Fat Lady Cancels All Concerts Until May 19th
May 5th, 2013 by 'holic
A family birthday dictated a strange two part viewing of the action from Loftus Road. I was in real time for the opening half and then had to wait some four hours to watch the second. It is evident now that watching the second half knowing the outcome was a lot less stressful than viewing it live.
We could not have made a better start. Theo Walcott’s goal was the result of a combination of excellent interplay and some comical defending by former Gunner Armand Traore and his colleagues. Twenty seconds in, although we didn’t know it at the time, the game was over.
For much of the opening half we controlled the play and dominated possession, but human nature being what it is I have to confess to fearing what might happen if we did not convert that superiority into a second goal. Theo almost had a second but was denied by a combination of Green and the goalpost. That aside though we were unable to fashion the chances that such domination should produce.
Rangers, perhaps surprised to be still in the game found their feet and started to get forward with some menace themselves as the end of the half neared, with Townsend to the fore. Arsenal’s defence however remained pretty assured and we got to the break with the advantage deservedly intact.
Now this is where people will presumably have stronger feelings than I. As the second half progressed I followed the live text on the official club app, checking in every five or ten minutes whilst supping contentedly on some fine Wiltshire ale pre-meal. Returning home those typed words came to life.
Rather than risk your wrath with my take on the half long after the whistle I will make just two points more. Firstly, whatever ailed Wojciech Szczesny as he struggled for form earlier in the season seems to have been largely cured by his enforced rest. His astonishing save from Remy capped a very good display. His best was needed today and he did not let us down.
Secondly, at this stage of the season the only thing that matters is that we get three points. Today was a lot closer than some would have hoped given the nature of the start we made. I understand a degree of frustration when we struggle to close out a game we should have won more comfortably. but we won by scoring, largely securing ownership of the football, and defending competently. I have seen us when those things have not been the case.
Frankly I could accept us having an absolute ‘mare, being under the cosh throughout, and having an undeserved winner deflecting in off the referee’s gonads if that is what it takes. We were a little more secure than that in Shepherds Bush. Third place is ours again but we face an agonising ten days out of action before entertaining Wigan at the Grove. Before then Chelsea play Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa, while the neighbours follow their trip to the bus stop in Fulham with a trip to Stoke.
I would say it is likely that we will be out of the top four after that little lot, but we will have two games to play while they will have just one. This is going to the final day. You know it, and I know it, and letting that eat you up won’t help anybody. We do decisive last days rather well, and that is what I will be clinging to for the next fortnight.
Be strong, all.
811 Responses to “Fat Lady Cancels All Concerts Until May 19th”
the second half “live” on tv was agonizing, ‘holic. certainly, strength was needed, and shown by the lads. my arsenal coffee mug has the rim bitten out of it, however.
As I missed the chevrons of doom….
Defense looked rock solid, including Sagna, who had a much better game today than his nightmare last outing. He is still a Premier League quality full back. He puts in a shift every game and doesnโt shirk, but I canโt disagree with those above who say he is just not the same player he was for us before his two broken legs. If he does go to PSG at the end of this season, weโll all remember the good Bacary that he was, and not the bit-part player I fear he might become next season.
Missed an opportunity to narrow the goal difference gap with Chelsea today but we never looked much like scoring after the first 15 seconds. Giroud showed how valuable he is to the team by his absence today. There were a couple of knock-downs by Green that he would have gone for and Poldi looks far more effective when Giroud is there to get on the end of his crosses.
i’ve got a bike
you can ride it if you like, holic
–
i’m all about the magnanimous
yup
i am
and hippopotamus
mmmmm
Well in SG, top man.
Cheers ‘holic!
Yo Boz ๐
As you say, ‘Holic, it will all be down to Survivor Sunday or whatever ridiculous name the TV motormouths have for the last day of the season. I would be happier if Wigan had their survival assured by the time they come to the Grove. They’ll scrap like Everton if not.
brown nosin shower
๐
Posted after the cut in previous drinks…
I have to disagree with many here about Theo. An early goal and a couple of decent strikes โฆ you canโt ask a lot more of a CF โฆ even if he has the greatest difficulty controlling the ball or deciding what to do with it the rest of the time. Iโd still prefer he plays up front with Poldi and OX on the wings and Santi/TR7/Jack in the hole.
And PLEASE can we have substitutes when we need them!! What was the point of bringing on an attacking player in the 85th minute? If you want to score and make it safe you bring on an attacker around the hour mark. If you want to hang on in the last five minutes you bring on a defender. Iโve never understood AWโs substitutions all season.
Oskar
Fair enough Holic,
Absolute mares, coshes, referee’s gonads ………..
all fine and dandy – after the event, but these games are turning into health hazards I could do without. ๐
Hi cba,
You are in urgent need of a plumber if you’re getting a brown nose in the shower. ๐
d’you remember that filter we talked about ‘holic
just ban all of me
‘)
howdy and indeed a doody to you trev
always nice to hear from you
.
my face is blown off
.
feckin atlantic breezes
cheers Ned.
cba. you must be a yoga master, brown nose and all ๐
i speak in many tongues scruz
not all but many are curry sauce bound
i’m not an animal
sweet mother
sheesh
*remembers jane fonda’s backside in her fitness videos*
*remembers remembering that , nails my age to the elderly mast*
.
i’m 24
and anybody says i’m not will get some irate faxes
It was painful to watch… at times. Just read 7am Kick Off’s numbers column over at Arseblog, which suggests a more solid defensive display than how it seemed watching my stream. Could be a lack of trust in the team from less than solid displays earlier in the season coloured my perception.
Anyway, all things going well, I’ll be coming over for the Wigan game.
It seems that I was the opposite ‘Holic. Missed the first but caught the second half live. I felt we controlled things OK. I was never nervous except when Remy curled his foot around the ball. It was a magnificent save of 2 points by Woj. Down to the wire. Hard on the nerves but part of what makes things fun. Wigan will hopefully be tired and probably disappointed after the FA cup. Newcastle are not putting anything together as of late and may or may not be safe but I still fancy a win.
Spuds are ridding Bale but will be outclassed by Chelski. Top four will be ours.
Cheers
in other news
i got one of my feet nearly flattened by a cow – in the middle of a herd of them – crossing the road
small fuckin potatos
big H had kept the big white bull inside just to scare the “big city boy from that there dublin” shitless
it worked
cows are huge
bulls are effin ginormous
diarrhoea is the same size everywhere
G’day from a rainy Auckland. Missed the game completly due to massive over indulgence, of an alcoholic nature. The result is all that matters – it matters not one jot how it is achieved.
We are a poor shadow of Arsene’s great sides, but still find ourselves in the mix for a top four berth. A couple of quality additions in the close season and we may fare better next term.
Of course the Manchester clubs will still be out of sight (Bale to Yanited?), which I find rather depressing.
Never mind,eh?`
Forza and a pint of bitter please barman. I can use a lot of both, actually, so please don’t be slow about it!! Excellent report I may add, and I can’t disagree with a word.
howdy imp fail
auckland – eh
a good healthy portion of my records were from NZ
the clean the chills
flying nun records
mind you
i very rarely remember what i’m talking about
live recordings in dunedin
Howdy Failage, cba and Catweazle. Life is sweet even if sometimes bitter and that reminds me of the latest in Minnesota bitter which I happen to be drinking at the moment.
http://www.badgerhillbrewing.com/beers/msb/
Only one Arsene Wenger. Come on Arsenal.
bt8
life should never be bitter
stick to the stout
Arthur will see you through
oh
the hilarity
oh
jeez
oh
the hilarity
(wi my back and these feet i have no business engaging etc )
it’s all i can do to stop myself convulsing in abject big indifferent nothingness
the names arsed
can’t be
.
You guys are all a bit daffy tonight…solid win. Chezzas back. Watching fantastic dancers of the Alvin Ailey troupe (not to worry, I’m drinking during intermission).
Third place should be ours. Many thanks to NorCal for straightening me out in the last drinks.
WOW, my “BMBD” mojo worked well this season, no? Rocka my soul…
BMBD.
Top man ‘holic.
Here in the bar in the Lands of Low a very busy weekend with parties including dj’s and bands and all kinds of shenanagins due to Dodenherdenkings Dag yesterday/today(rememberence for those who perished 1940-1945) and Vrijheids Dag(Freedom day, tomorrow), however, I planed two hours free time to watch the game.
On one hand it was agony, a start we couldn’t dream of, followed by 90 minutes of nail bitting, gut wrenching suspence waiting for the joyful realease of the final whistle, on the other hand it was a profesional banner waving mission acomplished, three points to the Arsenal, JOB DONE!!!
I posted (I think about 8 or 10 games ago) that the most important thing for us to do was keep clean sheets and tighten up the defence….. JOB DONE!! It might not be pretty, but itยดs getting us the desired results. I fully understand the frustration among us that we failed to completly dismantle a team that were already relegated, but fuck it, we came, we played, we took three points. Two results more like this and we will be home and dry.
How many times have we absolutly destroyed the opposition and came away with nothing?
Way too many times for my liking.
This is now a team that can grind out a result when a result is needed. The time to pick holes in the performance (colectively and individualy) will come another day, for now lets revel in the victory and give a full middle finger salute to those lesser teams from the Capital.
Itยดs us who control our destiny and not those cunts.
Arsenal Bloody Arsenal!
how are ya, lonestar, and how’s the little lonestarlet?
bmbd, indeed. they are creaking and falling and ready to shiver…
Cant be arsed — as a pro guitar player of some vintage, am glad to hear of your affection for NZ music — although I dont share it myself. In truth NZ is something of a musical backwater,although there are signs of improvement!
Catweazle — no new additions? really? We finish twenty odd points behind the champions and you think we will bridge the gap next term with the same squad! have to agree to disagree I think.
Bt8 – It would appear we share a passion for the amber liquid — your good health sir!
Impressive,
I believe the cat woman is trying a different tact and now being extremely sarcastic in her postings. Reverse psycho and all that.
imp failage – as a really quite average guitar player – a 1950’s single cutaway bigsby tremeloed up gretsch – in my opinion the clean or indeed the chills could never be called bands languishing in a backwater – quite the contrary – bright and sharp and twangy good – both
Frustration about the performance seems to miss the overall point that we seem to have discovered some true form. As has been pointed out elsewhere the defensive numbers don’t lie, we’re on an excellent path for building on. If properly added to come June we will be in the conversation next April, of this I’m sure. Despite the monkey rescuing the Others this is quite a good day.
I pray it doesn’t come to goal difference at the end
For all of us out there that know how to do mathematics we know that we are out of UCL next season. We went out when we failed to beat Man U on our ground.
Chelski will beat Man U, and U know what? Tots will beat Chelski on wednesday, and the top four battle is over.
I fear we might play with some presure when we’ve fall out of top four after the ten days of ‘rest’ hope the of them draw all thier matches before then. Thanks Holic.
Loving having a solid defence again. All great sides are built from the back.
Today’s game is now huge for us. Got to avoid a scenario where Chelsea can lose to the LWCs and still be safe.
My hope is that Utd stuff the Chavs and we can then spend midweek with our feet up, cold drink in hand waiting to see which of our rivals will drive a dagger through the heart of the other.
Hopefully Ferguson will see the wisdom of knifing Mourinho before he’s even in the job by putting Chelsea’s champs league qualification in jeopardy.
Finally, I know the last few games haven’t always been pretty, but I think Wenger is doing a really, really good job of getting this team over the line. Showing his experience, even if I didn’t understand the subs yesterday.
This is exactly how I felt for the major part of yesterdays match https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216377_514936685238814_759642936_n.jpg
I am really impressed by our defensive performances as of late, very much less so by our attacking ones but win is a win is a win.
What irritates me the most is that we are getting to interesting areas but almost every midfielder and striker is afraid to shoot from around the box, which is a shame since especially Santi has quite a strike, not talking about Poldi with his thorhammerlike left foot.
Wojs save was fantastic and I like his play a lot since his return in to goal, long may it continue…6 more points lads please.
There was some top quality trolling on here overnight. It’s almost a shame that they won’t be there to read later….. No, what am I saying. Buck Toff troll.
Following Arsenal this season has had some real touches of nostalgia about it. Does anyone else remember those long ago pre-Wenger days when we ground out results? The two differences are that these days it’s a bit more frustrating because we can remember better days more recently (although lots of people will remind us that “recently” is now seven, or is it eight, or maybe six years ago – I don’t bother counting as it doesn’t make me any happier – years ago), and that in those long-one days the results we ground out were often draws rather than wins.
One-nil to the Arsenal; it doesn’t just have a nice ring to it; it has a wonderful ring. Two more of them this season? Don’t come too close I’ll bite off the entire side of year body.
COYG
It’s funny, I relaxed through the second half in a Zen-like knowledge that we’d bring the points home.
QPR offered basically nothing, they were a team of mercernaries who’d already been paid off and were dreaming of long cold drinks poolside.
I was actually helped by what I’d declared to be the ‘best stream I’ve ever seen’ getting all buffer-y and jerky through the last 20 minutes, which got so bad I completely missed Chezza’s save. So much the better.
Fair play to Theo. Played up front, scored the winning goal, should have had another. Generally looked dangerous and was smart on the turn in my view. His first 20-goal season and not a Barca contract in sight! More of the same please Wallers, I’d like to see him play there in the next game too – who knows, maybe he CAN play there??
Happy Sunday all. Come on Man U (god I feel sick saying that)
Impressive Failage,
Ah, but NZ is the land of The Flight of the Concords. And for that I am forever impressed….
indeed catalan
“two minutes in heaven is better than one minute in heaven”
๐
Morning all,
Looks like a fair few will be hungover today ๐
luckily i’m not fair ‘holic
i’m a raven haired lothario
Morning All
We have become a very hard watch in recent times. I found myself yelling at the TV trying to get more out of a very timid team. No one was prepared to have a go at defenders to try and score a second goal, which would have made it less stressful for everyone.When are we going to see more than 10mins from the Ox?
Sir Ches kept us in the race for a CL spot, with a contender for save of the season. I fear for us against Wigan ,that is if we are not already condemned to 5th place. Let’s hope we still have something to play for at Newcastle when OG will be back. Boy have we missed his energy and link up play the past 2 games.
It looks as though Newcastle may have to beat us to stay up. This is going to be a rough ride.
As always COYRs.
As always COYRs
You are a funny man cba.
…or was that not you ๐
now there’s a deep philosophical question ‘hol
was that me ?
are any of us , us ?
i suspect . . . . .
professor plum
with the lead piping
in the arboretum
Nor Cal said ; “Top four will be ours.” Wow ! How exciting. Be sure to tell me when the open top bus celebrations begin. I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world !
” In Arsene we rust.”
Heh! CBA @43 knows! Why am I not surprised? ๐
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=84EoBQfdrb0
Genius…
*raises bat to dressing room balcony in acknowledgement of ripple of applause. Quietly hopes that rumours of attendance of England selectors prior to Summer series against Shackledraggers have some substance*
#49 Spectrum
i can hear your tongue lolling out the side of your mouth as you crayoned that pearl of rust wisdom you’ve been sitting on waiting to use
.
you’re a big man but a wee suit fits you
#50 Catalan
zactly
a great pair they are indeed
๐
So you managed to write the review last night after all!
Top day out and 3 sweet points.
Fantastic save by Szczesny, all that after cooking our lunch!
And heh at ‘shoes off if you hate Tottenham’ that was funny.
Worried we might win the games and still not make it.
Ollie @55. Don’t.
I can’t give you any particularly good reason why you shouldn’t. Just don’t.
COYG
Spectrum, one warning. We engage with respect here. By all means argue with reasoning your viewpoint.
Sarcasm without substance and abuse of other Gooners will not be tolerated.
Your choice.
Ollie, I can’t see Chelsea winning today and losing to Bale. As long as we win both we will be fine.
As long as we win both…
can’t be arsed – Glad you liked it. It’s so much more relevant and topical than the now redundant “In Arsene we trust.” phrase that we strangely hear much less of from the A.K.B.’s now, don’t you think ? Except those that frequent sites like this one – ( luckily there aren’t many on here, eh ? ).
Me ? Well I don’t hide my thoughts on what I think of the way our club is being run. Judging from the comments on here, it seems most don’t care about that – e.g. Impressive Failage ( post no.19 ) said ; “Of course the Manchester clubs will still be out of sight (Bale to Yanited?), which I find rather depressing.
Never mind,eh .”
Eight years of achieving nothing tangible, watching the club sink into stagnation and decline, allowing United to pay a 24 million fee in return for us helping them to win the league, and all he can say is “Never mind, eh ” ? Yep, that’s the true modern day Arsenal “supporter” for you.
Seems to me this forum could do with an injection of realism and urgency* ( * “Only one Arsene Wenger” – post no. 22 ). And if I can do my bit to stimulate debate about the very serious malaise our club has settled into, then as genuine, objective and caring Gunners, I’m sure you’ll all welcome that, no ?
” In Arsene we rust.”
I take it the festivities over the last 2 days went well and were more fun that St Etienne vs Bordeaux, ‘holic? ๐
But does anyone else think the lack of creativity has nothing to do with the forward players and everything to do with having a certain Welshman in the team? As well as he is performing in some aspects, going forward he is not exactly the match that lights the petrol.
I know…. cue booing.
Now there is argument with reason.
I don’t agree with all of what you say Spectrum, but until we start to engage we aren’t going to end this cycle of the extremes of the support provoking each other for the sheer hell of it.
No problem with that.
In Arsene I Trust!
Trust whoever else you want, it’s your choice.
BTW, nice headline ‘h, could also have read ‘Adele Cancels All Concerts Until May 19th’ and still made sense.
A u o, Talk to people around the club and they will tell you that certain Welshman is finally back to his best after a long period of recovering mentally from his Shawcrossing.
He has been the heartbeat of the side this last month. I’ll accept you saying “about time too”, but continued dissiing of him is, in my humble opinion, grossly unfair.
heh Cent’64
cent
disgraceful behaviour !
think before you speak !
you should be ashamed of yerself
adele’s got a lot on her plate at the minute
Sausages? ๐
*tips hat towards Ollie and CBA*
I’m not intending to single him out for criticism and I think he has a role to play, but we are lacking something in midfield. I just wish he had that extra little bit of speed of thought and action that would get us ticking going forward, because if he had that he’d be a fantastic player. Too often he shapes to make a pass and doesn’t make it. Be more decisive, he’d be a better player.
Not blaming him for everything just wish he was that little shade better at certain things. But in fairness you could say that about most of the team.
Surely ‘h and she will probably still eat her chicken after it’s been choked.
‘holic
don’t mind if i do
*fires up pan*
mind you – must do it quietly cos they’re like a scene from oliver twist round here when the sausages start a sizzlin’
we are d gooners will never loose hope.
Goonerholic – Thanks for the vote of approval. Even if it was with reluctance. I am free then, to challenge and debate with the likes of cent’berry, who has waved the proverbial red flag at me ( post 63 ) ?
cent’berry – The Arsene you have placed your trust in has the team
currently, in 2013, 18 points ( and counting ) behind the champions.
Since the last title win way back in 2005, we finished 12pts behind the champions,
2006-24pts behind,
2007-21pts behind,
2008-4pts ( well done Arsene! ),
2009-18pts,
2010-11pts,
2011-12pts,
2012-19pts.
Revealing isn’t it, that if you take the points tally from 2010 to now, ( i.e. the last three to four years ) there’s an increasingly larger trajectory in points totals, which on these raw figures, confirm what the realists among us have been claiming; that we are a club in decline. We may well at the end of this season, have Wenger set a NEW RECORD for the largest points gap EVER, since 2005. Can he do it ?
Gee, this is almost as exciting a prospect as the race for fourth !
” In Arsene we rust.”
@ Spectrum
Some fair points, but a shit slogan.
Hard to take you seriously with the “rust” pun. Why not let your arguments take the strain (or come up with a better catchphrase)? Digs at the tone of the bar not ideal either: there’s no need for this to be an echo chamber, but why does it bother you if the consensus here is not in line with your view?
@ unpopular opinion
I’m a big, big fan of Ramsey but I’d have taken him off second half yesterday. His performance was fine, but the balance of the team required a bit more cutting edge, which isn’t his forte just now.
But then, why should it be? Jack played the same spot two years back and won plaudits for his all round work without laying on many goals.
I think Ramsey has a big future, but I hear what you’re saying: no boos from me.
Cent’berry – Another “milestone” that you and your idol can be proud of ; Wenger has now broken a new record – no manager has gone more seasons than Arsรจne Wenger without a trophy since the club was founded in 1886!! ….Fact !
In case you’re wondering how the rest did……( yes, believe it or not, Arsenal actually DID exist before Wenger started with us ).
1996 to Present โ Arsene Wenger (8 Seasons and counting!)
1995 to 1996 โ Bruce Rioch (1 Season)
1986 to 1995 โ George Graham (2 Seasons)
1984 to 1986 โ Don Howe (2 Seasons)
1976 to 1983 โ Terry Neill (4 Seasons)
1966 to 1976 โ Bertie Mee (5 Seasons)
1962 to 1966 โ Billy Wright (4 Seasons)
1958 to 1962 โ George Swindon (4 Seasons)
1956 to 1958 โ Jack Crayston (2 Seasons)
1947 to 1956 โ Tom Whittaker (2 Seasons)
1934 to 1947 โ George Allison (1 Season)
1925 to 1934 โ Herbert Chapman (4 Seasons)
1919 to 1925 โ Leslie Knighton (6 Seasons)
1908 to 1914 โ George Morrell (7 Seasons although he did win promotion)
1904 to 1908 โ Phil Kelso (4 Seasons)
1899 to 1904 โ Harry Bradshaw (5 Seasons)
1898 to 1899 โ George Elcoat (1 Season)
1897 to 1898 โ Thomas Brown Mitchell (1 Season)
1894 โ 1897 โ Sam Hollis (3 Seasons)
1888 to 1894 โ Unknown (6 Seasons) .”
” In Arsene we rust.”
Ramsey has been excellent this last few games,closing down chasing harrying,his final ball/creativity will improve.the sheer effort he puts into games is there for all to see.his work rate alone I’d say would have him as one of the first names on the team sheet.our more creative players haven’t been great like santi theo fingers could be pointed at them instead of Rambo.
That eight years mantra is the same old unthought out tosh that gets trotted out every time. It is the basis of one extreme viewpoint.
What I will accept is that we have now gone two years having largely resolved the property issues that hamstrung the club in the process of moving to the new stadium, and we haven’t used the cash available to us to strengthen the squad sufficiently.
It is that you will not accept that were such restrictions (it is there for all to see in successive annual reports) that grates with those who blindly cling to the opposite end of the stick you are holding.
N7 Gooner – I’ve noticed that A.K.B.’s tend to unduly focus on my catchphrase / slogan. I suspect it’s because it makes them feel uncomfortable, as it cuts a bit too close to the bone for their liking. I use it because to me, it is as pertinent now as it has ever been. And is a perfect counterpoint to theirs. I can only advise that you not allow yourself to be distracted by it, and as you say, concentrate on the issues that I am attempting to shine a light on.
Why does it bother me that the consensus on here doesn’t agree with me ? Well, it’s because I like a good, robust discussion. And I care very much about what this board, and Wenger in particular, are doing to our beloved club. I’m very much disenchanted and demoralised by the inept management from him. He is damaging our club, and that is why I feel compelled to speak out about it * ( * I have followed Arsenal since that glorious day at Anfield on 26th May 1989. No need to tell you what happened at that time ).
And as I said earlier ( post no.59 ), ……” if I can do my bit to stimulate debate about the very serious malaise our club has settled into, then as genuine, objective and caring Gunners, Iโm sure youโll all welcome that, no ” ?
โ In Arsene we rust.โ
Spectrum
Shit unoriginal tagline, but now you are actually entering debate, fair enough.
Interesting FACT about the managers and no trophies. But, as you claim to be a realist, you will be aware that the whole landscape of football, with it’s sugar daddies and petro dollars, has changed completely.
So, as a realist, who would you suggest would have done better than AW, given the same realistic constrictions that he faced?
Seriously.
No time to backdrink to glean the considered opinions of the regulars but Holic, you said it for me.
Good to see SZCZ back to form.
Good to see Sagna looking more like his old self too.
3 points, next game please.
Fergie: Should have got Lampard. Bale got away from us.
Didnt get RVP the first time but …etc etc.
Hate those pompous self promoting classless twats.
Afternoon all,
Cheers ‘H.
Just another great big “phew”.
Agree with ‘Holic that of course the points are all, but I do think the performance is relevant inasmuch as it points to whether we can sustain the results through the final two games. I agreed with what Blogs wrote this morning. My own feeling over the last month or so is that, far from the title-winning form described by others, we have largely been “getting away with it”.
Grabbing an early goal and then spending the rest of the 89 minutes largely content to sit on it strikes me as a singularly precarious way to go. You are always one wonder-strike, one dodgy refereeing decision, one defensive lapse away from disaster.
Had Man of the Match Schez not got his big paw to Remy’s strike, we would of course seen a completely different attacking Arsenal in the last 10 minutes, an Arsenal that may well have restored our lead, but it’s a terribly dangerous game to play.
QPR were awful and looked every bit the relegated side. The early goal should have provided lift off to a comfortable win. Why can’t we just have the balls and the faith in our own ability to put it to bed instead of leaving it to fickle footballing fate? My heart won’t stand it.
All that said, I didn’t suffer the the same heebie-jeebies as during the games against West Brom and Fulham. Any nervousness sprang mostly from the narrow margin of our lead, rather than anything Harry’s mob were offering. I never really thought QPR would equalise (unlike the games at Fulham and West Brom), and whilst Remy might have left me with egg on my face, I thought Kos, Arteta, and especially Mertesacker were all impressive in protecting the rearguard.
As regards Sagna, I agreed with what Ttg had to say in the last drinks. Defensively sound but offered next to nothing going forward. Barring injury it looks like he will retain his place until the end of the season, but my view is that these are his last 2 games for the Club. On the other side, I don’t understand this policy of rotating Gibbs for home games and Monreal for away. I don’t think it’s doing the Spaniard any favours either, who got roasted by Townsend on a couple of occasions. Just pick who you think is the best man Arsene, and stick with him. For the record, at this stage, I’d go with Gibbs.
As regards going forward, we were never quite as passive as we had been at Fulham, but nevertheless it didn’t make for pretty viewing. Ramsey had his least impressive outing in a while, Arteta was unable to convert his excellent defensive work into a springboard for attacks , and whilst Rosicky fluttered in and out of the game impressively at times, too often our attacking play was slow, safe, and predictable.
I understand that Cazorla has been moved out wide for greater solidity in the middle. That sacrifice may yet pay off, but to my mind he’s wasted out there and our attacking play suffers for it. Poldi did alright for someone running on one leg. He offered an outlet and was willing enough, but at no time did he pose a goal threat.
Just as well Theo had 3 worthwhile efforts on goal (including of course the goal itself), because for the rest of the game he was abysmal. He offered nothing defensively, provided no outlet for Sagna, and his movement (at least from a TV view) looked shocking. For the most part we might have been playing with 10 men.
I thought the game was crying out for the direct running of the Ox, and genuinely have no idea why his introduction was delayed for so long.
I know that I’m carping and that the three points really was “all”. In that respect, job done. 6 more points required. Wigan at home holds no fear for me, but that Newcastle game looks more and more precarious. If we continue to play with such tentative authority, I have a foreboding that we will ultimately pay for our safety first policy .
On the upside, I also saw most of the Tottenham game yesterday, and although Bale grabbed them the spoils, they were reassuringly awful.
A ManUre win today and a Chelsea win in midweek please.
@ 79
Debate is fine. Slogan is dull. So is the recurrent use of “AKBs”.
It doesn’t speak to an enquiring mind, it speaks to someone looking for cheap antagonism. It doesn’t generate discomfort, just eyeball rolling.
Your point of view is entirely valid and I can see from the rest of what you wrote that you’re better than that.
To put it another way, if a poster signed off every single comment on here “In Arsene We Trust” what would you think of them?
No skin off my nose if you want to persist with it, just a friendly suggestion that you might have more joy in changing a few minds (which seems to be the goal) without it.
COYG
Goonerholic – You’ve fallen for Gazidis’ and Wenger’s lies and spin. The restrictions have been greatly exaggerated for their own self serving ends. Firstly, ( before Gazidis was later hired to assist him ), Wenger said this in his early days here ( 1997 ) ( quote ) “For me the basics of the job was to have the freedom to run the club as I chose – to make the important decisions about what was to happen inside the club, to buy the players, to sell them and decide on things such as contracts and even a new training ground,” ( end quote ).
We have had funds since way back in 2005. Wenger CHOSE not to spend them when they were made available to him. He still does. see http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200509/06/eng20050906_206748.html
Still not convinced ? Well you should take it up with former director and largest shareholder the late Danny Fiszman, then – from 2007 -( quote ) “We are in a very strong financial situation and if he [Arsene] wanted to spend ยฃ100m, he could. he decides whether a players fee and salary is worth it. It is his decision and his decision only.โ Fiszman ialso quoted Wenger’s devious mind when it comes to spending ; ( quote ) โCan we say we are poor, because that perception helps me when buying players.โ ( full article here ) – http://gunnerblog.com/2007/09/24/fiszman-if-arsene-wanted-to-spend-100m-he-could/
The next year came this ; from 28th May 2008 ( quote ) โThere is this constant thing that the Emirates is bleeding the club, that weโve got these repayments โ itโs total crap,โโ stressed Fiszman. โLook at our accounts and you will see our net payments are ยฃ20m and the revenue increase from the new stadium is close to ยฃ50m. Explain to me how that stadium bleeds the club if itโs producing an extra ยฃ30 m-a-year. Our wage bill is very similar to Manchester Unitedโs and substantially above Liverpoolโs. Itโs substantially below Chelseaโs, but that is expected.โโ
Then Fiszman said this exactly three months later on 28th August 2008 – ( quote ) โIt would be no problem at all,โโ said Fiszman, the clubโs second largest shareholder. โItโs not our decision who he spends money on, nor will it ever be our decision. If he said to us ‘I want this guy and heโs ยฃ30 million, can I buy him?โ the answer is yes. Absolutely yes. We totally back him. Itโs his decision. Iโm unfortunately not good enough to be a manager myself but Iโd love to be.โโ
Gazidis in 2010 – ( quote ) โWeโre now coming to a period, with Highbury Square coming to its completion and some of our other property developments bearing fruit, where the financial health of the Club is secure,โ explained the Chief Executive.
โThat does not mean we have unlimited resources, but it does mean we have sufficient funds to invest “. ( end quote ) http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gazidis-we-have-sufficient-funds-to-invest
Following on from that The Telegraph in 2011 – ( quote ) “Arsรจne Wenger will have a player budget of around ยฃ40 million this summer and will be allowed to spend it how he chooses. Those funds will cover transfer fees as well as the wages of new signings, giving the Arsenal manager the resources to retain the core of his squad but also add one or two proven and experienced players.
More radical change would require the departure of existing players, with the money from any sales to be added to the transfer budget. The current budget of ยฃ40million would remain accessible to Wenger next year if he decides that he does not need reinforcements or is unable to sign any of his targets “. ( end quote ).
Gazidis again in October 2012 – ( quote ) “In the next two years, we will have the financial resources to sit and compete among the leading clubs in the world, which is an extraordinary achievement.
“……Financial success is relevant because it supports our football vision … the money we make is made available to our manager and he decides how to invest those funds “. ( end quote ) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9633124/Arsenal-will-be-able-to-compete-for-the-best-players-insists-chief-executive-Ivan-Gazidis-at-annual-general-meeting.html
2013, and back in February, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists they can compete for the very best players in this summer’s transfer market.
( quote ) “Yesterday the club revealed a half-year pre-tax profit to the end of November of ยฃ17.8m and cash reserves of ยฃ123.3m.
Hill-Wood told the Daily Star: “We are in a position where we can compete with most people. If there is someone we really want, then the price guide is secondary.โ ( end quote ) http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/arsenal-chairman-hill-wood-we-can-buy-any-player-we-want-3837251?utm_source=taxonomy_landing_page#.UYZarFd1kmi
There are many such examples available. And just very recently, Wenger himself has confirmed ; ( quote ) โThe second thing; can we afford them? Most of them, yes. A few of them, no. Can you afford Messi today? Certainly not. But we can afford 90 per cent of them.โ http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-have-two-january-priorities?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
So please, no more of this “we’re broke” and “we can’t compete” bleeding heart stuff. Funds have ALWAYS been offered to Wenger. But he’d rather develop kids ( i.e. his failed “Project Youth”) or try to win the league on the cheap by buying sub standard bargain basement players. Or having misguided and foolish faith in what he has ( “this is my best ever squad” and “we have two good players for each position” e.t.c. ), as excuses not to spend.
And if his incompetence hadn’t led to him developing his “socialist wage model”, we might have had even MORE funds at our disposal, and less deadwood on our books that we can’t sell because of their inflated salaries !
” In Arsene we rust.”
Spectrum.
I thought you were a champion of “robust debate”?
So far you have mixed an unoriginal tag line, an opportunistic snipe at NorCal by taking his comments out of context (what do you propose we should be aiming for now, on 5th May with the first two places (virtually) decided, other than a “top 4 finish”?), a list of historical facts and a claim I be able to know the state f mind of Holic when answering your post…
The only thing missing is an answer to my question, which still stands. Come on champion – some names please?
PS you’re not allowed to chose that bloke that Madrid and PSG are always chasing…
N7 Gooner – I appreciate your input. But I’ve explained why I use my catchphrase. Focus on the message, NOT the catchphrase, if you can. Don’t know why so many find that hard to do. “Rust'” is much more appropriate to what’s occurring at Arsenal than “Trust”, I would have thought. So get over it, please !
” In Arsene we rust.”
P.S. On the subject of A.K.B.’s – that is just a convenient term that was coined to distinguish Wenger acolytes who believe he can do no wrong ( despite the mounting evidence against him ), from those who can plainly see that we desperately need change ( i.e. the realists ). Then there’s those in the middle – the undecideds. Interesting to note that you don’t find any realists joining the A.K.B. camp, but plenty who make the opposite journey.
Tabs @84,
Haven’t had time to write anything yet, and now I don’t have to.
You and Holic nailed it for me.
I agree that while the three points are “all that matter” at the moment, our continuing failure to finish teams off and just play better, in an attacking sense, under pressure is a worry.
We have, indeed, been getting away with it and we might not be so fortunate if Wigan hit one of their purple half hours against us, or the desperate Geordies create a really hot atmosphere at St James’ Park.
The fact that Wigan at home is a cause for any degree of trepidation is indicative in itsself.
I know, I know – 3points, 3points ……..
H2H and others are quite right – fix the defence and results become much easier to achieve. But we do have a lot of very talented players who seem unable to produce when the pressure is really on.
And yes, I do appreciate what a tremendous run we have been on.
So why this constant unease against the likes of Norwich, QPR etc etc.
Personally, I think we lack the physicality to hold onto the ball when opposition teams are really fighting for it. There is nothing we can do about that for the next two games except hope, hide behind the sofa, and eat what is left of any finger nails we have.
And just try to maintain momentum when we have it, instead of this tendancy to slow down and drop back.
Blimey, is there anything left in the CMC ?
Trev.
I ordered a new batch of Valium when the chimp scored yesterday …. ๐
Spectrum,
I don’t know how often you have read what folks write in here, but if it is anything like regularly, you will know that plenty has been suggested that AW has got wrong.
There is also plenty of consideration given to the fact that not all of his bad decisions were his alone.
You actually won’t find many unthinking AKBs in here, whatever your preconceptions might be.
Cheers Catalan,
But I’ve already finished that. ๐
Bugger. Best get the ketamine in then ..
Spectrum, remind me to come and ask your advice when I want to move from this two bed flat into a five bed mansion.
You have clearly found the answer that has escaped all rational thought.
Catalan Gunner – That’s a question that has been asked a hundred times. We are dealing hypothetically to a large extent, because some managers who could do a good job for us are already contracted to other clubs. But although I personally wouldn’t favour him, if it’s financial management that worries you so much, then David Moyes is an obvious choice. He’s done very well on a restricted budget for Everton, and with a much lower wage bill than us. Plus he’s got more out of his players than Wenger has.
But we need proven successful coaches with some flair and ambition to take us forward. I wouldn’t mind Ancellotti or Di Matteo. But we can and should be aiming for the best, and those with a tactical mind and motivational and organisational ability. As you ruled out Mourinho ( the logical choice ) and who is a WINNER, then Pep Guardiola, or Jurgen Klopp of Dortmund, have proven that they can work wonders, – and Klopp with less resources than us. Like wise Heynckes of Bayern.
Then there’s Frank Rijkaard, and you could name others yourself if you put your mind to it. And what’s more, ALL of these would be on much less salary than Wenger’s 7.5 million a year. Attracting them if they were available, would be easier, because firstly, they’d likely want the challenge of reviving our club’s fortunes after years of neglect. And because if we offered them the SAME salary as Wenger is on now, they’d be earning more as well.
But to say as many A.K.B.’s do, that there is no-one better than Wenger out there, is plain foolishness. One day ( and hopefully it will be soon ) for whatever reason, Wenger won’t be here. And when he’s not, the world won’t end, A.K.B.’s. But if we get the right person in, we’ll have rejuvenation, hope and optimism. Things we don’t have now.
” In Arsene we rust.”
…and you use lies and spin to suit your ‘argument’ that others have fallen for lies and spin.
Appreciate you debating, and we are not as far apart as you might think, but you need to interpret what you see quoted against what you know is real life.
That the two ends of the debate continue to hold entrenched positions based on questionable interpretations and opinions rather than facts and reality is a sadness to many.
I just hope it is resolved one way or the other soon.
Fuck’s sake Fergie – that looks like the B team.
TaBS knows!
Spectrum/ The truth/ whatever name you choose next, I do not have enough time on my hands to ‘debate’ with people who won’t do it with an open mind. It’s obvious that you’ve made up your mind that Arsene is everything that is wrong with Arsenal and he has to go for us to improve, it’s also obvious that I can’t provide the kind of evidence needed to change your opinion of him(is that even possible?) All I can say is goodluck to you in your Quest to get him out and replace him with someone better. As for my own opinion of him, I’ve thought long and hard about the things our club and him have gone through in the course of his employment and in the end I still think he is the right man for the job, not because I think he is perfect or infallible but because he looks TO ME as our surest available bet/route to success and continued progress in the long run.
You will do well to take the advice given to you above on how to debate properly, if you do that, maybe you will be able to convince me one day to debate with you, just maybe. Cheers.
PS – in my view one of the key components of a healthy “debate” is both parties being prepared to change, or at least adjust, their opinion.
If one or more participants feels they have both hands on “the truth”, and are engaged solely in order to impart said truth to their counterpart then that’s not a debate.
Spectrum – I like your passion for the club and willingness to produce evidence to support your PoV (even if it is selective).
The attitude… not so much.
Have a drink on me, chill out a little and settle into your chair. Tell us what you think. Listen to others a bit. See if you don’t enjoy it a bit more. It’s a lot of pressure being the voice of truth and righteousness.
Goonerholic – What was that you were saying about being sarcastic ?
I used examples of the club’s executives’ and Wenger HIMSELF’s OWN words, to illustrate that your excuses that we haven’t had the money to spend all these years is patently false. I quoted those figures because I didn’t want you to take MY word for it. Do you deny that they said these things ? Do you think they were misquoted by the “evil, conspiracy laden” media ?
I was hoping for a more sensible and mature reply from you. How about you provide quotes where the club officials have said differently ?
I’m in Australia, and it is getting late here. Goodnight all, see you in the future.
” In Arsene we rust.”
David Moyes is an obvious choice. Heโs done very well on a restricted budget for Everton, and with a much lower wage bill than us. Plus heโs got more out of his players than Wenger has.
I have read that four times now and I still cannot make an ounce of sense out of it.
Everton have outperformed us when exactly?
In?
And ‘h, for the records, Everton has a higher net spend than us in the transfer market.
The idea that Spectrum can “shine a light” on anything has given me a right old chuckle.
Cheers.
Cheers Trev, Cent.
Spectrum
Thanks for the answer.
David Moyes.
You are welcome to your opinion. I have no interest in forcing mine upon you. Lets just say we differ.
Oh. And as you like facts and are a realist – how about that’s little one from Cent? Inconvenient eh?
Let’s remember not to cross the line from deconstructing the argument to deconstructing the individual.
I know I am a fine one to talk on occasion, but do as I say, not as I do ๐
Cheers all, and I mean all. Don’t mind the difference of opinion and the basis why people hold their views.
Shame the trolls cannot grasp that.
This is a test, don’t adjust your screens ๐
I know it’s not out problem but… how the fuck is Anderson STILL this fat?
There was a time when I might have been inclined to disassemble Spectrum’s rhetoric. But what’s the point when it’s a choice between that and watching grass grow in the Va sunshine? I liked yours at 93 and 95 ‘Holic. Arsene certainly knows better than that fellow/lady.
I’ve been rather surprised by the lack of support for Ramsey, even my brother who is usually so Arsenal through and through he will not slag off the team, has been busy destroying Rambo for the last few months while I have been saying he is getting better and better.
I really hope for better things for this great club, but will remain depressed even if we get CL footy next year as we are still so far away from the best of the rest that winning something has become almost impossible for the team to believe it themselves.
I do not trust Wenger to bring back the glory days and must admit I shuddered upon reading he is looking to extend his contract, I still think we are a tactically inept team and that is down to the manager, and even though I always hope for better I plan for worse.
N7, Manure look as shit as they did against us last week. Chelsea lok the more likely.
“we are still so far away from the best of the rest that winning something has become almost impossible for the team to believe it themselves”
No wonder your depressed.
Tosh.
sigh…my 6th try to post! ๐
Well in ‘holic at 100. A rare goal ๐
Thank god Fergie included Howard Webb in the match day squad.
For all you manager-merry-go-round folks, there are now strong hints that Ancelotti will stay at PSG.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/05/05/182526_ancelotti-je-reste.html
Shame on me hoping we secure a CL spot and the monies that come with it. I will go sit in the corner now and reflect on my transgressions. Stupid stupid stupid.
I do hope I can learn to SUPPORT my team. ๐
Cheers ALL.
You can always rely on Manchester Utd to be utter utter cunts.
Cunts.
Or not.
Fuck’s sake Utd you bunch of utter cunts.
That’s a blow to us.
Fuck.
Let’s hope for that Fergietime
That goal has been coming for about 85 minutes. Manure are crap. Very poor champions.
Chelsea can now lose in midweek and we would be out in fifth.
We really, really needed them to drop points here.
The perfect storm is brewing . And it’s getting closer. Chavs winning…
Cheers to the Dutch twat as well.
That ManU were going to give all three points to Chelsea was so obvious I didn’t even bother to watch the second half.
But much as I want to pour hatred over ManUre for doing this we still have no one but ourselves to blame.
We shouldn’t have rely on other teams come on! This is just typical very poor champions and all that we are is this situation because we were not good enough end off!
So now we have to hope Chelsea can be arsed.
Jesus wept.
Lars
Too right people seem to think they need to do us favors fuck em they are the oppo!
Lars is right – it’s our own fault.
Not quite I had in mind when I heard today was Super Sunday…..
Off to play 6 a side and kick some people ๐
Five changes – a keeper who hasn’t been selected for months – no Carrick, generally regarded as their best midfielder this season – a midfield of Anderson, Jones and Cleverly ?
You utter, utter @*&!s.
Yes, ultimately we have dropped too many points over the season, but to make changes like that for such a game at this stage of the season…..
Our fault, someone elses fault… what does it matter? I’ve never heard of a team winning every single game in a season, so every single team that has won a league does it by hoping someone else loses points. It’s a pointless discussion. Sure, it is “our fault” but I for one still was hoping for a favour from Utd today. And yes, I really do believe that we will always have to hope for favours, like every other team. We didn’t get one today, that’s crap, and sure it would have been better if we ourselves had won a few more points.
Sadly, it was not to be.
Let us hope two more wins will be enough. I will be rooting for the bus stop now.
what an unfathomable,unmitigated collection of twats. Yanited,that is.
All I want to know, is why Fergie fielded a full team last game against us at the Ems, and a reserve team today.
That’s all I want to know.
And it’s not like he didn’t say he was gonna rotate before our game, he did. He just didn’t rotate.
That’s all I want to know. I don’t want any favors, I want to know why he chose to field his reserves today and not last week.
Fucking twat.
Well said Toby. Absolutely bang on.
We’re in a position where we have to rely on others, so people, guess what, I for one am pissed off when Man Utd can’t be arsed to even give it a go.
“Integrity of the competition” my arse. He doesn’t play his best Keeper, his best Defender (on his say so), his best Midfielder, and Rooney. What a cunt.
As if that isn’t enough, he then takes off his central midfield and sticks on a Reserve left back with 20 minutes to go. What the fuck was all that about? I will always despise that old cunt.
Better start praying to all your non-existent Gods that Tottenham don’t win on Wednesday. I can’t see them dropping points to Stoke or Sunderland.
Absolutely fuming.
fungus was never going to do us any favors…
The worst of it is that it is no longer in our own hands. Someone has to beat the neighbours.
SG@135: They still had a shot of getting the points record when they played us. But that was gone by today, so rotation it was.
Snir,
If yanited had won the remainder of their games then they would have set the points total in the league. The draw to us put that record out of reach. Now they are just going to coast. Super twats.
tabs, funnily enough I think it’s more likely that the Spuds could drop points v Stoke than Chelsea. Playing Chelsea will suit them, Monkey Boy will be given time and space to operate in which he won’t to the same extent v Stoke. But then again Stoke, being the cunts that they are, will probably roll over for Team Bale too.
Like many others I have a bad feeling about the final stretch of this season. I can’t help but feel that this season we pushed our luck a bit too hard. We made more or less miraculous comebacks on 05/6, 08/9 and last season but there will come a time when we fail to claw our way back up there. And I think that time has come.
And still the really trying time, once again, will be the spring/summer. Third, fourth of fifth we absolutely can not have a repeat of the last two summers because if we do then we will struggle badly to even finish in the top 6, nevermind chase after trophies.
Ned was faster than me.
I’ll go back to my corner. Stupid stupid stupid. ๐
@SG: It’s his team, they have nothing to play for, why bother? It’s his right, you don’t have to know the reason why just because the result didn’t go your way. It’s his right not his obligation to field full team.
I still believe 4th is our cause I don’t think Chelsea will risk anything other than win. Let’s hope Chelsea win the game against spuds or a at least a draw.
COYG
Agree with all you say about us Lars.
As regards Tottenham, I’m afraid that I think it’s Wednesday or bust. Stoke can’t score against anyone, and I think the Spuds are capable of nicking a goal or two up there (especially if they’ve just come off a huge confidence-boosting win at Chelsea). Sunderland don’t have enough to trouble them whether or not they’re still scrapping for their Premiership lives.
Thetruth – I’m sick and tired of this utter crap.
This is Wenger’s reaction to selling the cunt.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/arsene-wenger/impossible-explain-van-persie-loss-063243582–sow.html
“Now he’s gone, don’t ask the fans to understand what is not understandable. Even I do not understand, and I am deep at the heart of the decisions.”
There are some things that are not AW’s fault. Think about it.
God damn it, even when we don’t play and something happens, it is somehow Wenger’s fault.
Know what you mean, Lars. Only three goals scored in our last four games. Where would we be without Kos and Per? The team is dragging itself towards the line on sheer will power. It may not be enough.
Ambydex – It actually is his obligation. It is in the Premier League’s rulebook.
True, it’s his team, but I would like to know why select a reserve team today and a full team last week when both games mean nothing.
And I’m not having that points record crap. He said he was going to rotate in his pre-match presser before our game. True, he’s a lying cunt, but I, like most, believed that he’d rotate.
This result means third place is most likely now gone, but wins against Wigan and Newcastle should still see us through and if that doesn’t then well … we reap what we sow.
An observation about PL’s and media’s footballing culture: if Arsene had done what Fergie did today in terms of team selection and the team’s commitment on a match which had so much implications on the key positions he would have been roasted in the press. Man U remains the champion of classless unethical behavior.
As Lars pointed out, this tightrope walking season after season is going to eventually land us flat on our face sooner or later.
Thank you Ajax brothers ๐
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/485412_10151579978434631_2022723671_n.jpg
SG @ 148: Right. The team selection was fundamentally unethical today because this result mattered to key positions in the league. If it was against Swans or Albion then it is less of an issue, but anything less than at least the attempt to win against teams either fighting for Europe or involved in relegation battle is essentially against the spirit of a league competition.
Tabs, the neighbours are showing themselves to be uncharacteristically not-collapsing. They have turned a potential loss and draw into a draw and a win in their past two games. This is worrying.
And also, let us not have any illusion about how uncharacteristic this performance was compared to Man U’s general record at home:
Manchester United’s defeat by Chelsea meant they have failed to score for the first time in 67 successive home league games.
Chelsea’s win helped them beat Manchester United in the Premier League for the first time in five meetings.
Quite disgusting. If one thinks about it.
Ned – I saw them getting six points from those games, they wound up with four, they like us are by no means cruising. I don’t think they’ll win the last three still.
As for both halves of Manchester over the last few weeks, thanks for nothing.
BTM at 121. As we are 20 odd points behind the mancs what does that make us then?
NBN – Can’t really say they’re not collapsing.
They were 7 points above us, and lost to Liverpool, Fulham (at home), drew with Wigan, and Everton. At this stage of the season, all those games were must win games.
I agree Ned. Like Lars, I have had a deep sense of foreboding about how this Season is going to end. It’s been there pretty much since West Brom away.
And the feeling isn’t all derived from our own (less than inspiring) performances. Tottenham have continued to eke out points even when they haven’t deserved them. Late equalisers against Everton and Wigan, a late goal out of nothing yesterday, a six minute period against Man City which turned a game in which they had largely been dominated on its head.
I don’t believe in fate, but I can’t escape the feeling that this year it’s just not meant to be.
My best guess is that Wednesday night will end in a draw, but that we’ll succumb to a late equaliser at Newcastle.
Desperately hope that I’m wrong of course.
Huge amount of negativity on here (and worse elsewhere).
Maths is clearcut for Tuesday
If Chelsea win we need 4 points to qualify
If its a draw we need 6 to be sure
If Sours win we no longer have it in our hands.
Stamford Bridge is not a happy hunting- ground for the LWCs.
I guess the odds are 40% Chelsea win/40% draw/ 20% Spurs win.
So there’s an 80% chance we will be in pole position come Wednesday night.
Chelsea want to win that and rest players on Friday for the Europa Final.
It would be good if Stoke lose tomorrow at Sunderland. Can you imagine playing them with them desperate to win a match?They can’t play football but are great at the black arts.
Cheer up ‘Holics!!
How can it be unethical? Did he put reserves team against chelsea? Did he put U-18 team against Chelsea? I just don’t get it. As much as I hate that twat Fergie, I think we cannot blame him for this one. And I’m sure Wenger will do the same if he was in Fergie position.
Just like Dr. Faustus said, if we don’t get that 4th, well…we reap what we sow.
COYG
Wednesday or bust indeed – and that is before we have even considered that we have two games that are anything but guaranteed three points the way we are playing at the moment.
I have said it a thousand times before, the mistake was not selling RVP. The mistake was not replacing him.
We have put ourselves in this position boys and girls. No one else to blame but us. Now we all have to sit back and hope the chaos give the spuds a right kicking.
Newcastle will be tough (so will Wigan of course) but frankly, if we can’t beat a team that lost 6-0 to Liverpool (without Suarez), then once again we don’t deserve to be in the CL anyway. Newcastle are like Hull in their first Premiership season a few years ago, falling apart at the moment and if they do survive, it’ll be by other teams being that little bit worse.
Chavs even……..
Ambydex @ 159: Technically you are of course right. The team was still from the first team squad so hence nothing that can be interpreted literally as the ‘violation of the spirit’ etc. But it was still not the first eleven, far from it, and that in itself indicates that best effort was not made to attempt to win. Which in my humble opinion in unethical when that result has significant implications.
Lars – I would argue that the way we are playing is exactly why we WILL get six points. We’ve got a solidness about us. I for one, am confident every time we get a goal that we’ll see it through.
This wasn’t the case earlier in the season.
Bloody hell, tabs – that late equaliser scenario is a really terrifying one. If that happens it will be very, very hard to take.
Steve T,
I think you had it right the first time. ๐
Fucked off with Utd because I don’t like them and today simply provided further validation.
Re: our position, it was out of our hands last season with one game left for us. Plenty of time yet for the LWCs to fuck it.
Should they somehow find their bottle and finish ahead of us then that’s a blow, but not a fatal one assuming we do and do the expected business this summer.
As I have said for months; top four is a sideshow, the transfer window is what matters. If we don’t spend then what’s the point in being in the champs league?
Still all to play for. Two tough games but I suspect if we can edge the Latics we’ll win on the final day – Newcastle should be safe if we’ve won.
COYG
The rule on full strength teams is ambiguous, but not its interpretation. The Premier League’s rule book, section L.21, says “In every League Match each participating Club shall field a full strength team.” That replaced in the mid-2000s rule E.21 which was derived from the old Football Leagues’s rule about playing strongest available team. But the Premiership clubs voted that from the 2011/12 season on, L.21 would be interpreted as meaning a club has to field a team from its nominated 25-man squad, not that it has to put out its strongest team available. Otherwise it would be impossible to rotate at any time in the season. What you can’t do anymore is field youth team players in meaningless matches or to save senior players for more important games.
Snir, I agree that our defending is a lot better than earlier in the season. But we haven’t been creating very much lately and we can’t rely on burying our only real chance of the game every time.
Lars,
Our opponents have relied on that strategy for years! ๐
Doctor Faustus @ 164: “Which in my humble opinion in unethical when that result has significant implications.”
So you say if the result of the game has no significant implication it is ethical?
Or it’s just because the result was against our beloved Arsenal?
In my humble opinion as much as I want to believe that there is something wrong about Manure team selection tonight, to be honest there is nothing wrong with it. We put ourselves in this situation, we are wrong to let ourselves in this deep shit, otherwise we will not having this conversation.
I want that 4th. Please … please give it to me, will you, Arsenal….
COYG
N7: good point, we were all pretty low after Norwich at home last season. The atmosphere in the Tollie after that game was a rather strange one, we were singing stuff like “Let’s pretend we’ve won the league” and people were mainly going “fucking arsebollocking crap, let’s get steaming pissed and try to forget about things for a bit”.
NorCal@171: heh, good point! ๐
Lars – Sorry for scaring you mate! ๐
Didn’t mean to. Just preparing myself for the worst really. Some kind of ridiculous attempt at self-preservation before the fact I guess.
I just remember how bloody awful that West Brom game was last season, (at least until the final whistle).
Can you imagine being one up at St James Park, needing to win, and playing like we have done the last few weeks?
Thoughts of the emotional effort required for that kind of scenario is already giving me a headache.
I don’t understand this urge most have to say “we’re to blame, we put ourselves in that position.”
OK, maybe we did, but we can’t get mad that results didn’t go our way? I don’t get it. A result didn’t go Arsenal’s way, let me get mad about it, without thinking who I should blame!
You’re taking all the fun away!
N7: “I suspect if we can edge the Latics weโll win on the final day โ Newcastle should be safe if weโve won.”
Hadn’t thought of that but you have a point there. And let us also not forget that Wigan are playing on Tuesday, then a cup final on Saturday and then us on Tuesday the following week. That is one hell of a schedule for a squad with little to no options to rotate. But that does of course not give us back control over our own destiny ๐
Tabs and Lars,
Cisse, outside of right foot, first time ,30 yards out off a throw in, curled into the far corner.
That can’t happen again can it?
Tabs – I have to say, that I couldn’t keep watching last season, and shut it off in the 90th minute. I felt like my heart was about to explode, so I turned it off and got updates via the Livescore app.
It meant I missed the Gibbs tackle. And good thing that I did, because I think that would have given me a heart attack.
There’s nothing unethical about Man Utd’s team selection. But it still annoys the hell out of me.
The ‘points record’ is a lot of bullshit.
No manager truly cares about that sort of shit, apart from Mourinho.
Ambydex @ 172: If you read my posts, I included games involving European qualification and relegations. So if Man U did this against say Wigan or Newcastle it would have been equally unethical. And much less unethical if it was against Swans or Albion. Professional or social Ethics — unlike systemic morals — is not absolutely absolute but is dependent on the overall consequence of your action.
Anyway, that is how I see it.
“Can you imagine being one up at St James Park, needing to win, and playing like we have done the last few weeks?”
Yes I can, I remember the final minutes v West Brom ๐
(I still get all shaky just thinking about that Gibbs tackle and I still can’t quite believe he manage to get his foot in there…)
Hey, guys, if it is that bad for you, think what it must be like for AW.
NorCal@178: well it couldn’t until you had to go and jinx it ๐
Ollie knows@181.
NBN – This is what AW feels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJmBVBHyMCY
Snir, it is what it is. We have not strengthened when we should have and now we rely on others. As we have done since we drew against Everton and the mancs.
Tabs. Can you imagine going to the sports direct arena and the Geordies needing a result also?????
Ambydex 159, I think the problem is not today’s selection. Of course he has the right to do it and we’d have done the same.
The problem is the difference in selection between last week and this week.
If roles were reversed (heh, God forbid), I’m not convinced we’d have selected our strongest against the Mancs.
Don’t like” points record” theory, Ollie?
How about fergie is a stupid twat that wanted to stick the knife in Arsenal because he is a bitter douche bag? ๐
Ned@184: indeed. As illustrated by Arsene’s interpretation of Silly Walks that he did during the QPR game…
I have to say that sending Alan Pardew down would give me immense pleasure though.
I like that theory better, NorCal ๐
Lars or his mad jump when the ref let QPR take a throw in instead of allowing the late substitution.
Steve T – I get what y’all are saying, but it doesn’t mean I can’t get mad at results not going our way.
Chelsea won, therefore I’m mad and bitter.
I want to be mad and bitter, not to busy blaming Arsenal.
I’ll do that after I finish being mad at United for being wankers.
That’s the fun in football. Being mad when results don’t go your way, and being thrilled when they do, just because of the result, and not because of who scored or how the goals were or God knows what. Just experiencing those emotions because of the result.
Ned@190: we’ll go with that!
Trying not to think about it Steve ๐
NorCal @178 Be away with you, you’ll scare the children. ๐
Snir – I was at the Ems where it seemed that the collective nervousness just fed off everybody until we were all devoured by it.. By the end I was a wreck. It was an experience that I’m really not anxious to repeat, but it seems there’s no way out.
Assist?
Bungo
Lars to NorCal, well in!
Although maybe there will be a recount
Ooh, a beautiful Swedish-American collaboration to get the goal – though I suspect that the dubious drinks panel may turn Ollies congratulations into the actual goal…
tabs@198: it was pretty much the same at our pub. Have to say though that the relief at the final whistle made it almost worth it!
Ah, and there came the recount for the goal ๐
Sorry Norcal.
Blame the clunge-avoiding todger tugger.
Sweden to America and back across the Atlantic to France. That’s a real InterGoal.
Cheers all have a good evening.
Granted, as a “Yank”, folks from your side of the pond can be forgiven for wondering why I think I know anything about football. Possibly nothing. I’m an Arsenal fan. though, and a Wenger fan.
First, Chelsea have to beat both Man U and Spurs, see off Villa, and then take out Everton on the last day, with Benfica in between in order to win out. If we win out, Spurs have to, including beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Obviously, if CFC win out, they’re in 3rd, but we’re likely in 4th because of goal difference over Spurs, by far. Even a draw for Chelsea/Spurs works for us. So, all in all, I’d rather be us than either of them. We just HAVE to see off Wigan and Newcastle, which we should be able to do. With Chelsea beating Man U today, now we have to pull for them to also beat Spurs. Ah, football.
Next, with regard to Wenger and money, I suggest that Arsene, rather than being at fault, may in fact be covering for Kroenke by taking the heat. I seriously do not believe if he had money, he would not have spent it. Arsene is a professional manager and of course he wants to win. Kroenke is a real estate developer first and foremost.
He owns five pro teams in the US, including “football’, basketball, ice hockey, and “soccer” teams in our major leagues. All of them are mid-table teams. He became involved with Arsenal in 2007, and was effectively given control of the club in 2008, apparently by the Board in part to ward off a takeover by Alisher Usmanov. Kronke paid seemingly nearly 500 million pounds for 63% of the shares and complete control of the club. In 2010, he bought the NFL franchise St. Louis Rams and in 2012 was involved in a nearly 1 billion dollar bid for the baseball Los Angeles Dodgers. That’s a lot of money going elsewhere since he bought AFC.
Arsenal’s “decline” began with Kroenke’s ownership and I think it highly possible that for all Wenger and Gazidis have said about having money for transfers, the truth is that may absolutely not have been or be the case. Arsenal is obviously not Kroenke’s priorty and Usmanov had repeatedly accused Kroenke of being solely responsible for the current direction of the club. In that sense, perhaps Arsene is corect in saying 4th is the goal, if that is what Kroenkeis willing to settle for. In tht case, perhaps Arsene has done a great job to accomplish that for six years without the finncial support of the owner. Two people own the club, are competitors, and the minority owner is apparently allowed no say in the operations of the club. All the detractors may owe Wenger a big apology, and begin to focus some of the blame on Kroenke, and Peter Hill-Wood, who brought him in.
Meantime, I have to gag and root for Chelsea on Wednesday.
I still think that if we take 6 points we’ll finish 4th.
And I think we’ll take 6 points if we beat Wigan.
I hope City hump them in the cup final (*washes mouth out*)
It’s that time of the year again lads: no room for faint hearts, get behind the team and believe until the final kick.
COYG
Yeh true enough N7.
Come on the Arsenal!
Mel has just cheered me up on Twitter. He has promised me, I mean really promised me, that we will celebrate St Totteringham’s Day against Wigan.
Totts to lose to Chelsea and draw with Stoke, and the Arse to tonk Wigan. We can then all get truly cunthammered in the Tollie.
I feel better already. ๐
tabs, that scenario sounds a lot more exciting than your sodding late equaliser in the last game ๐
And I am not sure I can handle watching the cuntfest on Wednesday. I can’t bear to watch Team Bale win that one which I have now, in a rather rare fit of massive pessimism, convinced myself will be the case.
Ok finally my fears in @35 is coming to fore. Chelski have won against Man U and are now ahead of us with a point. Must of us will come to our senses on Wednesday after Gareth Bale won against Chelski, by then we will realise how we destroyed our season by failing to beat Man U at d groove.
Lars – Heh ๐
Naija, I think it is totally silly to single out that game against Man U….
I take it you’re coming to the Wigan game then, tabs?
Yes mate.
One thing that I have completely forgotten to mention about the game yesterday is that it was a game that was just crying out for Cesc to run riot in the space and time they afforded us in front of the penalty area. With him on the pitch yesterday we would have created a hell of a lot more and probably put the game to bed well before half time.
Except he’d have gone on strike, Lars.
One of the reasons I don’t want Cesc back is that you can guarantee that whatever happens, we’d have a new ‘Barรงa’ saga soon, whenever they change coach or have to elect a new president.
Been reading all your comments now. As usual, quite a lot of good stuff being said. I can smell a bit of fear, but also a bit of quiet confidence. This can all go either way. It may not be in our hands, but I still believe that six points will land us fourth. Fucking love this bar, whatever happens. We might not agree on everything, but you should see the rest of the Internet at this very moment…
I know it’s sunday, but I do have some grape tonic and some gin. I think I might just have me one on the rocks?
Toby – spot on.
We won this weekend. It’s not in our hands but we’re still well and truly in it.
I’d have taken this position the evening of the NLD, and I still think spurs will choke.
Till the last ball.
COYG
We’ve taken 2 points out of a possible 18 from the 3 teams currently above us in the league. No complaints from me if we don’t play Champions League football next season. It’s been coming since 2006 and we’ve done nothing to stop it.
Toby knows @ 218
I believe nothing we say now can change things for the better, at least until the summer, so bearing that in mind I think we as fans have two options at the moment: understand that nothing we say at this moment will change things for good and so look on the sunny side encourage each other to get behind the team and hope for the best or alternatively we can look at the gloomy side, discourage and give each other heart attacks and hope for the worst.
I believe nothing we say now can change things for the better, at least until the summer, so bearing that in mind I think we as fans have two options at the moment: understand that nothing we say at this moment will change things for good and so look on the sunny side encourage each other to get behind the team and hope for the best or alternatively we can look at the gloomy side, discourage and give each other heart attacks and hope for the worst
My comments don’t seem to be showing, did you ban me, Guv?
US fan
I have been corresponding with several people in the USA and none of them ( and they are not all Arsenal fans) are impressed with Kroenke.His seeming lack of deep interest in Arsenal offends many Gooners,including me and the news from his US franchises ,as you suggest,is not encouraging.
While most Arsenal fans would prefer the club to be self- sustaining rather than the plaything of a rich oligarch or the like ,it is not much point putting together a huge transfer kitty if Wenger won’t spend it. I tend to feel he has had the freedom to spend big for some years but simply chooses not to. Our transfer fund balances nicely every season . Wenger is a unique character .’ Holic in his correspondence with Spectrum made the point that people come up with unrealistic choices when asked to replace him. Moyes is a case in point. We would only need one bad run of results and the press would hang him- and the club- out to dry. He has never won a trophy as a manager, he rarely beats a top four team and the style of football he favours is a step down from what we have generally become used to. We would get the ‘ Arsenal suffer because they weren’t prepared to spend big on a manager’ routine. While there are all sorts of criticism of Wenger it was instructive to see yesterday’s Fink Tank in the Times where it showed that he and Moyes deliver results exactly in line with their wage bills( in fact Moyes slightly outperformsbWenger this season) whereas Mancini and Rodgers considerably underperform.
I felt he got coerced into the Arshavin transfer. In the short- term it was hugely successful but in the long- term Arshavin has been a huge disappointment . Wenger must take some of the blame for this but the main blame lies with Arshavin himself.
If you look at the bigger deals he has done they have only been moderately successful– Wiltord, Reyes and Arshavin have not been totally successful although Wiltord deserves better than the tag of ‘ the Original Gervinho’ my mate gave him. This must have persuaded Wenger to try to buy at Tesco rather than Waitrose but this is looking more and more doomed to failure.
My feeling is Silent Stan is a bigger long- term problem than Wenger but Wenger needs to reinvent himself to be a viable rival for SAF ,Mourinho and Mancini.
@220 yeah, that’s the spirit. :eyeroll:
what trev, n7, toby, and snir have said, above.
wanger aht!
People keep citing the number of points we’ve taken from Man Utd/Man City/Chelsea. Yes it’s been poor this year, but last year it was better and we were in pretty much the same position we’re in now. I’m more annoyed over points dropped to teams like Fulham, Villa and Norwich than I am over results against the top three.
Also, Uncle Charlie, I note you’ve been quiet of late, nothing to do with us not losing games is it?
Only had time for the briefest of back sknird and my favourite was ttg’s maths lesson – almost made me feel quietly confident for a moment,
Anyhow, a thought occurs after today’s throwing of the game by ManUre
I thought all that hypocritical shite that went on before last weekend’s kick off at The Ems was called a “Guard of HONOUR “.
That slimy mob wouldn’t know honour if it ran up and bit them on the arse.
Which it wouldn’t.
Not even cba’s dog would do that ………
Very true, Trev.
Charlie,
Tony Adams once said on a Fan’s Forum that if you beat the bottom ten teams, home and away, you have 60 points, and you are almost bound to pick up enough points from the remaining games to win the league.
Doesn’t matter who you’re playing – they’re all worth 3 points.
Has anyone heard if that dog has come down with Mad Irishmans disease yet ?;)
No NorCal, Ferguson is Scottish. ๐
Evening all. I wonder if Ollie can translate this as fans are wetting themselves on Twitter that Florences president has confirmed Jovetic to The Arsenal
mercato.eurosport.fr/football/serie-a-1/2012-2013/fiorentina-jovetic-la-bonne-pioche-d-arsenal_sto3709452/story.shtml โฆ
TTG:
I haven’t seen yesterday’s Times, so the comparison of how Wenger’s, Moyes’s, Mancini’s and Rodgers’s teams perform compared with their wage bills is news to me.
How does Wenger stand relative to Ferguson and Benitez?
Also, are the Rodgers figures based on one year at Liverpool alone or do they also take into account his time at Swansea, Reading and Watford?
Testing 1,2…
Test running
Hoping you should be ok now Cent, and abb who has also fallen foul of the infernal spam filter.
Oxon
Ferguson outperforms the wage bill of Man Utd emphatically ( by about 16% I think) . I think this season Benitez is below the line .
I remember Laudrup has done particularly well this season.
The point they stressed about Wenger is that his results are identical season after season- almost spookily so. I’m still not sure if this impresses or depress me but I bet it impresses the Board.
Oxon
Re your last point.
The figures are based on this season in the graph shown but thee is additional info on Wenger
That eight years mantra is the same old unthought out tosh that gets trotted out every time.
You won’t hear it for much longer.
Soon it will be nine ๐
Thanks for responding Guv, I appreciate.
Me too Holic. Just woke up and have energy to tackle the drinks ๐
As for our game, Tabs and Trev voiced some of my concerns. While watching the game, I couldn’t believe we were unable to score more goals against QPR. And no subs until what seemed the waning minutes of the game, baffled me the most. And why is Poldi starting instead of Gervinho or OX?! Now moving onto our enemies. Fergie might have wanted to shame Chelsea by trying to beat them with his selection. Just a thought ๐ Also feel Chelsea will win their game against Spurs. Player for player, much better team. And as hungry as Suarez ๐
Spectrum’s argument, that AW has failed the club by not spending big, is simplistic. Should we have bid ยฃ85m to outbid Real for Roanaldo? Perhaps, but only if we had that sort of money, which we didn’t, so we couldn’t.
Same with most of the world’s best, we are priced out of that market. Time and again we have seen Arsenal linked to players we’d dearly like to have at the Ems, but we’ve lost out to clubs with bottomless bank vaults.
And even if we were daft enough to pay mega bucks there’s the wages. A player fetching ยฃ30-40-50+m transfer fee isn’t going to sign for a club paying its top earners less than half what ‘richer’ clubs will pay him. And no player is guaranteed to perform to his transfer fee level. So what good would adding an expensive deadweight to the squad? Clubs which can afford several high-priced imports can take that risk. Clubs which can barely afford one cannot.
The trick – that AW has been the master of for years now – has been to buy quality at a cost within which it is possible to pay transfer fees and wages and STILL keep us among Europe’s elite.
The problem – that AW has been hamstrung by for years now – has been wantaway players looking for conditions Arsenal cannot provide without bankrupting the club.
If we still had half the players lost in recent years we’d be more than competitive. But unless you want to sell out to an oligarab, Spectrum, and I suspect you’d be happy to, we have to hope that either AW can put together a team who are happy to be gunners, not mercenaries, or the FFP regs have the intended effect.
Either way I cannot see anyone currently in management anywhere who can do a better job for us. Anyone can spend huge dollops of money in hope, not many have the vision AW has shown to spend smaller dollops creatively.
Oskar
Chippy, There is a bounce in your step ๐ Seriously, re AW’s subs. Agree he has always been inclined to wait it out before subbing( stubborn that way), but he really perplexed me waiting till practically the end of the game to send out fresh legs againt QPR.
Lol, Chippy. Wanting to bankrupt the club or sell out to some foreign sugar daddy shows your total ignorance of, and disrespect for, Arsenal traditions and the way the vast majority of its supporters prefer to see the club owned and run.
Oskar
And if Arsenal are ‘settling for mediocrity’ I hate to imagine what the other 88 clubs behind us in the four English leagues are settling for.
Oskar
Good Evening fine folks !
Second every word that Oskar had just said. I may be a very young in-terms of my arsenal supporting years, but i appreciate and understand the path that our club has taken, and i am PROUD of it. Even if all of us do not like the position we are in right now, should atleast appreciate the obstacles Arsene and the Board have overcome or are trying hard.
I don’t remember who said it earlier in of our drinks, but Arsene has given up a lot of chances to be managing a club able to fulfill all that pple like mourinho n their elk would kill for. So i think the man deserves some support.
Sorry i got back to my Arsene worship ๐ .. love the man so dearly ๐
Cheers guys…
Have a great week ahead !
At least we are in agreement about AW’s substitutions, Chippy. I have been unable to fathom them all season. Against QPR … If Ox was supposed to score to safeguard the points he should have been brought on around the hour mark, not in the 85th minute when another defensive player would have been a better bet to hold on to what we had.
Oskar
Its stimulating reading thoughts about this club we all(hopefully) apparently cherish. We don’t need a rocket scientist to elucidate the terrific job Arsene has done at the behest of this club. Sympathy from IAWT(in Arsene We Trust) fan base has certainly arisen from the emergence of the billionaire fat cats from Russia(I doubt the love from there), Middle east heart breakers and the good ol ‘Blazzers'(always hated the G). As much as I can understand why the proverbial phoenix emergence of Man city and Chelsea has knocked us off the perch with Man Utd, Borrusia Dortmund represents the perfect example of how a team with MEAGRE resources can dominate the field of play based on sound tactics and astute assesment of each individual on the payroll of that team. Arsene has had all time in the world to change tacts by building a team of that nature. He was mesmeried by the Barca phenomenon hence Arsenal switching to a 4-3-3 formation on the tenets of possesion based football. The magnitude of the failure of that tactic is glaring for all to see, we just never had the quality of footballs to replicate the ‘tiki taka’ order. Yes, Arsenal has shown a certain resilence over the past couple of games but really? After all these years, do we think that things will change at the end of the season(with a major influx of talents?) No sireee, Wenger will hinge on the magnificent display of these chaps and continue in the same vein.
blaque: Klopp and Dortmund have done a brilliant job in the last few years, let there be no doubts about that.
But there is no way they are going to be able to sustain it so to use them as a “look at how we should do it” doesn’t really wash with me. They have already lost Goetze and Lewandowski for next season and more are sure to follow in the coming years and they end up in the same circle of rebuilding that we have been in for the past few seasons. They have built on a golden generation of young players and that you get such a generation through happens very rarely.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/05/06/001655_ancelotti-n-a-pas-encore-pris-de-decision.html
oh, then journalists in France are as bollocky as in England? Not that much of a surprise really.
It’s a sunny bank holiday morning at a mansion in Surrey. The phone rings…..
FSW: Hola!
OPN: Shut yer fat coupon. I did ma bit faether by fielding the reserves, now it’s your turn.
FSW: Ah! OK, Zorro on his own up-front and the mad cyclist dressed as a banana should do eet. Plus, Michael Jackson tracks blaring out at half time?
OPN: That’ll teach him for 2002. Revenge is nigh.
FSW: Haha, you twisted old culรฉ.
I can’t shake off that horrible feeling that that point Spuds got against Everton (to the delight of some rather strange people) is the point that will make the difference (although I know that in the grand scheme of thing it isn’t a more particular point that others or ones we dropped).
I hope I’m wrong anyway ๐
There are so many of those over a season Ollie…..
50% of Armagedon happened yesterday (still fuming here). On the brighter side, I’ve always been a big fan of Thursday night football ๐
The neighbours will be unbearable but I’m ready for it.
St*ke might just do us a favour. Heh! the irony in that statement ๐
UTA!
I think my main grief with Thursday night football, TS is it means….. more Sunday football.
Ah! Excellent point, Ollie ๐
Dashing back to la belle Belgium of a Sunday evening not the best scenario.
Plenty of opportunities for Saturday nights in London though ๐
Hey Lars, I did note that point before typing that ‘rant’ @ the system deployed @ the owners of the Grove Gunners. You realise before this, they lost 2 central figures to their first and second title: Messrs Barios and Kagawa. Klopp lost Kagawa and what do you know a certain nimble character named Reus joined the fray. Again, I’m not losing sight of the enormity Man City and Chelsea have at their disposal. Look at Manchester united last season, player for player I really didn’t see the difference between Ars and MUFC. Ferguson does well with any team at his disposal primarily due to the steely mentality he’s entrenched into his teams. I could go on and on and on. I’m really a huge fan of the developmental system in place; spending what you earn is a terrific model that should be appreciated anywhere. We can do better in terms of scouting, bring in some young guys that show desire, tenacity, work ethic…these qualities will bring you some medals or @ leats have you fighting for them till the very end… As a Napoli fan I’d be thrilled over what I’ve seen these past couple of years…we can replicate that too …
Man U should hate Chelsea more. We have not been their rivals for 8 years. So there is no reason for letting Chelsea win esp at OT in front of their faNS.
I am quite easy on the CL spot. Losing it this year maybe a blessing in disguise, a wake up call. Our squad is not good enough to contend for PL and CL at the same time, so I just prefer the league to CL.
Maybe Wenger also need some shock to change his thinking. So what ever will be, will be.
COYG
#207
Wenger is not financially restricted. Remember we have 4th (or 3rd?) wage bill in EPL.
I always want Arsenal to do good. But since a Phenix is burnt to ash before rebirth. Finishing 5th this season may not be so bad in the grand scale of things. Maybe we will begin to play our best football starting August, not Feb, knowing CL is never gauranteed.
Ah, bonjour Ollie @253 ……
Que ??? ๐
With all your trips there, I thought you were bilingual now, Trev ๐
@261
We have a ยฃ143m wage bill.
If we divide by 25 players and 52 weeks it is 110k a week on average.
Obviously, like any other team, we employ more than 25 players.
But for the sake of argument, lets say it is 110k, how can you say that’s not financially restricting when he has to compete with the likes of Chelsea, City, and United.
A case in point, we agreed with Mata for an 85k a week wage, Chelsea agreed a 170k a week with Mata.
I wonder what’s more lucrative.
AW has been a lot more open about our financial restriction this year and has voiced optimism that we can finally financially compete because of our sponsorship deals which are very front-loaded. This arrangement of payment is for a strengthening procedure which could be AW’s last push.
Re: financial restrictions – it gets dull pointing out that we have a net transfer spend of near enough zero for the last decade or so and then having someone point to the wage bill.
So, how about this? Let’s take an average of our transfer spend position in the table (20th) and our wage bill position in the table (4th), leaving us as the 12th highest spending club in the country. In fact, let’s lean towards wages having a little more value than fees (since fees are a one off payment) and round it down to 10th.
So, we’re the 10th most free spending club in England. Anyone feel we’re massively underachieving out on the pitch?
The purse strings should be loosened this summer, because there is no way we can hope to really compete and this level of expenditure and because (presumably) we now have the means.
But leaving that to one side, I simply do not understand how anyone can suggest that we have underachieved, given what’s actually been spent.
Likewise, for all the talk of Klopp, Pep and Mourinho, we need to be realistic about which managers would want to assume control at a club where fan expectation is high and the transfer purse is low to non-existent.
Anyway, this argument is old hat. Everyone has their view, there aren’t too many open minds left out there.
Let’s just hope the cheque book emerges this summer.
I should also add that I don’t know why we don’t spend more/whether further funds are available. I don’t know if it’s Wenger or if it’s the board (or both).
I would suggest that anyone you might encounter on the Internet who tells you they do have certainty in this area is either a liar, a fool or both.
Have I got this all wrong, but a glance at the table shows that if Chelsea beat the spuds, they must finish ahead of them. This in turn means that if the Spuds lose or draw we can afford one defeat from our last 2 games and still cop 4th, at worst on GD. No – can`t be! I must lay off the booze for a while. Anyway, it will be an incredibly tight game and if its 0-0 with seconds to go and you know who steps up to take a free kick just outside the box…
Mais yes Ollie ๐
albert – thank you so much for that ! Finally, an explanation ……..
Heh, just read on Twitter that Bayern Munich season ticket cost 110GBP. How they do that?! Underachieving, hmm. A while back, ‘Blogs ruffled my feathers. He wondered if we just were an average team who over achieved at times. For me, it’s the mirror opposite!
Afternoon all. Only had a quick flick through the drinks. It’s interesting reading the various posts dealing with the money side of maters. All I would say is this. Look at who we have sold in the last five or six years. Compare that to who we have bought. Add to that those who we still pay wages to that are on loan or not even close to the first team. Then remember that we are officially the 4th wealthiest football club in the world, have a record turnover and have 123 million in cash reserves. All of that and we are struggling to finish 4th ????
Now, are we at our full capacity or as a club, are we under achieving?????
It’s not too difficult to see why spectrum makes the comments he does, is it???? Agree with him or disagree, but it is perfectly understandable.
And if there is anyone still under the illusion that FFP will kick in and solve all our problems then please think again. If the chavs for example can afford to spend nearly 100 million in compensation to managers and 50 million on Torres do you not think that might just have a few roubles left over to pay for top loophole finding legal team????
Steve T
Underachieving as a club? Absolutely. And I hope we will start to remedy this summer.
Underachieving in respect of resources a actually deployed? I don’t think so.
The mystery, as ever, is the gap between the two.
http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1213/post/u18/under-18s-newcastle-4-5-arsenal
Imagine that sort of scenario….
Sorry Steve, but Spectrum is a full on troll who spouts his never-changing agenda across the Internet endlessly. He has nothing whatsoever to offer except for the same old tired mantra of “Wanger out”.
Don’t believe me? Here’s what he had to say just before the game against QPR on that bastion of wisdom Le Grove…
1.”Thatโs why itโs even MORE IMPORTANT that Q.P.R. cause an upset today”
2.”Our record against Q.P.R. is not good. So letโs hope that we have one of our off days against them . And we just might”
People are entitled to hold any view they want, but once you cross the line whereby you actually want Arsenal to lose to fulfil some pre-set agenda that you hold, then you lose any right to call yourself a supporter.
Everything he said above was simplistic, facile, short-sighted and reactionary. He failed to acknowledge, let alone take account of , the changing landscape of football, or the construction of a new stadium. He cherry-picked quotes to suit his “argument”, denying them either context or to whom they might have been addressed, and completely ignored other quotes that might not have suited his lazy analysis.
His rationale is like any argument from the extreme ends of the debate (and I find the other extreme just as irritating). They are easily and systematically dismantled and have been on here many times. The paucity of his rationale was writ large in his laughable (and wrong on every level) comparison with Moyes.
He is just a keyboard warrior who can’t quite come to terms with the fact that not every season ends like his very first game in 1989. No doubt if Mickey hadn’t tucked the ball away, Spectrum would have been a Liverpool fan.
I have no idea why he was on here. Perhaps he’s been banned from everywhere else. Perhaps he’s fed up with the other brain dead twats on Le Grove. Don’t know, don’t care.
All I do know is that he’s certainly not interested in having a debate. and he’s not capable of “shining a light” on anything other than his own idiocy.
ZX Spectrum was a step up from ZX81, but still….
Cheers for that, tabs.
And speaking of FFP…
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/06/sport/football/financial-fair-play-complaint/index.html?hpt=isp_c1
I still believe that FFP will have some effect. It won’t level the playing field completely, but I think it may stop the worst excessed.
I was always a Commodore man myself, Ollie.
Apple II here ๐
Biscuitbum @268: not all wrong, but close:
If Chavs win, they are virtually certain not to lose out to Spuds, on a six point margin with two fixtures left and a massive positive goal difference relative to LWCs.
If Spuds lose and win their remaining two fixtures, Arsenal should be able to afford a win and a draw. Sides would be tied at 71 points, and Arsenal are currently +13 in goal differential vs. Spuds. Arsenal could not afford a loss.
If Spuds draw and win their remaining two fixtures, Arsenal need two wins. Anything less will not do.
tabs @ 275
I assumed that everyone on here knew Spectrum was Pedro’s very own intellectual. …?
Spectrum the rectum – who knew? ๐
Tabs. I hear you but the problem is that over the last few years more and more have jumped on the bandwagon. Whilst the club continues to tell us how magnificent we are in the financial markets whilst failing to deliver, that won’t change. With what we have we are massively under achieving.
You know the phrase. Don’t make me say it.
๐
Arsenal fourth “wealthiest” Club in the World?
Firstly “wealth” is wholly distinct from turnover or even “profit”, secondly any list will ignore those Clubs run by Sugar-daddys whose own personal wealth is entirely separate from the Clubs that they own , and thirdly that list from Forbes is a load of old bollocks anyway.
http://angryofislington.com/2013/05/05/newsflash-arsenal-arent-the-fourth-richest-football-club-in-the-world/
ยฃ123m in cash reserves? Fair enough but it is an entirely irrelevant figure, and I have no idea why it is continually quoted. A cash reserve is there to meet ongoing liabilities when income dries up. It is entirely different from what is available for transfers.
I am no accountant, but according to those that are, available amounts for transfers(and presumably increased wages) amounts to anything between ยฃ50m and ยฃ75m depending on who you read.
If we are using financial muscle as a guide to where we should finish, (and let’s face it, the uncertainty of Sport can never be completely reduced to mere financial equations), then yes, finishing fourth should not be such a struggle. In that respect I would agree that we are under-performing and that this Season has been a failure.
On the other hand we wouldn’t get anywhere near the top three. Surprising then that Chelsea have only seemingly just secured third with their win yesterday.
The figures can be used to support both arguments. It renders them essentially meaningless.
Ollie@276 – Heh, and cheers.
Spectrum must be really mad at Le Grove now that Pedro has been made a houseboy ๐
Steve,
I agree that this Season has been poor. No problem with that. Where I do have a problem is when simplistic nonsense such as that proposed by Spectrum and his ilk is presented as a solution.
Oh Jesus, please tell me that the Club haven’t taken him to their bosom ‘H?
Cash reserves of ยฃ123 is totally irrelevant? Forbes is a load of old bollocks????? Okay???? If you say so.
You know my views. We have been in a steady decline on the playing side for a number of years. We have sold top class talent and replaced them with not so top class talent. It really isn’t rocket science is it? Arsene knows the problem. He told us several years ago. But for some reason we have done very little about it. We have sailed by the seat of our pants for some seasons now. The board have relied solely on the skills of the manager to get us into the top 4. Let’s all hope that the chavs give bale hotspur a right shoeing on Wednesday evening or it won’t just be me that is a little disgruntled.
Heh Dr Z.
Steve – I’m trying not to make you say it ๐
The question that is surely pertinent however with regard to the likes of Spectrum is is it more likely or not that we would be “the best that we can be” with or without AW?
Spectrum reduces everything to that one question. It is a nonsense, whether you want AW to continue or not.
I’ve got no problem with those whose preference it is for AW to move on. It’s not my view, but they’re entitled to their opinion just as I am to mine. Some of the criticism can in my view be justified.
But anyone who comes out with …
“Anyone with an ounce of sense can see that heโs failed miserably at Arsenal, and continues to fail to this day. This is not even up for debate, nor should it be. This prick should not even still be here.” (Spectrum- Le grove)
just shows that they are not interested any kind of debate, and should therefore be treated as the pariahs that they are.
Tabs, ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer’ ๐ Now Pedro is still a wee whippersnapper with growing pains. Will he have the fortitude needed, to start distancing himself from all the rhetoric. Courage. We’ve all at sometime changed our views on stuff. Maturity has a way of doing that ๐ Ollie @ 274, very much so! Now, am I the only one who thinks David Luiz is one cheeky devil ๐
I wonder what Spectrum says to Untold Arsenal? They might be said to be at opposite ends of the er….spectrum!
Glad we’ve got the maths sorted out for Wednesday.Chelsea have a huge opportunity and should be fully up for it. And who do you think is he better of the two? If Chelsea look after Bale I don’t think Tottenham can win.Easier said than done as he is on fire but they have a very good defence and looked after the Dutch skunk easily enough.
2-0 Chelsea. Keep the faith!
Agree with Steve T re: flying by the seat of the pants. A relatively modest extra expenditure these last few years could have saved a lot of heartbreak and grey hairs.
I think the manager does well with the resources he has. I have no idea why he doesn’t have greater resources. I have no idea to what extent he’s culpable for our lack of spending – I suspect we will only learn that for sure once he’s left the club. I hope to god we turn a corner this summer
I agree with tabs re: Spectrum. Hadn’t realised the Le Grove link – got to laugh at having someone from that fabled home of the Socratic method come over here and tell us all about the need for debate.
Brentford/Swidon turning out to be a cracker.
Well said TTG.
One way or another, I have a strong feeling our destiny will be back in our own hands by the time we play Wigan.
Steve,
Yes, for the umpteenth time ยฃ123m is irrelevant. Or are you suggesting that that figure is available for transfers? If you accept that that figure is not available then why continue to quote it?
And yes, that Forbes list is meaningless shit. Read the article. It’s written by an accountant. A meaningless list derived from nebulous and ever-changing data.We are not the fourth most “wealthiest” Club. We are described as the fourth most “valuable”. That is something entirely different. Even if the list did mean something (which it palpably doesn’t), it would be only to give a (very rough) guide to share price.
No-one doubts there’s been a decline over the last eight years. The reasons for that decline are manifold, the birth of the Sugardaddy Clubs, the smaller budget that we have operated on, our own shortcomings, under-performing players, a distant owner, a fractured and troublesome Shareholder base, wantaway players (for whatever reason), the list goes on and on. It might not be rocket science, but it’s certainly not solved with the simplistic solutions proposed by Spectrum.
There will be plenty of disgruntled people on Wednesday if things don’t go our way. I agree with all you say about our shortcomings. I have been more critical than most on here in the last couple of months, notwithstanding the largely positive results. But if things do go wrong in the next couple of weeks, it won’t make the one-eyed nonsense of Le Grove any more right or relevant than it has hitherto been.
Tabs. I agree. I have not checked Le Grove for about 5 years and have no intention of starting now. Holic, take note. ๐
The problem with spectrum is that the longer the ineptitude of the board continues the more support he will muster. He is like the Arsenal Farage.
Wherever we end the season there are some serious and searching questions that need to be asked of those that currently profess to run this great club of ours.
ttg, our hope is, I guess, that Chelsea shall be motivated to more or less secure third because player by player Chelsea are a better team than Totnum. But they too have by and large been a rather unreliable team all season and have dropped points in the most unexpected places (lost to QPR at home, for example) so I am not getting my hopes up too much.
The Arsenal Farage. Extremely scary thought.
one thing must not be neglected: I believe this season again 3rd is directly into group stage?
That should motivate Chelsea enough, one would hope.
Steve and TaBS – what the hell are you both thinking? Coming on here with your sincerely held opinions and indulging a measured and informed debate? FFS…You’re just not trying are you?
“What do we want?”
“Simplistic cliches”
“When do we want them?”
“NOW”
Does Victory Through Acrimony mean nothing to you? Shame on you both
๐
*shudders at concept of ‘Arsenal Farage’ and searches for tin foil hat*
Bang!
What may look like a self-assist by Top Man Snowy is, I suspect, very likely to become a perfectly presented assist.
Ollie, third is straight to the group stage.
And heh@ Victory Through Acrimony ๐
No idea who’ll get that goal! ๐
Ah bollocks, so busy locating my tin foil fuckin’ hat I didn’t note the buggerin’ drinks numbers…
It’s a fair cop, I’ll get me coat (and me yellow card) quietly…. ๐
Tabs. It’s really simple. I am suggesting that we more than have the resources to address the obvious shortfalls. I am suggesting that selling your best players and not replacing them with players of an equal or better quality is not good for the overall prosperity of this fine club. I am suggesting that panic buys and paying wages to players that are quite frankly not fit to lace the boots of those who have gone before them may not be the best way forward. I am suggesting that this is something that has festered and grown over the last few years and I am suggesting that with a few more Arsenal and football personnel on the board that these shortfalls may have be recognised a lot earlier.
The prosecution rests……
Snowy, I will always love you. And no, that is not a cue for a song.
Apart from all of that, I have more adnams and enough chicken on the bar b to sink a battleship.
Sounds good, Steve T!
But I am taking 8 days off being on a Eurostar. ๐
Ollie. 8 days in the UK will mean we have done summer and autumn and be back to winter again!!!
๐
Steve – Heh at the “Arsenal farage”.
I agree with all you say @306. I’m sure both Arsene and even our distant owner would agree. In fact, I’m pretty sure that all the Managers and and all the owners of the top six would agree. Don’t buy bad or underperforming players. Easy when you say it quickly.
You won’t find me dissenting however when you say that we should have done more in the last 3 years to have arrested our decline. I completely agree with your “flying by the seat of our pants” comment. As N7 has pointed out, however, none of us know the reasons why that hasn’t been the case, and anyone who maintains they do (Spectrum) is either a liar or a fool. That’s why I’ll never find his one-eyed rants “understandable”. That’s really all I was trying to say.
Enjoy your barbecue, and I look forward to buying you a beer next week ๐
Snowy @299 Haha ๐ But booooo at the goal ๐
Abb @290 – Yeh better inside the tent pissing out I guess but I don’t think he deserves that kind of respect.
hah at 308.
And a belated ‘well in Lars’ as it seems confirmed.
Struggling with numbers, tabs? ๐
Ah I should have checked to see if anything was likely to be removed before commenting Ollie. Scoring goals these days is an ever more hazardous business it seems.
Snowy knows! ๐
Steve T, I am with you that we should be more productive in addressing the weaknesses in the squad, which in all honesty we weren’t this couple of years. Add to that the fact that we as a club are still acting like we aren’t aware of the current global situation in the transfer market.
I mean, we sometimes act naive and we aren’t aggressive as much as I want us to be. Take Mata and Monreal deals for example.
The Mata deal went on for ages, we’ve triggered the 16m buyout clause, the wage was agreed but we failed to make agreement because of some stupid bonuses which cost us peanuts. And we were in a need of that type of a player because of Fabregas departure, just as we were in a need of a LB after Gibbs was injured this winter.
But, Monreal agreement, was done as quick as it can be. So, it can be done if you are willing to sometimes pay more than you meant to.
Koscielny’s case was the same as Mata’s but with happy ending. We offered 4m and were on that sum for months. Lorient wanted 10m. And they got 10m in the end, and we got Koscielny. Was it worth it? Fyck yes. But, we’ve got lucky because he was anonymous at that time and no one was after him.
So, all I want is little more determination, aggression and less stubbornness and miserliness on the transfer market this summer.
And no fear on CL spot for next year. We will make it, we always do.
Lurky,
There’s no way we can know the ins and outs of any transfers, why some come off and why some don’t, despite what various newspapers, bloggers etc might say.
We may well have deliberated over Mata. Who knows. I suspect, however, that the ยฃ9m signing on fee Mata received from Chelsea might have been more relevant to why we didn’t get him than any hesitation on Arsenal’s part.
tabs, I congratulate and envy you for your ability patiently to explain and justify your opinions.
Barman, please set up a drink of his choice for Mr Son.
Steve & TaBS ๐
But I cannot agree with you. Either of you. BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T TYPED ANYTHING IN CAPITALS yet. I believe that is the recognised format for all ‘genuine’ ITKs…
Or perhaps it’s the general lack of ill-thought out knee jerk hysteria I just can’t forgive ๐
We should go for Uwe Rossler ๐
Thanks Oxon. Have one back (Lars tab of course) ๐
Snowy – HAHA I CAN SHOUT IF YOU WANT!! ๐
Good shout ‘H ๐
WE SHOUT WHEN WE WANT
WE SHOUT WHEN WE WANT
HOLIC BAR DRINKERS
WE SHOUT WHEN WE WANT!
TaBS @ 318 – EXCELLENT!
And well in Lars… ๐
TABS AND STEVE T KNOW NOTHING!
FACT!
Feck, so THAT’S what refresh means….
Haha ๐
Snowman,
I am working on some ill-thought out knee-jerk hysteria – hope to share it with you @ Wigan ๐
Thank you Zico. AT LAST someone talking SENSE !!!! END OF !!!! FACT !!!!
๐
Round of flavoured vodkas for all in the bar.
NOW!
Just shared some jerk chicken Zico.
That’s right Smowy. JERK CHICKEN….
Tabs, I agree that there is no way we can know it for sure, but don’t you agree that we act with stubbornness many times, prolonging till we can, just to get someone for the price we want to pay.
In a way, it reminds me of Saturdays substitutions, which were made 15-20 minutes later than it should be, many of us agreed on that. We won of course, thanks Dennis, but what if Remy’s 86 minute shot got in, with no fresh legs to stop him from shooting? Who was going to be blamed then?
We act sterile many times, and that is something that has to change if we want to be competitive in the future.
Of the topic but somehow related,
it pains me to say, I like the guy, but how many points did Vermaelen cost us, until we swallowed the pride and actually send our captain on the bench and give Kos a shot.
It pains me to say too, but how many points did Sagna cost us this season, and we do not give the poor Jenks the chance he deserves. The young lad made just one mistake for the whole season and has the speed, energy and determination whenever he plays.
I always admired Arsene for believing his own ways, and I think it is the way he should do. But in this times when lots and lots of money are in this game, he needs to adapt, to react fast, aggressive and even to be brutal for the sake of the Arsenal and his own sake. On and of the pitch. My feeling is that he wasn’t until couple of months ago.
I want him to lift a trophy again with Arsenal. Anything else would be tragedy for me.
The Rocket wins it again!
Awesome Ronnie O ๐
Ok, good debate above on the club’s finances and failure / success on being the best we can be.
I have a lot of sympathy for Steve T’s instinct that things are not all they might be.
And a lot of respect for the sheer amount of reading that Tabs must do to supply so much context to all his arguments.
Personally, I have tried to read enough to know that I don’t know who knows best, but I finish up on Tabs’ side of the argument as to what has been, and is, available to AW for transfers.
I have to say it remains a bit of a mystery to me why our owner, who must be well appraised of our situation as a business man, even if he’s not that interested as a fan, has not seen fit to speculate a little to accumulate.
I’m not talking about sugar daddy sized splurges here, but our failure to reinforce the striking department last summer has left us in a scramble to qualify for the CL where failure could cost far more than the extra player would have done.
I will doubtless now be challenged about ours being a self-sustaining model, but there doesn’t seem to be anything very sustaining in allowing the quality of the squad to decline as you struggle to make the top competitions.
As has been said before, these arguments will continue while the board claim that money is always available and the evidence of our trading says clearly that it is not.
From the various comments above there is just one thing that I’m not clear about:
Is “rocket science” the same thing as “flying by the seat of the pants” ? ๐
Ag, maybe that’s Rocket science. ๐
Heh at Ollie – ๐
And well played Steve – THAT’S MORE LIKE IT !!!
Oh quit jerkin your chicken.
Interesting conversation, fellas but we really can’t have differing opinions here in the bar. What will people think? ๐
Things could always be worse of course, I have a Sunderland fan on Twitter not having the best evening at the moment and getting increasingly agitated. If they go down this season it’ll be the eighth time he’s seen that happen – ouch!
Lurky,
You will damage your brain with all this conjecture.
AW could have made changes, gone for the second goal, left us wide open and we could have lost it in the last five minutes.
We won – I didn’t enjoy it at all, but the manager managed and we won.
Just have to accept it for now.
We don’t really know what other clubs ask for their players in closed negotiations, and we certainly don’t know the truth of what we pay.
Personally, I am pleased there are clubs out there who will pay ยฃ25million for Emmanuel Adebayor and Samir Nasri.
I’m also glad we are not one of them.
Speaking of arguments, I think it’s time to bring out this classic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL9oA1LFoMw
Heh! Snowy is a top man. FACT !!!!!!!
NorCal @ 335 – Think? THINK!
This is the bloody interweb. It’s not for thinking. It’s for knee jerk opinions. And videos of cats. In shark costumes. On Roombas. Chasing ducklings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of2HU3LGdbo
Lars, no it isn’t !
What we need is an interspider, for cleaning all the nasty little bugs up in the interweb. ๐
Charlie, I hadn’t realised how close to the drop Sunderland are. A win for Wigan tomorrow and they are in really deep shit.
With the Rocket winning, and being a Gooner an’ all, will BtM count that as his “one trophy” ? ๐
Lurky – 2 separate things there I feel.
On the transfer front I agree that we appear, from the outside looking in, indecisive and passive. To what degree that is the fault of our negotiators or AW, or the limitations under which we have been labouring, I really couldn’t say. On your general point that we must be more assertive, I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully, with the additional funds now at our disposal, we might see a greater willingness to compete with the cash-rich Clubs. Time will tell.
On the playing side, I couldn’t agree with you more. I do think legitimate criticism can be made of some of AW’s decisions this season, not all of them with the benefit of hindsight.
I, along with many others, was crying out for the Kos/Mert pairing from the get go, and I thought AW was unnecessarily slow in biting the bullet re the Captain’s form. Likewise, I think Sagna has been very fortunate to have retained his place.
Like you, the substitutions often baffle me.
As for the QPR game, you will already know that I wasn’t impressed with how we played the game out if you read what I had to say yesterday, even though we won. To be honest, and discounting the Swansea game where I thought we were impressive, I could easily have said almost the same thing after every game in this unbeaten run. We’re struggling towards the line, I hope against hope that we can cross it, but for various reasons, I’m struggling to summon up too much optimism.
I would still maintain however that our recent travails have far more to do with our budget (whether that is unnecessarily imposed by Board/Manager or not), than any failure on Arsene’s part to adapt or react quickly enough.
Trev @332 – I just make it up as I go along. No reading required. ๐
๐ ๐ ๐ @ 340!
Yes it is. Or is that just a contraDICTion?
Lord help us.
Trev, that is just a contradiction!
By the way, lurky,
I do agree about Sagna, sadly, and Vermaelen and, yes, I have already damaged my own brain.
As other regulars will be well aware. ๐
Bugger, NorCal beat me to it!
Heh Tabs, you really could be a journalist. ๐
Rocket science I don’t know, but The Rocket has the science of snooker all right.
No he didn’t !
Snowy, That baby duck is ‘imprinting’, he’s following the kitty cause he thinks it’s his mum. Most adorable behaviour. Ducklings will imprint on the first living thing they are exposed to. Thanks for sharing ๐
Doh! Slow down ! Posts and responses getting all out of sync. ๐
Subs on Saturday were understandably late (although yes, I’d have subbed Poldi earlier). Yes there was that Rรฉmy shot but we looked an enormous lot more comfortable than at Fulham.
What Trev will say at 359
Abb, are you saying ducks don’t know they’re ducks?
Love a duck!
So would I …… Crispy and aromatic, of course. ๐
๐
Ollie. ๐ ๐
No I couldn’t Trev ๐
๐ !
Sunderland equalise from a corner. That puts them three points and a bunch of goals ahead of Wigan at this point.
Bloody hell, is that some football breaking out during the 90 minutes of random acts of violence being shown on SS1…
Not a journo, tabs? Well, what about all your appearances in the Daily Fail then? At least I had the decency to cover my face so I remained anonymous…
TABS
Good view on our current affairs, a great deal has been said regarding our beloved Arsenal in this bar many of times. Some times good and some times not so good.
Find it hard to believe resources were limited since the Highbury development moved forward like Holic mentioned above.
Cesc project failed and we all know that then there was those haste buys. We finally started to invest and Van Persie left. He carried us us forward last season. Now we are where we don’t want to be but we are to blame for it no one else. Arsene knows this better than anyone else.
Haha, just a guest spot Lars. ๐
Won’t happen again. They have refused to meet my demands.
Abb @ 354 – glad you liked it ๐ The wonders of nature.
Wonder what Pulis imprinted himself on when he was hatched…?
Wouldn’t let you do Page 3, Tabs ? ๐
Hey Snowy! ๐
ATG,
I agree with you. I agreed with Steve when he said we have been “flying by the seat of our pants”. I agree that we should have risked more money in squad strengthening over the last 3 years. As you say, as soon as the sale of Highbury House at a profit was assured (2010), It has always been my view that we should have been less risk averse.
I agree with everything Trev had to say at 332.
Where I disagreed with Steve was his use of the ยฃ123m figure (not relevant) and his assertion that we were the 4th richest Club (not true).
The rest was aimed at the arguments postulated by Spectrum, which amount to little more than “sack the Manager and all will be well.” He is entitled to his opinion. What he is not entitled to do is to assert that the speculation on which his opinion is based is uncontestable fact. It isn’t. Nobody knows, least of all some trappy git in Australia, what has gone on between AW and the Board these last few years. My view is that that is simplistic nonsense, and whilst I agree with Steve that those advancing that rhetoric will only grow if we fail to finish top 4, it won’t make it any more “understandable”
how do you know it’s a duck? it weighs the same as a witch. or a small rock. or something.
love our chezza: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/szczesny-tottenham-does-not-enough-190700656–sow.html
i’m off to make wednesday’s lasagna for the london teams playing…or at least one of them.
Trev – Asked me to take my Speedoes off. Wasn’t having it. ๐
Snowy – “Wonder what Pulis imprinted himself on when he was hatchedโฆ?”
A cunt? ๐
Trev, maybe you can help me. Been trying to find data to support my theory that goalies run the risk of HTN. The inactivity they experience, followed by sudden bursts of activity in a game. NorCal and Dr C, please feel free to comment also. On a side topic, was genuinely surprised to read that weenkend warriors playing soccer for a couple of hours decreased their BP! This study was done on males between the ages of 33-54 ๐
So, checklist of wishes for the next eight days:
– Chelski beat Spuds
– Orcs beat Spuds
– We beat Wigan
– Crocodile escapes from a zoo and eats Ferguson.
I’m happy to let the last one go if the first three happen.
Blimey, never realised how much in the brown stuff Norwich are at the moment (especially if Wigan win tomorrow).
Charlie, it really is hotting up in the relegation fight. Not even Fulham are entirely safe. And if Wigan win tomorrow, there will only be five points from 18th to 9th place – and Newcastle who we pretty much all assumed were safe not long ago will be in the relegation zone!
A fan of the Chavs has been in touch with me suggesting they are ‘ bang up’ for Wednesday. He reminded me that they hate The LWCs almost as much as we do ( I queried this). Don’t expect them to do a Manyoo cop- out on Wednesday. They want to win. And have you checked the Tottenham record at the Bridge?
I feel like a cheerleader to a set of very nervous lads. It’s going to be alright. Trust me I’m a Gooner
COYG
Charlie, If SAF were to be eaten by a croc, even his bones would dissolve (high acidic PH in their stomach). Only his teeth would remain relatively unscathed ๐
TaBS @ 373 – hahahahahahaaaaaa…. ๐
What a strange weekend.
Chuffed we won.
Pissed off with Fergie for bending over.
Gutted a team I can’t be arsed to walk down the road to watch lost.
Pleased as punch Ronnie O won the world title again.
Now I have to cheer on the Chavs on Wednesday.
Confuscious had fuckall to say about all this…
Norwich (38) – West Brom (a) Man City (h)
Newcastle (38) – QPR(a) Arsenal (h)
Wigan (35) – Swansea (h) Arsenal (a) Villa (h)
Wigan to get 4 points. Newcatle to get a point. Norwich to get none.
Norwich to go down. Won’t be sorry to see them go.
Heh Holic ๐
Confuscius he say,
“If you don’t want to have to resort to supporting the corrupt and detestable when things are coming to an end, you better fucking do your own job from the fucking beginning.”
He also say,
“Never depend on a bunch of Mancs (or for that matter on LWCs thinking of 1999). They always let you down.”
I would like to see Norwich out too, tabs. Bunch of fat, ugly rugby players. But I think Sunderland will be in the mix. No Fletcher and Sessegnon, plenty of red cards and suspensions, it is going to be tough for them till the end.
Not that I am going to be mad if NC are out. It would be delicious to see Alain’s long face again.
I like Wigan to stay though, but not at our expense of course. They play football the right way.
Confuscious say,
“Man who walks sideways through airport turnstile is going to Bangkok” ๐
“Where I disagreed with Steve was his use of the ยฃ123m figure (not relevant) and his assertion that we were the 4th richest Club (not true). ”
Of course it is relevant. I fully get it can not all be available for transfers but it can hardly mean we are struggling????
If Forbes has us as the 4th richest club then that is relevant too. We are quoted as being worth $1,326 million and with a revenue of $368 million. Now I have no idea how accurate those figures are but as they seem to be accepted worldwide I am guessing that they can not be too far from the truth. That would suggest to me that we may just have a few pennies sitting around that could have been more wisely invested???? Just my opinion.
Phiosoper’holic say all transfer fees on the never never anyway. We could spend a significant chunk of the cash reserves without handing them over yet.
In all probability that would have been better done in the last two years before FFP does put some restrictions on that.
Just provoking some proper discussion, maybe?
Talking of Cats and Ducks and the excruciating pain of cheering on the chelskis on Wednesday…. i am goin to into a philosophical mode. I suggest all holics to pay this fine furry monk a visit and look at things in a different perspective…
He also is named after an Arsenal Legend :
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5EDF5A12BE6394F4
It is not relevant Steve because it is completely the wrong figure to use, in the context of squad strengthening.
I have agreed with you that we should have spent more money on the squad in the last 3 years to be “the best we can be”. I am as critical as you are of the Owner and the Board. I have agreed that we could have afforded to spend more, and really am beginning to wonder how often I have to state my agreement before people take any notice.
Any argument that they should spend more money however is undermined and wholly distorted by using a ridiculously bloated figure of what is available to spend.
Forbes does not have us as the “fourth richest club”. It has us as the fourth most “valuable “ Club. The two things are entirely different. As said above. It is nothing more than a means of estimating the Sale price.
Holic – Completely agree.
“Sale price” should have read “share price”.
390 @ tabs … perfectly summarized. I guess we all accept that we could have done things a little more pro-actively than re actively (not sure if that a word?) .. we have been a little slow out of the blocks when it comes to transfers, yes, but we did have some restrictions. We don’t know how much difficult the other clubs make buying good quality for us. It was easier earlier becoz we had the better scouts. Now with so much of money involved, agents can just hang on and market their clients around , coz they know there are a lot more clubs who will be willing to pay higher that us.
GPN @ 389 – that is a piece of pure Existential genius!
Regarding this ongoing discussion about our cash reserves figure – I believe this ยฃ123m figure is from the 6 months to Nov 2012 accounts, and as tabs notes is oft misquoted/misrepresented.
“Cash reserves” is simply the amount in the current account (or other highly accessible funds) that is there to cover current outgoings, and on a half yearly turnover just north of ยฃ100m, pretty much only means the club does not need to access short term lending (e.g. overdraft) to cover payroll & other bills.
It is not the same as a fund to invest in players. As far as I’ve read NO-ONE knows the value of that fund, as the club obfuscates that for entirely reasonable grounds of commercial confidentiality.
I imagine the “value” figure that Forbes ascribes to the club is its estimated market capitalisation – i.e. an estimate of the total value of the shares in the club. Market cap figures are pretty much bollocks anyway, particularly with shares that are as infrequently traded as those in Arsenal are. Again, it doesn’t tell us anything about what the club has available to spend on players, just gives an estimate of what all the shares would cost to buy, if every shareholder were to sell them. And even that is pretty much a nonsensical figure with Arsenal as there are only two major shareholders in that market.
Anyway, accounting is all very dull. Do we have money for new players? Almost certainly. How much is that? No-one outside the club knows. Will I be pissed off if we reach TDD without having invested seriously in strengthening the squad? You bet.
and another thing………………………………………………
๐
๐
Word Snowy.
We are undoubtedly more “valuable” than either Chelsea or Man City, to use but two examples. We are, however, nowhere near as rich.
As you point out, the Forbes thing is just a load of old bollocks anyway that they use for the express pupose of marketing their name. The fact that we’re all talking about it suggests that it was rather a good marketing ploy! As Angry of N5 pointed out, whatever criteria they are using, they have calculated that Real are worth 76% more than they worth last year. That’s some jump in one year! Complete nonsense.
A different set of Accountants using a wholly different set of nebulous criteria would no doubt come up with a completely different set of results.
Steve – haha ๐
slices it crossfield to the left corner, looking for a runner…
Blimey is it that time already?
Nice little assist …
Night all.
Bang
Ta tabs, nice little ass ist indeed.
in keeping with the ass ist, all this debate has bummed me out ๐
Well in bath,
Goal and Tabsed it.
Good to know when you’ve been outplayed.
‘Night all.
2 days to St Totteringham’s Eve. ๐
well in bath. nice assist, tabs.
2 days, trev. yes please.
re above discussion on value of club, Forbes uses one of the conventional ways of valuing any company, its enterprise value (debt plus equity) based on multiples of operating revenue, i.e. income from TV, match days, merchandising &c (because for many of the teams there is no public market in which to set a price for the equity). The best way to think about the Forbes figure is that it is the theoretical takeover price, one that accounts for the debt a buyer would take on offset by the cash in the company that he would get. (Enterprise value is market cap plus debt, minority interest and preferred shares, minus total cash and cash equivalents, if you want to rush out and run your slide rules over the financials.) As such it is a more nuanced measure of value than market cap. But it is like saying, my house is worth x, but that doesn’t mean you have the cash to build an extension.
Well in, Bath.
Tabs@382: Newcastle to go down. Norwich to survive by a point. Wigan at 16th above them on goal difference.
Had a very busy day, been back-drinking for more than an hour now. I share Oskar and TaBS’ view in the discussions above.
Oh and TaBS, if I ever get on the wrong side of the law, I really hope I can afford your services in court. Have a nice day/night friends…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Well in and very deserving, bathgooner. ๐
clarence you assume a lot of things that it’s not your place to assume.
#265 Snir Geuli
If we are way down the net transfer spending table and 4th in wage bill., that means we buy (too many)second class players (hence little net spending) and pay them high wages. If rumours is true, Denilson, bendtner, Park, squillaci etc earning more than 50000 per week.!!!! Then it is so difficult to get rid of them because nobody else will like to afford them.
All in all, it is down to unwise buying of the manager. Hope our manager will gain his previous magic touch (for TH14, PV4, cesc etc)
we sold RVP for 25m and with him I am sure we can qualify for CL (maybe even 2nd spot). If we do not qualify, the loss of revenue is about 40-60m. So our manager should get wiser in selling top players next time.
Re: the Dutchman, we’re on course for a higher points total than last season, when we still had him.
We have not declined as a result of his departure, we just haven’t kicked on and we no longer have a 25 goal a season striker, which is a loss we all feel in tight matches.
The key differences this season are that (a) the wheels have not come off at Chelsea – they are about 10 points better off than at this stage last term; and (b) the chimp has pulled Spurs through their end of season collapse.
None of the above is to say that we couldn’t have done more. Just that the narrative of decline post Dutchman isn’t entirely accurate.
I think there’s even less people at work here today than between Christmas and New Year.
Also, the notion that we had the choice of keeping van Persie last summer is farcical, particularly after he publicly slagged off the club.
We should never have sold him to the scum, but we had to sell him.
Top post as always N7 412.
In other news, forget about the cuntfest: in the meantime it’s the French Cup semi-finals tonight.
Bordeaux play away again, but this time at Troyes.
Will it be andouillette or champagne there?
I can’t believe anybody with half a mind who still harbour that ‘notion’ at 414 N7. But sadly I’m not convinced we had that much of a choice who to sell to.
Spot on@412, N7.
Well in, baff!
On another note, the more you hear about how other clubs have failed to build new stadiums the more you realise what an amazing feat it was to build our new stadium on time, under budget and generally with the support of the locals. This is a link to an article by David Conn in the Guardian depicting how Liverpool have failed miserably in so many ways and in the process alienated the local community:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/david-conn-inside-sport-blog/2013/may/06/anfield-liverpool-david-conn
It’s quite long but well worth a read.
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/05/07/095750_troyes-bordeaux-reporte.html
Ah bollocks, Bordeaux game postponed due to shit weather.
Troyes isn’t that far from here but must be a different climate.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/club-reveals-new-ticket-transfer-scheme
I am in fact slightly worried that this new move will complicate my access to Lower tier Tx tickets, which has been good this season, managing to keep my spending on tickets ‘reasonable-ish’, as I have been upper tier only once or twice (granted a few of my lower tier appearances have been thanks to patrons of this bar or their neighbours ๐ ).
Now for the usual : our loanees hardly play football (apart from Denilson and Campbell) post:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/loan-watch-sao-paulo-out-of-paulista
Thanks Lars and others….pure serendipity, no skill required.
Great link.
Crass behaviour from a low-class outfit. Underlines the nonsense written about the stances taken over Suarez’s various misdemeanours ‘despoiling the traditions of a great club’. Liverpoo never had any class, they had a good side in the 1970s and 80s but they never had class.
They stitched up Everton over the Moores/Littlewoods pools money in the 1970s, tried to victimise one of their bloggers and they have clearly been behaving like medieval barons with their neighbours. Worse than the Scum.
baff luuuuuuuuuuuurves Liverpool FC
I know this is faking fake from Fakersville but if someone from Nike sees this …YES PLEASE! https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/944846_515844188481397_650087398_n.png
Looks more like a Sparta Prague than an Arsenal shirt, Eandy! ๐
Lol actually Ollie, Sparta Prague has their sshirt inspired by old time Arsenal ones, back in the days when club was formed ๐
ah yes it’s true, had forgotten about that. ๐
test
Hi All,
I’m not at all good at finances and stuff but having read lot on Arsenal’s finances especially after building the new stadium from many sources (incl blogs like this) including Swiss Ramble (forgot many others), the following are my conclusions on our cash balance & wage bill.
Cash:
Arsenal’s cash balance of 150M+ (usually around 170-190 – all figures in GBP) has lot of it tied down to the loan we got for building Emirates for the excellent interest rate (5.5% I believe) thanks to Danny Fiszman and others involved. Don’t remember when or where I read but almost 120M-odd of the cash balance is tied down to that – 100M as part of safekeeping plus the 20M-odd next repayment amount to be locked in the account. The rest of the money is for day-to-day activities.
Wage Bill:
I believe the reasons for such high wage bill is coz of the following reasons:
1. A huge academy & U19 squads (compared to other top teams).
2. Ladies squad (ManU doesn’t have 1).
3. The wage-parity which Arsene favours coz of which our youngsters get paid more than their counterparts at other clubs coz of which we sometimes have issues pushing them out or sending them or loans (Not saying I’m a fan of this but seems Arsenal Board & Arsene are).
Also, coz of the low sponsor amounts we get from Nike & Emirates plus the poor marketing sense at our Club (it’s changing slowly), it seems we’re always short of our income\expenses and Arsene always tried selling players for a profit to balance the books & find compromises in the squad rather than the finding proper replacements (I guess the economist in Le Boss took the decisions in these scenarios).
With a chuck of the new Emirates deal to be made available this off-season plus new shirt deal & others (2nd & 3rd tier deals) to come out in the seasons ahead, I feel for the 1st time(like Le Boss ahead of the QPR game) since we moved that we are better equipped to balance the squad with purchases rather than compromises and need to balance the books.
Sorry for the long post & wrong one in case I’m. But if somebody can point out & clarify the mistakes, I would gladly welcome those.
Thanks.
Even more bollocks: that Cup semi-final now has a new date.
Yes you’ve guessed: May 14th, so I won’t be watching it.
On the bright side, maybe, just maybe, it will give Obraniak time to heal?
Good post @ 429.
Seal of approval from N7, Indian, there’s your high praise ๐
http://www.alwaysaheadofthegame.com/
It took me a while to recognise Pirรจs…..
hahaha this photo cracks me up https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/923251_10151486346577713_400073579_n.jpg
TR7: ๐ *stupid promotional stuff, I would rather be jamming on my guitar*
TV5 : (*_*) *I will use my cold stare of a killer to make them give me ball aswell*
Mikel: ๐ *I am so devilishly handsome and my hair is perfect..as always*
TV5 – “Where’s my ball? I never get a ball these days. I want a ball to play with just like everybody else. This is bollocks”
So the lawyer who brought the case which led to the Bosman ruling is fighting the introduction of FFP, as it is anti competetive and restraint of trade. Reckons if rich owners are prevented from pumping money into clubs, players will be on less wages than they could potentially have earned.
Pigs and troughs come to mind.
The same geezer? Bloody lowlife ambulance chaser.
Come the revolution lawyers should be the third group up against the wall with a small number of free passes.
bath @ 438
Can I apply for one of those passes please?
My credentials, in brief: I have never (knowingly) introduced a lawsuit that has the potential to dick up club football and I am strongly opposed to John Terry, the causes of John Terry and the effects of John Terry.
Ok. N7 gets a free pass. So that means there is none left for TaBS…
So Szczesny has done it again making stupid comments in the press….
I do have to say I agree with him but I thought he would do after the season has finished just to rub it in!
Afternoon all.
Been swamped the last few days, also was at a Championship party in A’dam on Sunday afternoon, got a bit out of hand that one, head still hurts. ๐
Got a lot of back drinking to do, so…………
Lays one on for XXX to do the triple four thing.
I’ll take a bullet for the team. I can hold hands with Joe …
Give the gun to multi-name boy. Bound to miss ๐
Is 444 good 8Ball ? If it is, many thanks. If it’s not, then I withdraw my thanks. ๐
421 is good around here TaBs. Something about the law and marijuana. I’m too high to remember the specifics. 8)
Tabs, It depends on your perspective of course, but I’d say 444 is up with the very best! They say Eboue wants to make it his number next season. ๐
This post is going to go back in time and decrease itยดs number.
Like magic.
Just a prediction…. ๐
Clarence et al…….ffs get over it and get a life.
Mirror Mirror on the wall who’s the pettiest one of all? Aside from me of course. ๐
Interesting new post on Swiss Ramble about CL and Europa league earnings. Underlines why CL football is so financially important for Arsenal every season.
http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2013/05/uefa-prize-money-rhapsody-in-blue.html
Cheers for that loan list Ollie. As usual, it doesn’t make for particularly inspiring reading. That said, it does rankle with me when people use the number of our players out on loan as just another stick to beat ourselves up with.
Most big clubs will have a lot of players out on loan, firstly because only the very very best youngsters will get a shot at first team football without a loan period now, and secondly because the power of the players is such that you can’t shift ’em off the books unless they can obtain an equally lucrative contract elsewhere.
In addition to that list there’s also Santos, Miyaichi and Aneke so it looks like we’ve got 12 players out (not that many) with a combined cost to the Club in what we paid in transfer fees of (very roughly) ยฃ14m ( Park 5m, Santos 5m Denilson 2m, Campbell 1m, and Wellington 1m). Of course there will also be a significant percentage of their wages to pay together with the other high earners that are away from the Club (Bendtner, Chamakh, Djourou and Frimpong).
But …
A quick comparison with Tottenham. 17 players currently out, cost to the Club in what they paid in transfer fees ยฃ27m.
Even with the wages of our lot I still think we’re up.
NorCal @446 – Haha.
8Ball – Ah that settles it. If it’s good enough for Eboue it’s good enough for me. ๐
@407 – Newcastle to go down Ned? Brave call. Hope you’re right. Would love to see Pardew relegated.
Ned – Cheers for that Swiss Ramble link. The difference is stark.
I’m afraid I just don’t buy all this “it doesn’t have to be too bad if we don’t get top four” malarky.
If we don’t finish top four, it is a disaster. No other way of looking at it. Reduced budget, smaller pool of players who would be willing to join us, etc etc etc.
I think that any plans for a greater spend than what we have become accustomed to will be immediately shelved.
And @405 – thanks for that full explanation on the Forbes thing.
It’s been a brilliant day here in Stockholm, after a cold and cloudy morning it all of a sudden turned into a sunny day with a clear blue sky and the temperature shot up to 22 degrees. It’s almost like summer!
Dr C: “This post is going to go back in time and decrease itยดs number.
Like magic.”
Aha! You just blew your cover – there is only one kind of Doctor that can move through time and space like that!
tabs, I think we can survive one year without CL footie. But I do not for one second think it would be a good thing to miss out, and I do not in any way shape or form believe the “it could be a wake-up call” theory. If we haven’t “woken up” yet (if that is even the problem) we won’t do it because we finish fifth this season.
I believe we can finish fifth and still have a better team next season. Not a title-challenging team, but still a better one which we can then possibly build upon again the season after next. But as I said, we will only get one shot at it. The second it turns into two seasons, then I suggest we all secure a firm grip around our hats and clench our buttocks accordingly because THEN, my friends, we are in for a ride so bumpy it will make these last two seasons seem like a haven of tranquility.
Lars,
Oh No!
Yeh fair enough Lars.
The scenario you outline of an improved side is certainly possible, but I just don’t see it. Just my opinion.
And heh @460 ๐
Lars,
I agree that one season would not be the death kneal. 2 would be big trouble.
Looking at the table right now, it is wild to see so many teams struggling to be ” safe” with 2 games to go. Only one consistent team the entire year. Weird. Next year we should be more consistent. We are scraping out 1-0 wins right now but our defense has been much more consistent and solid since march.
One silly back pass aside and we may have a whole different perspective on where we are. Funny sport.
@112, A long long time ago in the bar.
I debated responding because I respect BTM very much, but what part of my post is tosh?
We have had a few bites of winning something tangible over the last few years only for the team to suffer collective stage fright whilst around us trophies are still being won by teams not entirely expected.
I want and pray desperately for Arsenal to find a way to drag the collective spirit together to put together a team capable of winning something…..anything, I never thought I would miss Arsenals preseason tournament.
And of course I am depressed, I’m DepressedGooner ๐
tabs: why I think we can still improve the team if we finish fifth is that we do have a few players who may very well all take another step forward next season. Aaron Ramsey has started to properly find his feet, as has the Ox. We also have Jenkinson pushing on and if Szczesny can keep his currently upward trajectory (I think he’s been really, really good since he came back into to the team) we have a really good goalie on our hands. Maybe Giroud can contribute more in his second season? Poldi? The most important thing of all – which will be made more difficult without the CL, let us not overlook that – is to keep the side together because there are signs that this team is starting to gel. It is far from just luck that has seen us concede only four goals in the last nine league games. Another striker or perhaps just a fit Poldi could very well have seen us had fourth wrapped up by now.
Now, it is unlikely that all players keep developing but if the Ox, Ramsey and Szczesny take another step that is… (dare I say it? OK, here goes…) almost like a new signing in each case. We have the foundation for a good team, so there is something to build on.
And to be clear, what I mean by improved is a team that finishes at least fourth without too much trouble. But there is no way in hell we will be able to challenge for any meaningful trophies if we finish fifth.
Woah, even in my most depressed I don’t rip into players who have given it their all, Ramsey and Jenkinson can never be accused of not trying for Arsenal and Chamberlain has been having a rough patch and working through it, I admit defeat with Walcott though ๐
Lars – that’s all fair, hope you’re right and I’m wrong. I have been less impressed than most with our improved defensive displays of late.
Depressed – Wouldn’t worry about multi name boy. I should think that his posts will magically disappear at some point.
Cheer up, tabs!
And they say Wenger is insane for trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results……
Skippy, hop along now…..
Haha, will do Ollie ๐
Dr Z ๐
tabs, last season it was you cheering me up so it’s only right that I return the favour ๐
No goals so far at the DW. Wigan are doing a lot of running about but haven’t really troubled Swansea so far.
Heh Lars ๐
1-0 Wigan – Newcastle are now in the relegation zone.
An evening of frantic aggravation is over. Much freezer angst Argos stylee. Finally I can catch up. Will watch second half of Wigwam.
Anything happening I should write about between ten and midnight?
Bordeaux game postponed to next Tuesday if you didn’t see, ‘holic, so no ๐
1-1, Wigan back in the relegation zone.
Heh, Ollie.
Might just hang fire until tomorrow night and comment on the situation after THAT game…
Yes, that’s the best idea.
Let’s sort this diabolical thirst…
2-1 Wigan.
2-2. It is an entertaining game, but both teams are quite crap to be honest.
Phew, this back drinking’s hard work and I’m not even half way through the 200’s, stuff getting in the way. Some excelent discusions that I hope to have time to get to later, but I couldn’t let this one go;
A case in point, we agreed with Mata for an 85k a week wage, Chelsea agreed a 170k a week with Mata…..
Sorry Snir, but this is totaly untrue, at the end of last year he signed a contract extention that meant his wages would come to almost a ton a week, still less then Feo.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/juan-mata-new-contract-chelsea-1502569
Somebody dropped the ball big time on that one!
Evening all,
Looks like I’ve missed a lot of HG Wells type activity in here.
Posters who have disappeared, future numbers ‘heh-ed’, other numbers gone. When will all the little subterranean creatures give up and go.
The party line on CL football has, for some years, been that ‘we’ budget to qualify for four years out of every five. Failure to do so this season would certainly put that notion to the test.
It must be the case that the pool of prospective Arsenal players would shrink if we could not offer CL football, but I wonder quite how much effect that would really have. It’s not as if we are in a position to bid for the very top tier of players whether or not we miss one season of CL revenue.
Looking at some of our best recent signings, would Koscielny have refused to join without CL football ?
And Arteta ? I’m not aware that any other CL teams were bidding for him when he agreed to move to The Ems. Would he have refused us without CL ?
We are clearly a club built for CL, and good young players on the way up would have to see it as a good move. We can’t afford the very best at their peak, and there is little point in buying the very best on the way down.
I’m definitely not of the opinion that missing out might not be such a bad thing, but in terms of team building it might not be a disaster either.
Two years out though and I’m with Lars – the whole game changes.
And, Lars, some of the improved youngsters could be exactly “Like A New Signing” as they mature into the first team squad.
That is the whole point of growing your own rather than always having to go to the market.
I will now withdraw while the chemically inclined conduct a discussion on “growing your own”. ๐
Comedy defending by Wigan and it’s 3-2 Swansea. Let us hope they play like this against us as well.
H2H, Mata himself has said that the second he heard that Chelsea wanted him he stopped listening to what we had to say. I’m not so sure that it was us who dropped any ball at all in that case.
I never read about that Lars, even if I did I would of taken that statement with a pinch of salt, all I remember is that we seemed to be after him for ages, procrastinated and lost the chance to sign him and then it was blamed on others offering him astronimic wages which just isn’t true.
I think I’d have preferred Wigan to win this game.
Oh well.
Sure wish I could like to be “like a new signing.” ๐
And apparently the Ladies lost 4-0, at The Grove, to Liverpool…..
That’s quite an upset ๐
H2H, Lars,
We will lose Bevin in exactly the same way if we’re not careful.
@ 482
That’ll explain the result, Jinxy McJinxy ๐
heh zico. I think I have passed that particular mantle to Lars and/or Trev.
You will also notice that I refrained from commenting while this goalscoring frenzy was happening. ๐
Heh Trev.
I read that mata got a big ( ~7 million) sign on bonus to go to Chelski. Not sure if that’s true, but we will not compete with that.
Lets hope the pressure will finally catch up with Wigan. I am sure they will go full out this weekend and no matter what the result I am sure they will be knackered by Tuesday. Also, if we beat Wigan then Newcastle will have nothing to fear in the last game.
Shit, come on Chelski ( you cunts) help us out tomorrow!
Ollie,
Sounds like Liverpoo made the most of their attempts and the Lady Gunners hit the post 4 times and had 2 cleared off the line. Like I said, weird game, football is.
H2H, but what evidence is therer that it was us who procrastinated? Most players (well, their agents probably) take ages to sign these days because they either want as many offers as they can get or because they use interest from one club to alert other clubs as to his availability.
Ollie, I have to say that I am quite pleased with the outcome at the DW. I don’t really care who’s relegated and the way Wigan played I am of the opinion that if we don’t beat that shower of shit then we don’t deserve CL football. They were awful, and for the last 20 or so minutes they were in full-on panic mode. They are playing City at Wembley on Saturday and then they visit us on Tuesday and not only will they be knackered, they may also be all but relegated. The difference this year compared to previous Great Escapes for them is that they haven’t really got going this time like they have other years and being in a situation where it’s win or bust is more or less completely new to them. We will now play a panic-stricken and tired Wigan instead of one that can just go out there with nothing to lose and if we play to anywhere near our potential we will tear them a new one.
Then again, beating them with whatever margin may of course still not be enough for us ๐
NorCal: which may not be a good thing.
Anyway looks like my dream scenario is going away: I was hoping for Wigan to win tonight and us to send down Pardew…
If the results go our way tomorrow and we win our two games, I won’t care about who goes down though ๐
First bit of 492 was about 489
Actually think that the Wigan loss is a good thing. Look, Arsenal have to win the Wigan game no matter what. By Arsenal winning, it keeps Wigan at 35 points with one fixture left. That means that Toon only need a draw at QPR to make them safe, and so they can pack it in for their finale against the Gunners.
And indeed Lars. I’ve had that nagging feeling of a single missing point, ever since Spuds equalised against Everton.
Nothing that we could have wished could have changed that game, but I still do not understand all those people (including gunnerblog) who thought that a draw in that game was the best result for us….
Abb,
I’ve been trying to think why the nature of goalkeeping should be more likely to cause HTN.
Sorry, but I can’t to be honest.
Their general fitness, like anyone else, should make the condition less likely, and their training will include bursts of intense activity, but I don’t honestly see why that should lead to HTN.
Playing behind, say, Squillaci and Vermaelen might be an entirely different matter though. ๐
BJ: or play with a freedom they wouldn’t have had if they were fighting against relegation. It’s a double-edged sword.
But I don’t read the future anyway.
If we play to our abilities we should win both games, it’s all I will say.
So, after having been compelledto root for the Mancs on Sunday, I now have to wish a result for the Chavs tomorrow night?
Not me, I’ll rely on the Totts own fuck-wittery to cock things up (see what I did there?) in their last two games and watch us win our remaining matches.
It has always been about what we do.
The only thing I will be wishing for tomorrow is red-card mayhem. ๐
Bloody doctors, eh? I had to google HTN to see it just meant hypertension.
Ping!
True Ollie,
It’s always a catch 22.
Wigan plays well under pressure( or so the conventional wisdom says. )
Arsenal play crap under pressure, again just perception.
We hoped Wigan would be clear by the time we play them but if Newcastle were to be safe, it is now a bad thing?
Ah well, we will see what we get. The important thing is to beat the 2 teams we play. No other factors should matter. They are also both in a relegation battle in the last game of the season for a reason.
Well in Lurky!
A good old combination there.
zico, I will only make one prediction for tomorrow: the wished-for meteorite will once more not materialise…. ๐
Lars, it has happened before and it will happen again, the evidence is that a player we (according to reports) desperatly wanted to sign went to a rival and it wasn’t because we couldn’t afford him or he was asking too much.
Ofcourse I have no idea what went on behind the scences, neither do you or any of us, normaly I wouldn’t of cared that much, but this one stung a bit.
Whoa, a proper Lurky goal there! Well played!
Amen to that indeed, NorCal.
Meteorites – brought to you by Eurostar…… ๐
H2H, let’s just agree that he is a cunt for choosing Chelsea over us ๐
๐ @ 506
Well, got to be off to bed now – night all.
haha zico, you’re on form!
Goodnight Lars.
I’m guessing the bar is shut then (unless a certain credit card in a wallet was left behind ๐ )
Meteorites in a shit storm. For some reason I really enjoy the thought of that vision at the bus stop! 8)
Indeed Lars, a dirty Chavy fuckstick of a cunny.
Still think he’s a good player though, but don’t tell anyone I said that. ๐
Bayonne,
I’m with you. Go with the cheeriest scenario and get depressed only when it’s all over – if it’s gone wrong.
Ollie,
The Everton – Spuds thing was simply a question of them both still being a threat to us at the time, and our run hadn’t then been as extended as it has now.
And it was only one extra point for them – instead of none.
Cheer up fellas – tomorrow night is St Totteringham’s Eve. ๐
Heh Ollie,
After months of dealing with Eurostar and the Ticket Exchange,I would have thought you would be having treatment for HTN, never mind knowing what it is. ๐
Thanks Ollie.
My take on the upcoming fixtures.
Chelsea to win tomorrow. Then choose to rest their players for that cup-they-are-in-which-they’ve-entered-after-going-out-of-the-CL-in-the-group-phase, draw with Villa and draw with Everton.
Tots to lose tomorrow, then a draw with Stoke but win vs Sunderland.
Us, win against Wigan by a large margin and celebrate The Day on Wednesday.
The only problem for my crystal balls is NC game, which by this scenario if we win by a large margin of 2-3 goals will bring us the third place.
Can’t happen tomorrow Trev. Wigan at home at the earliest.
H2H – Read the same as Norcal, heard that Mata got a ยฃ9m signing on fee. Blown out of the water. Don’t think we dropped the ball.
Telegraph reporting that Old RedNose is retiring. Fingers, toes and everything crossed here.
Only the ‘Eve’ tomorrow Tabs – not the day.
I’m just determined to celebrate something.
Oh right. With you ๐
Tabs,
There was something on the radio today pointing to the mounting ‘evidence’ that Ferguson is about to retire.
Good riddance – spiteful, bullying little shit.
What did he ever win anyway ?
Haha, he certainly won’t be missed by me Trev. As I’ve already stated on here, my view is that for all his success, his legacy is tainted and that he was ultimately bad for Football in general.
Just read the article. Doesn’t seem to be based on much more than a hip operation in the Summer, a refusal by the Club to affirm or deny the stories, and a large amount of money being placed this week on Moyes to succeed him.
We shall see.
He’s a bigger media whore than ….. Well…… Tabs.
He and united will milk this shit for all it’s worth. They have nothing else going on right now.
Kit deal with puma? Over ยฃ30 million a year?
Ollie, no Adidas. I would love it if the money is true.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-agree-puma-kit-deal-1874661
Haha, beat me to it NorCal.
ABA – Anyone but Adidas.
Good news.
Puma deal for ยฃ170m just announced by Mirror. My source says – true and correct amount.
Hey Norcal.. was just abt to post that.. Great news.. always like puma .. even better now ๐
If true, I take back ONE of the things I said about you Ivan. ๐
It is true. I was told about it 2 months ago. Mentioned it to Ollie. Did not want to post it and compromise my source.
Am i the only one thinking that overall Evans team has done a decent if not great job? We seem to be getting some important deals in place now.
Awesome Bath.
Together with the new Em’s deal it would mean approximately ยฃ 50 million more a year. That would make a difference. Self sustaining and more competitive in the market. Oh please oh please.
Arsenal till I die!
The radio item on Fergie Tabs, said that the hip operation may have been necessitated by van Dutchbloke jumping on him the other week after scoring that drought breaking goal.
Would be too funny it that were true – so I am going to believe it, come what may. ๐
I think they have woken up. Now the team on the park need to deliver 6 more points.
Haha, indeed Trev! ๐
Bath – Your source is obviously a good one. So who are we buying in the Summer? ๐
Nice one bath.
Maybe when Purplenose has fired van Dutchbloke for breaking his hip, we’ll be able to afford to take him back again !
What ? Oh ….. ๐
tabs @533, source gets no info from that part of the business.
GPN – I thought the mooted deal with Adidas reported before Xmas was no better than par, probably below par, and said so at the time. So pleased that that has been shown to have either had no substance or it fell through.
This is much more like it. Great deal. Hats off to those who worked on it.
Trev @ 534, wish he had scored on Sunday rather than breaking an old scroat’s hip.
Bath – Oh that’s a shame. Can’t you just make something up? We’d all believe you.
Well I would anyway ๐
True bath.
“Van Persie breaks Ferguson’s pelvis – Hip Hip Hooray” ๐
Wait a minute then – I’ll make a call…….Oh!
Iker Casillas
Cesc Fabregas
Stefan Jovetic
Wanting Roman’s mecenaries to win is as distasteful as it gets.
Like eating ochra. Blech.
Phil Brown to ManUtd?
If only …!
Bath – Brilliant news!!!!! ๐
No problem with it at all Homer. Just remember who they’re playing, and it all becomes very easy ๐
One night only mind.
And I like ochra. Usually with a Lamb Madras! ๐
I like Puma, had quite a lot of gear from them down the years, in fact lots of stuff. That’s also more like a deal that we should be going for.
The Puma deal does lots of things. It provides a surplus above our old kit deal which significantly cushions us if we don’t make th CL( but we will)
It suggests that Ivan and co aren’t complete twats and it may provide us with some decent kit after years of crappy ones.
Will Silent Stan feel all this money coming in without heavy spending on the team means he doesn’t have to spend or will he realise we only get money like this if w are successful. I wonder if there are penalty clauses if we don’t make the CL. If there aren’t Puma need their bumps felt as that is where the market is.
Still if it buys us our next superstar who am I to complain. Interesting the announcement comes on the day the club wrote to me about my season ticket renewal! Cynical- moi?
Abb,
Just had a thought – Dapper DanC probably your man for the HTN question. I think he is a cardiologist – and what is NorCal ?
I know a heart specialist – very clever chap who made himself a new hearing device out of sticky back plastic.
He called it his Tacky Card Ear. ๐
Penalty clauses ttg ?
I think in a Puma deal it will be a penalty claws. ๐
๐
I see that Tabs and Lurky had already debated the Mata transfer………
Bloody hell this catching up is taking forever, I’m about as fast as Grant Holt. ๐
Trev,
I’m a professional drug dealer. ๐
I prefer that to being called a ” gas passer”. But it all depends on what I eat.
TTG,
Not cynical at all. My guess is the Jovetic deal will get a little more play this week too and maybe another ” pre-contract” with someone else too.
Marketing…..
Depressed @ 461 – Apologies. Inappropriate comment. Inspired at the time (I think) by Spectrum and rolled over onto you. But don’t be depressed, did I ever tell you about life on the sunny side?
Well, once upon a time…….. ๐
Puma, eh? Would the new kit look something like this? (assuming the news is indeed true and not a pack of malarkey)
http://www.footballkitnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/New-Rotherham-United-Shirt-11-12.jpg
Trev, thanks for your response. Think your patients are very lucky to have you as their go to guy ๐ What you said makes perfect sense. I was just worried that the accumulation of stress hormones, triggered by the ‘Fight or Flight’ syndrome, over time, might do some damage. Now I won’t worry! ๐
My thoughts on Fergie stepping down (if he does). He’s deserves his retirement and to enjoy it while still in relatively good health. Yes, he’s a funny sort, but I’ll miss him. But there’s more too. No Fergie next season means Arsene will miss out shaking his hand, after we beat them. Unfinished business between the two of them ๐
Thanks for the vote of confidence, N7 & Ollie..
And as for the Puma deal, I’m over the moon with the deal amount and for the fact that it’s Puma instead of Nike\Adidas\Umbro. Wanted it to be either Puma or Fila..
With Puma reportedly paying us a signing fee for next season and Emirates paying a chuck as well, we will be 40-50M more in our books for the coming season.. No need to sell a player to balance books this off-season.. It is looking good.. Upwards & Onwards I guess..
Indian Gooner – Add to that the fact that we are selling Sagna and TV (c’mon guys, is there anybody here who still believes either one of them is gonna be at the Ems next season?) and we’ll have 70m to spend at the very least.
Jovetic – 20m, Capoue -10m, Begovic/Cesar (I’d take both) – 5m-15m, Williams – 10m (a very good 3rd CB), and……. Higuain -18m.
Would be great buys, but more importantly, all realistic.
And for anybody who thinks Julio Cesar is not up to it, just think of van Der Sar. He reached the top with Ajax, moved to Juve, went down to Fulham, and returned to the top at Man U.
I see the same career trajectory with Cesar. I’d love to have him, especially as I have a lot of confidence Woj will make it (remind me again what goals were his fault this season apart from S’oton, Villa, and Bayern?).
Very excited for the future, but it’s all about the result at the Bridge tonight ๐
Down Under But Not Downhearted – Please come back and contribute.
Unless we are likely to fall out over the Ashes that is!
Thanks for spotting the wrong ‘un.
BtM, you have been missed. I hope all is well?
Snir,
I’m not too concerned about selling players to make room for new players. I’m happy that for the 1st season in years, Le Boss can just think about improving the squad instead of the added pressure of needing to sell players & find compromises or less-expensive players to balance books..
What a great evening of news that was.
Arsenal ยฃ30 Puma kit deal.
Old Rednose potentially calling it a day.
Gareth Bale demonstrating what an utter tool he is by trying to copyright his pathetic goal celebration.
Lovely stuff.
As has already been said above, chuffed to bits with the kit deal. Sums involved look great and I love a Puma kit – they’ve made some real classics. I wonder if their fondness for skin tight shirts might definitively close the door on Santos returning to the club.
Well done to Ivan and the team. Now let’s see all this activity translate to some real money being spent on the squad. What a summer this could be – god knows we’ve earned it with our patience these last 8 years – some of us, anyway!
Not so sure about Cesar. Lots of QPR fans in my family and their view is that he’s very talented but a bit gone in the head. Not entirely reliable or committed – perhaps not the model senior pro we need to bring Woj along. His price is right but he’s meant to be on 100k a week. Can’t seem us paying that – probably makes him more expensive than Begovic, on balance.
Indian – I just mentioned Sagna and TV as us having 70m not 50m.
I too am thrilled that we can finally have some continuity. Last time we had that (2010-2011) we challenged on four fronts and faltered in April (the Eboue penalty vs. Liverpool was the final nail).
N7 – I don’t know about his issues at QPR but I would take anything that goes on there with a pinch of salt. Broken dressing rooms do that to most, even the model pro (not suggesting he is, but let’s judge his character on his Inter days, no?).
Snir, if we do sell Sagna & TV, it’ll be for more than 20M. Le Boss won’t sell for them for that amount combined..
My point is that I don’t want us to sell anyone this season just add some more quality to have a better chance at the trophies next season (we will definitely need the bigger squad to win all 4 of them)..
Just asked a Loftus Road season ticket holder about Cesar and here’s what I got: class keeper, doesn’t always appear to try, which can be frustrating, great shot stopper but questionable command of his area and poor kicking. Should do a job somewhere but a top four club seems a stretch. Probably not worth ยฃ100k a week.
I wonder if we might go back in for Schwarzer.
Mind you Snir, you make a good point – he was a great keeper at Inter, so he might turn it on again at a bigger club.
Just feels a bit risky for Arsene.
baff 525 knew before anybody else. ๐
I think he revealed it to us on that night when he stayed very long in the Tollie (though to be fair he revealed it early that day while perfectly sober ๐ )
And so we will share a kit supplier with Bordeaux ๐
Have to admit they have produced quite a few atrocities over the last few years though :s
Fergie has gone. Amazing.
I have stuck extra nails on me fingers…. you know they will be eaten come this evening…..
Hopefully Chelski will be 5-0 up by halftime and calm our nerves a bit.
As for Ferguson, the media bowing and scraping to ‘Sir Alex’ is going to be even worse over the next week or two.
Rejoice, apparently Funguscunt has confirmed he will leave.
At the end of THIS season.
Blimey.
So that’s where Mourinho’s going then?
N7: “great shot stopper but questionable command of his area and poor kicking.”
Which is exactly my impression as well. I don’t think he is what we need at all. Still, Snir’s example with VdS is very relevant. He was, if I remember correctly, bought as a backup on the cheap but turned out great for them. Wasn’t it Tim Carroll who was supposed to be the next big thing for ManU at the time?
And as for the news about the Puma deal then, provided it is true, a lot of my worries for the end of the season have vanished. Not having CL undoubtedly makes things more difficult, but if we can be seen as a club with potential and being on the up (which is what being showered with money tends to do although it will be offset by missing out on the CL) then getting some fairly decent players in will be made easier. The problem in recent years has been the wage bill and if we can trim some fat off it (Arshavin, Squillaci, perhaps Denilson) and at the same time increase our annual income then I think we may see some rather pleasing transfer deals in the coming months.
I also hope that this is just the start of what the commercial team can do. As I have said before, we were very late out of the blocks and it takes a while before results start to show in such a field but lately there have been a few new deals and serious upgrades to both the Emirates shirt sponsorship deal and now, reportedly, for the kit manufacturer deal. I have some hope that there is more to come – perhaps even much more.
This is great news.
We have money to spend.
Utd no longer have Ferguson to drag them along and bully soft decisions out of the refs.
Suspect they’ll appoint Mourinho now and leave Chelsea crying into their hankies.
But now watch the sycophants out.
Me I say: fucking lame from the drunken cunt to put out such a team selection for his last game against the Bus Stop.
Utter utter utter cunt.
Great track record, incredible list of trophies, but I won’t join the respectful tribute.
Well I may have a whisky to celebrate.
N7
You know for a fact we will not buy another keeper right?
Ollie, there is a headline on the Guardian saying ManU have confirmed it.
I think corking up a bottle of bubbly may be in order. But be ready for a few weeks of media wankfest…
@ ATG
I’ve no idea. But I suspect Fabianski will leave, which suggests another keeper may join. We’ll see.
Can I just add that Tim Payton has really embarrassed himself on Twitter these last 12 hours?
Club sign huge kit deal – slags Wenger.
Ferguson retires – slags Wenger.
The AST deserves better (or at least more measured) leadership than this. Not everything is a stick to beat the manager with, and if you’re at the stage where you can’t even embrace good news for the club then it’s time to step back and take a look at yourself.
I wonder what the news about RedNose does for the game tonight?
And my bet is on Mourinho taking over. The deal has probably been done for weeks or even months.
Also, watch out for people saying, about whoever manages the Premiership-winning team next year: “He wouldn’t have won it if Sir Alex had been there.
Adieu Chewy McPurplenose. You will be much missed. BUT NOT BY ME.
Gotta feel sorry for the journos (what am I saying?). Wankfest over Chewy? Wankfest over Chimpy. Sigh. No wonrder they call it “The Street of SHame”.
@552
And this is why I hold such respect for the drinkers here overall and BTM in particualr, no offence to the other fine members of the establishment.
Lars, that was my instant reaction too, Scruffy Special Cunt to take over.
I’ve heard rumours that Steve Kean and Terry Connor are in contention for the Man Utd job. Well OK, maybe not…
Charlie, my hope is that they let someone from Venky’s appoint the new manager. After all, they have done such a fine job with Blackburn…
#556
“With Puma reportedly paying us a signing fee for next season and Emirates paying a chuck as well, we will be 40-50M more in our books for the coming season.. No need to sell a player to balance books this off-season.”
No need to sell? Or is it we do not have a HOT player to sell?
COYG!!!
Demento will become Banquo’s ghost in the halls of the Old Toilet. He will blight whoever follows him into the managerial office. It will be like a soap opera with players running to their old gaffer when the new man doesn’t treat them ‘properly’.
My money is on Moyes being appointed in a naive attempt to find SAF Mark II.
Mind you, you have a point, baff. If he is being moved upstairs (as I have read), that can’t work with the Scruffy Portuguese.
I don’t think they are stupid enough to appoint Maureen. The internal strife will be nuclear in a club like Manure. And he doesn’t play Manure-style fitba.
Moyes is also culturally more likely to take an ‘acolyte’ role with the ‘great man’.
Fantastic day!
Ding Dong the witch is dead! Hope the old crook chokes on his first glass of red.
Fantastic deal with Puma. ยฃ34m a year? Superb. I just don’t get the curmudgeonly voices on Twitter that have been anything less than massively complimentary, including those that, like N7 says, should know much better. Payton’s sniffy attitude on social media really doesn’t do him any favours or credit.
All I can say is that some people have a very distorted view of “market value” in the worst worldwide recession for generations. Football might consider itself to be in a protected financial bubble that doesn’t have to worry about such things, (however foolish that notion might be), but I’m pretty sure Clothing Manufacturers don’t. To have extracted ยฃ34m a year from Puma in those circumstances is a job very well done indeed.
Come on Arsenal. Get that top four position, spend the money wisely, and it’s game on for next season.
Snir – Like your thinking re comings and goings. I completely agree with you that Sagna and Vermaelen are off. I don’t think however we’d get anything like ยฃ20m for them, (Sagna 2/3m, Vermaelen 10m). We can afford someone better than Higuain too.
With Bath. Moyes will get the job. Ferguson moving upstairs points to that.
Still giggling at that prospect. Moyes has shown himself to be a good manager, but he is completely untested at the level of competition and scrutiny that he will face at Utd.
Still giggling here.
Sure of it tabs. SAF will feel he can have a mentor relationship with Moyes as they are cut from the same cloth. He certainly has no plans to walk away and will be unable to resist meddling if only initially and despite any public statement of intent not to.
SAF will quote his relationship with an ageing and frail SMB – a different animal from the SMB who destabilised several managers over a decade.
No chance of such a plan with Maureen, Klop or any foreign manager.
New money deal for Arsenal and ole Red Nose retiring.
Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
Starting to think you may be right that they won’t go for Maureen. And moving Ferguson upstairs could potentially be a HUGE mistake. What could he possibly do without interfering with the manager’s work? It will be hard enough for whoever takes over – even for Maureen – to have to live with the legacy of Rednose and ten times worse if he was still at the club.
(and the same goes for Arsene by the way, the day he no longer manages the team he has to leave the club entirely in my opinion)
It’s going to be Moyes. Blatantly.
I hope we’re preparing an offer for Jagielka as I type. Everton are about to become a lot easier to negotiate with.
When the team hits a bad run, SAF will first be asked for his ‘advice’ and will then return from the boardroom to sort out the ‘chaos’. It’ll be a super new soap opera.
Good call on Jagielka – much better than Williams, whom I do not rate.
*Dinks ball into box…. *
Where is Ollie?
Posts multiple obnixious and unconstructive posts under different names to confuse numbering…
With you Lars at 595.
Well in Oxon!
Sorry Lurky, I was out.
Question (I’m still confused about that). Do we get Puma from next season (in which case I might want to buy this season’s shirt before it’s too late) or from 2014?
Well in Oxon.
Completely agree with Bath and N7. It’s definitely Moyes. Apparently it was an absolutely massive bet on Moyes that tipped the Media off in the first place.
Gone all giddy at the prospect. A plummeting share price, panicking Glazers, sterile football, and The Daily Sport finally outing Moyes as an alien.
Magnificent stuff.
Well in Oxon – even if unconsciously.
Heh tabs @ 603.
If reports that the replacement is in place but has to resign before it can be announced are true, it won’t be Moyes because he is out of contract shortly so there’s no resignation necessary.
We’ll see, but I reckon they’ve swooped for Mourinho to foil Chelsea.
I’m envious if they have.
My understanding is 2014 Ollie.
Envious? They’re welcome to Mourinho.
Thanks Ollie, tabs, baff. Upset by my stylistic blooper useing the word “posts” twice in such a short drink, but, hey they all count.
Would rather eat my own arm with an ice cream pick than have Mourinho as Arsenal Manager.
I agree. should be morinho going to OT. hope it turns out horrible for them.
Cheers tabs.
And what you said at 610 too
Baff, SMB??? I may reveal myself as clueless here but I can not for the life of me figure that one out.
(And when someone reveals the answer I am sure I am going to go “oh bloody hell, how stupid am I???” ๐ )
I would rather eat tabs arm with an ice (cream) pick than have Mourinho as Arsenal Manager.
Sir Matt Busby, silly….
Oh bloody hell, how stupid am I???
Zico, I would rather someone ate tabs’ arm than mine ๐
When I was playing, some time ago now, we used to search for Puma boots because they were the only ones at the time offering wide footings ( in the days before New Balance and customised boots). That’s why a lot of goalies used to wear them ( big feet = big ? whatever) etc.
If we are indeed to be sponsored by Puma, does this mean that we may be persuaded to play with more width next year?
Tuck in Dr Z. ๐
If Moyes doesn’t get this job, there’s gonna be an awful lot of red faces in the Media. That’s the name they’re all plumping for.
And @606 – Moyes contract runs until the Summer. It would still need a resignation before any announcement, an announcement that they are duty bound to make as quickly as possible to fulfil the requirements of a partial Public listing.
Are you staying Steve T s behind that deal, Noosa? ๐
In the past few weeks we have had to cheer for ManCity, Liverpool, ManU and tonight Chelsea. And this weekend we will have to cheer for… Stoke. It’s a fucked up world we live in.
tabs: damn, that resignation bit rules out them hiring Neil Warnock ๐
I’m lying on a beach on a sun kissed island off the coast of Africa. I take up an offer of a massage from one of the lovely Beach ladies and pop on the iPhone to see what’s new in the gunnerdom. Not only is there a new deal with puma but purplenose has finally hung up his juicy fruits! This really could not be better – I shall have an extra rum tonight watching chelski have the totts for dinner!
You will also notice Lars, that out of all, surprisingly, Liverpool are the only ones to nick a point in those games. And arguably, the least important one.
We’re doomed, aren’t we?
PUMA on Twitter:
“We will have an exciting announcement for you this evening. Tune in for big news at 19:00 GMT.”
Ollie, I have noticed that awful trend ๐
Joe, sounds nice – and I hope you are right about Chelsea tonking Spurs!
…and on that note, I am off out into the sunshine for some beer and a birthday party (not mine) and I will probably be too busy getting drunk to watch the cuntfest to end all cuntfests tonight.
Up the Arse!
Ollie @ 623.
It’s not a good sequence is it?
But every run comes to an end some time.
Hopefully tonight.
De Rossi what a twat – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRsqM6FYGNs
Phil Brown got the Southend United gig just two months ago so it probably won’t be him. However, with a win percentage of 12,5% after 8 games, they might just be willing to let him go. It takes two to tango.
Cheers Joe and enjoy! ๐
Big Sam for Manure.
You heard it here first.
๐
Finaly caught up.
So, the end of an era, there’ll be many out there who have never known Man U sans Fergie, a sobering thought. Yes, he could be a bit of a knobend, but fair dues, his achievements were outstanding, and love him (yucky) or loathe him (standing ovation) there’s no denying that he had the ability to get the best out of what sometimes looked like a pretty ordainary bunch. I never really liked the guy, but have nothing but respect for his record…………
Anyhoo, he’s gone and we shall rightly rejoice! I almost (I said almost) feel sorry for the next guy in charge already, can’t see Moyes handling the pressure. Maureen would be ready and waiting, the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach, although it may be worth it just to see the fallout from the Chavs.
Isn’t Rafa available soon!?
No, too far fetched? How’s about an old Manc, Sparky would take the job, oh wait, he’s not under contract….. OK, Mrs Doubtfire it is. ๐
===
Just had a horrible feeling that they might go after Klopp, he fits the bill perfectly.
Oh and By the way.
42 years to the day that we won our first double……
Time flys eh?
Lars 624: not this then! ๐
http://boutique.girondins.com/pageLibre0001053f.aspx
Ollie @620
Does he have big feet then?
Paolo Cesar, no thanks, the guy lost his place to Rob “Couldn’t even catch a dose of the nasties in a Bangkok Transexual titty bang bang bar” Green. plus a ton a week… per-lease.
I can see why we can conclude that Sagna may be on his way out, but why Vermaelen? He has indeed suffered a loss of form, but I think he’s the kind of guy who’ll want to knuckle down and fight for his place, I could of course be wrong though.
Lars,
Have always thought the chavs wud beat both the mancs and spuds & our best chance was always 4th if I’m honest.
Just hope wenger gets a chance to built upon the imposed savings and prudence of yesteryears. Failing to qualify wud be a serious setback.
Enjoy the beers…!
So will this sponsorship announcement mean that changes to the kit will take affect as of next season or the one to follow next season?
How do you guys think this will affect our negotiations in the upcoming transfer window?
Cheers
Now that purplenose is gone – wenger is the longest serving manager with moyesy 2nd. And to continue with such lofty standards, Tony pubis is apparently the 3rd longest serving manager in the PL.
Can you believe working so hard throughout your life just so you can leave a legacy for being such an absolute cunt!
Says it all really…!
Lars @621 – Haha, what a shame that Colin will never get a shot at the big time. ๐
Joe – @622 – Now there’s something to really be envious of. Enjoy mate.
ATG – What a bellend indeed! Even Bale would be ashamed of that.
Hehs at the helpful suggestions to Manscum from Bath and Toby ๐
H2H @636 – Haha at Robert Green’s full name. Agree with you and N7 about Cesar. Better and cheaper options out there imo.
Now being reported that Moyes has resigned.
I can’t wait to get to the Pub. Crying Manc fans, the end of a Machiavellian empire, and Tottenham about to get tonked. I’ve had worse days.
Just wanted to pop in to let you know that it’s sunny and warm here and I have a beer in my hand.
Purple Proboscis retiring? You knew it was coming when Howard Webb waved that red at Rafael. Must have known and was miffed that his pay was going to be cut in half….
Tottenham to get tonked, tabs? You’ve cheered up considerably since yesterday then ๐
What?
A blog about us beating a relegated team and there are over 630 drinkys?
Has something happend?
Cheers all. I’ll lay off the urge to call for a tonking since we scraped by QPR with me using the same word. Just take care of business you disgraceful bus stop twats.
An extra 50 million a season from Emirates and Puma
Manure lose the most successful manager (worldwide?) of all time.
Happy. Days.
Dr C
A tonking of spurs will be the cherry on top!
Ah shit, I said it. ” a tonking”!
Back in the groove Lars! ๐
Tonk Away….
A great day indeed !
Slur Alex Fungusgone !
Has to be Moyes in next.
ManUre would not tolerate Maureen’s self publicising above their own.
Chewy lost his last home game – sorry, threw his last home game.
Not all that really, was he ?
Puma wonga coming out of our ears !
Only bad thing on a great day is having to hope that Terry and Lumpalard are smiling at the end of the evening.
But hey, so will we be. ๐
“We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the beer and the song,
like the seasons, all have gone”
Good riddance!
Re Cesar – cheaper options? I doubt it. He won’t cost more than 5m, and he hasn’t really lost his place, it was given to Green so that he’ll know he’s the GK they want in the championship. VdS was extremely average at Fulham and his talents shone through around better players at Man U, just like Cesar at Inter. I think he’d be a better option than Begovic and the likes.
As for Fergie – yea he’s successful but he won’t get my respect. He’s provably the most disrespectful person in the world so he can go suck it.
Tabs mate – what’s wrong with Higuain? Great striker.
I was telling Dr C. we need two strikers, one that can play both up front and second striker and one the can play up front, on the wings, and in the hole. We’ll have that with Higuain and Jovetic.
The reason I say this is because I want them to play with Giroud (in addition to allowing us to have a lot of variety in our formations) because I think he’ll be great next season.
SSYella
โWe had joy, we had fun, we had Totnum on the run.
But the joy didn’t last,
‘cos the basterds ran too fastโ ๐
Itยดs true – Snir said that! ๐
But why Moyes ๐ ????
I rate him extremely highly and like him very very very much!
Now I’ll need to hate him ๐
It would have been a lot simpler if it were Mourinho!!!
I like Higuain. Random intrusion from the foggy foggy San Francisco Bay…
New financial deals? Let’s see. If we don’t see significant, multiple squad investments (not 1 marquee signing), I’m killing a butterfly.
๐
The only reason that Moyes is nopt disliked is because Everton were nothing more then a very small fly in our ointment.
Give him a few days at the manc scum…………
Maureen at Manure would be just unberable, the world would be engulfed by a giant cloud of smug.
“Cloud of smug.” That is EXACTLY the description I’ve been looking for to describe the vague, hideous vision of a pouty-faced Mourinho sits hunkered into a Manc bench seat.
Cheers H2H!
On the other hand, that would be worth every cent to see if opposite him on the Arsenal bench where Mr. Crazy Goggles Klopp hotboxing his own ‘cloud’ with some of PIK’s northern california goodness! ๐
Really easy to hate Moyes. He’s an alien! He threatens our way of life and our shared values. The stakes are high, he threatens our very existence.
Check out that look he gets when he’s lost…
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSsgMlrVTAKh0UfJkaQmTxoF21y5OQo6nnEuXRTF3C2QIf9rCbf
Snir – Cesar? Not just about the transfer fee. He will cost a further ยฃ5m a year in wages. I think it sensible to take on the views of people like N7’s family who presumably have watched him week in week out. And don’t agree with you about VdS. He was outastanding for Fulham, not least against us at Highbury in the Invincibles year.
Higuain? A good player, but in my view there’s better out there (dependent on how much wedge we’re prepared to spend of course). Just my opinion. To be honest I haven’t seen that much of him. Just felt like disagreeing mate ๐
What Pik said.
Well played H2H ๐
For almost 3 decades a giant black claw were hiding the sun from decent football folks.
Rejoice, oh you good people. The time has come!
Huguain to Juve if you believe well…. Rumors.
Cesar is a good keeper when motivated but not at ยฃ100k a week for us.
Moyes with money, I guess we will find out if he is the shit.
Everton played a lot of draws this season. Will he be more adventurous now?
Can we get Baines? I would love to see him crossing the ball into Beefcake.
Baines would be our 4th left back unless we offload Santos. Can’t see it. Jagielka more likely but still remote. More need of a striker and a holding mf-er.
baff, if Moyes goes to Man U, I believe there’s a 99% chance Baines will follow.
Just saying.
Tabs – the whole point of my shopping list is that it’s good players but not the most expensive (Cavani, Falcao etc.), meaning Higuain is realistic and at that range of price (20m) I’m struggling to see anyone better.
That is of course in case we aren’t ready yet for 200+k a week wages, if we are, then that’s a different story…
I’m ready, Snir, I’m ready ๐
Agree with Tabs, on vdS, not sure why anyone thinks he went to Man U to play second fiddle.
Heh @ the alien, but I thought he was more a resident of Springfield rather then Roswell;
http://elchicoibarra.blogia.com/upload/20060115140001-moe-co.gif
Ollie, spot on re Baines, I was thinking the same about Fellani. If Kenwright is smart he’d of installed a clause in Moyes contract that he wouldn’t be able to poach players he has had at Goodison. Time will tell.
H2H – I didn’t say he went to play second fiddle, I said he was at the top, then went down and signed with Fulham then came back to the top with Man U.
Same with Cesar, Inter, and QPR.
Lots to sweep up Re Fergie. I have to say because I am a very fair man that he has done a remarkable job. I am old enough to remember United losing Busby and struggling unsuccessfully to fill his shoes for several years. Let’s hope for the same again. He has a purple nose and threatens referees but so does Wenger although he has an ordinary nose. But Ferguson zips his coat up better.
Certainly this will show whether Moyes can really manage at the top or whether he is good at finishing fifth or sixth with scant resources and lots of excuses .i think the speculation about players moving is Inevitable. I was trying to work out who would go to Everton and I think it might be Martinez. But they have several really good players. I suspect part of the Moyes deal will be that he has access to one player- he will choose Baines or Fellaini but it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Phil Neville is leaving Everton this summer on a free and he could return home. Everton could be raped by a number of clubs of whom we could be one. Most of their team is decent Premier League quality but I suspect Jagielka and Fellaini would be the best fit for us. The lack of noise around Fellaini to Arsenal suggests Wenger is not looking in his direction so maybe he is looking at Neville on a free. I’ve Gonalons with the French speculation ( see what I did there?) but it isn’t easy to guess Wenger’s likely targets particularly as they change repeatedly. I would be reasonably happy with Howard at our place, but I suspect as Pienaar has shown that most of them look better in a set- up they understand rather than becoming part of something bigger.
And remember we have an 80% chance of being happy tonight and a 40% chance of being very happy.
2-0 to Chelsea.
And Tabs, if you’re ready for 200+k wages, I’m sure you’ll be ready for 100k for Cesar. ๐
Wouldn’t be surprised if everyone gets a raise in case we do sign players at 200k so that the gap wouldn’t between the players wouldn’t be THAT big.
Red card mayhem? I vote in favor. 8)
Favorable prognosis for today’s game: Score draw (3-3?) to give maximum heart palpitations to both sides, and two points dropped apiece.
Bath,
I agree about Baines. Just wanted a fullback( either side) that could get up the line and put in a proper cross. Beefcake would benefit greatly!
I like Gibbs and Jenks but Baines is a much better creator from the fullback position. And don’t get me started with Sagna’s crossing and nacho comes inside instead of crossing from wide.
Cheers. Hope all is well with you.
My sincere condolences regarding the death of Sir Alex Ferguson.
He is dead right?
The amount of airplay he is getting at the moment just for stepping back from a job is ridiculous, there is even going to be a special program after tonight’s game……crazy stuff.
Indeed Depressed.
The question is – does David Moyes have an inner little boy?
Zico,
He can just borrow van Pursestrings, because his is a lying, cheating egotistical twat. It should provide him fine company while coaching that lot. ๐
Come on you testicles sniffinโ, arse lickinโ, zig zagging small time Stamford pensioners!
Back to the shag.
Famous last words from BSR:
Robin Van Persie on signing with Manure:
โI look forward to spending many years working with Alex Ferguson.โ
FUCK YOUR LITTLE BOY
FUCK YOUR LITTLE BOOOOOY
YOU COULD HAVE HAD WENGER
INSTEAD YOU’VE GOT MOYES
Come on you Chav scum.
Round off a cracking 24 hours for us. Fuck a draw – I hope the LWCs take a hammering!
I think moyes is a great appointment and certainly ticks the longevity box which is what Manu will want. Jose is all about Jose and has no long term track record in building a club. Moyes is the braver appointment and the better one I would argue.
Anyway lets hope rafa doesn’t spoil the rum!
Anyone can manage utd their rich.
CHELSE – boilk, boilk, boilk. ๐
If Wenger spent ยฃ100 million he’d be a great Manager
Chelski don’t disappoint please tour scum services are still required! !!!
HAVE I really wrote that? ๐
I see he took my advice at last. I’ve been telling him long enough…
Heh. ๐
Just caught up with drinks and thought that the barman was strangely quiet and wondered if he had caught the train to Manchuster on a job hunt . Relieved to see him still around
You do sit closeby !
anyone with a decent flash stream? i need to spoil my lunch.
Chavs 1 up !! ๐
yay. chelsea up a goal.
Oh when those wheeeeeeels …….
We could do with that result! And I could do with some updates. My internet is poo ๐
Nice tribute to SAF, Holic. You could have picked a bad one of him. Fair play ๐
mickey d is playing a bit with the edge of yellow.
Throws a pie in SAF’s nose.
oh, the pic…I just looked at it again ๐
Now SAF has gone, maybe we can make a cheeky bid for Webb?? Could be our best signing….
now i know what trev meant (whispers).
Ghosts in from nowhere
Well in abb, unless the blue pencil comes out…
Dave have just announced that to mark SAF’s retirement, all their programs tonight will include at least 5 minutes of extra time.
I laughed.
fuck OFF.
Oh bloody hell.
Adebarndoor levels 1-1. ๐
Totally against the play.
1-1
Thanks Oxon. Celebration cut short by Ade ๐ But, game is young ๐
horrible defending by chelsea for the paywhore’s goal.
Cunty fuck
That’s a thousand words picture, ‘holic. I like it ๐
Watching Chel$ki and actually wanting them to score is a truly unpleasant experience.
trev, so is being frustrated at them being shit.
Chavs 2-1 ๐
ooooh, perfect timing…
2-1 to the bus stop.
Ah ha! Yes! ๐ 2nd time for him, the charm.
Dead right scruz.
I’m getting quite angry that Torres is so poor!
Wtf is going on ???
really frustrating to watch. like a dog trying to bite its own tail.
2minutes of Fergie time … Oh, no. ๐
Our support is f*cking shit
Our support is ……
๐
i do love how crap scott parker is, though.
Chavs need another one for sure. Pretty dominant over the Shite, but anything can happen between this lot of Neanderthals…
2-1 – So far so good. My only worry is that the Chavs should be out of sight.
Massive heh at the pic ‘H ๐
Only question is, will 3 or 4 points be dropped between the loathsome lot. But a Chelsea win or draw will be required for my system to be able to handle it.
Trev@711 – is it just nausea, or are you experiencing actual physical pain? It seems to have done the trick ๐
Can’t bring mysef to cheer on the Chavs to win…………
But have absolutly no problem willing the LWC’s to lose.
i’d be thrilled at a last minute draw, with bale and torres going off straight red for fighting.
C’mon Ars…C’mon Chelsea! ๐
Potsticker,
It’s more nausea, disbelief and a feeling of being very unclean. ๐
But I’ll take one for the team.
Great shot from Torrid – not. ๐
WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT??????
assou ekotto learning from bale.
Assole-Ekottou blatant dive, and Vertongen bicycle kicks into the upper tier from the free kick.
How shit are Sperz. ๐
Now monkey boy is diving again.
Champions League ?
They’ll be crap with Bale, and if he leaves …….
their great new hope holtby exits the field.
and the texan comes on, hope he shoots himself in the foot.
oscar has a fungus growing on his face. must have gotten something from old purplenose.
Does he ever stop diving!?!? It’s INSANE to watch him… :-/
god but the monkey boy dives. he really should be in the kirov. or longleat.
now all that’s left is the fight between torres and monkey boy.
Good ol’ Ade. Only plays well to spite the Arsenal… Fxck off n die.
Adebarndoor offside assist – 2-2 – SHIT !
10 minutes to hold on for chelsea…a tie at least? please.
I abhor use of the C-word in public. It really is most barbarian, crude and lowers the intelligence factor of any discussion by several orders of magnetude.
But the FUCKING CUNT Adebayor!
He decides to show up on today of all days?!
YOU FUUCKING GREEDY CUNT BASTARD!!
Comon chels, get it togther!
c’mon yossi, get one for your gunners.
yellow for monkey boy. surprised he didn’t grab it out of riley’s hand and try to peel it.
Ade trying to ‘lay with’ Yossi… Yossi is rightfully outraged.
whatta ya figure. 6 minutes of fergie time?
Why the f was he protecting Bale’s RIGHT lane!?!?!?!?!
Scruz… ๐
ade offside, take it slow, chelsea. twenty more seconds.
yes!!
Horrible cuntfest draw.
Not too bad, but this is going down to the wire.
It’s on Gooners. ARSENE WENGER’S RED ARRRRRMMMMMMYYYYYYY!
we win out, 4th is ours, if chelscum don’t drop a game. then third. we just have to win out….got that, lads, WIN OUT.
Scruz @744. ๐
st. totteringham celebration still on
pik, here’s to foggy days in norcal…
Never in doubt. Been saying all week we’d be back in the driving seat come Wigan.
Arsenal now second best def in the premier league.
What a great 24 hours.
COYG
A lot’s been made that we haven’t took many points from the other top teams, the cunts have taken more then us, yet we lead them in the table, go figure!!!
trev and pik ๐ it just seemed obvious.
Finally, our fate is back in our hands.
I think both of our London competitors would drop point over the weekend. Villa are in form, playing at home and the win will guarantee staying up. Chelsea also always seems to have a problem with Villa if I recall correctly.
Stoke are shit, but still they will do all they ‘can’ to win the final home game for staying up guarantee.
Hopefully even the 3rd would be back in our hands after the weekend.
Looking at the table, that could be a HUGE point for the cunts
Seems like a good result to me. What price Everton to put on a show for Moyes at the bus stop on Sunday week?. Third place still on (though not in our hands). Abb’s got it right, as usual, two wins and a CL place is ours. Two wins and a performance from the Toffees and automatic qualification is ours too.
COYG
Oh, when the wheels…
Eurosport are scare cunts.
I watched EVian vs Lorient (4-0 by the way, Lorient a pris l’eau) then checked the Eurosport update on iPod.
It says ‘Adebayor keeps Tottenham dream alive….’
Fuming…
‘….in Chelsea draw’. Somewhat relieved. Bus Stop winning would have been better, yes I am still worried about that point, but at least it’s back in our hands.
Win our last two games. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.
Which cunts? ๐
I will not bother backdrinking….
‘Holic@686: Nice one.
Bloody good point h2h. Uncle Charlie’s got me beat.
Ollie, that point means nothing now, it’s in our hands, win twice job done…..
Drop points then it is on us and nobody else.
Seems we are exactly where we want to be. If we beat Wigan at home we guarantee Newcastle will have nothing to play for on the last day of the season, given they don’t lose against QPR this weekend.
I also suspect Chelsea will draw with Villa. We better have a goalfest at the expense of Wigan then ๐
We’ll have to cheer Stoke on at the weekend. The horror, the horror…But if it gives us a chance to wrap up 4th with a game to spare, I’m willing to go through that horror!
French Cup final will be one for puntastic Trev anyway:
Evian vs either Bordeaux or Troyes (Champagne)
The monkey worshipping cunts, not the Chav cunts
Point is, I don’t think we’ll beat Wigan.
I’ll go now!
I am very very happy to cheer Stoke, the devil’s legions, the Mongol hordes, the Goths, the Vandals or whoever you want to name against the LWCs this Sunday.
Settle for that. Chelsea should have had it all wrapped up early, but to be fair Spurs were the better side in the last 20 mins. Last 10 minutes was absolutely horrendous. Was convinced Bale was gonna put that free kick away at the death.
Best case scenario – Stoke nick something at the wknd. We beat Wigan, and we have Tollie lift off.
Worst case scenario – It’s in our own hands. Please don’t mess it up Arsenal!
Worst case scenario – we have Tollie lift off AND my meeting on Wednesday is brought forward to 9am ! ๐
I do like your best case scenario, tabs.
my cousin is a chelski fan what a prick!
He just called me and said they played well……………end offfffffffff
As said, we beat Wigan and Newcastle, and we’ve done it. And frankly, if we don’t win both games, we don’t deserve that top four finish. They’re not easy games, but one is at home against a team on the precipice of relegation, and the other is against a team that lost 6-0 to Liverpool without the Cannibal. These are games we must win, they’re games we should win if we play to be the best of our abilities. So let’s do it!
Win the last two games and we are home and dry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s to a Tollie lift off and lock in and Dr Z going to his 9am meeting straight from the Tollie. ๐
bg
Come down son please…………………………………..
Dirty work, Baff, some fucker has to do it….. ๐
That was harder to watch than it is watching us play. A good result for us in the end. Don’t blow it now lads. Up the Gunners.
Heh @ 783 – must be better with a skinful and no sleep at all – tell em you just flew in from the Big Epple.
baff 774 me too! ๐
Six points please. No fucking about.
ATG – I’ll be there.
This was painful to watch!
Can I also say: the memory now turns to our final home game of last season – a sloppy, sloppy 3-3 draw with the Canaries that handed the initiative back to the LWCs.
A goal up after two minutes, a goal up with a few minutes to go. And we still shot ourselves in the foot.
Please god let there be no repeat of that horrorshow.
Concern vs Wigan has got to be that it becomes a very open game and a bit of a shoot out. We were good at these early in the season but now I wonder where the goals will come from.
Still – win this game and I think we really are in the box seats.
Steve T, Evian vs Lorient was a lot easier to watch, wouldn’t have wanted to watch the cuntfest in any case, but particularly not tonight!
For the first time since our last game at Highbury, I can agree with the sentiment that 4th place will be a trophy. With that said, while T*ttenham are bottlers, our squad has been too often ripe for slipping right when things are in our own hands. Now is the time to shake that monkey- yes, THAT monkey too!- off our backs for good, and kick off next season towards Championhood again. We deserve no less after this past period at the club.
Up the Arse!
Essential viewing mate.
N7 Gooner – I think we’ll all be nervous as hell on Tuesday, but the big difference between now and when we played Norwich last season is we are in much better form right now. Last year it was one win in six before we played Norwich, whereas this time though the performances have been nervy and the goals few and far between, we are winning games. That’s what gives me confidence that we can win on Tuesday.
Dr Z @776 – Haha, we’ll look after you! ๐
Bath @777 – Me too, and I’ll drink to your @781. ๐
Wigan play this weekend, we don’t, we’ll be rested, they won’t be. we are one of the form teams in the league. they are in the bottom three.
It’s all up to us, two games to go and it’s in our hands. Afew monthes ago we would of all bitten off more then Suarez could to be in this position.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!!
Memo to Tony Pubis: take your captain aside and remind him that Bale is Welsh and that he (Shawcross) is “not that kind of player” (wink wink nudge nudge).
Most likely scenario:
Arsenal 2 Wigan 1
Stoke 1 Sp*rs 1
Newcastle 1 Arsenal 1
Sp*rs 3 Sunderland 1
Arsenal 71 points
Sp*rs 70 points
2nd most likely scenario:
Arsenal 0 Wigan 1
Stoke 1 Sp*rs 1
Newcastle 2 Arsenal 3
Sp*rs 2 Sunderland 0
Arsenal 70 points
Sp*rs 70 points but lose on goal differential
Needless to say, I don’t want to tell you about the third most likely scenario. ๐ฅ
Dinks the ball into the penalty area with backspin (DB10)
lol, bayonne. of course, he could just take bale aside and tell him (while winking) that shawcross is not that kind of player. it might make bale dive. oh, wait.
oooh, cheers for the assist, dbath10!
N7 @ 790 : The difference from last season is this time around we have no delusions about going forward gung-ho and expecting some magic from RVP to see us through. Our collective defending was awful for Norwich’s second and third goals in that match and for large part of the match we didn’t press at all. Should not tempt fate, but our collective defending is really much more organized this time, even if at the expense of creativity going forward.
As long as Ramsey-TR7 starting I think we should have enough high-tempo pressing and defensive work rate — Arseblog had a fantastic analysis on TR7’s defensive contributions in QPR game — to gain control of the game and not turn in into the open-for-all match that we played against Wigan last season.
Not sure how much fake temporary supporting of other teams shit I can cope with….
*furiously composes satanic mash-up of “we’ll be with you”, “the bells are ringing” and the “theme from Z cars” …and then properly hates self….*
DF @ 802: Another difference is, sadly, our goal aversion lately.
Oh, God. I’ve just realised, football is a sport and things sometimes go wrong. Who knew?
COYG UTA FOYS
bathgooner – before the last two games last season the goals had dried up somewhat too, we averaged less than a goal a game in the five games before Norwich.
We really do need Newcastle to beat QPR at the weekend. I wanted Wigan to survive, if only because I like Martinez, but it was good they lost last night. The Wigan game will be tough whatever result they have in the final, and I still feel the pain of last April`s result. I`ts going down to the wire and we won`t have Marton Fulop to do us a favour. As for tonight`s game, the pessimist in me feared the spuds might rise to the occasion, so the draw was ok, especially when Bale stepped up to take the fre kick described by the commentator as in the perfect spot. It`s in our own hands now, 2 games, no balls-ups.
Heh Snowy @803
Come on you muddy browns (remember the colour you got on the palate when you mixed all your watercolours together.
Right, I’m drunk. And pissed off that the offside equaliser stood. But nevermind, it’s back in our own hands. Just effin do the job, boys!
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