1998 Remembered
Apr 9th, 2013 by 'holic
Another piece reproduced from my days writing for Arsenal-Land with thanks again to Darren. I was tempted to keep this piece back for another occasion, but with the benefit of hindsight it is not one to hold back for any reason. I have to confess I would rewrite it, and probably will at some future point. It barely captures the range of emotions we went through in our second double season. It is hard to believe it was so long ago that no current Junior Gunners would have seen any of it live. Anyway, let me have your memories in the drinks. Thanks.
At the dawning of the 1997-1998 season Arsenal had gone three years without a trophy, and six without a championship. George Graham and his successor, Bruce Rioch, had moved on. Arsene Wenger had overseen much of the previous season in which Arsenal had missed out on the second Champions League berth on goal difference to Newcastle.
New blood was expected to bolster the Gunners challenge in the new season, and duly arrived, in some quantity! Marc Overmars, the flying Dutch winger, was the biggest name. Three players, with whom Wenger had worked at Monaco, Emmanuel Petit, Gilles Grimandi, and Christopher Wreh, were also unveiled. Four younger prospects were added to the squad in the shape of goalkeeper Alex Manninger, plus Luis Boa Morte, Matthew Upson and Alberto Mendez. Paul Merson and, perhaps not surprisingly, John Hartson were among those who made way.
The first Premiership encounter gave little indication of the glories that were to follow as Ian Wright secured a meagre point in a draw at Leeds, but without a doubt the most exciting encounter of the opening month came at Leicester. Dennis Bergkamp showed the full range of his abilities with a spellbinding treble. To emphasise their quality the three goals took first, second, and third places in Match of the Day’s goal of the month contest. The pick of the bunch was announced as goal of the season on FA Cup Final day. Bergkamp’s third goal gave Arsenal the lead two minutes into injury time but amazingly Leicester shared the spoils when Steve Walsh pounced two minutes later.
Saturday, September 13th, will live long in the memory of those who witnessed Ian Wright grab the trio of goals that made him Arsenal’s record goalscorer, surpassing Cliff Bastin’s tally of 178. The euphoria did not last long. Just three days later Arsenal fell to the only goal of their UEFA Cup first leg against PAOK Thessaloniki, and on the last day of the month a 1-1 draw in the return at Highbury ended the European dream at the first hurdle. The exit was made all the more surprising by the emphatic victories against Chelsea, West Ham, and Everton that took the Gunners to the top of the Premiership in the intervening fortnight.
October started in similar fashion with nine goals scored against Barnsley and Birmingham (in the League Cup) before the frustration of consecutive blank draws against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa cost Arsenal the top spot.
November brought with it the first Premiership defeat, in match thirteen, at Derby. The Gunners bounced back admirably, beating Manchester United by the odd goal in five with David Platt heading a deserved winner. Coventry succumbed to a Dennis Bergkamp strike in the League Cup before a second Premiership defeat, in controversial circumstances, at Sheffield Wednesday. The month closed with a single goal reverse at Anfield. Arsenal were on the slide, and worse was to follow.
Spirits were temporarily lifted in December, with Ian Wright scoring the only goal at Newcastle. The first home defeat was just around the corner as Blackburn inflicted a 3-1 scoreline on their lacklustre hosts that left Arsenal thirteen points adrift of Manchester United. Tony Adams, clearly not one hundred percent fit, took a large slice of the blame for that performance. He met with Wenger and the two agreed that Adams should seek professional help for his injuries, including a trip to a specialist in Nice. At that low point of the season nobody could have dreamed what lay in store for ‘Mr. Arsenal’.
Without their talismanic skipper the Gunners were then subjected to an astonishing abandonment against Wimbledon. It later transpired that the floodlight ‘failure’ at Selhurst Park was the work of dark forces. Arsenal closed the year by beating Leicester 2-1, and drawing 1-1 at White Hart Lane courtesy of a rare Ray Parlour strike. The side had now slipped to fifth place, fifteen points behind Manchester United.
1998 did not start well, as Port Vale earned a replay in a 0-0 draw at Highbury in the third round of the FA Cup. The League Cup quarter-final, however, saw a confidence boosting 2-1 win at Upton Park which, little did we know at the time, featured Ian Wright’s 185th and last goal for the club. After Leeds were toppled 2-1 at Highbury Arsenal travelled to Vale Park and navigated their way through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, but only courtesy of a penalty shoot-out. More significantly that night Ian Wright pulled a hamstring. There would be few more appearances for the record scorer.
A busy January continued with a tense 2-2 draw at Coventry and injury woes struck again as David Seaman broke a finger. He would miss thirteen games as a result. Ray Parlour secured victory by the odd goal in three at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. That triumph also coincided with the return of the skipper, Tony Adams. It was the same score in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final just four days later at home to Chelsea, with young Stephen Hughes grabbing the decider. A busy month closed with a three-goal drubbing of Southampton at Highbury.
Stephen Hughes mini purple patch continued as he grabbed both goals in a 2-0 defeat of Chelsea, but it was a brief spell in the spotlight for the midfielder. The fifth round of the FA Cup brought a goal-less draw at Crystal Palace. It was anti-climax time at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final. Dennis Bergkamp’s finish was not enough to prevent a 3-1 win for Chelsea. Giles Grimandi netted the only goal at home to Crystal Palace to strengthen the Premiership challenge and four days later the same visitors were despatched by a 2-1 margin in the FA Cup replay.
A goal-less draw at West Ham welcomed in March, and when the same opponents visited Highbury six days later for the FA Cup quarter-final the result was also the same. The replayed Premiership encounter at Wimbledon survived any mysterious electrical failure and Christopher Wreh lit up the occasion with the only goal.
Three days later came the defining moment of the league season as Marc Overmars skipped through the Manchester United defence to secure a one-goal triumph at Old Trafford. The Gunners were now just six Points behind leaders United, with three games in hand. Nicolas Anelka struck at Upton Park to send the FA Cup replay to another penalty shoot-out, and Alex Manninger was the hero as Arsenal won 4-3 from the spot. Six additional points were secured by 1-0 margins against Sheffield Wednesday, as David Seaman returned, and at Bolton.
FA Cup semi-finals are often close, tense, affairs and the game with Wolverhampton Wanderers was no different. Christopher Wreh struck early for the Gunners, who proceeded to see out the remainder of the contest without too many scares.
There then followed six Premiership encounters that yielded nineteen goals and the first leg of the elusive double. Newcastle succumbed 3-1 at Highbury, and Blackburn were hit by a four-goal whirlwind at Ewood Park. The free-scoring Gunners then went one better with a 5-0 thumping of Wimbledon at Highbury, and in so doing reclaimed the top spot in the Premiership. At Barnsley the visitors were afforded a standing ovation after winning 2-0 with trademark strikes from Bergkamp and Overmars. The one hundred percent record in April was secured with a solitary Petit strike at home to Derby.
Sunday, May 3rd. will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to witness the visit of Everton. Arsenal now required three points to secure their eleventh title, yet the visitors were expected to provide tough opposition as they needed points in their own battle against relegation. Happily for the home supporters the nerves were eased by an early Bilic own goal when the giant defender was pressured by Tony Adams. Marc Overmars effectively wrapped up the title with wonderful solo goals either side of the interval, but the party piece was yet to arrive. Steve Bould chipped a delicate ball into the path of Tony Adams, who galloped half the length of the pitch before thumping home a fierce left-footer. The big man closed his eyes, raised his arms in triumph, and one of the biggest parties Highbury ever saw was launched.
The prelude to the FA Cup Final saw Liverpool (4-0) and Aston Villa (1-0) enjoy inflicting the first League defeats on the Gunners in 1998. All thoughts had clearly switched to Wembley, and the meeting with Newcastle United which could secure a second double for the club. The day before the Final brought bad news. Dennis Bergkamp, architect and scorer of so many goals had not recovered from a hamstring injury.
Christopher Wreh was selected to accompany Nicolas Anelka in attack, otherwise the team pretty much picked itself, with the famous five of Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Keown, and Winterburn behind a midfield quartet of Parlour, Vieira, Petit, and Overmars. It was one of those sunny May days at Wembley, and Newcastle were strangely subdued throughout. Marc Overmars gave Arsenal the advantage in the first period, and Nicolas Anelka completed an astonishing introductory season with the clincher after Alan Shearer had struck a post with the Geordies’ only worthwhile effort of the contest.
So in his first full season Arsene Wenger had cajoled his charges to the double. What we didn’t realise as we watched the winners celebrate with their trophy was that we were saying goodbye to a legend. Ian Wright had enjoyed a twenty-minute appearance as the title was secured. That was fitting because it was his first Championship medal. Wenger’s sentiment didn’t stretch to a cameo Cup Final appearance and Wright moved on to West Ham during the close season.
Perhaps the last words on the season belong to Wenger’s chief foe, Sir Alex Ferguson. ‘They (Arsenal) had notable quality in every department and Arsene Wenger deserves immense credit’.
320 Responses to “1998 Remembered”
Kleanex anyone??
No tissue, no crying it was 15 years ago. I’d just started working, rented a new flat and made sure I got my Canal+ decoder just in time to watch the FA Cup final (I didn’t yet know the pubs in Paris).
Memories, memories…
Fuck, Malaga have scored, they’re practically through now.
Oh Yes, Tony Adams, arms aloft celebrating THAT goal, definitely a Kleenex moment, and like you say, my Junior Gunner wasn’t even a thought then!(although I know he’d recognise the goal – been brought up proper like)
What a game oh my words!
Ollie nope they are not!
Come on Borussia!
Fucking disgrace. How doesn’t a goal + celebrations justify further extra time is beyond me. I`m getting slightly tired (and this is an understatement) of these persistent hints at preferential treatments for specific teams.
Nice one Holic,
will probably bring the Christian names out in droves though…. 😉
What a game! Is there offside rule in the CL still?
Looks like I missed a cracker of a game.
Cheers all.
Nice post ‘H. Love the history of our club. It’s why I am always proud to be a Gooner!
Poor Malaga, that was brutal.
Lovely piece of writing Guv. What a rollercoaster season that must have been for you guys, I ‘met’ and loved Dennis Bergkamp the following summer, during their World Cup match against Argentina, he became my favourite player, alongside Kanu, and they both led me to The Arsenal.
“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but
to turn it into glory”.
Top shelf ‘holic.
Classic jinxing.
That an ‘holicassists, I am good at 😉
Malaga slightly unlucky (though their 2nd was offside too) and very panicky at the end. Still thought that 3rd goal would never make it over the line, it certainly wasn’t pretty.
Wouldn’t want to be in their shoes, but thought they played pretty well tonight.
Somehow I fancy Dortmund’s chances in the next round more though.
Were all those images really 15 years ago ?
You wouldn’t Adams and Eve it !
Nice piece Holic. So many events there I remember so well, but can’t believe they were that long ago, and that we had so many dodgy results even in a glory season.
Should have sacked Wagner then, eh bobbyjulianpeterjames ? 😉
Heh, zico probably knows 😉
Zico certainly doesn’t know. …..
That Barnsley away game will long live in the memory. Long time Tyke watchers will know they somewhat self-mockingly used to sing “It’s just like watching Brazil” to the chorus of Blue Moon when they were playing well.
That afternoon the ground as one sang “It’s just like PLAYING Brazil”.
Fair play to them for that.
Vieira and Petit remain, probably, the best midfield partnership the Premier League has ever seen.
Oops, that’s kind of given Roxette away. :redblushingface:
I laughed at 22. 😀
Haha Trev 😉
Ian Wright was the worst signing Arsenal ever made. We never won the League during Wright’s tenure, even though he joined us as Champions. From a team that was the highest scorers in the division, we turned to become also rans in the goal scoring charts. To coin a phrase a classic one man team to the detriment of the side. Alan Smith our Top Scorer in 91 couldn’t buy a goal in subsequent seasons the whole team became goal shy. Nobody took up the mantle or could shoulder the burden, instead lt was left to Wright. He was a great player but a bad signing for Arsenal because he unbalanced the team. He won a medal, making cameo appearances but winning back the Title was down to Anelka and Bergkamp.
“Wright was the worst signing Arsenal ever made” Really? Did you watch him? Surely better than Aliadiere?
Does anyone else recall the almighty riot after the Everton game in 98? Still trying to work out why that happened.
Next up, peter will tell us how 2 + 2 actually equals 5.
You know he doesn´t.
Roxette, I DO know!
I just don’t let on for the sake of the children… 😉
How did it feel to own so many shoes, Trev? 😀
Great Article Holic! wonderful read.
Looks like i missed another great match. Hate the odd time difference here.
Is it just me or is anyone else kinda happy and jealous or dortmund? I mean , we were supposed to be that team… full of young fantastic players , who cost nothing , working and building a team together. I can only imagine the pain that Arsene might be going through watching them play… if only..
Holic’s,
A smashing piece. Very hard to condense all those Higgs and lows into one article but you’ve done it expertly. I well remember the optimism before the first home game ( in a heat wave) against Coventry having seen the Gunners in pre- season against Norwich where w were five up at half time. Petit blew me away that night. I also remember the dejection after the Blackburn game when we looked awful defensively ( sound familiar?) and wonder if we had gone ahead with the Wimbledon game what would have happened if we had lost? Maybe we have Far- Eastern gambling syndicates to thank!
It was an awesome run from Christmas,highlighted by the win at Old Trafford and the thrashing of Blackburn in the snow at Ewood and the growing realisation we were going to win the League. Amazing that Christopher Wreh had such a fleeting career but delivered some key goals. We should have done the double the following year too!
Ps- what do the specially appointed officials behind the goal do in CL games. Clearly offside is not in their remit. But the assistant linesmen have no such excuse. That last Dortmund goal was ridiculous
Great read. Was it all that long ago?
Ttg,
Their job is to report double leg fracture victims for diving when they try to avoid 14 stone goalkeepers flying at them.
Balls crossing goal lines and blatant offsides are the remit of TV pundits. 😉
Speaking of Old Rednose (aka Scrooge), he must be doubling as the local weatherman over here in Minneapolis where the forecast over the next 36 hours of winter storm warning is for 7 inches of snow. Bah, humbug, indeed!! 🙁
On a lighter note, happy Spring everybody. 🙂
zico and Roxette have children? Who knew?? 😉
Great memories ‘holic.
That Scottish pratt couldn’t wait to blow the whistle dead on 4 minutes of extra, regardless the minute or so spent by Dortmund players hugging and rolling around on the ground like a Caligulan orgy … as obvious a piece of bias as the Germans’ off-side winner.
Left a bad taste. Mind you, with Malaga banned from Europe for a year perhaps we could steal their keeper for peanuts? He has better legs than Anna Kournikova! For stopping goals anyway. 😉
Oskar
Cheers, ‘holic. Remember it like it was yesterday.
“It may tale another 100 years before Arsenal has another player to match Ian Wright. There is no one else like him.”
AW 1998.
Well, not quite. Close, but…
FYI, Malaga’s keeper cost them only 1 million euros; bought him from a Spanish second division side. A bargain; but remember that Almunia had a similar pedigree.
True, Jean, and there are several other keepers above him on my wish list. But he did have a great game and the previous acquisitions from our Spanish feeder club have proved bargains.
Oskar
Riveting stuff. You make Tony come alive, charging down the field, hair flying like a lion’s mane. No wonder he captained the team, from such an early age. He was a born leader who seemed to geniunely care for his mates. See some of his qualities in our Jack. And a thought just occurred to me. No other team in the PL (to my knowledge) has been so visionary, as we have been with the signings of Jack, Alex, Theo, Kieran, Aaron and Corporal Jenks. A bright future indeed 😉
Cheers H. Magnificent read. Like others remember it so well. For me first season back after an enforced break of about 2 years. Living in Halifax, travelling up and down to home games with that august organisation the Yorkshire Arsenal Supporters Club. Highlights Old Trafford away – what a fucking party in the city centre after that one! And of course Everton at home. Full coach on the way down; only 24 reported for duty for the return journey. And I was n’t one of them!
I remember seeing highlights of that Everton game on the sports news and being surprised at how happy I was that Arsenal had secured the title, and right in the middle of the highlights I spontaneously just shouted “AAAARSENAL!!!” in front of the telly. That was a key moment in my understanding of where my true football allegiance lies 🙂
Great stuff ‘Holic.
I was there when Tony scored…..
Can anyone help me? I have memory destroyed by excess and cannot remember which game this was – I am pretty sure it was in ’98.
We all went to a Big Screen viewing at Highbury. Probably 10k + of us and we had to pay an entrance fee. I think I was in the West Stand. It was a sunny day, so must have been near season’s end, and I am sure we won. I recall how surreal it was hearing thousands of people singing and chanting at a huge TV screen!
Great to see other fans are turning on Stoke and their dire brand of ‘football’ on f365.com.
I will hold a relegation party if they go down, and you’re all invited.
Just seen they’re only 3 points clear of the drop zone!
That’s just made the end of season even more exciting.
That is some beautiful misty-eyed stuff right there Holic.
This chapter in our illustrious history just predates the start of my goonerhood by a year or two. So if you still find yourself short of things to blog (is it just me or does every week feel like an interlull at the moment?) in the next few, I’d love to hear your musings on any season from 2000 onwards!
…that way I could actually chip in with some memories of my own.
Awesome read Holic.
I, like many have wonderful memories of that season. I was sat in the North Bank for the Everton game and directly in front of Big Tone as he arrowed the 4th into the net. I did not miss a home game that season.
Somehow I was sat in the front row at Wembley for the final. Not the greatest ever view. However, during the lap of honour I did manage to touch Ray Parlour’s shin pad.
Why am I being asked to give my ‘holidays plans’ until the end of September?!?
I need to know
a) if we qualify for the Champions League
b) depeding on a) who we draw (or does that apply to You Ropey League too? :s)
c) when we play them.
So anything for September cannot be decided before the end of August.
Nevermind the fact that it’s still too early for me to consider when to take time off in July or August, mind….
Great summary ‘H, and some lovely memories in the drinks. Loved the stories of Esso blowing out his coach back, and Lars screaming irrationally at the TV.
So many memories of that season, so here’s just a few:-
– It was my first as a season ticket holder. I had never really needed one before ’92 given that demand seldom outstripped supply, but the onset of all seaters meant that getting tickets had suddenly become more problematic. We applied in ’94, got them 2 and a half years later, and I still remember, despite having passed through the gates of Highbury hundreds of times before, the sense of excitement of taking up “my” seat for that first game against Coventry.
– Wondering at how all those new signings would fit in and who would make way, and just being hugely excited by our prospects. Overmars was fantastic from the off, providing pace and trickery from the flanks that we had lacked since Anders Limpar fell foul of George Graham. Petit took longer to get used to both his position and the pace of English football, and it is forgotten now that in our dodgy period pre xmas he was often the target of certain sections of the crowd. A lesson if ever there was one that even the best players often need a “settling in” period.
– Being on a stag do in Edinburgh sometime in February, watching Man Utd beat Sheffield Wednesday to go 13(?) points clear, and thinking “that’s that then”.
– Just becoming increasingly amazed and excited as we embarked on our unbeaten run, not just with our consistency but with the quality of football we were playing (Wimbledon, Newcastle at home, Blackburn away to name just 3).
– The excellence of Alex Manninger when he came in. I thought it was the wrong decision at the time to bring Seaman back as soon as he was fit.
– That final game at Highbury against Everton and the ground being awash with colour and celebration pre-game. Nobody had any doubts.
– Leaving the ground afterwards and being caught in a fairly scary crush on the Avenell Rd below the players changing rooms, as the players chucked their kit out of the window. My mate got one of Christopher’s Wreh’s socks for his troubles, and then had it framed!!
– Watching us limber up in cool white t-shirts on a baking hot day at Wembley, whilst the Newcastle players sweltered in black track suits, and having no doubts that it would be our day. Getting very very drunk in the Compton Arms afterwards.
Great days indeed.
I became a Gooner in 1995, so this was my first title, though I didn’t really follow the season all that well as I was in the midst of that switch between secondary school and university.
I do remember Ian Wright taking off his jersey to reveal “just did it” written underneath after he broke the goalscoring record, but I missed a fair few games, especially the run in.
98/99 was the first season I followed religiously and it was pure agony at the end. My older brother supports ManUre, you see…
Wonderful piece ‘Holic. Thanks.
Ahhhhhh – happee daze…
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/8627969/Evra-We-ll-Show-v-Stoke-We-re-Best-In-England-
Yes you mug, because playing Stoke is obviously a showcase event, the contest where you really have to be the best to win…
Fuck it though, it’s one of those games when I really want both teams to lose.
Massive brawl and points deductions please.
ian wright took off his gloves at selhurst park and threw them on to the side line, the ball boy in front of me picked them up, i grabbed him by his earhole and made him give me them gloves, the lights went out, we got drunk and got on a train going the wrong way out of london, what a great season
Actually want ManUre to win that one Ollie …
1) Lessens the prospect of Utd winning the title on our turf, and its probably better for us if it’s done and dusted before they play us.
2) Increases the prospect of Penis and his horrible fucktards going down.
Doesn’t it au contraire increase the prospect of Utd winning it on our turf, tabs?
That’s what I’m confused about, I haven’t done the maths.
(is it too much to hope that Utd do not win the League at all? Yeah I guess it is)
dizzle! see you in 10 days.
Yeh I haven’t done the maths either, so you may well be right. I was just guessing! 🙂
Would take an almighty implosion for them to not win it now. On the other hand, the possibility of Stoke going down is, if not probable, then very possible.
I absolutely do not want cuntin van cuntie winning a title with the manc wank bags on our turf.
Ideal scenario is really that they can win it on our turf but they lose that day.
The 1997/98 Season: The Season I became a Gooner.
Growing up in Nigeria in the late 80s and 90s, it was a tough ask getting English Football on TV – these days, we have it everywhere 🙂 . But with the aid of the family radio, i could listen to the BBC and hear the commentators describe the football Arsenal played as “free-flowing”, Patrick Vieira as “immense”, and Dennis Bergkamp as “brilliant”. I fell in love with the Arsenal that season. I still love Arsenal.
The Double at the end of the season helped, but by then i was already smitten. UTA.
Or that they can’t and they lose that day.
Frankly I’m not bothered zico, as long as we win 😉
Zico @64, that would indeed be ideal. The way things are going, I fully expect us to go into that game needing all 3 points.
I take the view that Fungus McSurly would get more indigestion if they thought they were coming to win the title at our place and then lost, rather than just losing and delaying the inevitable.
It’s all about us winning.
And Ferguson’s stomach ulcer. 👿
I see Everton has at last gone on Tx. Not sure I should really consider it but I might.
Spotted a couple of tickets I really fancied.
*must resist*
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/8629190/A-Deal-Non-Say-L-OM
tabs/Ollie/zico et al, these are the maths:
ManUre are 12 points clear of ManCity. Seven games left to play for both teams, with ours the fourth of those seven. This means that for ManUre to secure it at our place, ManUre must, after that game, be at least ten points ahead. In other words, if they get even one more point than City do before that game then they’ll already have won it, and if City win three or more points than they do up until that game then they can’t secure it at our place.
In other words, there is a rather high risk of them having the chance to secure the title at our place, but it is also not at all inconceivable that they will already have secured ut.
Bottom line: I hope we feckin’ hammer them regardless!
Good stuff above from Esso, Dizzy and Tabs.
Well worked out, Lars. But let’s not worry about them or what they can or can not do, although they are welcome to go fuck themselves, scabby manc cunts.
The thought of Stoke going down gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside, man, I can’t stand them, crap football, tosser of a manager, crap football, club footed ubermong players, crap football, deluded cocksmoking fans and, oh yeah, they play crap football.
We had a disscussion on here, not so long ago, as to who was the worst team in the league…. It is them by a Middle Earth mile, they are absolutly terrible to watch, they have no sense of flair or style, it’s all just push shove and hoof, horrendous football that doesn’t belong in this league. I hope they are relegated and never return to darken the PL again.
Thanks Lars
No worries Ollie.
I see Theo is fit for Saturday, but I have to say I would not start him. Likewise with Jack if he is fit, I’d save him for Tuesday. The team that beat West Brom away should be more than capable of beating Norwich, but I think that Theo would be a better choice than Gervinho v Everton. They don’t sit back as much, and Gervinho seems to be of more use against teams that sit back a lot. Also, I’m not sure Rosicky can handle playing both Saturday and Tuesday so it might be a good idea to have a comparatively fresh Jack to play.
Well done, Pompey supporters!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/apr/10/portsmouth-future-fratton-park-ownership
I had tears in my eyes when Tony Adams tucked that one away. My missus didn’t quite understand why, but I remember feeling hugely emotional. I watched the Cup Final in a pub in Nottingham on a stag party and got mightily drunk.
Happy Days. Soon to return I hope. And I have a sneaking suspicion that they will, sooner rather than later…
I bought my ticket for Saturday on Tx – sure Ollie has advised me before (can’t remember the answer) – can anyone confirm whether I need a paper ticket or can I assume that the seat has been assigned to my Red card and the card will be accepted at the gate?
I don’t want to have to build in ticket-sorting-out-time into a busy schedule 😉
It’s on your card, zico. You only get paper tickets if you are not a member and get them on General Sale, or if you’ve just become a member and it’s too close to the game for the membership card to be sent to you.
Can’t decide which CL game, I haven’t really got time to watch, to choose tonight.
Cheers L,
take it you are flying in on Saturday – what’s your ETA under brolly-central?
H2H – Juve vs Bayern is my pick, Juve needs to perform bit of a heroics to go through so they are going to be up for it, lets see if Germans are going to be shaky like with us in second leg.
As for the second game ..thats just bunch of c*nts playing other ones;)
Good man Eandy, I’ll watch (miss) that one then. 😉
Zico, Tollie Brolly ETA is between 11 and 12 (probably closer to 11 to be honest!). We’ll be arriving in London late(ish) Friday night.
I hope Barça murder QSG tonight.
Early morning Saturday it is then 🙂
Evening all,
Tabs, just reading your @53.
No doubt you already know this, about Emmanuel Petit and his settling in period, but some farther flung fans (good tongue twister) may not.
Not only did he have to adapt from playing as a centre back in France to the midfield role that AW envisioned for him, but when he was first brought to England, he had practically stopped playing football in France altogether.
His younger brother Olivier had collapsed on the pitch while playing football, and had subsequently died.
Word at the time was that EP was so distraught that he had stopped training and almost given the game up. Whatever made AW so determined to bring him to Arsenal and convert him into one of the most physically demanding roles in the team, gawd knows.
But yet another player owes the finest part of his career to AW.
Subsequent “failures” at Barcelona and Chelsea prove yet again that the grass is not always greener.
Lars,
I know I can rely on you to not let him get drunk on Saturday.
Lars: or if you’ve been a member for a long time but still happen to book during the ‘Family and Friends’ period (esp. for games who don’t sell out).
So you pay extra booking fees, extre ‘postage’ fees and still don’t get the ticket posted….
So for absurd situations: if you bought an Everton ticket yesterday, you were under that regime, if you bought it today: Tx is your friend.
I’m still undecided due to Eurostar recent booking woes and cost of transportation.
I should be there shortly after 1pm on Saturday folks.
I’m just relieved I managed to buy a train ticket in the end.
The cunts will never reply to my Friday message either.
PSG are getting some excellent chances, I am mightily annoyed.
Ollie annoyed ?
Nah !!!
The lack of swear words @ 88 proves we have an imposter in our midst.
No half-measures with Rox 😉
Fuck off zico.
PSG looking good, Ollie.
Or maybe it’s just DNA FC sans Messi are not all that…..
Hah, foreplay @ 94 😀
Actually I think it’s stupid but I’m going to miss 5, yes 5 fucking points to be able to book a return on points for the Everton game.
Oh well I’m silly but I booked a match ticket, we’ll see how I travel.
Might take the bus to reduce costs.
After all, part of the reason why I have taken a few days off is to give myself the possibility of attending the game.
Timely?
Oh well, tant pis. You lot don’t post enough.
Then attend you must – that’s what Olliedays are for. 😉
*nods it in*
Roxette@88: I will do that. Well, until the pub opens at least…
Thanks Ollie – hadn’t even realised the goal was in sight. 😉
Great finish, Trev!
Fuck off QSG 🙁
I’m seriously pissed off with the number of pro-PSG posts (even if really they are anti-Barça) I am seeing on Twitter.
Gone from ‘annoyed’ to ‘fucked off’, Trev 😉
I am enjoying watching DNA FC not getting things all their own way, sorry Ollie.
Well I’m annoyed with players passing the ball to teammates who are surrounded by defenders. Why do they do that!!!
But you don’t live in Paris, zico. You won’t have to face the wankers wearing the shirt, and read and hear the wanking in the media if they go through.
Frankly, PSG are such a fake club, I think I practically despise them more than Man City.
I can’t decide.
Do I want Qatari oil money or Spanish TV money to win it.
Do DNA FC get Qatari money as well – guess they must do, but how much. ?
Ibrahimabitch’s face is beginning to swing it against PSG.
I hear you Ollie, but…….
1-1!!!
I wish Messi would loan his dodgy hamstrings to Diaby. 🙁
heh Trev
Shocking acting by Alba – don’t like that about Barca, at all.
Swinging back towards PSG.
Busquets. Allergy to gravity. The Mayor. Tapping up Arsenal players.
Loads of things to dislike about Barca, Trev. 😉
With you on Busquets, zico.
Didn’t like it either there Trev, but not enoug to swing me on the night 😉
PSG are evil, they must be fought.
Barça are just despicable utter cunts.
Heh, well I will be supporting Dortmund from here on in, although I guess they are rank outsiders.
It’s turned into Stoke v Sunderland. 😉
Thankfully PSG are out.
That’s the satisfaction.
Barça were a bit shit though.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh, Real will win this then, won’t they?
I support the Germans.
Order of preference for me:
Dortmund
Barcelona
Bayern
Nobody winning it this year
Real
Yep, have to go with Dortmund now.
You and me both, zico at 121!
heh Charlie sounds about good (though I’m not sure between Barça and Bayern, apart from the fact that Bayern are fucking bottling cunts who allowed Mancs and Chavs to win it, and I’m not ready to forgive them that, but I’d still probably swap the two).
Yeah, exactly my reasons for ranking Bayern where they are! Still not forgiven them for fucking it up last season, they can damn well suffer another season.
With Zico on this one!
Hate Bayern, Real and most of all Farcelona!
A team based around Messi! Nothing else and sorry to say but Cesc ain’t the player he use to be!
Going for Dortmund all the way!
Song must love the fact he only came on for the last 8 minutes or so his potential is really bloom there what a twit!
Hmmm, but if Bayern win we will have been dead unlucky to have lost to the winners. We coulda been contenders!
Here’s a question that’s been exercising my mind: Who is uglier, Ribery or Tevez?
Oskar
Actually we only drew with them.
Oskar
Re: Arthur @129. The happy part of it is, Barcelona is just an illusion. 😉
Oskar: someone put it rather well on Twitter last night, something to the effect of “Barca won 3-3, Arsenal lost 3-3. The away goals rule can go fuck itself.” 🙂
PSG basically only had to face 75 minutes of Messi over the first leg.
Still I don’t remember them having as good chance as Bendtner did towards the end of the game.
It was funny though to see Barça hoof the ball away and trying to get rid of it.
Mind you both Dortmund and Barça had relative stinkers in their second legs but went through.
No controversy though in Barcelona this time.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ladies-semi-final-to-be-held-at-anfield
I wonder how long it will take .con to change ‘March’ to ‘April’ and get it right.
Still no sub-editor in that company, I see.
Eurostar prices a bit fucking stupid, I think I’ll treat myself to a bus ride home again next wednesday….
Lars knows!!!
Ollie, you’re a Legend mate, you probably spend close to £2500 on tickets and transportation to watch Arsenal every season.
I exceptionally tried to work out my Eurostar spend last season, Cent, it was scary (I think your sum just covers transport). No wonder I never go on holidays anywhere (or are awy European trips considered as holidays? ; ) ).
On a roll this end of season. I’m resisting being tempted by Newcastle away, but I think that from the Bayern away game on, I’ll have done all games but West Brom and Newcastle.
It does help that we have away games in London and that I had days off left to book, mind.
Une erreur est survenue
Malheureusement nous rencontrons des problèmes techniques actuellement. Veuillez retourner sur la page d’accueil et réessayer ultérieurement. (WEB_PHP_2). Correlation ID: WWW-5166825c9337a_bXKyuNmlte5iE_BZpTth0BnGIHOWv3eAnt6VTOMCYys
And that’s just when looking for timetables….
Yes, the Eurostar site hasn’t improved, I wonder if you still can’t pay for a ticket…
Oh dear, and you’ve not even added money spent been jolly under a Brollie in the Tollie on each matchday, take a bow, Sir!
My father passed away on may 1st 1998 , after he annouced his illness in Jan I somewhat lost track of our progress , I do vaugly remember suffering through a nil all draw with southampton ,so after a sleepless night on may 3rd I gave up on sleep and turned of the Tv being in NZ it was a early morning watch and honestly I had no idea we were that close to the title . When Tony Adams made that run and smashed that ball into the back of the net ,I swear I could feel dad ruffling my hair as I stood with my arms aloft and tears streaming down my face , I still well up every time I see it now .Dad supported Watford and they got promoted in 98 and we did the double ,I would like to think dad got to heaven and sorted that all out .
Nice one Kevin.
You’ll have to excuse me, I have a little something in my eye…
Nice one Kevin, that was touching.
Nowq that really was a Kleanex moment.
Nice one Kev’.
Rather than quote the whole Mediawatch piece, just read it.
The start is about tabs’ not-so-well-esteemed colleague Mr Powell 😉
Splendind story Kev, what ‘holic said at 144.
Apparently Rosicky is a doubt for Saturday, ‘minor Hamstring irritation’.
http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/un-patient-opere-par-erreur-a-la-place-d-un-autre-en-isere_1239118.html
This is a bit mental (try google translate )
Kevin that was amazing!I have shivers down my spine!
was just reading that Cent, why injury Gods chose him as one of their targets is beyond me:(
Gutted about Tommy injury 🙁
Reading it now though :
on other team news…
The other uncertainty we have from last Saturday is Tomas Rosicky, who has a little hamstring irritation. His involvement is yet to be decided as well but it’s fair to say that he is a big doubt for Saturday.
It doesn’t sound as bad as Twitter makes it sound. I though he was out for the dreaded ‘3 weeks’ or something. Although I suppose it could still be the case, eh?
Well that somehow solves the issue Arsene would have if to play Jack or TR7 vs Norwich, I am sure now we are going to see midfield trio of Jack, Aaron and Mikel with Santi deployed on the left side again.
I would start Gervs and eventually using Theo to sub him, he deserves to start after his latest performances and using Theo later in the game against tiring defenders might work just good.
Eandy @ 155: If TR7 is not available for this weekend, a better option than rushing Jack back in may be to play Santi in his favored playmaker role and Poldi down the left. And in that case if Gibbs is fully fit I wouldn’t mind seeing him behind Poldi, they work well together. Also as it would be TV5 and not Kos on the left side of the central defense — Kos moving to right — Gibbo’s better tracking back abilities compared to Monreal would be useful.
I have a feeling that TR7 will regain his fitness by the match time and we will start with last weekend’s team except for TV5 in place of Per, obviously.
Against Everton, Jenk-Theo down the right may be a better combination than Sagna-Gervinho. Given the way Baines-Pineaar play it would be a pairing that would exploit the space opening up as well as will recover better against counter attacks.
I realise I will be putting my North Bank Lower low numbered row under undue pressure already for the Everton game now. :s
Kevin, that was beautiful…
Bollocks, my iPod seems to have died with no warning sign during the day.
R.I.Pod.
Heh 160.
2 sleeps 🙂
Kevin – lovely stuff.
Ollie,
Never mind the iPod, it’s your iBlood Pressure that worries me. 😉
Cheers. I see your post at 162 zico
So I see that common sense has finally prevailed and that goal line technology is going to be introduced at last, with the contract awarded to the manufacturers of the Hawkeye system used in cricket.
Such is the parlous state of the game up here, that we are having to replace this expensive piece of kit with our own variant, the Och Aye system.
This will merely consist of a drunken Old Firm fan, and the validation of the goal will only require the simple expedient of knowing which way the Ugly Sister team is shooting…. the system is also not deemed necessary should neither Old Firm be participating. 😉
Fine memento of an epic season. Loved it.
Can’t see how that post would have been censored 😉
heh
Got grit in your lens, Baff? 😉
Utter joke from Eurostar.
Seriously what sort of fucking massive company is aware of a problem with their payment system/communications with banks, as they acknowledged on the phone last Saturday and still hasn’t sorted it by Thursday. God knows how long it’s been going.
All I will say is I never had a problem before they changed their website.
I’m not THAT keen on travelling by bus, but it seems that it may be either that or I’m not going to the Everton game.
Utter fucking cunts. I have no words strong enough.
(basically symptoms the same as last Saturday)
Zico @165. 🙂
That Eurostar shit has kind of ruined my evening.
Add that on top of the dead iPod and it’s not been a good day.
@ Oskar 131
Depends for me…
From chin up, Ribery. Think even his mom has a tough time looking at that one.
From neck (or lack thereof) up, Tevez. His necklessness is remarkable.
Come on you baslestards!
One sleep ’til London.
Weather forecast for Saturday seems promising.
I have a feeling we will need a brolly on Saturday, Ollie. 😉
😳 Lars, even.
Someone told me there will be rain on Saturday, Lars.
The forecast I saw (through the Swedish equivalent of the Met Office) had no rain on Saturday. There was even a chance of sunny weather!
Spuds gifted the lead.
Question – do we want them to go through and meet Chavski in a cuntfest in the Semi?
Nah, come on you neutrality-monkeys.
Hah!
Equaliser.
Zico,
I want Spuds and Chavs to have as many games to play as possible.
If they win the stupid cup well, meh.
Don’t give a fuck, to be honest, Dr Z. As long as they don’t win that Cup and finish behind us.
Anyway, I’m way too pissed off tonight to be even vaguely bothered about any sort of Spud result.
Extra time, pens, the works…. Just loads of games. 😉
I see Salah scored, TaBS will be happy.
And him scoring against Spuds means TaBS will like him even more.
I think he said so on Twitter, Cent 😉
But I see you’ve noticed now 😉
Spuds behind. Really want extra time in this.
Come on Spuds.
*vomits and goes to wash mouth out *
Go Swiss.
*Not Cockney Rhyming Slang*
T*ttenh*m look really good without Gary Bale. 😉
How did Spuds get Stoke to come and play the second half for them ?
Andre Villas-Pulis, Trev?
Damn! Another lost opportunity for griping at the referees. 😉
(Beeb reports goal line technology is on the way.)
You don’t say 8ball 😉
Ball is moving fast.
Lurky,
The Spuds look really bloody awful. How typical that as soon as Gary Bale finally gets an injury, they have their game with Chavski postponed to give him a chance to recover.
Commentators are speaking about the paucity of the Spuds bench. I kept hearing they had a “fantastic” squad. ?? ………
The, not Alan.
*kicks ball again*
Ok then, bang.
6 hours behind the times here fellas. At least. 🙂
2-2 Great!
Heh! Extra time is on, but they really are crap.
Spurs have 10 days off after tonight – what difference does extra time make to anything?
Not a lot to be honest.
Don’t mind them having an extra game to play though.
They might pick up some more strains in extra time too.
Trev, they are crap, no ideas, and when I remember that Holtby fella was mentioned in Arsenal context..
I still want them to win this on penalties though, and meet Chavs in the semis.
Well in zico Sir!
Difference? More chance of injuries in those extra 30 minutes?
*looks on bright side*
See, Ollie agrees and Ollie knows.
Or some of their players could do really embarrassing stuff on worldwide TV. Think of the positives, Trev. 😉
30 minutes with 10 men, stretching to the limits, couple of injuries (Walker for ex. – they do not have decent backup), and then win on penalties. Go Sp.rs!
Sorry, I get more pleasure watching them get dumped out of whatever competition they are in.
Our league position is in our own hands.
FOYS
E T with ten men now. 🙂
3 of Spufs back 4 get shown a card within the space of 5 minutes. Are they trying to set a record or something?
Er, I agree zico, but I don’t at all mind them getting dumped after extra time is what I mean, zico!
But ah, I hadn’t seen lurky’s post, I understand yours better now, Dr Z
I don’t want them to ever win another thing, but it can only help us the more fatigued they get.
Ok Holics this can go both ways they can get through and perhaps win it so they get a Cl spot so who ever is fourth wont get in.
I want them to loose simple as….
Don’t think the winners get a CL spot Arthur, unless the rules have changed ?
Er, no ATG, whoever wins the Europa League has nothing to do with the Champions League. They just automatically qualify for the Europa League again if they haven’t qualified for the CL (or the EL via other means)
We’ve had this debate a few months ago I’m sure Trev (or was it only on the arses?), and you are entirely correct.
Perhaps I thought wrong but I thought the winner gets the CL spot.
Apologies
Better be reassured now than on the day of the final, ATG 😉
PK’s and I should be getting ready for work 🙁 Will be naughty and watch 😉
More respite for your patients abb ? 😉
Hi Trev, No, just cutting it REAL close !
Ah ha, SAVE!
Things are looking up, unless you’re a Spud 😉
Oh how we laughed…..
Ok, that’s funny. 🙂
You got that right Zico (Roxette) and company… cheers holics 🙂
Best pundit ever.
Nice jinxing JockBoy
Meh
and Heh.
haaahaaaaaaaa! *that* is why ade is playing for them….hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahah…
not that i feel any schaudenfreude, eh phalanx of christian names?
Ooooooh when the wheeeeeeels…
come faaaaling offf, oooooh when the wheeeeels come falling offf…
One man team ?
Oh yes. 😉
This is fun
“The run up made the miss so much better. How to miss and look like an utter bellend in the process.”
That 10-days break is going to be a loooong one for them, 10 days to brood over their failure whilst wondering if they’re good enough for Europ League talkmore of The UCL, and if we win the games we have inside those 10 days the doubts willl be firmly planted in their fragile minds and they will just give up and let the inevitable happen. London is Red!
And Bale must be sitting at home asking himself what he’s still doing in that team, he will come back from injury with an even bigger Ego and start been extremely selfish, mind you he is selfish already, so he will take selfishness to new heights.
His teammates will hate him, the in-fighting will start and before they know it…Pow! This Season ends with them in sixth place Everton in fifth, Arsenal, Manure, Chelski and Shitty will be in the top four, Gareth bales off to wherever, and we will all be here laughing at the Spuds.
http://i.minus.com/iZYsK4cN9zC8t.gif
@240, i could watch that, and the john-terry-cow video, all day long.
Evening all.
I must say that I was hoping that the Spuds would get through. A tricky trip to Turkey would have done just fine.
Losing to a bunch of swiss part timers is embarrassing. I have made sure that several that I know have been advised of the fact.
http://i.minus.com/ioEH1RDoPp0yP.gif
There has been a lot of quite unpleasant mockery of one of the powerhouses of English football on here tonight.. A team that only 52 years ago were the best in the country. Look at it another way. They have held the might of Basel a team eliminated from the Champions League before Christmas to a draw over two legs.No mean feat to hold a team who are close to the best in Switzerland a country noted for its cheese and cuckoo clocks after an enthralling battle The stuff of which top European football is made. Pity their poor useless London rivals who were humiliated3-3 against Bayern Munich a few weeks ago. The balance of power is shifting inexorably. And how sad to see one of our finest ex- players make a prat of himself into the bargain. Pity they are not playing on Sunday.
😀 ttg…
Heh ttg !
Re: GIF of the Week 2 @243: Why does Adebayor always miss? Is it something genetic, something mental, or just something???????????? 😀 😀 😀
And I hadn’t even seen GIF of the week 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dinks one into the zone for an aspiring quarter millennialist …
http://i.minus.com/ioEH1RDoPp0yP.gif
Oh hang on… missed.
I think Adebrainfade changed his mind halfway through his run-up. I think he intended hitting it past the upright, not over the bar…
Oskar
The balance of power certainly looks to be shifting, Ttg, with the LWCs inexorably dropping further behind us, doomed to Europa League Groundhog Days at best, until even that becomes a vestigial memory.
Bale should bail. He should do a Sol and join a much bigger club. Now that would be funny, aye!
Oskar
Re the gif of Adebayor that just keeps repeating – do they think that if they let him keep re-taking it then he might score?
yes
To avoid repeating the same fiasco of seasons past, Arsenal must recruit five world class players and off load a further twelve. Wenger is not the man to lead Arsenal into a new era, his economics degree has muddled his ability to build a successful side. It’s time to unleash Usmanov to spend some long overdue money into the Team.
Five world class players would cost between £100m and £200m, Stanley. Where would we get the money for that? Then you want to dump 12 of today’s squad at a time when we’re already lacking depth. Yeah, that’ll work!
Do you have an equally visionary solution to injuries?
Oskar
I’ve come to the conclusion that our unwelcome guest must be a worried Totts supporter on some desperate mission to confuse us ‘holics’ in our articulate and well-reasoned debates. I mean, where else could such inanity originate?
Oskar
it’s not hard to do the maths, you know who the dross players are. We have the richest man in Russia who is a Major Shareholder, he will fund the reconstruction of the Team. And the up and coming players from the academy will be intergrated into the first Team.
Names Stanley. Names. You could not think of one manager that you would want to replace Wenger. Now It’s “we need 5 world class players.” So who???
Your talk is very cheap when you have nothing to back it up.
My iPod seems to have come back to life. WE’ll see how long for.
What next, Eurostar to do a decent thing?
Looks like we have another silent stan when it actually comes to anything other than wishy wishy drivel.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/04/11/234548_bale-fait-son-trou.html
Daring headline.
balle = bullet, trou = hole
but trou de balle = arse hole…
‘faire son trou’ = well I don’t know how to translate it, but it’s basically about creating your own vital space
Yea Stan, let’s unleash Usmanov and spend some fucking money! Now if I can find that ‘unleash’ button where Kroemke hid it…
Ollie@262 fails to mention that bale = Basel and has nothing to do with either bananas or feet.
Just saying.
Ollie, so that headline is basically saying Bale should create his own space and run away from Spuds by drilling a hole through his bum with a bullet? I like that.
No it’s ‘Bâle’ as in ‘Basel’.
Ah sorry, I was in FILO mode, what Oxon said.
In the Press Conf headlines I see ‘Wenger – Champions League refs have been poor’
Another ban looming?
Morning All,
Still laughing here. A wonderful night’s entertainment. How anyone of a red and white persuasion might have hoped for a different outcome is beyond my comprehension.
Tottenham only exist for comedy value and last night they offered much. I never have, (and never will), buy the “more games” argument. Winning breeds winning and the sooner they were out of their little chase for tinpot glory the better.
Genuinely can’t stop smiling at that Adebayor penalty. It was all there, the stupid little run, the hopelessly inept shot, and then the inane grin afterwards. The man is a complete clown.
And when I stop smiling, I need only think of what the reaction of the Spuds in the away juicer (who all hate him anyway) might have been to reset the giggle button. Death threats, cardiac arrests empty-headed vituperation … it would all have been there.
And the comedy didn’t stop at the penalty. What on earth was AVB banging on about in his post match interview? For those that missed it, he basically said that Tottenham had altered the Nation’s, and by extension other football Clubs’, view of the Competition. No you didn’t you enormous bell. Tottenham won 4 games out of 12. They were dreadful in what remains an abortion of a competition.
Not counting any chickens (heh) yet, it is all still entirely dependent on what we do, but last night was a massive step in the right direction.
Oh when the wheels …
Cent @185 – I thought Salah, rather like his whole team, were nowhere near as impressive as they were at WHL last week. That said, he still did enough (including his excellent goal), to suggest that he will be playing his football in more exalted company next season.
Lunchtime.
Afternoon all.
I almost wish I had watched the LWC’s last night instead of the Masters. Loving reading of their utter ineptitude.
It’s after work Guinness day 🙂
I watched The Masters but switched over for extra time and penalty misses.
Heh Holic , enjoy the Guinness 🙂
TaBS 270, They have earned the chance to prove themselves further and win even more Gooner hearts by winning the Semi’s against the Russian’s cunty mob.
Dear Mr Angot
Thank you for your e mail,
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused on our website. Our technical team is aware of these issues and we hope these will be resolved in the near future.
Regarding the issues you encountered.
The expiry date of your card being invalid, Out of security we have put this in place as there are customers who make a booking and the card will then be expired by the time they collect the tickets. These customers will encounter the issues at the station as the customer is trying to collect the tickets with a different card. We allow these bookings to be made on the phone as we can advise the travellers to keep the card till the tickets have been collected.
We are receiving lots of contacts who have the same issue as you had where the screen goes blank and ended up with no booking. We are investigating this with high priority however we are unable to reproduce the problem. I would like to ask you for some additional details of the booking you are trying to make and also can you please confirm the card type you are using and which bank issued the card. Hopefully with this information we will be a step closer in finding what causes the error.
When a payment is done on a website the verified by Visa or Mastercard process will be done by the bank and this is completely outside our control. On rare occasions these verifications won’t happen if the server of the bank which does the verification process if offline.
As you mention that the price has gone up by £20, I am more than happy to offer you 100 bonus points to your account which are 50 points for the inconvenience you had with these issues and another 50 points for the fare increase as these issues are clearly outside your control.
I understand that these are serious issues and we are working hard to get these resolved. In the meantime I would like to advise you to contact us when a booking needs to be made to ensure you won’t encounter any issues and to prevent from precious time being wasted.
Once again we apologise for the inconvenience caused and please feel free to contact me again if you encounter any other issues.
Kind Regards
Manuel, Eurostar Customer Support
Almunia?
At least a decent gesture from Eurostar. I’m still baffled that sort of ‘high priority’ problem still hasn’t been solved in a week…..
‘cmon Ollie@275, you work in IT – don’t you? Some problems are hard.
The guy says they;ve been unable to reporoduce the problem, which suggests that they’ve tried. Without knowing your history with Eurostar, the letter reads to me as though they’re working to try to fix things but haven’t managed yet.
Obviously, it’s also possible that “we are unable to reproduce the problem” is actually code for “we haven’t attempted to reproduce…” but I can see no reason to assume that’s what he really means.
What does 100 points mean in real money? The letter makes it look as though it’s £40. That looks reasonable, but not generous.
Oxon: such a massive company, which does transaction by the truckloads, is aware of such a serious problem for at least a week I’d say, and still haven’t reproduced the problem?
With all my best efforts, they’re not trying very hard or putting any effort in it, I’d say….
I’d also suggest (and suggested) that their problem lies with their new website (as I never had the problem before). Which should surely reduce the portion of code to look at….
I’d also vaguely expect that bit of software to be more of a generic thing, but interestingly, for all the Arsenal Box Office’s sometimes shite workings, I haven’t got that problem there (note that despite having changed the rest of the website, Arsenal, cleverly, still haven’t changed the ticketing part…..).
So while I’d tend to agree that surely they are trying to reproduce the problem, it can only mean one thing: there’s serious incompetence somewhere, and also irresponsibility if they haven’t correctly tested their new shit….
‘100 points’ doesn’t mean anything in real money. You earn 100 points for say, a return that would cost between €150 and €280.
Of course the points ‘value’ is only in what you can spend with it.
A ‘free’ single is 450 points. Let’s say the average single I pay for is about €100 (very roughly). So 100 points would be a bit above €200. As you say, not really exceptionally generous….
Left work about an hour ago. Taxi to the airport will be here in about 45 minutes. Bit to eat at the airport,
perhapsa beer and then off we go at ten past six local time. London, I am on my way!Safe journey, LArs, see you tomorrow.
Finding a new Manager is not an issue, as long as the heir apparent knows what he’s doing and is competent. After all no one knew of Wenger before he came to Arsenal.
Ollie@277, fair enough. Not sure where you can go from here. Hope they manage to sort things out. Economic theory suggests that if they don’t, they’ll go bust, somehow I’ve been even less inclined to believe economic theory for the past five years or so than I was before.
Safe journey to you and Lars – I’ll be with you in spirit ( and possibly also in spirits).
I hoe this annoying, empty, ringing in my ears goes away by then.
COYR
Just booked over the phone for Everton. Slight delay cost me another €25. Kerrching Eurostar.
Cheers Oxon. Heh, yes I don’t believe in economic theory either 😉
I mean, look 2 bookings not made on time because of trouble = 45€ extra earned by Eurostar!
100 points? Pah, they can give them away.
You can imagine that most of the people who have the problem are not Frequent Travellers and so they don’t have to give them points either.
Afternoon all.
Saw nothing of the Spurs (or any other) game last night. Glad they lost, semi final’s is a bit too close to winning for me, be gone with them and let them suffer the heartbreak of a penalty shoot out loss, lovely schadenfraude-jubbly.
It does mean that they will have less games to worry about, but the physcological blow might be too much for their feeble minds to take. I also believe that the ten days off is not such a good thing, yes it gives them time rehabili-ape Galen, but by the time they step out onto the marshes to take on Citeh we could be outta sight, seven points wouuld be some cushion.
Oh wheeen theeeee wheeeeeeeeeeeeels…………
====
Safe travels Lars.
====
Ollie, ever considered flying? 😉
H2H, airports are a pain in the arse. And not ideally located.
Overall cost wouldn’t be that much cheaper either (if at all).
Bus is the only way that is really cheaper (but of course it’s an even bigger pain in the arse, I considered it, but figured it’s only for desperate cases when the difference between train and bus is at least over €100).
And yes, I’m more worried about our next few results than the Spuds. I could see us drop points in at least one of the 3 games, no idea which.
€100 is quite a few beer tickets, Ollie. 😉
I’m no fan of airports either, spent way too much time in them over the years, although Schipol is not that bad. Charles de Gaulle Airport sucked great big hairy donkey balls, I once got stopped and searched six times while trying to transfer after a flight from L.A, six fucking times in one long corridor, ridiculous, I ofcourse missed the connection.
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One game at a time mate, one game at a time and we’ll see where the chips fall.
I found a different camera angle for Adebuywhore’s run up;
http://footballfunnys.lockerdome.com/articles/107201577
The chips fall mainly on either Santos’ or Arshavin’s plate.
Look folks : new goalie!
http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/584×310/apr_13/zp_166239698SM037_Arsenal_Trai_5469.jpg
Not enough people buying Wigan ticket (I guess the date uncertainty/midweek possibility doesn’t help despite it being the last home game of the season).
That annoys me mightily obviously, as it means I can’t rely on Tx.
I see .con rightly picked up on today’s blog:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/1998-remembered
Congrats. ‘Holic, you deserved it.
Ollie. If wigan is mid week I might be able to assist. I will be a able to confirm on Monday if that is any good to you?
Ha ha ha Stanley. So you want Usmanov in, 5 world class signings and a manager no one has ever heard of?????? I was prepared to entertain your senseless ramblings but it appears that your buffoonary knows no bounds. Thicker than a whale omelette.
In todays standard….
BASLE FAULTY.
Made me laugh.
Stanley. I recommend you to send your CV to Abramovic, With all his money and connections he has big problems finding manager for Chelski. Maybe you could help him out. Send your CV and leave Arsenal alone.
Steve, they were obviously reading my Twitter timeline last night 😉
Evening all,
Some breaking news tonight:
The North Koreans have targetted a nuclear missile at Adebarndoor’s house in an angry response to his penaly kick landing in Kim Jong-un’s back garden. 😉
Heh Ollie @289.
Hey, congrats Holic on your burgeoning audience. Great piece, but I think I already said that. 😉
That was totally unintentional, before anyone starts waving yellow cards around !
And Tabsed it quite innocently too !
How come everyone else stopped posting ?
Nice one ‘holc.
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Assist, goal ant the Tabs positon???
Well in Trev.
I’d lawyer up if I were you. 🙂
Indeed H2H, trouble is Tabs is the lawyer ! 😉
Whoops, you’re screwed. 😛
Steve T 294, OK. I’m in no rush anyway.
Red card for Trev, no goal given.
(yellow, what were you thinking? :P)
North Korea have aimed a missile at Emanuel Adebayor’s house In retaliation for his ball landing in Kim Jong Un’s back garden
And banned for 3 games.
Consider yourself injured, Trev. 😉
Another crop has fallen. Looks like Martin Angha will go to Bundesliga next season. Wish him all the best.
Trev out for 3 weeks?????
Don’t do Twitter holic but I am impressed. First dot com. Then the national press.
Brian McDermott’s gone to Dirty Leeds.
You know what, I’m only now finding the time and peace of mind to write the blog.
So I see a ‘NicHolas Anelka’ slipped through, even if the name is correctly spelt later.
What amazed me most though, having just checked, is that arsenal.com CORRECTLY did their sub-editing there and removed the ‘h’. WOW, canyoubelieveit!
H2H. By some strange quirk of fate, the head coach of the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League team is a Brian McDermott. How spooky is that?
‘write’? I meant ‘read’. Fuck me this week has seen me use the wrong word so many times it’s scary.
I must get some rest (but I won’t with all these games to go to!)
Steve I read that somewhere, it’s quite extraordinary.
Indeed Steve, almost as wierd as every Spud player’s middle name being “The Cunt”. 😉
heh H2H
Sub-editors, this way >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>