Didn’t We Have A Lovely Time The Day We Went To Brighton
Jan 27th, 2013 by 'holic
What a day that was. As expected, a proper old Cup day and eventually a result to enjoy. Brighton, thank you for a cracking day out. I owe Tone, once of the West Stand Highbury, and now of the West Stand at the Grove, for rescuing me from the rail journey from hell. From the moment the tardis deposited us in Sussex, to the moment it whisked us back to Paddington, we enjoyed a day to remember, with the odd exception.
It could not have been a closer game. As expected Brighton competed for everything and showed they can play a bit too. We were defensively a little shaky, particularly on the flanks where we had two starters without much football under their belts of late. I hadn’t expected as many as six changes from Wednesday, but further forward we looked dangerous every time we went forward. The opening goal owed much to Tomas Rosicky’s desire to get us moving forward at pace, and much more to a confident finish from Olivier Giroud.
Brighton too were enjoying some success on the attack. Before the equaliser arrived they had already had one effort ruled out for offside. The goal itself was a result of a combination of errors. Once again the zonal marking failed as two Brighton players were allowed an unchallenged run on goal. Wojciech Szczesny also completely misread the flight of the ball and lost the advantage his arms should give him. Words were exchanged.
Behind him four thousand Gooners roared encouragement, and were now joined by the locals in generating the anticipated atmosphere. It was an atmosphere with an edge though, as some tried to instigate tasteless chants. A number of confrontations were being reported at half-time. The majority stayed firmly behind the side and were almost rewarded by Podolski’s superb free kick against the crossbar. A minute later we were ahead again. Abou Diaby’s chip ahead was inch perfect and Giroud’s control and finish the mark of a player very much on the ascent.
At the other end of the scale, unfortunately, is Andre Santos. We were ahead for just five minutes before he allowed Barnes all the time in the world to cross for Ulloa to level. It was too much for some in the crowd who didn’t hide their displeasure when the Brazilian was finally replaced by Kieran Gibbs. By that time we had also summoned Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott from the bench. The latter would decide the tie in our favour with a deflected effort from the edge of the box.
Cue the four thousand heading home in much better spirits all round. We returned to the quiet tavern that had provided an excellent pre-match lunch to savour a final pint or two of Dark Star ales before being transported back to the future by an excellent driver. Whilst the ‘holic pound again crashed spectacularly, Arsene’s gamble clearly paid off. Fresh legs will be available for the visit of Liverpool on Wednesday.
Good luck to Brighton in the months ahead. They have a stadium more interesting architecturally than many modern day constructions, they look to be a well run club, and they like to knock the ball around on the deck. I definitely wouldn’t mind going back there in the Premiership next season if they can get to and through the play-offs. I wouldn’t bet against them, not that it will comfort them to hear that!
283 Responses to “Didn’t We Have A Lovely Time The Day We Went To Brighton”
In the next round, job done.
Glad you had a good day, H.
Victory over non-league opposition marely paper over the cracker
Looking forward to this one, but there is tennis to be watched and back-drinking to be done, come on Andy.
Hehe KCB π
Non pc confession. Whilst I was proud of those who clamped down on the homophobic stuff I have to admit to a little smile at “Stand up, if you can’t sit down”.
Sorry…
KowChinBaz, thank you for brightening up my Sunday. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.
Very true KowChinBaz, we’re hiding massive consignments of Jacob’s, and now everyone knows.
i was disappointed that the Coq was withdrawn yet again. Anyone know when he is expected to be inserted back into the team?
Cracking day out mate! Absolute belter of a day, apart from the Arsenal on Arsenal phish going on. Someone needs to stamp on that shit and for me periodicals like the Gooner and their current editorial policy are only making it worse.
Nice post, as usual, Guv. I was equally impressed by the quality of football Brighton played, i join you in wishing them well in their quest for promotion. Good to know you and other away day gunners enjoyed another day out, you all deserved to see our team win and go through especially for your tremendous support.
Hope you got home in one piece, Esso.
Cracking day indeed.
On a side note, even without the benefit of hindsight, I was baffled as to why they chose Man Utd v Fulham and Stoke v Man City as televised games over our one or Norwich v Luton or other surely more deserving candidates. I then read today that Man Utd’s last 38 FA Cup ties have all been televised. The last one that wasn’t was a Third Round game eight years ago! Good to see TV channels continuing to think outside the box.
And as for us, two tough ties so far, and we’re in the fifth round, so that’s something to be happy about in this typically difficult January thus far. Home draw next please, against a non-Prem/non-Luton side preferably!
Agree that Brighton played a very positive game, there was none of that cynical kicking we see from the likes of Stoke… Oh bloody hell – Brentford just went 1-0 up against Chelsea! …were was I? Oh yeah, Brighton played a positive game and I must say that the trend seems to be more and more towards a technical game even in the lower divisions. Don’t forget that Bradford kept the ball on the floor as well against both us and Villa, so hopefully dinosaurs like Pubis et al are a dying breed.
Oh aye home in one peice via a couple in the Railway in Worthing and a craic with some old skool Seagulls.
Nice write up guv’nor.
Quiet in here today; I’ve had time to knird the end of the previous post and read the post without losing the coveted 14th spot.
Sore heads being nursed perhaps?
COYG
@KCB: Easy there, mate…one crack at a time, I say….
Oh bugger, the Chavs make it 1-1…
Hmm top 4, one trophy, OG 20 goals
Odds are shortening BtM, odds are shortening π
Pelanty for Brentford… and they are 2-1 up!
200 million Brazilians in the world and we sign the only one that can’t play left back ! … ;o)
Brilliant day out at the seaside – feeling the pain today though
Torres makes it 2-2, seven minutes to go.
Must say that watching this game on a stream with russian commentary is quite entertaining. I can’t understand a word other than “gol!” and the names of the players, so I find myself strangely non-annoyed with the commentary π
Big Ian, I’m not sure there are or have ever been any brazilians anywhere that can really play left-back properly… even Roberto Carlos at his peak was much more known for his long-distance shooting than any defensive skills.
Top 25?
It’s like a trophy 8ball
Full time, Brentford 2 – 2 Chelsea!
Lars @20
I usually
watch Bulgaria satellite which is amazing for its non stop chat and many is the time when they mention it players from 10 years ago but in what context Lord only knows
and now they are are straight into the Leeds match -who are they playing by the way?
Oxon. I will take anything I can get!
Chelsea have 90 extra minutes of FA cup football facing them. Too bad they don’t have to make an extra trip to Carlisle, now that I’m thinking of it.
Nice report Holic,
Sounds like a good day – i’d only seen ITV highlights and there wasn’t much of that !
Like the photo of their ground. That slanting roof must be very disorientating if you don’t play there regularly. Very crafty. Or have you just got terrible converging horizontals on your camera ? π
Left back asap, please Arsene. Or Meade, or anyone ……..
Get the fuck in . Go on Dirty Leeds.
1-0
1-0 Leeds!
andCog: the russians were talking about a lot of other teams it seems, I could make out “brjedfurd ceetee bla bla bla astjon vjilla” at one point π
Ah, tabs got in there with the good news before me π
Villa vs Bradford
Norwich vs. Luton
Brentford. Vs. Chel$ea
So it isn’t only us it happens to.
A lot of lower league teams are now playing a lot more football on the ground, rather than simply launching 90 minutes of aerial bombardments.
Another legacy of Arsene Wenger to English football even if, this season, it came back to bite him on le derriere.
Those results do make the loss to Bradford seem a tiny bit less uncomfortable.
Could be another upset this afternoon if the Spuds beat Dirty Leeds. π
Lars that’s about my level of understanding of the tv commentary
wonder where my son,a Leeds supporter of, whilst his team are being the scum
or even beating
what is the difference between the bankers and the spuds
one
had the sub prime mortgages which were worthless and the other had the sub primate players who are……..
Good report ‘Holic, cheers for that. Glad that you, Snowy, Esso, Big Ian and all the other travelling Gooners had a great day out. Also encouraged to hear those idiot Banner boys took a kicking, if that is what happened.
Arsene gambled yesterday and just about won. I thought at the time the teams were announced, that the decision to rest both Jack and Santi was the wrong one, especially when one replacement has hardly played all season, whilst the other is still amidst his umpteenth rehabilitation.
Never thought we’d lose yesterday, although blimey, we can half make things difficult for ourselves.
Defensive failings, present even in the trouncing of the Hammers, were there for all to see yesterday. Brighton’s first I would tend to put down to Woj. Surely he gave a “mine” call for everybody else loitering on the 6 yard line to remain so static? Either that or it was a gross dereliction of duty from just about everybody.
Couldn’t argue at the time that Brighton didn’t deserve it. Woj had already made one terrific save whilst the first of many fuck ups from our fat fucking left back had led to a “goal” only marginally offside. What on earth was he doing?
In that opening phase of the game, only Giroud’s excellent opener had offered evidence that we were capable of playing at a pace that Brighton were not capable of living with. Rosicky whose rare burst had led to the goal and whose effort was never in doubt throughout, was largely peripheral and generally unable to find a red shirt on those rare occasions when he did enter the fray. Diaby was more involved, but like his Czech colleague, unable to affect the play in any meaningful way.
We were much better from the off in the second I thought. Giroud, finally getting the service and support which his whole-hearted and inventive performance deserved, was at the centre of everything good. His second goal was as good, maybe even better than his first. His touch to bring the ball down was sublime, his finish predatory. Well played Olivier.
Wouldn’t be Arsenal if we didn’t allow other sides a sniff when we are well on top. The Big German didn’t cover himself in glory for their equaliser, but what was Santos doing to close his man down and stop the cross from coming in? Wolfgang Smallballs, 48 years young, wearing Jimmy Choos and smoking a Gitane, would have shown more urgency in getting out to the ball.
Santos is a disgrace. I don’t understand the defences that others construct for him, and certainly don’t understand those that take cheap jibes at other “so called supporters” for speaking out. I was wrong to call him an Elephant a while back. He resembles more a beached whale. A dead beached whale. A dead beached whale being eaten by polar bears.
He should never play for Arsenal again, simple as that. Those that say he is recovering from injury miss the point. He was as unfit pre- injury. Check his performances vs Norwich, and Schalke. Huffing and puffing after 10 minutes. Arsene, please don’t pick this clown again. You don’t need “super super quality” to get an upgrade on Santos. You don’t even need “quality”. All you need is a) someone who can run and b) someone who gives a shit. Meade or Miquel would both be a significant improvement. On another day he might have cost us the game . He should not be given another opportunity. Same goes for the lardy Russian. If you can’t be arsed to get fit, fuck off, you’re not wanted.
It was only when our subs came on that the real gap between the two sides showed itself. All three were superb, especially Jack. With the gaping chasm that had hitherto existed down our left side plugged, heart murmurs were kept to a minimum, and it was no real surprise when Theo grabbed the winner, after more good work from Giroud.
Phew. Luton at home please, and a Leeds win.
Holic, You are the Jimmy Stewart of bloggers ( It’s a Wonderful Life) π Props to you for your observations on Brighton. Wish them well. You did well to point out that Arsene made the prudent decision to rest some key players. So after reading your piece, I ventured elsewhere…where a certain someone began his take like this. “Arsenal made hard work of easy opposition…”. He then had the audacity to criticize AW for fielding a ‘ weaker ‘ side. I’ll take objectivity with a pinch of congeniality any day, thank you very much π
2-0 Leeds!
Heh you beat me to it this time Lars. π
If this carries on I might have to adjourn to the Pub to have a little gloat π
is going AVB happy-you bet 2-0 he ain’t
Ah, there’s a blog to read.
And Bordeaux kick-off in 45 minutes.
2-1 π
tabs, that drink deserves a drink on my tab.
Balls, Demspey get one back for Looting Town.
…the drink@37, that is!
If you can’t be arsed to get fit, fuck off, you’re not wanted.
I would tend to agree, but Wenger obviously disagrees – he indulges both players that you are calling out, tabs.
I cannot understand how a modern super-club, with nutrtitional science top of the agenda, has 2 first team squad players so out of condition.
Wolfgang Smallballs, 48 years young, wearing Jimmy Choos and smoking a Gitane, would have shown more urgency in getting out to the ball.
But would of had to be home before midnight, for fear of turning into a pumpkin. π
Leeds are very much being pinned back now and a second Sp*rs goal does seem to be waiting to happen, especially considering that a Leeds player just wasted a chance when he was clear through on goal with only Friedel to beat.
Tone is technically of the Clock End now.
(and I believe he was East Stand at Highbury before the move,?) although I think he’s been of many stands there anyway! :D)
zico@46: could not agree more. Working on fitness and stamina should, logically, be the easiest bit about managing a team.
Hmmm. Much as it would be great to see the Spuds peeled, would it be better for them to scrape a draw and have to play another game?
Actually you’re right he was West Stand at the end of THOF, I believe.
His Stand history is somewhere on the web, surely an arse-archivist could exhibit it.
Good to hear you had a great day, ‘holic!
Good morning, Holics. A very fine report on a thoroughly enjoyable game and at the end of which, as Dr Z has already said, “Job Done” with Arsenal in the ascendancy. I was impressed too by the quality of Brighton’s play, their ambition, and their desire to take the game to Arsenal.
The new stadium in Brighton looked every bit as good as it does in your excellent photograph, Holic π The TV commentary around Brighton’s ambitions was interesting. The ground holds 20 thousand. Their goal is to expand to 30. They have plans for a new training ground (echoes of London Colney) and, impressively, are trying to achieve all of this on a self-sustaining basis. Good on them. They made a small trading loss last season because of the outlay on their stadium and the commentary implied that Championship FFP laws are punitive and that this will financial situation will require correction. The commentators also opined that this trading loss what driven by good intentions rather than profligate player purchases or salary payments. Good to hear some informed opinions being shared.
As for the game itself, very many positives from an Arsenal perspective. Diaby continues to go stronger and his touch is returning. Rosicky back, rustier than an old nail left out in the rain, but creative and highly committed to ball winning and driving the team forward. The fitness of these two players will be critical to this season’s outcome and their continued tenure with the club. I’m optimistic for both.
The team looked better going forward than they did in defense. BFG and Kos will have better days. But there was a very clear root cause of most of Arsenal’s defensive woes. Andre Santos may have enjoyed being down in Brighton for a jolly boys outing. Perhaps he sped down there in his own high speed supercar? What was absolutely apparent from the first, was that he didn’t give an elephant’s arsehole regarding the outcome of this game. He made a proper Uncle Charlie of an effort to dribble the ball out of his own penalty box inside 5 minutes and that turned out to be the highlight of his contribution. Time for him to pack his trunk and say goodbye to the circus IMO.
On the other flank, the Corporal contributed well, but he really does need to learn to do more than stand on his left foot, his total lack of confidence in his ability to make a left-footed pass is a major flaw in his game.
An the man of the match? Ollie G without question, two superb left footed goals, arial dominance through the middle, superb touch, Adebayorian willingness to drift wide to create space and offer himself up in a different outlet, several brilliant runs, and “Theatriques uniquement Francais with every single missed opportunity. That boy is going to become an Arsenal legend.
Gibbs introduction with Jack and Theo, both turned the tide in Arsenal’s favour and showed the quality these three youngsters possess. Had Chamberlain stayed on, with Sczez, Ramsey and Jenks on the field, we would have seen seven of our 2016 title winning eleven ply their trade together for the first time ever π
Drinks all round, barman please.
casualdropin: maybe, but as they would most likely win a replay at their place I’d rather see them go out now. But Leeds are rather foolishly giving Tottenham loads of opportunities to counter-attack so I think they will get the equaliser.
What Lars said. But then I think Lars agreed with me last season too when the Bus Stop played Napoli. π Better out now.
(surefire jinx, sorry)
Panic-stricken defending from Leeds now, a few minutes of added time still to play…
Goal kick Leeds, three minutes to go.
Spurs out the cup…ha ha ha
Totnum out!
Let’s all laugh at Tottnum then.
π π π
Take that you LWCs! Hee Hee Hee!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPGUIpv-JxI
Come on Oldham!
etc
Tottenham …
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Who have the LWC’s got in the next round? π
Cheers Lars.
Couldn’t agree more Dr Z. Every time Arsene picks either Arshavin or Santos, a little bit of me dies. I have no idea why he continues to tolerate either.
So…
A full-strength (bar Cech and of course Hazard) Chelsea can only draw at League One team Brentford and a more or less full-strength Tottenham go out to Championship team Leeds.
We play a severely weakened team and win deservedly – if a bit narrowly – away at Brighton, a team very much on level with Leeds in and that has knocked Newcastle out of the cup two years running.
It might be time for some to re-assess our performance yesterday.
Oldham one up on Liverpool! π
Oldham!!
H2H @47 – Tis true, Sir, tis true π
Ollie@56: we were very much in a agreement re: Chavski last season.
Heh, 1-0 Oldham! Don’t expect it to last, only one minute played so far π
I really need to start posting quicker, tabs gets the news in before me every time now!
After to da noon, y’all.
Good stuff ‘holic, glad to hear a good time was had by all.
Only seen highlights so haven’t really got much to add, apart from I thought OG took his goals well and our defence really should do better. I’d also like to say Kudo’s to Brighton who according to all reports made a real fist of it and played some good stuff in the right way. I wish them well for the season ahead.
In the build up to the match, among the usual guff was the “statement” from Poyet that he would like to manage Arsenal (who wouldn’t if asked), ofcourse this annoyed the more sensitive no end, what with him being an ex- chavspud, but as it was one of the most vaguest of vague soundbytes and considering that the question was would you look to manage a club like Arsenal and he said yes, I didn’t give him or it a futher thought.
Well, at least untill FF (a programme I don’t often watch) had a segement on Brighton and how they survived their recent troubles. There was a familiar face being interviewed a man not only with a Brighton history, but a man who shall forever be woven into the tapestry that is The Arsenal, and if he, Sir Liam of Brady, comes out and says that GP is a decent bloke and a good manager, well that’s good enough for me.
Now. I’m not for a second saying that he should replace AW, no no no, just that guys like him may very well be the future and shouldn’t be shunned because of past associations, (unless he’s a real see you next tuesday a la JT) He obviouly teaches his charges to play the right way and has achieved all this under a limited budget. Once again I wish him and his team good luck in the future.
….he really does need to learn to do more than stand on his left foot……
You mean, like Sagna? π
A major HA! HA! at the LWCs. Lovely stuff.
Tabs – spot on as usual. As I believe a certain Martin Keown once put it: “look lik you want to play for the Arsenal”. That includes staying vaguely in shape.
It must be galling for the players to watch the likes of Arshavin still, still!, getting chances, even when we all know he won’t break sweat and has spent the last 18 months simply picking up his cheque and running down his contract. If we must roll the dice, let’s give a kid a game. At least that way the extra experience might benefit us in future.
I wonder whether the Bar can help me?
I’ll be going skiing for a week with two friends in six weeks or so. One of them is a T*ttenham fan. I’d like to avoid accidentally upsetting him in conversation, so are there any subjects I should avoid?
Obviously I shouldn’t ask him the time within five, say ten to be on the safe side, minutes of the hour.
I probably shouldn’t tell him any amusing anagrams of Neil Warnock.
I won’t want to mention cup ties in W Yorkshire anyway, so that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Are there any other topics you think I should seek to avoid?
Many thanks
COYG
Oxon:
Don’t talk about gaps of any kind. If you see him skiing towards a huge gaping crack in the mountain, shout “Be careful of the crevasse!”
Massive heh@77 π
Oh joy.
A mate from my previous bar, an Ajax fan and part time Spud.
has just walked in.
Let the games begin.
Thanks Camberwell@77, that’s just the kind of mistake I might have made. Phew! Could have been embarrassing. What’ll you have to drink?
N7@75: to be fair, though, both Santos and Arshavin have this season played pretty much only when we had no other options. Even yesterday you could argue we had no options at left-back because resting Gibbs was probably a very good idea and both Miquel and Meade are injured or just coming back from injury. Against the Chavs, none of Poldi, Chamberlain, Gervinho or Rosicky were available which only left Arshavin.
No sweat Ox! Mine’s a Budvar.
Very true Lars. This is exactly why we need reinforcements.
Oldham back in front π π
Oldham 2! C’monn!!!
Hey all, I have been slightly MIA this weekend, very dear friend of mine celebrated her birthday and lets say, party was more than successfull. Did not get to watch the match directly but at least tried to follow liveblog on my phone somehow.
Good result, apparently OG was brilliant. Rosicky back is great news too. After skimming some of the drinks I see Vydra has scored again, sign him up Arsene:P now to watch goals somewhere!
@ 84
Not believing until confirmed by Lars π
Gaad, it’s an etiquette nightmare! What happens if I need to signal seven across the piste, say, to my mate? I’ll have to be careful not to hold up five fingers on one hand and two on the other.
What’s up with ox? Just the second season syndrome or does he think he is better than he is? Hope we get back the old ox.
I missed the second Oldham goal, zico – had to go into the kitchen to take care of the food that was cooking in there and didn’t even know they had scored again until just now when I read tabs’ drink π
N7 – Thanks, and couldn’t agree more re the youngsters, although mindful of Lars’ point that it seems that most of our better youngsters – Eisfeld Gnabry etc – have been injured.
Really interested to see if there’s a ny movement over the next 4 days. Normally you get an inkling of which way the wind is blowing, but with Arsene at his obfuscatory best during recent press cons, I genuinely can’t call it either way.
Have fun H2H! Good stuff @73. Serious question for you. Do a lot of Ajax fans have a soft spot for the LWC’s, and if so, is it because the Spuds trashed Feyenoord’s ground in the seventies?
Camberwell @77 Heh π
@87 Haha, very wise π
Back from a truly enormous portion of roast beef for under eight quid to catch up with some amazing scores. The magic of the Cup, eh?
Yes, Trev, that other end is wonky because they have a triple decker stand on one side and only a double on t’other.
Fortunately it wasn’t very disorientating because we had only sunk one gallon of ale (abv 5%) before the match π
3-1! Hahahahaah π
See ya Mickeys.
I’m a bit perplexed at the debate about the Spurs defeat– let’s just savour that again- Spurs defeat. Given a choice between Spurs losing and not losing there is only one option. If you take the years since they won the FA Cup and the League and add them together I make it 74 and counting. It’s 17 for us and we are of course about to lift the trophy at Wembley as part of our double with the Champions League.
I am having a desperate battle to stop my five year old grandson supporting the spawn of Satan. Today’s result might help.
I only saw the highlights of yesterday and envy those who made it down there. There is little better than a successful FA Cup away trip and the Leeds and Brentford results show it was potentially a difficult tie.
Luton at home will do for me in the next round
3-1 Oldham!
WTF, I posted as soon as that ball went in – my stream must be lagging behind π
Gotta be quick in this game Lars! π
Crosses for the far post…
Good luck with the Grandson TTG!!!!
That is a battle that you just mustn’t lose π
tabs heads it in!
And TTG, I agree with Mr abowson – that is one battle that must no be lost!
Well in Tabs.
Liverpoo mental state declining fast, it appears??!!
Well in again TTG, this is becoming a habit! It’s sunny this side of the street, isn’t it? π
1-0, great assist by Plasil, nice goal by Saivet.
Pinpoint centre Lars, just invited the finish. Cheers.
Salutes the crowd, runs down the tunnel, straight to the Tollington Rd Chip Bar, gets in a large Doner Kebab, runs back up the tunnel, presents the Doner to Santos and tells him to eat it and then fuck off. Resumes position, and gives a cheery wink to Arsene.
Sorry, sorry. I’ve come over all dyslexic (or disnumerate, or something). A little early for the eponymous position Tabs; but well in anyway.
COYG
Thanks Oxon π
Esso @8
Spot on mate. I was at the chav game last week and a couple of twits started singing that song about gazidis when we went one down FFS! But they soon got drowned out.
The Gooner is a despicable rag and may as well be a spud one.
This seems to say the fifth round draw will be in a few minutes?
http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/News/2013/Jan/fifth-round-draw.aspx
After the Liverpool game 8Ball. 25 mins plus injury time left.
Well said Norris.
Wigan, Oldham, Barnsley or Leeds. That is the question.
I’d settle for Reading or Wigan away. A tie we’d be expected to win but one that we’d expect a hard match from. Please, please, nothing that might induce overconfidence.
Hmm 3-2. Not confident that Oldham are going to see this one out.
Oxon: Apropos of nothing, a Google images search for “inducing overconfidence” yields an overwhelming preponderance of pharmaceutical results. Who knew?
Good stuff Tabs,
Back in with a very large drink. π
Oxon,
Try not to say “I wonder where this slippery slope Leeds”. π
Would have preferred the Spuds to have lost in a replay personally – a very fatigue and injury inducing replay but, hey ho, they lost. π
Me neither, tabs. I think Liverpool will turn this around now. Far too much time to play yet.
Oxon- you mean like Leeds away?
TaBS it’s good to realise others appreciate Im fighting for the boy’s very soul. My dear old Da would turn in his grave if he thought we had a Spud in the family!
Haha cheers Trev π
Oxon,
If your mate falls over mid-run, try not to say something like, “shouldn’t support such a pile of shite you stupid tosser”.
That one could be tricky to avoid tho’. π
TTG, I think it would be rude for us to go to Elland Rd in the fifth round and demonstrate where AVB and co. went wrong.
TTG -Yep, it is a battle for the boy’s mortal soul mate, nothing more nothing less.
If all else fails, resort to violence! π
Trev@119: I’ll try. God, I’ll try.
π
Heh, a Liverpool player could just be seen very clearly to say “oh, fuck off” to Suarez π
“seen very clearly to say” – that became a rather strange sequence of words, didn’t it?
Perfect grammar, Lars.
However this finishes, looks promising for Weds night.
COYG
Esso,
Buying The Gooner for a read on the way home on the train used to be one of my things. It went from being interesting (in my eyes) to total and utter garbage and clap-trap. I voted with my wallet and I’m three quid a game better off. That Spy twat was one of the worst.
Well I never! Well played Oldham.
Goodbye Mickeys.
Bordeaux win, Spuds and Pool lose, Chelsea just about snatched a draw: not a bad day of football!
Trev, it is really a grammatically correct wording though? It mixes past tense (could be seen) with the present “to say”.
Nevermind, Liverpool are out of the cup π
Never doubted Oldham for a second. π Probably means that’s the club we’ll draw.
I’ve had worse weekends watching football than this one that’s for sure. π
Shame the Bees couldn’t hold on for a complete sweep today.
Sweet…….!
Liverpool knocked out – just reward after Saurez’s cheating against Macclesfield and then Roger’s charmless lack of class following that.
Cracking day. Love the FA cup.
I hope that all those who moaned that we made heavy work of Brighton have clocked these results.
They don’t call it the magic of the cup for nothing: any away match could be a banana skin if the players and crowd are up for it.
Would love to see us win this trophy.
Up comes the cup draw next…..Could be a tough one as all the top clubs apart from Spuds & ‘Pool (ha ha) are still in the competition. Correction, all the top clubs are still in the competition.
So, Blackburn at home it is then…
Blackburn at home.
Ave it!!!!!
As someone who has always had a soft spot for Arshavin – it really is very hard to defend a man who’s got an arse the size of Saturn. There is no excuse for not being fit – and sadly he looks like someone who has stayed to make the most money and get a free transfer during the summer as opposed to have the confidence and try to move on with his career elsewhere.
While at least Arshavin had some modicule of talent, (however wasted it may be) I’ve always felt Santos has been one big mistake from the outset. What we were doing buying him, why and how he is still here – is just beyond any semblance of logic. We’ll probably have to pay him to leave in the end. Because what Lars says is absolutely spot on, they’re only being used to give other players a rest or when we have no alternative to playing them.
tabs@132, there have certainly been worse weekends! We won, Harry Yappyapp got roundly beaten, Spuds out, Liverpool out, Chelsea only drew…
Joe
Santos was one of the panic buys along with Park on the last day of the window the Summer before last. We are still paying dearly for that balls up.
I’ve absolutely no time for Arshavin – I agree he has talent but his attitude is discraceful.
I hope that all those who moaned that we made heavy work of Brighton have clocked these results. – Pig headed seagulls will fly N7.
Correction, Holics. I will not be aty the Everton Home game π
I will be at the Blackburn Cup game π
COYRRRs
AAaah, I had to go easy on my Spud mate, making fun of them is after all, like taking candy from a baby in it’s simplisity. π
Tabs, it goes futher then that (un PC alert!!!)
Ajax are known as a jewish club, they affectionetly call themselves “De Joden” which translated can mean the jews, but also can be defined in a derogratory term as what in english would fall under the Y word. This is what bonds them.
Indeed Lars.
Agree with that Joe. Arshavin’s huge talent makes his unwillingness to get fit all the more perplexing.
Ah, understood H2H. Thanks for that mate.
tabs@137: pfft, do keep up will you, I already told everyone that… π
Heh apologies Lars π
Lucky for Wegner another non-league team
About Arshavin’s fitness, in the last issue of Arsenal magazine Coquelin — in a regular feature where players, especially the junior ones, are asked about their daily routines etc. — answered ‘Andrey Arshavin’ to the question who works hardest in the training ground. π
Would Liverpool’s ‘shock’ result work in favor or against them come Wednesday? Anyway, if the right Arsenal turns up we will have enough for them either way.
Blackburn, the chickens will be coming (to our home) to roost and be plucked up.
Is Paul Robinson still there?
He’s got an excelent record against us, well excellent record from our perspective anyway. π
Doctor Faustus: I don’t think it will have any effect at all. As you say, if the right Arsenal turns up we will win regardless.
N7 @ 83 got me thinking:
‘I cannot forecast to you the actions of (Wenger). It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
I suspect Churchill was not a footie fan, but his words, slightly tweaked above, seem an apposite fit for what is happening (or not) at Arsenal in this transfer window. In public, Wenger seems to contradict himself with a frequency that Roxette needs new shoes. In private, who knows?
Arithmetically, we may have two players for every position, but that is as accurate as it gets. If you consider that players who make up that pool include Fabianski, Squillaci, Santos and a dis-interested Arshavin, it really does make you wonder what the strategy is.
We saw how bereft of menace our bench was against Chelsea, at a time in the match when we had recovered the initiative and a point, if not three, were still there for the taking. There seems to be a consensus that there is a sizeable chunk of money sat there counting itself, so will we really leave it untouched, come February?
If finding our solution within is what is meant by “from within the club….we have the resources to do well” and this itself means that we are going to give young players like Eisfeld and Miguel their chance, I could live with it, but still think it would be a gamble at a time when we have the wherewithal to narrow the odds so much more in our favour.
If we are to assume that both Podolski and Walcott are at their most efficient out wide, it would be madness to rely on Giroud as the solitary striker as we go into the business end of the season (Man Utd have four, remember). Even if he remains injury free he cannot be expected to lead the line in every match, or he will be knackered at the very time we need him to be at his sharpest. And don’t even start me on the risk associated with relying on the brittle bodies of Diaby and Rosicky.
A number of people seem to be of the opinion that we won’t buy anyone – that might be a coping strategy to avoid inducing stress by matters beyond one’s control. If our behaviour in the past is an indicator of the present, then we will be steering wide of the shops. Some may think that the clinical football that Arsenal showed for 10 minutes against West Ham is actually the default setting for this generation of Arsenal players, and all that is required is fine tuning. Maybe that is what Arsene sees every day in training. He might take comfort from that, but I personally think that he will be taking another massive gamble if he keeps his hands in his pockets.
And I cannot help asking myself, with so much at stake, why?
H2H, Paul Robinson is indeed still at Blackburn. So far, we have scored 64 goals on him in all competitions throughout the years. Let’s hope we make it 70 in the next round π
zico@151: spot on.
Lars@130
As a grammar freak, a wee correction: the phrase in question does not have mixed tenses – it has a past tense “could be seen” followed by an infinitive “to say”.
My Swedish is not so good any more after 11 years in Denmark π but I’m sure your English is much better anyway.
Lars @124,
“To say” in that context is an infinitive, not the present tense.
Your grammar was fine. Trust me, I am a very cunning linguist. π
See, I cross posted with dkgooner – he knows too.
dk and Trev, you are of course right. Not that I could remember that the term was “an infinitive”, mind… When I wrote it my gut feeling was that it was correct, it was only when I read it back that I started thinking it sounded wrong but now that I read it again it sounds perfectly fine again!
Sorry everyone else for boring you with this grammar stuff π
Please don’t talk about my grammar.
She’s old and can’t help it.
Zico @151
Good post. I am asking many of the same questions.
Totally behind the boss. Totally behind the players who I feel give the necessary minimum quotient of effort (all bar one or two). Just don’t understand why we don’t spend a few quid to make life a bit easier. Not tens of millions, just a few quid here and there.
There are no bonus points for notching top four on the minimum possible spend. There are certainly negative repercussions for failing to do so.
I note that David Villa is playing for barca as I type btw. Just set up Messi’s hat trick. Oof – make that four. Half an hour to go.
Excellent post zico.
A number of people seem to be of the opinion that we wonβt buy anyone β that might be a coping strategy to avoid inducing stress by matters beyond oneβs control.
This is where I live.
Heh@H2H!
N7, I have seen what has been played of the second half so far and even if Osasuna are down to ten you have to take you hat off for the attacking play that Barca display at times, however cuntish they are as a club. That fifth goals was simply magnificent.
Dr Z, two in by Thursday. Only one Arsene Wenger.
Amen Lars.
Off the pitch they can go fuck themselves. But on it – so much to admire. It would be a cold heart to take no joy from football of this quality.
I hope we meet them in the champs league and tear them a new one. We had them where we wanted them last time until the ref robbed us.
Lars, apparently Robinson has been demoted to NΒ°2 ‘keeper now, sadly.
Shame.
Was looking forward to the Paul Robinson statue on the Emirates concourse.
Heh
Ollie@163: oh crap!
We need to start a “Bring back Robbo”” campaign.
Another heh at KowChinBaz π
Dr Z @151 – Agree with all of that.
Faustus – I reckon Coquelin was taking the piss! π
Surely Blackburn will rotate in the FA Cup? π
Dangerous side Blackburn – got a couple of hot wing backs for starters. π
They’ll be too chicken to play their reserves.
Heh @ the guv’
Just hope if Koscielny sees a Blakburn shirt he doesn’t pullet π
*Groans π
Haha, great puns, and he’s a good egg, that Trev.
Oh give ova, Ollie. π
Hey Ollie, no more compliments – that’s quite un oeuf. π
Some of these puns are a bit fowl.
Come on now lads, we have already gone out of one cup to the Bantams π
Great cup day today. And lovely to see Giroud yesterday.
I want roast beef now. Oh well. Nice write up ‘Holic!
http://www.funology.com/bird-jokes/
Nice post, ‘Holic. Always good to hear of a day at the football as it is meant to be, a joy.
And the Liverpool and Spurs results show this Cup football lark isn’t as easy as it might seem.
Joe @ 138 – very good points sir.
I’m a big fan of AA, not only for his vision, touch and skill, but for the goal against Barca-loanus that put us up 2-1 a while back. He gets the benefit of the doubt from me, howerver, and full faith and credit based on that alone. (Admission: I hate those cheating catalonian twats. Cesc aside acourse. To this day I’d name my first child Cesc, if I had any. Barca DNA my foot; he’s ours. I say it now, i’d say it again. )
I think Santos is the man to hate right now. I think he’s getting far too much of it. With all due respect, if the folk in bar care to remember he saved our bacon on at least a few occasions last term with well taken goals and sublime skill on the ball.
He’s an Arsenal player. He wears the shirt. And while that jersey trade with the Dutch D-bag made me want to spit, look; lad made a mistake. Anyone in this bar who’s lived an error-free life go ahead and stand up.
Yeah…that’s what I thought.
What happened to supporting the squad and the players? This piling on has left me very jaded. A hard fought victory over an inspired Brighton in a cup game and this is where are?
Not for me thanks. I’ll leave my card on the bar, but I’m off. Cheers.
H2H @159
With an address that long, I don’t think I’ll bother with the christmas card π
Looks like a second extraordinarily lucky win is on the card for PSG.
Jammy cunts. Mind you when the current competition for top is Lyon and Marseille, I suppose I’d still they rather win the League, but it’s like hoping Man City win the League ahead of Man U and Spurs.
Homer,
I manifestly disagree in relation to Santos. Ever since the lad appeared – I have voiced concerns about his ability. From day one…!
And to suggest that this is just about me “not getting behind the team” – is obtuse and wide of the mark. I would kindly ask you to tune in more often, because I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that I’m one of the biggest Wenger supporters on this site. That does not of course, mean that I sit here in some sort of trance and believe everything that leaves Wengers lips.
Santos is a poor acquisition. He’s been found out. Every team in the premier league and indeed every cup side we play – gets this perfectly. Every time he plays – inevitably leads to tactics from the opposition where players are channelled down his wing. Even after we (unbelievably) played him against Manu, Wenger decided to opt to put Vermy onto the left wing rather than play Santos afterwards.
That should tell you all you really ought to know about where Andre Santos future is at AFC…!
“I was baffled as to why they chose Man Utd v Fulham and Stoke v Man City as televised games over our one or Norwich v Luton or other surely more deserving candidates” – Charlie #11
————————————————————————–
Move to NZ mate, we had them all, Arse and Manure live, Mansewer following. Priority here is always given to Top 4 clubs. Another reason we just have to be one…
Best LB option has to be Luke Shaw. It’s not like we haven’t been to that well successfully in the past! And I agree with whoever said Santos might be better employed further forward. As cover anyway, not as a permanent fixture.
Oskar
A great day and evening out in Brighton, capped off by a Columbian masseuse trying to ….
I read the online Gooner match summary. It didn’t say anything controversial or particularly thought provoking.
I had to watch the game with the home fans and much closer to the pitch than my seat at the Emirates. I got to see Corporal Jenkinson and then Santos at close range and it wasn’t pretty. Jenkinson is young and rusty from not playing recently and will improve … but Andre ‘Why?’ Santos’ performance was harder to fathom.
He must have been a half-decent player once. I can’t believe he would have succeeded as a junior in Brazil and made it to Europe, play for Fenerbahce and Brazil 22x if he was incompetent.
He didn’t look overweight, but he barely moved the whole second half. He didn’t sprint once and made no effort to prevent the cross coming in for the second goal.
I think his confidence must be shot to pieces. Perhaps he is totally unsuited to playing in the Premier League. Maybe, but surely our scouting system would be able to filter out players who can’t play!!!!
Regarding Santos, again:
I like him. He is, compared to the average human, a very gifted footballer with an entertaining style of play. Football is a better sport for players such as him. I do not think he is the player to play full back for Arsenal. He is more suited to playing wing back with a back three. He can be deployed as such when we really want to go for it. He can also be deployed further forward. But further forward I’d rather give the chance to a younger player or a player even more skilled to play that role.
He is not a player for us. I’ll continue to say that on the Internet, I would never boo him during or after a game. I like him, I like that kind of player, but I want to see him when I’m relaxing, wanting entertainment, looking at another league.
I want another player as reserve left back. Period. Not a “better” player, because he is a good footballer, but a different kind of player, because I think he isn’t good enough at the particular tasks he has to perform in our system.
So yes, another player please, but no hard feelings, Santos. It’s not you, it’s us and our needs.
If Blackburn pick Fatty Robinson for the FA Cup tie, he will be hyper-Venkylating by the end of the game.
Homer knows!
Toby, i don’t think Homer has any problem with you criticizing Santos on the internet, i think he is more against our fans who booed him when he was subbed yesterday.
Zico, I wasn’t expecting one anyway. π
Homer. I would definetly not be the first in line with the “no mistake” excuse, I’ve made a shit load of them in the past and no doubt I’ll make a shit load more in the future.
I get where you’re coming from with the “support the shirt” and I’m all for it, but it has to be both ways, come from both sides, respect needs to be earned and not just granted.
Re Santos, except for the shirt swap debacle, I really can’t get that angry about him, he is just not up to scratch, never really has been, the cuddly maverick tag got him so far but the goodwill has now disapeared like snow in the sun. That said, he doesn’t pick himself so the real questions as to why he is in the team should be directed at others.
Arshavin however is a different story. A player that had a god given talent that us mere mortals could only dream of, that he, for whatever reason, seems happy to piss away. Some will argue that he was played out of position and maybe that was the case, but it still doesn’t excuse the general lack of effort he seems to have put in over the last few years. I won’t pretend to know what the circumstances are that brought him to be this way, but it does my head in to think that a player, we paid tp dollar for, just seems happy to go through the motions and be paid handsomely for the priveledge.
I support Arsenal, I will love the players almost unconditionaly, but not blindly.
Could the Liverfools and the LWCs be any more ridiculous?
Bring on Blackburn so we can punch their cluck!
Absolute silence.
I guess that means we’re not signing anyone, and we’re settling for sixth spot in the table which is what our squad has earned so far?
Or (much less likely to be the case) does it mean that Arsenal have pulled the wool over the eyes of the entire media, and are about to sign the player who can make a real difference?
Heh, a Liverpool player could just be seen very clearly to say βoh, fuck offβ to Suarez – Lars #123
—————————————————————————
If I could butt in…
Syntactically correct, but confusing. ‘Just’ is at odds with ‘very clearly’, one or the other, please, and ‘seen’ is visual while ‘to say’ is aural … could be heard to say? Or are you suggesting lip-reading?
Whatever, it was definitely well said! By the Pool player, that is.
Oskar (in pedant mode)
Sorry Lars. π
Well,
While dumping my Rubbish Bin this weekend out by the curb, I happend upon some dear old friends of mine. Sitting at the curb sucking his thumb ( no Clive, that is not a Gareth Bale joke π ) was the little club from up the road. Summarily dumped out of the FA cup and on the curb counting the trophy-less years and adding one.
Just a little further north up the road I saw a vision in red. Rubbing my eyes to get better focus, what did I see? Yep, a Pool of red draining into the gutter. The smell of which can only be described as liver, not a fine pΓ’tΓ© or foi gras but a bilious stench that causes reflux with the slightest whiff. They too start to count.
As I turn to go back inside I catch the sight of a rich bitch wearing blue. The garbage truck has hooked her dress and is pulling her down the street. Unfortunately, she is able to wiggle free. If I were to Hazard a guess, I would say she probably kicked the driver before she was too was dumped in the dump, the bitch.
All in all, a great Sunday trip the curb.
Another flick over the top by Giroud for another assist assist.
It is not a question of whether Santos is good enough to be an Arsenal player or not. He is a Brazilian international. But he is a wing-back not a full-back at a club that plays full-backs not wing-backs. Non-specialists struggle in that position. Exhibit A: TV5.
Boom-Shaka-Lacka!!!
Well in, NorCal. The assist assist and the goal. Very Giroudesque, if that is the right formulation.
Uugh.
5 15 and soulless airport syndrome.
Why always me?
Good? morning Dr. Z.
How is tomorrow? Putting the finishing touches on Sunday here. Not looking forward to another work week. At least we have another midweek game to look forward to. Several players should be well rested.
Time to make a move in the tables.
Oh, and you aren’t traveling to Milan with a certain Mario are you?
Nowhere as exotic as Milan – Manchester in fact.
I am being sent to Coventry tomorrow. Literally.
Work is so over-rated. tabs was right.
Oskar, it was “just” as in “a moment ago” and not “barely” – and yes, “seen” was because it was not audible so it was indeed lip-reading π
Nice review H. Sounds like a very good day out. Any truth in the press reports of a ruck among Gooners? No time to back drink I am afraid. On a treadmill this week. But time for a snigger at the Scum.
And very well observed too, Lars!
Oskar (out of pedant mode, into Gooner solidarity mode)
…offers Lars a balloon snifter of Delamain Vesper as token of that solidarity…
Oskar
*happily accepts the Delamain Vesper*
Morning all.
An unusually sunny one. Should have brought my shades with me.
And a morning cheer
Giroud Brings Cheer To Arsenal
Olivier Giroud has suffered somewhat for a problem he can do nothing about: he simply isn’t Robin van Persie. This season was always going to be after the Lord Mayor’s show for Arsenal fans, and Giroud’s struggles in front of goal have been well-documented.
Well, prick back your ears and listen to this: Van Persie scored ten goals in his first 50 league appearances for Arsenal. So far this season, Giroud has 13 goals in 33 games, a more than satisfactory return. He also has nine assists, a total bettered by no other player in the Premier League.
Whilst the Frenchman’s two finishes against Brighton were registered with suitable aplomb, most pleasing for Arsenal’s travelling fans will have been the link-up between Abou Diaby and Giroud for the striker’s second goal. It was reminiscent, dare I say it, of Van Persie and Alex Song on occasion last season.
Giroud may not be the second coming of Jesus, Elvis Presley reborn or the new Van Persie, but he’s still a damn good striker at times.
Ollie @ 212 is bang on the money! (even if the numbers are mixed up a bit).
*makes sacrifice to KIWOMYA – GOD OF THE TRANSFER WINDOW*
Afternoon all,
Sad to say bath although I didn’t see the banner I did witness some utterly charmless behaviour taking place and there were reports at half-time and after the match of several ‘disagreements’ between Gooners.
Shocking.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/8447923/Lucky-Whelan-Escapes-Ban-For-Horror-Tackle-
Also appalling Pulis/Allardyce style quotes from Whelan.
I kind of had him as a ‘good guy’ as he was the only one of them Orcs who seemed a bit shocked in the Ramsey incident, but I see he’s totally orcified.
And what fucking perfect timing before Saturday. They’ll probably think they have a licence to maim unless the referee acts very quickly.
Consistency
Friday: The FA charge Eden Hazard after his altercation with a ballboy against Swansea, despite the incident being ‘dealt with’ at the time by the referee. They announce: ‘It is alleged that Hazard’s behaviour in relation to a Swansea ball-boy, for which the player was dismissed in the 78th minute, constituted violent conduct whereby the standard punishment that would otherwise apply was clearly insufficient.’
Monday: The FA don’t charge Glenn Whelan for launching himself at Javi Garcia on the basis that the incident was dealt with at the time by the referee.
Indeed. As much as I laid into Hazard for his ridiculous behaviour, it once more looks like the FA’s priority are all fucking wrong.
Completely agree Ollie, and heh @ “totally orcified” π
Afternoon all,
Big hehs at KCB @ #2 & ‘Holic @ #4. Still chuckling at those two posts.
Ollie, great excerpt @ #212.
Very concerned to hear about rucks amongst TTF on Saturday. Such is the divide amongst our supporters that we now turn to violence to resolve differences at away matches? Surely that is previously unheard of unless someone here remembers otherwise?
Shame. That’s a dampener to a great start to the week which was capped-off by the supply of a heavily subsidized ticket for Wednesday by the driver of the aforementioned Tardis – thank you kind sir. Hope to see a few of you there. Please leave yer boxing gloves at home.
TS, I am quite surprised at some of the ‘bullying’ though. I completely inadvertently got a reply to a tweet (the reply was to blackburngeorge mostly, I guess, though that was a reply to an ironic conversation between him and me) from a ‘FlashGunner’ who has ‘Taxi for ArsΓ¨ne’ as his avatar.
Basically BG was taking the piss at ‘we pay the highest price so expect to win by 5 goals’ or the general moaning by some following our defeat at the hands of Brighton (what? Oh π ) and that lovely person tweeted ‘you don’t pay it so keep your nose out of it’.
Thankfully I preferred to pretend I didn’t see it, true ArsΓ¨ne-style π
Infighting has always gone on TS.
Well played Ollie and totally agree. The utter c*ntery that you regularly see on Twitter is best and often easily ignored.
Punch-ups amongst TTF? That’s quite different. Will we need BWSs for The HoF next?
Allez Les Rouges
I knew someone of long experience would correct me, tabs π
Have you ever witnessed blows being exchanged in the away end?
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/01/28/135755_vada-est-bordelais.html
New Signing! 17yo though….and for Bordeaux π
Yes I have TS, although they more often occurred at Highbury.
True, TS 222, that’s a different level of cuntery.
Ollie, the inconsistency in the FA decision-making is staggering. As I said after the Kompany red card was rescinded, how can they justify changing that decision but not another where a ref did not issue a card? In both cases, you are dealing with a decision that the ref got wrong – so how the fuck can you change one but not the other?
@ #224 – You utter tease π
Lars/Ollie
My only expectation of The FA, UEFA of FIFA is that they will make a decision that suits only themselves almost entirely regardless of the effects on fans, players or clubs.
It makes any level of c*ntery on twitter pale into insignificance, IMO.
TS@229: too true.
What Lars just said.
And I would refer you to my best work, but as I can’t access arseblog here, I won’t. Google suggests it’s one around April 11th give or take one day (after the Balotelli on Song act from last season)
(of 2012, of course)
Buenos Cameron Dias
I find when thinking about the FA/UEFA/FIFA it’s best to factor into the equation that they are a bunch of self serving, pocket lining, inbred Oxbridgington, cack eyed, fuck witted, cockswashbuckling, butt burgling bastards. Then, and only then do their decisions make any sense.
===
Good stuff on OG, Ollie.
===
Shame about the in-fighting, but as tabs has mentioned it’s not a new phenomenum. Passion mixed with alcohol and shaken with differing opinions can often lead to scurmishes, shit happens, it’s up to those involved to find common ground and focus on what unites us rather then divides us……….. But I suppose that’s just wishful thinking, boyz will be boyz.
Twitter? Not for me, thank you.
Ice man to Ipswich?
http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich_town_target_arsenal_s_young_german_midfielder_thomas_eisfeld_1_1829661
Ollie, Lars, H2H,
One of those red cards would possibly have affected the chances of a more exciting run in to the title. The other will not.
It is hard to imagine that the levels of consistency produced by the game’s authorities, do not affect the consistency of application of their rules by the referees.
Both are mind boggling.
Decisions occur every week which confound managers, fans, commentators, pundits and even other players.
They cannot all be stupid or unable to put some sort of sensible interpretation on the laws of the game.
Other than corruption, one is left to wonder what the causes of such apparant inconsistencies might be.
Hello H2H
What’s wrong with Oxford and/or Cambridge?
Before work beckons TS, a follow up to the infighting thing.
In my earliest days on the North Bank, you could quite regularly hear North, South, East and West London gangs chanting fairly feistily at each other, which often turned into minor skirmishes on the back section of the terrace.
Nothing TS.
Just the inbred bit, the old chum comerardery, when really they should be dipping their knobs into each others beers at Rugger level and staying the fuck away from our game.
I like to occasionally dip the old boy in a glass of Cinzano Bianco.
Perks him up no end.
Backdrink clarification @154, 157.
Is the discussion old grammars or cunning linguist? I dont want to get them mixed up. Really.
Heh Wolfie.
Switch to Martini and you can indulge anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
Heh Wolfie,
Make it a Martini, as H2H said, and you could dangle the two veg as well.
Actually, only the right one. π
Trev, H2H – Haha, I was gonna say that I like to dip him in Johnny Walker, but thought that sounded a little too … well you know … even for me!
H2H
I’m guessing that there’s plenty of (alleged) chumming in both towns.
East Anglia is (allegedly) famous for it’s closely-knit gene pool. Oxon (allegedly) less so.
I’m not sure about member-dunking but I’ll take that at face value.
*wonders where is Oxon Gooner when you need him?*
A large, member-free drink of choice is on the bar waiting for you.
Trev @ #238
Cheers! It’s all in-fighting and in-breeding in here today π
At least it wouldn’t ruin that particular tipple.
JW already tastes like it’s been member stirred, π
π
Shaken not stirred joke not made yet?
Ha, I see H2H was getting there.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/01/28/172716_rolan-a-bordeaux-accord-trouve.html
19yo now. Need a more experienced striker though.
Nope, still Bordeaux π
I see the ‘tease’ are on Ollie today. With or without cream? π
Reports on “twitter” that we have signed “someone” and the deal is going to be announced “soon”
Cheers TS.
Maybe it was just a little bit of a bad generalisition from an uneducated uncouth oaf like myself, it wasn’t meant as an offence to anyone that had the opportunity to attend those well respected seats of higher learning.
Unless ofcourse they have an under jaw that could house a family of badgers or an Adams Apple the size of a tennis ball.
Etonians would of been a better analogy perhaps. π
Just a thought: has anyone ever seen Piers Morgan and Alisher Usmanov in the same room at the same time?
TS@245: Research reveals that he’s never been wanted, so it’s hard to tell.
I’m entirely ignorant of current member-dunking preferences. In years gone by, candle-making was quite popular and wicks were dipped in all manner of things.
Big hehs at Oxon & H2H. Cheers fellas.
I thought Zico wrote a very good piece yesterday asking some constructive questions as to why Wenger wasn’t seemingly trying to strengthen the squad. It remains to be seen whether we do see some last minute action but even if we do it seems bizarre that we have let 3 players leave from an injury-prone squad and seem to be banking on Diaby,Rosicky and Gibbs(all of whom have regularly got injured after a few games throughout their Arsenal careers) as well as really needing Szczesny and Giroud to stay fit and play every game.
Wenger is often lauded by his backers as a great economic mind yet I still worry about why our record fee is “only” Β£16 million as if there is a threshold above which we cannot go.
It would be interesting to know whether if the roles were reversed Wenger would have bought Van Persie . His socialist wage structure which I think lumbers us with an awful lot of hard to shift deadwood (look at our loanees!) prevents us from getting marquee signings but i think as Zico says we would be happy with signings that improve the squad and ensure we don’t ever have to use Santos,Squillaci and Mannone again especially for any length of time .
We have rued his decision not to strengthen in a few winter windows when a little more strength in depth might have won us the title. Even if we do we’ve let the busiest period of the season go by without strengthening whereas Chelsea and Liverpool have benefited from the goals that Ba and Sturridge have bought them.
All this begs the question why? Are we being made to suffer because of a fixation he has about winning the title without spending any money in real terms?
Are we so fixated on preserving a cashpile that we can’t dip into it when almost every observer believes it is vital that we do.Are we never going to make a marquee siging (a la Bergkamp) again and do we have to balance any expenditure by equivalent sales? Frankly what is the point of moving to the Emirates if in real terms we bought more expensive players when we were at Highbury?
I’m not going up to Islington Town Hall to welcome the open-topped bus back to base carrying the Arsenal Report and accounts for 2013 and nor will anybody else .
There was plenty of Arsenal on Arsenal shite going on at Brighton. Huge altercation in the first half just to left of Big Ian and myself, after first Brighton equalizer. Its really fucking depressing and what I was alluding to above, in laying some of the blame at the feet of the Gooner for fostering such a poisonous atmosphe is having editorials blaring ‘Has no one at the club got the balls to Sack Wenger?’, which is exactly what they printed after the Bradford debacle. Honestly you’d think Wenger was deliberately sending the team out to lose and Silent Stan was busy taking huge dividends and paying Gazidis to oversee such asset stripping to listen to such hysterical guff.
Its not just expressing an opinion, however much they feel they have a right to do so. As a periodical which started life as a publication for Arsenal supporters, they have a duty to be more balanced in their coverage. Such flawed editorials are helping to fuel the antics which are beciming ever more frequent, interestingly only at away games so far.
For some like me who used to go away back in the day when a certain sense of trepidation was in the air, when you ventured into enemy territory, it is absolutely sickening that you cant even rely on your own supporters to be singing off the same hymn sheet, let alone anything else. There was also talk on Twitter of some neanderthal screaming from the front row at Ramsey, who may well have heard him, ‘Fuck off Ramsey you Welsh cunt and go and suck Wenger’s cock!’. Where is this shit going to end up I ask you? And this after Rambo had a fine game against West Ham, and then another one on Saturday.
As in the blog title says above, Saturday was a superb day out, but that stuff has left a really nasty taste in my mouth, and has worried me more than I thought it would.
Esso
Thanks for sharing. Agree with every single word you wrote.
It’s enough to take the joy out of winning.
I know its’ a minority and a small one at that but all very sad and mis-guided.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was that kind of “support” that was partially responsible for Theo taking so long to sign a new contract. Dennis knows he had to put up with more than enough of that crap too.
BTW, I’m not suggesting that The-o is a poor little lamb either or that he hasn’t been hugely furstrating at times in his behaviour both on and off the pitch.
I am glad that he re-signed though.
I find myself disagreeing with thundertinygooner above as much as I did with Zico yesterday. Sadly, I didn’t have the confidence to challenge Z so I won’t challenge TTG.
One point, however. I don’t believe we have ever been in the habit of making marquee signings. Bergkamp is the latest in a line of one, I suggest.
I can recall others who might be called “Big name” rather than Marquee and I don’t think any of them were runaway successes – Alan Ball, Malcolm MacDonald, Charlie Nicholas, Peter Marinello.
Thierry Henri probably deserves a place in that list, and he was a runaway success, but he came after the divine Dennis, so presumably isn’t “Marquee” either.
COYG
TS, thats a maybe about Theo, we’ll probably never know.
They’re a small but very noisy minority, who are given a disproportionate platform by the interweb and crap like the Gooner.
Quite like this article about the situation;
http://positivelyarsenal.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/unity-in-the-arsenal-community-peace-in-our-time-or-just-fantasy-football/
… but I think the author has far too much faith in the reasonableness of one side.
Oxon
Could we add Paul Mariner to that list? π
I thought Titi was pretty much a ‘who?’ or certainly wasn’t a success when we signed him.
Arshavin had a wow factor when the announcement was made.
And if you can believe anything on twitter, maybe, just maybe, we’ll add Villa to that list??? (with apologies in advance for that one)
TS,
I’ve no argument with adding Mariner and I hope I don’t have to justify Marinello.
Arshavin is an obvious name that should be mentioned alongside those on the list, and probably deserves several underlinings and arrows pointing to it. However, the list was supposed to be BD (before Dennis) and Andriy came later.
Henry had already won a world cup winners’ medal when he arrived, Lord only knows how to define “marquee” if he doesn’t qualify.
My point, if I have one, is that we don’t make marquee signings and we never have. When we do sign big-name players they don’t always come of.
Here in the Lowlands the Queen has just abdacated the throne. April 30th there will be a new king here.
Should be quite a party.
I see that Everton have signed a “Fellani type” player, Leroy Fer, from the Ere Divisie.
Just saying like.
Are you going to put yourself up for office H2H? You’d get my vote. King H2H of Orange has a certain ring to it.
Esso – Couldnt agree more re The Gooner. All went wrong when Mike Francis was replaced by Kevin Whitcher as Editor. It just became another rag at that point.
Cheers Tabs.
Wolfie for Queen maybe. π
’tis the stuff of dreams H2H π
Oxon,
Alan Ball was a British transfer record at the time for a current England international and World Cup winner when they didn’t give caps away easily. But my point as i believe Zico’s was that we aren’t asking for marquee signings just better players than we have in certain squad positions.I really can’t see any Arsenal fan having an issue with that.
I do go on to say is there any technical reason why we can’t make bigger signings and I think Wenger has a distaste for superstars who can disrupt clubs but I would have hoped we might have been interested in Fellaini for example and we certainly need someone to lead the attack. We let Bendtner,Park,Afobe and Vela go and have now released Chamakh to West Ham and only brought in Giroud. While Walcott and Podolski can play there it starts to distort the team and I don’t believe Gervinho can play there full stop. So it means we need better back-up rather than cutting resources to the bone. United have four top strikers,City have three and Balotelli.
As for the criticism of the Gooner I write for it every month and have done for twenty years and Kevin has never told me to write a negative piece.In fact if he did I wouldn’t write any more. The most negative piece I wrote was about Peter Hill-Wood a couple of issues ago and I stand by every word of what I said despite his subsequent heart-attack which I hope was in no way coonected!There was an attempt last season to be more positive but the natives are restless and thsat’s not the Gooner’s fault. There are regulars on there who are very disilluioned with Wenger but i think they are reflecting the fanbase rather than winding them up. The bigger problem are one or two very negative websites (clearly not this) who spew massive vitriol against the club and have some regular contributors who make me ashamed to feel i support the same club. One blog I read the other day was saying that he hadn’t been to a game for three years and cancelled his Sky subscription so how does he form his opinions? 5 minutes on MOTD?
And of course the Guvnor is in this month’s edition!
Cheers, Esso. Agree on the last sentence of your 263 too, sadly.
wolfie@240, i’m partial to slipping it in cider.
An infrequent visitor saying “see you at the Villa game”. The annual Statler and Waldorf reunion!
Oxon @ #265 – Fair enough and point(s) taken.
Esso @259,
Very interesting if depressing stuff.
Your Ramsey bashing quote is quite unbelievable. He has frustrated me at times, but you sit quiet, try to think what the reasons for his apparant shortcomings may be, and just support.
Which players are going to want to come to AFC once that sort of bile becomes common knowledge ?
Gallows humour happens among all football supporters, but a faction whose purpose seems to be to slaughter their own club does, sadly, always seem to have been peculiar to Arsenal.
Unfortunately it appears beyond these people to think what effect it would have on them, if a screaming mob balled obscenities at them all day as they tried to do their jobs.
Sad to hear it happening amongst the travelling support who are, generally, tremendous.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/01/28/184553_e-capoue-veut-quitter-toulouse.html
Capoue wants to leave! Only QPR and Spu*s mentioned in that article too. Please no.
Indeed Trev.
And hello bald!
Oxon
Challenge?
Challenge away. It’s the internet.
The whole point of my post was to debate.
Ttg is right – my point was, if we have money to spend and don’t it is a massive gamble to expect this squad of players to make the Champions league. I dont remember saying anything anywhere that we need marquee signings. I refuse to believe that Santos, as a for instance, is the best that Arsenal can do with the resources at our disposal.
Many people think that this window was a big test for Wenger and the club’s ambition. If we miss out on CL football with a massive wedge in the bank, someone has to be accountable.
Well put Zico I may have set hares running unnecessarily by mentioning marquee signings. They aren’t the issue but squad quality and depth is.
Scruz π
Be prepared to Google “Free Scots to English translation” >>>>>>>>>
I seem to remember David Platt as a marquee signing – at the time anyway. But then Wenger replaced Rioch, and the French invasion (and Platt being near 30, no doubt) saw him pushed to one side in favour of Petit and Vieira.
Oskar