Poldi And Ollie Grab The Points
Jan 24th, 2013 by 'holic
Without doubt the hardest part of blogging sometimes, as with playing a strange old guitar, is finding the right note. I joked in the drinks earlier about being sick of saying what a first-half that was for the neutrals. Again. Yes, unlike our recent performances against Manchester City and Chelsea, we were this time the better side from the off, but again found ourselves behind. It is becoming a recurring theme.
I doubt anybody would begrudge West Ham their goal with the benefit of hindsight. They were never afraid, even in the second-half when they were picked off, to spring numbers forward and add to the spectacle. However, the half-time break was only made bearable by Lukas Podolski’s response to Jack Collison’s opener for the visitors. In both instances the defending side might have attempted to get the block in a tad quicker, but both were very good strikes.
So once again whoever does the talking at half-time had to find the right words to get us at it from the off in the second period, and whoever is doing that job is earning his corn, or maybe half of his corn. Ten minutes after the restart the game was effectively over, courtesy of as good a passage of play as you could wish to witness.
To be fair we were not coming back from a first-half mauling, as we had against City and Chelsea. We were looking to find a way to convert the opportunities that came our way earlier in the evening, and we did so in an astonishing purple patch. There was a hint of irony in the fact that we gained the upper hand from a corner, the big handsome Frenchman applying the finishing touch to Theo Walcott’s corner at the near post.
Santi Cazorla, coming back to his influential best, made it 3-1 but will know the goal owed as much to the set-up by Podolski as his own clever finishing touch. Doubtless delighted to earn his increased portion of corn, Theo took centre stage to make it four, and again the provider was the industrious Podolski. Six hundred seconds or thereabouts, after taking the lead, it was five. Giroud again took advantage of the creativity of Koln’s finest, Podolski.
You could have been forgiven for thinking at this point a cricket score was in the offing. Unfortunately the contest took on a sad final phase when Danny Potts was stretchered off within ten minutes of appearing as a substitute. Quite rightly the match became something of a training exercise thereafter. Thankfully news filtered through that Potts was conscious. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.
After all that I am still left with the problem of hitting the right chord. The quality of the football we played at times tonight was breathtaking. That is good. Aaron Ramsey and Lukas Podolski returned to the starting line-up and both contributed to an exceptional win. That is excellent. I know not so long ago that would have been enough for me. Following so close as it does on successive defeats in big matches I’m not sure what it means now though.
For certain we are closer to that fourth Champions League berth than we were, but still it is not in our own hands. There is no doubt in my mind that we need to go to Brighton on Saturday with as strong a side as we can muster. Hopefully the skipper is the only casualty of this evening who may miss the weekend trip to the south coast. Getting past Swansea in the third round of the FA Cup looks even better tonight after the Welsh side reached Wembley by knocking Chelsea out of the COCup. Let us not waste that result, and the prospect of a bit of silver, having done so much to get this far.
The real plus points tonight were the returning Poldi and Rambo, as well as three potentially very important points. Let’s leave it there and pray for some busy days ahead, not just for the team, but the club negotiators as well. A big week looms. How big is our ambition?
234 Responses to “Poldi And Ollie Grab The Points”
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Top three, one trophy Ollie G 20 goals, each one peacher than the last!
Get in! My first 1st! Now to read the post.
Nice review, Guv, i love how you dedicated a whole paragraph to the WestHam player who got injured, your class is never in question, sir. Thanks also for the kind words towards Ramsey and Poldi but i was expecting you to also mention that Sagna was much improved compared to his recent performances. Very good performance from the boys, overall, hopefully they will heed your advice and work harder to make all their efforts count for something shiny by season end. Cheers.
What? Everybody sleeping? I might as well be greedy and take drink number 4 too.
What? Everybody sleeping? I might as well be greedy and grab drink number 4 too.
I hope some of the moaners get off Ramsey’s back for a while after his fine performance tonight
I hope so too, Eduardo.
Cent, don’t want to sound any discordant note in the aftermath of one of the best displays in the season, but Sagna is still a pale shadow of his former self.
Yes he did defensively better today, and his willingness to fight is never questioned, but the loss of pace and some amount of conviction is really difficult to see from a player who used to be — even when Arsenal playing poorly — consistently aggressive, fast and reliable. His crossing was never the best but he still used to assist in good many goals because of his willingness to drive forward without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. Nowadays most of the times he simply tries to pass the ball sideways and backwards in positions where the entire team previously knew he would get around the opposition defender and would either release Theo or run with the ball.
The fall is harder to take because he has been one of our most consistent performers in the last few years, day in and day out. Maybe he needs a bit of breather as he could be somewhat jaded and not at his physical peak. I think we will see Jenk in the weekend.
Top level sports is an unforgiving profession and one suspects that if Sagna doesn’t regain his old abilities he would quickly stop becoming the automatic first choice he has been in his position.
eduardo @ 6 — I thought the most impressive aspect of Ramsey’s performance was the pure tactical and positional discipline for someone so young. Since his return from injury he has shown great mental fortitude — the never give up attitude, the terrific work rate and always making himself available even when the execution is not really happening, and staying focused on his game despite significant criticism from all quarters — and today’s highly matured performance shows us what Arsene has always seen in him.
Top 10?
Celebrates with some Latin American girl dancers. Cha Cha Cha
Watching Arsenal these days isn’t a real experience unless the team goes one-nil down early in the game, preferably having missed a gilt-edged chance, only moments earlier. If we get really lucky, these twin events might inspire an Arsene Wenger water bottle kick. It’s the ultimate double shock to the system. It’s both the left and right rear hooves of the horse in your guts one hoof after the other. It’s a night out in East Ham and a close encounter of the third kind with both of the Kray twins in a bar when the worst you were expecting was Reggie.
But once that inevitable enema of your state has gone down your gurgler, you can immediately relax your bowels, and feel the first flush of optimism begin to grow. The warmth starts with a Jack Wilshere inspired tickling between your toes; goes up your legs as Gibbsy goes on a racing swing down our left; and then gets your privates on parade as Ollie G whacks a left footed pile-driver from 30 yards out, only narrowly past an upright.
And so it was at The Emirates tonight. A cross. A header out, but only as far a Collinson, who last scored in a BPL game when Sean Connery picked up a ball in Goldfinger and won his game on a technicality, but Jack was able to rifle an unstoppable shot into the net this evening, just because he was playing Arsenal.
That set the table. The table was laden high, fat bellies and hungry little Santi’s and Poldi’s with an appetite for some tasty stuff. Arsenal needed a goal to slick the skillet before half-time. It was fashioned in Spain, imported from Germany, and hammered home, Howitzer-style, by Lu-Lu-Lu-Lukas Podolski. At that exact moment, those who walk on the sunny side felt the warmth rise from within in anticipation; – in anticipation of a top three finish, rounded out with a trophy and 20 Ollie G goals.
Jus d’orange for the lads, un croissant chocolat for Ollie and Arsenal’s G-man was ready to twang his G-string and get right on the G-spot within minutes of the start of the second half. A training-ground-inspired corner, taken on the left by 110kpw, floated onto Ollie’s left foot and was dispatched beautifully on the volley. The Mercedes engine installed in Poldi fired suddenly and before you could say “the last time a German was seen flying like that in North London he was dropping bombs on the Chip Inn Fish Bar on Holloway Road” Lukas had fashioned two fissile material fueled missiles which were delivered with uncanny accuracy by Ollie G and Santi. Within moments, it was five as Theo paid back one more grand contribution.
And then effectively, the game was over. A very concerning injury took minds elsewhere and Arsenal off the boil. We were content to run the clock down and settle for “just five”.
Aaron Ramsey was my man of the match. His graft, craft and guile built on the excellence of his game at The Bus Stop. He will grow to be one of the first names on Arsene’s team sheet given some time and considerate patience from those inclined already to blame him for everything from the weakness of the Euro to the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy.
Jack, Santi and Aaron in a splendid mid-field with Diaby, Arteta, Rosicky bubbling under and the VERY splendid Iceman, Thomas Eisfeld waiting in the wings. Three great centre-backs, a young man at left back who’s growing with every game with the Corporal standing at attention on his right.. Feo, Ollie and Poldi – and I haven’t even mentioned Gervinho or The Ox. What a fantastic squad AND Arsene is cutting his conferences short and working to add two.
And to the observer of the length of my incisors “Top three, one trophy, Ollie G 20 goals, BtM” you should know better than to spout such crap – what do you say now that we’re 11 points adrift of third?”
I say “We’re EIGHT points adrift of third, Ollie G is two more goals closer to 20 after two more peaches tonight, and I’m going to Munich on March 13 to watch the latest charge in our quest for silver.”
Come on you rip-roaring reds! A wee yin, Holic please and yin fur yersel’, big man.
Cent – get a life mate.
How big is our ambition?
Mine’s bigger than TaBS, Holic. No debate.
A great 12 minutes, exhilarating to watch. But a bit pedestrian up to that point, and a bit switched off after.
I’d like to have seen more all-out attack to push the goal difference even further out of reach of those we’re fighting 4th for. I don’t believe attacking (especially scoring) takes as much out of a player as defending or chasing the ball, so why switch off after 5?
But that’s a niggle and much praise to all concerned for hammering the hammers. Extra praise for Sagna and Ramsey for both lifting their games out of the slough they’ve been stuck in, and Super extra praise with bells on for Poldi’s ginormous contribution.
Who’s next? Bring it on!
Oskar
Swansea v Bradford about says it all for the League Cup, imo.
The sooner they restrict this teacup of a trophy to, say, under 21s (plus two/three any agers if you want to make it like the Olympics), the better. I believe AW had the right idea when he used to field the kids in the early rounds.
Oskar
Dr F, you make very good observations but if you read again you’d find out that I’m of the opinion that Sagna had a better performance today compared to his other recent performances, not that he has gotten back to his old solid self or regained a yard of pace.
Tommy mate, thanks for the compliment.
BTM, I enjoy your posts, sir and the one @ 12 didn’t disappoint.
Just saw the game live (delay), wow, that was special.
I certainly shall sleep well.
Night all.
Thank you, CB. I appreciate that. Good night all.
Hazard will forever be remembered for this behavior. If it’s acceptable to kick ball boys in front of 30,000 people, just imagine what he does at home.
I want to give some love to Giroud for his flick over the top to Lukas for Cazorla’s goal. The pre-assist, Hleb style. Giroud has fashioned several of these now, for Podolski in the Champions League and possibly for Gibbs as well. Could be wrong on that one, but the point is he is an adept provider of scoring opportunities for others as well. I’d like to see him get a good run now to build on his confidence.
Interesting to see how well Jack and Aaron played together. That is maybe something AW gets to see on the trading ground regularly and confirms his faith in the Welshman.
AtI@21: Giroud has a deft touch for a big nine.
Also, was that a practiced routine off the corner? From Arsenal? Mertesacker drawing one defender away while Giroud races in to the near post. Simple, and it worked. Amazing.
Many appropriate words have already been written about our sometime impressive performances tonight so let me just add my own additional thoughts.
We looked good against West Ham for the most part, 68/32 possession is a great thing. However, until we meet our obligations against bigger teams and in a more consistent fashion this is just a bittersweet victory.
I am faltering in my belief in AW and I have not seen an iota of movement in this transfer window to reassure me that we are working towards a stronger future.
Will someone please explain to me why I should feel more than a temporary buzz?
‘holic, your words are greatly appreciated as always. Your class and insight shines through as wonderfully as ever. Thank you.
AA,
Don’t let that belief falter! Arsene said he’d resign Theo. He has.
Arsene said he’d sign two by the time the window closes. That’s january 31. He will. Watch this space. Only one AW.
See you at the Orc’s dad. Giroud’s touch was exquisite, and I think his 3rd.
Excellent point, BTM.
I for one thought Theo would certainly leave the club (as did countless others I’m sure) but AW remained resolute and believed he would sign. I feel AW has restored some credibility in the aftermath however he is given little credit by fans or media for this.
Great work last night by the Arsenal.
Glad that Aaron and Lucas are hitting the high notes.
Also wishing Danny Potts (and Vermaelen) a speedy recovery.
…And a long ban for Hazard!
Asterix — Giroud’s flicks and one-touch football is pretty good. He already has nine assists by now, I think, and a few of those pre-assists you have mentioned.
There are couple of very deft ones in the first half: the pass to Gibbo where the cut-back from Gibbo was just a bit too on the right for Poldi, and the cut-inside and pass to Poldi which was intercepted.
The assists to Poldi against Montpellier and the one to Gibbs against Swansea are more memorable for the superb volley those resulted in, but the flick from the outside of the boot to set up Jack against Swans was my favorite. Very skillful.
AA @ 25,
I totally understand where you are coming from, until we can do similar things to the teams at the top, we will remain a mid table team. But let’s not foget that we have lost to worse teams and drawn with teams at the very bottom of the table this season. To beat any team in the prem by that margin is impressive and we have done it a few times this season. Consistancy is what we are lacking now. We have shown that we can play football to beat any team in the prem, in my opinion. But maintaing that up beat fluid play is where we falter.
DF @ 30,
I think you’ll find that the correct termanology is assist – assist
Hola everyone. santi’s was the best goal shading poldi’s pile driver.
also have to mention how well giroud held on to the ball whenever it was played over the top.
our jack is playing superbly. thankfully he wasnt targeted like in previous matches.
hopefully our senior players will gain encouragement from this and push on.
i hope the signings are coming. strange of Arsene to say he has ‘work’ to do.
That was a purple patch after half – time and no mistake! A much better night but West Ham are proper shite. I really enjoyed Ramsey’s performance as I keep saying he will come good if we play him in the right position and Poldi played like a German international with100 caps. But the heartbeat of this side is Jack. Still not convinced we aren’t flat track bullies but this was much better.
Arsene had to slip off to ‘ do some work’- probably had to put the bins out or collect the laundry. Two random thoughts. Is Vic Akers the hardest man in football- wears shorts on the bench in Arctic conditions!
As we ascended the escalator at Kings Cross some Hammers fans greeted us like brothers- in fact they claimed Arsenal and West Ham are united in their hatred of Tottenham! I’ll drink to that.
At least we don’t kick ball- boys!
Oxon’s diary for Jan 24.
Wake up.
Did we really win 5-1 yesterday against Fat Sam?
Listen to the Today programme sports desk. Yes we did.
Visit favourite virtual bar. Surely no-one complaining about THAT performance?
Oh.
Go to work.
Bye all. Have a good ‘un.
COYG
A big week does indeed loom
nellster! Morning.
I believe it’s the first time my name is in the title of the blog.
Thank you ‘holic!
What? Oh.
Great finishes by OG.
I watched the first 60minutes of the game after all. Great stuff, the first half was really just missing more goals for us but it was already good.
Game of two halves becomes a bit too cliché. Magical 10 minutes though, and splendid splendid work from Poldi.
Oh! How I enjoyed that.
Sooo pleased for Ramsey. We still need to be patient but he will be a great player for us one day. Gibbs continues to improve game by game and Giroud works hard, puts himself about gives assists and scores goals. Jack is just a wonderful player already. He hardly ever loses the ball and even in very difficult looking situations he usually pops out with it glued to his foot.
Still need a couple of signings, still a long way to travel but things are looking up.
Classic Arsenal schizophrenia
A much better night but West Ham are proper shite
Yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaa! Reeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuulllttt!!!
Finding some form just as a coupla big cup games brighton and hove into view. Cup double’s on. UREDS!
Been puzzling over this all night.
How different would things have turned out if Giroud had scored with that early chance against Chelsea on Sunday?
This team’s confidence is very fragile – they need to build on last night’s result, game by game and with that put foundations in place for the last quarter of the season. They have certainly shown great application in the second half against City, Chelsea and indeed in responding to going behind last night.
If we can avoid the stop-start syndrome we have experienced thus far in January, with 2 good results in the next two games, get our injured players back (yes, I know) AND get a couple of decent signings before February then maybe, just maybe, I will be able to join BtM on the sunny side of the street.
Oh and a fine report ‘h – some of your recent titles are worthy of erm – trophies.
And what folk said re Rambo – nice to see him in the middle in the middle. He looked happy there.
5-1 wins and some squad strengthening signings – p’raps. I might have to rebook me seat on the Happy Train (having hit the CMC hard before the off, of course) if that’s where we’s headed.
Up The Arse.
Thundertinygooner @34
You’re right about that. Spurs on the other hand, apparently would:
https://twitter.com/GarethBale11/status/294199184574271488
Why does this not surprise me at all? As of yet the only entities connected to football that has defended this incident are Chelsea FC via their official twitter account and Gareth Bale. Someone looking for a transfer, mayhap?
I thought Sagna was much improved last night too, in particular he showed more fight for the ball, couple of great tackles.
No surprise at Bale being unhappy at ref taking the correct decision. After all he wants us to believe he doesn’t dive.
You only really appreciate the scope of Holic’s descriptive language when your own God-Given Eyes weren’t able to feast upon the Arsenal playing a match. Excellent job Maestro, I look forward to watching the extended highlights or the full match on Arsenal Player later
BtM 12…..lovely write up again. BtM knows (except re Ian Ure
)
We did superbly for a team that didnt have a defensive midfielder, very pleased with Ramsey for his game last night. He was my MOTM. Poldi was on fire and so was our handsome beast!!
Doesn’t matter how bad Arsenal can make you feel, they always have it in them to come roaring back out of nowhere and put the smile back on your face with interest, a monthly bonus and a shiny red and white cherry on top. Plus some special sauce.
Speaking of which, I have some boxers to clean.
Good day to all! UTA.
Too much information, pal
I don’t remember dropping by earlier. Very strange.
Hi holics’
Need some help in understanding the ticketing since am not from the UK.
Am visiting London In April and want to watch my beloved Arsenal in action at the Emirates.
What would be the the easiest way to purchase tickets? Are they available only on the Arsenal.com website or are they also available at physical counters on Matchdays?
Thanks,
Gooner From Afar
And i miss “Bergkamp”, stupid typo
Nicely balanced analysis Holic.
Top performances from Rambo, Jack, Santi, Poldi, Ollie, Gibbo and Feo.
Good work by the whole team last night. I’d like to think that we’re back but this team has been so ‘up and down’ so far this season that I have to await our next challenges with bated breath.
Love your review BtM, keep your pecker up, it’s infectious
I’m on that island in the middle of that street – a little more sunshine there.
imb @ 51: tickets are not on sale on matchdays.
you need to pre-order through the members scheme. Games don’t generally go on general sale but red members can buy a ticket per membership card one month before the match.
Thanks Bathgooner.
So, whats the best way for a visiting fan to watch a game, if any
You can take out red membership online and book your ticket in advance. I think there is adequate time for you to get your card for an April game. Red tickets will go on sale in March. The card provides entry once you have booked your ticket. It adds to the cost of the ticket but guarantees entry. Before each recent game there have been more touts selling tickets on the street from Arsenal tube station to the ground but they mark up the price at least as much as the cost of red membership in my experience.
…and you can end up with a seat amongst the away fans. Atmospheric but risky.
Andy @50.
It wasn’t me either. Multiple split now!
Thanks Bath
Nice report Holic.
It’s all been said by you and others. Poldi was terrific and had his best game in an Arsenal shirt. His form has turned around from the October blues, and last night was the best of many impressive performances recently. He looked hungry all night, combined power with direct pace, got his head up at every opportunity, and in that left foot has an absolute sledge-hammer. Please use it more often Lucas.
Up there on the pedestal with him was Ramsey who enjoyed his best game since his injury. So much of football depends on confidence. Let’s hope that last night’s performance began to refill his depleted confidence levels, and he can kick on from here.
Jack was, well, Jack. Terrific. Here there and everywhere. I’d like to know how many miles he clocks up throughout a game. Seldom is such talent matched by a comparable heart and desire. Wrap him up in cotton wool Arsene, we have a world-beater.
Gibbsy had another terrific game. He took a lot of stick earlier in the season, some of it justified, but for my money he’s been one of our most consistent performers over the last couple of months.
Giroud, Cazorla and Theo all had games to warm the cockles and I agree with Cent’s opinion of Sagna’s game. Much better.
Is it a panacea for all our recent struggles? Nope, of course not. Doubts remain over our defensive cohesiveness and as Dr Z points out, our collective belief/confidence/mental strength remains more precarious than a 100m sprint in Jimmy Choos.
But … winning breeds winning, confidence begets confidence. One step at a time. The LWCs can now hear our measured breath behind them, and we all know it’s a sound that they just can’t cope with.
On to the Seaside.
Or, imissbergkamp,
You can ignore the 90 minute distraction and get totally wankered in the Tollie!
BtM @14
You old flirt. How big is your ambition then? Have you seen my ambition Sir? Are you sure you’re qualified to make that judgement call?
Nice report btw.
I went back and watched Diame’s (albeit quite limited) contribution to the game last night. He definitely doesn’t look like a DM, indeed he looked very averse to any kind of defensive effort. He looks more like a powerful attacking midfielder. For a big lad his ball control is good and he has the confidence to beat players skillfully rather than by pace or brawn. Other than adding another body, I think he would bring less to the squad than a fully fit Coquelin or Frimpong.
I think the bloke at Celtic is a more likely option? Frimpong could go up to Parkhead as part of deal, win the league for the Tic and sort out a few of Glasgow’s mental men while he’s at it?
BtM
It looks to me like we’d be buying Diame to play in the middle of the midfield three (with Jack pushing up) and to add a bit of size to the middle of the park when Diaby isn’t playing.
I have to say, he doesn’t look the answer to all our prayers, but he might stop us getting bullied every now and then, and for £3.5m he’d at least be another body added to what feels a thin squad.
The Celtic bloke will apparently cost up to £25m, which would seem a stretch for me, based solely on two great performances against Barca and dominating the SPL. If we’re going to spend that kind of money I’d rather we looked at Fellaini, but I’d guess it’s a moot point as I can’t see us shelling out at that level in a January transfer window.
My spider sense is telling me we’re in for Diame and Villa, and that both West Ham and Barca intend to play hardball.
Zico@61…. you may just be onto something there!
Zico@61 heh, that was my post-game plan.
Am a regular reader but post seldom.
Would be nice to put a few faces to the names in this fine establishment.
Battling with Pardew for Florian Thauvin or something, £20 million bid for Jovetic? I don’t know what to believe, so I believe nothing right now, but hope that we’ll get someone in, and Squillaci out
I’d love to be able to join in with the faux moral outrage at Hazard and have another pop at Chelsea, (when is it not a good time to lambast those Kings of corruption?), but on this occasion I find myself out of step with what appears to be the prevailing mood in the Bar.
I thought the “kid” got what he deserved. This “kid” is 17 (same age as Serge Gnabry), a self-styled “king of the ballboys” who allegedly promised some time-wasting tactics on Twitter pre-game.
And he delivered. There can be no doubt as to his true intentions when he “fell” on the ball. Hazard kicked the ball from under him. If there was any contact with the “kid”, it was minimal. I’d have gone for his head myself, the smug little twat.
Responsibility rests with Swansea for not making clear to their ball-boys their responsibilities, or perhaps they did, and this “kid” chose to ignore them (what with him being the son of a Swansea Director an’ all).
Either way, I thought the red card was harsh, and certainly don’t think that there should be any additional consequences for Hazard beyond the usual ban that a red card brings.
With you on that one TABS …
as I read in an article after the Cantona incident; “the more you read about the ´victim´, the more you realise that Cantona´s biggest mistake was to stop kicking….”
Heh Dr C
Has someone hijacked tabs’ log in? :s
The ballboy was an irresponsible buffoon, I agree.
Responsibility rests with Swansea for not making clear to their ball-boys their responsibilities, or perhaps they did, and this “kid” chose to ignore them (what with him being the son of a Swansea Director an’ all). This is spot on.
But let’s not absolve grown-up cunts of their responsibilities.
Cantona is a cunt, and Hazard is a cunt.
In fact, as I saw someone mentioned, Hazard is also an idiot. He only had to signal to the ref who would have simply added time.
Red card fully merited. And the Cuntski official twitter post was pure Cuntski absence of class.
I didn’t have any sympathy with the kid (back drink if you like).
By the same token I don’t have any sympathy with Hazard either.
The obvious protocol was for Hazard to make it clear to the officials what was going on, so they could make allowances (ie fergietime) for the behaviour.
But no, he’s a footballer, and brainless, so he booted him.
For the record, had it happened to me, the kid and the ball would have ended up in the stand.
Ah, I see Ollie beat me in the thunking stakes…..
Exactly Dr Z;
We are all aware as to what the correct protocol would have been.
But, in the same situation who among us wouldn´t at least be tempted to do the same? Hopefully we´d deny ourselves the pleasure, of course..
In rugby it is perfectly allowed to “encourage” someone killing the ball to remove themselves, as long as the movement of the studs is in a backward raking action… perhaps something for the FA to look into?
Fair enough Ollie, I’m not absolving Hazard of his responsibility and I don’t condone what he did.
I just don’t think that what he actually did was all that terrible. It certainly wasn’t on a par with the Cantona incident, and it certainly wasn’t the “football player gives small child a good kicking” that it is being dressed up as in certain sections of the British media. Hazard was silly, nothing more imo.
If however it had been John Terry I would of course be calling for a life ban!
As for the Cuntski Official Twitter, I couldn’t agree more with you.
Good moaning.
By “the boy from Celtic’ you guys mean Wanyama right? He is from Kenya so i’d be damn proud if he was to play for the mighty Arsenal, I happen to know he is an Arsenal fan although i think 25m is too much for him. I hear Fergie is also after him, I wonder if he’d choose us over them him being a fan and all, not that it means much nowadays what with little boys inside people.
Yep, that kid was a proper little twat who DID deserve a kicking but the real idiot here is Hazard. By kicking him, he’s only stooping to the childish level of the ballboy. He should have left it to the ref (a pro footballer should know this) and shown himself to be above childishness.
The thing to remember with Hazard is that:
(a) the behavior of the ball boy is a separate issue. You can condemn Hazard without condoning the ball boy (the same way Cantona was condemned despite the geezer he twatted being a racist); and
(b) the real issue here is potential incitement.
This is a sport in which you can’t take your shirt off after scoring, or hush the home crowd, without taking a card. Why? Because you wind up the support and make policing more difficult. I don’t agree with it, but it’s the rules.
What Hazard did last night (for whatever reason) was to go to an away ground and kick a prone teenager in the ribs mere yards away from the home support. We might all know now that he’s 17 years old and a bit of a tool, but there’s no way the Swansea fans could have known that at the time – they would just have seen Hazard kick a kid in a Swansea tracksuit.
If that isn’t incitement, I don’t know what is. You simply cannot have players doing that and let them get away with it.
I’m not morally outraged over it (nor was I morally outraged over the Cantona incident – the geezer he clocked fully deserved it), but I do think he should take a long ban. And have a fcuking shave.
I’d say an eight-match ban for Hazard would be in order. But then again I do admit that I may just be coloured by my dislike for everything that has anything to do with that dispicable club…
And heh@78
*Sits back and considers how much time he will have for real drinking if he just lets N7 do all his posting*
Pint, Guvnor. And a biro for that bloke.
DR C 76:
‘who, among us, is a professional football player paid gazillions of pounds per week?’ is a pertinent question in the context
Did I ever mention that N7 is the voice of reason?
zico at 83 is spot on.
Can we post drinks by proxy through N7? How would that work? We need a system.
Ollie … quite right. I´m not saying that Hazard behaved well. Just that the twat deserved a kick.
N7 points out quite correctly why he had to be seen to be punished.
N7 , agree with you mostly, except when you say that what Hazard did was “kick a prone teenager”.
That’s just it though, isn’t it. He didn’t. Whatever the home support thought they might have seen, what Hazard did what kick the ball away from underneath him, which may or may not have meant there was some tiny contact with the teenager.
Nor did he “get away with it”. He was sent off and will now presumably receive an automatic three game ban.
Surely that is more than enough for the actual offence committed?
http://www.francefootball.fr/home.html#!/news/2013/01/24/153056_moussa-sissoko-tres-proche-de-newcastle.html
Heh. You seriously wonder if Newcastle are trying to be the first team in the Premier League to field an all-French XI.
I’m surprised they didn’t go for Landreau in goal (or maybe they did but he wants to beat the record of number of matches for a ‘keeper in Ligue 1).
And heh @Alain @78
Afternoon all,
Apologies at only having had time to skim the drinks, so pardon any repetition.
Nice report Holic and I did, for the first time in ages, “Get me Gooner”.
No poetry in there from The Spy, then ?
I left several of the more important parts of my frozen anatomy somewhere up the Hornsey Road – again – last night. Only 6 hours at -2C last night, as opposed to the -4C experienced last week.
But, was it worth it !
I saw FOUR goals scored in TEN MINUTES as West Ham were ripped apart by the sublime and lightning skills of Pires, Henry and Bergkamp.
Someone tried to tell me they weren’t actually playing, but I know them when I see them.
Seriously, our new No 10 looks like he could be a genuinely worthy successor to DB10.
There is no higher praise and he has now been awarded the Bergkamp Wonderland song.
If that doesn’t keep him at The Arsenal, no amount of money ever will.
Everyone played well last night but Aaron Ramsey deserves special mention for his part in the defensive third of our midfield.
And Poldi ……
Those on a stream may have missed a duel between Poldi and Szczezzer in the warm up.
Podolski lined up a left foot thunderbolt which Szczes parried in front of his face.
As the keeper, and the ground, stopped shaking, Poldi followed up with thunderbolt number two, with exactly the same result.
At the third attempt Poldi ripped the ball into the back of the net as fans behind the goal prepared to be shot down like tenpins.
“Blimey!!!” I thought.
“Why doesn’t he do more of that during matches ?”
And then he did.
Fantastic performance last night from an emerging beast !
Back to work already.
‘enough’ ?
Anyone playing for that mob deserved to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
Love Arsenal, me !
Well Irealise that Ollie, of course. Goes without saying
Nice one Trev.
Hey tabs
From the footage I’ve seen, it looks as if Hazard caught him in the ribs. It also looked as if, while his main intent was to kick the ball out from under him, he was acting partly out of frustration.
I certainly wouldn’t draw any conclusions from the reaction of the ball boy, who milked it like an eight armed farmer, and I don’t think Hazard was trying to properly hurt him, but it was still a pretty horrendous visual and you could see the reaction from the Swansea players (and hear the fans).
If it were down to me, thinking rationally, he’d get an 8 match ban. If he’d done what he did to another player I’d say the red alone (and the resultant three match ban) would be enough. The fact that it was a ball boy means we have to consider all the public safety aspects described in my post above, and accordingly calls for a longer ban.
If it were down to me, thinking less rationally and more about who he plays for, I’d have him beheaded live on Football Focus and then dock points from Chelsea.
Haha, can’t disagree with any of that N7
Afternoon all.
Great result last night and excellent performances all through the team.
I liked how TV was doing, inspite of recent results he looks to me to be improving in leaps and bounds, I hope his little knock isn’t too bad.
Ramsey was immense, I’ve always said that a lot of the criticism he had recieved was slightly unfair due to wherec he had been deployed. In a more natural position he too over the last few outings has shown his worth and grown in stature, long may it continue, he, after all, with the other British lads, is the future of Arsenal.
I’ve been critical of Sagna lately, but last night his desire and application was top notch again, his movement is still not as fluid as it once was though, I’d like to see a little rotation in thaat position if just to keep him fresh.
Another player I had been critical of, stepped up to the plate and played a blinder. Take a bowski, Podolski. Some accused me of being a bit harsh on him, and maybe I was, but that was only because I knew what he was capable of, we’ve got loads of German channels over here, so I’ve been following him over the years and what we all witnessed last night was the true Lukas. I’ve been screaming at the tv for him to shoot when he’s been in and around the box, because I know he’s got a rocket on him and finally he obliged last night. Almost everything good went through him and he was more involved then he has been since his arrival at The Grove, again, long may it continue.
Shame that the game fell apart when he was subbed and when the young Potts stayed worryingly down for way too long a period (best wishes for a speedy recovery), however complaining after a 5-1 mauling of an opponent would be nit picking at best.
=========
Just saw the Hazzard incident, silly, silly, silly.
I get what Tabs is saying and maybe the “kid” is 17 and he may very well be a total toerag, but that doesn’t excuse what a proffesional footballer and so called role model *sniggers* did, apart from the fact that it was wrong, and two wrongs don’t make a right, he could of insited a mini riot. Lucky he didn’t kick a sheep, he wouldn’t of got out of the valleys alive.
Aaah, N7, seems to have covered it nicely.
Still, a tar and feathering shouldn’t be out of the question, surely ?
heh at the last bit H2H
Assist
Kicks ball.
Goal
Bah! Arrived too late – well in Ollie.
H2H – We saw the same game mate.
As regards the Hazard incident, I’m gonna quit whilst I’m behind!
Boots the ball with Poldi precision …
Thanks for the assist H2H. See, these days, I kick the ball in the general direction of the goal, it may be an assist, it may be a goal.
Sorry I stole your glory N7. You deserve to be on the scoresheet but the ball was already beyond the line.
tabs at 103 overtabsed it. Typical
Ah well in Ollie.
My 103 was of course early build up play for the 200
Heh @105
*kicks ballboy during Ollie´s goal celebrations. No one notices. Smirks to himself and trots back to centre circle*
Well in Ollie and good thinking with the “kicks ball”
Heh tabs, Hazzard should of done the same.
Second half of the season like recent second half performances please. Thanks.
The ballboy has taken to twitter to show the world he is well on the road to recovery;
https://twitter.com/BBCSporf/status/294210587234295810/photo/1
Dr C
H2H @109 – Indeed, and heh @111
Milked it like an eight armed farmer.
Brilliant.
That was me by proxy, btw.
Zaha to Man Utd. Yang Mbwia to Newcastle for 6.7 mi.
Hmm.. dont know whether I should start drowning my sorrows.
“Never had any interest in Zaha,” said AW yesterday. Don’t know why not. Doesn’t seem to like wingers any more unless they can be converted to fullbacks.
Mbwia?… bless you. That was one helluva sneeze!
Meh…on that one. Flavor of the month, in a largely flavorless month.
Though am feeling the jilt with respect to Zaha. But, in all honesty, with Poldi, OG, and Feo – all strikers, or who have played that role with some success – and those two young fellas coming up through the junior team – Afobe and campbell (on loan now i believe) what’re the odds AW would buy another young striker? Low I think.
And Zaha probably just slowed his career. RVP, chicharito, and the other two youngins maniou have – Cole and Welbeck…? Even ignoring Rooney for the moment – whats Zaha’s spot in the pecking order: 3d, 4th if he’s lucky? Their reserve team? Silly.
Heh, if we were about to buy some guy from lower divisions, just snatch Vydra
Check this kid out! He recreates the Bergkamp goal vs Newcastle!
Too early, Arsene….??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9S_E2NgSM8&feature=youtu.be
heh Eandy.
I’ll be Snir and say :
Toulouse got trashed 3-1 by PSG yesterday in the French Cup, I’m not even sure what position he played in(I felt he played central defender more than DM), but Capoue still did some great defending and he really has some style on the ball. I don’t know, just his demeanour with a ball has a touch of class. Like an anti-Lennon, or yes, dare I say, anti-Mate (I know he’s some people’s darling, and he certainly isn’t a shit player, but his running style hurts my sense of aesthetics).
Homer.
Wenger doesn’t use wingers, never really has. Zaha’s competition at Old Toilet would be more along the lines of Young, Ninny, Anderson, Valancia and if he plans to be a bit of a cunt then Evra is the man to emulate.
Next time you’ll probably get to hear of him will be when he gets loaned out to Peterborough or wherever Fergiscum Jnr is mismanaging at the time.
Q. How much has Mark Lawrensen earned over the years to be a football “expert”?
A. Too much.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/lolz-mark-lawrenson-struggles-to-identify-an-arsenal-goal-scorer-on-question-of-sport/?
Is it really that surprising that anyone would fail to recognise that guy as a “goalscorer”?
H2H – Haha, good point, but I’m not letting thicko Lawro off that easily
Speaking of useless crap from MOTD;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9817439/BBC-replace-Colin-Murray-with-Mark-Chapman-on-Match-of-the-Day-2.html
I never really understood what he was doing there in the first place, he’s got bugger all conection to football and he wasn’t really a presenter as he tried to give his own opinions in what was supposedly a light hearted comedic way, I thought he was about as funny as toothache and that’s being rather unkind to toothache.
But to be replaced by the guy that shot John Lennon is a bit much, but then again if he picks off the other “scousers” Hanson and Lawro, then I’m all for it.
Liked the guvnor’s piece in the Gooner. As a regular contributor it makes a pretty good read all round but there’s an extra bit of lass this month! My bit is on the goalkeepers and is a few weeks old but nothing has got any clearer.
Excellent performance last night, all the goals were beautiful
Loved Poldi’s strike, I would love Santi to attempt more shots too as I believe he also can rip them from distance.
Re:Hazard – He is a stupid cunt for doing what he did but not an evil cunt(yet) like John Terry IMO
Heh H2H.
I must admit Colin Murray didn’t provoke the same feelings of irritation in me that he seems to have done in others – didn’t have a strong view on him either way.
But whatever you think of Murray, this Chapman is a step down. Bland, nauseatingly matey, simplistic, deeply deeply unfunny, and looks like he might whiff a bit. If that wasn’t enough he also supports the Mancs.
The fact that he has a two man radio show with Robbie Savage, and thinks of Robbie as “his straight-talking mate” tells you all you need to know.
He’s about as welcome as crabs.
Just seen the goals for the first time…. so, Ollie G not much of a striker then? ?
His movement for the first was perfect, and the backheel finish for the second was even better than Santi´s!
Dr C@118: that is just brilliant!
tabs@121: …but that is just embarrassing. I mean, fine if it had been some 17-year old reserve player but this is a player who has been in the Premier League for a few years and while he hasn’t played that much lately he did get off to a rather high-flying start and for a supposed expert on the game to not recognise him… well, words just fail me.
As for Zaha, my reaction to him going to ManU is one huge “meeeeeeeeeeeh”. 20 years old and never played higher than the Championship where he has scored a grand total of five goals this season, is that really the kind of player we need at this moment? And for £15 million plus add-ons if media reports are to be believed? No thanks, I’d rather spend the same money on David Villa.
Indeed Lars. The fact that he guessed Gervinho, ignoring the rather obvious difference in the respective appearances of Gerv and Chamakh, merely highlighted what a complete bellend the man is.
Dr C, 20 golden delicious. How do you like them apples? Go back and check how many goals Percy the Dutch skunk scored in his first season in England.
Ollie’s a striker. End of.
Tabs, Eeerr, he sounds like a complete toss bucket, but being Bland, nauseatingly matey, simplistic, deeply deeply unfunny, and looks like he might whiff a bit , would probably mean he’s over qualified…. Come to think of it, it makes him Lawro.
Lars, we’re in the same place re Zaha, looks like another one of those signings for a tomorrow that may never come.
In other news,
Those of you who thought that Planet ogf the Apes was just science fiction, you have been warned;
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4759554/Gareth-Bale-lookalike-at-Tottenham-Kenny-McEvoy.html
Heh, its Kenny Macaque
HEH
Hello me long lost mates,
Ive Been a bit absent for the past few weeks ( not that anyone cares).
Good game to watch. When we actually moved with pace and added some incisive finishing we were devastating. Wish we would spread out some of our goals. We seem to really score in bunches when things click. Lets hope this is due to players still getting to know each other.
The Zaha thing is less important now that we have Theo back in the fold.
I owe Aaron an apology. I have said I didn’t want him to play too deep this season but yesterday he was impressive. I hope it continues.
Cheers all.
Raon L’Etape vs Bordeaux in the next round of the cup, not a bad draw, even if it’s away.
Mind you, it couldn’t have been at home since we have that rule here that if there’s 2 divisions or more (or is it ‘more than 2′, can’t remember) between teams drawn together, game will be at the home of the lower division one.
OK, I wouldn’t normally link to The Sun and it has nothing to do with football, but this is about the town where I grew up:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/4759932/New-Facebook-data-hub-freezing-Swedish-town-Lulea.html
In traditional Sun style they stretch the truth quite well, -30C is a rather extreme temperature even for that place and while it is depressingly dark in the winter for most of the day, in the summer there is 24-hour daylight. (That light is probably the only thing that I miss about not living there anymore, to be honest.) And while they make it sound like an isolated small village in the middle of nowhere, it is a town with about 80.000 inhabitants.
NorCal, welcome back!
24 hour daylight.
Rox would never get out.
Evening all. Bit of a busy one. Recorded tomorrow’s Arsecast, caught up with some Arsenal Player features.
Bad news is I have just supped the last beer in the place. Good news is I have loads of malt
Good to see you back NorCal.
Now, where is that Snir.
The Schoolboy should get a video of Poldi’s assists and be forced to watch them a 100 times,so he can learn the art of wing play.
At all times Poldi has his head up and is constantly looking at where his colleagues are running into space.
His delivery on a sixpence each time was a thing of beauty,and something i haven’t seen at the Arse for many a long day.
Witness the difference when the Schoolboy was in possession on the flanks and not once did his delivery into the box merit more than 4 out of 10.
I have said several times on here,that Poldi and Giroud have a very good understanding,all the way back to Liverpool,unfortunately they have not played regularly together since,due to the Boss’s daft idea that first Nervy Gervy and then the Schoolboy could possibly play a central striking role.
That is equivalent to me getting a blow job off the Queen Mother.
Fucking Impossible.!!
Putting 5 past a shambolic injury ridden Hammers is the least we could have done,i will be more impressed if we have stuffed Brighton,Liverpool and Stoke by the time we hit Feb,and we have at least 2 Gold standard new signings limbering up for the run Home.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Welcome back NorCal.
Lars, that’s one big cool thumbs up.
Heh Zico, that’s what you get when you marry a vamp.;)
I hope that that’s not Malt Beer Guv.
*presses submit button even though he knows that alcolol free beer is not an option in Chateau L’holic.
Now, now Clive – only yesterday I recall you being nervous about he visit of the spammers.
Totally bang on about Theo, mind.
The Royal Blowie Clive?
Tis nothing.
Been serviced by loads of Queens here
Evening All
It’s been a trying day, missing train connections and spending hours drinking dubious cups of coffee in draughty waiting rooms.
As for the non-Arsenal talking point of the day, both parties showed a complete lack of sportsmanship and young Hazard emphasised the present state of our beautiful game, when it comes to overpaid,over hyped,classless morons.
I’ve been telling you all that Ramsey’s play has been catching my eye in recent games and it certainly did last night. I am so pleased for him and perhaps now his critics will get off his back.
In spite of a dodgy stream, the 12 minute burst of Wengerball had me jumping up and down like a 5year old. Can we expect an encore on Saturday and more importantly next Wednesday when I will be in attendance at the game and for a pre-match drink at the Tollie. Hope to catch some of you there.
As always COYRs
Theo is now a gooner, he signed, ok his peeps held us over a barrel, but that’s what those cock-roaches do, we let him/them get in that position, our bad.
I thought he didn’t do that bad yesterday. The way he controlled the ball from Santi’s briliant pass was sublime, shame he over ran it. He scored (again) and got an assist, his stas are amazing (i had him as captain in the HT league, muchos points) and I see real improvement.
Yes he earns too much, they all do, but now he done “sign da ting”, I’ll back him to the hilt.
Heh Wolfie.
Evening NorCal, welcome back.
Lars, your hometown looks pretty cool . Sounds like you should be buying up property there according to the Currant Bun .
H2H,
Clive’s comparison with Podolski is a very valid one though – Theo does seem oblivious to his surroundings and he plays on instinct. He most certainly does not get his head up to see if there are better options and he was guilty of that on a number of occasions last night.
Evening Z
Don’t think anyone could have predicted the Tsunami of goals for us at half time.
I thought the Hammers contributed manfully in the first 45,but we should have been in front at the turnaround.
My problem is,despite the talent in the squad,we are batting 1 pt out of 15 against the Top 3.,and yet again find ourselves scrambling for what looks like a battle for 4th place and a CL qualifier next August.
So putting 5 past the Hammers and 6 or 7 past Southampton and Newcastle,gives succor to the flat track bully image,but no intestinal fortitude/self belief,when up against Utd/City/Chelski.
We deserve better
Maybe it is our year for the FA Cup,who knows.
I sure as hell would prefer not to be half way through March,with yet again,only 4th place to be scrambling for.
Wolfie
Far too much information.!!
Indeed he was, but Poldi too has been guilty of that a number of times, yesterday he was top notch and long may it continue. I’m just afraid that Theo will take too much stick because of his “price tag”.
If he really slips then I’ll be the first to call him out for it.
And how rude of me. Good evening Clive, sir.
Glad to be back.
I agree that Theo still has work to do. It comes slow with him. He has shown a great improvement over the last 2 seasons and I think/hope he will get there. One thing I noticed when he played central striker was that he viewed himself as only a goal scorer. The reason I like OG in the middle is he likes to get all involved. He is very clever with his layoffs and we now have 3 very good goals from his little give and go with the flick over the top of the defense.
Hope that was a sign that players have settled in. All 4 new signings scored yesterday.
I do however totaly agree thathe HFB must get a sustained run in the team.
*that the
@H2H96
the sheep – I just choked on me cheese and biscuits – wonderful.
Thx for the best laugh I’ve had for days.
Jeez, we (bar one, now 2) have got it in for ‘As Are’ haven’t we! Can’t see it myself. Yes, a red card, but three games off? Let alone 8!! All he did was try and toe-poke the ball out from under the twat at a time when his side were down by two with time running out. Who wouldn’t have reacted some way or other? The kid was lucky it was a puny frog and not a Vinnie Jones. Hazard just chose an injudicious method of retrieval in the heat of the moment. Kick him? Of course he didn’t, not intentionally anyway. That ball-man should be banned from ball-boying for life for his total disrespect for football.
ONE game off (along with the contempt he’s now getting) would be enough punishment, imo.
Oskar
Cheers dk.
Wenger never used wingers, H2H (#120)? What were Overmars, Ljungberg, Pires, Henry, RvP (initially), Walcott, even Gervinho and Arshavin most of the time? Okay, from Henry on they’ve had more of a roving role, encouraged to cut inside and act as subsidiary strikers … but I think that most have played as trad wingers at least most of the time. Think Walcott’s (still) endless attempts to get his crosses past the first defender!
Oskar
Delia
Life is too uncertain for dubious cups of coffee.
The Hazard vs Silly Billy Ball Boy, hash-tagging about his time wasting prowess, issue has certainly assumed a huge significance in the bar.
Having thought about it, I would just like to add, ” “
Oscar
A traditional winger hugs the touchline and ends up with chalk on his boots. Can you honestly say, with maybe the exception of Overmars, that the rest ever did that?
Gerv is the closest to a winger that we have, but I ‘d prefer that he wasn’t.
====
As for Hazard let me put it in Pulp Fiction terms;
Vincent: But still I have to say, you play with matches you get burned.
Jules: Whaddya mean?
Vincent: You don’t kick a ball boy
Jules: You don’t think the ref overreacted?
Vincent; Hazard had to expect a reaction
Jules: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa… stop right there, kicking a ball boy and killing a ball boy ain’t even the same fuckin’ thing.
Vincent: It’s not. It’s the same ballpark.
Jules: Ain’t no fuckin’ ballpark neither. Now look, maybe your method of being a twat differs from mine, but geting the ball back from a ball boy ain’t the same fuckin’ ballpark, it ain’t the same league, it ain’t even the same fuckin’ sport. Look, trying to get the ball don’t mean shit.
Vincent: Have you ever got the ball back ?
Jules: [scoffs] Don’t be tellin’ me about getting the ball back. I’m the getting the ball back fuckin’ master.
Vincent: You get the ball back a lot?
Jules: Shit yeah. Got my technique down and everything, I don’t be ticklin’ or nothin’.
Vincent: Would you kick a ball boy to get the ball back?
[Jules gives Vincent a long look, realizing he's been set up]
Jules: Fuck you.
Vincent: You kick them a lot?
Jules: Fuck you.
Vincent: You know, I’m kinda tired. Could you kick a kid to get my ball back?
Jules: Yo..yo man, you best back off, I’m gittin’ a little pissed here.
Jules: Now look, just cause I wouldn’t kick a kid to get the ball back it don’t make it right for Marsellus (the ref) to throw Hazard towards the disciplinery comitee. That shit ain’t right. Motherfucker do that shit to me, he better paralyze my ass, ’cause I’ll kill the motherfucker, know what I’m sayin’?
Vincent: I ain’t saying it’s right. But you’re saying kicking a ball boy don’t mean nothin’, and I’m saying it does. Now look, I’ve got a ball back a million times , and every time it meant something. But we act like it don’t, but it does, and that’s what’s so fucking cool about getting the ball quickly into play. There’s a sensuous thing going on where you don’t talk about it, but you know it, the crowd knows it, fucking Marsellus (the ref) knew it, and Hazard should have fucking better known better. I mean, he did it in front of the Swansea crowd, man. They ain’t gonna have a sense of humor about this shit. You know what I’m saying?
Jules: That’s an interesting point. Come on, let’s get into character.
END SCENE.
A word for the “The Sweeper”:
Magnificent..!
Ok, you’ve forced me.
The ball boy behaved like an idiot.
Hazard has learned the ways of his new club very quickly, namely, “because we are mega rich Chavs, we can do whatever we want and get away with it”.
That’s Chelsea, top to bottom.
Final answer.
What Trev said.
Evening Trev.
Can I have a foot massage please H2H?
Evening bath, how are you.
Looked a bit grim your way on the news a couple of nights ago.
Hope all is ok.
166 Wolfie.
After a hard day galavanting on your Jimmy Choo’s you deserve one.
Haha
Can we agree Hazard deserves punishment on the basis he didn’t know the supersized 17 year old ballboy (think about that for a moment) was a sad and privileged wankhammer?
Just a thought…
I think we can ‘H
Evening Trev, Bath.
Evening Tabs,
Yes Holic we can.
Time wasting ball boy gets a kicking – ‘occupational Hazard’.
Have to say the more I see the footage of the ball boy thing, the funnier it gets.
Heh Trev.
Ofcourse the ball boy was a twat, but at the risk of repeating myself (and John Travolta);
Hazard should have fucking better known better.
Evening H2H,
trust all is well in the Lowlands.??
Thnks for the kind word Joe.
Have Another Guiness Son,
Haven’t you got to be up early for a job interview.??
At the risk of what, H2H ?
Evening Clive,
Had a good old chuckle at your ‘Queen Mother’ line.
Re Swansea’s Naughty BallBoy,
Where’s Carlos Kickemhard when you need him.!!
Evening Trev
Punmeister par excellence.
I am busy polishing my Moped for the Brighton gig.
Ready and willing, Clive, ready and willing.
Sounds a bit euphemistic, Clive.
Barking, the lot of you
Woof !
Trev @181
Trev
I should have mentioned i am polishing my Helmet as well,!!
Alaways scored on w/end trips to the Seafront back in the day.!!
Long long time ago.!!
Sweeper,
I take it as a compliment these days that you should think of me as being so young………..let alone to think that I would be in need of job, let alone an interview..!!
If only you were female, and as partial to providing blowjobs as receiving them…..!
Pulp Fiction cont.
Jules Hazard: You, flock of sheep fucker, you know why we’re here? Why don’t you tell my man Vincent (the ref) where you got the shit ball hid at?
Jules Ballboy: Normally, both your asses would be dead as fucking fried frog, but you happen to pull this shit while I’m in a transitional period between boyhood and adultery so I don’t wanna kill you, I wanna help you. But I can’t give you this ball, it don’t belong to me. Besides, I’ve already been through too much shit this morning over this ball to hand it over to your dumb ass.
Jules Hazard: Oh, sheepfuckerballboy, I will never forgive your ass for this shit. This is some fucked-up repugnant shit.
Vincent (the ref): Jules, did you ever hear the philosophy that once a man admits that he’s wrong that he is immediately forgiven for all wrongdoings? Have you ever heard that?
Jules Hazard: Get the fuck out my face with that shit! The motherfucker that said that shit never had to get a football back of a toy sheepfucker on account of you’re too slow to do it yourself.
Vincent (the ref): I got a threshold, Jules. I got a threshold for the abuse that I will take. Now, right now, I’m the fuckin’ referee, right, and you got the red!
Oskar
*Applauds Oskar Tarantino*
Pulp Friction;
The Ref: You read the FA Bible, aka the rulebook Eden?
Hazard: [in spasm] Yes.
The Ref: Well there’s this passage I got memorized, Ezekiel Garay 25:17. “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the Chavish and the tyranny of evil Oliegarchs. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the ball through the valleys of Swansea and back to the pitch, for he is truly a yound lad and the finder of lost footballs. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my ballboys. And you will know my name is the Ref’ when I lay my red card upon thee.”
Night all.
H2H @162. That’s some real shit, you motherfucker.
hands up – the ballboy thing made me laugh bigtime
right – i’m orf to get a blow job off the queen mum.
Oops, pardon – “right i’m orf to get the bus” (it’s early and i’ve got fat fingers)
Show stolen again by AL.
First laugh out loud moment of the day – nice one, Reverend.
Morning folks.
It’s friday, oh yeah!
AL –
Does anyone know where I can find how much an Arsenal share costs?
I’ve googled it and the only thing I found is 1.5m, and surely it isn’t the case.
Snir is back.
I think it fluctuates, and for instance, Usmanov bought shares above their listed values.
When Stan had to make the compulsory offer, it was a set value.
No idea what an Arsenal share is worth precisely, but I think it’s about £1,200-£1,400 or in that area.
And while I’m here I might as well cross it Podolski-stylee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ownership_of_Arsenal_F.C.
Maybe there’s something about it there…
Or maybe I missed a factor 10 multiplier indeed, more like around £15,000 sorry :s
Thanks and well in Ambydex
Finish it with Cazorla-style, nice assist, Ollie
Rosicky returns, Hooray!
Joe @ 186
Sorry mate,misconception on your part re my Post @ 175.
My reply to you was only one line.
The rest below it, was aimed at Tabs.
It was a play on his Moniker, related to hs Nemesis from Yonder shores.
But he didn’t spot it,so obviously i was too fucking clever for my own good.!!
Nothing new there.
Heh @ The Rev.
Well in Amby.
Morning Y’all, so, how many boys have been kicked in the balls by Chavs today?
Good afternoon bubble bursters.
All set for a bit of rock at the beach?
(down Wolfie! rock not Rock)
Afternoon Ladyboys,
I see Murray won his semi. Fair play to him on Burns night. Sadly, reports suggest that no ball boys took a really good kicking. Shame. I find that top level Sport just isn’t the same without a bit of child beating.
Snir sniffing around Arsenal shares? Is this the hostile takeover we’ve all been waiting for? Fingers crossed.
Nice one H2H.
AL – Massive heh
Clive – You’re right, went way over my head that one! I’m a simple soul. Cheers for the Guinness
Bath – heh!
Rosicky back? Good news indeed.
At 6 o’clock,
The Doc takes stock
packs his cards
walks the brief few yards
To his waiting ride
and once inside,
barks commands
driver understands
“I’m heading South”
the driver’s mouth
curls a sneer
She starts to steer
At 8 o’clock
The Doc takes stock
of the Duty Free
and by varying degree
a list of three
Spirits wink back
smuggled into his pack
for no other reason
than it’s drinking season.
At 10 o’clock
The Doc takes stock
of the Underground map
(mind the gap),
he steps on board
with his whisky hoard
sits back, reclines,
dreams of Arsenal number nines,
a jolt, he’s stopped
the train just dropped
most of its load
on to Holloway Road.
At 11 o’clock
The Doc then walks
In to someone’s Arms,
(Tollington style)
just simple charms
For this old soak,
rum and coke
Nothing drastic,
but poured in plastic
At 3 o’clock
The Doc’s about to rock
views a sea of green
a familiar scene
11 earnest men
cannon-crested
mental-strength, factory tested
another scalp, another bested,
It’s over, a familiar cheer
“Job done! More beer!”
At 5 o’clock
The Doc is locked
4 deep at the bar
and from afar
a familiar call
setting out “her” stall
to drink and drink,
dance on a table
in frilly trunks
and matching sable
At 10 o’clock
The Doc can’t talk
rambling, raving,
gestures, waving
it’s clearly time,
to go, to rest
and put to the test
the power of Rox
to control the
madman out the box.
At 12 o’clock
The Doc picks the lock
(Feelgood Towers)
but waiting inside
Roxette glowers
“What time do you call this?”
“I call it night” he mumbles
Attempts a kiss
but only stumbles,
world spinning, falls
as Roxette kicks him
squarely in the balls……
Hey Tabs,
“Rosicky back” – is that now a recognised chronic back condition ?
How ling is he out for ?
Ahh, our drinks are separated by miles of fine Zico verse
Ling = long.
Oh, they’re not now ?! Ipad has a life of its own.
Zico’s a poet
And now we all know it,
But he’s only an amateur
‘Cos he can’t quite make the lines long enough to scan properly into iambic pentameter.
Dr Z – *stands up and applauds* – Excellent. Burns would be proud.
Trev @209 – Heh
Outstanding !
5-1 Loved it !
Poldi on FIRE !
Now to read
looks like saturday’s tie is going to be rather emotional for Amy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/25/brighton-dreamers-miracle-fa-cup
Mighty fine article written in a different style which works well.
Capoue injured for this weekend. Perhaps it’s the right time to sign him?
Applauds Rabbie Zico.
I want haggis
Fair fa yer honest sonsie face,
Great Zico of the pudding race.
Within the team ye tak yer place,
Weave, swerve and score,
Weel are ye worthy of a case
Of 10 year old Ardmore!
Send us your haggis!
Is it not Rab C Zicbitt, ‘holic?
Top notch Zico.
===
Had a listen to the Arsecast starring ‘holic, good stuff.
Thank you kind sir
Should any of my Caledonian half-cousins be partaking of a Burns supper tonight may I wish you an enjoyable evening. I wish I were joining you.
Fresh salmon
Haggis neeps and tatties
Cranachan
Malt whisky
Want…
It’s Brighton you’re going to tomorrow, ‘holic, not Edinburgh.
Poetry day? I’ll try to play….
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We love the arsenal,
And John Terry is a cnut
*fails miserably*
A round of applause for zico@208!
Well AW has said there should be a limit on how many transfers a club should be allowed to have. ‘Holic, what say you?
I am also saddened to hear AW say: “If we perform at full potential we cannot expect any miracle from outside, we want to make things happen inside. If someone else can strengthen our squad, we will do it of course, but we have the resources inside to do well.
“We have two players in every position, that should be enough, plus the young players in behind.”
Well some part of this equation is incorrect, if not the players than whom?
Someone please enlighten me as to what I am missing here.
Heh @ Pa
Excellent work Dr Z
Have a drink on Lars’ tab
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ejI30Yx6UA
Look what I stumbled across.
Made me cry.
Why? Did you stub your toe on it?
Snir@229 – I watched the first minute of the video, and it certainly brought back some good memories. Not nearly enough Berkamp for my taste.
(Ducks, and heads for the door)
COYG
Frimpong’s off to Cottage to Jolly Jol.
Massive heh @zico
Preview time >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>