Old School Battle Ends In Stalemate
Apr 16th, 2013 by 'holic
It is the emotions that make football the spectacle it is. The best games usually have goals involved, but every now and again a goal-less draw wraps a strong hand around your intestines and squeezes. Two massively committed sides served up a raw feast for a huge audience tonight.
From the off it was clear that the visitors had twin objectives. David Moyes had promised they would have a go, and so they did, in every respect. They looked to get bodies in support of Anichebe when attacking, but were equally determined to break up play when we had the ball. I don’t blame them for that, but Neil Swarbrick’s leniency encouraged them in the destructive side of the game. The match frankly was too big for him. Mercifully Arsenal haveΒ been much better at looking after themselves this season, and did so again through necessity.
It was no surprise that chances were few and far between in the opening half, but fair play to both back fours who were outstanding throughout. Everton’s best chance came early and fortunately for us Pienaar was sufficiently distracted by the recalled Wojciech Szczesny and lifted his effort over the bar. We responded in kind. Set up by the industrious Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud at full stretch was unable to make the correct contact with the net gaping.
I try not to mention the officials when we lose, and feel a little uncomfortable about it when we draw, but even St Francis of Assisi would surely have shown Gibson a second yellow for a blatant professional foul to deny Theo Walcott a break. That Mr Swarbrick had already shown a reluctance to wave a yellow at Fellaini and Barkley, persistent offenders both, had already raised the temperature in the crowd. Everton did what they felt they needed to do. This was as huge a game for them as it was for us.
The inevitable result of their lung-bursting efforts was that the visitors would tire as the second-half progressed. An even contest swung the way of a home side who have so often conjured up late wins. A string of corners were repelled but another great opportunity fell to the luckless Giroud. Pushed into a tight angle he looked to hit the top corner at the near post but cleared the bar. He has had a decent return in his first season but hopefully next campaign, more settled, he will add the composure that will take him to the next level.
If I had one surprise it was that we did not see Tomas Rosicky in the second-half at least. On Twitter some suggested that he was not fit to play, and if that is so then why was he on the bench? I am nit-picking, I know, but he has been so important to our better performances of late.
So the nerves remain but with our fourth and fifth place neighbours still to play each other tonight was not a disaster. It does remove any margin for error however. There are yet more intense, gut-churning games to endure.
Isn’t that a big chunk of what football is all about?
351 Responses to “Old School Battle Ends In Stalemate”
Goes for it
I am not Pontus
Just got in; heard the result; read the blog. First drink scant consolation.
The Belgium holds all the cards neighbour. Pray for no snow in ten days…
Fellow gooners,
The reason we do not put team’s like EFC away squarly lies with Mr Wenger, its called TOP Quality strikers,you sell RVP and unfairly expect in his first season giroud to be the finished article, OK its probably the boad forced RVP out !!!!
Fair report H’
Agree that a second yellow should have been shown. He allowed the first half to get away from him and as a result it was a very physical affair.
Bring on Fulham. Each game is important. One game at a time.
I think that its unfair to say that Everton basically bullied a point and the ref should’ve sent Gibson off therefore its unfair-especially after the dreadful pen you received at the weekend, swings and roundabouts.
Arsenal have got to look in the mirror at themselves and admit they weren’t quite good enough, they’ve scrapped through the last 4 wins and maybe this is when the test will come against the bigger boys, Fulham away no easy task and the Utd and RVP…. If emotions what you’re after I don’t think you’re far away!
@bluenose
A pen it was and should have been a yellow for Gibson take off your blue tinted specs
You played well but got away with plenty in the first half.
But we are not neutral here, so yeah, get your point but it ain’t cheering me up at the moment π Judging from your reaction on twitter, looks like you feel (like other holics) that AOC should have taken that shot. Will watch again and make a ruling π
Bluenose
All credit to your lot – quality team with bags of spirit.
Gibson should have gone. I don’t think it’s worth whining on about, but that was a booking and he was fortunate, but then maybe you make your own luck.
Nothing wrong with our pen at the weekend. Grab a handful of a striker’s shirt in the box and you’re asking for bother. The fact that the linesman was 40 yards away doesn’t change the fact it was the correct call. No matter how MOTD try to spin it.
I don’t think anyone on here is trying to knock Everton. Most of us are hoping you’ll finish fourth, just behind us. You benefited from some lenient first half refereeing tonight, but you were worth a point nonetheless. That’s just calling it as I see it.
Good luck for the rest of the season – hopefully we’ll see you in the Champs League come next winter.
I think you missed the point there Bluenose, but welcome fella.
Your team produced more tonight than we have seen from them in nearly twenty years at our place.
Accept that as recognition, and the praise intended.
Well in, Holic. That’s a mighty fair post. Up the Gunners!
holic at 11: that was epic!
Lets be clear, Everton are a slightly upmarket Stoke. All physicality and long balls with a sheen of skill supplied by Baynes and a couple of others. If referees continue to allow them to do what they do then Englsh football will continue to be more akin to rugby league than other leagues and the national teams of the home nations wil equally continue to be as abject as they are. I would rather watch Arsenal under Wenger try to play attractive football than fall back on lazy journalists and pundits and excusing foul play as passion and commitment
and in so doing weaken the development f genuine talent.
Honestly. Anichebe? Gibson? Is that really what we want to see?
That report pretty much called as I saw it. Well said as always, Holic.
Three massive points dropped today, against a Team that hasn’t won away from home since the beginning of January. I told you, no Rosicky, no win.
3 points Vic?????? Have I missed something? Did we lose???? Or is it 4 points for a win in your little world.
Thicker than a whale omelette.
Victor, hate to quibble, but you mean 2.
The “team that hasn’t won away from home” is merely anectdotal and doesn’t not support the broad conclusion you are insinuating (I’m giving you benefit of the doubt). Everton, though a pack of cloggers, have been in form of late [for them, i mean]. Coincidentlaly, I think Everton and this David Moyes praise is over done. Sure, his teams don’t suck. But they were Stoke in blue tonight. And are often way. Really, what’s he taking credit for – being slightly less crap then crap?
More importantly, I have never hid my admiration for TR7, his ability on the ball, passing, field vision, and most importantly his directness. This game was made for him. I share the opinion of those above and he is my favorite player from the Fabregas/Emirates days. Well, and Sagna.
AW … squad selections are baffling sometimes. At least we can agree on that one.
“doesn’t not”.
Lookit that … a contraction plus double negative.
My grammar school teacher just rolled in her grave.
That point is as good as a loss, you Doughnut.
I agree with your assessment of the game Holic. I thought it was pretty compelling although the prat who sits behind me still left with seven minutes to go as he always does. He missed all three of our goals on Saturday.! Serves him right.
Gibson should have gone. The second foul was a very blatant body check which is a booking any day of the week. I’m afraid we just didn’t have the sharpness up front that we needed. Walcott may not be fully fit but he doesn’t do enough for me, especially in games like this. Ox carries more threat and displays more energy. I thought the midfield was excellent generally. Ramsey and Cazorla played particularly well but I would have loved to see Rosicky as he creates a tempo that we don’t play with otherwise. I also thought the BFG was excellent and brought composure to the back four. He and Koscielny are the best pairing we have a centre back.
I have to be critical of Giroud tonight. He is not a good enough finisher. I consider him a six out of ten striker who on a good day is a seven. We need someone who is just a bit better than that on a consistent basis. We also need someone who can decide big games and he doesn’t do this often enough. He isn’t strong enough with his right foot. He should have taken Ramsey’s glorious ball in the first half with his right and he should have hit the target in the second when he stood Jagielka up.
But one overriding thing I will take from this game was the performance of Fellaini. He is exactly what we need in front of our back four and one could see how much stronger he was on the ball than Arteta tonight.
I joked with some Everton fans on the tube that we would offer them 5 mill plus Gervinho for him but failed to clinch the deal. He would be a monster for us.
Anyway it is as Holic says a no margin for error scenario now especially if Chelsea beat Fulham tomorrow. But I still retain the faith that we will qualify for the CL again although we might struggle for 3rd
Victor,
Searing insight. 1 point is equal to none.
Your ,at hs teacher must have had one hell of a struggle.
Troll alert.
– ,at hs
+ maths.
It’s late……
discontented *mmmoooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!*
and
a small content one
*moo*
Ah well, bar’s off to a nice melody so far! How about a round of drinks and calculators for all, I bet we can work this out once and for all. π
Good summary Holic. Everton have done amazingly well this season given their reliance on physical intimidation and Baines but deserved their point tonight. No question that OG had a couple of defining Bendtner moments and we need to add quality up front in the summer. Ramsey was MOTM again for me – covering every blade of grass and popping up wherever needed in defence or attack. The new EP17 for me.
Nice to finally meet Lars….I even got a glimpse of the wallet but only after tabs had emptied it π
On to the Craven Cottagers.
A quick pre match pint in the Tollie and a pre match chat about what we all expected. I do not think anyone felt confident about what was about to unveil in front of us. I think Snowy called it right when the conversation centred around which Arsenal team would actually be on show. One thing for me this season is how unpredictable we are and how inconsistent we have been.
The short trip to the ground and I think you have called it the way most of us saw the match holic. I was surprised not to see Jack start after the weekend. I was surprised not to see Rosicky in the starting line up. I was pleased to see the return of both big Per and Shezza. I was disappointed to discover as time went on that we had a ref who had clearly been over promoted.
The came was hard fought and pretty much end to end, however we never really seemed able to trouble Howard. I can think of only one save that he had to make all game. I would suggest that you are unlikely to win many matches like that. The stats show that we only had two shots on target for the whole game. Personally I do not think that is good enough. Poor decision making did not help. When will we just grab the bull by the bollocks and take the shot????
Ollie G is a player that can divide opinion. He is a player I like. He works hard and gives us a different dimension. But he lacks pace and is not a clinical finisher. I thought today that he was guilty of some very poor finishing. The shot he put over the bar in the second half was a prime example. For me, he has to at least make the keeper work.
All in all I thought at times our movement again was not great. At times we were static and failed to break with pace. Sometimes we just need to gamble and make that run. A prime example was when Gibbs made a great run down the left, got to the line, played a lovely weighted ball into the box only to find 4 statues, none of which had gambled and made the run. It is something we need to work on.
One other thing I would say is how much more threatening we looked when Jack went off and Santi played in the middle. Now I love LJW to bits. He is already a top class player. It frightens me just how good he could become. But at this moment, we are a far better side with Santi in the middle than Jack. For me Santi is wasted out wide. He has to play central on Saturday.
Other positives? The performance of the back 4. Big Per gives us a more steadying influence. Shezza did not put a foot wrong although he was never stretched. I would also like to give the final word to Aaron Ramsey. Another non stop performance. He just grows in quality.
I did not make it back to the Tollie. I had hoped to try and get home as quickly as I could. Unfortunately the Victors at Highbury and Islington Station had other ideas.
3 points a must at Fulham. (Just for you Tabs).
4 Points a must at Fulham. (Just for you Vic).
Teacher. βVictor, 1 + 0= ???????? β
Victor. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. βBlue.β
Teacher. βThis may take some time.β
Frustrating match no doubt. Wow, Gibson really got away with one. If that collision happens in the 70th minute he is a goner. Should not matter when it happens though. We had enough to win regardless and didn’t make it happen.
I just don’t see why Rosicky wasn’t used. He has been the difference for us lately with his link-up play and his ability to move the ball up the field. Jack is still laboring for my money, I don’t doubt his ability but it’s late in the season and two games in three days is too much for him even with him being out recently.
Lastly, Ox has to shoot that ball on the break….sometimes we just have to give it a go…what did we have 2 shots on goal? Really?
Let’s regroup and get back at it Saturday as it will be a tough match.
‘holic, report is spot on. What many in the blogosphere are calling a turgid affair was just what you called it — a taut old school no holds barred battle where both sides left the pitch with petrol tanks on E.
Some thoughts:
I thought Wilshere was much better than he was vs. Canaries, which just reflects how off the boil he is right now. Given the physical toll this match has probably taken, hopefully AW will see the light and put Rosicky, Podolski and either Ox or Gervinho for TOheo, Jack and OG. Even though OG is really the only striker with any size useful for hold up play and for defense against corners and free kicks, he looks knackered and should not start Saturday.
Also from the blogs, the defense of the ref’s decision not to give Gibson a second yellow is very similar to the “controversy” over the penalty on Saturday. You see either a) “well, the first yellow was harsh, so the non-call on the second was really a way of shifting the call on the first to that one” or b) “you really can’t make a second yellow call so early in the match or so soon after the first”. Oh really? Just like a penalty is a penalty no matter who sees it and calls it and even if “you never see it given”, so an obvious bookable offense should merit a yellow, even if it’s an early second and a sending off, full stop.
On to the Cottage; cheer on Fulham vs. Chavs for a hard fought win that leaves both sides spent…..
Hey,
I’ve been on this site lots of times, but have hardly ever commented. You all seemed to be nice and tight bunch of people and know lo more about game then I do. My only problem with many are most times they think that the team we play come only for stroll in the park and we should win. And there is no other result that is expected.
I have played lots of competitive sport and from that I can say at least one thing that when its not your day, you struggle. Its hard to make it work but you still try. And that’s what we all do especially OG. He would have known its not his day but still tried hardest. And you never fault some for that. Effort, will and heart are some of the most important things in a game and I am sure things will start to click.
Hopefully we’d have better game @ Cottage.
Good, the coast is clear…Victor’s mum has tucked him in for the night π Saw a glorious pitch invasion courtesy of Cardif City Fans…I guess this is the type of specter Holic is speaking of, the sheer love for the game, your team and the memories built around it. π
No start for our most likely scorer and no game at all for our best assister … I don’t understand AW sometimes. Jack was poor again, and Santi not much better. Both need a rest or a wake-up call. Rambo and Mikel had good games in MF, and the defence was more than adequate with Per and Kos both good value and the backs offering plenty down the wings (until it came to delivering). Theo only received one decent pass (in front of him, instead of under his feet) in the entire game which is an appalling waste of his primary talent. Ox had a clear shot at goal but chose instead to set up OG. Someone should tell him that a decent whack from that range would unlikely be held by the keeper, so if it didn’t go in it would likely rebound to OG anyway.
Drawing, as Sajit said in the early drinks, has most likely cost us 3rd place, but it was a worse result for Everton with their run-in. Even if we lose to Man U the other four games look a lot easier than the other three face, which should allow us to bypass two of them.
So on to the Cottage on Saturday, and a comfortable 3-0 (providing we blot out Berbatov).
Oskar
Cooly played Guv’nor,
What a battle it was. The lines below summed my frustration as the game wore on
‘If I had one surprise it was that we did not see
Tomas Rosicky in the second-half at least. On
Twitter some suggested that he was not fit to play,
and if that is so then why was he on the bench? I
am nit-picking, I know, but he has been so
important to our better performances of late.’
Top 40 and it could be a critical point for Arsenal ….
daemon. Top 40 I guess that would be you …
Congratulations Cardiff City. I hope Aaron Ramsey doesn’t have Cardiff City DNA …
Have to say I enjoyed the game very much.
Physical, but not dirty.
Proper English football. Non of that Chocolate covered La Liga crap.
We need a clinical scorer, that’s a given.
I’m not certain this result made us lose 3rd. Let’s see what happens between Fulham and their Bus Stop. Would not be surprised if Fulham get something from that game.
Well, we are all experts with the benefit of hindsight.
If Ox shoots, and he doesn’t score, everyone complains that it is the impetuosity of youth and that an older, wiser head would have had the composure to play in Giroud.
I also wanted him to leather the ball but I also understood why he tried to pass, particularly with some of the hyper-critical fans around the Emirates who howl at every move that does not come off.
I also agree with Snir, I thought it was a good old fashioned physical game of football, the Gibson thing aside, and if we are honest with ourselves, a draw was a fair result.
Roll on Saturday, we are still in pretty good shape.
Please don’t reference post numbers for a while.
Thanks.
I wouldn’t say third place is gone yet, Chelsea still have to play Spurs, Man Utd and Everton, and are playing two games a week from now to the end of the season if they reach the Europa League final. It’s anyone’s guess how things will pan out at this point for all the teams involved. I think we have to aim for 12-13 points from the remaining games though.
“Is Vic there?”
Apparently not. π
Sorry Holic. I just could not resist. I was amusing myself in a moment of clear weakness.
In other news many Congrats to Cardiff on their promotion. They will become the third Welsh team in the premier league joining Swansea and Garth Bale.
π
Got up at 6, had a shower and off to London City Airport. Arrived at about 7.30 only to find that the flight has been delayed for at least an hour and a half. Bit of a bummer, but on the plus side their free WiFi seems to be working fine so I can visit the bar for a bit π
Agreed zico, we are still in a good position. Everton worked hard and had a very good game and it was clear from about 25 minutes in that they played primarily for the draw (even when they did attack us a bit at the beginning, they didn’t really commit that many men forward) and they celebrated it almost like a victory. We created just about enough to have won it, but some days it doesn’t work out. I really like Giroud for the way he works hard but that doesn’t mean I think he is good enough as a striker, at least not at the moment.
Like I said yesterday, I’m not happy per se with the one point but it is far from a disaster. I think it’s important that we don’t start panicking now because we were never going to win all remaining games. Five games to go, there may be many twists and turns to come so let’s get behind the team and then do the post-mortem after the season.
But what I am very happy with is the five days in London. As always it was great fun and Bath, next time the wallet will buy you a pint!
(Hang on, none other than Kanu just walked past me!)
Right, got to send some work-related emails now. Massive thanks to all involved over these past few days, my next trip can’t come too soon!
I thought a draw was a fair result.
We had more possession towards the end, but the toffees were all over us at times too.
Kudos to Thundertinygooner’s post at 21 who summed it all up for me and made some interesting observations too.
Can we please just put the comparison of the inefficiency of OG to RVP to bed?
RVP was an amazing player.
Is there another player like in the PL? Probably not.
Is there was, could we afford him? Probably not.
What we do have is three players who in their first season this year have seriously contributed: Giroud (17 goals), Polid (14 goals) and Cazorla (12 goals). Add to that Theo (18 goals) who has really stepped up and we can see where the lions share of goals have come this season.
So I think its unlikely that Cavani or Falcao will be arriving this summer. More likely will be the acquisition of 2-3 players who can provide creative outlets and more goals. Rather than develop a team centred around one ego-maniac, I think Wenger is striving to achieve an overall balance where goals can come from anywhere.
Strangely I was not disappointed with the result. We cannot win every game so a draw with a rank sixth team is not bad.
I would like to put Rosicky in for Sagna( or Gibbs) (Ramsy at the right/left back) as third sub. But only Monreal for Gibbs. I do not understand this rationale.
If RVP went 10 games to score 1 goal (a pen!),, why we have to blame OG’s finishing. Strikers will always have bad spell. I like him because he offer a target for our long ball and he defends well. More importantly, he has heart, will, and work rate.
Pls play TR7 Saturday, AW!
3 points…!!!!! COYG!!!!!!!
I don’t know what to say or think of the result.
Certainly an enthralling contest.
But ultimately frustrating. zico, agreed with you in the Ox shooting/not shooting, with hindsight.
Thought he should have shot at the time, but you are right.
Only thing though is I would have fancied Feo in a similar situation. Well the ‘other’ Feo…..
Ramsey understandably tired in the end but I thought he was an absolute monster yesterday, everywhere and all.
And what blogs said in the Cazorla player rating on arseblog news. Stunning at times.
Nice one ‘holic.
And big thanks!
I am Pontus
Nice review Guv, you reported the game correctly.
Giroud is not a clinical finisher but he has enough good qualities to make me overlook the only bad one he has(finishing), for now.
Giroud’s biggest fault in my opinion is that he is only marginally quicker than coastal erosion.
Blogs called it right – the real issue is the lack of an alternative if Podolski is not the answer.
Cent’berry? Good moniker variant.
On the weekend the press played up the ‘contentious penalty’ angle (even though it wasn’t contentious). Now they’re playing up the ‘Wenger complains about the opposition’ angle. If we win on the weekend, what will they employ next? Perhaps blaming Wenger for the grey weather!
Lars, lucky you, say hello to Kanu if he strolls by again and have a safe trip.
Good to see you lot last night, you know who you are.
Good game of footie, fair result but unfortunately presided over by a man in black who seemed totally oblivious to the concept of ‘professional rotational fouling’. We dealt with it pretty well, given the circumstances.
I prefer to think of last night as one point in the bank rather two dropped. Both sides had excellent chances to take all three.
I’m with Ollie, my MOTM was Ramsey. Absolutely outstanding. Brilliant to see. Cazorla a close second especially once LJW came off allowing him to become THE creative hub of the team. he’s a truly special player.
‘Holic – As always a very accurate and balanced view of what happened. Shame you weren’t there too.
I’ll leave the final word to @arsenalgent:
“In the parallel universe in which our referee has remembered his spectacles, and Everton were down to ten men, Arsenal won two-nil.”
Roll-on Saturday….
Ollie, I use “Cent’berry” when I post through my Blackberry and just ‘Cent’ for my other smartphone, I was inspired by ‘holic’s use of the “h’pad”.
Oh and cheers Ollie for been the first to compliment me.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Wenger say he “rushed Wilshere back from injury” only yesterday or the day before?
Now I didn’t see last night’s offering or the one at the weekend but I’ve heard some very indifferent reports about both of Jacky’s performances. If AW could see that on Monday, why would he then put him in the starting line-up? Mystifying.
Anyway, like you say Holic, disappointing but not critical. I also don’t buy into this hysterical anti-OG reaction. Someone at my work said if we don’t make the CL, it’ll be down to his lack of goalscoring last night!
Hmmm, and nothing to do with losing to the likes of Norwich and Swansea then!
Afternoon all….. Good strong game. Physical not dirty. I liked the fact that we woke up to the refΒ΄s weakness and sorted it out ourselves.
That is not a pop at Everton – you play the ref, and they realised before us that he was going to be lenient. At least he was consistent!
Gibson should have been booked, but perhaps was unfortunate to get the first card, seeing as what had gone on before.
The upshot is that now itΒ΄s all getting rather interesting, and I have no idea what will happen. Much like always.
Lunchtime pint…?
Hello playmates,
Seems a good time was had by all last night.
Apart from the result, obviously.
Nothing unfortunate about the first card, Dr C.
A yella every day of the week and twice on Sundays!
..more in the context of what had been allowed to go beforehand.
Shame we werenΒ΄t playing on Sunday, and then heΒ΄d have been off before the blatant block!
I think even he was surprised when he got away with it.
Hello everyone….. goonerholic u inspire me with you unbias report.. very fair n precise… calmed me down after reading it….
Awesome game to watch for neutrals, frustrating, agonizing, unfair & anger for me….. i don’t know how fair or unfair the ref was, but there were some fouls that even the most dumbest ref would have given..
all the same a point earned, & well deserved…
Everyone played brilliantly, special mentions RAMSEY… he was everywhere…. GIBBS…amazing in his forward runs…
Giroud should start converting some half chances, we need it now…
Come on you gunners.. Can’t wait for next one…..
Cheers!!!!!! π
Afternoon.
Last night was a decent performance by the majority of the team, we fought hard against a stuborn Everton team, I have no problem with the way that Everton played, if they cross the line then it’s the ref’s job to sort them out…… He didn’t.
I’ve said what I wanted to say on OG last night, so I’ll leave it at that, it was a damn shame that Theo was so anonymous, I hope it was just because it was his first start since injury. But that begs the question, if he’s not fit then why play him? That question could be applied in various places throughout the team.
Lets take LJW for example, horribly off the pace against Norwich and although he was improved yesterday, it was pretty clear, after the first quarter of an hour, that he still wasn’t up to speed. If Jack is not 100% then why risk him? Especially when TR7 is on the bench? If TR7 is not completly ready, then why have him on the bench in the first place? The mind boggles.
I’ve said before that with Santi and Jack in the line up we look lopsided, the balance is not quiet right, and yesterday, as with against Norwich, we improved significently when Jack was removed and Santi was moved to the centre (he’s wasted on the wing). This is by no means a dig at LJW, we need to work out how to get the best out of them both in the same side, but I feel we are playing Jack just because he is Jack and it’s to the detrament of our shape and flow, especially when he’s not 100% fit.
On the plus side, Woj looked good on his return, he was well beaten from a Barkley shot that luckily sailed just over, but had no problems dealing with anything else. The defence were solid, Mertesielny were on top of everything, the full backs did well but really need to learn how to put a decent cross in, some of our attempts were just pathetic.
Ramsey was again, for me, the standout performer,(MA close second), he just doesn’t know how to hide, he’s always there in the thick of things and is improving all the time, great to see.
All in all, a hard fought point, although we may feel a little hard done by as I thought we shaded it in terms of performance, but to be honest Everton were good value for their draw. We’re still in third and it’s up to the rest to catch us.
UTA.
To Mr/Mrs Whateveryournameistoday.
It has been brought to my attention that there are only three types of people in the world; those that can count and those that can’t.
H2H – hah! π
Victor – do we really want to continue with this numpty? π
Also, thought that Barkley looked a player at 19…
Indeeed Dr C.
Everton bring quiet a few decent players through their system, got to admire that.
Good stuff above from iBath, Steve T, zico, Bayonne, TS, Lars, ttg and orhers.
Agree with Bath that Everton’s tactics, in the first half at least, amounted to intimidation, and as TS said, rotational fouling, with Jack and Theo the prime targets.
I think all of us are happy to see a good tough, committed game with hard, but fair, tackling.
I’m also happy to admit that my Arsenal bias will see me riled at decisions, a few times per game, that have gone the “wrong way”.
I’m not happy to admit that over 50,000 people are wrongly out of their seats in fury for most of forty five minutes, at practically every decision made by the referee.
There are rules governing tackling. We might like to see some of them relaxed and others tightened up. That is all, at this moment, as irrelevant to officiating a match as the stage of the match at which rules are broken, or the frequency of the offences.
Gibson should have been sent off. Full stop. As far as I know, it is a yellow card offence to jump into someone and bodycheck them. At any stage of the game.
After a quietish start, Theo disappeared completely last night, failing to make runs and show himself as an option to our midfielders. It’s just pissible that having been clattered several times on yoyr return from injury had something to do with it.
Theo frustrates the hell out of me at times but he and Jack were left flat on the floor many times last night.
The press – Daily Express – reaction to that today, after JW had a water bottle squirted in his face at half time, was “It’s thumping Jack Splash”, “It’s Jack Splash in bust-up”, and “Wenger bleated about what he percieved as Everton’s overly robust approach”.
Journalist Paul Joyce, claimed that the Emirates banner “For the brave nothing is too difficult”, should be moved to Goodison Park, as Everton had “had the bottle to match Arsenal physically”.
Funny, I thought rotational fouling of two little blokes half your size came quite low on the “bottle scale”.
Food for thought there Dr Faustus.
After the break, Everton finally had one or two players booked and, with kicking oppinents now too risky, Arsenal dominated the rest of the game. Sadly, the goal wouldn’t come, as documented by others.
Aaron Ramsey – take a bow son, no not him !
A great performance from a player who is getting better with every game. Huge credit to a player who has transformed his season and the opinions of many, many critics – including me.
Santi, in my opinion, has to play centrally. He is someone who can – and loves to – turn both ways and use both feet. A couple of magical turns and dribbles last night. He is too peripheral and too constrained by playing next to a touch line.
Good to see some ‘Holics again, last night. As others said, you know who you are – or were, or, …. you know. π
Oops, Pissible = possible.
Typing on this tPad thingy is a nightmare of spilling mistooks. π
H2H, Ha ha indeed π However, due to Victor’s influence, must confess I was a little stumped at first π But then I got it! π Some good stuff from new and ‘old’ holics. Enjoyed every bit. An analyst on FOX has really pissed me off. He said Refs must be careful not to influence the outcome of a game in re to handing out yellow cards. My opinion is that is not their concern. Call it like it is, and let the chips fall where they may.
Trev – Spit an @ #67, great pist π
Heh! @ H2H’s mathematical prowess
I said whose house?
I said Hector’s house.
Lithium run out again?
*rushes out for fresh MC supplies*
Afternoon All,
Cheers for the report ‘H.
Having read the drinks, I have to say that I cannot be as generous about our performance last night as many others appear to be. I thought it was a bad night for the Arsenal.
I was baffled by the team selection. I would even go as far as to say that I found it ludicrous. Whilst I was pleased to see that AW restored his best central defensive partnership at the first opportunity and was rewarded for it with a solid defensive display, I cannot find any justification, either now or more tellingly at 7 00 last night, for Jack’s inclusion.
He was shown to be badly off the pace on Saturday. His performance was so poor that it prompted Arsene to say that he had rushed him back. So why play him again?
Jack’s performance was slightly improved, as you would expect, but it was still nowhere near the level required. This is not the time, at the business end of the Season, to allow players to play themselves back into form and fitness. Wrong time, and against a side whose own commitment would never be in doubt, certainly the wrong opponents.
It was not as if Arsene didn’t have options (plural). I don’t buy the whole “Rosicky isn’t fit” mantra. If he isn’t fit, then what on earth was he doing on the bench? And even if Rosicky wasn’t fit, there were other options available. Santi could have played centrally with Poldi on the left, or a clearly invigorated Ox might have been trusted with a more central role. Either way, both would have been far less risky than persisting with a player who is clearly not up to speed.
Net result? For the first 55 minutes we struggled to get out of our own half. Arteta and especially Ramsey worked like trojans, and as a result we were never overrun, but we were always second best in that period.
I can only remember one effort on goal in the first half (the OG miss), which takes me to my second gripe of the evening. I like OG, I think he offers a lot, and consider that any comparisons with RVP are utterly spurious. He looked, however, out on his feet against West Brom, and I thought he was poor against Norwich. On both occasions we got away with it. Those glaring signs of tiredness were however ignored, (perhaps as a result of the positive results garnered, rather than any objective analysis of OG’s contribution), and last night our luck ran out. 2 of our 3 major opportunities fell to the Frenchman, and on both occasions he was found wanting. For pity’s sake Arsene, give the man a rest.
Why persist with an unfit Jack and an anonymous Walcott until the 68th minute? It was clear by HT that it wasn’t working. Only when those substitutions were made did we finally look like a side capable of winning the game.
With Poldi and the Ox finally providing some much needed width and forward thrust, and Santi belatedly restored to a more central role, we were clearly the better side in the last quarter and might have sneaked it. It wasn’t to be. Not all games can be won in the last twenty minutes.
Of course, football matches can end in one of three ways whoever we might have fielded. But did we give ourselves the best chance of winning last night?
I would contend that we didn’t.
Back on that knife edge. On to Fulham.
Rant over π
Good to see everybody again last night. I enjoyed The Tollie more than the football! π
That pretty much sums it up, tabs. I was as baffled as you were on many of those points, sir.
Cheers H2H
Ah just read your @63 H2H.
Not sure now I needed to comment. You said it all for me. We saw the same game. Agree entirely with your piece.
tabs – nice post/rant/observation. agree with all that.
One point could be, i think, is that OG is tall and for set peices by Everton, you’d want him on the pitch to the bitter end. That may be simplistic, but makes some sense.
Sure, OG had two solid chances, but we should’ve created a lot more. That to me was the biggest problem – as you and others aptly pointed out. And blaming OG in isolation is silly (not that you did so, am just saying it b/c many are blaming him for the dropped points). OG is no choker, however, he should’ve done more with the ones he had. OG will get it together this term and he’s going to knock a few more in yet, i feel.
Now onward and upward.
Heh tabs, that rant had been waiting since last night to come out!
Cent, I did keep looking for Kanu but did not see him again.
Trev, Gibson should indeed have been off. Fellaini should have been booked for his three fouls in the first ten minutes (plus a couple that weren’t called). That does not neccessarily mean I think we’d have won it because that would have meant Everton playing even more defensively and it may well have been 0-0 anyway – they did hold on v Man City with ten men for about 40 minutes or something the other week – but regardless of that the ref bottled it big time.
Tabs, Spot on mate – nail on the head.
I was exactly as baffled as you are about Jack’s inclusion after Wenger had gone on record as saying he’d rushed him back.
So Arsene….er…..you then………put him…..back…….in the starting line-up?
Nope, even when I say it reeeally slowly it still makes no sense.
I enjoyed the Tollie more than the football
Never in doubt. π
Bric-a-brac .. those are rivetting questions.
You’ve must’ve studied well in your “How to Ask mindless reporter-style questions” seminary.
I KNOW the unadulterated truth, and it is:
There NO Santa Claus.
Thus, is life full of disappointments and frustrations. Soldier on though!
quite the day
bitten by a dog
dropping trousers in the middle of the road cos the dogs owner wouldn’t believe i was bitten
apparently walking in the countryside and pretending to be half eaten by a rabid beast is a growth industry round these parts
she was a she so she called for her son who she thought more capable of seeing my drawers without the aid of a safety net
he seemed impressed with the puncture wounds and the blood running down me leg
had to get a tetanus jab
for some reason i have to go back in a month’s time for another
i’m guessing it’s just to check i haven’t expired in the interim
anyhoo
evening all
keep safe out there and if a dog comes running towards you – get your retaliation in first – plant your boot right between its eyebrows
or indeed
UP THE ARSE !
heh, commiserations cba,
I hope it was a decent sized hound and not one of those girly lap-dog rats – that would be embarrassing π
Heh. Cba. Not the bite butt the advise. π
Tabs, well said. I think we all wonder “what the fuck, Arsene” a little too often these days. Lets hope it’s based on unknown info but it still makes us a wonder.
Cheers all. Have a good evening. You know the one where Fulham plugs its ugly bus stop.
thanks zico
twas a working farm dog
i must have more than a whiff of cattle that need herding about me
big effin horse of a thing it was
they have a big long mane-like collar of hair around their necks
either naturally or clipped by their lunatic masters
yer woman said to me – that’s not like him – and if he did bite you he would’ve bit you on the ankle
tell that to my fuckin thigh – i felt like saying to her
but shotguns are in abundance round here and bravado quickly shrivelled
i might go back down there with a poisoned lump of meat sellotaped to my leg
that’ll learn it !
I don’t think your leg would learn anything from poisoned meat being taped to it…. π
For some reason, Lens vs Bordeaux is the only French Cup 1/4 final not on TV.
Despite featuring the only Ligue 2 Club, which happens to be a very popular club too.
The mind boggles. I don’t see PSG vs Evian, later this evening, being a more attractive fixture.
Things going badly at the moment though, Lens are 1-0 up π
75/82.
I think this should have read ‘I remembered the Tollie more than usual’.
cba.
It wasn’t a bloody geordie was it? Or worse a Milwall fan?
Rabbies guarenteed. π
zico
levity while i’m lying in an advanced state of infirmitudinousness !
ya cheeky monkey !
π
h2h
it was hairy enough to be either
π
cba
So basically, it just wasnΒ΄t that kind of dog?
Was he just fully commited? Does he love his grandmmother (the bitch)? Or maybe you were just too skillful for him?
Is the dog traumatised by this social media coverage?
Perhaps you should buy him a bonio as compensation for what heΒ΄s been through…
that phrase went through my mind straight away CG when she said more or less that
Wasn’t Joey Barton, was it?
Ah, so that’s where Kanu was travelling to when I spotted him at LCY this morning π
https://twitter.com/NChappers/status/324565783135002626/photo/1
Whacks the ball towards the far post…
Bang
Well in, Zico. With a bang. π
Great shot, Lars!
Well in zico….nice assist Lars.
Pleasure to meet you last night, man from Swinden.
The photo and the whack, that is (we know that wasn’t a cross!)
i would’ve knocked that in but me anders limpar slowed me down
PiK.
Couldn’t of been Joey. he’s a toothless kunt. π
==
Well in zico
Nice assist Lars,
Heard Kanu tweeted I’ve just seen the wallet at the airport this morning π
hector
can i introduce you to my favourite dog ?
“It has emerged that former Dinamo Zagreb legend and the Fiver’s new hero, Josip Gaspar, was sacked as manager of Croatian side Precko for allegedly stealing a wallet from one of his own players and using a credit card he found inside to spend Β£447 on 36 litres of Jagermeister.”
H2H, ever the logician! π
Kanu… so silky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWVNum4oZnQ
Now you’re answering your own question “disguised” as someone else, schizo?
Surely you now have enough alter egos to start your own blog, you can bog off and leave us “not true Gooners” alone.
Heh Ollie @ 91.
No table dancing though. π
Josip Gaspar aka Dr Borda Disorder. π
i was hoping crystal tips or alistair or mary , mungo or midge would get an airing from hector’s house
let down
π
no skullduggerry
no flim flam
no compromise
no sell out
.
are you malcolm x , hector ?
Yer posting too quick.
Well in zico
As with all post numbers the century may be a moving feast for a while. Please don’t engage with the troll. Ta.
Heh! Or Hey, cba.
Guess that now stands for Canine Bitten Arse.
That dog is a leg-end π
Glory taken away by the English authorities.
Same as it ever was…..boo @ 116 π
i do apologise ‘holic
i hope i’ll be cut some slack cos a goodly portion of my thigh now resides in the belly of a beast
What troll ?
In other news, it looks like Bordeaux have equalised.
So, what sort of dog was it, cba?
Did a dobermann pinch’ya ? π
Interesting to see the Forbes Report today listing us as the fourth richest club in the world behind only Real Madrid,ManU and Barca. We are apparently worth more than Bayern. I haven’t had the opportunity to study the methodology used especially in relation to debt and net asset value but it does show that we should be able to compete with the very biggest clubs financially and as Swiss Rambler ,who is the most credible financial analyst in football I have read has said,we have huge scope to operate on a much grander scale in the transfer market.
I think at this bar we are all of roughly the same opinion apart from Bobby/ Victor that Wenger has managed our finances very prudently and the very fact we are in this position is due to his careful husbandry. But there comes a time when you have to press the accelerator and I don’t know if Wenger has the temperament/ courage/ balls to do it. We hear the usual stories that we are going to splash out in the summer but this wouldn’t be the first time I have heard this from sources within and outside the club. Frankly while this news is a matter of some pride I think that we are now punching below our weight. United are champions elect and the three other sides around us in financial terms are disputing the Champions league.
While I admire the loyalty to Giroud for example we should be looking at one or two superstars and while I accept that this might depend on our qualification for the CL next season I still have lingering doubts that we will see recruitment on this level. I think Kroenke has been satisfied with the financial progress so far and let’s face it who wouldn’t be when you see these figures but the very big challenge is whether this regime want to be measured against the giants in financial terms if it means a more adventurous recruitment policy. I agree with earlier postings that we won’t see Cavani or Falcao but I still believe there are better strikers out there around the Β£20 million mark that we could recruit( Jovetic?) If he arrived with my mate Fellaini and we sorted out our goalkeeping succession I could spend the summer in blissful contemplation of next term. Why then do I still think this sensible ( in my view) plan,is too ambitious for our current leader( s)?
Oh well in PiK then! (Is this re-evaluation due to the new Hawkeye? ;))
trev
now is not the time for puns
hang your head in shame
*whimpers in abject agony*
if i could work up a head of steam – you’d need to run , boy
cheeky pup !
π
Bordeaux 3-1 up!
Likewise, Bath!
And heh@zico 7:04 PM π
#118
when are we marching , Z ?
π
So, cba, this ‘ere farmer woman – you should Pointer out to the police, tell them she has this dog and she deliberately Setter on you.
Demand they throw the dog out of the country – you know, collar the beast and take it’s Visla away.
That would Springer surprise on her alright.
I once went to a zoo, you know, and it only had one dog.
It was a Schitzu. π
Hope that’s made you feel a bit better. π
cba, you supply the powder, I’ll get me boots
π π π π
and
π π π π to you too Z
Come on Fulham!
Final score 3-2.
There was even a Bordeaux penalty missed in injury time.
Bring on Lorient,Troyed or PSG (or Evian but somehow I doubt they’ll manage an upset tonight).
Good stuff Ollie.
A combination of the rest of you have me chuckling.
Not a good idea to fall out with farm dogs cba, as one I considered a fabulous beast decided my face would make a tasty snack one night π
WTF, West Ham 1-0 up v ManUre? Not expecting that to last, but still.
*trying to avoid making a joke about Evian and watering down the competition*
heh Lars.
Well, tabs’ drink of choice from Saturday are already 1-0 down against the Qataris.
And Beckham has just hit a very shit free-kick.
I seriously still can’t figure out why they’re showing this game if they really really had to show only one of the games tonight.
Well, about ten seconds after posting that, ManU make it 1-1.
Lars is the new me? π
David Luiz goal something special π
Ollie, it seems I am sadly. I just switched on Fulham-Chelsea and less than two seconds later it’s 1-0 Chelsea… Arsing hell!
Should be much easier to come by. Hopefully.
Check this out..
http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2013/04/16/nbc-sports-groups-2013-14-premier-league-programming-plans/
Fucking hell, Lars.
I surrender my crown. It’s not a good one π
I’m sticking with that Evian vs PSG game though.
Evian equalise!
Bah, 2-0 Chelsea by Cunterry.
Goodbye third place
Fulham, can you please be as crap at defending on Saturday as you are today, please?
Zico@118- Naw, they got it right! JUSTICE IS SERVED!!!! (Holic, anything you want on me tonight!)
Actually, I was trying to celebrate you and it just clipped my heel.
Anyways, hand the match ball back over! π
Fulham you better play as shit on Saturday you rolling over bitches. (sorry cba).
So… all other things aside, if it stays like this and Tottenham beat Chelsea, we’re in 5th. :/
I’d make some threatening remarks to Mr. Giroud right now for not standing up when we needed him, but the bloke is too bloody handsome… sigh.
I suspect ‘we hate Chelsea more than you’ will be aired on Saturday.
Useless cunts surrendering to their own Bus Stop π
More motivation to punish the lot come Saturday- no mercy, boys.
pik, which makes the idiots who preferred a draw to an Everton victory (not that they had any input on the final result, granted) at SHL look like, er, idiots.
Oooh, a peach of a goal by Diame. 2-1 West Ham.
pik: but Tottenham beating Chelsea would mean we could go above Chelsea instead. Fourth is still in our own hands, though that would of course mean that we have to win all our remaining games to make sure of it.
My connection seems to be ultra-shite tonight.
@Lars- maybe my math is off. It looks to me like, if Chelsea win tonight and lose the delayed match with Sp*rs, at 33 matches all they’ll have 61, us 60, and SHL will have 6… puke.
No? I mean, it’s all speculation now I’m just looking for a nice new reason to be deflated.
I think your maths are correct, pik.
Man City better turn up at the weekend.
This is Chelski 67th game this season and they still outrunning Fulham.
Pik, Ollie,
It’s all ifs and buts – except for cba who doesn’t have a butt any more. π
Pik your maths is correct but it’s a big assumption that spuds and Chelski both go on 6 game win streaks ( save the spuds beating Chelski) both will drop something, we just need to take care of our points and see where things are. Still all to play for.
It might mean RVP can’t win the League at our place but its too complex to call
PiK, my mistake. I should have checked the league table for verification, my memory of what it looks like was all wrong. Bugger.
Cunt van Cuntsie just made it 2-2. But he should have been flagged off for offside.
Cheer up fellas.
There are 18 points for all those teams to play for. None of them is going to get all 18. FACT !!!
Did ttg do a Lars?
Yes, I’ve passed on the jinx π
Incapable bunch
Cunterry 2 goals. Too much for me this evening. Off to bed, feeling sick.
Marvellous!
Lee Probert, who was so offended by Arsene Wenger kicking an empty water bottle that he had to report it to Mike Dean, and have the manager sent away from the touch line, has just been told, as clear as day, to “F*ck off!”, by Raphael. Probert’s response ? Nothing. At all.
Arsenal get fair treatment ?
Do me a favour.
Cba, sorry to hear about your doggy bite.
Fulham are losing 3-0 to Chavski and Frimmy comes on, hopefully he can do some “damage for us.
All the Cuntys are gathering together and scoring tonight… I guess Nasri’s due for one before the end of the game, too then. :-/
Cent,
cba has arse biting competitions with the local dogs.
But he doesn’t Winalot. π
Cent,
They just took Mata off. That would have been the damage that would have Matad.
Too lazy to do the math: did today’s results keep van cunty from winning the league at the Emirates?
Chelski fan tweets the BBC Sport page to say they’re relieved to have secured third place. Good to see they’re not getting ahead of themselves.
Idiots?
I thought a draw was the best result at WHL, I stick by that, a win for Everton would have made them too close for comfort.
Sp*rs will fuck it up, they bottle more then Coca Cola, finishing above the Chavs was always going to be an ask, I never expected Fulham to bend over and take it quite so easily though.
If we do fail to qualify for the CL then it will be our own fault and fuck all to do with a draw at the shitpit between two other teams.
Cba, sorry to hear about your doggy bite.
Fulham are losing 3-0 to Chavski and Frimmy comes on, hopefully he can do some “damage” for us.
NorCal: no, they didn’t. They are now ten points ahead, so if they at least match City for points in the next game then they can win it at our place.
Thanks Lars. Well we will just have to beat them.
I hope Fulham is this shot this weekend. Their defending has been atrocious. Attack not much better. Lots of walking around. Stay lazy, Fulham stay lazy.
well bugger.
I’m with Norcal, there’s no way that CSKA Romanovsky and the Splats will go on undefeated runs. We dropped our points to Everton and with that firmly in the rearview, lets take care of the buisness Gunners.
Its going to be a bumpy, nerve jangling sprint to the end. jaysus.
I’ll take a beer in mine. Good lad.
Fulham already did us a big favour last month anyway, let’s hope they do us one last one by being this crap on the weekend.
feck, victor is cross-dressing now
WHY DID ARTETA MISS THAT PENALTY AGAINST FULHAM!!!?!?!?!?!?!?
Drink, please. Gracias.
Charlie, maybe we could make one of those movie-style face masks for Giroud to make Senderos think he’s up against Drogba? That should ensure he shits himself and gifts us a couple of easy goals…
Sorry, H2H. I’m suprised you were of the ‘draw’ faith though.
As I put it at the time, with the goal difference, one point is very important.
I take the ‘idiots’ bit back. I’ll just call it naΓ―ve though π
Although to be fair, the main rationale always is and should be ‘I want Spu*s to lose unless absolute necessity demands otherwise, as in 1999’.
There was no necessity then.
Anyway, none of us could influence the result, and as H2H said, win our games and it won’t matter.
Trev is in form.
Nice one Ollie.
I probably am an idiot…..
just for other reasons. π
Chamakh prepares to sub in to assist PIK for a double this round, takes his robe and slippers off, and awaits the ref’s whistle.
A little gel seems to be sticking his right eyelids together, but no big bother…
H2H, heh @Spurs bottling more than Coca-Cola.
Lars, 188, good idea but I’m not sure Wolfie will approve of OG looking anything but Handsome.
Norcal 176, indeed mate, indeed.
@ Lars, heh!
It’s best we finish outside the top four, because then we can look forward to Arsene Wenger’s tenure come to an end. And he can take Sockett with him.
Santi through ball
pik smashes it through JT heartless chest and through RVP’s gaping freaky smile…
pops up..
Fecking Gervinho’d once again!!!! π
Runs in to his own through ball
Or H2h’d, rather! Well in, I’ll roll a nice phat one for you. π
I would congratulate H2H on his goal, but given recent history I have no idea who will be the final recipient of number 200.
So well in H2H, pik and Cent.
*sees 202, grins and nods in TaBS direction.*
*sees 202, grins and nods in TaBS’ direction.*
Heh @204
Heh Ollie, I’ll claim it for now, like I’ll claim the phaty from PiK. π
Is Cent repeating himself or is this a new tactic to hit the ton once we’ve been detrolled?
Sneaky Cent….. I like it π
Well in Cent! π I have puff puffed to make sure all is well, now, H2H, the pass… π
Laffin at Ibrahimocunt . QSG lose on penalties
Bordeaux and Evian through: Champagne !
H2H, heh, my device is making me post twice. I send the 1st time, it loads but my comment doesn’t show then I send the second time and two comments appear. I think I found a way to sort it now.
Cheers Pik.
From Twitter “@danlevy1: Rigobert Song: “Alex isn’t happy in Spain. At Arsenal he was a leader on & off the field. Not feeling involved in Spain is hurting him.” *Plays the world’s tiniest Violin*
Who exactly did he think he was replacing at Barça? :s
Ollie did he even think before making that decision?
PiK. Phabulous phinishing, so much so Cunty van Cunty would be jealous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlbcNvlseVI
Enjoy
Whato Arsechums. As fate would have it I shall be returning to Blighty in October of this year for a wedding. As I have been living in NZ for the past 7 years and New York for 10 years before that, I am looking forward to a trip or two to the New Home Of Football and wondered if some of you fine souls would allow me to buy you a pint or two in the Tollie on match day. Its a way off I know but I’d love to put a few names and faces together.
Normaly I avoid Blighty like the plague but feel strangley excited by the upcoming trip ( though nothing bellow the belt I hasten to add).Might even visit Charring Cross Road and invest in a new Stratocaster, or Foyles for a bookfest. I cant friggin wait! Plane ride is only 24 hours!
Exciting stuff, Failage. We even might see a few new signings by then. Who knows what could happen? Boy voyage!!
Bon voyage, I should say. π
Or whatever you kiwis say these days …
Would we want Song back? I’d rather have DiamΓ© from Hammers. Cracking goal from him today which should have won it, but for van P’s offside tap-in.
Oskar
Impressive, impressive faiilage. π
Hope it is a most excellent trip. I too am looking forward to my next pop across the pond. It is not quite as far for me, but still a journey.
Ivana wants to go again, so it looks like I have her ” permission” to look for a trip. It is hard for me to plan because our vacations are already decided for this year, so the fixture list will make my decision for me. Ah, well.
Arsenal till I die.
Cheers all.
H2H I was an idiot with you, Everton was getting too close for me too.
Does this referee:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/referee-josh-rosenthal-pleads-guilty-charges-owning-6-222133049–mma.html
have any notable similarities to this one?:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVDSHKLEni02NQ4cZ6A3K_krNKvMOxQooWasXxp-bJu1bZX833LQ
The northern California folks should be able to offer first hand knowledge on this one?? π
Oskar – Capoue, and only Capoue.
@ 216
Free beer?
I’m in. 8)
Heh, Steve T, @ 215
nice one.
Impressive, you have my permission to buy me as many pints as you like should I be there on the same day π
Morning all.
Oskar, that was a cracker of a goal Diame scored yesterday and he hit it with his “weaker” left foot. I’d be chuffed if we signed him even though I fear for his knees.
Snir, I’ve never watched Capoue play but I trust your judgement and will take him over Fellaini any day because Fellaini commits (and get’s away with) too many fouls and I feel the Ref’s will pick on that the moment he becomes an Arsenal player.
The French Cup Final is on a Friday this year? What a lot of nonsense.
I have to say I got a little giggle on my morning rounds of all things Arsenal on the wire:
I wondered if the stats still show Alex Song as being the best creative defensive midfielder in the world now? Whoβd have thought that heβd be second or third fiddle to biscuits & co? No one…….except everyone at this bar of course.
And speaking of barsβ¦β¦it would appear that Andre decided to do some clubbing at some of Bendtners usual haunts over the weekend. At least he managed to keep his paddy powers intact. That said, I do think both Andre and Nickolas could learn a thing or two about pacing themselves and would suggest that maybe Tabs take them under his wing next time you guys are off to the Tollie. Apparently the trick is to stay hydrated…..
And lastly, we get a little insight into the world of Samir Nasri. Man City development officer, Patrick Vieira, wants him to stay beyond the summer! Now there are highly intelligent people out there struggling to make ends meet on the dole cueβs of life but Vieira wants you to stay and earn millions more, just so you can sit on a plastic bench every week. Sadly, itβs a proposition that will most likely suit Samir too.
I often wonder, where did we all go wrong in life?
Zico, Lars and behind the eight — you really are too kind. Although we have never met and are linked only by our virtual presence in this fine,if fictional, establishment, you are prepared to offer me the pleasure and privelidge of pouring Londons finest down your throats for an entire evening!It is a tribute to your pure and noble hearts. I’m humbled, and in truth, I’m fillin’ up. Nor Cal – your’e invited mate. Going for a lie down……..
get voting here
http://www1.skysports.com/pfa
and pass it around. Thierry should win this hands down . neck and neck with Gerard at moment (I know, ridiculous)
Heh @ Imp’
===
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4892408/Millwall-hooligans-cocaine-New-Den.html
SHAMED Millwall fans are snorting cocaine in the toilets at their New Den ground β under the noses of police and stewards, a Sun probe reveals today.
Shouldn’t they be using their own noses.? π
heh H2H π
H2H- The gutter press ( The sun) or the holigans. which is worst?
Same shit different smell, Mr coat.
Re my note yesterday this is confirmation of our financial statushttp://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/real-madrid-overtake-manchester-united-football-rich-list-173715871.html
Not sure if I’m happy or sad about this
Top 4…. It’s like a trophey y’know. π
Thec article claims that; Real came out winners of that encounter, comfortably outplaying United , with regards to their CL clash. Now far be it from me to defend Manure, but they must of been watching a different two legged game then I saw. Until Ninny was sent off there was only one team that looked like getting to the next round….. and it wasn’t Real.
Nice one holic.
But I wonder why AW keeps doing the same thing over n over n expecting different outcome. Wilshere is never a no 10 bcos he lacks that extra skill to rip defence apart. He drive is more useful when he plays a little more deeper just like he did a season before he got injured, with Csec more advance. That was evident when Santi moved to the no. 10 role at half time. Check his stats this season and compare it with other no.10.
Pls when are we going back to 4-4-2 formation. It has been terrible since we started this 4-3-3 cum 4-5-1 formation in 2009-2010 season.
I knew you was a Cockney Red H2H
You can burn my house,
Steal my car, piss on my Blue Suade Shoes…………
But Cockney Red????
How very dare you. π‘
H2H @231 – π
Naija – back to 4-4-2 ?
Can’t see it unless we get two beasts like Vieira and Petit – or everyone else starts playing 4-4-2 again.
cba – has that poor dog recovered from biting your arse yet ? π
Right, I got no news since :
Thank you for your e mail and the details as requested.
I will investigate this issue immediately on Monday morning together with our technical team.
As soon as we found the issue I will definitely inform you and explain where the issue lays.
Once again my apologies for the inconvenience caused and as I mentioned before, please feel free to contact me again if further assistance is required.
I am about to try and book yet another Eurostar (I have a few to go through), although I may use points this time so may not have a problem.
But since we are now Thursday, I can be certain that either they truly are incompetent, or they didn’t bother communicating….
Unacceptable either way.
Especially as :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22197465
Incompetence it is then.
Ollie. One of the first rules of business is that you need to take care of your regular customers, they have obviously lost sight of this in search of new business, it may very well come back to bite them in the arse (watch out cba)
Ollie – Did have you found a name at Eurostar “Customer Services” or whatever the organisation that’s dealing with you calls themselves?
If so, get back in touch with them personally and directly. Explain that you’ve not heard anything and are losing confidence. Tell them that their previous failures have actually cost you real money.
Tell them that you are keen to book up another cross-channel trip at the currently advertised price and ask them what you should do. If they tell you, thank them profusely and ask them to do it for you. If they don’t tell you, tell them that you’re very friendly with someone on the staff of the Daily Mail who has been very interested to hear about your problems.
Almost all of the above is completely true. Never lose sight of the fact that it costs them about 50 quid every time the communicate with you; eventually they will have to decide whether it’s better for them commercially to deal with your problems or to write you off as a customer. Make sure that they realise it would be MUCH better for their business to provide you with proper service. Don’t lose your temper.
Good luck
If all else fails, pee on their seats.
Ollie, H2H and Oxon. Eurostar have no direct competition (only company delivering this service), therein lies the problem. It’s like utility companies, they have you over a barrel and they darn well know it! π
Ah H2h, didn’t see your solution π
π
Yes; it says ‘Manuel, Eurostar Customer Services’.
Mmmm, worryingly I haven’t even got the first automated reply for the e-mail I just sent…..
247&250, I have highlighted these points to them.
Cheers too Oxon. Kept my temper too π
Anyhoo, According to Arteta, all Gervinho needs is ‘LOVE’… π Should be an easy fix π
Manuel?
It would be quicker to train an ape….
I’m so sorry he’s from Barcelona.
H2H @ 246
I am most pleased to see that despite your exalted role as an Executive Director of DL Ltd, you still have the common man’s touch when it comes to dealing with the Competition.
If only other members of the Board were as focused.
I mean, one of them has resorted to drinking water, ffs!
In fairness, water does help you pee.
Still no excuse though. π
abb@247 (15:50) an “interesting” economic analysis of the problem of poor customer service. I have spent all my life working for private sector employers working in competitive markets. None of them had exemplary customer services either.
On a less controversial note…
COYG
Saw this tweet on the BBBC football page, its regarding the iseu of over physical challenges following Andy Carroll’s challenge on De Gea (havent seen it);
Aaron Ingram: “It’s not too physical it’s people like Wenger signing injury prone players look for too much protection.”
—————-
Obviosuly a Stoke fan. What an idiotic comment, just needed to share it, and take the weight off, ta.
Looks like my e-mail got through after all, and I got the quickest reply ever (that’s some improvement):
Thank you for your e mail,
I am sorry that this still exists. As mentioned in my previous email, I have forwarded this issue to the technical team and i will have a word tomorrow morning and request an update.
I am aware that an update is to be released on Tuesday next week and the team is testing this update to ensure that these issues are for the past.
I will contact you again tomorrow with an update.
I am not boring you with my own previous messages as they were a bit longer than their replies π
Cheers Norris. Idiotic indeed.
Innit Ollie…. There was another one that basically said this;
“Oh, theres nothing wrong with physical challenges, we dont want to end up like the spanish now do we?”
Takes all sorts I guess….
Not boring anyone at all Ollie….
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Blimey, you even managed to extend the drinks window, Steve
Is this the longest ‘word’ ever here ?
By the way I am sorted for Wigwam as I will simply be replacing the Maestro.
Yes let the FA allow players maim each other on the field so that England will not end up like Spain and, you know, win the Euros back to back, either side of been World Champions… what a tool that person is!
Ollie, I will take it you’re still looking for tickets to the Wigan game then.
You are welcome Ollie.
All this midweek nonsense means I have one match left, and the prospect of what might happen in that is just … ugh.
Wish I had booked for Fulham now. Good day out, with good food and some top pints at the Bricklayers.
Oh well…
Evening all,
Norris, Ollie, Cent,
I posted some comments yesterday from the Daily Express in relation to Arsene Wenger’s views on Everton’s approach.
They said “Wenger was bleating ……”
When do they ever refer to Ferguson without the “Sir Alex”, or Moyes without the “David”, or Allardyce without the “Sam”, etc. etc. etc. Or, indeed, refer to their comments as “bleating”.
It’s because he’s a) French, and b) not a self publicising media tart like ‘Arry Yappyapp.
*is confused by 265*
Cheers ‘holic. Shame you won’t be here on Saturday indeed. Early weather forecast suggests it will be sunny, if not very warm (13Β°c max, the minimum for the night being 3Β°C, brrr)
Evening Holic. Only one left ? π
I may see the title won π
Depressing for sure.
And a guard of honour to cheer van Pursey off the pitch. π π π
Evening Trev.
It’s par for the course. In the words of Charlie George during a Stadium tour : ‘I hate the meedja, they’re all cunts’, or words to that effect anyway.
If it gets that bad, Trev and ‘holic, I might scream enough abuse at Evra to get chucked out of the ground π
But I really don’t exclude us beating the cunts.
Me neither, Ollie.
The only consolation would be if enough Gooners stayed to boo loudly enough to wreck their TV celebrations.
Trev @ 267
It’s the Daily Express.
The paper that missed out on the signing of tabs…..need I say more? π
Evenin Trev…
We WILL beat the red mancs and I still think their wait for the title will go a lot longer than the dutch c*** and the media hoped.
I do hope Rosikcy is fit enough to start vs Fulham. I really dont get why Jack was used even after AW saying he rushed him back a bit??? Cazolrla could have played in Jack’s position, leaving AOC or Podolski to play left. And as much as I like Giroud, his miss in the first half showed up once again what we have been missing all season.
On the plus side ( π ) I thought that yet again, Ramsey was excellent, as was Koscielny, Gibbs and Perm.
Thanks, good night and Up the Arse!
Good stuff Ollie. Hopefully wigan will be safe by then and will have had a right good chasing at wembley.
From memory the mancs came to Highbury when we were confirmed as champions in 91 and gave us a guard of honour?????
To be honest, as much as it will hurt I think we need to look at where we are, where they are and use that as the mark for where we should be aiming to be.
Just reading that Flappy has a cracked rib. If that is the case then he may struggle to play again this season.
Sky now reporting that Jack, Santi, TR7 and AOC are all doubts for the weekend.
Not a good way to end a Thursday I must say.
Ollie, 265 was intended as a cheeky dig at your typo of ‘Wigwam’ @263
Actually, Norris, we have scored only two less goals this season compared to the same time last year. Only Man U have scored more than we have. Interestingly our much maligned defence has conceded 6 goals LESS than this time last season, and with five games to play we’d have to concede 14 more to be as porous as we were then.
Stats are funny things, aye.
In my opinion our major problem, this year and last, has not been failing to score against class acts like Everton so much as failing to score against rubbish clubs, and too often contriving to get beaten by them.
Oskar
OtD@281: Spot on with your final point.
Good evening Holics ! .. just wanted to share this gem of an article..
kinda teary eyed right now..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/29/arsenal-liverpool-1989-football
Hector … we’ve played 33 games so far this season. That we’ve scored heavily in six of them isn’t the point. Fact is we have drawn 9 games and lost 7 out of that 33, which equates to dropping at least two points in every second game we’ve played. All that lost opportunity is what is killing us … NOT the six games in which we perform as expected!
Oskar
By coincidence I am currently reading Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch, GPN. I’ve never actually read it before, although I’ve seen the movie a couple of times. I assume the book ends with the 1989 Pool game, as the movie did, so will read your article after I’ve finished the book. Naturally I already know how it turns out, but I’m too absorbed in the book to be distracted by other accounts of the same heroic day.
Memo Nick Hornby: Where’s the sequel culminating in 2003-2004?
Oskar
Yesterday felt like a Monday, but today feels just like a Friday should. Good stuff, I like these two-day working weeks π
GPD: don’t think I had read that one before but it was a rather brilliant piece, so cheers for linking to it!
GPN: Thanks for the link – an excellent read. I recorded that match on VHS and it’s a constant battle with my wife to hang onto the tape. She seems to think there’s “no point”, simply because we no longer possess a video player! Honestly, what can one say?
Not feeling confident for the visit to Fulham :\
That might be actually a good sign Snir though, since every time I felt confident about us winning we somehow bottled it O.o
Ah The Bricklayers . I used to live exactly 34 seconds walk (a bit slower leaving) from there…. π
Cent 280, there was no typo, it was deliberate.
Might as well limber up for my goal then.
π
trev 241
“cba β has that poor dog recovered from biting your arse yet ?”
.
he’s hanging in there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IakkqyRBHRI
GPN, thanks for the link @283, the writer’s description of the events is right up there with the best.
Oxon, hold on to that tape.
Ollie291, oh dear, my bad.
Oh still on is it?
Fellaini is my new hero…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgDj3cAU2RQ
Rolls the ball towards CG…
Allow me to provide the assist…
YES!
Takes the triple century.
My god, Shawcross really is a bounder of the first water isn’t he? An unutterable cad, a shell of a man, a coward’s coward who isn’t fit to shine my brogues.
Damn his eyes.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-introduce-young-guns-enclosure
This seems like a very good idea to me.
Camber-well in, Camberwell π
Goooooooaassssalllllllllllllllll
I reckon by the time multi name boy is deleted I will have hit a screamer into the too corner.
π
A train strike on a Saturday? Most unusual.
Seems to be only on my RER line too.
Cunts. 1 train out of 2 is not that but but still.
Guess I’ll have to leave even earlier just in case.
Well in Camberwell, and with a special and rare assist from the maestro himself!
Sounds a great idea Lars. Just need the club to allow juniors to purchase tickets for other areas of the ground at kids prices and we have cracked it.
Afternoon all.
Well in Cam….. for the time being. π
Eurostar ‘update’
Thank you for your e mail,
I have been assured by the technical team that this is on the top of the list to get resolved however at present we are still searching for the cause of this issue.
I am sorry I am unable to provide any more details at present.
Ollie, you think thatΒ΄s bad? IΒ΄m waiting to hear from VictoriaΒ΄s Secret as to where the SeΓ±oraΒ΄s bikinis have gone… π
Could ruin the whole summer…
heh Dr C!
Anyway, just booked another Eurostar on the phone.
I still have 3 more to books after that until the end of the season.
Hope they’ll have sorted their problems by then. Although I’ll probably use points for one of these trips anyway.
They are very aware of it and have assured me on the phone again that this is high priority but hard to track as it only happens ‘randomly’ and with certain banks.
Well, not very randomly for me, it’s systematic with mine…..
GPN @283
Thanks for that.
Surely there must be some more eurostar gratuities heading your way Ollie?
If Ollie ever has a coronary, we’ll know it was Eurostar’s fault π
Zing Of The Day
“I was off for nine months. I was at the Champions League final. The Hull people had not been off the phone. I was watching the game and I was thinking: ‘Do I really want to be sitting beside Alan Green?'” – Steve Bruce on why he returned to management.
heh
Fat chance, Steve…. I got those paltry 100 points last week (I have checked and they have been credited) and doubt I’ll get anything else.
When they provide you with another option things may change.
Indeed, Steve.
Not sure when that is, but I think Deutsche Bahn is supposed to start serving the tunnel soon (whether they only operate from Germany via Belgium though, I don’t know, would be nice to think they’ll operate from France too).
Ollie I think that they will go to Lille if that helps
BTW if you want another bank then Boursourama is online and cheap
Cheers Cognac.
That’s what I ‘feared’ : I can see it affecting Eurostar without benefitting me…..
cba @293 – π
Catalan,
They won’t tell you where they’ve gone – that’s Victoria’s Secret. π
“Eurostar’s problems ….. are hard to track”
Ollie punning as well now. π
This could signal a whole new departure for you Ollie. Don’t change those points – just use them. And be calm and humble when dealing with the nice Eurostar staff – don’t go getting ideas above your station.
Better go now before I drop …. off …. the ……. end ……of …the …..line
Trev has been in training.
Who’s your coach?
How the fuck did Carrick get a player of the year nomination before Santi??????
Genuinely, what is that about.
In fact, I would have put flappy ahead of Carrick.
Astonishing that Santi is not on that list.
I agree Bath. But is Carrick really on there???? Please tell me I have misread that.
Steve, the other year they gave the Young Player of the Year to James Milner, who at the time was 24 and in a season in which Cesc, who had just turned 23, had scored something like 18 goals and made about 20 assists.
Carrick is indeed on there. It’s clearly a “be kind to a donkey” gesture. They’ve got to have an Englishman in there. It clearly can’t be Shrek who is sinking fast, so it’s Carrick.
Anyone see the shifty eyes and sly smile from sleazeball Terry when he declined to shake the hand of the FA Chairman? It was the “shoplifting look”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22214511
The danger of the free-for-all on the interweb….
haha Trev, 322. Good spot, I’m a natural, me! π
I would say that if Carrick is nominated then not only Santi, Arteta should be in that list as well. Arsenal web site has an excellent statistical piece on Arteta’s consistently excellent game this season.
And surely Gibbo should get the nod for the Young Player nomination as well.
Good point Dr Fausts….Arteta has definitely performed better than Carrick this season but Carrick will always get the local vote.
H2H @324 – who’s my coach ?
Just some old buffer. π
Heh. First class!!
I’m acting as a sleeper in this railway punfest.
Waiting for a signal, Oxon?
I might switch into punning mode, but what’s the point?
Still, I guess with H2H to driver me on to ever greater efforts, and Trev as conductor of the whole unfortunate thing, not forgetting the platform provided by this wonderful bar I might have a go, but I must guard against excess enthusiasm. No, let us call a halt to this punning, before it becomes terminal.
*Aplauds*
Oxon railing against a bit of punning on a FFF ?
Pffttt, it’s just the ticket.
Talking of FFF, anyone heard anything of GoonerTerry lately. And come to that, where’s Clive ?
I thank yew.
Good point Faustus.
Trev π
If JW gets feisty in the tunnel next Sunday, who guards van Persie ?
That’s my last one. I have a daughter to collect from dancing.
Back for the preview.
Feck, Lyon score.
1-1
Laters Trev.
Allow me to shunt Trev’s punfest into a siding >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Montpellier should really be 2-1 now but I fear Lyon will get a jammy win in the end again. Long way to go though, half an hour left.