, you were obviously listening to my sermon on the ten commandments and “thou shall not steal” . No said Feelgood , it was when you come to the one “thou shall not commit adultery” that I remember where I left it.
And now a general question: still feeling ‘a bit special’ 3 days after returning from a festival, is this normal?? Does this mean at 35 that I need a whole WEEK to feel sharp again?
Not at all Camberwell, I at my age of 25 felt odd almost whole week after Brutal Assault fest I was at here 😛 …it was 3-4 days one..so I guess its pretty normal that if you had as much fun as I did that you are bit off for extended period:P
@YoungGunsBlog: Park Chu-Young has turned down a move to UAE side Al-Ain. Arsenal frustrated. Korean papers says he wants to play in Spain.
Cheers Eandy, I’ve been thinking this week that I’d better stick to lemon and ginger tea for my kicks in future! To quote Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon: “I’m too old for this sh1t!”
@MikaMartinHaim: Nuri Sahin, midfielder of Real Madrid, on loan at Arsenal with an option to purchase 17 million euros
Meanwhile, http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/arsenal-quiere-llevar-navas-millones/20120822dasdaiftb_35/Tes
CG @ 729
Haven’t you heard mate?
I started needing a week to recover once I crept over that there very same hill.
Bestival in a few weeks 😉
Apparently Man U wants to hijack our Mexes negotiations!!
Oh no, what will we do?
http://www.click-manchester.com/sport/manchester-united/1217332-manchester-united-rival-arsenal-for-ac-milan-ace-mexes.html
GT – It’s uncanny! I turned 35 the day before the festival and it’s like someone flipped the ‘old man’ switch in my body.
*Runs to Lidl and stocks up on cranberry juice*
Jesus Navas? Please be true!:)
Navas would really get my juices flowing. Seeing him play for Arsenal would be exciting too!
My coat’s already on.
CG – it just creeps up.
Had a mid-lifey around the 30 mark.
was a little trippy! 😀
735 Goonertown. That would be too good. Mexes to Man U? Yes please.
SG @733
Are you going to post every link you find about the NS deal and buyout clause?
I must say though, without at least a buyout clause, Mourinho will be taking the piss as usual!
Ollie –
Even better, Bendtner to Utd?
Same again barman! 😀
Goonertown – ill stop linking if people don’t want me to 🙂
Mourinho just confirmed in his pre-match presser that Sahin is gonna play in the PL this season, and since he rejected Liverpool and Spurs, it means – done deal.
SG –
Do you happen to have a link for your Mourinho claim? 😉
More links in here than an anime convention 😉
heh, I’ll have that drink too, Gtown
*Eyes up the 3/4 thousand spot eagerly*
Look at tabs flitting around the blogosphere!
I thought you were a one-blog-man? ^ o ^
http://angryofislington.com/
Cazorla out to Sagna on the wing…
You’re welcome. 😀
Helps himself (literally and figuratively) to the seven-five-oh! Shocking behaviour.
Barman –
Two Manc slaps to go please 😀
A disapproving hush descends over the bar.
Bt8’s pool ball pauses mid-roll.
Tabs’ Guiness hangs motionless halfway to his mouth.
CoR’s expression is one of shock intermingled with despair.
The landlord hands CG a business card from the local cab firm. A hasty whip-round produces the requisite fare, and a phone is thrust into his hand. Someone hands him his coat.
Is he gone yet?
Heh @ 728
Time for a song…..
Dr Feelgood’s tragic…..he wear’s a tragic hat…
Sahin’s non-appearance on Pravda is starting to remind me of the Bevin signing…….
Dr Feelgood and co. have made me laugh like a silly tween. A rather good feeling, I must admit. Good day all. (Zico, you are hysterical).
He’s historical too ! 😉
Told you !!! 😉
@ Snir
Morning, all. Hilarious link, thanks.
Ha ha @ NBN 😀
@ Trev
Cheers, I’m not panicking, but as I said before, I never totally believe until it’s on the site.
@753: No shock and despair here fella! Just mild disapproval 😉
I feel I’ve brought the good name of this bar into disrepute.
oooh, good spot Cannons at 748
I have a feeling I have read the exact words of that blog (some of the paragraphs anyway) somewhere already though.
HOpe that wasn’t sold as ‘exclusive’ 😉
Having checked back, it may be the same post word for word 😉
A stale drink? Oh 😀
A sentimental projection of emotions and naive…
if you ask me, Ollie 😉
With self-assisting like that you must be playing for an upgraded contract Camberwell 8)
Afternoon all, Church jokes, I’ll have a go at that.
The scene; well, a church of course.
The players; Adepaywhore, a lesbo, crappy hair dude, some dutch bloke and Jesus Christ.
Crappy hair bloke to dutch bloke;
“How could you leave Arsenal like that when the boss kept you when almost everybody else had written you off?”
Jesus interupts;
“Now my son, I do believe that thou was also a bit of a liability and the boss showed more faith in you then many show in me, so holdeth your tongue.”
Adepaywhore to Dutch bloke;
“How could you proclaim to be a gunner and them leave them for the scum?”
Once again Jesus butts in;
“Now my son, aren’t thou not the kisser of the badge, loyal gunner who also fucketh off to that same scummy city, thou art surely the pot that calleth the kettle black.”
From the corner the lesbo said in a squecky voice to the dutch guy;
You should be ashamed of yourself for leaving Arsenal, saying that it was for trophies when everyone and his sister knows that you only did it for the cash, you greedy cunt”
Jesus stays silent.
The dutch bloke states dismayed;
“Jesus, why aren’t you saying anything to that money hungry toad?”
Jesus replied;
“Don’t you read the bible my son?
He without chin is allowed to throw the first stone…..”
++++
Not to be continued………………………COAT.
Of course some “bloggers” have no shame.
They know who they are, swimwear clad or otherwise 🙂
@765: Ollie, I just noticed it and upon reading I realized that the words seemed familiar somehow.
I think it’s safe to assume that tabs posted that today over there, and then went back in time and posted it on here. Hence our residual memories of reading it before…
Or something like that.
A Statement.
This is an update for my fans about my current situation. I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for this site and as agreed with Holic and Holics, but since there is so much speculation in the drinks, I think it is fair for you guys to know what’s really going on at the moment.
As announced earlier in the drinks I had a meeting with all Tollie Holics after the Sunderland game. This was a piss-up in which the future strategy of further piss-ups was discussed. Financial terms or a contract were not discussed, since that is not my priority at all. My priority is, and always was, the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
I personally had a great day on saturday but my goal has always been to make sure that everyone gets equally pissed. Out of my huge respect for Holic, the Drinkers and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately at this piss-up it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way future piss-ups should move forward.
I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to ever again be sober. Drinkers leaving early and suggestions of Fish and Chips have sapped my energy. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
I love the site and the drinkers, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Goonerholic. Everybody at the Site and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) in and out of the Bar. I am very proud of being part of this fantastic site for the last 18 months. As soon as Goonerholic is back from his 3 day holiday in Cornwall further piss-ups will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.*
*Don’t believe a word of it, I’m just a media whore! 🙂
Patronizing twat!
My priority is, and always was, the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Amen to that brother and 😆
You know it’s all about the money tabs.
Don’t break our heart again! 😆
I have tracked back the time on that De Lorean, CoR 😉
Navas is a quality little player but can anyone see him really leaving Seville let alone Spain ! This is a bloke that takes his dad on International duty to help his homesickness 🙂 Would love to see him at the Arsenal but just cannot see anyone ever taking the chance on him settling,
Have we signed anyone yet ?
Is van Persie really going to leave ?
I heard Pat Rice is going to retire this season !
That Statement @ 773 makes the poster’s position untenable.
I believe it is not the missionary position.
#ITK
Heh@773!
Right then Chaps. You want the truth? 😉
Wrote the RVP piece and posted in the drinks as per normal. Saw a request from angryofislington for guest pieces on the same day, and thrilled with the reception it had received here, decided to give it a whirl and send it off. Didn’t hear anything back for four days until yesterday when he contacted me to say he liked it, and would post it, even though he didn’t necessarily agree with it.
And there you have it – media whoring at work!
Heh@779
Almost believed it until you said Pat would retire, and we all know that will never happen.
@783 –
No, I couldn’t believe that one either. 😉
Eduardo Da Silva talks about RVP, Song and returning to Arsenal
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19344989
Tabs @ 773
“he posts when he wants”
heh tabs @773.
@779: Worst, you made me laugh so hard there!
I’m not sure about the answers to those questions but anything else you need answered?
Now you sign me.
Now you don’t.
———————————-
Tabs, May I say I knew you when…
Ok, silly golf poem. ‘In my hand I hold a ball/ White and dimpled, rather small/Oh how bland it does appear/This harmless looking little sphere.’ Have fun Holic!
Maybe yoiu’ve seen this before, but I was surprised to discover that Robin Van Persie is an anagram of Penis Over Brain.
791 abb.
Are you sure that’s a golf poem? 😛
Hey H2H, I nearly died when I read your offering, coupled with mine. Oh dear.
lol abb especially in the heat of these days reading poems about balls in hand does spark quite different imagination then you intended 😀 good afternoon by the way:)
@791: Abb, you’re naughty!
Anyhoo, would anyone have Eduardo back?
Seems like this is his come-get-me plea…
“If I played for Arsenal now I could score some important goals from nothing – in games like Sunderland, when it’s 0-0 and you score the only goal. My studying of the game is like that.
“I can give you a lot of important points. I think Arsenal are missing some players like that. You never know.
“When you’ve played in the Premier League, you sometimes miss the atmosphere in the stadiums and the playing style. I miss this and hope one day I will come back.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19344989
Looks up and plays a teasing ball upfield………..
LOL ALL
…I love a good tease…
*chest traps and dummies left*
8)
Umm, well in, Shaft. Hi Eandy and Cor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9KS2TgyLbk
cor @ 796 see 785
Shaft @ 802 ….cool, very cool.
@803: Ohno! Sorry about that drinking faux-pas mate.
Looks like I’ll have to get you a different pint as an apology 😉
Ping.
BMBD.
Oh, my. 😳
I’ve kicked the ball away for a yellow… I swear I did not hear a whistle…
BMBD.
@ 805 don’t worry. We’ll just have to see if we can get another forum interested in you before the window closes. 😀
Damn, our link-up play not working? Give it a minute, it’s only been one post fella! 😀
Rough translation of Andre Santos’ statement. Seems The Sun may have used some “artistic licence” in their story. Who’d a thunk it? …
“After training this morning at the training center of the Arsenal left-back Andre Santos explained what happened last Friday. “I was going to my work, train. It was around 8:30 am and 9 am. I was driving on a highway. And actually I went over a little speed limit because of being a little late for practice. As soon as I saw the police I stopped my car. They asked me all the documentation. I respect them because they knew they were doing their job, and so I handed the documents I had. My passport and my license. Even in England because I have a right to drive with my license for a year. And did not a year that I’m here in England. They talked to me. They said I had spent a little speed limit. And it turned out I missed the workout. Once I got to workout explained everything to Arsenal. Arsenal put himself completely at the disposal of the case. And in September, in the middle of the month I have to introduce myself. So I can represent all my documents: passport, visa and mine clearance. And also my new license in England. Showing that I can also drive here in England. That was that happened. I actually spent quite a bit of the speed limit, but it was not what the Sun newspaper reported. And it really happened.”
…and let that be a warning to any other posters thinking about duplicating links.
We have new sexy turkish ‘posters of the year’ waiting to take your place.
You’ve been warned!
😉
Thanks, tabs @ 810.
Late last night I was worried but when I saw how it was being reported I began to suspect a mountain had been made out of a molehill.
FunG @813…about the Arsenal? never!
@ 810
I actually spent quite a bit of the speed limit, heh.
Me too. 8)
Dr Z @718 Heh 🙂
Camberwell @738 AND @753 🙂
Ollie/Dr Z @767/8 Haha, stale, sentimental and naive just about covers it i think 🙂
H2H church joke heh 🙂
Canons @776 Of course it’s all about the money! 🙂 Good spot though mate.
Abb @790 – You may ! 🙂
Well in Shaft.
Have we signed effin’ Sahin yet?
@ 813 scruz
I know, scarcely credible!
810 tabs.
Woah, a totally different version of events then the rag would have us believe. Worst thing is, it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
Heh Dr F.
Boy, is that translation rough, tabs!
Spectacularly ridiculous from the Sun then.
Although why is the statement not originally in English?
(even if I believe it credible since it’s far too long to be coming out of twitter 😉 )
Forget where I saw it Ollie, I think it popped out on one of the Arsenal news feeds.
Arsenal Brazil are now running a much better translation, but the meaning is pretty much the same.
Ollie.
It was in English, that’s how that guy speaks. 😉
Cannons @796.
I thought Eduardo was ace.
I know le boss never does do-overs, and thats surely the right approach, but if he did, I’d love to see Eduardo back.
Shit, that was supposed to be gay, not guy.
Ruined an already pretty lame joke. :blush:
Homer, @ 821
Who was that Terry Henry guy last winter?
D’oh! 😉
Sol Campbell?
I can’t believe anyone is surprised it didn’t happen as the Sun reported it. I mean… it’s the Sun, right? He’ll get a fine – at worst – and in a few weeks no one will remember it.
Steve T – I wanted you @437 to watch Gary Neville’s analysis of the game regarding width.
I found it on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_RLdbrE39w
The guy is brilliant.
Dr C – This is what I meant 🙂
PLEASE make this true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.mercato365.com/infos-clubs/toulouse/toulouse-arsenal-sur-e-capoue-883305.shtml
Bookmark, and enjoy again, again and again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=tGzI38BF-FI&NR=1
Tabs, that is basically the best thing EVER to go on Youtube. Ever.
Makes you swell with pride to watch it (stop sniggering at the back!). Now seriously, can ANY other striker be mentioned in the same breath as our Thierry?
Has anyone been such a great player and so devoted and true to his club at the same time?
Noone will EVER live up to his name again because as we all know, the money turns everyone’s head eventually.
See that Robbing? You’ll never be it.
Indeed Camberwell.
I am watching Chelsea-Reading (1-1, 27 mins played) and I have to say that Chelsea look surprisingly shaky in defense.
Oooh, and a massive howler by Cech makes it Chelsea 1 – 2 Reading!
Come on reading!
tabs, that’s just brilliant. i watched the first 23 minutes so far, and i’ve got chills. i can’t wait to show this to my son. thank you for linking it!
Chelsea are a shambles in defense. It should have been a third goal there for Reading but the Reading player missed the ball entirely when all he had to do was guide it towards the corner of the net. I’m still expecting Chelsea to turn this around, but they have looked very suspect in defense so far and this is against two teams that will most likely battle to avoid relegation.
Come on Reading! Ave it.
No prob Scruz.
Only watched the last 25 mins, but Reading look good value for their lead. Agree with Lars, Chavs look very shaky at the back. If Reading hold out for the first 15 we could have an interesting game on our hands.
tabs, only problem is that Reading are also crap at defending so far…
Just looked at the interview with Santi about his football hero and boy is that lad still smiling so brightly, he has to be such a good person to hang around with 🙂
Far Outlyerz nine point boost coming up in You Ropey league. Just when you and I weren’t expecting it. Shorey doesn’t play for Reading so Odemwingie’s nine points for WBA should be taking their place …
Beers all around on the Outlyers manager. 🙂
Could have had a goal there with that cross. Nervy moments.
cahill. horrible goalkeeping.
That was a good strike, must say. Too bad.
This game is not an advertisment for great goalkeeping. This time it’s the Reading keeper allowing a rather weak shot from Cahill to go into the net. 2-2 just as Chelsea were starting to look a bit frustrated.
lars, this game isn’t exactly an advertisement for good *anything*. chelsea don’t have defensive organization, and their midfield/strikeforce is anything but.
I expect Sturridge to wreck some havoc, as well.
chelski definitely on the front foot atm.
But not that way!
abb, he looks a pale TH14 imitator…especially after watching that vid!
Great video! Oh Scruz, hope he visits us again.
scruz@844: heh, good point – not a good ad for anything indeed!
Expecting Chelsea to win this now, probably from a goal that was offside but not flagged off in the last minute of added time…
abb, i hope so, too.
lars, lee mason is a powdered cnut, he’ll pull anything to get them the win.
Must say, I’m not at all familar with this crop of Reading but I think they need some velcro on their boots.
fack
Well there you go Lars!
Well, it didn’t take until the last minute of added time but it was offside…
Torres was offiside for the third goal….
Hey, just showed it, you guys are right.
omg, a true classic!
Reading wuz robbed!
great call, lars.
See, it ain’t easy being a goalie. You must be very brave and risk looking foolish when you are.
Fuckety-fuck.
Yep you called it right Lars. Reading looked dodgy defensively in the 1st half and those chickens came home to roost. Mind you, it still needed a goalkeepiong howler and a clearly offside winner (how did the lino not see it, the bent cnut), such was the paucity of
Oh dear, pressed the submit button early there.
Fuckety-fuck.
Yep you called it right Lars. Reading looked dodgy defensively in the 1st half and those chickens came home to roost. Mind you, it still needed a goalkeepiong howler and a clearly offside winner (how did the lino not see it, the bent cnut), such was the paucity of Chelsea going forward.
Torres was dire. Hazard was useful but boy are we gonna hate him, cheating little scrote.
Switched channels after the Chelsea game and ended up on a channel showing a Swedish crime drama that is clearly trying to emulate British crime drama a la Lynley Mysteries, Dalziel & Pascoe and so on in a Swedish setting and context. Let’s just say they make such a bad job of it that I’d rather watch a re-run of the Chelsea game that just ended…
tabs, I have to say I don’t really see the massive cheating from Hazard so far. On the contrary, he has behaved quite well from what I have seen. Still, that could of course just be because I had heard so much about him being a cunt that he has only behaved well relative to my expectations…
But Tabs, it was 3-2, the last minute of the game. What else could the goalie do but lend his support to equalize the game. A gamble, but we’d do it too. At least he tried. A drink on the bar for him.
abb, I believe he is referring to the howler that gifted Chelsea their second goal, not the last one.
Hey Lars, doing laundry. Yeah, maybe so. When Chez gets in that awkward position, my heart will be in my stomach, that’s for sure.
Anyway, it was one of those Champ league games played today…someone had a magnificent goal from midfield (approx) clocked a little over 76 miles/hr.
Perhaps you’re right Lars and I’m being too critical re Hazard. It was certainly my impression he went down very easily on a couple of occasions in the second half though.
Abb, Lars is right, I was referring to the second Chelsea goal. Game already won by the time of 4th goal. That said, I think that this relatively modern idea of keepers going up for a corner in the last minute to be pretty stupid and pointless. Might work once every five years, and in the meantime you’ll concede plenty.
http://www.marca.com/2012/08/22/en/football/real_madrid/1345659418.html
Evening folks – what a truly spectacular amount of back-drinking I appear to have to do. I may be some time 😉
Meanwhile, some news I thought I should share while I’m here:
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/van-persie-out-for-rest-of-season-after-ferguson-shouted-at-him-2012082238848
This Senegalese full back who can also play centreback sounds like he can kick ass up and down the left flank.
He also sounds as though he could also be a liability all onto himself. I don’t mean to judge but I thought he deserved a mention.
Long gone are the days.
He goes by the name of M’Biwa
Hey Snowy, Very nice.
Leighton Baines is fucking good too, but I’ve never experienced seeing him play centre back.
It’s fucking awesome that Nuri Sahin wants to join.
Fucking Awesome.
Goodnight
Oh Tabs, didn’t see your comment before (off to work). But (the earth will now shake!) I don’t agree with you! Not when they have a chance to even the score in the fading moments. What’s to lose? But Tabs, you are a gentleman. Nite all, have dreams of Nuri wearing the Red and White.
Hi there abb *waves*
Good grief, so many great posts I have as usual forgotten what I was going to say. Oh well, I’ll just say this then:
Snir – great links. Ta for sharing.
And Detective Cannons of the Yard – well spotted uncovering the moonlighter in our midst. Surely it can’t be true???
Tabs – think you’re nicked, sunshine 😉
*returns to backdrinking*
C’mon ‘Holics – Time to make that push to 900…
BMBD
(Edwin OUT!)
Lonestar, Are we getting Sahin or what?
Sheesh another day and no sahining of Sahin. It feels like a done deal but this is taking longer than Cazorla and it’s just a loan.
Thanks for the Marca article Snir. It gives me hope it is done and dusted. This transfer window has been more stressful then usual because we have been so …….. What’s the word……active.
We are usually linked with every joe smoe and his dog, but this summer some of them are actually coming true.
Jesus Nevas would be great but I doubt it.
I think Sahin and one of the defenders we are linked with. Would also like Capoue but that’s greedy.
NorCal. I finally was able to read the Marca article, which wouldn’t load the first time I tried it. Sounds good, but no indication it’s likely to be more than a year’s loan. The last two short term deals we made (Henry and Benayoun) were so successful I can’t hope for a third such deal to work out as well. But sometimes hoping against hope turns out better. Navas sounds unlikely to me too, but maybe Capoue on a permanent deal?
Yes the Sahin deal is a little spicy. The problem I see is even if he does awesome this year and there is a buyout clause ( say 14 million). He is also on wages that puts him at the top of our wage scale. So would he take a pay cut to stay with us or does he play for a year and then go back to Madrid? Maybe bring in Capoue as well so we have cover going forward or are we thinking by next year coquelin Wilshire and Frimpong are mature enough going forward?
Still like our activity this summer and hopefully getting and keeping committed players.
8ball –
I’m not even thinking about the transfer window anymore (la, la, la, la, la, la). The way I see it, Arsene has made two great showings in transfer window activity between this year and last. I know many people question the Park signing (and rightly so), but ARTETA, per Mertsacker, “dos” Santos, and Benny Gooner were solid buys last year.
I am absolutely satisfied with Giroud, Podolski, and Cathorla this year. And I am chuffed to be rid of characters like that Dutch bloke and Sing-a-Song-of-Sixpence…good business and our chi is much better with them gone.
Sahin is/would be icing on the cake. People REALLY need to give the boss some credit here. But most folks won’t…never satisfied, I say. But I am EXTREMELY satisfied, and I am quite bullish on the season.
Just a word for the Tuesday Club’s latest podcast. I like the guys, and I will continue to listen to them, but their first offering of the season was bollocks. All Alan did was drone on and on about keeping the Dutch bloke…I really expected more from him than that.
I know I have often remarked in this bar about my disdain for not holding players to their contracts…I’m a lawyer after all, and I believe in the sanctity of contract (Stalin’s views notwithstanding). Also, I’m a cockeyed optimistic American…what do I know about football?
But even I have come round to the view that you can’t keep a player who has become “unsettled.” You can’t force him to play, and who knows what shenanigans such a disatisfied player can set loose on your dressing room. So, you have to get rid of them. Given that dynamic, to get 23 mil for a 29 y/o (who may be past his prime…may be not, but the point still stands) and 14 mil for an overrated malcontent is FANTASTIC business. I would expect someone like Alan, who has been in and around the game for 40+ years to reach this rational conclusion long before me. Instead, he and the whole crew just regurgitated the easy line about us selling our best players every year…this is lazy analysis. It’s not even analysis really…it’s histrionics.
Friends, Arsene is EPIC. He is truly an amazing professional and I just hope the team, this year, can vindicate his vision. Of course, I have some complaints, but he has pulled a 180-degree change from the necessity of the “youth project,” and, over the past two years, has made some shrewd acquisitions that should make this squad (especially in midfield) a winner. Now it’s on the players to play and the supporters to support. There aren’t a whole lot of men I truly respect aside from my father…but on a professional level (only because I will never have the opportunity to know him personally) I do respect Mr. Wenger.
– rant over –
BMBD.
Not to mention the fact that Mr. Wenger puts up with everyone’s (owner’s, board’s, players’, media’s, fans’, coaches’, not to mention – probably – family’s) shite…
I mean, MY management would have told me to tell Arsenal to kiss off YEARS ago…but he’s still here.
Total. Class. Act.
– ok, NOW rant over –
BMBD.
Snowy@872: 🙂
Lonestar,
Agree about AW. The man takes a load of crap from all directions everyday and still goes about his business with style and grace. The people who lash out and say he has lost the plot have no idea what the true dealings are. The ,as we say in the states, “monday morning quarterbacks” who think that anyone can run Arsenal better than AW are bitter glory hunters who really havent a clue.
Do i think he does no wrong? No. But do i think he has the best interests of the team and the club in mind? Absolutely! He is the most dedicated to the team of them all. He could have left for more money and more trophies several timesbut he has stayed and guided us through a very uncertain time where any major misstep and we could have slipped to midtable. Just ask liverfool.
On a slightly more cynical note, does anyone think that the change in policy to buy more experience and costly players is in a short term attempt to win a trophy or two in the next few years so that we have more bargaining power when we have to renegotiate our commercial contracts? And then revert back towards less spending once said contracts are secured? Just a question.
Nudges the ball towards the 900 club!
Tabs@862/3: you really should leave the menial tasks of pressing buttons to the staff. You must have an under-gardener or the somesuch you could spare for such duties…
@879: Snowy, after the terrible events over the past couple of summers, Holic has instructed me to investigate the loyalties of the regulars to ensure no further disruption ensues as we prepare for the 2012-2013 blogging season.
Let’s hope we can get the disloyal rabble-rousers out of the bar so we can work on our near-post drink flick-ons!
@885: Hey Lonestar! Just read your post about the Tuesday Club.
I’m also an avid listener and although Alan did go on about RVW a bit, I must say at this point it’s hard for me not to feel ambivalent about it.
My business mind says “good financial deal to get so much for someone who’s been crippled for so long” but my football mind says “bad to sell your best player and captain to one of your most hated rival” so I can understand where he’s coming from.
I was an advocate for keeping him as well but who knows the shit they do at the training ground. Wasn’t RVW the one who told Ozyakup to leave as well?
Although he was one of my favs to watch, I must say I can’t wait to see what the new boys are capable of this year.
Btw, how are the llamas?
rivals* that should be for all you grammar policemen in the bar 😉
NCA@888: my 2-cents is that the youth project was a combination of necessity – freeing up cash for the new stadium – and a challenge that AW found irresistible – doing what he is so good at, turning good and potentially good players into great ones, or as Eduardo put it, turning simple players into big ones. Also, a decade back there wasn’t such a supply of experienced technical players who could fit in to the style of play he wanted. He had to raise them. That is no longer true. That all said, I am sure he is desperate for silverware. Top managers manage to win cups and titles. If he is to take his place in the pantheon of the game’s greatest managers – as he should – he needs more trophies, particularly the CL. My guess is that he feels that will cap his career at Arsenal. That is likely more to be what now drives him than a business strategy to boost sponsorship revenue.
CoR@892: ah, the collective noun number debate. We could be playing tika-taka on that one all the way to the 900…
CoR – I hear you man. I don’t think were far apart on the issue of that Dutch bloke.
I just feel Arsene can’t catch a break. People wanted him to add some maturity… he’s done that.
People wanted him to add some steel…(as Snir has eloquently pointed out above) he is/has done that through a possible positional reshifting of the midfield – and signing guys like Arteta.
People wanted him/Arsenal to spend some effing money…well, I do believe he’s done that as well.
Well supporters… it’s time to sh*t or get off the pot. Either get behind the team and the manager… or go off and be miserable. Unfortunately I think Alan (Tuesday Club) was being a miserable git. Funny, at times, but miserable nonetheless.
Football is supposed to be fun, right?
(Edwin OUT)
BMBD.
Nah, Ned…CoR is correct in that the proper choice was “rivals.”
BMBD.
LG@896: The team are or the team is?
NorCal. Well in at the magic 888.
Is it true we have maintained a clean sheet through the entirety of the season?
Punts the ball in vague hopes of finding a teammate capable at this hour of holding onto the ball …
In?
@894: Grammar tiki-tika is good. But only if she can keep up NBN 😉
@895: I hear ya about Alan, Lonestar. Fans of the podcast always say that it’s funnier when bad things happen so they can listen to him rant but I feel that if you listen to the earlier ones when things were better, the pods were much, much funnier. The rants can be funny but when it happens all the time it just gets tedious I think.
Let’s hope the fun times will be here again soon and the pods become sunshiney again! Keith’s stories always has in stitches though 😆
As for Arsene, some fans just like to bitch no matter what. If we don’t sign the most expensive players who are household names for top dollar paying them wages we can’t afford to pay (and yet save money), and the team doesn’t score more than 5 goals every single game without conceding so much as a single shot on goal, then fans will be upset…
NBN. Expertly done. 🙂
@897: the team is I think. Team is a collective noun right?
Great assist, bt8b. An honour to get a 900, at this or any other hour.
Cannons. I was under the impression that over in England it’s “the team are” whereas over here in the US it’s “the team is” if for no other reason than we can’t seem to put our head around the idea that a team is a collection of individuals. But who am I to say? 😉
Not just a collective noun, CoR, but a member of the subset, count nouns.
English English can go either way on is or are, depending on whether the context is the team as a group or as a collection of individuals. Tricky language English. American English is harder line: the team is. Japanese, if I recall, leans towards collective nouns taking plurals with only a very few exceptions.
Hehe, that’s the beauty of English.
It’s adaptable….like the morals of a footballer 😉
When I was in school though, we learned that collective nouns are a single entity so it’s always followed by a singular verb but that’s probably different these days.
I even heard they stopped teaching “I before E except after C” as well because there were too many exceptions to the rule…
Yes NBN. Well in.
I didn’t say that was my belief either. Just a cynical question. I think AW really likes to develop these players into world class. I also fear the last few years may have taken their toll on him.
He is one of the greats and deservedly so. The CL has alluded him but my other point was he could have left for madrid or even PSG and their new money but he , unlike a certain Dutch prick , does only want to win trophies with arsenal.
I believe the last 2 summers have shown that the transition to the new stadium is now manageable and he is willing to spend some extra money to get his players.
And please let’s not get Tiote. He is song with sometimes worse timing in the tackle. Capoue or m’vila or keep Sahin if there is a buyout clause.
I like Ba if we are taking anyone one from new castle. He has my favorite name in the PL.
In Japanese, no singular or plural for anything so easy like Sunday morning to match things up. One verb form fits all! And no gender matching necessary…
I wonder if this means Wolfie will pick up Japanese study now? 😆
First off, well done, Ned…I won’t be up for the drive to 1000.
Secondly, as regards your query at 897, your question is not equivalent. Here’s why.
“Team” is a collective noun as it refers to a categorical group of “somethings”. “Team” can be made plural such as “There are 19 teams in the premier league.” Now, keeping in mind (1) there are generally no concrete rules and (2) American English and British English differ on the general treatment of collective noun number issues, the general American treatment would be “The team IS going to win tomorrow.” Team is treated as single unit; a collection of individual players. While general British treatment could lead to the result “The team ARE going to win tomorrow.”
In CoR’s case, however, the collective noun number issue is not implicated, because “rival” is not a collective noun. As a noun, which is how CoR used it, rival means an adversary. True enough, you can have more than one rival – hence rivals, but that does not change the character of the noun from to a collective.
To put it another way, even if you have many adversaries, you still think of them as individual “rivals.” You don’t think of a particular collection of adversaries as “rival.”
Anyway, good show on #900.
BMBD.
Sorry, there are 20 teams in the prem.
(Nothing like being pedant getting tripped up on basic facts.)
BMBD.
Just indulge me here, CoR: Wolfie. Takarazuka. Gilbert & Sullivan in Speedos.
Lonestar, I am long enough in the tooth to know not to dispute with lawyers…
:LOL: @ Ned.
Join me in schtickle Macallan…Lars, where’s that tab of yourn?
G’nite all.
BMBD.
dammit, 😆
BMBD.
@912: You are indulged.
Wolfie+Takarazuka+Gilbert & Sullivan in Speedos = http://moreintelligentlife.com/files/fckeditor_files/image/BRM2.jpg
Not sure if they come in hot pink though 😉
CoR. This is a capitalist economy. Of course they come in hot pink.
I always loved this song and it was going through my head today but I never saw the video until tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlzrNKN3rZI
It must have been going through my head because of this idiotic pigheaded politician from Missouri who is in the news…
hey 8ball, I can’t see the vid at the moment as my work computer blocks youtube but will see if I can view it on another device later.
Would Shaft approve of it?
Go on then…
Spot the Arsenal players who haven’t left from this great game. I think I could only see Djourou and Diaby among all the goals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2gOMp-ciSI&feature=g-vrec
CoR and IPPFM: To meet your various and sundry needs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimme_Some_Truth
Walcott is in there too at 921, wearing his no. 32
So, are we going for the thousand boys? It’s unusual for a non-transfer-deadline day, no?
@917: I approve of that track 8ball! Never heard it before but it’s great.
@924: Harsha, we can do it if we put our back into it.
Reaching for 1ton is a piece of a cake for me 8)
Btw, in case you cats have been wondering where I’ve been, I’ve been in deep cover for a while now. Needed to get some intel. Seems like there is disunity in the camp of Awks and apparently a few have started crawling out of the primordial ooze and questioning their leader. Found this written on one of their caves:
Pulis in all his career has never changed.
He’s always played the same formation, always played the same style and always put hard workers over any form of ability.
He also makes sure he only buys players who have been there and done it because his limited managerial abilities means they don’t need an awful lot of coaching.
Season after season we see a few signings and think this is the time of change. Then season after season its the same turgid style and the same forcing of players in wrong positions to accomodate.
He will never change as he doesn’t have the ability too, he may have all the coaching badges in the world but he’s a very one dimensional limited manager.
He manages like he used to play, useless but kicked anything that moved and worked hard.
Last but not least some of his backroom staff are the worst in the top few leagues. Jobs for the boys who are happy to say yes for a living.
Some of them have some way to go because they think they’re going to batter us with their new ogreling from Wolves and an MLS signing playing a 4-4-1-1. :O
Anyhoo, for some real laughs, some more Back to the Future action. This was just posted on the interwebs. WTF???
http://www.clubcall.com/arsenal/rvp-priced-out-of-move-1454699.html?
So will we reach 1000 again while the man is out golfing?
So, the Sahin deal? What the hell is going on? Why do we always seem to make such a protracted drama out of these things? If we really want him then why is he not here by now?
Hello all, no 3g signal and no wifi in hotel so couldn’t post from here. Back tomorrow with updates and the nurse abb comp.
http://www.marca.com/2012/08/23/en/football/real_madrid/1345703549.html
This is highly confusing.
Hello ‘holic.
No worries ‘holic, 1000 is well and truly on then!
Morning All
Steve T @ #927 – Have a read of Arseblog’s post today. It may help to calm the nerves. Are you taking your boy to the U21s on Sat?
The ‘1000 drinker’ is definitely on again. I predict any transfer event (+ve or -ve) will take us beyond previous records. North of 1300? Can anyone confirm the previous record?
Forwards ‘Holics.
I do not foresee any transfer event.
Betting is on for who gets 1000 this time.
Ermmm… Is this for REAL???? This gets more and more confusing by the second
http://kralspor.ensonhaber.com/nuri-sahin-imzayi-atti-2012-08-23.html
It even contains quotes from Wenger about the signing!
^ The picture looks pretty genuine too
Sorry I couldn’t stick around to help with the assist last night but nature has a way of deciding otherwise at times.
So do we start to put Nuri on the MIA list yet?
Sorry no Jesus jokes from me yet. Jeez!
These pictures have been on the web for a few days and proven as photoshops.
Morning.
*starts limbering up for the 1000*
People actually do that? 🙁
Tut tut
UC –
Isn’t that Peter Andre in that photo?
Not only do they do that, Gtown, but they put it on twitter, heh.
See arseblogger’s lovely blog today too.
Ollie @ 929
That article is inconsistent with what they wrote 24 hours earlier
http://www.marca.com/2012/08/22/en/football/real_madrid/1345659418.html
They say the change of heart has generated from not making the move permanent. But a buyout clause does not guarantee a permanent deal.
Sounds like ‘Fabregas Mischief’ somewhere along the lines here.
Heh, this is the ‘funniest’ transfer saga ever.
Sky Sports NEws in Germany apparently now claim he’s just had a medical with us.
WIll he end up at Man United?
Oh for those halcyon days when we knew nothing about transfers until we saw Arsene grinning on TV…
Has abb devised a competition to keep us entertained? Ooh, exciting!
Just doing my bit to get to the 1k…
The issue of the player preferring/opposing a permanent transfer is irrelevant, as it will ultimately be his own choice at the end of the loan period anyway. Financial incentives are slim to none. So it’s just a case of the player’s personal preference. But he’s already been said to prefer Arsenal. Go figure, ‘coz I can’t!
UC
Indeed. As stated above, he is here and has carried out a medical whilst his agent is still holding talks with Liverpool.
Why still hold talks with a club whilst your client carries out a medical?
Must be the name of the game. I know we did it with Park and Silvestre, so…
Let’s just hope old Red nose doesn’t get a flush of obsession with AW’s squad plans again.
Wrigleys’s spearmint anyone?
Here’s the authority on the passed medical!
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/real-madrid-midfielder-nuri-sahin-passes-medical-at-arsenal-ahead-of-oneyear-loan-move-8076131.html
Goonertown,
The Independent are merely using the SSN Germany tweet that Ollie mentioned in #942 as their only source
Now the Evening Standard are saying he’s talking to Liverpool
Well we can’t say it’s boring 😉
Afternoon All,
Great stuff from the overnighters, Lonestar, Ned, 8Ball, NorCal and Canons.
Lonestar, I listened to The Tuesday Club at the weekend and thought very much the same as you. Alan Davies got on my tits big-time, especially when one of his “rants” was interrupting and drowning out the far funnier Keith Dover.
Snowy @879 Rumbled! 🙂 , and great link @872
Ned @889 – I just cant get the staff 😉
Nurse Abb @878 – Quite alright, you’re allowed to disagree! 🙂 And you probably have a point, plenty of managers seem to agree with you. I just don’t get what’s to be gained. Why not send up an extra defender rather than the keeper?
I agree with TS and Ollie. Blogs piece was great today.
Oh, and have we signed effin’ Sahin yet????
9 and a half?
Was that a Tabs self-assist at 950? No matter for serious discussion really, considering there’s a shot at the millennium approaching sooner than we can guess, I believe. The only question is the nature of the prize for the winner. 😉
Apologies 8Ball.
UC
Yeah I noticed that after my haste to be the breaker of UK based news.
It just goes to show how reliable the Independent may be as they have placed weight on the story.
I’m sure they said we signed M’Villa too!
But James Olley from the ES is unreliable. Don’t believe a word he says. I mean how can the snag be over regular first team football with a whole burning in Songs old spot and a list of injuries longer than the ex-employees transfer saga?
Bah! – to unreliable news!
Tabs. No need to apologize. Unless you are trying to get to 1000 quicker. 🙂
Jermaine Pennant has apparently tweeted that Tom Huddlestone, one of Twitchy’s darling boys, is at the Brittania stadium ahead of a transfer to Stoke City. AVB clear out progressing nicely. It should provide enough unsettling of that club to guarantee a finish of at best out of all the European spots. 🙂
956?? We’re heading for the dectuple ton!
Holic, hold the front page for the next 44 comments please…
PS to All:
I have it on good authority (a Turkish football fan at my work) that in Turkey they call him Nuri. Not Sahin, but actually Nuri.
8 ball
Or a sign they are closing in on YM 😉
bt8 – Is Huddlestone really that important to them? The only thing I remember him doing is scoring a really good long range shot against us last season (Danny Rose-esque, perhaps…)
Barely 40 to go. The excitement builds. Paint dries.
CG@959: Huddlestone strikes me as one of those players who never quite fulfilled their youthful promise.
We’d only be going for #500 if it wasn’t for Nuri
Disclaimer: I didn’t mention a tweet from SSN Germany (as I didn’t see it), but a photo of a Television showing SSN Germany, as featured on the arses.
😀
So many drinks.
So much sense spoken.
That’t the first time I have ever used those sentences consecutively.
Another Duff, if you please, Moe. 8)
Sahin spotted at heathrow!!
I was also slightly annoyed by Alan Davies’ semi-drunken ramblings in the pod. No humour in it, just moaning.
Not really. Just wanted to see what the pleasure if making things up was.
But it does counteract nicely zico’s praise for sense being spoken. 🙂
Can I just say to tabs – I watched 2/3 of that Henry clip before I went to bed last night and it was magical. Thank you so much.
I didn’t listen to the latest Tuesday club, and guess I won’t bother now.
What about this picture? (Second picture down) Another photoshop?
http://www.nationalturk.com/en/nuri-sahin-joins-arsenal-from-real-madrid-on-loan-becomes-teammate-with-adversary-podolski-24529
FunGunner – 2/3rds?
Part-timer. 😉
This dragged me back on to an old Lonestar post.
Great stuff.
Not seen it before, UNcle C, but….much likely 😛
Ned 961. Huddleston ..I would think his stomach has been fulfilled 😉
@ 971 zico
What can I say? I’m clearly an amateur. Even the divine Thierry Henry couldn’t keep me awake.
Tippy-Tappy towards the millennium.
You need stuff to keep you awake?
Contact the Feelgood Foundation *
@970: Hey Uncle, I think that’s a photoshop. That’s Nuri’s head on Giroud’s body I heard…
975 FG…as a gentleman I coudn’t possibly suggest there may have been a better alternative on offer 😉
Rumours are growing that we are going to sign some midfielder from Real Madrid. Keep it to yourselves Holics !
This is going to be like one of those cycle races at the velodrome. Everyone cautiously watching each other for a while then a mad sprint for the 1000 finishing line 🙂
Worst ITK ever….looks like you have passed the exam for a football pundit 😉
Holy Shit the Ice Rinks might hit a bag of sand !!
I can contribute to the effort for a century.
What’s this about Jesus Navas? Really know zilch about him.
And is there really such a big deal between Poldi and Sahin? Or Nuri? er …. that Turkish/German player we’re all lusting after like a pack of teenage girls watching Robert Pattison do – just about anything?
I’ve been seeing small blurbs here and there popping up that Walcott is now a wantaway. Anybody have any intel on that?
Sounds like much ado about nothing at this point.
Cheers Ollie! I’d say on the whole, the last TC podcast is worth a listen. The old boys are just getting back in the saddle.
Cheers CoR! With regards to the fledgling llama herd, all’s not well I’m afraid. Llamas appear extremely succeptible to the West Nile virus. Who knew?
BMBD.
Apparently Jesus Navas translates as Jesus Knives. Maybe we can use this player after all. He seems to be powerful in more ways than one and sometimes I feel we could use both God and illegal weapons in certain fixtures. Like Stoke away, for one.
987 bt8b….sounds like he will have a cutting edge then 😉
Lonestar, Not me that’s for sure. Llamas being from the South American continent I would have thought the West Amazon virus was more a threat in their case…
All of this “Is it happening yet, maybe it’s happening now, not yet wait a minute” is kinda like my first time…except more mindnumbingly boring…
Lurking…
Wins the ball back with a sliding tackle and crosses it to the other wing…
WARNING…lurkers loitering with intent !!
Also lurking…
The crowd are up on their feet…
Pushes it back into the middle for lining up a shot…
Heh, 8ball 😉
Yeah, the poor little buggers are snorting and spittling all over the place. And the Agent Orange, I mean, insecticide that the local gov’t is spraying from planes is just making them (llamas and mosquitos) angrier.
BMBD.
Ping.Pang.Bang!
Ping.
BMBD.
BOOM!
Boom goes the dynamite! 8)
WOOHOO! GET IN YOU BEAUTY!
…..aaand CoR tabsed it 😆
Caffeine Facial: It’s cheap and easy. After enjoying your morning cup of jo, take the coffee grounds (after they’ve cooled down) and mix them with a bit of honey (whole milk can be substituted) into a messy paste. Then apply liberally to a freshly washed face. Leave on for about 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. This really works, makes you feel alive!
Well in Lars (hopefully not the one who supports the Mackems) 😉
Well in Lars…a big big number to match your big big er tab 😉
Anyway, back to Nuri Sahin…
Well in Lars. I don’t like scoring anyway, just the lurking.
abb…in the middle of us all shooting for then 1000 and follow ups, you give us a wonderful tip for facials. Wonderful. Only on Goonerholic. 🙂
Off out now whilst the excitement dies down..
Abb –
I dare you to google ‘Caffeine Facial’ !
And, no I haven’t tried. 😉
Let’s see who get the Battle of Hastings
Jesus, Nuri a signing today?
We Nevas seem to get our Sahinings done in a timely manner!
Sorry could stop myself.
Lars….. Well done.
Actually Abb, it’s quite safe !
I don’t know about you fellas but I’m too Navas to continue this conversation for fear of jinxing the whole thing 😉
Oh what a lovely day. Seeing you all scamper for the big prize, just touched my heart. Trev and Uply, if you fellas have anything that needs tightening up, try egg yolk.
Abb I will not make myself look like really really gutter minded guy but I couldnt really bring myself to read your whole post after the “Caffeine Facial” entreé 😀 I know ..shame on me 😛
gah *will now make myself look
To Sahin deal, I really really think he will end up with us. I dont think Arsene would let Song go if he wasnt superconfident Sahin will fill in for him.
Hey Eandy, at 25, you don’t need a facial BUT, after a hard night out partying, the coffee does the trick.
1000? Er, no.
Oh bollocks! Missed it.
Well in Lars, a worthy winner if I might say.
At last, something to show for all that expenditure.
Shamefully I am not coffee enthusiasist, but I love me some fine green tea 🙂
Fun @968 – You’re welcome.
Uncle C @970.
I can confirm that picture is real.
Their spat is on Youtube.
Caffeine Facial ! ???
Forgot to say, congrat Lars. If I hadn’t been lecturing I would have self-assisted the shit out of that one.
NCA @ 1012
You singing that old Song again? I used to listen to it in my old Reliant Robin
😉
Well in Lars, btw, no chance to join in here, I’m afraid.
Well played Ned @900 too.
Actually, come to think of it, who gives a toss ? 😉
tabs,
Nice try, but I did specify “the second picture down” 😉
A caffeine and Honey facial?
Just tried it, popped outside to water my hydrangeas, and got attacked by a rampaging gang of completely unstable Bees and Hornets.
Lets just say that with the swelling an’ all, I am temporarily calling myself Wolfgang Massiveballs 🙁
Here’s the original photo that was then photoshopped with Nuri’s head onto it…
http://www.gophoto.it/view.php?i=http://static.sport360.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/main_image/gun__1340701272_Giroud2.jpg
Detective CoR on the case 8)
Uncle C,
Apologies. 2nd pic 100% photo-shopped.
You are all invited to the Barca vs Real game tonight. It’s on me (and Lars). Can’t wait!
Let’s discuss knitting.
Abb – just leave the caffeine alone now please. 😉
Fuck me. Abb is flying us all out to Spain for the Barca Madrid game!! Tickets to the game and everything!?
Bloody can’t wait abb. That is a great great present. Thank you 😉
There is a diving competition in Barcelona tonight?
Bring your knitting.
cast-on, knit, pearl …
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
Knitting helps me relax after a few lengths.
Posting all kinds of rubbish now as I’ve managed to convince myself that 1100 is a greater prize than the 1000.
Have we signed effin’ Sahin yet?
Speaking of knitting, this lot haven’t quite cottoned on
http://justarsenal.com/sahin-definitely-signed-for-arsenal-here-is-the-proof/15663
Speaking of the spanish supercup, is it a double-leg event or just one
encounter? 🙂
Wikipedia speaks of ‘editions’ when describing its format. Are there any ‘holics ITK on the format of this year’s edition?
Congrats Lars!
Mad number of posts this afternoon, yet we haven’t signed anyone, heh
Red Star vs Bordeaux tonight, abb. Sadly only on Al Jazeera (aka BeInSport)
Oh Ollie, that’s too bad. Really was looking forward to your commentary on Maureen (sighing). I can watch Bordeaux on relpay.
**Breaking News**
Nuri Sahin to snub Arsenal and stay and hope to play in Spanish Super Cup for Real tonight.
Alex Song out of Barker squad for tonights clas after arriving late to training. Darren Dein meanwhile holds talks with Rennes in an attempt to strike up player plus 30 Million swap transfer before the window closes. Negotiations continue!
Keep it locked right here for the most reliable updates on the web.
Alex Song fails to make a splash in diving competition?
What a yarn.
K2tog.
Well done, Lars!
Uze gays are too funny. Knitting? Really?
There is so much to talk about…like…um…well…uhhhh
… and there you have it.
A joke:
I thought I had a bloody nose…
but it’s not.
BMBD.
How on earth do you knit a cannon?
I want one on my tank top.
Re: WS @1030. Mention of bees and hornets stings of a story of ants and hornets I heard somewhere. Which reminds me I was bitten by a red ant on the toe once in New Orleans in summer and it didn’t feel any better until I flew to California one week later where the weather was 40 degrees. I don’t think the swelling was as massive as you make it sound though, and it wasn’t in quite as sensitive a place. Keep calm and carry on, is what I always say. 🙂
40 degrees fahrenheit, of course, just to be clear.
Well in for the Big M, Lars. I’m sure I speak for the bar when I say we’ll all let you pay for the collective toast we’ll make to your momentous achievement.
Well in Lars @1000 but CoR yours must be the coolest 1001 ever. 🙂
Abb, Coffee facials may make you feel alive but at what cost? 😉
Easy for you to say 8Ball.
A red ant might have quite the “nip”, but a gentle little chew, or to put it more accurately a “love-bite” from a red ant is as nothing to a swarm of psycho bees with a stunning sense of direction flying with military precision towards you and unleashing their grade A poison in one designated (and extremely small) area.
I need a Nurse.
I too need a nurse.
Green eyed, preferably.
I also, maybe…..
WS. Just a word of caution. Nurse Abb is bound to prescribe a 2nd coffee facial which will certainly not be a good idea so you may need a nurse with “different” methods. This one seems to be available:
http://www.parismarais.com/gay-pride-2006/sexy-nurse-paris.jpg
Have I told you people lately how fond I am of you all…now for a power nap.
You guys are worse than I am.
Transfer junkies 🙂
Guillem Balague @GuillemBalague
We do know now why Sahin hasnt accepted yet the loan deal to Arsenal. His agent met yesterday Anfield owners. He wants all info on table
I am surrounded by nurses right now. Half of which are less attractive than 8 balls Parisian honey. ( sorry I brought up honey again, Wolfgang).
And the British nurse that works here has completely ruined all perverted thoughts I once harbored for that particular accent.
I did marry one though. Nurse not Brit.
WS. Are you going to Stoke on Sunday? If so, given your current condition when Trevor Francis spouts “There is a massive atmosphere at the Brittania today” I will have some idea of what he is talking about. 😉
8Ball – Thanks for the recommendation. That nurse looks like just the ticket. She has an aura, a knowing look, that says I know how to handle an orb.
Comforted.
This will cure you of all Brit nurse fixations, NCA:
http://www.starstills.com/product_images/h/469/ss2441959_-_photograph_of_frankie_howerd_as_francis_bigger_hattie_jacques_as_matron_anita_harris_as_nurse_clarke_from_carry_on_doctor_available_in_4_sizes_framed_or_unframed_buy_now_at_starstills__22690_zoom.jpg
Where’s that Battle of Hastings, anyway?
BMBD.
Oh here it is…
BMBD.
Next milestone anyone? Must be 1080 (which I’m blatantly having). Answers on a postcard please.
Camberwell, What’s the significance of 1080? If your answer is good enough I’ll consider sending you a postcard. Otherwise, it’s 1111 or bust.
Nurse?? I will have a Night Nurse to soothe me during sleepless nights: http://youtu.be/L68nlTMVExw
😎
8Ball 🙂 , I fear it will take more than that to decipher what Trevor Francis is talking about … ever!
Never STOPS talking bollocks that one.
Anything happen in 1070? No? Oh.
Back to the knitting then.
GT. That is diff’rent class. Speeds my heart up by slowing it down. Or something like that.
You know, wishing won’t make it so.
Hoping won’t do it.
Praying won’t do it.
Religion won’t do it, philosophy won’t do it.
The Government won’t do it.
Uefa won’t do it.
The High Court won’t do it.
The President and Congress (of Fifa) won’t do it.
The earth won’t do it.
The sun and the moon won’t do it.
God won’t do it.
And I certainly won’t do it.
That leaves Snir.
He’ll have to do it.
When are we signing Sahin, Snir?
*Thanks Todd
1070. Wasn’t that an Olympic year? No, you say? Hastings’ main personal significance being where I spent a night in a youth hostel circa 1979. As I recall it was a lovely spot…
Don’t worry guys.
If all else fails Wenger will tell us at tomorrows press conference that “we are not close to signing anybody”
They need to add a line in this song about checking the interwebs about transfer news then it would be accurate about my job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuZl9tRqjoQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Good luck with 1100 and 1111. I have to pay attention for the next hour or so.
Well in Lars, cracking millennium that was!
This Sahin thing is getting to me now, some stuff from the CMC is needed
Cheers all, my first ever attempt at a millenium turned out hugely succesful 🙂
Funniest thing today was a chap on Twitter who wrote something along the lines of “I’m tired of this, I don’t care about Sahin anymore” and then proceeded to write about ten tweets in two minutes about… you guessed it: Sahin.
Hmm to watch or not to watch EL qualifiers between RvWs and TR7s old clubs or not 😛 *choices choices*
Well ?????
1080 is mine then.
That’s my definition of a high number. Can’t come up with anything else ?
Nuri Sahin = Ha, in ruins.
Maybe it was never on ?
1083 is a higher number than 1080.
Just saying. 😉
Cock it! Missed the triple spin @ 1080. Mad skills Trev.
The agent of Nuri Sahin
Was buggering about with our team.
Arsene said in a fury,
“Oh just piss off Nuri,
Or join us then, know what I mean ?”
Ollie, I just meant 1080(p) is high definition. 😉
**Fridays Arsenal Press Conference preview**
Mischievous Journos (MJ)
Arsene Wenger (le boss)
MJ: Arsene do you have any transfer news? The has been reports that NS has passed a medical with you but that he does not want to sign on a permanent basis and that Liverpool have made a better offer.
Can you shed light on this?
Le Boss: What is the matter with you guys? You asked me about that player last week. The situation has not changed. He is a player we follow and who would like to join but because he will make our squad stronger everyone is tripping. So the position is that we are not interested in the player. We have a strong enough squad to cope without any further signings. So do not ask me again.
MJ: Fair enough. So can you give us injury news please?
Le Boss: Well from last week we have Cazorla out, Diaby out, Vermaelen out, Podolski out, Giroud out, Arteta out and…the rest of the squad face fitness tests tomorrow morning.
MJ: Any news on Jack or Rosicky?
Le Boss: Yes we have good news about Jack. He should be back by April and Rosicky is still Sicky.
MJ:Thank you Arsene. Just as we thought
Le Boss: So why ask me? Tut *gets up and walks towards the door*
Ooh, very clever, Trev. Sorry I wasn’t switched on.
So far TRs old club – RvWhos old club 2:0 😛 great stuff 🙂
My word, there’s been some serious drinking going on here.
Wigan have accepted an offer from Chelsea for Moses.
Guess we’d better sign Jesus Navas (Knives) sharpish then.
If that really does mean ‘Knives’, I will support him to the hilt.
Ollie – Bordeaux may be shown on stream
http://www.atdhenet.tv/
Just got from mate. “Chelsea signed Moses, Arsenal want Jesus, And United have Judas.”
Esso…while the cats away the mice will play…… when you leave the bar un-attended for a few days, serious drinking will prevail 😉
Ollie…beware of 1100 !
*strolls towards the penalty area, preparing his pants for the goal celebration by pulling them up under his arm pits*
Ha! Esso, beat you to that one! 😉
As Umply says beware of MC
Collects the ball from Woj and starts his dribble…stops to clean up the sacred shirt and punts it downfield…
I know
Neds it in?
But I’ll take it!
SHOOTS. !
Well played SO – now for 1111
Hey Esso!
cognac, you’re reading my mind, I’ll have a look!
Late again. Esso knows, well in !
heh, fuck me, 5 seconds agon there was only 1095 drinks.
Well in Esso, superb and timely!
1111?:)
Well in Esso…so nonchantly done 😉
too early gah!
1111 must be mine ?
oh dammit 😀
Any sponsors written on the cuffs of those undies, trev?
There does appear to be some glitter but I can’t make out the lettering!
Mentalists.
Well in Esso.
Keeping my powder dry til Magna Carta.
Trev@various 🙂
They have to be “Speedoes” NorCal, 😉
Nor it reads like vert upside down
Ollie its working now here
Oh. Now I see it. It says ” Bent like Bender, but twice the price!”
Hey Tabs, even you’d struggle to keep up with the drinking going on in here.
I have got a stream now, thanks again, cognac.
Ollie better stream
http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/136801/1/watch-red-star-belgrade-vs-girondins-bordeaux.html
I can’t Trev 🙂
Every time I pop back in, there’s another 100 drinks 🙁
Sounds just like The Tollie. 😉
CG 1101 congrats on the tabs special. How’s Ned by the way..didn’t injure him I trust 😉
Obraniak, so nearly.
Thought goalie pushed it over , Ollie
I may have found the delay in Nuri’s signing.
Suspected stowaway on British Airways jumbo jet found dead at Heathrow
His agent I hope
Watching the Sparta Prague – Feyenoord game reminds me of how well we move the ball compared to other teams, this is basically just kick the ball high up front and see what happens.
They speculate that he must have missed his transfer…..
Ok lame.
heh NCA
never heard such a scottish/American commentary before –
such as
the 18
the 6
and other delicate phrases
Trev, haha, exactly like the Tollie 🙂
15 minutes to go. Still 0-0, and it’s very quiet on the drinks.
My stream is struggling now.
Did someone say quiet. The Special One is now to be called ‘The Only One’. According to him.
I’m betting it’s because there’s a sudden influx of cunts wanting to watch the Spanish übercuntfest.
I think I already commented on that some days ago, abb.
I shall refrain from doing so again, but I’m guessing you can read my thoughts on the matter 😉
Oh Ollie! Tito isn’t Pep though…miss him. Heck, I’m gonna miss Harry, too.
Ollie, how did I miss that.
I’ll miss Harry, only because I’ll miss singing the twitch song.
0-0 final whistle.
I’ll have a cognac to celebrate the man with the links.
Thanks.
finished 0-0 for Bordeaux
Nice clearance by Valdez.
Sahin to Liverpool.
Mourinho got his way, then.
https://twitter.com/sachinnakrani/status/238740118280740864
Jeez, that deflated my balloon. I’m in shock.
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/rodgers-on-sahin-latest
Guess you can’t count your Nuri before it’s…
I hate Maureen (but not Sade’s Maureen).
BMBD.
Snir, Why would Nuri want tp play for them. No Champs League, doesn’t make any sense to me. Must say, I’m taking this quite hard, if it goes this way.
Sounds a bit weird he turned down CL football for Europa League. According to German Bild the deal was done with us already.
If Sahin watched any of that Liverpool game tonight he won’t go within a million miles of the place. The bits I saw, they were dire.
Cannot understand what has happened there, and if he is to return to Real Madrid, surely Maureen would want him to get the highest level of experience possible, i.e. Champions League.
Are all these Sahin quotes saying he wants to play for Arsenal just all made up or what ?
Cannot understand how last weekend’s position has deteriorated to this.
Nothing concrete there tbh we have to wait and see I suppose.
Uply@1124: I’m none the worse for wear. But thanks for asking.
@1152
Worst. ITK. Ever. (Still).
Oh 1155 should have had 🙂 at the end.
Old news…
Trev – It might sound like a conspiracy theory or something but I’ve heard noises that Mourinho has told him that he won’t be welcome back at RM if he goes to Arsenal.
Trev@1152: if I were Sahin or Murhino, I’d want to be at the best finishing school for footballers in the world. If I were Sahin’s agent, I’d want my player wherever I’d get the biggest cut.
Ned…glad to hear that. Hope CG’s use of you (footballistically speaking of course) does not become a habit 😉
lurky oliva, please explain. NBN, you might have something there. Snir, not surprised at that. Trev, you got that right.
NBN – It’s a loan, the agent doesn’t get anything as the wages are already agreed in the initial contract.
He doesn’t sign a new contract.
It’s simply making someone else pay his wages as opposed to RM.
I’d say Morinho and Brendan got together and worked out a workable deal for both of them. Sahin only goes for a year. No buyout. He gets extensive first team playing time and the special only child promises Sahin that he will get a legitimate shot at first team ball next year at madrid. Arsenal rightly so wanted a fair option to buy and thus no deal.
Trev 1152 If Sahin does go there he will well & truly will be a Liverfool.
Still sucks, but with the delay it doesn’t surprise me.
Please Arsene, make a bid on Capoue. He can play.
Maureen probably realises that if Sahin spends 12 months at Arsenal he won’t want to go back to RM to sit on the bench again.
They’ve stopped diving, and actually started playing. 1-1
Back to back goals and I can’t even get excited. Thanks Only One for spoiling my night.
Damn it
Is Nuri fit enough to last a full season?
Anyone know what his injury was at RM?
Damn it, missing the game which is showing live.
Sounds good though.
Snir – if there is a loan fee you can guarantee Sahin’s parasite will get a slice of it. Probably getting a higher percentage from L’pool.
Maureen’s inferiority complex in relation to Arsene is clearly worse than we knew.
Goonertown, the game is heating up. This is why I hate futbol politics. The Game Never Lets Me Down. To heck with the rest.
So, looks like it is Mourinho’s fault for our incompetence and
unwillingness to pay 5-6 mil. more and have one of the most talented
young midfielders in Europe. Let’s face it, we want cheap, cheap is
what we gonna get.
Disappointing.
And Messi scores. Eat that Maureen.
ABB
I’ve got it recorded but there’s nothing better than watching a live match!
But got to say, Nuri is at the back of the mind. Ooh and another good defender.
Don’t let us down Arsene!
Heh
Goonertown, me too. But I’ll be darned if that awful man ruins my nite.
Lurky, i wanted to say something but NorCalArsenal at 1164 said it all. To me, it`s more believable that they didn`t want to put the option to sell, than us bargaining for 4-5M.
Lurky, was it the amount. Or was it that Liverpool didn’t care about a buyout? I don’t know either, but Madrid seems to saying loud and clear that they did not want to sell him on. Only a straight loan. Maybe we didn’t want just a one year deal with no option.
Thank you Barca 3-1.
Lurky –
you will obviously have noticed that Arsenal has to earn it’s money, and while £5 – 6 million may not be much to the likes of Citeh or the Chavs, it is real money that has to be made before it is spent.
Why do you imagine that the club is determined to do less well than it can afford to ?
Maybe we should have paid out £35million or £50million to beat the competition to Andy Carroll or Torres ?
Lurky @1174 –
Don’t forget that The Ox and Jack Wilshere are TWO of the most talented young midfielders in Europe. 😉
Trev. Well in @ the coveted 1111. 🙂
My performance is suffering from too much time away from the computer syndrome, or I coulda been a contender. 🙁
I’m not too unchuffed about the Sahin to Liverpoo business since I had never even heard of the bloke prior to a month ago, to tell you the truth.
Hope Song has got enough songs on his ipod to keep him occupied on that bench 😀
ACM has sold less than 20,000 season tickets this year so far. Spent very, very little in the transfer window cause they are nearly broke. No, Arsenal’s prudence is vital in this shaky global economy, of that I’m sure.
Valdes what a clown!
Shoot, they got one back. 3-2. Good game.
I must admit, from what Mourinho has been saying, I suspected that not-so-subtle pressure of some kind was being exerted on Sahin. It was clear what Mourinho wanted to happen. Well, if it isn’t him, it’ll be someone else!
Also Sahin was not intended to replace Song, but to replace JW temporarily, hence loan. Song was let go because AW felt he had lots of midfielders.
Tiki taka
Tiki taka
Tiki tiki taka
To 1200….
@ 1184 behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
I’m not too unchuffed about the Sahin to Liverpoo business since I had never even heard of the bloke prior to a month ago, to tell you the truth.
ha ha! I’m sure you are not alone! It’s like that Alvares bloke that we scouted last year. Five minutes after discovering his existence, many gooners discovered that our season hinged on his capture.
We haven’t got a decent DM we know Song liked to leave his post on too many occasions hence we lost plenty of goals on the counter!
We definitely need a DM a proper one for that matter!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19364375
Can’t we just make a DM by strapping two of our midfielders together? We have so many…
Thank God for that I thought it would never end! Too much play acting as always!
ATG,
Capoue is a real DM. Sahin is not.
I am not sure AW wants one. As myself and others have said this preseason and game one, it looks like it will be 2 deeper lying mids with Santi playing the creative roll. More of a dual DM/ box to box position.
ATG, the Ref wasn’t buying any of it. Still a good game (2nd half).
Wow, they just announced on espn desportes, it’s official.
So it’s the salary we weren’t prepared to pay by the looks of things. Good luck to him playing Europa League on Thursday nights and having to sit in the dresser with talent worth 50 million. Fact is if Jack get backs before schedule then why the hell do we even need him?
Just a bit outside?
ATG – We offered 2m pounds loan fee, Liverpool 5m pounds.
NorCal – Capoue can certainly play b2b if needed. He’s magnificent on the ball.
Aw yeah, it crawled inside the post. Nuri any doubt.
Cheers 8ball, and well in NorCal @1200!!!!!!!
Either way I still think Maureen and Rogers had a lot to say in this. Never mind I trust we will still sign someone decent!
I’m off to bed Holics a round for the way home? Why not!
I hate Mourinho, but my feeling is that he is not guilty this time. He said the player is free to go wherever he wants, as I remember.
The player wanted to come and he has a huge respect of Arsene.
So, once again, do not blame Mourinho for Sahin not happening. Blame somebody else, not plenty of choices though.
And Trev, fact is that Arsenal has to earn it’s money. And as far as I know, we had in fact earned some money this summer.
One last thing. We were looking for Song’s backup last year, did’t we. We were begging, to be more precise. Today’s situation, 3 days before Stoke, we do not have backup, and we do not have Song.
Long live Diaby, but I wouldn’t play him against those butchers. Cheers
Wtf
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/brendan-rodgers-confirms-liverpool-have-beaten-arsena-in-race-for-nuri-sahin/
Snir, I like Capoue’s size and reputation as a intimidator. He can play well as a DM. I’ve liked him this whole time better than M’vila. Plus Yann has shown he has some off the field attitude that may not play well at arsenal. But then so did Voldemort Von Pursestrings before he came.
Eight more days. Still need a defender too.
@ lurky
If Arsenal have ended their interest, it means AW doesn’t want him on the terms available. Sometimes the interests of all parties do not coincide. That’s all there is to it.
So the agent of Nuri Sahin
Was right in cahoots with Maureen,
They may have got more money
But Nuri won’t find it funny
Playing in that clapped out Scouse team. 🙁
How on earth did we manage to fuck up the Sahin deal? On Monday it was a done deal. I have no doubt of that. So how have we managed to fuck it up? It is times like this that the club really frustrates the hell out of me. How can what was virtually a done deal on Monday end up at Liverpool on Thursday? If this is a player AW really wanted and we have lost out through penny pinching then I will be furious. Especially having just trousered the best part of 40 million.
Trev. Any news from your man?
FG, I agree with that for sure, he is a luxury signing for us. I am just too disappointed and angry. I rate him and wanted to see him in our jersey, even for this season only.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4501885/Olivier-Giroud-Im-no-Robin-van-Persie.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Here, here FunG.
Lurky, when exactly did you realise that Sahin was integral to our chances of success, on any terms.
Like some others, it hadn’t really occurred to me 6 weeks ago.
Song went because he had become troublesome and a player in that frame of mind will not increase our chances of success either.
It’s not just always Arsene Wenger’s fault, you know.
Steve T –
No news I’m afraid. I know RM didn’t want a buy option, but this chap, who does work for the club, said that it was all sorted out.
I guess the deal was not actually signed and, in the meantime, Liverpool have agreed to pay more and agreed, apparantly, to no buy option.
Sahin may well still want to come but if RM will not reach agreement with Arsenal he does not have that option.
What can you do ?
Just landed. Over 1200 drinks? What on earth has happened. I can’t read that lot. Anybody need dealing with? I need an update…
Sorry Holic, you’re banned ! 😉
Hope you had a few good days.
Evening gents
Rather a shame about Sahin, but what can you do? A £5m fee to loan for one season a player purchased for £8m only twelve months earlier, and who has hardly played in that time, is utter madness. If the Scousers have genuinely offered that then more fool them.
All that matters to me is that we get a decent DM in before the window closes.
Given up trying to work out who it will be. Just going to sit back and let the gaffer sort it out. Even if no one arrives (which would bad) I can live with seeing a bit more of Coquelin – if he’d arrived this summer for £15m we’d all be drooling over him.
Focus for now is on Stoke. Please let us beat those Neanderthal cunts and get out of that shithole alive.
I am a Wenger boy, Trev, always been. It is not Wenger that I was referring to as a problem, read again, this time slowly.
Welcome back Guvnor. Main news item from what I can tell is Nurse Abb has laid up Nurse Wolfie with a crackpot prescription for a “coffee facial” causing him hornet and bee stings in certain private part of his anatomy such that his surname is no longer Smallballs. We seem to have need of another nurse, at least on loan. 😉
Trev.
I get all of that. What with your info and that appearing in the media you have to ask why it has not happened. If AW has decided that he does not want him then fine. If however he does want him and we have basically not put enough on the table to compete with Liverpool then I will be really annoyed. If Liverpool can afford him them I am 100% sure we can.
I must say that I am not impressed tonight. Not impressed at all. Just when we seemed to have turned the corner.
Here you are, not 5mil. loan fee, as Snir reported
The deal between Liverpool and Real Madrid expected to involve the North-West club paying a loan fee of £2 million. The Anfield club have also agreed to pay 70% of €4 million annual wages which equals to around €2.8 million per year.
Furthermore, several reliable sources in England and Spain suggest that the deal also includes a €11 million buy-out clause which will see the Turkey international make a permanenet move to Anfield.
Any questions?
Where does this 5 million come from?
Holic, you were banned somewhere in the 700’s I think.
Exactly the same deal RM had with us, only one little exception. We offered 8 mill. euros buy-out clause, LWC 11. Three million euros difference!
Cheap is what we want, cheap is what we get.
Lurky @1175 –
“our incompetence and unwillingness – we want cheap”
Referring to areas that are entirely, repotedly, under AW’s control.
I read slowly, sorry if I misunderstood.
Refuse to bang my head any more.
‘Night all.
@ Steve T
Whether we could have afforded him isn’t really the issue – it’s whether the price represented value for us in the circumstances. Perhaps it wasn’t worth it in Arsene’s view – we can’t substitute our judgement for his. Or perhaps it wasn’t worth it as a loan.
If Sahin prefers to go to Liverpool, he’s entitled to make that choice. Liverpool need him a lot more than we do – he’ll play every game for them.
@ lurky
I’m disappointed too, but that’s life. You don’t always get what you want.
Re Mourinho, even after we were supposed to have agreed terms with the player, he kept talking as if it was all still open for Liverpool. We also know he is good friends with Rogers and hates Arsene.
If all of that is true Lurky and he was a player that AW wanted then I will be unbelievably pissed off. If that is true is it any wonder why fans demand answers?
This is why the club try to keep transfer negotiations secret.
Yes. Welcome back , Mr Holic ,sir.
I am NorCal. I have been sampling your wares here in the bar quite a bit lately and have thoroughly enjoyed my time. I hope I never overstepped whilest you were gone. The place appears to be in about the same shape as when I arrived, save a bit of missing coffee.
Again, I appreciated the hospitality even in your absence and hope to indulge myself here more in the future.
I don’t for a minute believe that this deal has collapsed because of a €3m differential in the value of a buy-out clause.
Clearly, there’s a lot of bollocks being talked about Sahin in all directions.
Let’s wait and see where he ends up, and what the relevant club have managed to agree with Madrid before we get all wound up about it.
Get in 🙂
@ Steve T
clearly he didn’t want/need him *that* much, did he?
Schmidt, missed 1234?
Fun. If AW has decided he doesn’t want him then that’s fine by me. But we appear to have spent a considerable amount of money and directed numerous resources into trying to make it happen. If Sahin is that good and the player AW wants then pay the money. It’s that simple for me. The deal was due to be announced on Monday remember so we must have fucked up somewhere.
If AW wants him then do the deal and bring him in. Back the manager. End of. I am fed up losing out on players for sums of money that are not vast in football terms.
Steve T, these are only the rumours, of course, but we will check tomorrow papers that is for sure. Very angry if that appears to be true.
Fun. If we don’t want him then why was it all going to be announced on Monday and why have we continue to pursue the deal?
This sounds just like it did when we lost out in Alonso for not very much. Sometimes, if you want something you just have to pay just a little bit for that.
Banned?
Pourquoi?
@ 1240 Steve T
I said “want him *that much*” ie, enough to get into a bidding war – assuming that money was the issue. He’s obviously a player AW rates very highly, but that doesn’t mean he thinks he is essential to the squad. As I said above, Liverpool need him much more than we do.
Sahin was originally approached to cover for JW, who is now ahead of schedule, apparently.
I think that delay from Monday till today was the crucial for us to fail
with the deal. We played game of poker, bluffed and lost. Someone
else came, outbid us, and won the game with low pair.
Fun. Sorry but I don’t buy any of that. AW will have known long before we started talks when JW was due back. Sometimes if you want something then you have to pay the price. From what I am getting the price was more than affordable. So what has gone wrong?
No doubt we will have to see what unfolds but at the moment it looks like a fuck up on our part.
Holic, your plane leaves in an hour. Destination Madrid. Bring your clubs. You know what you must do. We won’t tell Interpol.
@ Steve T
What don’t you buy?
That Sahin may not have been seen as an essential signing?
That JW’s progress may have been accelerated in the last week?
You keep saying “if AW wanted him, then X…” but the question is how much did he want him? He looks at the value of the player to us compared to the cost.
This is assuming it was about money, but it may not have been.
There are other good midfielders, many of them already at the club.
@ lurky
Or…we were all ready to sign, sent Sahin and RM a nice pen to sign with, and Sahin’s agent got on the blower to Liverpool. Or…Sahin decided guaranteed playing time trumped CL. Or that going to the club Mourinho preferred would stand him in good stead when he returned to RM.
Holic. Danish and Paulie launched a takeover bid. It was they that had you barred. Shocking decision if you ask me. 😉
@ Steve T
Forgot to say – since he said he let Song go because he had plenty of midfielders, that lends weight to the notion that Sahin was not an essential signing. As does the fact that he moved for him towards the end of the transfer window. Important transfers – strikers – were carried out first. This falls under the heading of “If we see a good opportunity, we will try to do it”, I would say.
Oh and holic ,the raping of cattle, not me that’s was here when I showed up.
Fun.
I don’t buy the replacement or cover for JW. I don’t buy that AW has suddenly been given some surprise news that JW will be back a lot quicker.
I keep saying about AW wanting him because I am quite happy to believe Trev when he says that someone at the club said the deal would be announced on Monday. That indicates to me that he wants the lad.
This is a loan deal. Not a deal where we have offered 15 million only for a Citeh to come along and offer 30. It is more than affordable.
If AW has changed his mind for some reason and pulled the plug then fine. If however it has fallen through because of peanuts and our dithering I will be mightily pissed off.
Wow ‘Holics –
The guv’nor comes back and all you lot (who had been previously raiding the CMC, drinking all the booze, chasing women[or men], mistreating our ruminent friends, and basically acting like pirates [or Scousers]) start back tracking, pointing fingers, and tripping over yourselves to escape ‘Holic’s eye?
You ‘holics disappoint me. No wonder Nuri went oop noorf. Stand up for yourselves and be men or women [or Wolfie], geesh! 😉
Yep, ‘Holic, I was the one who filled the fridge several cases of the black stuff…that was me.
BMBD.
Fun
I don’t know where this phrase “essential signing” comes from but if we are overloaded with midfield players then why bother in the first place? Let’s spend our time and resources chasing players we actually need.
Not claiming to be in the know, but if I had to guess that story about Marine-ho telling Nuri if he went to Arsenal he wouldn’t be welcomed back was true. And seeing as Rodgers was his protege at Chelsea, he obviously offered a simpler deal to Liverpool and a more difficult to resolve one to Arsenal.
At least that’s what I think.
It might seem like we pulled out because of a small difference in fees but what if they told Liverpool 5m and Arsenal 15m just to spite Arsene?
Maybe Nuri values playing at Real Madrid more than in the Prem?
Maybe he said he wasn’t planning to stay more than a year in England at ANY club and thus decided Liverpool made more sense?
Ugh, I think I’ll just stop reading transfer rumours again.
It’s making me lose my famous zen-like composure 😀
This is fucking pissing off.
But I can take solace in the fact that he is not the player we really need… World class player nevertheless.
Cannons, But are you up to this level of composure?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/22-teams-gather-indoors-for-giro-ditalia-presentation/119515
Wiggin only guess if I can achieve such levels 8ball!
May need some more meditation under a waterfall wearing polka-dot speedos for that I think…
I was talking to my friend the other day (when everyone was sahin Nuri was ours) — that though he looks like the closest deal to happen , he is probably the least important of our targets.
Firstly, if Jack can be back sometime in October, ill be more than happy to play him .. Seconly, we looked out of sorts upfront. I dont think we have the right mix of players in the front to execute a plan B.
If I were Wenger my first priority would be a DM and then a winger ..
Anything else would simply be a good bonus.
I do think Sahin is world class. But perhaps not the world class player we need most at the moent.
Having siad all that .. i doubt we will get anymore world class players this transfer window.. We are skint.
I figure another striker is in the works.
Whether it will happen or he will be world class or not is a different story…
NorCal, Lonestar: legitimate or illegitimate raping of cattle?
Exclusive: CoR without his waterfall: http://bp2.blogger.com/_RWOnrKFYUwQ/SJXn5WEeDMI/AAAAAAAAahc/eXsfwYSkcxg/s1600-h/DavidTrichel.jpg
😆 @ Ned
BMBD.
Ned,
I’m guessing that all depends if she gets pregnant or not.
Are cows republicans or democrats?
I only know the affiliation of jack-asses and pachyderms. Neither chose too wisely in my book.
@1263: Hahaha! That’s more “zenra” than “zen-like” 😆
I want this transfer window shut already! It’s getting really annoying
We have to beat these orc cunts this weekend, in case anyone has forgotten!
Well it’s disappointing to have missed out on what would have been a good addition to the squad.
However, ask yourself – who would you have preferred to have missed out on – Sahin or Cazorla?
Transfers are complex.
Even more so when Trev gets involved. 😉
We move on. As Harsha says, we have some rugger to play this weekend.
Steve T: “This sounds just like it did when we lost out in Alonso for not very much”
We never lost out on Alonso for not very much. That deal hinged on Liverpool getting Gareth Barry from Villa which never happened. Nothing we could do about it.
And as for “we must have fucked up” – why is it neccessarily our fault that the deal has fallen through if it has? If, as reported, we had an agreement with Real and the player then I would rather suspect that Mourinho (with his massive inferiority complex towards Arsene) has put his foot down. And also, I agree with Fun that it may very well be the case that the Sahin deal was kept cooking while waiting for Jack’s latest progress report. If he is, as reported, only three weeks away from full training then I am honestly not that sure that another midfield player is our greatest need anymore (I’d rather get one more attacker in, tbh) . That would give us Jack, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade, Ramsey and then the occasional cameos from Diaby whenever he’s fit for more than twenty minutes and we also have Rosicky.
Ned et al: considering yourt discussion on cattele, I refer you to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9fbSC4koiU
Please note what happened when they went down to eight and who was involved!
My word, my spelling really went round the bend there – “yourt”, “cattele” 🙁
Today I will be mostly finishing early, getting back to The Capital and acting the poseur at the Fringe.
Luvvies beware.
Hi holics haven’t posted in a few days every time I come into the bar there’s 300 posts to read,the reason I won’t get an iPhone I’d never get any work done 😉 the fuss over sahin is madness can’t get a game in Madrid get over him we’ve better players here!iv given up on transfer spec it’s a pain in the arse someone close the window 🙂
I hate Mourinho, but my feeling is that he is not guilty this time. He said the player is free to go wherever he wants, as I remember
I’ll read the rest of the drinks, but come on,
a) the player is sort of ‘free’ but he can have applied undue pressure
b) Mourinho is a liar, lest we forget
No Surin..meh. Nice to have but not essential. In my opinion he would be a luxury player as physically he’s a lightweight and we have plenty of these already. Me thinks we could do with a bigger midfielder ( not Huddleston bigger ) who can intimidate a bit like Paddy used to. Sounds someone like Capoue / M’Vila fits the bill.
Ollie agree with you re Mourinho…I wouldn’t trust him as far as I would like to throw him.
Tabs….the offending players have been removed from my HT Ropey team and we are now 100% pure and untainted. I have had a 8 point penalty applied but what’s that compared to one’s ethical reputation 😉
Wenger, you’ve broken my heart again.
Mourinho, you’re just a twat.
I think Sahin might still come to Arsenal. Rodgers only said he expects confirmation in the next 24 hours, which might simply mean he anticipates a decision to be made soon either way. We’ll know soon enough. The media has been wrong enough times to tell us not to write off anything until an official confirmation is made.
Fuck Sahin, if he wants to play for Liverpoodlians then so be it. If he is that scared of Mou that he woudlnt want him back to RM should he played for us then good riddance in advance.
Didnt want to stay in England for more than a year? If the buyout clause stuff is true then enjoy your stay at Anfield and say goodbye to Bernabeu then Nuri..and I hope Poldi will have something to tell you too next week 😉
My latest ITK info (some forum quoting twitter quoting twitter, heh, unreliable?) tells me Liverpool got completely shafted on the Sahin deal and it’s no wonder we pulled out.
Heh, Eandy, that could be a tasty encounter 😉
Uncle C 1276, only the second bit from me.
Yeah I bet Ollie, I do like when our players are getting in to scrambles with opposing players a bit ..just showing that we are not going to be pushed around by anyone. Hate to say it but exactly like RvP did with Krul last year.
The end of the transfer window in France is on September the 4th.
So I’m guessing we could still sell them players after August 31st but not buy?
@ Ollie and Eandy
just showing that we are not going to be pushed around by anyone. Hate to say it but exactly like RvP did with Krul last year.
And Santos v Balotelli. Loved that one.
The rumour on the streets is that Arsene is working on signing a DM. Capoue, M’Villa, Biglia, Wanyama all been mentioned before. I would’t be surprised if Wenger surprise us with someone who has not been mentioned before. Anyway, we are going to sign a DM, and that is the good news.
The bad news is that apparently Walcott is on his was out.
Capoue? M’Villa? Biglia? Wanyama?
So basically he’s going to buy another Song. 🙁
Another good news.
Norwich in talks to sign Anderlecht captain Lucas Biglia on an initial loan deal.
Hi all,
Thought I’d share with those of you like myself who have not had a chance to login to the club website to view Wenger’s pre-match interview given yesterday, presumably after the Sahin deal fell through (taken from Daily Mail):
‘Some things can still happen,’ Wenger told the club’s official website.
‘I don’t want make a promise that I cannot keep. It does not only depend on me. But there still could be some action on the transfer market – ins and outs.
‘We are working [in the market]. We’ll see what we can do.
‘The transfer market is open for two months and yet for one month and three weeks it is nearly closed. It wakes up completely in the last week and then every minute becomes important.
‘Everybody has played for time for seven or eight weeks and now suddenly everyone is in a hurry. And that is when the most intense activity happens.’
‘We have a good, stable, focused squad. We just have to show how good we are in the season,’ he said.
‘We have (Abou) Diaby and (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain back now while (Tomas) Rosicky and (Jack) Wilshere are coming back.
‘They are all international-stature players. I focus highly on that. If we get these players back in good shape then we have a very, very strong squad.’
Keep the faith Gooners!
The only thing now is that most ‘world class’ available DM will feel like they are second best if they are approached now.
Anyway, as Wenger said, at some point before the window closes, agents are going to want that new Rolls Royce!
Without enough time to back track
I say we concentrate on M’Villa and like Marcel Desially said we should ‘close our eyes and sign the cheque’
He is by far the next best option being mooted!
I really can’t understand why people are freaking out about not signing Sahin. If we got him, it would’ve been good but if not ,we move on. We’ve made our major signings already and he’d just be a luxury signing to polish things off. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be mad if we took a chance on this Capoue chap. I’m not interested in us being an academy for Real Madrid and that Cuntish One. Let Liverpool have him if that’s the case as they enjoy being “cunted”. Just like Newcastle ,Sunderland and Villa did them with Carrol, Henderson and Downing respectively. Rant over……
At the end of the day we tried with Sahin. Clearly finances were not the issue here.
Football has stepped up it’s potlitcal octaves since the introduction of the ‘sugar daddy’ in the sense that normal things are not making sense .
However since the introduction of the forthcoming fair play rules more clubs are being forced to recruit from within, whilst having to ‘justify their purchases’, for want of a better phrase.
btw: We cannot afford a draw on Sunday!
No sir!
I1
Sahin probably failed his medical. He’s injury prone. and you’re right. Liverpool are crap, point blank. NS is going for the run out, not to win anything.
Rant over 😆
Morning all. Jet lag kicking in. Post tour come-down to be addressed.
Camberwell, have resent HT invite to yahoo mail addy. Let me know if it doesn’t show.
The truth is, Nuri Sahin was our last hope of making another world-class signing this summer. Our other midfield ‘targets’ are not on the same level as him.
Biglia is Norwich material, Wanyama is barely proven in one of Europe’s worst leagues, M’Vila was booed by his own fans last season, and Capoue sounds too much like Eboue to be healthy.
That sounds exactly like the talk after we signed AOC last year, year later everyone agrees that he is gem of a player and really worthy the price we paid for him. I wouldnt be surprised if Capoue (should we sign him) became similar case, not “world-class” signing but quality player nonetheless.
Besides as said above, Sahin would be luxury signing as we have few really good players coming back from injury for that position. I am not saying that I wouldnt like him playing for us, since he is top class act but I do not feel that not signing him would be matter of crumbling our ambitions, since I do think we have quality squad already, just need one or two more tweaks…and not on the position where Sahin would most likely play.
Afternoon all.
Some serious backdrinking to do, but before I start I see that the ON-OFF transfer of NS is on the off stand again. This whole saga (and I use the word as loose as a wag at a chav Xmas bash) is a perfect example of why I tend to stay away from all the gossip, bollox and hyperbole surrounding the transfer window.
Eandy
Good points.
AW said last week we are short in midfield, as well as in defence.
They appear to be the weakest parts of our squad according to what the exec have seen (behind closed doors).
I still believe the answer could be staring us in the face or be right underneath our nose.
😉
@TonyBarretTimes: Sahin to Liverpool will be a one year loan with no option to buy. That was the deal that Real and Sahin wanted at this stage.
Now we know why he ain’t an Arsenal player. AW didn’t wanna be his training school.
Park to Celta Vigo on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
H2H
“as loose as a wag at a chav Xmas bash”
😆
A quick assist?
I think the lesson here to be learned is transfer terminology.
ie:
‘Arsenal has agreed’ = (does not mean the player has signed)
‘Player has completed a medical’ = (does not mean the player has signed)
‘Done deal’ = (supporters talk for ‘I hope we get him’)
Have I missed anything?
Thanks for the assist TS
Was nearly caught off guard BOOOOM!
Welcome Gt
1400 before The Maestro posts again?
‘M’Vila was booed by his own fans last season’
As some of our ‘fans’ proved last season, that’s not always the best barometer of whether someone is bad or not.
I almost forgot about the most important football slang of all to be aware of:
” Arsenal/Arsene Wenger is interested in so and so”= (Our client is looking for a transfer so if we say “Arsenal are interested” then other less accomplished managers will think that my client is good-not!)
This term was most recently used to deploy large sums of money from the un-football savvy sugar daddies, prior to the fair play rules.
TS
Bottoms up fella
1300 plus drinks.
God help us if ‘Holic takes a real holiday! 😉
http://m.flickr.com/lightbox?id=7850231492
Jack has his boots on!!!:)
BACK!
Post this evening. I take it Sahin has signed so I will have to look him up. Never heard of him to be honest…
Snir@1307, my thoughts too – that more or less confirms what AFCAMDEN said last night about Jack being three weeks away from full training. If he is in footie boots that almost certainly means he is back in proper footie (if probably still lighter) training.
Far more worryingly though is that Woj is a doubt for Sunday. The thought of Fabianski dealing with the balls slung by the human (and I use that term very loosely here) Stoke trebuchets doesn’t fill me with a lot of confidence 🙁
Welcome back Mr Landlord!
Right, ticket sorted for Southampton at last.
North Bank lower, block 11 row 9.
Never been there, hope it has atmosphere 😉
Using the ‘Overview’ panel is definitely useful.
Lower?
Ticket Exchange, Ollie?
Well in Gtown.
Well more than ever, it’s only true if it appears on .con.
We don’t do what Man U do (see Ramsey…)
Ollie, great stuff – see you at the Tollie then!
Apparently Fabianski is also a doubt for Sunday. So then it’s Mannone versus long throws…
I think so, ‘holic (see a previous drinks for detailing ‘tricks’ about the new system, but I think I had swapped to ‘Ticket Exchange’ when I got this one).
Hope you had a great time, ‘holic. The jet-lag suggests so… 🙂
I was always going to be there, Lars, as I had booked my train already.
I might try this ‘booking train before I get a ticket’ thing this season to try and cut down on costs a bit.
Perhaps Jens is available for Sunday? 😉
Great time indeed, Ollie.
Taking the management to buy essential supplies this afternoon, then back for Guinness and reportage…
The thought of flappy or vito just fills me with dread. That is not something to even joke about.
Holic, could I please remind you to email me about the FFL as per your instruction the other day. Ta.
I’ll be one round + a game behind everyone else but hey – gotta make it fair for the others eh? 😀
Holic, could I please remind you to email me about the FFL as per your instruction the other day. Ta.
I’ll be one round + a game behind everyone else but hey – gotta make it fair for the others eh? 😀
Will these comments be a record? If not, we should all pitch in with efforts…
…like…
…this!
Camberwell, see the Master’s 1292
The big 1325? I think that matches how fast Santos was driving …
I wonder if there will be a post before we make it to Marignan.
Guess we have to go through Agincourt first.
We flew past Bouvines and I didn’t even see it.
So what’s your beef Ollie ? 😉
Phew, caught up.
A bit confusing, all the so called landmark posts have been switched, for example Lars, congrats on your ton, but it´s now 1001.
As I stated in my previous post I don´t speculate on transfers, it´s a futile passtime, I´m also glad I still well clear of Twitter, the so called ITK´s actually know bugger all, it´s all bollox until it´s up on the official site with the player holding the shirt.
Finaly could someone please tell me the nouvaux defination of world class, because it´s obviously changed since I lived in an English speaking country.
As far as I remember, a world class player was one who was at the top of his game and had forged his name into folklore by virtue of his amazing qualities, carrying those around him to a higher pinnacle, winning all available honours on the national and international stage.
A world class player should surely be able to walk into any team…..?
Hold on?
Isn´t this a guy who can´t even make it to the bench at his current club?
By the same logic Roque Santa Cruz and Craig Bellendemy must also rank amongst the worlds greatest. Think about it!
I´m not saying that NS isn´t a good player, I don´t really know, I only saw him briefly when he was in the Bundesliga, but not enough to form a real opinion.
H2H –
Your defnition above was nearly correct –
“a world class player should surely be able to walk into any team”
It just went too far. Should now read –
“a world class player should surely be able to walk”
What, my 1000 has been tabsed into 1001??? Oh well, I had momentary glory anyway 🙂
Hey, my 1111 has become 1112. How did that happen ?
I know posts get deleted, but added / inserted ?
AW said there is a slight problem with Woj, but he should be alright.
Add one here please. 😉
H2H: Amen my brother. We’re singing from the same hymnal regarding “world class”. In these days, this term is used so loosely.
A month ago or even less than that, nobody was talking about this guy, then a couple Youtube clips later he’s being heralded as the second coming of Christ and the Saviour of our season.
Consequently, the world is ending because Arsenal FC aren’t stupid enough to pay a big loan fee for him without an option to buy at the end. So called “world class” player who can’t make Madrid’s bench.
This crazy world of hysteria…..
H2H –
😆 @ “Finaly could someone please tell me the nouvaux defination of world class, because it´s obviously changed since I lived in an English speaking country.”
I just couldn’t be bothered mate.
Couldn’t be bothered.
Glad you stepped in, as it couldn’t be overlooked all the same. 😉
Would just like to bid Freddie a fond farewell!
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1686429.html?cid=rssfeed&att=
@YoungGunsBlog: Liverpool nearly there with Nuri Sahin. Brendan Rodgers confirms ‘all paperwork is sorted’. £5m loan fee. No option to buy.
That’s crazy.
Hang on how did that happen?
Posts are sometimes removed. But added?
Congrats to Lonestar after recount but it’s all very dodgy.
And therefore: Eandy 1111: er, no, bang on time!
Oh yes, before that recounting sidetracked me, that’s what I awanted to mention, Gtown.
Enjoy your retirement, Freddie.
Impec1: “A month ago or even less than that, nobody was talking about this guy, then a couple Youtube clips later he’s being heralded as the second coming of Christ and the Saviour of our season”
Exactly, he was probably only inteded to be a back-up for us anyway, a bit like Benayoun last season.
Impec1.
Glad you said second coming of Christ and not Jesus, otherwise it would of been put on Twitter that Navas was already here.
Goonertown.
Good call regarding Freddie, I wish him all the best.
Lars, sorry to be the harbinger of the bad news (regarding the ton) have a drink on me as consalation.
Barkeep, a bevvy for Lars and the fine gents on the bar please, Friday afternoon session time!
Bring back Bennygoon!!!
i fear the additional, shifting post is my fault. for whatever reason mine at 667 was put on hold for moderation, and all the drinks that followed were made, only to be shifted down one when ‘holic approved 667. sorry ’bout that 🙁
but dayum, it has been busy in here. the bin full of empties outside is overflowing!
and indeed, best of luck, freddie, my first favorite arsenal player…
5m for a year with no option to buy, plus a significant part of his stellar wages?
Anyone criticising Arsenal on this one really does need to take a disco biscuit and chill.
SG –
“£5m loan fee. No option to buy.
That’s crazy.”
I know what you mean.
Anyone giving as much as a shit about the scousers progress this season.
Also crazy.
Good luck job seekers!
H2H –
Us not re-signing Benny.
Thats crazy.
tabs, arseblog reckons it to be north of £7 million with the wages.
wenger OUT.
I´m chill but I´ll have one none the less please tabs. 😎
Ok, I need to vent a bit. This has got nothing to do with football.
I just found out that I have a cousin, one year older than I am and who is a mother of five where the youngest is only a few years old, is fighting a losing battle with cancer and doesn’t have very long left at all. I haven’t seen her for years and years (we’ve lived at different ends of the country for all our lives) so we’re not that close but up until I was about 15, every summer we spent a few weeks at our grandparent’s place so we used to play together there as children.
Funnily enough, I am no longer particularly bothered about Nuri fucking Sahin.
Thanks for listening, take care and I’ll see you all later.
To all the disappointed on being bumped up one number and losing out on 1000, 1111 and so on. Temporary glory is better than none at all. ;(
http://www.eplindex.com/17644/lies-statistics-arsenals-dominant-defenders.html
lars, sorry to hear about your cousin, that’s rough. sending good thoughts to you both, to sweden from california.
Blimey..all change in the medal positions… Congrats to lonestar on the 1000, congrats to eandy for the 1111. The 1100 (william rufus Ollie) went to some old codger who had wandered into the bar in a confused state . Belated thanks for the assist CG.
H2H. Couldn’t agree more with your thoughts @ 1329 & 1344.
Lars, Didn’t see your 1352. Life is curious. My condolences. 🙁
Lars – sorry to hear about that. Hope everything turns out ok.
Lars-
Wow I hope things work out
Lars 1352..sorry for your bad news….it brings everything back into its proper perspective.
Best wishes to Lars and family.
Oh! yay! go me!:D
Very sorry to hear your news Lars. All the Best mate.
It appears the “Dubious Goals Committee” has analyzed the photo-finish and seen fit to award the 1-ton to the Terror from Tejas, the Debonair Dallas Deacon, the man, the myth, the legend…
ahem, Lars, I will gladly and humbly share this honor with you kind sir.
Onwards, and upwards, ‘Holics. Let’s go smash some pottery.
BMBD.
Lars – just saw that post. My thoughts are with you and your family. Very best regards.
Lars,
Best of luck with all that’s happening.
Always hate to hear such stories.
Lonestar, I grew up in Dallas. Hillcrest grad. Congrats on the ton. Even if it took goal line technology to confirm.
Good luck to Freddie, arsenals original beefcake. My wife still thinks he was just a Calvin Klein model.
At least the weather and field at stoke should be better than most times we have played them. Stuck Foke!
NCA –
Arsenal try to sign NS on loan
Stoke sign Tom Wobblestone on loan (damned Neanderthals)
Just say when lads. Just say when.
Walcotts’ contract situation still in the balance
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/166602.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Oh sorry to hear that Lars..hope it will turn out good.
Here’s the official Freddie link:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ljungberg-announces-retirement-from-football?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
(flash player may be required)
Yes. HuddleSTONE adds to their class. A very polished midfielder. Wonder how often we will see them Huth it long on Saturday?
However, our cuddly maverick might pick up some legal advice from their dwarf leader on how to get out of his ticket for speeding.
Cheers, all (those who cared 😥 ) for the congratulations. It ranks right up there with…sumthin’ nuther. 🙂
NorCal – Hillcrest grad, eh? That’s awesome, man! What took you out to Cali? My wife’s from San Diego, so we get out to SoCal frequently. If you’re ever in Dallas, let me know. I’m not originally from Dallas, but I got here soon enough.
‘Holic, when you get caught up on things, kindly send NorCal my inbox details. Thank you, sir.
We don’t need no stinking signings! (Edwin OUT)
BMBD.
Sorry to learn your family news, Lars. Horrible time. Best wishes to you and your cousin.
Sorry to hear, Lars 1352. All the best.
Thinking of you Lars. If she is anything like you she is one top lady.
Arsene on interview talking about the Sahin deal:
Reporter: is the Sahin deal dead at the moment?
AW: at the moment it is not alive.
Very sorry to hear @1352 Lars, all the best.
Huddlestone appears to have changed his hairdo to match that of Assou-Ekotto. They look like a pair o’ chicken fannies if you ask me.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/62456000/jpg/_62456481_62456136.jpg
Lars, Wish I could give her a hug right now. I will pray for her and her precious children. Take care, friend.
Be strong Lars..for your entire family. Sorry to read that….
Lars, please excuse me for perhaps over stepping my bounds here. Would it be possible for us to send your cousin and her family well wishes. It meant so much to me, when you all were so kind. Some, whom I never had the pleasure of talking to. A mother of five children…If there is anthing you can think of, please contact Holic for my email. Flowers, fruit baskets, teddy bears, gentle words of encouragement. Just let me know.
Thank you all for your kind words. Did turn into a rather strange Friday afternoon, this.
If any of you haven’t heard it the Arsecast was clever as ever today, especially the part about what you can buy for 55,000 a week. John Cross on the Song and Walcott situations interesting too.
As many and I have said, we´re all wishing you well, Lars.
This site has become more then just an Arsenal blog, it has become a community, we laugh together, we cry together, sharing the good times and the bad.
Once again I can say I´m proud to be a ´holic.
Hey you gays , i am very excited about a trip to the Ems tomorrow to watch the U21’s in action. We will be driving in via Brent Cross and I was hoping for some advice about where to park the car in order to do the last leg by tube. Any tips would be gratefully accepted ?
The amount of drinking on here is just getting silly.
You can never drink enough, Esso.
(Bar owners motto)
Evening Holics’
Sorry for your news Lars. Best wishes to you and your family.
A quick push onto 1400?
Chris
Brent-X is on the Northern Line. Park and tube from there into Kings-X. Change for Piccadilly Line and Bob’s your funny aunty.
Will be there too tomorrow. StoreySon’s FIRST Arsenal game. Has been singing “We love you Arsenal” at regular intervals throughout the day. It’s like Xmas eve here 🙂
What time can we expect the new offering?
Or did the neighbours get in the way again? 😉
Have a great day Chris & TS. Good to hear your introducing TS junior into Goonerdom, I´m sure it will be a day he´ll never forget.
Well Ollie, it won’t be in the back garden…monsoon weather here today.
Very kind H2H, many thanks.
Indoctrination is a long and persistent process 🙂
Looks like a Denilson like sprint up towards the 1400 😉
TS@1388 , thanks for the travel tips, do you know where you will be seated? I would love to get the ” contact high ” from your boy’s excitement if you’re up for meeting up….I will be on my own and haven’t bought my ticket yet so could try and get one near you if you don’t mind me tagging along for a half time pie. . I totally understand if this is not possible, just an idea….I can’t wait to bring my grandsons to their first game and can vividly remember my first experience of Highbury, Georgie Armstrong so close i could hear him panting for breath…Happy Times indeed !!
No monsoon here today.
And hopefully not tomorrow as I’m going to a barbecue.
Are you going to burn all those pictures of the Dutch ex employee? Hope the weather is kind.
TS- if you add @live.co.uk to my moniker i am contactable……its my football forum contact only
We’re in block 15 but seating is unallocated. Apparently, The Tollie is child friendly tomorrow (insert suitable gag of your own) so will be there pre-match meeting a top Gooner who will be with his boy too.
Heh Ups. No, hopefully something more comestible.
Assist no.2 of the day?
Lars – very best wishes to you and yours.
Rolls the ball across the six yard line
1400? The number of Guinness drunk by The Guvnor on his “golf break 😉
Is that what you do after picking the ball from the back of the net, Chris? 😉
Enjoy tomorrow.
First goal in a-g-e-s and an assist from The French Maestro.
It’s been a good day!
geriatric pace from myself 🙁
Best of luck Lars
TS – an ‘unconscious’ slot for a ne’er (?) to be repeated 1400 !!!!!!
Unless the dubious goals panel take it back – like my hard earned 1111.
Do these people realise how much time and effort goes into these milestone strikes ?!?!
Have a great day tomorrow. 😉
Ollie
BBQ’d Robbin’ with a sauce Sahin Bernaise, washed down with an inappropriate glass of Songinon Blanc?
You know, it’s weird that Sahin still hasn’t been announced, even as a Liverpool player.
Maybe the poor fool is completely torn now.
I do wonder if he could be like a brother to me. I mean another pair of twins.
Trev@ 1398 ; thanks mate, I will try and hook up with you in the juicer
Ollie@1405 ; My finances allow me very rare trips to the new HOF so I am probably only marginally less excited than TS junior….thanks mate I fully intend to have a highly enjoyable day !!