Impressive Gunners Make NextGen Series Last Weekend
Mar 25th, 2013 by 'holic
Well, that was a different way to spend a Monday evening, and a thoroughly enjoyable one watching the U-19’s advance to the Finals weekend of their inaugural NextGen series campaign in Italy over the Easter weekend.
The first-half saw both sides eager to close down their opponents and so the ball was moved around quickly, if a little aimlessly at times. CSKA set up to hit Arsenal on the break but found the hosts built on a solid platform. Hajrovic and Hayden looked physically too powerful for the Russians at the back and that allowed Bellerin and Angha to advance at will down the flanks. Inside them Yennaris and Olsson secured the centre of the park allowing Ebicilio, Gnabry, and Eisfeld to look to get forward in support of the willing Akpom.
Less than five minutes in Serge Gnabry had the best chance of that opening half but his header from Hector Bellerin’s cross was well saved by Revyakin (or was it?). At the other end there were few clear cut opportunities for CSKA and Arsenal’s Macedonian goalkeeper, Deyan Iliev, commanded his area impressively.
In the second-half Arsenal’s more accurate distribution meant the visitors started to tire and gaps were appearing. Whereas in the first half we had made better progress down the flanks, now direct moves through the centre were promising rewards. The growing influence being exerted by Gnabry, playing just behind Chuba Akpom, was exemplified by a marvellous goal for the Gunners just before the hour mark, and once again Bellerin featured in the build-up.
CSKA made efforts to break out of their previously self-imposed shell but now faced an Arsenal side buoyed by the support of several thousand enthusiastic supporters on a bitterly cold night. Thomas Eisfeld and Martin Angha in particular had chances to secure the tie. The former went closest with a superb free-kick that cannoned back into play off the crossbar. In the end though the one goal was enough to take us through to a semi-final meeting with Chelsea on the shores of Lake Como this Friday.
Interestingly on their previous visit to London this same CSKA squad went home victorious from their group stage encounter with Chelsea, although to be fair Chelsea did get revenge with a win in Moscow in the return. It is unwise to read too much into tonight’s result or performance, but none of those who wore the cannon tonight will have done their prospects any harm. Every group will produce a maximum of one or two players for the first team, it is said. I think I saw three or four tonight who would enjoy far more patience from the supporters than some of the deadwood currently still nominally in the first team squad.
Who knows, we may even buy one or two better quality players in the summer for these young professionals to learn from? Just a thought.
Good luck at the weekend, lads.
157 Responses to “Impressive Gunners Make NextGen Series Last Weekend”
First drrrrink!
Cheers ‘H.
Just posted on t’other side.
Well Played The Arsenal.
Enjoyed that. Cheers for the link Washed Up.
Well deserved victory. Mightily impressed with the boys performance, especially the second half.
Serge Gnabry was the obvious star of the show, first time I’ve watched him for a full 90 where he’s lived up to the hype. Others though caught the eye.
Hector Bellerin offered more evidence that those hoping for a RB to be signed in the event that Bac decides to move on in the Summer will be disappointed.
The one that really caught my eye was Isaac Hayden at the back. I thought he was fantastic. Did everything that was asked of him with authority and looked a real footballer.
Martin Angha was another one who can be very proud of his night’s work. I’m not convinced that he’s a left back, but he had a great game. Terrific athlete. Superb post-match interview too.
First time I’ve seen Kris Olssen, and thought he looked great. Always made time for himself and was very tidy in possession.
I’ve read from others that see far more of these games than I do that Eisfeld doesn’t have enough to make it at Arsenal. That judgement appears premature to me. He always looks impressive whenever I’ve seen him and that free kick at the end would have been a fitting reward for his performance had it dipped an inch lower.
Just staking my claim. Just woke up and must go to work. Will read this post in am and later watch us win! Way to go!!! Have a good nite everyone.
I’ll blame someone else if I end up going to bed late, as I’ve hit a vein of 80s music on youtube….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0cFzZt4mc4
I think I’ve read that post somewhere else just earlier, tabs π
So good I gave it to you twice Ollie π
Double dipping Tabs.
Nice write up ‘holic. I will watch tonight on player.
Cheers all.
Nice report ‘holic. (and Tabs)
I caught bits and pieces of the game and what I saw was pretty impressive stuff. You could see a real “Arsenal way” of playing in some of their moves.
Here’s wishing them all the best for the finals in Perry Como.
Nice post Guv, just like you I have high hopes for more than just one or two of those boys.
P.S. This is the second edition of the Next Gen Series(we didn’t register for the 1st edition which took place last year)
TaBS, nice report, I like Hayden too, he just turned 18 but he plays with, as you rightly said, so much authority and seems matured too.
Thanks Ollie for pointing me in Stu Mac’s direction. Post duly amended…
…and thanks Cent. Another minor edit performed π
Great result for the lads. We clearly have some real quality coming through the club and as Holic’s says in his report they would be afforded much more patience than some of the less than impressive squad we can’t get rid of. My sources tell me that Bellerin,Akpom and Olsson and of course Gnabry are the ones destined for the top. I also understand the other lad we signed from Barca is excellent, Toral.
Nice to hear Tabs ‘ comment on Hayden. Sounds like just what we need.
Good luck lads!
Great stuff. Now for the cricket…
How do you like my accent? I’m so continental…
I really need my friends in the southern hemisphere and North America to keep the drinks alive for the next few hours, every night π
I’m sure a Hungarian Canadian with a Spanish first name can post utter bollocks for a few hours every night.
Or just me……
Wish I knew anything about cricket, ‘Holic. I’m afraid I don’t know licket about wickets.
Just a man and his thoughts…. And a beer….. Oh look a squirrel…… Where was I?
Aw fuck it….. I tried ‘holic…..;)
Good work, NorCal π
Hey Norcal! … a few years back , was a big fan of the gentle mans game. that was a given coming from a country which focuses on just one game π .. sadly all other sports in india is given little attention and care.
Since i found football n arsenal since 2006 (ya i know.. im a late comer into the arsenal history) , have been losing interest with a game that i had grown up with. When i think about it, it feels quite wierd that i have more affection for a team in another part of the continent and a game much less played in my native country. Lack of competition in the game is suppose. Holic might disagree π
anyways.. done for the day.., off home..
have a great day ahead guys!
cheers
And well done lil gunners!
Hope to see mr iceman in the team next year.. i really like the look of him..
any good links where I can get a download of todays match?
Evening all. Great result. Not seen any of the game so I am grateful for the comments of those who have.
My only reservation about predicting international stardom for some of these lads at this stage is that I felt exactly the same about the all conquering youth team of a few years back. That said it would be tremendous to see several of this crop become good enough to be first team regulars.
This gnext gen business is starting to get on my gnerves. In a good way, of course. π
Who’s gnext??
8ball,
The gcunts from the bus stop.
tabs @ 2: Saw only the second half live in between meetings. I absolutely agree with your assessment of Eisfield. I thought his was a very classy performance, in an effective, mature, understated kind of way (which is the hardest thing to do as an youngster when you have lots of abilities on the ball). Did almost nothing wrong in the second half except for one stray pass. Very intelligent with or without ball and if I dare say a type of player Arsene likes more than the raw skillful ones. That free-kick was delightful.
I cannot really put my fingers on it but he reminds me of a young Figo at Barcelona. No where close to that good, of course, but something about the approach.
Gnabry’s goal was came from a very well orchestrated move and as always he had some excellent moments in the game. He has a genuine presence and of course loads of skill. His playing style is very similar to Ox IMHO.
Like you, I found Hayden and Angha (who I don’t think may be a natural defender) to have played well, but I thought Bellerin was very impressive both in defense as well as going forward.
A few days back Arteta said in an interview he sees 3-4 of these youngsters to play a part in Arsenal’s future. Gnabry, Eisfield, Bellerin and Akpom? The last of these two still have a lot to prove before being taken seriously but I think Gnabry should be ready to be tested on loan at PL/Championship and Eisfield I think should get regular League Cup starting spot next season with some first team experience in FA cup and league.
Cheers ‘holic. ’twas a good watch last night.
I was promised sunshine today but it’s absent.
No sun here either and no decent football. Missed the kids last night. Thanks H for the summary.
It was c-c-c-c-c-c-c-c-old!
Arrived really late, just in time to catch the end of the second half but it was well worth the effort if only for the quality of the football and the company in the second half.
Gnabry, Eisfeld, Bellerin and Yennaris were the stand-outs for me. Shame to see Akpom hobble off with what looked like a groin injury.
Thank you Arsenal. They must have made a loss on the night for the lighting and staffing bill alone but it was a really well organised show.
Our best chance of silverware that won’t be won by the ladies remains in-tact.
UTA!
Talkin ’bout Next Generation….
A bit like ‘KR’ or ‘BR’ in English, I really don’t get e-mails with ‘cdt’ in French.
If you really can’t be arsed to put the thing in full, there’s not much ‘cordial’ in there. Not many ‘regards’ either.
Lazy corporate cunts.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21860034
That could be good if they get the casting right.
1-Nil To The Arsenal! Nice ring to it.
Good to see the young ‘uns doing well.
Faustus @25 – Completely agree with your assessment of Bellerin. If I had to pick one from the Side last night to make the step up it would be him, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he played a part in the first team next season.
Akpom? Certainly widely admired, but then so were Bendtner and Lupoli, Watt and Afobe. He certainly has the physique and showed some nice touches. Needs to get his head up though. I thought he wanted too long on the ball last night, perhaps from a natural desire to impress in an individual capacity. Certainly has a football career ahead of him, but whether that is at Arsenal is another thing entirely.
It’s a bit of a fool’s game to play the prediction game at this stage. Too many variable factors to take into account – the rate at which players develop, injury, the ability to take your chance when it presents itself, and crucially, luck in getting the opportunity at the right time in the first place.
At this stage, Bellerin, Hayden, Angha, Ollson, Gnabry, Eisfeld and Akpom all have a chance, and as Ttg mentioned, the other Spaniard Jon Toral should not be discounted. From last night’s side, I personally would doubt that Hajrovic, Yennaris and Embicilio have enough.
If we get one through from that little lot we are doing well. If we get 2 through that would be superb. Any more than 2, and in this day and age that is stellar.
The game has changed at the top end, and the days of getting 4/5 youngsters through from the same group, as we and Manchester Utd have done in the past, are long gone. For that reason, I don’t share SteveT’s implied disappointment at the 08/09 side. Wilshere is a star and Coquelin is on the fringes. In addition, Sches would have played in that side were it not for injury. To get 3 players through from the same group is outstanding.
TS – Kudos to you for braving the cold. Hope you took a hip flask. π
Ollie @31 – Heh. Poor form indeed.
Yep Ollie @31, agree entirely – whatever it all meant. π
Pretty much on the same page as Tabs and Faustus re the young ‘uns.
Bellerin looks very composed and a good defender.
Angha looks a tremendous athlete, full of power and not short on skill. He would only make a defender, though, in a totally “total” football team. Great performance though.
Eisfeld appears to have the vision, and that free kick was something else.
And Gnabry. Without putting undue pressure on an 18 year old, he IS the new Thierry Henry. Inconsistent at the moment, but the physique, the run, one-two and composure in finishing for his goal was Thierryesque. If he can keep his head and produce his best consistently, we have a star.
No problems there then ….. π
Agree with Tabs & Trev (belated birthday greetings btw!) on the youth.
Manu got a number of young players through to first team some years back and it really was a freakish occurrence.
Brady has always said that if he managed to get one or two players through to the first team it was considered a big achievement.
I do think Steve has a point – in that I feel the club inflated the egos of some of these players and had them thinking that they had made the grade without actually doing the hard graft. Hard graft makes personalities . And I feel that for all the technique and potential that we’ve had, its that sense of personality or character that we’ve missed most.
Cent re Ebecillio (Lorenzo).
He’s won two League titles and has been called up for Oranje twice (1 goal). I hope Kyle does as well.
Nice to see almost 7000 fans turned up to cheer on the team last night, that’s more then Wigan get in the PL. π
I too will not get over excited about the future prospects, even though they did indeed look, at times, quite impressive, as tabs pointed out, there’s way too many variables to predict the future, luck and timing will also play a large part in all their careers. To take even two or three from that group would be amazing.
@32. Should be good that.
Tabs@35: Your caution is well placed.
It is particularly difficult for strikers to break through. They have to have the talent, do the hard work of learning their trade and have what ever it is that lets a lad make the step up to first team football that all players need. Yet they also have to have that extra bit of instinctual magic that top-flight strikers have and compete for what is often a single position in the first team occupied by a seasoned pro who does have that magic.
Though not mentioned much as the bar tonight (pace Trev), I understand there are high hopes within the club for Angha.
Here is a random stat: for the past two seasons only one of the teams in the bottom three after 30 games went on to be relegated.
Hey, NorCal, they named a cricket association after you: http://ncalcricket.org/
Joe,
Agreed about the hard graft making personalities.
How, though, do you manage a situation like this:
A patient of mine who is an estate agent, met a young Arsenal player who was buying a penthouse flat.
The player arrived at his office in a Maserati. On his arm was a stunning blonde with legs up to the proverbial armpits. He was paying cash for the flat – no mortgages for these young men.
If the player ever started a game for the first team – and I don’t believe he did – it was only in the League Cup, before he was sent out on loan and eventually sold to a much lowlier club.
There were high hopes for this lad – a speedy attacker – but how do you convince / demand that someone of 19 years of age, who already has everything he has dreamed of, needs to knuckle down and work harder ?
I won’t embarrass either party by naming names, but that is a true story about a real Arsenal prospect.
Hence, my remark – granted, not a very original one – about Gnabry keeping his head.
Cricket in North California ?
Can’t imagine the Merkans playing anything for 5 days just to draw.
Don’t blame them either. π
Ned,
When they asked me if they could use my moniker I thought it was a group of insect geeks ( entomologists).
Disclaimer: this comment did not actually use or harm any actual crickets or insects and did not intend to offend or disparage any insect geeks. π
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/47527/arsenal-lotto-rolls-over-again
Money to be won at the Arsenal π
Another one.
Some bloke (I think) whose e-mail makes it impossible to guess his name just signed ‘cdt’.
I’m not directly concerned by the content, otherwise would be very tempted to just reply
‘Thank you cdt’.
Do fuck off!
And same to you, kind sir. π
Cheers to you Ollie. A fellow Aries. Not that I really know what that means.
Belgian chocolate, waffles, “French ” fries?
heh Cdtl.
And thanks NorCal.
According to somer rumours, Ibrahimocunt could see his ban reduced to 1 game and he could therefore face Barça in the first lef.
I hope he gets sent off.
For the second round in a row I’ll be supporting BarΓ§a. Damn!
Trev,
Well thats the challenge isn’t is Trev? And there are no easy solutions.
In more recent years, the amount of money that has entered the game is just unbelievable. But I guess thats part and parcel of the challenge both for club and player. The players who will ultimately make it, are the ones who will rise above the flash materialism. The clubs need to make sure that the recruitment process is right too.
My remark about “hard graft” was not made specifically in response to your comments on Gnabry. Your absolutely correct in pointing out the importance of him keeping a sense of perspective. It was more with what Steve said surrounding the hype that existed amongst the youth some years back.
My tuppenny worth, is that there needs to be even more vigilant screening in the selection of who comes through the doors of the club at all levels. I think the club feel bitterly let down by some players who were quite prepared to take the spoils of victory without ever being victorious per se! Of course there’s always an element of risk in bringing in young players and its not an easy balance to strike, but I do feel its most important to bring in grounded individuals who identify with the values of the club.
The English game is like no other league in Europe. Its faster, its physically tougher and there’s a greater reliance on your aerial ability to defend. Technique or skill are just not enough on their own. Having the right work ethic is an essential talent in itself I feel!
Long and mostly crap day at work today, pretty much everything that could give me a hard time did. It really was one of those days. Bleurgh.
Anyway.
A bit late to the party but like many others have said, Gnabry was the star of the show but Bellerin wasn’t far behind. It would be interesting to see him against better opposition where he would have to defend a bit more, he could focus more or less exclusively on attacking this time. Having said that, he did put in a few really excellent tackles to win the ball back very high up the pitch in the first half.
Hmm…Vydra just scored brace against unpredictible Armenians and pretty much won the game for us. Arsene, tie him down for us and leave him another season in Watford for loan, there is a some striker in a making π (btw he won best player in Championship award this year)
Right, Feelgood Foundation AGM.
Saturday 13th April v Norwich.
Employer paying for flights and 80 per cent of my accommodation costs.
Capitalism, I fucking love it. 8)
Eandy I am just curious, is Vydra in Chech an otter?
It is indeed lurky π
Joe @37 – Take your point certainly. As you say @51, it is a problem that will continue to afflict the whole of English football rather than just Arsenal whilst there is so much money on offer at such a young age.
As Trev’s sorry tale shows, for every Jack Wilshere there will be a Jay Emmanuel Thomas.
No way of knowing of course, but I would have thought that Arsenal as a Club do more than most in keeping their youngsters as grounded as they can.
Ned @39 – Completely agree. Striker the hardest position to make it. Only if and when they get a run in the first team will we see how good they are. I remember Kevin Campbell tearing up both youth football and out in the lower leagues on loan as a kid. Although he made an initially great start to his first team career and nailed down a spot for about 4 seasons, he never really delivered on all his potential.
Dr Z!!
Where you been comrade?
Some things are best not known, Tabs, π
zico 54, good stuff!
Ah, good news Dr Z! See you there!
I thought Zico had been exiled from his exile!
Glad to see he is alive. Or is there a fake Dr Z hanging out with the fake Ollie and the Andyses’ of the world?
π
@ 58
And various…..
Crime doesn’t start itself π
Good news Dr z.
Norwich becomes a must attend fixture…
From the BBC website;
ELSEWHERE
Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas is missing from the Spain starting line-up for the huge Group I qualifier away to France which gets underway at 20:00 GMT. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany is back from a two-month calf injury to lead Group A leaders Belgium at home to Macedonia.
D’oh.
Heh H2H. Idiots.
Well, Arsenal’s Kos&Monreal start, it seems.
NL 1 up
Only a friendly, right, H2H?
Tabs,
Just to be fair to him, my story was not actually about JET.
H2H, is Arsenal’s Robin van Persie playing ? π
No Ollie. itΒ΄s the real deal. If they win this one theyΒ΄ll be as good as qualified for Rio.
Heh, Trev, but IΒ΄m afraid not…….
There is some cunt that looks like him though.
Xavi should have scored a few minutes ago, perfectly set up by the Nacho man.
Ah, I thought I had read somewhere that CUNT and a few others were rested and I thought I had read (but maybe just assumed) it was a friendly.
Unprofessional cunts, those Dutch then. Fuck’em.
Spain monopolising the ball, but, not creating many clear-cut chances, apart from that early one made by Nacho.
As far as I can see they have a full strength team out Ollie.
Arcunt Robben, CvC, Fanny Fart, all the tossers are playing.
James Milner ?
Is he a footballer ?
Should probably have been a penalty to Spain there. Rather awkward from Spud ‘keeper, but ref bottled it.
When all 3 French commentators agree it was a penalty in favour of Spain, you can be sure it should have been given…
Oh CvC is playing then? I’d read somewhere that him and at least Sneijder and possibly a few others were being rested.
Your 71 also confused me, but that’s because I hadn’t well read Trev’s joke. I get it now π
H2H @59 Haha π
See you at Norwich Dr Z π
Heh Trev, realised you weren’t talking about JET, you said “speedy” π Apologies if my reply might have implied that it was him. I will cross examine you as to who it was, next time I see you.
Just in. I see England are one up. Hope Jovetic has a stinker to keep his price down.
TaBS @57 in response to Ned @39, I share your sentiments but Giles Grimandi thinks otherwise, he said in a recent interview, while explaining why we missed out on Varane, (I can’t remember his exact words but he spoke words along these lines)that it’s easier to know strikers who will make it from their teens than defenders, his reason been that making it as a defender at the top level requires so much maturity, discipline and adherance to instructions while a striker has much more freedom to do whatever he likes in a game so long as he gets the goals at the end of the day.
NL 2-0
TaBS, if Jovetic has a stinker, the number of Arsenal fans who will claim they knew he was shit anyway would be outrageous.
NL 3-0
1-0 to Spain.
Nacho assist.
Cent,
Fair enough re Gilles. The Grimster knows far better than I ever will.
And yep you’re right re the number of Arsenal fans who will be only too willing to tell all and sundry “told you so”. It won’t bother Arsene though, thankfully.
And Evra beaten to the ball in fact, so sweeet!
Nearly 2-0 then nearly 1-1, end of the game could be entertaining.
Seeing some tweet about Sweden, I realise I may have confused Holland with Sweden, by way of confusing Ibrahimocunt and CuntvCunt….
Ibra deffo rested for whichever game Sweden are playing.
Nacho is just playing superbly tonight.
Cesc on.
Pogba booked
Cesc booked
Pogba booked.
France down to 10.
Oranje 4-0 game done. Can get ready for Rio.
Montenegro equalize.
Very scrappy England game.
Can’t see England scoring again. Poor in final third – not great in the other two thirds.
Montenegro!?!
Sounds like something Suarez would get in trouble for saying.
1-0 Final score.
Great game from Nacho, not bad from Kos either (not at all at fault for the goal).
Santi and Giroud rested (well he played the last 90s, a bit late, isn’t it stupid watercarrier darf cunt ?).
All that was missing was an Evra own-goal, which the goal really nearly was, to be fair.
Well played Spain, it wasn’t easy.
Benzema total dross again.
And Eduardo scored against Wales!
Still an honorary Gunner to me.
Looks like an assist may be too long in coming, so I’ll just get the ball rolling and congratulate the goalscorer in the morning π
England once again showing what an utter pile of shit the Fifa rankings are.
TaBS, I’ve not really watched much of Jovetic, you think he can do a job for us in our current system?
H2H knows @96.
Head up….
Looks for Cent………….
I might as well get the assist before going to bed…goodnight friends. *vOllie’s it*
Always look before you leap!
But, in the spirit of the bar…
Well in Cent.
Well in Cent, beautifully delivered pass H2H.
Re Jovetic Cent, no real idea. He certainly looks good on his Youtube vids π
Interest from Arsenal seems real though. Plenty of rumours that don’t seem to go away. Time will tell.
I’ll believe it when I see it, tabs sir.
Every newspaper article will raise his price, his agent must be jacking himself odd something wicked at the mo’.
odd = off.
But then again odd may be right too. π
Haha, you’re probably right H2H.
I do think International football can still jack the price up astronomically and out of all proportion to what it actually proves about the player.
Still reckon we got an additional 8 or 9 mill for Anelka on the back of those two goals he got for France at Wembley against England.
We made out like bandits on Anelka (stick ’em up Real Madrid)
Look at Andy pandy Carroll, not too long though if you want to keep your last meal down.
Half a season in the PL, a few goals, BUT, add one England cap = Thirty Five modafokin Million.
Peeer-lease.
International appearances don’t mean shit.
Ask Feo. π
Jovetic was actually very impressive last night. He’s not a classic playmaker to play in the hole, but he isn’t the classic striker to play up front in the lone striker role.
He’s not a 9 like Giroud, he’s not a 9.5 like RvP. He’s something weird.
But he can be very very good for us, although I would prefer a more clinical finisher.
Off Topic ,’holic…. Test Series here in NZ just awesome! The whole series went to the last ball,after 15 days! Even though I love NZ, and never intend to return to Blighty, I was rooting for the Old Country — Prior a shoe in for a Knighthood, surely. If only I could summon up the same enthusiasm for Englands footballers ( I cant. In fact I couldnt give a fishes tit). Monty’s Negro ( whoever he is) must have been knackered after keeping out the mighty England. Hat’s off to the fellow! Our Monty a hero. A whizz with a bat, and made of the right stuff! Monty’s Test!
Heh @ van persie being a 9.5!
What is the point of internationals really?
…or the goal, Cent. Well in.
9.75, Snir?
I’m struggling hard not to burst laughing while reading the first part of today’s arseblog.
Ding dong the wicked lull is dead.
Thank Dennis for that. As lulls go, this was surely one of the most tedious, anything that puts Rio Forgetmemand in the spotlight can’t be a good thing.
R.I.P I’L’ you utter basterd, you, unlike a John Terry Champions League Final deciding penalty, shall not be missed.
Try that again;
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/liverpool-striker-luis-suarez-punches-opponent-in-the-face-during-world-cup-qualifier-for-uruguay-8551455.html
I echo all sentiments on the interminability of the lull.
Is it just me or did that one trump all others in terms of sheer coma-inducing boredom of the first water?
It wasn’t longer than the longest but it dragged more than a Stoke fan’s knuckles. Or is that just my perception?
Nice touch from .con
http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/rocky-seven
I’m with you there Cam’.
It just seemed to drag on, didn’t it?
Maybe because we’d won our last game, and the LWC’s were losing their way, maybe because, no matter what some will tell you, Internationals have lost their sparkle, maybe because of the endless dross spouted about jizzrags you can’t stand, whatever the reason, it just seemed toooooooo long.
The only break in the monotony was the Next Gen game on Monday.
Roll on Saturday and bring on Reading.
Nice one Ollie.
THAT’S what it is H2H – we just can’t wait to see what the Tiny Totts do next, plus we’re impatient to get on with the next step in our revival!
It’s going to still be fucking cold on Saturday π
I see I scored with my last k(l)ick of last night.
H2H, thanks for the assist.
Thanks for the kinds words people.
TaBS and Snir, thanks for the heads up re Jovetic.
Afternoon all.
The InterDull may be over, but it sure is quiet out there…. need come kind of stimulation!
*trots off eagerly to the Green Tin*
Mmmmmmm Green Tin stimulates.
*Homer Simpson style mouthwater drool*
Feeling very sleep this afternoon. I wanna go home.
Interesting comments about the time he was wired up for an Arsenal game.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21580408
Afternoon all,
Thanks for the link @126. I used to hate Elleray, pompous little prick.
I notice that he fails to mention that in that game where he was wired up, he failed to give us a goal that was about 3 yards (conservative estimate π ) over the line.
If memory serves I think Tony Adams called him a “fucking cheat”, and was promptly booked for his troubles.
Good old Tone.
‘used to’, tabs? I still do π
Good point Ollie π
Heh Tabs.
Must admit I wasn’t his greatest fan, but then again who is of any particular ref? They can all run hot and cold, admitedly not the easyist job in the world, made even more difficult with every decision being scrutinised to the max in Super SloMo HD from every concievable angle.
Fair play to him for this though;
They only showed the occasions when there was some sort of dispute between the players and me. They edited out all the good exchanges and gave the impression that Arsenal had behaved appallingly.
Can you imagine it? The meedja trying to distort the images to make a story where there isn’t one? Whoa. Luckily we’ve evolved and they don’t do that sort of cowardly, dastardly crap anymore…………..
Oh. π
IΒ΄ve just had a brain wave! Not that it will ever happen, but to cut out the Rooneyesque abuse of the refs why not copy rugby – where any backchat gets a free kick, and then itΒ΄s advanced another ten metres if the chat continues;
Territory in footy not so important, but it would work if a corner was awarded against the sinning team. Not a direct goal scoring opportunity, but dangerous enough to make the players stop and think…
Remember, you heard it here first π
Yeh that’s all fair H2H.
I think it was just Elleray’s manner that used to wind me up. Always gave the impression that he was the star of the show and that it was all a bit beneath him. Never used to admit that he was wrong either. Even in that interview, all these years on, he states that he “regrets” a decision in the ’94 final but still can’t quite bring himself to say that he got it wrong.
Arsenal getting stitched up by the media? Impossible! π
Β‘Hola! Dr C.
That is, in fact, a very good idea……
Not the first time I’ve seen it mooted though.
Didn’t they try it Dr C a few years back? Vague memories of it.
Tony giving it to Elleray …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQ16KFDoA4
Very short shorts, Paul Merson’s were almost at break point….
New balls please.
heh H2H 130
Farewell Interminablelull, don’t hurry back.
Not only is it assumed that we will want, or even be willing, to support toerags we can’t stand the rest of the time when they turn out for the national team, but the standard of the games – certainly in England’s case – is so poor, there is just no level on which to enjoy the international matches at all.
Every Arsenal fan I know limits their interest in internationals to hoping our players escape without injury. You hope, really, that all the international teams that include Arsenal players, lose their matches and fail to qualify for tournaments that knacker thm through the summer.
All fans of Premiership teams – though probably not of lower league teams – think the same, but still FIFA and UEFA look for every self interested excuse to foist more and more internationals on us.
The interest is, of course, money, with no regard for anything else.
On the subject of governing body self interest, how strange that Zlatan Ibrahimovich, who plays for the team that employs the son (in law ?) of UEFA boss, Michel Platini, has had his European ban commuted from two games to one.
Pure coincidence, of course.
Dr C knows.
When that very rule was first introduced, one D Beckham was seen, as clear as day, to call the referee a “f*cking w*nker” when he disagreed with the awarding of a free kick.
Action taken against the celebrity superstar: Nil.
Ten yards advanced ? Not on your nelly – and not on my telly. π
I think a good way, with a strong English flavour, to stop Wayne Rooney abusing referees, would be to have an SAS Marksman stationed in the front row of the stand.
He should be ordered only to shoot to maim – not to kill – so that every time the Fat Grannyshagger re-offends he can be shot again. π
TABS
Like Trev says, they tried to copy the rugby rule exactly with awarding a ten yard advance on a free kick.
I think a corner award would be more effective.
Of course, the ref has to have balls to go against the celebrity, so…..
Ah, now I see that Trev has come up with the perfect solution! π
Then the army can always claim that he “isnΒ΄t that sort of trooper”. And “he loves his Gran”.
Problem solved!
Of course, the ref has to have balls to go against the celebrity, soβ¦..
And that’s the bottom line, they do have the power, they just don’t use it.
This is from Fifa’s website;
There are seven offences for which a player is
cautioned and shown the yellow card if he:
1. Is guilty of unsporting behaviour.
2. Shows dissent by word or action.
3. Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game.
4. Delays the restart of play.
5. Fails to respect the required distance when play is
restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in.
6. Enters or re-enters the field of play without the
refereeβs permission.
7. Deliberately leaves the field of play without the
refereeβs permission.
Surely if a player tells the ref to go copulate with himself, then that’s dissent?
That’s clearly stated as reason 2, you could also say that it infrindges rule 1 too.
The laws are clearly stated, with child like simplicity one might say. It’s all very well trotting out meaningless actions hidden behind empty slogans such as “Fair Play” and “Respect”, but what’s the point if they (the refs and custodians of the game) don’t even enforce their own rules? To me that”s uncomprehensible.
I know it would be hard to eradicate swearing and abusive language out of the game, but it wouldn’t be impossible. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not at all precious, I personaly couldn’t give a rats arse what they call each other. It’s just that certain factions moan about it and at the same time try to somehow justify it under the guise of “it’s all in the game” and “we can’t do anything about it” when clearly the rules state that they can.
I was going to call you a Fucking idiot H2H and see if ‘ Holic had the balls to card me. But something tells me he does. So I’ll just buy you a drink. π
Please give us back our Arsenal. This 2 weeks has been unbelievably long!!
Oh and the US men’s team is painful to watch. No control. The defending was OK but going forward we looked poor. No control. We do have 2 players that ” play” for stoke so that doesn’t help.
Our women’s team just might be able to beat this current men’s team and they are much more interesting to watch.
Good evening all.
You’ve all spoken my mind on the refrees’ stupidity so I will just nod my head in agreement then run off to cook my dinner. *does exactly as he said*…
I see lot of Jovetic related stuff in the papers today and in the previous drinks in the bar. There is talk that he is not what we need, not clinical as we need, talk that he would not cope with the strength of the PL defenders etc.
Here are my thoughts on the matter if someone is still interested.
I was raised as Partizan Belgrade fan. My dad and my granddad are still Partizan fans. I am the traitor in the family in family meetings as Arsenal is my club for many years. But, Partizan was one of the most significant clubs in my ex country-Yugoslavia, and when I can I still watch some of their matches.
Couple of years ago, there was a Partizan game on TV and I watched with my father. There was some teenager with a strange haircut that I’ve never seen before which draw my attention passing through the opponents with spectacular easiness. I don’t remember if he scored in that game, but the intelligence in his play was astonishing. I remember that my father told me, that this is Partizan’s own Figo. I answered that he looks more like Iniesta type of player (Iniesta was the same age then as Jovetic is now), that I would like to see in Arsenal colors. We had players with similar qualities then in Hleb and Rosicky.
The next year Fiorentina came for him, and payed a small fortune to Partizan, with all the cursing from my father that we sell all the talent to the western capitalist clubs:) One of those clubs was Arsenal and I was very disappointed that Arsene who is known for
the young and talented around the globe did not bought him.
Since then I followed him in Fiorentina and enjoyed his was of playing football, which is the Arsenal way all the way.
Which brings us to the present day, when all the media are buzzing about the possible move, and some people think that he is not what we need, because he is not as clinical finisher as we need, and his goal ratio is worse than Giroud?!
So, compare Iniesta’s goal ratio to 90% of the attackers and he will became second best. But, would we take Iniesta in our team? I know that I would. Because Jovetic is the closest you can get to Iniesta in today’s football. He is not a striker, he is not a winger, he is not even a playmaker.
He is simply all of that.
Nice post Lurky.
IΒ΄m convinced. Arsene. Get your cheque book out! π
thanks lurky
Wenger (checkbook)Aaauughhhtttt!!!
I remember when football was a game
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/feedarticle/10720073
Now around. of the game, there are so many ugly influences.
Everywhere you look,Birmingham City,not a great team,
But fabulous longsuffering supporters
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/27/birmingham-city-peter-pannu
where the flick are we going.
I was going to call you a Fucking idiot H2H and see if β Holic had the balls to card me.
Would be a bit harsh to card you for telling the truth, mate…
I’ll still gaffle that free drinky though, I may be an idiot, but I’m not stoopid. π
Heh
Nice one Lurky.
I personaly haven’t paid much attention to the whole Jovetic situation and to be brutaly honest I know very little about him.
I can’t see this one happening though…… Why?
Well, simply because there’s way too much hype surounding it, as far as I know that’s not how Arsene or Arsenal work, we usualy get to hear about potential signings pretty late in the game, or not at all until they sign.
This one has too much of the Juan Mata’s or Eden Hazards about it.
Ofcourse, I could be wrong.
NorCal @144, π
Lurky, very interesting re Jovetic.
Clearly a talented player, and here’s my two pence worth, if anyone’s interested:
I was slightly disappointed last night that he did not get at the centee of our makeshift defence a little more than he did.
Very intelligent use of the ball and kept possession well.
I did wonder whether Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wouldn’t be a very similar type of player in another year or two.
The papers are talking today about Β£28 million for him.
I know, I know, what do they know?
What we really need, at the moment, is a finisher, and by your own account that is not really Jovetic. Even with all our upcoming riches, I wonder if it would be wise to spend that much money on another ‘all-rounder’.
I don’t know enough about him to judge – and clearly not as much as you do – but they were just initial impressions.
Of course, if we actually sign him, I will expect us to win the league in his first season! π
Wags finger at NorCal. Points to card pocket. Next time π
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