No Doubting Tomas Was The Star Of The Show
Apr 6th, 2013 by 'holic
What a three points that was. Seventy minutes of very impressive and controlled football gave way to twenty minutes of sheer torture on what could prove to be a big afternoon in our season. It is only right that we should focus firstly on that opening phase.
From the off it was the visitors who looked to get on the front foot, so it was somewhat unexpected when West Brom were the first to threaten an opening goal. Tomas Rosicky, so positive going forward, found himself heading off our line from Yacob. It was not his last significant contribution on the afternoon. Indeed it was he who put us ahead when Mikel Arteta and Gervinho superbly combined to set him up for a near post header.
Lukasz Fabianski, nervous on occasion, produced a fine save to deny Brunt although he was to get much busier after the break. Shortly before half-time the opportunity to double our advantage was lost when Aaron Ramsey prodded wide under pressure after a clever back-heeled set-up by Olivier Giroud. One nil to the Arsenal, the ‘holic pound was alive, but only survived four second half minutes.
Bacary Sagna went close but was foiled by a brave Foster save. The reprieve was only temporary. Rosicky tried his luck from just inside the edge of the area and made ten yards to to knock in the rebound after Foster parried his first effort. The sides traded chances but Arsenal appeared to be still in control until the match turned on its head in the seventieth minute. Per Mertesacker had little option but to challenge Long, judged onside, and the resultant foul brought about a penalty and a red card. I know I am sometimes overly critical of officials but if the onside call was correct then Howard Webb had no option.
Fabianski looked to have got to Morrison’s spot-kick but the ball ended up in the net and so began possibly the longest twenty (plus six!) minutes of the season so far. Thomas Vermaelen replaced Gervinho and Arsenal resorted to the long ball out of defence, and rarely in the direction of the now lonely target man, Giroud. Any attempt at maintaining the passing game that had got us ahead was abandoned. I praised Lukaku and Long beforehand but both were thankfully guilty of glaring misses as the pressure mounted.
The arrival of Gibbs and Coquelin for Rosicky and Cazorla was a clear signal we were fighting a desperate rearguard action, but somehow we managed to hold on to those precious three points that have lifted us, albeit maybe temporarily, above Chelsea and into the top four.
I am hoping on the journey home the rest of the side were quick to fork out for some liquid refreshment for the outstanding Rosicky AND Fabianski. A couple of heart-stopping moments in the first-half aside the Pole found himself under immense pressure in the closing stages, and came up with a couple of huge saves. That is his job, I’m sure some will say, but there have been occasions in the past when his temperament has not survived a lesser test than he faced this afternoon. Credit where it is due.
Now this evening’s vindaloo will taste so much better for securing a huge win. It may not have been pretty for a while, but at the end of this particular day the three points is what mattered most. Arsene put that into context afterwards.
“We do not have to look at Tottenham or at Chelsea. If we lose our games, you have always to look at the results of the others… You have to focus on you, and you win the games… Our attitude is simple. We have to win the games.”
534 Responses to “No Doubting Tomas Was The Star Of The Show”
Great stuff, from both Holic and the gaffer.
Now I can look forward to a day spent in front of the telly tomorrow, roaring on the toffees and the blackshirts.
Over to you, LWCs and Chavs. Let’s see what you’ve got left in your legs.
Love it.
No Doubting Holic, either. Excellent post.
Unbeeffinglievable !!!
I was posting while you were – hit submit, and >>>>>>>>>>>>>
π
Suppose I’d better read yours then π
CL spot!?
@Julian in 1953 we won the league. Next trophy for us was again the league in 1971 as well as FA cup. If you count the inter cities fairs cup, we next won in 1970. That sounds like a 17 year trophy drought to me.
Uefa cup??
Homage to st totteringham..
Pulsating game!! Could easily have lost it the last 20mins….love you arsenal!!
derrick, julian seems to mean the longest run of a manager without a trophy. or something.
agreed with n7 at the first position above.
can’t wait until tomorrow!!
Indeed H,
the radio commentary was pure torture.
Btw, why was your vindaloo not pretty for a while ?
Do spill the beans……. or, maybe that’s why π
Enjoy anyway.
Gettin! Errr, out! And do, do the okee cokeeee, perlease!
Played ‘h!
Reeeeeeezult! UrEDS!
Good old Engine Tom.
Tomas comes good when it matters again!
Top man!!!
Great guts today in the final 20mins, real fight.
Credit to TommyV coming on. Thrown in cold, stood up to Lukaku, won most balls and showed captain qualities!
We’ll be 3rd this time next week. Amazing fight back by this time who were down and out a month ago.
Happy with 3 points, happy with the defensive display but it was torture for the last 25, no make that, 30 minutes where the hell did Webb get 5 minutes from, btw?
A few Arsenal players were disappointing today but now is not the time to take them to task – we are in control of our own destiny as the Boss has alluded to – so I now intend to just enjoy the build up to next Saturday’s session in the Tollington – some dropped points for either of the Chavs or the LWCs would be some nice icing on the cake though.
Drinks on the bar – send your receipts to Stockholm! 8)
Wenger’s tactically clueless, regardless of the game he always comes out with the same cliched bile rhetoric. He definately needs reprogramming, i suggest a software update that fixes his jumpers for goal posts approach to football.
Funny thing is. Before the game, this conversation took place:
70 Toby
Iβm bored and nervous. Where are you all? Do I have to turn to twitter?!
71 behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
Toby, It usually happens that when nobody is in the drinks before a game against a lesser heralded opponent, that we go on and play badly. Good reason to be nervous!!
74 Toby
Bergkamp, youβre right bt8bbgfg! Didnβt even think of that. The βwe should win, so why botherβ and then everyone and Danish being here after the game complaining.
Seems we were right. We had reasons to be a bit nervous during the game, and everyone seems to be here complaining.
For fucks sake? 6 wins out of 7. The loss being against the Totts, they are a good side on the day, and we’ve won the last couple of games against them, with pretty much the same side, 5-2.
No, our players are not world class, all around the team. But they are showing signs of finding a style that suits them after 40 or so games together. We’re doing well enough. Of course I’d like us to be on top of the league, but for hell, complaining after a good win in a hard away game? I still can’t believe that people believe that we have a god-given right to win games. Most teams lose more games than they win. A few teams win around 50% of their games. Some, very few, win even more. A fraction of all the teams in the world win more than that, and they often have oil money or a TV-rights deal that is unfair in their country, or perhaps the greatest manager in the world (Fergie sure is up there!).
Wonderful win, good effort by the lads. A tad sweaty, but if you have any fucking knowledge about football at all, you know that that is just how football works. Any other idea is just armchair general, paper football stuff. I don’t even get angry when we lose games most of the time. I’d never come on here screaming angrily when we win. Silly.
And someone should really tell Rosicky how much most of the Arsenal-speaking world absolutely adores him. I hope he understands that. It’s not always that players that don’t get to play so often do.
2 goals in 66 games isn’t much of a goal tally.
Toby,
Arsenal fans have a reputation of being the biggest whingers in the game amongst other clubs fans.
The Julians and Bobbys of this world don’t help. Danish to be fair, tends only to turn up after we LOSE so at least moaning then can be more understandable.
Personally, I’m pretty chuffed with our form – this team is clearly not the Invincibles but it’s Arsenal winning games, and as an Arsenal fan, what else can you want without coming across like a spoiled 5 year old?
Talking about Rosicky, Bobby? This season he’s played 6 games as a starter, 5 as a substitute, 3 goals. I have no idea where you get your stats from.
To compare with a player so talked up last season, and then moved on to Real Madrid – Luca Modric. 11/12 season, 48 appearances, just one as a sub, 6 goals.
What I have to say is simple; a game that tested the manhood of the team.
We’re grown from boyhood to manhood. With this show of character, I say bring on the ManUre. The Emirates grasses needs them.
aD
Okay so i might be one or two goals out, still hardly groundbreaking.
A TR7 hat-trick….scored two and saved one on the goal line. Mert’s challenge was a bad gamble….up two goals…if he scores without the penalty/red it’s still 2-1, 11 v 11 and you he gets to play in the next two games (or three?). It certainly will be interesting to see if Tommy V. can show some quality after sitting out the last few games. Don’t give away needless free kicks…please!!!
Today’s match should be a great lesson for the run-in…no matter how rosy things appear to be we need to keep focused as any match can turn in a matter of minutes. We were cruising and almost cocked it up as they flat out missed three opportunities at 2-1.
If we keep winning with TR7 keep him in there, I don’t care who is coming back from injury, this guy was the key last year in the run-in and will be a key this year as well.
COYR!!!!
Not seen any of the game but very happy with 3 points. It puts the pressure on nicely. I will watch it all later hopefully.
Bobby, chill out. We are nowhere near what we should be but we should enjoy today. 3 goals from 11 I would suggest is vastly different to 2 in 66. 3 in 11 would equate to 10 a season. Not too shabby I would suggest.
Agree totally with Zico at 18.
Nice one ‘holic!
Great win.
Nice report Guv, even though I expected Gervinho to get more credit from you for his twist and turns before assisting Rozay’s first goal, You saw the same game as me and you summarized it perfectly.
As someone noted on Twitter, referees seem to give defenders license to foul Giroud anyhow they want without fear of been penalized.
Whole 90 mins on SkySports 2 in 5 minutes if you have access.
I reckon our top four finish hinges on Wenger staying well clear of first team duties.
bobby/julian, or whatever you want to call yourself next.
There are places that would better suit your particular contributions I reckon.
You must be a barrel of laughs when we lose.
Just looking at the bigger picture.
Excellent stuff ‘holic.
I have to say that i’m as proud of our lads as i’ve ever been. These 3 points could be, without doubt, the most important in many a year!
Bobby and Julian, why don’t you just feck off back to the cesspit you evolved from! Feckin’ YEAH! COYBG! π
Bobby. I reckon that our top 4 finish is more likely without ultra negative supporters like you. Let’s get to May and have the debate then. Until then, support your team.
Good report holic.
Several vintage malts tbc during MotD this evening! Squeeky-bum time top four contenders!
Another win down, three more we need to get before the Man Utd game. Let’s not forget as well that by the time we’ve played Everton in ten days the Spuds will be the team with the game in hand. So let’s continue to get those points in the bag.
‘holic
leave jools alone
(deja voodles)
it’s not often – indeed it’s once every generation that a man emergeth
perhaps to say emergeth isn’t a word
or maybe to say shite stuff on t’interwebs
either way
let the young daisy have his day
i’m guessing his mama has called him in for supper and not dinner like normal people
not that my mother used to call us in for dinner
rattled a binlid she did
you developed finely tuned ears to recognise which one was your house racket
that
and the fact that being born with the surname ‘t be arsed
meant that everyone knew which noisy can was can’s can
.
move away
there’s dinner involved
.
i’m away
3rd place will be ours.
Fuck Hapoel.
Tel-Aviv is yellow.
I can’t be asked to back a Manager who’s never won a European Trophy in his entire career, and then be expected to cheer him on when for financial rather than sporting he finishes in the top four.
tel aviv is a lot of things
jaffa being one
cba – Not really, Tel-Aviv and Jaffa share the same municipality politically but are two totally different cities π
Great result; up to the penalty, never really nervy….a nice feeling, for a change!
Lost in the shuffle: what happened to Szczesny? Injury? Or simply manager’s decision? If the latter, any reports on why? Does anyone have any info?
I was posting in the wrong bar and nobody told me!
Started a Super Tom chant in the bar, did I ever mention how much I love him?
No ‘holic pound but 3 very hard-earned points.
Iam drunk and happy.
Never has a match report come so early! π
zico 18 top post!
Then Bobby dear chap. I think you know the answer then, don’t you? Off you go, and let those of us that want to back the manager and the team to do so.
7 games to go. It’s simple. Back the team or fuck off.
As I said. Get to May and debate it as much as you want. Until then, support your team.
Steve T – I love you.
You around next saturday Steve?
I’ve been round for many a year Ollie.
π
Top man Snir. Love you too.
π
heh Steve π
#40
apparently a sarky colour based line didn’t work
you said it was yellow i said it was jaffa
read in what you will
Just back home from the pub. VERY drunk! Will now commence back-drinking… I mean, after once again shaking my head in disbelief at the MOTD “expert” opinions. Back in a bit and a half!
Oooh, Alan Shearer and Mark Lawrenson in the studio… they’ve really gone for the brain trust today!
as a guide for you snir
i’m from the north of ireland
occupation doesn’t always mean job
Well said, ‘Holic. Particularly about Fabianski. He had a good game, especially at the testing end. His kicking is so much better than Woj’s. The extra 10m-15m he gets when hoofing it long makes a difference.
Tomas gave an extended demonstration of what we have missed from him over the past couple of seasons. Gives the midfield such buzz and drive.
Steve, haven’t seen the game either. Qiuckly read what Holic previewed in ‘Talking Heads’ about TR. And wouln’t you know, he is the star of the game! π And a Gervinho assist ;). And Fabs a solid game. Missed taking part in the bar today, more than you realize! Cheers holics! π A very good nite to all.
And I thought that people complaining turned up here only when things were looking bad…would not expect it after well fought victory in tricky away fixture.
Agreed about Mert, silly gamble which did not pay off, I am all up for TV showing that still has it to be part of the starting 11, but lets just say from this seasons displays, Vermescielny combo did not cover itself in glory too much (Chelsea home for example) and leaves me bit nervous about the fixtures missing BFG but I hope that current defensive discipline will help TV ease back in to squad.
As for refree in todays game, Mr. Webbs decisions were strange to say the least on many occassions.
Oh and also word on Giroud, his workrate is absolutely astonishing…93rd minute..full sprint ahead, keep the ball up and almost score a goal. I have to say that I am really glad we signed him..and he is only going to get better.
bobby, I have to get ready for work but uhmm, we won lad… let that delicious fact sink in and enjoy. Life is too short to look at rose and only see it’s thorns π
Fine win – should have been secured before the pen but rugged defending by the 10 men. Norwich will require the same attitude. COYRs. The chavs and scum are in our sights. Hunt them down.
Drink for Eandy and TR7 and it’s goodnight from me!
I’ll leave you with that:
https://twitter.com/Lagvilava7/status/320586422497185793/photo/1/large
Cheers Ollie and that pic is amazingly good π
i think i’ll leave
bye ‘holic and ‘holics various
top fellas all
and gals too – sorry abb
.
toodle oo
i’ll poke my head in the tollie next season
you can’t miss me
i’m gorgeous
.
bye
Hood’s balls, what a nerve wracker that was! I was impressed with our work rate and cohesion right up until we seemed to lose concentration a little and the BFG was forced to stick out a leg and pick up that red card.
After that aberration, we steadied ourselves, and while we did giv away a few chances, I thought we dealt pretty well with all the long balls they threw at us.
My major concern all game long was Sagna. He’s a warrior and I love him, but he does seem to have lost a fair bit of pace these days, and I’m guessing those leg breaks are to blame. Time and again, Liam Ridgewell got beyond him, and his crossing when he did get upfield was just not good enough. I would make bold to say that the amount of joy Lukaku got out of him would have been inconceivable two years ago, no matter how big and quick the opponent was, and I fear teams are going to start targetting him as a weakness now. I think it’s time the Corporal got another run in the side.
A word also for the officiating which was poor, yet again. I have noticed that defenders are allowed to pull, push, and kick Giroud as much as they like without any fouls being called, but as soon as he decides to give them a bit of their own medicine back, he gets called for fouls. The poor man must be utterly confused. And the fact that he didn’t get a foul when Brunt pushed him AND stepped on his foot with Webb standing 6 inches away from the incident and looking right at it was just shocking. That Webb added on 5 minutes and played 6 was another low point in the game, but thankfully, this time the lads kept their concentration up and withstood the barrage.
All in all, three massive points, and another grimly determined display from the lads. Without their trained monkey, I reckon the Spuds are going to struggle quite a bit over the next few games, and I hope we continue to pile on the pressure. I think we can even get third now. It was also reassuring to see that unlike in previous iterations, the team hasn’t slacked off after a couple of good games and looks set to push and scrap and battle all the way to the end of the season. Onwards and upwards.
A bottle of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, if you please, Guv’nor, and the same for everyone else in the bar.
I’m in Belfast and had to follow the game via text alert. If you think the radio is nerveracking try that! I had never been to Stormont Castle but now that I have I will always associate it with the news that TR7 had put us two up!
After Per was sent off and from what I have subsequently seen it was one of the few calls the deplorable Webb got right,it was agony waiting for the phone to buzz.thankfully the first time it did the game was won.
That is a huge three points because Spurs will be bricking it and Chelsea know they are under serious pressure. If only Moyes and Di Canio can do their stuff tomorrow and its nice to have motivated opponents taking them on we might enjoy the weekend even more. And my local team,the Gills got promotion as well. Life is good.
Less than impressed with Bobby’s view of life . A large number of us have long acknowledged that Tommy is a bellwether for the team. He increases the rhythm and speed of our play and he is very popular with most Gooners I know. And so he should be.
bobby
The bigger picture you refer to is clearly the cubist inspired crayon sketch of your pet cat.
Or twat as us arty types say.
Mr Bure
I never eever thought I’d want to see any other RB playing for us, but i do now and its a good job that young Carl has shown himself to be not only a true Gooner, but a quality player too.
Saying that, I still think we should keep Sagna, extend his deal etc etc.
More than happy to sit and savour three very important, if rather fortunate, points tonight, and ponder which of our London rivals will drop points tomorrow. Or maybe they both will.
Have only seen MoTD highlights so far, but what seems clear from WBA’s goal, and some of their near misses, is that we still badly miss a proper defensive midfielder who will recognise danger, track runners and pressure the ball in midfield.
Our back four, at times, is still being pulled right out of shape due to a general lack of defensive help from the midfield.
The two full backs also HAVE to start cutting out more crosses – the Corporal is possibly the least culpable at the moment, but he’s not playing.
This is not dooming or glooming, but we were very lucky to get away with that last twenty minutes today. Thomas Vermaelen is one of the worst for running out too far at the ball, so it will be interesting to see what happens next week against Norwich. On the other hand, he may be a bit more feisty against the likes of Grunt Holt than the BFG.
Points in the bag though, and an impressive run of results continues.
T*ttenham will have no Garry Barry tomorrow, so are unlikely to score.
A nice hard fought, energy sapping, frustrating nil-nil wouldn’t be the worst result for us. π
Cheer up bobby/julian – Roberto,
You could be a Spud – or maybe you are ???
Trev
It was a tough away game mate, bit difficult to jusge the team’s performance from the piss poor offering from the beeb dude! I’d suggest the ref choice for the game had as much, or more of an impact than anything else. Webb loves the rough stuff and to let things slide.
One defensive mistake from Merta doesnt mean we were all over the place. Up till then we looked pretty solid from where I was stood.
Btw, Mark Lawrenson on MoTD tonight, commenting on TR7’s booking:
“And here’s something I’ve never seen him do before – tackle someone. No, that is definitely a first”.
Must be the first time he’s ever watched him.
Shearer and “Lawro” – a gratuitous waste of license payers money.
Trev- our priority has been a strong defensive midfielder for a long time. We have to stop teams getting at our back four so easily. One concern that I do have is that Wenger doesn’t see the need for a specialist in hat area. Even though people moaned about Song he did a decent job in many games there.
Almost and I stress almost as good as our top 4 prospects, is the disctint possibility of Stoke being dragged down into the Championship…. AND Pulis being sacked thanks in no small part to their fantastically loyal supporters getting fed up of the rugby being played! π
Norris,
I hope we were. But right at the end Kos and Arteta were pulled right out of the picture as Lukaku homed in on goal. Kos had run right out of the line as someone had to get a challenge in.
Chance to watch a bit more on Sky now.
TTG;
I still maintain its been a top top class striker, but I getcha.
Trev
I saw that Lawro comment too. Made me LOL (I hardly ever LOL, miserable git me) and these tools get well paid for their football insight??? Pffft!
Trev
Not saying all our defensive ills are sorted, just that away from home, the oppo are bound to get a chance or 2, especially when down to 10 men. I was chuffed when Bould got the number 2 job and as long as he can do his thing with the defense, I reckon we can get that balance right…
Re: @10. Your name is effin’ obscene. π
Trev @ 71
Me three!
The MotD ‘pundits’ are the most juvenile, puerile wankhammers around.
Just managed to watch the game thanks to Sky. Resilient is probably the word I would use to sum up that performance, especially the last 20 minutes. I thought we dominated the first 70 minutes and rarely ;looked in trouble. I am not quite sure what big Per was doing to get himself in a position where he seemed to be in the wrong place, but when he makes the challenge a foul will lead to the inevitable. Through put own making a game that we were dominating suddenly becomes a completely different affair.
We rode our luck a bit today. Kos was lucky to get away with one in the first half with an attempt at a tackle he did not have to make. For all his qualities, his decision making at times can let him down.
Plus points for me were of course the strikes form Tommy R. Gervinho at times was dazzling. Other times he was just plain old Gervinho. If he can ever become consistent with the good stuff then who knows?
Having watched the game now I really canβt join the Flappy love in. Donβt get me wrong, I want to but I just donβt get it. The vast majority of the few saves he had to make were what I would call routine. He cut out one cross where he did well and came out to bravely take the ball from Long I think it was near to the death. Apart form that I thought he was shaky when under pressure. He did not deal with crosses or corners at all well and was at time quite indecisive. I want him to be good I really do, but I just do not see it. The big problem I see is that such indecision and lack of ability with balls in the air can manifest itself throughout the whole team. He really needs to sort that side of his game out, preferably by next weekend. West Brom only had 5 shots on target on the whole game, one pf which was a penalty.
All in all today was a great three points and three that could prove vital come the end of the season. We need to look forward to next week now. We have two home games to come. The Spud Chav match next weekend will be off due to the Chavs being in the FA Cup. Personally I think that is a good thing. The more of a fixture pile up both have will not do us any harm. By the time both play again we could have another 6 points in the bag. Letβs hope so. The Chavs and Spuds will be soiling their undercrackers.
Onwards and upwards. Ollie, I am there next week but with the little man. That sadly negates a visit to the Tollie. If time permits I will try and say a few hellos at the railings. A swift IPA would not go a miss if anyone is going to the bar????
See you at the railings then Steve – i’ll have my daughter with me again.
So, relax Lars – another goalfest guaranteed. π
See you there Trev. Perhaps we can sneak a swift one inside pre kick off???
Per made a mistake to turn his head to see if the assistant ref waived his flag. That make him a tad late for the challenge. If he just focus and play to the whistle, maybe he can put the ball away.
Re Sagna. quite sad to see his performance today. He is one of my best loved arsenal players.
Fabianski is having a good game. But I would like to see a more matured GK next season. A matured GK will always inspired cobfidence.
Damn, that was close! And bloody frustrating here in NZ where daylight saving ended 15 mins after the Arsenal game started (at 3.00 in the morning), so that in traditional Sky fashion the automatic recording I set (just click on ‘Record’, none of the old manual programming) was completely cocked up. To the extent that when I came to watch over breakfast in bed all I had was about 10 minutes at the end of the first half, the whole of half-time, and about 5 minutes of part 2. Grrrrrrrrrr
So I stopped watching and waited four hours until 10.00am for the replay to start … deeply frustrated and certain this was a bad omen. Finally I got to see the game, and even to enjoy it as TR headed off the line, and then SCORED!!! Justification at last, I told myself, for all those years of complaining about him not being used much – especially this year after being instrumental in us climbing back to 3rd last year. (But I digress)
Then …. he scores AGAIN, and I am actually enjoying what looks like a routine win. But all the time I am wondering why Steve Clarke had been so generous as to not start Lukakukakukaku?
Then … Merts changed the game with an unnecessary foul. We’d already been luck with Kos chopping someone down in the area earlier, so no excuse or complaints with the pen.
Then … They score the pen, and on come Lukakakakakakakaku and I start getting really nervous, increasingly so until I’m in the kind of funk Colin Firth was in towards the end of Fever Pitch, where he was convinced Pool were going to score and we were doomed to not get the two-goal margin we needed. Even though we only needed a one-goal margin today.
In fact I admit to chickening out, checking the result, breathing a deep sigh of relief and enjoying the rest of the game smug in the knowledge WE WON IT.
Then … I read the junk posted here by Julian/Bobby and want to vomit. Here’s your FULL STOPS guys … ( . ) ( . ) … suck on that!
Oskar
Eandy @ 56: I was actually expecting a chance like that to fall for Giroud and when he held off the defender I was sure he would score. Would have really deserved that goal. A slight improvement in finishing and a little bit more directness and pace with the ball — off the ball runs are excellent — and he would become the striker everyone wants Arsenal to break the banks for.
Steve @ 80: With you about Fabianski. Still not convinced about the ability in corners and free-kicks and general flighted balls. Doesn’t command the space well, doesn’t make early calls and remains tentative. An excellent reflex keeper and a very good shot-stopper but yet to convince as a potential Arsenal number one. I know I am in minority here but I would not want him against Everton who are very effective in corners and set-pieces.
I’m not convinced by any of our keeper options. All of them are no better than stopgaps for when the main man is injured, imo. I’d like to see us sign a main man such as Samir HandanoviΔ of Internazionale or Asmir BegoviΔ from Stoke. Neither should be beyond our budget.
Oskar
Nice post ‘holic.
Good win that! The touch to set up the shot for his second was just superb by TR7
Was it Marco Reus who said in a recent interview that Tomas was his idol growing up? Brilliant player – makes you wonder, if only the injury gods hadn’t chosen him
What Esso said, H….good call on Fabianski too…..not the top, top keeper we would ideally have but he deserves praise for several good saves yesterday. TR7brings so much urgency to the side both on and off the ball….needs to keep it up over the next 2 months.
I hope that vindaloo was good.
Steve T @ 80: While Fab looked a bit shaky on corners in the first half, that moment in the second half where he came out and just laid into McAuley marked a turning point in his performance for me. And while he should probably have saved that penalty, the fact is that he claimed several dangerous crosses after the Per’s red card. There was one late on where the ball went over Kos and was getting beyond Bacary as well and he raced out and plucked it out of the air before it got to the West Brom player. He was also quick off his line to get to a few through balls and flick ons, and his handling was assured when we were under severe pressure. Where I had an issue was with his kicking, which was not up to the standard of the rest of his game. A few times, he put it straight out of play when we needed to hold on to the ball a bit more, but overall, he did give us a solid performance, and was a big part of the reason we came away with the points.
I must say I have watched it again re Fab and am sorry but I don’t get it. I had wondered if my opinion of him had clouded my judgement but I don’t think it has. The Baggies only had 5 shots on Target all game. One of which was the penalty they scored from. By that reckoning he would have only made 4 saves, none of which stand out as anymore more than routine.
There were a couple of praise worthy notes I grant you. But for me Dracula was better with crosses than Fab. He dropped far too many and his indecision was fairly evident for me.
Steve T, if you let us know a few minutes ahead, I’m sure you’ll get your IPA. I believe Lars and his wallet will be there.
Also, seeing the early flaps in the game, I thought of you. He became steadier as the game progressed, thankfully, but I admit I got scared again early on.
I don’t think it’s the saves though, Steve (after all you can only save shots on target), more the general presence and bravery, coming to the ball, etc….
Oskar, should we sign Neverconsidswylonzepic ?
Morning all. No *boilk*. I dodged a bullet there.
Weird grumpiness in the bar last night. We won.
Now, who will drop points whilst I show my parents the delights this fair city has to offer…?
Salud!
F*cking North Koreans invading everywhere nowadays
Anyone else reckon it’s no co-incidence that we’ve won every game since Jack got injured? Yes he’s immense but maybe we give him the ball a little too often for our own good.
Good morning all. Have a swell Sunday where ever you visit this bar from.
Some of the regulars here might enjoy this article on mod culture
Disclaimer: deeply offensive words used! (In context)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/apr/07/mod-british-style-weight-review
Gerve the swerve assist….
Uncle Charlie, I can’t put my fingers on what the problem was but, yes, we were not really penetrative with Jack in the team, we were doing more of what Arsene calls ‘Illusionary domination’, we always had more of the ball but didk’t really do anything of note with it.
-did’kt +didn’t
I am Rosicky!
Catalan, thanks for the assist.
Cba – you can’t occupy what’s yours
CG, looks interesting. There are so many bad books on mod culture and most of the great ones I’ve thumbed through quite a lot already. I will always have a special place in my heart for Mods! by Richard Barnes, it being one of my first ones and containing loads of great photos. Richard Barnes himself is not to everyones taste but still, it’s a great book to own, even if I guess it’s totally fruitless recommending it since most people interested in the subject matter already owns it.
Morning all,
If only a bit of warm air would accompany these glimpses of sun…
I do love Jack’s attitude, but his lack of actual goals and assists is hurting us more than we realise. If Jack was fit yesterday, TR7 would have been on the bench. Where would the goals have come from?
No more warm air left from yesterday evening’s vindaloo, holic?
CG…..thanks for the link, an interesting read. Brought back memories going to the Flamingo Club Wardour Street in my “yoot” in the early 60s. Good jazz but unfortunately the premises were not licensed to sell alcohol ( other substances were available ). Holloway Road to Leicester Square was just a few minutes on the Piccadilly line. Mohair suits, Italian leather shoes and sharp well cut hair order of the day.
Yesterday was eldest sons birthday so was spent nostagically back in Islington en famille. Great curry at Masala Zone, Angel. Plenty of beers – celebrations enhanced by the result against the baggies. Tommy Gun man of match but a good shift all round despite the anic stations when down to 10 men. The same mixture of good football, resolve & luck will readily see us through to the CL places at the end of the season – whatever the other teams do. Nonetheless, looking forward to see if the choking from the neighbours notches up a gear this afternoon.
+p = panic
Three yummy, creamy, delicious, nouriting points.
Brings joy to my sleep deprived self. π
Lotta catching up to do.
It was vapourised early this morning, Uncle π
Nice post squire.
I watched the game at 4 o clock this morning, I was pretty cream crackered, but had to see it non the less. Apart from Fabianski’s pants pooping shakyness in the early throws of the game, I thought we bossed it and was more then good value for our two goal cushion.
The red card changed the game and my mood, from reveling in the apparant ease of our presumed victory to nervous, screaming at the tv while hiding behind the couch. I’m still not sure how we survived, but survive we did and that was a massive result.
B. E. A. U. tiful.
Now to check out the drinks.
That was Sunderland all over again
To see the best of Giroud you’ve got to play with two up front.
It’s going to be a London thing for the Arsenal. We play the next six fixtures in the capital, which helps with lack of travel. Our final game of the season at Newcastle is the only time the team will venture outside of the smoke. Could be significant, I think.
Got through that a lot quicker then I thought, if we had dropped points their would of been a good five hundred drinks to wade through, I gueess misery really does love company.
Speaking of which, this cracked me up;
151julian
Wenger talks the same garbage after every game, the whole team are a yard short of quality. Ramseyβs a liability FULL STOP.
Heh, hilarious. I also loved the way he supports his arguements with “Fakhts”, completly wrong of course.
I think he then changed his name, double heh. There are similarities in the writing style, the dooming and the moaning. Also both names are written without capitals, both are in red with their homepage listed as Goonerholic, but link to an empty page, coincedence?
Come on ‘holic, spill the beans, are they one in the same?
I do have some questions for “them” though.;
Does the sun ever shine where you live?
Do you slap laughing children?
Is puppy kicking a full time job or just a hobby?
Does Tony Pullis give you a woody?
And last, but not least, if you can’t take the slightest bit of joy out of your team winning then why, the fuck, bother?
There’s nothing wrong with having an opinion, you obviously have issues with Wenger and Ramsey, that’s your perogative, but maybe if you offer some constructive criticism instead of just spewing bile, then you may very well be taken more seriously.
Steve T, re Fab.
You and me both, brother.
It feels churlish to bemoan a keeper that has only conceed two goals (one not his fault and the other a penalty) since his return, but he still scares the living daylights outta me.
I still think Woj is the best option, but maybe there’s something going on that we are not privy to, he wasn’t even on the bench yesterday which seemed strange to me, maybe there has already been an explaination why, I haven’t seen it yet.
You spotted the Goramness then H2H π
My suspisions were quickly raised and in the end the deduction seemed elementry my dear ‘holic.
Call me Sheerluck H2Holmes. π
Does the sun ever shine where you live? – Yes, but I have two sets of curtains up to block it out
Do you slap laughing children? – No, I punch them
Is puppy kicking a full time job or just a hobby? – No but cat wanking is
Does Tony Pullis give you a woody? – He’s just a wannabe, Allardyce is the man
And last, but not least, if you canβt take the slightest bit of joy out of your team winning then why, the fuck, bother? – Beats hanging around on street corners waiting to kick old people’s sticks away as they pass
REMINDER – Arsenal U21s are on LFC TV tomorrow night, if you can get the channel and don’t want to watch the Manc derby.
Heh @ them.
Afternoon All,
Well that was a bloody scary afternoon! Thanks for the report ‘H – top work.
I must admit that I was not as enamoured of the first 70 minutes (or at least the first 45) as you and many others appear to be. I thought we were for the most part pretty ordinary and largely “got away” with it.
Defensively I thought we were pretty tentative from the off, and whilst the Baggies created very little of note in the first half, the threat of our defence being breached always seemed possible. Going forward, I thought we were largely one-paced and predictable with the dreaded handbrake to the fore.
I thought Bacary was poor, and the Corporal must be wondering why he is not now first choice, having excelled in his last run of games.
Great to see Tomas scoring and looking so happy. Gotta love him. I thought, however, that his was a game of “moments”. I haven’t watched the game back yet but that was my feeling at the time. Pretty outstanding moments – two goals and a goalline clearance – I grant you, but moments nevertheless. I remain concerned that his inclusion alters the balance of the side. Certainly Santi was as peripheral yesterday as he was outstanding last week. How those two are successfully accommodated in the same side remains a conundrum that Arsene will have to wrestle with until the end of the season.
My midfield pick yesterday was Aaron Ramsey. I thought he was terrific. Unceasing industry throughout, his performance deserved a goal. They just won’t go in for him at the moment though will they.
Our first goal came out of pretty much nowhere. Gervinho was another who I thought had a very good day. He always looked a real handful and was far more positive than he can be on one of his more indecisive days. His twisting of his defender and cross come shot for Tomas’s first was superb.
Aaron could and should have ensured we went in at HT two up. That would have flattered us. Indeed, my view at the time was that 1-0 was as much as we could have hoped for.
At HT I mentioned to a fellow tabber that I didn’t think we were playing well and that the game was far from dead. Those fears appeared to have been allayed when Tomas grabbed a second. For the first time in the game we then went on and played on the front foot and dominated our opponents. It was a frustration that during this twenty minute period, (a period where West Brom could barely string 2 passes together and the home faithful were on their backs), the game wasn’t put to bed.
Instead Arsenal being Arsenal we allowed ’em back in. Per got caught on the wrong side, and can have no complaints. Down to ten and now only one goal to the good, the game changed irrevocably. I have read a lot about heart, desire, mental strength etc regarding that last twenty mins. Hmm, not so sure. I thought we largely went to pieces. The stats on Arseblog this morning tell their own tale. 17 successful passes in the last 25 minutes. At times the equaliser appeared inevitable. There was an awful lot of comedy defending in that last quarter, and West Brom’s failure to score said more about their wastefulness I think, than how resolute we were.
From that general criticism, I would excuse the keeper, who I thought played very well after some hesitancy very early in the game, and Monreal who I thought had a very good game.
So to my mind, not a great performance but as ‘Holic pointed out, it’s all about the three points at this stage. We got them, end of story. 4 down, six to go.
Come on the Toffees!
Off for some pig product and a back drink.
H2H@117: Diaby, Walcott and Wilshere are the only ones on the formal injury list.
Doing my back drinking in the correct order, but this could take more than the standard period of time to complete. Complex scrolling maneuvers, etc.
Not having seen the game, I just want to say it’s a huge three points and thanks ‘holic and everybody for the picture of the game that you have drawn. It sounds like we just about made it. π
Nice one tabs.
===
Everton you wankers.
Everton. Level. π
1-1. yes.
Final whistle may be blown now. π
Yeh Baby 1-1 at the Dump.
Cheers H2H.
Everton equalised
oh when the wheels….
H2H. Should not the final whistle be blown when it is 1-5? Jagielka must have at least 4 more in him, I feel. π
Everton are a bit too close for comfort too, 8ball.
Ha Ha at Walker, but shouldn’t that be a yellow card.
===
Cheers for the info Ned.
Yes, I’d agree with that Tabs.
I said yesterday that I thought we were a bit fortunate to get away with it, and that our defence was getting pulled all over the place, but I got gently taken to task about it.
I do think that our centre backs, whoever they are, are struggling with the high line they are trying to play, one, because there is often no pressure on the ball in midfield and, two, because although I generally like him, Mertesacker does lack the necessary pace.
The full backs have a tough job because they generally don’t get enough help from the wide players in midfield. Sagna, sadly because he has been so good for so long, is struggling at the moment. Hopefully, he can fully rehab in the summer but, at the moment, Jenkins looks the better bet to me.
And Fabianski ? I’m still instinctively on your side of the fence Steve T.
He has improved a bit in terms of stature, and he did well enough after the first twenty minutes yesterday but, on another day, it could have been all over by then.
Those are clearly all the negatives but, at the end of the day – Brian – we won.
If we can do that another six times then we can all breathe deeply and look forward to a summer influx of pure quality that will win us the title next season.
What ? Really …….. π
Jenkins ?! +son.
Cheers for that Trev and Tabs.
As I said, I was pretty knackered when I watched and I thought very much the same over Sagna and others that weren’t quite up to scratch but I put it down to fatigue.
Still, nothing better then 3 points, especialy when your not quite on your game….. six more times indeed Trev.
Hi Trev,
Cheers and agree with your 133, with the exception of the Fabianski bit. As stated above, I’m in the camp that thinks he did pretty well after a flap in the first 10 minutes.
Haven’t had a chance to backdrink yet. Watching the LWC’s and brunch got in the way.
I do think the final score generally governs reaction to a performance. I have often said on here that defeats lead to exaggerated statements about how poor the performance was. I think it only fair to say when it works the other way ie that in victory a poor performance will be glossed over. I’m guessing we wouldn’t have heard too much about “character” or “bravery” had one of those West Brom chances gone in.
Right, back to the crumbling dump!
Indeed H2H.
Six more wins please.
Miralias!!!!
I told ya he was good Tabs. π
Mirallas. Let’s have some more.
Oh yes! 1-2 π
Haha, you did indeed H2H π
Bloody good goal.
Those wheels eh … π π
Third – Arsenal
Fourth – Everton
π
Very amusing, deeply satisfying…
Hi-la-re-ous.
Booooooooooooooooooooo
Bollocks 2-2.
Swings and roundabouts…
Chelsea 0 – 1 Sunderland
Back in NorCal and well…..it feels like home.
Cheers all……well most. Bobby Boucher I believe you should stick with being the Waterboy. Have a glass on me and then piss off.
Three points always welcome but we really rode our luck for the last 20 minutes. Per made a mistake that he compounded by making a poor challenge in the box. I disagree that he “had to make it”. Sometimes giving up a goal is not the worst thing that can happen.
Fabianski scares me. He came flying off his line and missed a few too many balls for me.
Anyway, most has already been said so enjoy the rest of the season the ups and downs.
Cheers.
I think a tie that takes points from spuds and Everton is fine. Everton are actually very close so dropped points for them is not that bad. Spuds will drop more.
Chelski well….. Fuck them.
2-2 Top result, now to switch over to the Chavs.
To paraphrase James Cromwell at the end of Babe, that’ll do Everton, that’ll do.
The weekend that keeps on giving?
We currently have more points and a better goal difference than Chavski, who along with Sp*rs, appear to be slowly sinking in the West …
No sooner do I stick Sunderland on and it’s 1-1.
Stupid fascist mackems.
Jammy Chav basterds
Heh tabs, maybe we shouldn’t watch.
FCUK
Another jammy one.
2-1
Two incredibly lucky goals.
Fuck off Chelsea.
I think you’re right H2H! π
Looks like we’re on the same
drugs and alcohol bingewavelength this afternoon tabs. πToo bad about Chelsea, can’t see them drawing this one now, let alone losing. But two points on Spurs, win our game in hand and we are in front, and seriously, glad Everton didn’t come any closer given we’ve got to play them yet.
Good enough weekend.
Phil Dowd got the red card right. High boot studs to the head is red.
‘Arry your going down. π
Pseudo Manager and Pseudo Fans supporting Wenger’s playground style of football.
Oooh, it learned a new word.
Your a plastic fan with a fetish for all things Gaulic.
Thank you very much.
Your”!!!
ha ha.
H2H@161 – Haha, right again! π
pseudo- or pseud-
pref.
False; deceptive; sham:
If you’ve worked as a manager for thirty years, picked up fifteen trophies and actually, you know, got your coaching badges and the job title manager, I think you can pretty much call yourself manager, don’t you?
Oh, and regards to being a “false” supporter, I have no idea how actually, you know, supporting your club can be thought of as false?
I have no idea why I keep feeding you. You’ve yet to say one single constructive sentence, this far completely ignored every single fact (like statistics far different from your own) and not elaborated any chain of thought you’ve had. Oh, and once again, psuedo fan? Cheers, mate.
Not impressed with the Chavs, Sunderland have been dire lately. They’ll lose points on the road.
In Canada it’s “your, eh”. π
Don’t know what it is in Hungarian.
Wigan needs to pass stoke. Please please.
Name me the 15 Trophies.
Please don’t delete him ‘h.
Leave his posts as testiment to his own stupidity.
Or should i say List me the 15 Trophies ha ha
Ah, bobby/julian returns. Had a nice nap? Remember to get back into your cave before the sun comes up.
Testiment !!!!
ha ha
Monaco
Ligue 1 (1): 1987β88
Coupe de France (1): 1990β91
Nagoya Grampus
Emperor’s Cup (1): 1995
J-League Super Cup (1): 1996
Arsenal
FA Premier League (3): 1997β98, 2001β02, 2003β04
FA Cup (4): 1997β98, 2001β02, 2002β03, 2004β05
FA Community Shield (4): 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004
They are just a few clicks away on Wikipedia, Bobby. Have a look. Wenger has a win rate for Arsenal of 56.81% compared to Ferguson for Utd with 59.76%, building a new stadium in the process.
And yet again – please, instead of asking new questions how about answer mine for once? How can a manager with 30 years in the game be called psuedo? And how can fans supporting this football club, vocally, be called psuedo? Answer that and I might even copy-paste the trophies for you.
Hey Bobby – Renault what you can?
Don’t feed the troll fellas – Bob’s a knob.
Seriously mate, I have no problem with you not being happy with the team or the manager. We all have opinions about the club, that is expected of us, and frankly quite hard to get away from even if we wanted to. But psuedo? For fucks sake? And bitching after a win? We didn’t even trip up! Yes, we were close to, but most teams would be, away after a sending off? I believe you are silly, that is my opinion, and I’ve listed I don’t know how many reasons as to why now. I’ve yet to see you back up anything you say.
I’m drunk and stupid….
What’s you’re, er sorry your excuse?
I’m falling over laughing Community Shield, where’s the European Trophy?
So maybe not exactly the bonanza of a weekend that I earlier predicted, but nothing to squeeze at ….
Don’t worry we can all make mistakes.
Maybe it’s bobby Zamora. He started posting again just after his red card.
Enjoy relegation and administration bobby. π
Roberto never has a point, Toby. Useless to ask for one.
Have a good Sunday evening fellas. And a drinky on me H2H.
Ah, cheers Bobby. See you answered my questions this time. Arsenal F.C has two European honours over a lifetime of 127 years. I agree that I would have hoped we’d have won the CL by now, but I also understand that we are up against the best teams in the world in that competition, that we have been in the final under Wenger, and that it’s not as easy as wishing to win it.
Do you seriously mean that every manager we’ve had that haven’t won a European trophy has been a pseudo-manager?
What zico said@181.
Cheers NorCal.
There was a tractor convention (don’t laugh) here up the road and I’ve got a bunch of enthusiasts throwing beer at all and sundry. Nice work if you can get it, but not great for the health, couple that with three hours sleep and…………..hic.
Zico and Lars, you are both correct. On the other hand, I’m not really debating mr B, rather I’m polishing my language and also hoping that some invisible readers that are still on the fence might read it and realise which route not to take. So it’s rather for them.
I noticed you neglected to mention the fact that he relegated Nancy, and that he was sacked at both Nancy and Monaco.
I also neglected to mention that he has lost 183 games with Arsenal. I didn’t really know what I had to mention for it to be a relevant post about if Wenger is a pretend manager or a real one. Glad you told me.
But yes, if you are wondering, he got a club relegated 26 years ago. In his first job as a manager. He has also been fired twice over that period, in a business when firing managers (or for that matter, selling under performing players) comes with the territory.
So what you are saying that if you have been fired at least twice during a 30 year long career as a manager you are a pseudo-manager?
God, I have no clue as to why I keep asking questions I will never get an answer to.
I was just in East Texas. The whole place is a tractor convention. π
Under the new format of the Champions League only four Managers have been involved in over 100 games and three of them have each won 2 Champions Leagues, guess who’s the odd one out.
There are other really good managers out there Bobby, not gonna argue against that. See, we have some common ground!
*Punts it upfield before he goes to pack his bags for a little trip to Switzerland…*
Rafa Benitez is a CL winning manager and will be available at the end of the season.
Be careful what you wish for….
Slips it through……
Bamm
We may have just scored at post 160 if Holic pulls out the hook. But well played anyway H2H.
Cheers again.
If we get 3rd and Everton get 4th and Stoke will go down…
That’d be awesome hahahahaha π
Well in!
That will never happen, Wenger’s running his contract down.
Bloody hell, what a finish by Remy!
He side footed that. Remarkable stuff.
Proper goal. No pseudo-goal that!
And oh, I’m officially done with the feeding. I’ve had the patience of an angel and I just can’t be arsed if my willingness to actually, you know, talk about reality and doing it in the tried and trued form of an actual dialog isn’t in any way reciprocated.
He’s been fired twice and only had four jobs.
Just stoking the fire a bit cos I’m cold.
GREAT GOAL WIGAN – ‘ARRY’S GOIN’ DAHN
And THAT wasn’t a pseudo-freekick.
Jumps to block the free kick and then ducks out of the way
My guess is that Taraabt will be on the receiving end of a rather massive bollocking in a few minutes.
Heh, @193, I’d say having few jobs is a good thing in a footballing world where most clubs jumps at the chance of firing the manager. And, of course I can’t be sure about this, but I’m quite sure he’s had a few offers down the years. There are only two ways to change jobs – get fired for not living up to the expectations of the owners (sometimes unrealistic) or going for another job, terminating or not renewing your contract, ie giving up on the club you have. He has showed loyalty to stay at Arsenal for all these years, and I can’t say he would have been a better manager had he left us? He’s only been at four clubs because he has done a tremendous job at his latest one. I’ve screamed at him loads of times and he commits quite a few mistakes, to my eyes, but he has done so much right for this club, and not everything on the pitch, some has been behind the curtains.
Right. Now I really need to get that bag packed.
I’ll say goodbye to you all later tonight!
Not to feed the troll, but Roberto di Matteo has won a CL as a manager, and Avram Grant was a post away from doing so. Clearly they’re both better managers than a certain Mr Wenger.
Oh, and QPR – ha!
LWCs: wheels off. Love it.
That game at the bus stop suddenly looks a bit tasty. Hopefully they’ll kick each other to bits.
Great weekend. Now, win the next three and we could well find ourselves 7 points clear of the LWCs by the time they kick off against City.
Laughing at ‘Arry.
Twitch factor off the scale at the end there.
Tony Penis and Stoke to go down? How fantastic would that be?!
34 points – ManUre, LWCs and Norwich at home, QPR, Sunderland and Soton away, to come.
Gonna be tight.
Norwich at home and Sunderland away to decide their fate I reckon.
So Bobby. Who do you want in charge?
You seem very good at spouting negative comments but are a tad lacking in the solutions department.
Any ideas?
today a blueblood from the west pays hommage to ST. TOTTERINGHAM, spotted at the shed end deepening the LWCs misery….WE BELIEVE
Excuse me gentleman for letting myself get fished in, I”ll chalk it up to lack of proper sleep and lack of being able to refuse beer, I’ll try not to let it happen in the future………
But I aint promising nuffink. π
That’s a good result
The LWC result was probably the best one for us; keeps Everton at a more than one win behind and puts the neighbours within catching distance with the game in hand.
That WHL pitch looked pretty threadbare for a Premiership ground.
…same could be said for the home team, come to that, without Bale.
My three step plan to save Arsenal. Step 1 Remove the Board. Step 2 Install Usmanov. Step 3 Hire a Coach who knows what he’s doing.
I’m using the name Hector cause the git running this site banned me. Freedom of speech when will you AKBs ever learn.
Has he changed his name again?
But hire who Hector/Bobby whoever?
Who would you have on the board?
Tell me,why you think Usmanov would be such a better option?
Sooooo,
The board ( and I’m guessing their policies ) are no good.
The owner is no good.
The manager is no good.
And some if not all of the players (based on previous posts) are no good.
Why exactly do you “support” Arsenal?
You call other supporters ” plastic”, yet do your best to deride the team at each turn with little answers other than ” everything the team/ club/ manager does is shit.”
Your story is old Roberto.
My three step plan to save the club:
1. Replace the board with football geniuses;
2. Hire a world class coaching team; and
3. Sign half a dozen top notch players.
It’s so simple, I’m amazed no one has thought of it before.
It’s immaterial who the next Manager should be. If the likes of Southampton and Swansea can find a Manager what’s wrong with Arsenal doing likewise.
I think we have a manager.
Norcal @ 229
Given those handicaps, we’re clearly overachieving.
Groundsman must be playing a blinder.
Mullah Naseeruddin was spotted at the middle of a busy junction with a basket of red peppers in front of him, esteemed Mullah picking one pepper after another putting it in his mouth, tears of agony streaming down his face.
A well wisher steps forward and asks him: “Dear Naseeruddin, what are you doing?”
Sobbing, Mullah answers: “I am looking for a sweet one”.
Have a sweet piquante on me, and a glass of cold cold water to wash it down, Bobby Julian Hector … would have offered a real drink, but didn’t want to muddle your mind any further. π
Bank Manager.
Merchant Banker!?
You did say Banker
Ignore the stupid cunt.
Something you obviously struggle with.
Excellent advice Tabs, that I shall now follow to the letter.
Agent Hector,
Tell your ( you’re?) buddy Alisher that he doesn’t have to be majority owner to pump funds into the club. He could start a shirt company and outbid Nike. I’m sure a 4 year deal worth 200 million would get it done. π
I’ll be happy to help make the designs. Anything is better than some of the crap some teams wear every week.
I’ve run rings around you, pity Wenger can’t the do same in Europe
As l was saying, before i was so rudely interrupted, it’s in Wenger’s self serving interests to keep a foot in both camps. It masks the dimwit board members eyes to the deficiencies of Wenger as a Coach.
So you don’t know then Hector.
I was trying to give you the chance to put forward a sensible offering but nothing. The only thing you can say is that 2 other clubs found new managers. I’m really trying to reach out here but you are not helping.
Try again.
Can’t hurt us that QPR look like they’ll be down by the time we play ’em and Newcastle look like they’ll be safe.
Would be nice to have a run in mainly against teams with nothing left to play for.
Please don’t give the troll the satisfaction of a response all.
We are winning.
He is hurting.
That is enough.
Lovely result — well chuffed, great fighting spirit (again) and a good result for us with the spuds drawing.
Oh and Hector: You are a penis
Evening all,
Think I’ll look in later when the hard of thinking will hopefully be getting their ‘jamas on. π
Clarence/Hector/bobby whatever.
I am waiting. I was interested but you are boring me now.
If a lowly Club like Southampton can spot and attract an up and coming Manager then so can Arsenal.
Hey, Steve T,
Yes we should be able to manage one before Norwich.
I’ve still got your number – ring you on the day. Cheers.
Evening
Hi Ollie. π
Who Clarence, who????????
I have really tried but I am struggling to re phrase the question or make it any easier.
Blimey, Lille are 5-0 against AliadiΓ¨re’s boys?
N7 Gooner – I wouldn’t mind if we were the ones to relegate QPR and Mr Twitchy by beating them
See, this is exactly what happens when Mental Health programs get put on the back burner and these poor folks are turned loose. No where to go … π Bobby, or whoever you are at this monent in time, π Wenger the man (forget about manager), is someone I would be proud to call a friend. A very decent sort. Cheers holics π
Cheers Nursie.
It’s up for grabs now. We really need the lads to win the next three. If we do the Totts will slide even more into free fall.It would be great to get above Chavski and given their fixture pile- up it could happen. Wouldn’t it be nice if they both miss out,we qualify automatically and Everton get 4th.
MoTD commentator: “Not the type of player to go down without reason, Steven Gerrard.”
Good to see that irony is not dead.
‘nite all
I’m dying to know from y’all. (Hector, Bobby, and the rest)
All of the invincibles said AW was the best coach/manager they played under.
If that’s deficiencies as a coach, I’d take it.
!!
I assume our now resident clown uses the same email address, ‘holic? Can you not direct it to spam?
Oskar
Thanks for the link, Catalan, that’s a book I’ll have to get … My g-g-g-g-generation and all that.
I remember the West Indian influx well. A friend and I entered a random London pub on a crawl one night to find we were the only white guys in the place. This big black, evil-looking buck bailed us up against the bar and demanded, “Do you believe in the colour bar?” (That’s what white apartheid-type thinking in the UK was called back then) “Definitely NOT” we managed to squeak back. “Well we DO … fuck off” was his suggestion.
But generally it was the best of times. I owned a rock n roll club in the early ’60s, in the provinces down in Surrey. I paid The Rolling Stones Β£10 for a gig (before they were famous of course), likewise Paul Simon Β£10. He was just a folk singer then, before Sounds of Silence was released. Simon brought a mate with him one night, a guy called Dylan who was asking Β£1000 a gig at the time, way way out of our league but we got him for nothing. Jeff Beck played in our resident band Night Shift (Β£5 a night).
But if you’d asked me who of all the bands who played at my place would become famous I wouldn’t have said any of the above (except Dylan), I’d have said The Ministers of Beat, or Rod Goldie and the Recondos, or my fav band Simon and the Surreys. I wonder what happened to them?
Oskar
Oskar @ 265: Great stories.
If this was early 60s and before Dylan became famous, this must have been the time when he went to UK to make a BBC film where he sang “Blowin’ in the Wind” apparently for the first time in public. A little Internet search returns the film to be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Madhouse_on_Castle_Street , which was destroyed later. Wonder anyone here ever saw that?
Yes it was early ’60s, Dr F, and Dylan was famous enough to be charging Β£1000 a gig when I was paying Β£10 for local bands and no more than Β£50 for known artists such as Georgie Fame and Alan Price (after he’d left The Animals).
Lots of stories … such as how we nearly killed Paul Simon! It was our practice to drive up to the Victoria Sporting Club after gigs and lose the night’s profits. We took two cars one time, I was driving one and my friend Gordon Bennett (yes, real name – and he became famous later and even had a film made about his life) was driving the other. Gordon had Paul on board and contrived to crash, overturning the car.
Not a scratch on anyone … otherwise the world would have missed a very great artist.
Then there was the time the Epsom jockeys threatened to burn the club down because I wouldn’t let them use the club as their drug-dealing base … but that’s another story. π
Oskar
Stab/clarence/bobby etc.
You can’t give one name. For you it is immaterial who the next manager is? Unfortunately that just about sums you up. I was genuinely prepared to listen to what you had to say if indeed there actually was anything. Clearly there is nothing and quite frankly you have bored me rigid.
Trev. Speak nearer match day.
Beers were had.
Arsenal won.
Spurs dropped points.
‘Arry all but relegated.
Stoke fans starting to wake up and turn on Pulis.
I’d say that was a good weekend.
‘Stoke fans turning on Pulis’ ?
They’ll eat him next. Cannibalism.
Guardian’s ten conclusions from the weekend’s games include ‘Arsenal riding their luck against Baggies’. Once again, god knows what they say we don’t win.
Morning Lars
Yes, it was a decent weekend all round even including some glorious sunshine here in England which came in very handy for playing in an outdoor 5-a-side comp.
It’s only wishful thinking but the 2012/13 Schadenfreude Trophy will be awarded for the following:
Arsenal 3rd
Everton 4th
Stoke relegated
TS, I got sunburnt watching the marathon in Paris yesterday….
It would be wonderful, but even I am not optimistic about all this happening, TS..
I can see the sunshine did you good though π
That would indeed be somewhat of a dream outcome, TS π
Ollie, hopefully the sunshine worked its magic on both of us, thanks π
Lars, quite right. I’ll settle for Arsenal in third and a fellow orc simply ripping one of Pulis’ limbs off and slapping him across the face with it π
Morning all.
Excellent stories Oskar, coincidently when I started up the music computer here in the bar I typed in Simon and Garfunkel and while reading your posts “The Sounds of Silence” was playing….. Spooky.
Has the simpleton with multiple christian names gone yet?
And I don’t mean dave,dave π
Oskar … great stories – thanks for sharing! And you remember them too, which sounds like an achievement π
NZ (I think thatΒ΄s where you reside now?) must seem tame in comparison!
Morning all.
It is rainy and cold here, kind of depressive, but the victory on Saturday and Spuds draw keeps warming me.
Great stories Oskar, haven’t realized we have such music-literates in this bar.
Anyway, I was thinking about our goal keepers situation at the moment, and realized that I am comfortable with Fabianski, at the moment. He sometimes lacks stature and misjudges high balls, but he has better distribution, better positioning and is better, more natural shot stopper than Szczesny. More important, he is much more serious lad than Wojciech, and we can all see that he worked a lot on his confidence.
The only problem is that he has not made any mistakes in these past couple of games. Yes, that is the problem. Because I am not sure how he is going to react after his first mistake. Maybe more important, how fans will react after his first mistake. We can all hope that he will be blameless till the end of the season, but I think it is normal that he will make mistake at some point, and I certainly do not like to see Almunia’s long face after that, provoking thousands of fans to react like jerks.
I hope that he shuts their mouths, just like Gervais did. And just like Ramsey’s display this past month, shuts mine.
zico π
Long post alert!!
I’ve posted only a few other times under a different moniker, which I’ve altered due to a recent move. Forgive the crassness of the name, but I could not resist.
So first off I’d like to say that this is the only Arsenal blog where I read the comments, for reasons personified by the proliferation of mental patients like Julian/bobby, ad naseum, everywhere. It’s a shame, because the online Arsenal community used to be quite noble comparatively when this all firat started but there you go. goonerholic is the best bar by far on the interweb, as I’m sure the regulars would agree.
The reason i come here, and relax and enjoy the experience is threefold:
The governor–well what can I say that hasn’t already been said? He’s a gentleman, a poet, a Gooner. All who have been involved with the Arsenal online community are indebted to his calming influence and level headedness that can only be gained by a certain…maturity :D. Those haven’t been said right? In all seriousness thank you Maestro ‘holic!
The regulars–as they say the clientele makes the bar and all of you who contribute regularly are simply golden, through the good times and bad. Cheers boys and whiskeys for all, on me!
The Arsenal–this great club, which has brought us all together from places across the world, which despite the negativity from the media, the ethnocentrism ever since Wenger became manager and started winning and the newer development regarding the Arsenal bashing trolls in masks, continues to maintain a model of decency and honor, in the mire of smash and grab economics that this world has fallen to.
I salute goonerholic, I salute the contributors, and I salute the Arsenal.
Now let’s have a drink, UTA!!
lurky;
The only problem is that he has not made any mistakes in these past couple of games.
I don’t think you’ve been watching properly mate, he made some howlers in the last game, I was literaly turtling every time the ball was chucked in to our box… for the last twenty minutes I was hid behind the sofa.
We haven”t been punished for any of his mistakes yet, and long may that continue.
Nice one BY, welcome to the bar and cheers.
What H2H said, BY!
Right. On my way to the airport them Switzerland to look at buildings. Oh, the joys of being an Architect. I’ll be broke when I get home.
Have fun in the bar whilst I’m gone! Stay on the HT, and have a drink on Lars.
Anybody else wondering whether we are getting full value out of Gazidis’ team?
This is scary stuff.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22060822
Thank you BY.
Have a good trip, Toby.
Yes, Dr z, is the answer. To be fair though comparing our commercials with United’s is like comparing apples with curling tongs…
*bad taste warning*
If Ramsey had scored that chance, one would be less surprised about today’s news.
You beat me to it zico. Just say that and thought WTF!?
Afternoon All,
Good stuff Oskar.
Ollie @270 – Hope so! π
Dr Z @278 – Really hope so! π
BY @282 – Lovely stuff. Cheers.
Lurky/H2H – I’m somewhere between the two of you on Fab. I would doubt that he’s the long term answer, and I think that either Sches will re-establish himself, or Arsene will go shopping. That said, surely your nervousness on Saturday H2H was for historic reasons rather than anything he particularly did on Saturday? Fair enough, he came for a cross that he didn’t get and then failed to claim a ball that should have been his leaving Kos to concede a corner, but these two incidents occurred in the first 10 minutes and were both part of the same move. Thereafter, he calmed himself down, and whilst I would need to watch it again to be certain, my impression at the time was that he was pretty faultless thereon in.
Have a good trip Toby.
Dr Z @286 – Scary stuff indeed. Do we even have a training kit/training ground sponsor?
say = saw.
Comparing apples with curling tongs…..
So United get the apples (apples make cider ergo, “useful”) and Gazidis get’s curling tongs (he’s bald)……
The prosecution rests….. 8)
Just seen the news.
On the basis that one should not speak ill of the dead, I shall say nothing further.
Don’t you agree with 288 though, tabs? π
(and I have a Hefner song in my head, but shh)
@ Ollie π
I do Ollie! π
As for the Hefner song, I’m thinking first album.
Plays a through ball between the defenders…
…Ollie, tha ball is in your court…
Crosses from the left wing …
Ping!!!
Well in Cent!
*Applaudes slick move*
Thanks for the assist TaBS.
*bows towards Sir H2H*
RIP The Iron Lady.
Tabs @290.
I thought he (Fab) was extreamly shakey in the opening period of the game, he was nowhere near some of the crosses he came for and fluffed another, we could of been seriously punished. He did redeem himself somewhat, but the initial flaps made me (probably more then I should) dread the sight of a ball being crossed in.
I’ll support him when he’s playing and ofcourse, wish him the best. He still scares the shit outta me though. I never really had that with Woj.
Yeh that’s all fair H2H.
I did think it was his least convincing game since his return.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
It is expected that Mrs Thatcher will be out for a period of three weeks.
END OF OFFICIAL STATMENT
tabs¢ !
(tabs, I thought it was on a later album, I’d say 3rd)
heh at the AMT
On the Fabianski and Szczeszny debate, I think they both have their qualities and limitations and we should rotate them according to the style of our opponents on the day.
Cheers Ollie.
Ah, those lovely folks at West Ham, they always have an opinion.
Lounging
Wrote Karren Brady in her column for The Sun over the weekend:
‘Many times since we took over the club Paolo has approached owners David Sullivan and David Gold about being the manager of West Ham.
‘I think they considered him briefly – something I never did – but dismissed him on the basis that football and fascism do not mix.’
Presumably therefore she’ll be changing the name of the Paolo Di Can10 lounge at Upton Park, a ‘relaxed and contemporary exclusive lounge’ that offers a ‘themed family area’ and allows fans to relax in ‘an informal setting that pays homage to the passionate Italian’s great achievements’.
Dress code – smart casual dress, trainers or football shirts are not permitted.
That doesn’t really work with keepers I’m afraid Cent.
Heh Ollie, they’ll be saying they want nothing to do with porn next.
Ollie, with the help of Wikipedia, I see you are quite right.
Cent – I don’t think goalkeepers should ever be rotated. More than any other position, Goalkeeping requires stability. Pick your No.1 and stick with him until loss of form intervenes. It is then up to the other guy to take his chance when it presents itself.
Heh @313. π
H2H 315, I was thinking exactly that π
This one was quite spot on:
https://twitter.com/MartinBelam/status/284761751520702465
Note that is was created in December last year π
And heh@313/5 π
Afternoon all,
Bangkok Yank, lovely stuff.
I never have rime to explore t’Internet much these days, but as that commodity started to run out, I found myself reading Arseblog every day ans spending the rest of my online time in here, for the same reasons you mention.
Lurky,
I’m glad you are “comfortable with Fabianski”, but let him go to training mate, he’s not that good yet. π
On Fabianski:
I now agree completely with Steve T. And Tabs. And H2H.
Yes I can ….. π
Hehs at 313/5 π
Oh, and Tabs actually tabsed one @301. Well in son ! π
Cent just managed to smuggle one over the line without self-assisting. π
π @Arsenal Medical Team.
Mrs Thatch to be back before Diaby then ? π
Wouldn’t bet against it, Trev…
haha Lars 319: indeed!
Lars @319 – Spot on indeed!
Trev @322 – Haha, cheers. Good to be back in the old glory position. π
Trev, a ‘tabs’ at 101 only counts if unintentional.
Nice one Lars.
Heh Trev.
That’s harsh Ollie π
Holocaust Memorial Day today.
Remember.
Never again.
May God rest those souls.
I know ‘keepers thrive on stability and all that but Manure did it with De Gea and Lindergard last season and the begining of this season before finally sticking with the Spaniard.
P.S. If i had to choose one out of the two it will be the younger Pole.
Trev 322, thanks for the not-so-kind words.
Ollie 328, does an Intentional TaBS at 201, 301, 401 e.t.c. Count then? π
On the whole subject of goalkeepers, my view is that this is a position that is almost a blind spot for Wenger.
We have not had a reliable keeper since Seaman.
Jens, as much as I loved the guy, was a loose cannon who always convinced me he was going to clock anyone who stood too close to him at a set piece, and that included his own players! A mental case, but he was way better than anything we have had since.
Almunia, a good shot stopper but amongst other basic failings (presence?) was also prone to go walkabout in a manner not seen since Jenny Agutter was a stripling.
Of the current two protagonists, it is arguable whether Woj would even be anywhere near the first-team squad had Almunia not had the shortcomings referred to above (remember there was a groundswell of opinion that insisted Woj was the best keeper on the books whilst he was out on loan!)
As for Fabianski, his inclination for the brain-fart has been evident every time he has had a spell, and that includes his most recent game where like many above, he had me twitching like Harry on trial everytime the ball was whipped into our box.
The point of all this is that a club of Arsenal’s stature should not even be having this internal debate – we should be able to buy the finished article which will allow us to develop young keepers properly rather than fast-tracking them into the team because they are the best of a bad bunch.
If ever you wanted a definition of “be the best that you can be” you only need to look at our policy on goalkeepers to see where we’re not.
Zico – I honestly don’t believe there are many reliable keepers in Europe.
I can only think of Cech, Buffon, Neuer, and Casillas.
All the others are extremely erratic.
I assume your knowledge of goalkeepers is encyclopeadic then Snir – that by any stretch of the imagination is one sweeping statement.
All goalkeepers make mistakes, of course they do.
I just find it baffling that we cannot find anyone better than Fabianski or a youngster who has masses still to learn. Your comment suggests that outside of those four we shouldn’t even bother looking.
Great film ‘Walkabout’, it hasn’t been on the telly for ages….
For me, Szczesny is still our No.1 in waiting and has the right mix of ingredients to be a very decent Arsenal ‘keeper but he’s not the finished article. Fabianski is a good No.2 but nothing more than that.
I hope that an experienced ‘keeper who is a natural leader of his defence is on the summertime shopping list which, if true, would presumably precipitate the release of either Mannone or Fabianski?
It’s all been said before, right…?
It has TS, but there appears to be quite a bit of revisionism going on regarding Fabianski – probably, some at least, hoping that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that Fabianski is “cured”.
My point is that we don’t appear to help ourselves and Wenger has not signed a “reliable” goalkeeper (including Jens) although maybe most would disagree about the latter.
Szcesny I have high hopes for, but he has a ways to go.
Actually Jens was reliable – he was only unreliable in that he was a nut job.
Far be it for me to suggest that these are not essential credentials to keep goal (or run Happy Trains). 8)
Zico – I’m not saying that, but I think Woj’s mistakes have been overblown and AW gave in to that clamoring. He didn’t take any points away, in fact he gave us points (Sunderland away).
I can’t think of many goals that were his direct fault apart from Villa, Southampton, and Bayern.
I don’t think our problem is the GK situation.
Our problem is a lot more fundamental and that is the fact that we seem to rely on Arteta in the build up play, causing him to play too far up the field when he’s the deepest MF we have, leaving PM and Kos to deal with counter attacks on their own.
Ollie,
Did anyone tell Thatcher that Aaron had actually
Missed? I was in disbelief that he missed until almost midway through the second half.
Snir, I agree that goal-keeping is not the reason we are 21 points behind the champions elect, but it is one manifestation of not making the most of the resources that we have.
There was a lot of traffic on goalies – just thought I’d add my three bob’s worth……
No revisionism here, zico.
The first 20 mins at The Hawthorns was again proof for me that Fabianski will always be….. well…. Fabianski. He has his good days though and thank Dennis for that given the current funk that Szcz seems to be in. BTW, he didn’t even make the bench on Saturday. What was that all about? Does anybody in here know?
There have been two great keepers during Le Boss’ reign and I agree that Jens could always be relied upon to be completely hatstand but I loved him for that too… most of the time.
Weird, just saw a stat that said manure has not conceded a penalty this year. Can you say biased? π
In honour of;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P1opP7tNLzg
Back home. Interestingly, Eurostar haven’t received to my Friday reply yet…. (pre-the other issues)…..
W_ _ K _ _ S
All the alleged ‘best’ keepers have thrown massive massive massive ricketts lately, especially this season.
Cech, Hart, Buffon, Lloris, you kname them, they’ve all had more than one stinker.
Ollie – That supports my point. Our keeper situation is not as bad as people make it to be.
I don’t think we should replace Woj as he has a good command of the box and is excellent in one on one situations (the kind of chances we give away regularly).
Even his much maligned distribution is at 70% success rate.
I don’t think we should buy a GK, especially not Valdes or Reina.
Maybe Vorm or Begovic as they would certainly provide competition, but I don’t see how Reina or Valdes would be an improvement.
I agree with you Snir! π
Woj is playing with the U21’s tonight. Dies that answer why he was not even on the bench Saturday? Maybe.
Snir,
Reina would be a massive waste of money.
Valdes would be slightly better.
Vorm would be a good purchase but rumors say he’s going to Farcalona.
Begovic might workout. Still think Woj will be our long term keeper.
Cheers Norcal @ #351, that would explain things.
Zico,
Two points:
I think we did actually bid big money for Reina some time ago but were refused (as we were with Alonso too) if Bob Wilson is to be believed. Seems to me, its more about the ‘Pool been seen to sell to Arsenal than the money offered in either case.
Ferguson spent an absolutely fortune buying a plethora of GK’s when Schmeichel departed – from World Cup winners to new prodigies to big established reputations………..and eventually settled on an ageing Van Der Sar. And now that he’s drawing the pension, young De Gea hasn’t exactly made the position his own. My own belief is that a deal is in place for Begovic because there’s no way IMO that young Butland turned down Chelsea just to be second fiddle at Stoke. Who Begovic goes to, I do not know, but my suspicion is that Fergie is much more unsure of his GK’s than Wenger is of his..!
Like you, I too thought Jens was a nut job, but I also thought he was a very good GK. My point is that getting a proper GK, who fits the bill is not just a question of spending money. And in young Woj, while he may not be the complete solution yet, we do have a potential world class keeper in the making. Whoever we bring in should compliment and nurture that talent and not block it.
I agree with Snir re: both Woj and Arteta’s positioning.
I would sign a keeper, but I’d make it an older one who doesn’t mind only playing a quarter of the games. Woj needs pressure and guidance, but he’ll come good.
Since I started the goalkeeping debate in the piece I should point out it was not in a black or white he is now good enough but before he wasn’t kind of way.
Fab is not the future for me either, but I as well as just about everyone else was quick to get down on his arse when he was lower than a snake’s belly, and in my humble opinion he has looked much better in the short time he has been back.
Not without his moments, as I acknowledged, but the Fab of two years ago would have cracked in that final twenty minutes, I reckon.
A reminder too that this is a football blog, not the Daily Torygraph. Please remember that in the next few days.
Thanks.
Schwarzer would fit the bill for me. Spend the money where we really need it.
Can’t agree with you on nutjob Lehman Dr Z. He was a great keeper (you simply don’t go 49 games without defeat unless you have a great keeper), and for my money Lehman was a better keeper than Seaman was between 98 and 03.
I do however agree with you as to the “blind spot”. Seaman was kept on at least 3 years too long, Jens was discarded too early, whilst the decision to stick with Almunia for close on 4 seasons must rank right up there as Arsene’s biggest mistake.
As for Fabianski, I don’t really think there’s any revisionism going on. Most are aware of his troubled past, such that it still informs present day opinion.That’s as it should be, and clearly he has some way to go before winning people round. In the 4 games he’s played however, he hasn’t done much wrong, and I think that that should also be acknowledged.
I wouldn’t claim any encyclopeadic knowledge of Goalkeepers, but I do think that with the changes to the ball, the days of faultless keepers are long gone. Bob Wilson even went as far recently to bemoan the lost art of goalkeeping and to say that with the changes to the ball, the game risked making clowns of all keepers.
Whilst I would agree that Arsenal should have had a better Keeper in the period 07-11, I think our goalkeeping situation is better now than at any time over the last six years. I wouldn’t say no to a new Keeper in the summer, but I think it’s far from a priority. My money’s on Sches to return and make the spot his own.
I’m not unhappy with Fab or Sir Chez, but would prefer a designated No.1 better than either of them. Question is, as has already been pointed out, who? I used to rate Loris, but obviously no longer an option, and now seeing him more regularly, my opinion has changed – would n’t really be that much of an upgrade for the money. So who else is there, that’s really worth going out and spending big bucks on?
If we are in the market for goalkeeper this summer two Belgian keepers Courtois or Mignolet would be my choice.
Courtois could be hard to get, considering the money Chelski paid for him couple of years ago.
Mignolet on other hand could be available for small amount of money, especially if Sunderland get relegated. I know that most of you would not agree as usual but he has talent and I rate him highly.
De Lesbo and van Pussie hugging on tv, I think I just lost my lunch and all previous meals ever. #Noonewantstoseethatshit
On Keepers, from above:
NO, NO, NO.
Woj may have great potential but he does not have good control of his box. He is not really any more reliable than Fabianski when coming off his line.
Any keeper we buy should be absolutely the “best that we can get”.
It is no longer the function of a club of Arsenal’s stature and ambition – we hope – to be sheltering youngsters from top competition.
If we bring in a top keeper, it is up to Woj to work hard at learning his trade and eventually prove he is worth the jersey.
Just like any other position.
I say that as someone who has watched Brady, Rix, Stapleton, O’Leary et al, come through the ranks and there is nothing better.
But, they have to be good enough and they have to make us the “best that we can be”.
If our youngsters are not quite ready, they should be thrilled to have the best in the world to learn from, not be throwing David Bentley hissy fits and stomping off on a long road to Blackburn or, even worse, Tottenham.
I fully understand this “we should get an older keeper to help Szczesny” line of thinking and in theory it is a very good one that I agree with – but who would that keeper be? It has to be a keeper that is good enough to play if Woj gets injured/loses his form, and he has to be willing to sit on the bench for all but very few games. Those keepers are, I would argue, much more difficult to find than keepers who could step right in as a first-choice keeper. We know that Arsene tried to get Sorensen from Stoke, but he wasn’t willing to be that goalie – he wanted to know he would be competing for first choice (only to then lose his place at Stoke to Begovic…). Schwarzer has also been mentioned, but would he want to give up a rather nice gig at Fulham where he plays every game for a mentoring role at Arsenal where he would more or less give up his career? I seriously doubt it. Shay Given? Too old and too shit to even be the backup for us. Etc etc.
Oliva – I rate Mignolet, but I want Sunderland to stay up so that Stoke would go down π
Lars – Exactly.
We should not invest in the GK department IMO.
A CB, Capoue, RB, and striker would be much smarter. Even two strikers.
N7,
I get the guidance part of the older keeper, but where does the pressure come from if he has to be content with only playing a quarter of the games.
Sir Ches has to feel he has genuine competition, just like any other player.
Leap year
Who says if we buy a keeper he should be 2nd choice?
Lars,
I think we pretty much agree about what – if we don’t know who – any keeper brought in should be.
He should be someone good enough to be Arsenal’s number one and if Szczesny proves to be better, then so be it.
At the moment I’m not convinced Szczesny is ready to be a title winning keeper, and it is a vital position.
I love Szczesny’s attitude and fan-like emotions, but he has a fair bit to go on positioning and decision making, although his instinctive shot stopping is excellent.
I’m not sure there are any other positions where we are so concerned with the sensibilities of the players competing for them. Maybe because great keepers are so hard to come by – and I really hope Szczesny becomes one with Arsenal.
How about this guy:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/07/video-lionel-messi-fails-to-score-penalty-against-japanese-robot-goalie-3586884/
He wouldn’t be much good at crosses, but we should be used to that already. π
Have to feel sorry for Roberto Mankini – the poor soul complaining that his club haven’t bought enough players. Pfffttt !
Mike Dean looks like an android…..
Lars / Trev,
The Schwarzer line of thought obviously has some truth to it considering how we were linked to him in the past. And Jens was hardly a spring chicken when he arrived either. I thought Jens was a very astute signing. So I’d be up for signing someone in that league and much like Tabs, I don’t think a new keeper is a priority over say a defensive midfielder, or another striker.
Goalkeepers tend to peak as they get older and in this respect the GK situation is a little different than most other positions.
If for example we sign someone like Reina who’s only 30, there is arguably another 5-6 years in Reina at least. Schesny would, imo definitely leave and I think he’d be right to go! He needs game time to develop and now that he’ used to playing at this level, he’s not going to be content sitting on the bench watching Pepe. Same story with Fab. Fab needs games and because not too much separate himself or Schesny in terms of age, its only a matter of time before one of them moves on. Let me put it another way, if we think of all the top clubs – you can rattle off their goalkeepers without much thought right. But can you readily tell me who their second option is? And of those how many clubs arguably have a No 2 that is similar or on par with the primary GK? The only club that I can (arguably) think of is Spuds with Lloris and Friedel……….and Friedel is 41..!
Trev, we’ll simply have to agree to agree π
Trev @ 365
Only playing a quarter of the matches is the scenario where Woj ups his game.
Quite happy to have genuine competition for the keepers jersey.
Good points Trev, but Joe Hart was a title winning keeper last year, but this year has dropped quite a few clangers. This year, baring a total melt down David de Gea will be a title winning keeper…… Is he any better then Woj? Nothing I’ve soon would back that up.
A good point, made by Tabs, was in relation to the balls and the way they fly, it’s totaly bewildering for keepers and it does indeed make them look silly. How are the best keepers at the mo’? I’m not really sure.
Still think Woj is the best we have.
soon = seen.
Some interesting stuff above. I must say that I am more in the Zico and Trev camp.
I think that a keeper is possibly the most important position on the pitch. A keeper can influence and direct a game more than any other player. I don’t think we have had a decent keeper since Jens. Almunia was average at Best. Shezza got into the first team because of injuries. He clearly has ability and potential. But that is just what it is. Whilst he has made some great saves he has also made some horrendous mistakes. In my opinion we should have found the extra Β£1.20 that Fulham asked for Schwartzer 3 seasons ago. He was the ideal candidate to guide Shezza and ensure his transition into first team regular. Shezza has had a lot more tolerance shown to him than has been afforded to others. I think this is down to the previous incumbents lack of ability as much as anything else.
For me Fab is not only not a long term option, but I don’t think he should be an option for Saturday. Personally, I think the signing of a top quality keeper is an absolute summer essential.
Gnabry scored a nice goal tonight.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-serge-gnabry-arsenal-u21-v-liverpool/
The new Thierry, NorCal. Great goal.
Zico’s camp. Who knew ? π
tabs at 357 on the money.
But where did all these drinks come from? I have a lot of reading to do now!
Don’t tell me you didn’t know Trev????
I was impressed that a man from North of the border had the audacity to even speak about quality keepers.
Trev 368, I could sort of agree, but then I don’t think De Gea is a ‘title-winning’ ‘keeper either, and well, we know where this season’s title is going…
Ha, I have now seen H2H’s 375 π
I don’t agree with the premise that you need a great GK to be champion.
Grobbelaar was a title winning keeper. Weidenfeller was one. Barthez was one.
It is not dependent on that.
I was impressed that a man from North of the border had the audacity to even speak about quality keepers.
Oi!
Quality ‘keepers from North of the border come in pairs π
Trev,
Thierry is the new NorCal. Oh …..what?
Some choons on the pitch at Old Toilet tonight:
Me and Mrs Jones
Forevra Young
Your Cheating Hart
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write My Zabaleta
π
Barry Town – Steely Dan
Good Kompany
Grobbelaar was a clown but was also a decent keeper. He also played behind a top drawer back 4.
Heh Trev.
Don’t forget; Hey Jude(us)
One by Morris Albert – Phelans, (nothing more than Phelans)
It’s Wayneing Men.
ForEvra Autumn
Hart of Glass
Franz Ferdinand
Crystal Gael
Silva Bullet.
Heh!
Nothing by The Platters ? π
A goal worthy of mention, Kun (really special). Hi holics π
Steve – exactly. He was decent, not great like people are saying we have to have in order to win the league.
Get Your YaYas Out
Young at Hart
My (de) Gae
Evra Day
Rockin Robin.
James (Milner)
Little Red Roonster.
Apparently, Cunt van Cuntsie has now played more than ten hours of football without finding the net. He has, apart from the free kick that led to the ManUre goal, been pretty shit in this game.
Too late?
Oh look, I tabsed it!
Well in , Steve T.
Lars, sadly it’s all set up for him to ‘resurrect’ on April 28th…
‘Evra Evra you’re a cunt’ is the only song I know with ‘Evra’ in the title, what are you lot on about? :s
Snir. Look who played in front of him. The best in Europe in that era.
Bad taste alert;
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554001_634589803222841_1655041116_n.jpg
Hernandez Hideaway
Ollie @404. π
Dare I say that a ManUre victory would probably have been better for us? :s
Well Tabsed Lars.
Steve – true. But their talent overshadowed his deficiencies, something that can happen if we improve our defense.
We don’t need a great GK to win the league, we need a great team.
Chicerito (Abba)
Simple Red. (Perm one from anyone in red)
Fergie the red nosed ball bag.
Tempers flaring on the pitch. Mike Dean mean.
Snir. I agree we need a great team. In my opinion however, our goal keepers are sub standard.
Just my opinion.
Kagawash
Worth remembering we won the League with Seaman Taylor and Wright all getting medals in the same season.
Fuck me, I’ve scored. What a surprise. A bit like Gervinho.
Ollie, a ManUre win would most likely have been better for us. Sure, sometimes teams play better when there is less pressure but I seriously doubt that will be the case for ManCity.
The time it took you to realise you’d scored is more Eboue-like or something, Steve T π
I was far too busy with songs and band names Ollie.
π
Well that was a busy old evening. Two games hugely watchable for different reasons.
The kids are alright π
Steve T 420, that will make you even more Eboue-like. Well in Sir.
I think you both might be right.
The kids are alright???????? Another top choooon
pic.twitter.com/3QQSQqcpfU
Heh.
Heh
No doubt Tomas was rewarded for all his difficult rehab work as well as his admirable patience in waiting his turn without complaining. LEGEND!!
”Iβm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write My Zabaleta”
What’s that all about? π
… and the “Dubious Racists Panel” have at last made their decision …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22065045
Thanks for the kind words earlier, guys.
NZ is too damn quiet, Catalan, you’re right about that! I only wound up here because of a woman. Well she’s gone now so no excuse (apart from financial ones) to stay. In fact after 26 years in Aussie and now 20 here I’m toying with the idea of returning to the homeland to retire/die. A cottage in Cornwall or a houseboat in London are favourites at the moment, maybe both.
H2H … Simon and Garfunkle had recorded Sounds of Silence when Paul was with us, but it hadn’t been released. It would have been during the time Phil Spector was fiddling with it. I could have mentioned that earlier and it would have been even spookier, aye. π
Oskar
My take on goalkeepers is that neither Fab or Sir Ches are up to the standard of Seaman, Wilson, Jennings, Kelsey or even Lehmann, the standard we should expect of our stopper. I don’t mind either as backup, but a star keeper would give a whole lot more confidence to the back four, who could certainly use it at times.
One other problem with living in NZ is that 99% of Goonerholics are effin’ asleep when I get around to contributing. From back in the UK I could cast my pearls more immediately before, er … you, as part of the ongoing banter.
You have been warned!
Oskar
Nice on bt8bbgfg at #427. Here’s a list I compiled from players at the 2010 Worl Cup. Just don’t ask why, or why I still have a copy of them!
Salomon HASN’T A Kalou (Ivory Coast)
Florent SKIPTA Malouda (France)
Robert Green FINGERS (England)
Jay Demerit POINTS (USA)
Lionel Messi ANIC (Argentina)
Diego BOZO Pozo (Argentina)
Claudio Morel LESS (Paraguay)
Paulo da Silva BULLET (Paraguay)
Duda DOODA DAY(Portugal)
Dennis Aogo A’GOGO (Germany)
Bastian PIGSTICKER Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Ryan Babel FISH (Netherlands)
Georgie Welcome HOME (Honduras)
Amado CHE Guevara (Honduras)
Nwankwo I CAN Kanu (Nigeria)
JΓ‘n Mucha GRACIAS (Slovakia)
Siphiwe SHAMBLES Tshambalala (South Africa)
Oskar
Oskar, That was borrowed from Trev, the king of the punsters a few drinks back and I suppose I really shouldn’t steal the credit. Actually, I was trying to figure out why I was supposed to laugh. π
T’riffic puns of your own though, and Tshambalala has to be one of the all-time great names.
Seaman very overrated as a Goalkeeper has cost us far to many games tn mention.
Akinfeev would be the sort of keeper to get. 27 so well experienced but still only approaching the best years for a keeper.
Before you write off young Woj, a lot of the top keepers now — Buffon, Casillas, Akinfeev all made their debuts young.
Woj makes this list of the world’s top 20 keepers. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/picturegalleries/9586283/Top-20-best-goalkeepers-in-the-world-in-pictures.html?frame=2261032
Yes people, that is our new toy (@433) who said that… π
I see we have a new pet. Has anyone given him Cusop’s bowl yet? Poor fella must be thirsty…. π
Haha. Ignore him holic’. My guess is that he’s just a boy who feels clever using programs build by others, to manipulate IP addresses, and he’s here now to hone his communication skills and his ways with people… π
Actually North Bank, Akinfeev sounds very good to me, I have kept an eye for him slightly since his debut when very young (wasnt he captaining the side when he was like 19 years old?) and since that he is making steady progress. Definitely one of the considerable options.
Oskar
Good to see that the lure of Blighty is still strong.
London or Cornwall? Both would be a great option. If itΒ΄s either or then one of them is closer to the Tollie…. π
Let’s have a debate on the demise of Arsenal not a closed shop.
Dear Cusop Bowl Holder (a trophy, no less)
Further evidence that Arsenal are in massive decline, and there is no hope for the future…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oilGkexaPhA
Although, as Blogs has pointed out – “a sublime chicken”? ShouldnΒ΄t that be “supreme”? π
Dr.C
Lovely clip, thanks. Serge was just as good at home vs CSKA a couple of weeks back. A genuine talent. I hope he’s got what it takes to make a first team place his own.
Let’s a have a closed shop debate on the demise of Sp*rs for the past two seasons from title challengers (snigger) & meeja dahlings to desperately clinging on to a CL qualifying spot.
I like that debate TS. Could we include the possible relegation of The Munsters ?
Most certainly Dr.C and I will refer you back to my #272 to help re-kindle that schadenfreude feeling.
We now have the opportunity, although it will be extremely tough, to go SEVEN points clear of the LWCs before their next league game vs The Blue Mancs. I’d be very happy if we managed a gap of 5 before they play.
That would be a draw vs Everton for 5, TS? Which gets me back to my point that I’d rather they’d actually beaten Spu*s.
Still (slightly) surprised at seeing a fair few people preferring a draw then.
I’ll forgive them if we win our next 3 (which I think we’ll struggle to do).
8ball @427,
“I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter”
“I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write My Zabaleta”
That was it, I’m afraid. π
I’m struggling with whoever it is @440.
Did someone want a debate on a closed shop ???
There was a great little corner store that has sadly shut in Putney due to the mini Sainsburys opening down the road.
Ollie/TS: I think we need to stay away from “we can go X points clear if…” type of reasoning. The focus must be on the next game and when we’ve played (and hopefully won!) it we can focus on the one after. We had pretty much the same thing last season where it was “we can be 11 points clear when they play next” but that didn’t turn out particularly well and we ended up having to rely on Aston Villa to take points off Spurs – which, thankfully, they did! – to keep matters in our own hands.
Good stuff again Oskar.
===
That’s one persistant little bugger, our new resident schizo.
===
Ollie, I was one of those hoping for a draw, both of those teams dropping points was surely the best result for us? LWC’s within takeover distance and a nice little cushion on the Toffies, win win.
===
What Lars said about one game at a time.
A debate on a clothes shop?
Count me in. 8)
I’m with you LArs!
I remember last time someone had that sort of talk (TS, I believe π ) it all went wrong π
Just to reply to H2H: you may have noticed that in the current situation, Spu*s are ahead, Toffees are behind. So unless we start by being dead scared of losing to Everton, I don’t get that reasoning when there are still quite a few games to play.
Everton?
We need to take care of Delia’s mob, first.
I want 4 – nil : the least that the team can do for me putting in a personal appearance!
One-game-at-a-time-sweet-jesus……
We should be dead scared of losing to everyone, Ollie.
This is the first time, in a long time that our fate is in our own hands, win all our games and we’ll be laughing.
I still feel Everton are too close for comfort, a win against the LWC’s would have really put the wind in their sails.
I’m sticking with the “draw was the best result” premise. I’m afraid we’ll just have to agree
that you’re wrongto disagree. π πHave a drinky on me sir.
Can’t remember if I mentioned getting a lower tier ticket row 2 in the North Bank for Man U (on Tx).
Big question: does this guarantee a comfortable win, or shall I let someone else use this ticket to not risk endangering a nice record for this season (6-1, 5-2, 7-3, 4-1) when in North Bank Lower row <10.?
Heh Ollie, I bow to your “jinxing” abilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me4dTKAaEu0
Catalan @448,
Heh, but, this is supposed to be a debate. That is not even contradiction. π
Beats me why Spuds don’t just stay on their own blogs instead of coming in here trying to convince us Gooners that our club is rubbish.
Yes it is! π
*name the sketch*
Ollie,
Just give the ticket to someone else !
Maybe, bobby or julian or timothy or anyone who has only ever seen the crumbling ruins of Shite Hart Lane ……..
Ah Catalan, knew I could rely on you. π
heh Trev….
Good stuff above chaps, it appears that I may be heading for my natural position i.e. sat on the naughty step.
So Ollie, my schadenfreude set-off last season’s grand finale wobble? If only I had that kind of influence π
Lars, oi was, as oi say, enjoying a bit of wishful speculation. I won’t do it again… at least until the next time.
For the record, I think it’s more like an Arsenal team to drop points against inferior competition like Norwich (their away form is absolutely woeful this season) and Wigan and then go and tonk The Toffees 3-0 but what do I know?
I’m quite enjoying the ride at the moment though. Must be that newly installed air suspension in the HT Mk II.
PS: Ollie (again) – Please listen to Trev @ #461 and surrender your Manyoo ticket to me.
Sorry Dr.C. #459 is for contradictions. For arguments go to #464.
Where are all the friendly, deluded w*nkers when you need one?
*cleans cusop’s bowl and passes it back to Dr.C*
H2H @ 406, that was brilliant! π
TS
No itΒ΄s not.
*secretly glad someone else cleaned that bowl*
As far as I’m concerned, the FA are a bunch of spineless fuckwits. The world and their dog heard the chants directed at the Ferdinand brothers, and they “found no evidence” of the chants.
It’s really disheartening, and from the slipshod manner in which John Terry racist abuse of Anton Ferdinand was handled, it does indicate that there is a core of racism at the heart of English football which the authorities are a solid part of, and which is fed by the media as well. The constant demonisation of foreign players as “divers” and “cheats” while constantly ignoring the antics of the Gerrards, Youngs, and Rooneys is such that the English press has become a laughing stock.
Trev #462
IΒ΄m sorry, your time is up. Goodbye.
TS: I’m collecting Man U tickets, they’ve all got names on them, the question is just about who sits where really π
P.S: ‘air suspension’, woohoo!
Good to see that Eurostar have completely ignored my reply to their original replay. Doubt I’ll ever hear back from them now.
-a
B+
So I coach my daughters’ youth footie team. Just got a new player on roster- Benvin.
For a moment I was so excited. Thought we landed some of the famed Bevin dna.
Til I re-read and saw that extra n.
So close! Gazidis, don’t make the same mistake.
Heh! @ Dr.C. Ollie, consider yourself marked down by the doctor π
Inspired by tabs, I shall now attempt a 25-pass move to the century
make that a 22-pass move then
nutmegs van persie
the little boy inside him falls over and waves his arms at the ref
evra and john terry converge, each looking to strip the ball
but john terry slips, falls over and slams into evra’s knee
the ref waves play on
shawcross comes charging in
slips the ball past him and leapfrogs the clogger, who slams into tony pulis on the sideline
glances back, sees pulis was only dressed in a baseball cap and towel, realises goal bonus is likely to be spent on therapy to erase that image
gareth bale comes in to attempt a tackle
but is distracted by an ad featuring a banana and starts scratching his armpits
I’m liking every step of that move, MrBure.
‘arry begins twitching uncontrollably on the sideline
Catalan@470 That was never half-an-hour
na$ri comes in looking to tackle, then remembers his period is about to begin and races for the bathroom
mancini punches na$ri as soon as he steps off the field, the ref looks to blow his whistle, then yells, “screw that cunt! play on!”
Too right MrBure(469) It’s some shameful shit.
Fifa leads the way in being complete wankers, fining clubs that are making millions a few grand when there supporters racialy abuse players.
Racism Beat It, yet another empty slogan that’s not worth a toss.
medics rush to attend to ‘arry, who’s now vibrating like a tuning fork
does a cryuff turn around suarez, who stares in shock at the “negrito”
now bearing down on goal with just cech to beat
*assists*
dummies the keeper
and it rolls agonisingly wide!
glares at ollie!
Well in MrBure.
You should be pleased, I saved you from commiyting the ultimate red card of self-assist, multiplied by 20-something.
It was a goal similar to Kanu vs Deportivo. Fantastic dummy.
Thanks gents, it was nearly the perfect move, helped along by ollie and h2h, but we ended up narrowing missing the 500. I therefore dedicate that move to aaron ramsey, in honour of his miss on saturday. π
Who’s a dummy? π
Well in MrBure, you must be exhausted after a run like that.
Needs to be said that that move is worthy of mister Pavel Bure indeed, although different sport, still, Russian Rocket would be proud π
Arshavin thinking of retiring at the end of the season.
I will leave the obvious to someone else.
Steve, Piebury corner is going from success to success. Coincidence?
Here is Woj’s competition.
Same as Schwartzer, just better.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2306393/Julio-Cesar-Im-staying-London-QPR-down.html
Another keeper capable of the sublieme and ridiculous I’m afraid Snir.
When he played against us it was like watching two different players, shakey as a leaf for the first 25 minutes, unbelievabley good for the rest of the game.
This caught mt eye on that link;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2306242/Chelsea-love-triangle-Thibaut-Courtois-alleged-affair-Kevin-De-Bruyne-girlfriend.html?ICO=most_read_module
Old or young, home grown or imported, a Chav is still a Chav.
I think he has probably got shares Ollie.
Pots and kettles I hear you say……
I would take Cesar. And if the stories are right about Remy and his buyout clause I would give that very careful consideration as well.
Steve T
We were regularly linked with Remy before his move to QPR, it could have all been BS I suppose. That goal he scored at the weekend was something else. Looks like he could be a very useful addition to the squad assuming that he doesn’t want to play Championship football next year and the big payers are not also sniffing around.
QPR are the living proof that you can’t solve problems just by throwing money at it. How many players have they brought in over the last two seasons? They spent a fortune on fees and wages, good luck with getting rid of all of those over payed players on massive contracts, Chris Samba is on a ton a week FFS. Word is that very few (if any) have clauses in their contracts that would mean they’d have to take a pay cut if relegated…..
Can you say Pompey????
D
I wouldn’t take Remy.
He’s a fake/sub-Thierry Henry. And injury-prone.
Totally meh, we should aim for much better.
A bit sad that Thauvin has now signed for Lille (we were linked with him) and so will probably stay there for a season or two, he’s more a winger than a centre-forward, but he is quality.
I think he’ll have a big move in two seasons max.
Have only back knurd to TS @464, but,
I’m with you TS, indulge in as much speculative schadenfreude as you like.
Let’s leave it to managers to be all deadly serious and concentrate “only on the next game”.
We in here can’t have any influence on what the players do, so let’s dream, romanticise, fantasize all we bloomi’ well like. π
Peter/Robert/Julian/James @ 516
Report card just in? You over-achiever, you…..
Haha π
H2H. QPR are a classic example of recklessly throwing money at a problem.
So is Roxette. π
Is it just me or does The Beast look slimmer these days?
QPR+Redknapp = magic, Steve T!
Malaga 1-0 up π
Heh @ 522 – she can throw her own bodyweight in plastic…..
Borussia equalise!
What a goal by Dortmund!
What a save!
Galatosseray score.
Not Galotesseray H2H, EBouéééééééééééééééé! (from what I hear)
Only 4 more goals for Galatasaray and there will be a good result, heh.
1 more needed for Dortmund but they really are having trouble….
Bring a tissue >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What a game oh my words!