Guest Post – An Indirect Free Trick To The Arsenal
May 31st, 2013 by 'holic
Huge thanks are due to the inimitable zicoinexile, one of the many house doctors, for sharing a wonderful tale of his introduction to North London life. I’m hoping the string of full-stops he closes with are an indication of a second part to follow.
While I am here can I just thank everybody for the kind words about last nights live Arsecast/Google Hangout. I hope most of you enjoyed it as much as we did making it.
Without further ado, I give you the story of a man I am proud to have met just by following this great club of ours.
If it seems like a lifetime ago, then that is because it was.
It was a simpler time when you could get from A to B with little more than a thumb and a flair for conversation. Back then, I would take a lift from anybody, truckers, gypsies, wired-to-the moon crazy fuckers, as long as they got me further up or down the road. So it was that this unemployed wide-eyed boy from Scotland found his way to the big city, deposited in a daze outside London Victoria by an amused lorry driver, choking amidst the diesel fumes and buffeted by everyone who was so-in-a hurry. I must have looked every bit like the hick from Midnight Cowboy.
It had never crossed my mind that football would be on the agenda that weekend. The lure of the city for me had been music, beer and girls, and not necessarily in that order. Summoned by an unexpected call from a good friend who had taken Tebbit at his word and “got on his bike”, and wound up in the Borough of Islington, working for the Local Authority, “Come on down”, he said.
Having travelled hundreds of miles by road without fear, my venture onto the tube was an exercise in paranoia, convincing myself I was headed in the wrong direction and would end up somewhere on the wrong side of bottle-wielding bandits. When I had looked at that psychedelic map, it was like a two-dimensional Rubik’s Cube, and about as easy to master. It was with relief then that I stumbled not into the dystopian world of A Clockwork Orange, but instead into daylight at the Angel. There, Pat was waiting for me, with a fire in his eyes which I knew could only be doused by a night on the tiles and the inevitable mayhem that would surely follow.
But he surprised me. His first words to me were “you’re going to love it here, I live about 10 minutes walk from The Arsenal and…..they’re at home tomorrow.” Intrigued, I was about to ask a series of questions when he cut me short, and reverted to type with a “let’s get a scoop, there’s a boozer just round the corner…..”.
Later that night proceedings were eased in gently in a pub on the corner of his street – I think it was called the Red Lion (but then, every second pub in England appeared to me to be named in deference to the Monarchy so it could just as easily have been the Queen’s Head or the King’s Bollocks). A couple of beers sunk, we readily ignored the occasional strange look as Pat and I caught up on months of gossip in loud and excited “foreign” accents.
We walked up Upper Street. We approached a Victorian-looking pub and outside, a large group of young locals were hanging around, rendering me slightly nervous (again). This was the Seventies. At home, groups of animated young people congregating outside a pub usually meant it was ready to kick off. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. We had arrived at the Hope and Anchor and the restless natives (admittedly many clad in outlandish gear) were all simply waiting patiently to descend to the cellar where, over the course of the next 12 months, I would spend money I didn’t have and time (which I had bags of), getting a (new) musical education.
Over the years, bands that were up and coming and bands that were never to be, from The Stranglers to the Feelgoods, Graham Parker, the Cure, Eater, The Makers, Madness, – even the Skids! – found their way to the Hope and Anchor, some on the way to world domination and some, spectators like me, on the way to hell and damnation.
But what does any of that have to do with football?
Well, those Fridays were followed frequently by Saturdays at Highbury.
That first time, I would have had a hangover. Friday nights merged seamlessly into Saturday mornings as Pat always seemed to know where the after-hours parties were. They say your hangovers get worse with age but I’m not so sure – a lot of those days at Highbury I remember as much for the revenge of the hops as the quality of the football. But that day, if I WAS hungover, I was too eager to get to Highbury to notice. The Home of Football had been on my checklist for some time, having previously made it to Wembley, Anfield, Villa Park and Old Trafford, I felt sure I knew what to expect.
And yet.
It was a bright sunny day and we approached the ground from Highbury Hill. At virtually every football ground in those days, there was a lingering maleveolence in the air, and you always had to keep your wits about you. It took years for the police to learn how to effectively control the snarling tribes but I remember being pleasantly surprised by the gentle calm that surrounded Highbury and its apparent absence of malice.
Once we got into the ground I was hooked. The Clock End. We had found our spot.
There was just something so right that brought me to that place, at that time that I immediately felt a sense of belonging that has stayed with me ever since. It was more than the effects of whatever dubious medicines Pat dispensed that weekend that made those red and white strips so compelling, but whatever the strange chemistry was, I discovered there was no antidote. No substitute. No contest.
Memories of the game itself have long since faded but occasionally I get flashbacks of the day – of course these could have been from any of a number of games that season : a one-handed catch of a cross ball by Jennings (his hands appeared to be like gigantic claws) plucked from the sky whilst an opposition forward lunged head first at fresh air. The ungainly Willie Young whose every touch of the ball was almost painful to witness – the antithesis of a Beckenbauer or, whisper it, a Hansen. Of course, we too had some stand-out footballers – Stapleton, Rix, Sunderland. And of course, Chippy. Everything we did went through him and his cultured left foot. I was (still am) mesmerised.
On the Monday morning I was back to scrounging lifts home to Edinburgh. I made this unorthodox return trip every other week for the best part of a season before my wanderlust took me next to Dublin (where I watched and celebrated the 5 minute final). But thereafter, apart from the occasional match in the early 80s, my attendance at The Arsenal was put on hold as I pursued an education, a proper job, marriage, children – wrestling with all the standard conventions of life that quickly creep up on you and get in the way of a good time.
In the intervening period, George brought Arsenal back to winning ways before Arsene oversaw the step-change that transformed us into a so-called superclub. As success followed success, (and terracing became seats) I, like many others, peered from a distance at the Clock End with pangs of nostalgia, mindful of simpler days and wondering what it would be like to go back…….
208 Responses to “Guest Post – An Indirect Free Trick To The Arsenal”
Get in
I DON’T BELIEVE IT !!!
You cut me off again. That’s it – I’m off 🙁
To read Feelgood.
Enjoying the guest posts! Thank you (and Tabs). Cheers.
Here Trev:
185Trev
Jack / Santi / Fabregas.
Three very similar players imo.
Jack could potentially be the best of the lot but needs time. Playing him, when fit, in every game is clearly not working.
If he can find his fitness and his pre-injury form, we have a true star who played Barcelona’s midfield off the park last time around.
Santi and Jack have struggled to fit together thus far and, while Santi can play on the wing, he has drifted out of games doing so when Jack has been in the side.
Fabregas we know all about – a less physical version of the fit Jack Wilshere, for me.
They are all dribblers who would ultimately be most effective in attacking positions.
Can we accommodate three of them in the same team ? Probably not.
Would any of them be happy constantly rotating ? Certainly not.
And we have Oxlade-Chamberlain to come into the side as well. I do think he will play a lot more next year, if for no other reason than that he is always selected for England. I think that AW must have told Roy Hodgson that he intends to play him a lot more, otherwise it would seem a strange decision to select a young reserve for the national side.
My own feeling is that Hodgson is hoping eventually to get Jack, Theo and The Ox playing together for “new England” and expects them to be doing so at club level by next season.
Makes a move for Cesc very unlikely for me, but it would be interesting nonetheless.
And if Balague says it won’t happen, you can bet the deal is done and dusted. 🙂
=====
Right off to read Z’s effort.
ps, I bet it was pre-recorded because there’s no way he is not in the pub right about now. 😉
Oh, thanks H2H. Wasn’t sure whether to interfere with zico’s post 😉
Nice one Dr Z,
your writing is a very easy read, mate.
Enjoyed that – even though I have had the good fortune to have heard some of it before in person. 😉
Friday starts here, in the local, carrying the proceeds from a 36/1 double provided by Bill Esdaile’s Twitter account. Thank you Charlie for the virtual introduction. Guinness!
Great stuff zico,pint of Guinness on the bar for ya!
Great stuff Dr Z.
Trev @ previous-post:181 Have you been speaking to Oxonne? Good point about losing Bwahahaha to the ACN. Best steer clear of him.
Ned @ previous-post:180 Sadly, Oxon has been barred from High Table at All Soul’s for spitting cherry pits at the President.
Great stuff zico.
Although there would be a few years between us, we are definitly from the same vintage, as I too would of been at the HOF when the players you mentioned were plying their trade.
Impending Cup final means I’m not in the right mood to rid this just now.
Hopefully though, I’ll be in a good mood when I can read it! 😉
Drink for zico and all.
Good stuff Dr z, a pint of your choice please
Whisky lovers, would you believe Waitrose, yes Waitrose, is flogging Talisker at eleven quid off. I was in like Flynn 😉
‘H, quite credible.
They did a good deal on malts about six months ago as I recall, I almost managed to run through the Islay card before the deal finshed.
I thought there was a Talisker shortage? Delighted to find that cannot be the case.
Dr Z, top drawer stuff, and as Trev said- very easy read. More power to you.
Ah……. Feelgod!
Well done ( again) , sir.
Tramp. 😉
Cheers Zico, great stuff. That team was the first I witnessed in the flesh at THOF. Plus I did a good few nights at the Hope & Anchor as well (also the Dublin Castle in Camden). Arrived in London in 1978 to go to Goldsmiths, wrong side of the water and I only scraped in on clearing, but so fucking what! London was where it was at, Arsenal and Music. Happy, happy memories.
‘holic, i’m sure you’re delighted to find a case at 11 quid off per bottle, too.
feelgood, more like feelgod on this one. great post. between you and the other guests, this place feels like christmas.
Great stuff Dr Z, you media whore 😉
Will comment tomorrow, I’m busy getting Larsed 🙂
Boring!
😀
😀
” I’m busy getting Larsed” hmmm
This is getting ridiculous. The quality of writing on this website is absolutely top- class and puts a lot of professional football writers to shame . Great stuff Zico- I remember those times and that team well. I was a North Banker and we saw a potentially very good team fall short because the club didn’t have the ambition to keep its great player. Sound familiar?
M Just one comment in defence of Willie Young. Sometimes he was like Bambi on ice but I remember one night on a flooded quagmire at Loftus Road when he won every ball into the box cleared every cross and was totally dedicated to defending our goal. I’ve never seen a more committed or effective performance in conditions like that and it spoke of a guy with great bottle. And he had O ‘Leary tidying up behind him so we had a pretty secure defensive unit!
And for half a season in 1978 with Brady and Hudson in midfield we played some of the best football I have ever seen from an Arsenal side.
Great times brilliantly recalled.
Aha, a fellow North Banker, ttg
Will-ieee, Will-ieee, Will-ieee. 🙂
Wolfie’s call to arms. 😉
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. 😆
Naughty Trev 😉
Just kidding. 😉
😆
It’s too quiet in here tonight. Did everyone else attend the French Cup final with Ollie or are they all “getting Larsed” with Wolfie?
2 posts in one day? What?…….oh.
What a wonderful post, felt every word thank you.
Hello to holic and all the holics hope all is well.
Congratulations Ollie!!!!!
Hi everyone. Zico, yet again you’ve managed to make me feel like I was your shadow. Your apprehension of the Tube (get the same willies when I’m in NYC 😉 ) While I can’t identify with your choice of music (except The Cure), you brought back a simpler time, from the fresh perspective of a wide eyed lad, ready to take on the world. Like a good movie, the kind where you don’t want it to end … kinda sums up for me how I feel about your Arsenal adventures 😉 Cheers.
And that bit from Zico about things getting in the way of a good time. How true! Sorry, I’ve been working mega hours but will catch up on all the drinks properly, on Saturday. Something to look forward to 😉 Hope that Arsecast link will work for me!!! Nite holics 🙂
First of all, thanks to Holic, for letting me spraff!
Secondly, you lot are the Mutts Nuts.
Thank you for all your kind words, even Speedo Queen. 😯
H2H gets the bleedin’ obvious prize for #4 – it’s been a tiring day at work, that finished at 4pm 😉
Oh and happy birthday to the Diamond Dogs 😉
Tremendous post zico – love it!
Twitter seems to be exploding with rumours we’ve signed Julio Cesar. Seems a bit premature to me, although the bookies appear to be slashing their odds. Something going on, I’d say, although it may be Cesar’s camp trying to drum up interest.
Hooray!
Hey Zico, I’ll gladly accept any award.
Nice one Ollie, party hearty mate.
Rightio, MNB seems to have found a new pasttime tpo occupy his miniscule mind, i.d theft, 39, 42, 43 is not me.
O well saddo, have fun with it, I’m off.
Happy for you, Ollie.
Final on Eurosport now. Could they just skip the first 40 minutes?
Also, on the not-jinxing front, 3 minutes from time I told Ben ‘hope we don’t get extra-time, a last-minute winner would be nice’.
HA!
Cheers H2H, would have been disappointed if 34 wasn’t you though 😉
So, 15 minutes to June 1st.
Have we signed anyone yet ?
N7 @39 (approx) – “Cesar’s camp” – trophy signing for Wolfie then. 😉
I think we’ll all recognise the genuine H2H posts, mate.
The terrible grammer and atrocious spelling finally coming in handy. 🙂
That post at 41 looks a bit silly now. Although it’s still factually correct 🙂
haha at 47!
I really am out now.
THis one may very well be the half century later. 😉
Avoid post numbers please people. I will get rid of the clunge avoider’s garbage later.
He must feel so grown up…
Looks like you’ve already got rid of him for now, no?
Oh, so funny,
He’s hijacked me now.
What a pathetic life that you choose to spend it anonymously interfering with a blog full of people you have never met.
Go and get yourself a hamster or something.
Trev, this last post will seem self-referential later, even stuck in a loop! 😉
Or not, I see there was another Red Trev. How did I get fooled?
I’ve read a lot of Julio Iglesias sorry Cesar rumours tonight but they are all from the same source. I’m not sure if Wenger would pay a goalkeeper who is not guaranteed to be number one that sort of wage but then if you want a top goalkeeper you have to pay that. I would doubt that Ches is on the terms quoted. I’d prefer a keeper who commands the box rather than just a good shot- stopper although Cesar is undoubtedly that.
Interestingly when. I went to QPR the bloke next to me said he preferred Robert Green because Cesar made lots of mistakes. That did not reassure me.
Zico – i’ve been pondering your missive all day.
And, after contemplating it, and despite what others have said here … that was well interesting.
Bit of a transient myself these last 20 years. And while i dont have those lovely London memories of yours, your experience as channeled thru that post rang some sort of chord that echoed experiences, memories and reflections ive had down the years.
Bravo sir. Bravo. My bottle of Jameson is yours.
I too have been in/out of the bar recently. Seemingly spring and summer are “idiot season” for attorneys in this country and im up to my eyeballs init.
Cheers all.
The earlier red Trevs were me Ollie, left over from my chevrons thing.
This is all a bit silly. Sleep time for me – hopefully this numpty will occupy his sad life with something else tomorrow. Maybe the Teletubbies will be on kids TV or something.
Ah, all right, Trev, makes sense, I missed a beat.
Right, time to sleep here too, I’ve watched the same game twice tonight. Both times enjoyable (of course the second time I knew the conclusion).
Same impression live and on TV, well deserved win,no controversy, except they should have had more yellows, again, same impression on both showings.
Good read, Dr Z. Looking forward to part 2, if there is a part 2…
Oxon@9 or some adjacent no. if the Guvn’r has got his Dyson out: barred for hitting or missing?
Saturday morning sunshine from Ireland (i kid you not) to all in the bar.
Top post Zico. You have a few years on me, but those names bring back fond memories..!
The barman does it too well with this subtle edit at 53 😉
French Cup final pictures up on twitter for those who use it :p
Excellent account of your Damascine moment Dr Z. Captures that 70s vibe superbly. I can see you in your wide collar and checked flares – dead gallus, for sure.
Slainte chiel.
Congrats on the silverware Ollie. Opposition a bit watery though?
Thanks. ‘holic made some excellent puns on twitter.
Some distinguished visitors this morning, I see.
Morning to you all. I will leave you to decide if it is a good one or not.
Strange bright light in the sky here this morning. Might investigate further in a wee while.
Morning maestro.
Improving here too. Given the past week, wasn’t too bad for the cup final either, though definitely not shades T-shirt and short weather!
Morning all,
Congratulations Ollie on your shiny new trophy. I’m slightly ashamed to admit that I’m not sure who won, as there doesn’t seem to be any mention of team names above. But “felicitations” anyhow !
So, it is 1st June this increasingly bright and sunny morning.
That means, Holics, it is time to open your arms and welcome back –
Denilson, Bendtner, Park (?) and Chamakh, who clearly hasn’t gelled at West Ham – Boom, Boom.
Every one’s a winner ! Well, except those four 😉
Right, I have to be off out now, so I’ll see you later to catch up on our newly burgeoning squad.
Check out your Amazon ads Holic, and bath.
Mine was offering a cut price whisky tasting session for two this morning 😉
I’ll go on my own and have both lots Trev 😉
Nope Trev, my Amazon ads are cd’s, books and canon printer ink. I’ve never bought booze from Amazon so they probably don’t try to sell me it.
Noticed your heads-up about Talisker in Waitrose, H. I may have to revisit that cratur. I never forgave it for burning a ring on a very expensive piece of Scandinavian furniture a number of years ago. 🙂
The furniture will fall in and out of fashion, master. The Talisker will be constantly magnificent.
Terrific stuff Dr Z.
Count me in for hoping there’s a Part 2.
And congratulations Ollie. Top work from Les Girondins.
Great stuff Zico. A Gooner victory, a few scoops and The Skids in the Hope and Anchor???? Sounds a top night out to me.
Just on the train to The Grove with my little rock chick for the Kaiser Chiefs and Green Day. Bring it on.
sorry lads but jack as good as he is is no match for cesc. never will be. its like trying to put lampard and pirlo as equals …or barry in the same mould as xavi….forget it. the spannish kid had the vision and game intelligence a well as technique to stand out as a playmaker for a top4 premier league side and top8 side in europe since 18-19 years of age.
remember how cesc would make a 40-50 mtrs pass on the opposite direction than the one he was facing and the ball landing right in front of theo or robin or ade…the assist making ability of cesc ( when at arsenal) was outrageous was his age.
he was the finest student of the wengerball thats why it hurt arsene like a motherfucker ( and we could all see it in his face) when the kid lost it a bit mentally and wanted to go back to his mates in catalunia.
dont get me wrong…he could turn out to be the next scholes or something..but even scholes for me aint fit to tie cesc;s boots when cesc is on form and sprays passes around like a computer..like an apache helicopter pilot….you ever seen one of them..their helmet is a screen and wherever they look is where the helicopters guns look too….snooker levels of percission.
Cheers tabs. Hopefully that will answer Trev’s question (if really he missed the beat).
Ah, Ollie, les Girondins, naturellement !
Evian vs Bordeaux – all comes down to les boissons as usual. 😉
Dr.z is the new maestro? We all knew….
Bravo, see you again sometime soon.
See #6
He tweeted the derby winner this morning when it was still 9/1 😀
I am on the lash again…
Heh, congrats ‘H, enjoy 🙂
Talisker Talisker Talisker, Talisker Talisker Talisker,
Talisker Talisker Talisker, Talisker Ta-Lis-Ker!
re Talisker – ‘H, I happened to be in Waitrose this afternoon and I sought out the Talisker. Whilst it is true they were knoicking it out at £11/bottle, said bottles were the smallest I’ve ever seen – 20cl. Have you local branch, perhaps, misread a small but vital part of their instructions?
re All Soul’s – Ned 🙂
I don’t tweet but I had first and third and had a serious think about the 2 Nd! Favourite ran the oddest race I have ever seen.
I only got 8-1 though.
Fabregas has reportedly told a local radio station he will NOT join Man Utd.
And this is going round on twitter: http://twitter.com/MatiasGooner/status/340899787677241344/photo/1
If the above is true then, whatever happens this summer… good lad.
I was a bit relieved when the season ended given the stress of the run-in…..had a week off of football but now what to do on Saturday mornings (US)?….saw some of the ManU v. Arsenal replay from earlier in the year….have to say I can’t wait for the new season to start. Three months to go….
Oxon, it was the 70 cl at £11 off, not the little one for £11.
Oops, just checked. Down a fiver from £33 to £28. Thought it was £39. Still a cracking deal.
http://www.waitrose.com/shop/ProductView-10317-10001-31499-Talisker+10+Year+Old+Malt
Thanks for putting me straight ‘Holic, that £11 lodged in my mind. Hey ho, that Bunnahabhain isn’t going to drink itself. Excuse me.
Oh, while I remember. Fuck off MNB.
@Gedo – me too!
Why? It’s only expected, N7. Nothing ‘good lad’ ish about it, really.
Ollie @ 88
Good lad for not going to Utd and for making it clear that he would not go to Utd.
Doesn’t excuse anything he might have done in the past, but I doubt any of us would have been happy to see him at Old Trafford.
Now, if he goes on to call Moyes a bug-eyed twat, then maybe I’d consider an upgrade to top lad.
Right Arsenalists…..
For all the subsequent well wishers (subsequent to my #37, that is) who had nice things to say, well thank YOU, I am truly grateful.
For the minority who are hankering for Part 2, it has been conceived but not yet fully formed. Thankfully for the majority I am off on holiday – first to Portugal with Rox and then in week 2 to Croatia with the lads – so it (Part 2) may never see the light of day.
Should Roxette find a Pirate, or worse, a shoe-shop, I may just be able to nip in and say a quick Ola from the Algarve.
To the future!
*raises glass to the Holic nation*
Have a great one, Feelgood 🙂
Real Sociedad pip Valencia to 4th place in Spain. So, here’s the CL qualifying picture looks for us in August. In our round we have:
Seeded teams:
Arsenal
Milan
Schalke
TBC
TBC
Unseeded teams:
Real Sociedad
Pacos de Ferreira (POR)
TBC
TBC
TBC
The remaining five slots will be taken by teams in the previous round, where the lineup is:
Seeded teams:
Lyon
Zenit Saint Petersburg
PSV Eindhoven
Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)
Fenerbahce
Unseeded teams:
Red Bull Salzburg
Nordsjaelland (DEN)
Grasshopper Zurich
Zulte Waregem (BEL)
PAOK or Atromitos (GRE)
Basically, if Lyon and Zenit win their ties here, they’ll be seeded along with us and the other winners will be unseeded. If one of them goes out, PSV are next in line to be with the seeded teams if they win, if both went out, PSV and Metalist are next in line etc.
We’ll see when it happens, Charlie, but cheers!
Have fun, zico!
N7, my point was just that since I don’t truly think there is any question of him leaving Barça this summer, he might say that as well as ‘I’m not going to X, Y or Z – including Arsenal’, whoever the silly press link him at any given time.
That makes sense Ollie.
I still don’t think he’ll leave either, but it was a nice touch to come out at the start of the summer and outright deny the Utd rumours. Shows at least a modicum of respect.
Zelico, what should bring a tear to AW’s eye is the thought that for the last three years he could have had a regular midfield spine of Diaby, Jack and Cesc, who would by now have gelled into something pretty unbeatable.
Ollie, Les Girondins obviously made of stronger stuff than the Savoyards.
Now Gedo, you only have to wait six weeks 🙁 for our friendlies to start. Until then we will just have to amuse ourselves. Don’t see that being a problem 😉 And why is Poldi In DC. Thought he was going under the knife. Hmm. No mention of Gervinho on Arsecast, probably just as well 😉 Twas a nice way to spend my morning, listening intenty for tasty morsels and such 🙂 Found myself agreeing with much that was said. Holic did drop a bomb of sorts (Suarez 😉 ) ! To round out my disjointed ramblings, congrats Ollie 🙂 Zico, have a swell time on your adventures, a well deserved break, I’m sure 😉 Steve T , what a great dad you are!!! Homer, my comiserations. Trev, you naver fail to make me giggle… Oh dear 6 weeks !!!
Good stuff Z
Some lovely memories in your Post.
Enjoy your holiday.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
By the By,
The little Spanish Squirrel can fuck off as far as i am concerned,his antics at the start of that season when he refused point blank to play in our vital CL qualifier,so he could play in the CL for Barca,was a disgrace.
His head had been well and truly turned by then,and i still haven’t forgiven the little shit for his absolutely fuckwitted decision to try a fancy backheel pass outside our penalty area,which cost us a game turning goal at the Nou Camp,when we had those Spanish fuckers well and truly on toast.
Sweeper not forgetting his decision to attend/watch the Spanish Grand Prix while his teammates were battling to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in the last game of the season.
Assist, score or air shot?
Shoots
Get in!
Well in, N7.
Guess it was an assist.
Clive, tell us how you really feel…
*scores goal with broken leg*
*throws pizza at Fergie*
*tells Phil Brown to do one*
*considers bringing back the mullet*
*is confused re: own DNA*
Cheers NBN – cracking through ball.
http://i.imgur.com/4usziTH.jpg
🙂
Evening Ned
trust you are well mate.
Once a player abuses the trust that the Club invest in him,and bring it into disrepute,then they are no longer part of the ‘ Arse family ‘.
For all the good things the little SS did in his time with us,he completely dishonored his memory in that squalid finale.
AW has never brought back a player who has forced a move elsewhere.
Go back to Petit,who only found out after he got to Barca,that he was the ‘ makeweight ‘ in the double transfer with the little Dutch wizard,who was the one Barca really wanted.
Within a couple of months,Petit realised what a terrible mistake he had made,and was on the phone to Wenger every week begging to come back.
So the SS will not be coming back to the Arse.
cheers
The Sweeper.
CliveWatermanOntheFenceSince54
Fab said to give you a hug ! 😉
Oh, and you’ve written a much milder one while I was posting.
Kind of ruined that then ! 😉
Morning Trev
Very Droll.
I’m a ‘ speak as you find ‘ kind of guy.
Shouldn’t you be tucked up in bed by now with a nice mug of Horlicks.??
Cent,sorry i missed your post.
Very good point,rather reinforces my stance.
Fuck him and all who sail in him.!!
Well in N7. Nice list @103 too.
Notwithstanding the deep feelings of betrayal and loss that I share with the Sweeper, if young Mr F has realised that his juvenile dreams of Barcelonista bliss were mere fantasies and that his true spiritual home is the Grove then I for one, would welcome him home with open arms. The fatted calf will remain on hold until he delivers some silverware. I forgive the impetuosity of yoof that led him astray while listening to the poisonous whispering of Barca DNA and such blandishments. We were all there in one way or another at that age.
FORGIVE
Come home to London Cesc. You know it makes sense.
Summed it up for me, bath.
Bath
Whilst i appreciate your sentiments on ‘ less than Fab ‘,and even if AW in a moment of madness tried to lure him back,would he even be interested.?
If you look at our squad today,it is not much different to the 2nd grade toilers that we had in his last season for us.
Nothing has changed,other than selling Song and RVP, and i would argue we have made hardly any progress on the ‘ Quality ‘ player front since he left.
So why would he come back to the same old,same old.?
Well, don’t think I haven’t seen what you’ve done here folks. Luring me back for more 😉 Sorry about the double negative! My 2 cents worth. On June 23rd, The Arsenal Legends (Adams, Winterburn,Wright and Thomas) will play at Barnett FC 1430 kickoff time. To raise funds/awareness for IDP’s. What does this have to do with Cesc (or RVP for that matter ?). Plenty. You see, for the true gooners, like Tony, Arsenal is their home, their extended family. Just look at Henry and Pires. They can’t stay away! 🙂 What price do you put on feeling wanted and loved by fans, long after you’ve hung up your boots. RVP will never experience this; no amount of money he earns can possibly compensate for losing what he once had. He doesn’t fully appreciate this now, but the day will come, when he will feel remorse. Which leads me to Cesc. And what bathgooner (so wisely) said. Well done mate. Now Clive, surely Fabs would enjoy playing with Santi, no? Our footballer of the year. And don’t underestimate Arsene, I think this is going to be one hell of a productive summer 😉
ABB
Sorry,you may well side with Bath on this issue,but ‘Yoof ‘ not withstanding,
A Traitor, is a Traitor, is a Traitor.
May he never darken our doors again,
Except warming the bench at the Ems as an unused sub if we draw Barca in the CL again next season.!!
Hey Clive!!! Well, he left us to be with his family. So I never saw it as being anything but that. Mind, I will never quite forgive that that back heel flick, but it wasn’t done in malice, surely?! He just had an Eboue moment at a very critical time! Sigh ;).
Today is my 22nd birthday, raise a glass and celebrate with me wherever you visit this bar from, ‘holics.
P.s. Please, Do not forget to put anything and everything you drink or eat on Lars’ tab. Thanks in anticipation of your valued co-operation.
We are talking about the same Cesc Fàbregas who was central to Arsenal’s barren years? I’m not blaming him exclusively for that, but neither do I remember him bathed in the kind of golden glow some here seem to imagine. He was a useful player but no world beater, imo.
If he had been he would surely have prospered in what was the best team in the world when he joined them. But even Barca seem to have gone off the boil to an extent which cannot be explained just by Messi’s injury. Fàbregas certainly isn’t responsible for their decline either, but neither has he helped to reverse it.
The fact remains Cesc was pivotal to our team during some poor years and I’m not in favour of building another team around him. There has to be someone better available. If not we still have enough midfielders to do the job once we get the DMF and striker positions sorted.
Oskar
Cent, apologies for the temperamental spam filter.
Please continue to post, and I will sort it all out this end.
Thanks.
…and a very happy birthday to you 😉
So, we’re sanctioning cliffhangers now, eh, ‘Holic?
Good one, Dr. Z.
BMBD
Cliffhangers, Lonestar?
I am a bit slow this morning, forgive me…
Happy Birthday Cent!
Happy Birthday Cent !
Holic, no worries, immediately the post failed to appear I knew you had things under control. Cheers.
Ollie, cheers mate.
Thanks Trev!
Happy Birthday Cent.
@Goonersince54 – Great stuff mate!
Happy birthday Cent.
A toast with the finest Dalmore to many happy returns (on Lars’ tab).
Slainte
Apologies if this has already been seen but a great piece, enjoy
http://poznaninmypants.com/2013/05/29/nearly-there-why-gary-neville-must-be-stopped-part-deux/
Thanks Esso.
Thanks Bath, do dheagh shlainte.
Happy Birthday Cent.
Drinks for all! Thanks, Lars.
And so to 2nd June and our first concrete transfer target is identified.
It is, in FACT, one Cement Grenier.
What ? Oh, it’s Clement Grenier. Maybe not so concrete then.
It seems Monsieur Grenier is a “long standing” target of Arsene Wenger, which means he is already an improvement on the unfortunate Abou Diaby, who hasn’t managed to stand for long for about six years.
He should also be a better option than Whatsisname Sanogo who, according to some reports, hasn’t stood much at all for nearly eighteen months.
More “long standing” players is definitely the way to go, especially as we can now afford to actually buy players, rather than being a kind of sporting convalescence centre for the likes of Amaury Bischoff P I (Permanently Injured).
If you want “real” transfer news, then Dr Z is the best ITK around these parts.
He’s what – on the beach ?
Oh ….. 😉
In my experience, “ITK” generally stands for “Idiot Tweeting Kobblers”.
N7 – that’s what I said ! 🙂
Oxon 130, thanks.
Trev 131, heh, good stuff.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS CENT!!!
Happy holidays, Dr F’.
Hot news from the Training Centre at Shenley, the one shop village that never sleeps.
News spread this morning that Ronaldi had been spotted at the training ground.
Closer investigation revealed that it was actually Ron from Aldi, who had dropped by to offer Arsene his latest special sausages.
It seems that, although Arsene was looking for some proper Beluga Caviar for the first time in ages, the greedy Russians and Oligarchs in town, recognising Arsene’s eye for true quality, had shoved him out of the queue, flashed their superior wads of cash, and bought the lot.
Still, a few more of those nicely matured German sausages we’ve had of late, might not be such a bad thing. 😉
‘A pure Geminean is a person with whom it is almost impossible to argue with for any length of time’. 😉 Happy Birthday Cent! And hello holics, not to many Gemini here, lol. 🙂
Sorry ‘Holic, was merely referring to Dr. Z’s teasing end to his yarn. Then again too many Taliskers could very well create a cliffhanger or two. Happy returns ‘Cent.
Hope all in the gang are well.
BMBd
95North Bank Ned
know what you mean….i still believe though ..the 4 in mid with rosi flam cesc hleb was of the finest quality. quick, intelligent and mobile.
hey oscar the dog i considered him not just useful but essential to the type of football wenger wanted arsenal to play. its no coincidence it took us 2 years after his departure to sort out another way. i thik cesc is the only one who understood exctly what wenger wanted on the pitch and he could deliver it with spectacular stas for a 19-20 year old. i dont think there has ever been such a young player with such playmaking responsibility in a league as tough as the epl with opponents who were 6, 7, 8 years older than him.
Good afternoon the rest of y’awl.
I see the decks have been cleared of the body snatcher, man there’s some saddos out there.
Anyroader, glad to see that Cesc topic had legs, seems pretty much to split opinion though. If he were to come back, I would ofcourse welcome him, but as I’ve made clear, I felt he betrayed us and that he got a free pass from many sections of the fanbase. If it is an option or not, or if he had indeed said that he would or wouldn’t go wherever, I’ll believe it when I see it somewhere official and not because some guy reported something on Twitter.
Speaking of the 140 character or less media, it was awash (so I’ve heard) the other day with rumours about Julius Cesar (whatever) being on our rader. I must admit to being completly underwhelmed with this, I can’t understand why anyone would be considering a move for a guy who lost his place to Rob “dive out of the way of the ball” Green. MEH!
Heh @ Trev 131.
Another heh @ Trev 137
http://alpes.france3.fr/sites/regions_france3/files/styles/gallery/public/assets/images/2013/06/01/000_arp3537624.jpg
Found one, can you spot me? 😉
You look like you had one over the six, Ollie 😉
Ollie, just above the girl who is above the No 6’s head. ?
Great stuff, Dr Z!
The girl who was giving No 6 head?
Err… what??? 😕
You win, Trev!
+various hehs.
H2H @135, thanks.
Trev @137, more of that, please.
Abb @138 thanks Nurse. I’m not too difficult to argue with, am I? 😀
Lonestar 139, thanks.
Re Cesc I understand that Barca still owe us £10 million. On top of this it appears to be the case that we have a 50% sell- on option. I struggle to think Barca would have been stupid enough to agree to this but I guess when someone has Barca DNA…..!We also definitely have first option if he is sold.
So this affects the mechanics of any transfer. Lets assume he has a transfer value of £30 million . If United or Citeh bid this ( even assuming he would go there) we would effectively get £25 million of this amount. If they sell him we waive the £10 million and then there is a negotiation on who pays what of the remaining £20 million. If we agree to split it then we would get him for £10 million!
This all looks too good to be true but unlike most of the crap circulated on Twitter this does start to add up. This is a man with a girlfriend and daughter based in London who has just bought a house there and who is paid less by Barca than we paid him. They’ve also just signed Neymar which is another obstacle to him . One possibility is a loan deal which expunged the amount owed to Arsenal but it is not difficult to see something could happen although being a pessimist I don’t like to count chickens.
I would rarely welcome anyone back but I’d make an exception for Cesc.Again the key here might be Wenger. Cesc is still close to him and those who deride AW might reflect on the enormous respect his old charges have for him. I suspect this doesn’t happen very often in today’s football. This suggests he might not be the prat some Gooners suggest he is.
Barca, unlike us sometimes, are not daft. Cesc, according to reports (not on twitter) way back when, has a €200 million (£176 million) buy out clause.
Even with 50% off, that’s still a shed load of cash.
Here;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8703312/Arsenals-sense-of-loss-from-Cesc-Fabregas-departure-softened-by-clauses-in-his-Barcelona-contract.html
H2H
Thanks for this. Of course the buy- out clause is a bit of a red herring. It is set artificially high to disccourage bidders. They don’t have to sell Cesc because no- one will ever trigger this clause but they may be a bit boracic after buying Neymar and the figures I quoted will still apply. In fact your helpful recall of the article I think makes a transfer more likely IF Barca aren’t too fussed about losing him,need the cash or he is unhappy he may well decide a return is sensible. The loan back to us is also feasible if it extinguishes some of what hey owe us.
or else one of us could win the euromillions lottery and buy him back like this Norwegian has done for his local club
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/30/norwegian-lottery-millionaire-buys-footballer
Really don’t want him back. He is not the future for Arsenal Football Club.
He forced his way out which must have caused internal disruption within the squad. After he left he responded to media assertions that the club had failed to replace him with the statement that his replacement was already at the club, naming Jack Wilshere. Jack is the future for Arsenal Football Club, together with the squad being assembled around him.
Trev@131. One more name to throw into the mixer I guess. That said he would be a great signing. Proper hardcore.
Interesting reading the thoughts of those joining the Cesc love in. People talking about the grove being his new spiritual home etc.
For those who have forgotten just consider this. Young Cesc was 2 years into an 8 year contract when he decided his future was back at his spiritual home etc. He spent half of the next season sulking until he got his own way. Cesc coming home. Barca DNA etc. Now, if Cesc was to want a return to arsenal there can be only one reason. It is not because this is his home. It’s not because of the love of the club, manager or the fans. It’s quite simply because the grass was not greener and it has in fact not worked out for him on Barca. At best we are second best. Arsenal are his back up if all else fails.
Cesc had the chance to become an integral part of Arsenal’s future. Despite his contract he decided to opt out. Well as far as I am concerned he can stay opted out.
Trev 151 & Steve 158……he would be the foundations to build the team upon. Hopefully he would adjust to the team’s way of playing and not set in his ways 😉
Whoops….should read Trev @ 131..not 151.
Spot on Steve, thats exactly how I feel. Dont get me wrong, fully commited Cesc would be still great addition to our midfield, however, I too have a feeling that for him its more like “Barca did not work out for me, lets go back to Arsenal” which, in my eyes, is kind of disgraceful approach.
He is struggling at Nou Camp also because he has not been played in his natural position at all and who says, he would be slotted back where he played should he come back.
To me its too many “what ifs” for Arsene to even consider move for him.
Really terrific post. I too was a regular at Highbury (and indeed the Hope and Anchor) in those days. Its rather disconcerting to find that I was not (as I suspected) surrounded by thugs and serial killers on the terraces,but by articulate and erudite folk,such as the authors of the guest posts! (And of course “holic Himself).
Speaking of fabulous bands that didnt make it (and which graced the stages of The Hope And Anchor, Dingwalls etc) does anyone recall Kracatoa,Black Roots or (my favourite), Burlesque? Or Racing Cars?
Standards have slipped, musically speaking………….
Agree with those singing the praises of contributors to this blog….
Its a two horse race for me…. Goonerholic and Arseblog, though ACLF and Arse2mouse willalways make the bench.
USA currently 2-0 up against Germany in a friendly, their second goal was funny:
http://i.minus.com/i5S3jtXA5Cgu0.gif
TR7 in interview for czech press praising Arsene for turning season which started very badly on its head and securing at least top four. When asked about leaving the Club and joining Sparta Prague (“his” czech team) he said he still has plenty of time and he is bound to continue in Arsenal.
I really hope that is right, his contract is up next year and I am one of those wishing that in season to come, he will show how valuable player he still might be and will be offered an extension.
US vs GErmany 4-3 now.
Anyone else suffering the onset of Cashley 2 lost possessions followed by failure to cover leading to Brazilian goal
Ox now on with Fei
Feo even
Abb, thanks for your comment yesterday. 😉
Just a thought – if we did sign Cement Grenier we could win all our European ties on aggregate. 😉
Just pointing that out. If anyone beats those puns, I’ll be mortarfied. 😉
Ox great goal
The Ox just hammered one straight past Cesar. 🙂
What a goal by Ox!
What a goal by Chambo at Maracana!
Cesar AAHHHTTTTT !!!!
shrek scores O.o
Cent @150 – “more of that, please”.
Do you realise how long it takes to think this nonsense up ? 😉
Cashley gives Brazil a second
Interesting that there are huge “Gillette” adverts all the way round the field full of Brazilians. 😉
Feo was mostly ineffective for me
The Ox made an impact all over the field when he came on and his goal was better than the other one which was deflected in anyway
I think this should be the last game for ALL of the chekski players please Woy
Heh @ 177, your posts are many things but ‘nonsense’ is not one of them.
This is not football related but it’s hilarious http://i.imgur.com/SxGIhRx.jpg?1
It seems the best result for us re Cesc would be for one of the oligarabs to pay his buyout fee of £176 million, and we pocket half = £88 million, add that to the rumoured £70 million and we have a handy £158 million to buy our choice of Bale, Ronaldo, Villa, Aguero and any other apparently unsettled players mentioned in dispatches.
Puts a whole different perspective on AW’s negotiating skills apropos Cesc’s departure to Barca!
If only Manc, Paris St Vermin, Real mad or the Chavs could be so obligingly daft… 😉
Oskar
ZICO!
Thank you. Read it when it was posted, just forgot to comment. Just now realised that fact and rushed to the computer to give credit where credit is due. Thanks for a good read.
Heh Trev @179. You do cheer me up mate.
AW on RedNose, Fabregas, Rooney et al…
Decent.
http://www.en.aljazeerasport.tv/OurProgrammes/clip/2216730
Brazil had a close one today, Trev. Ox proved what a smart younger shaver he is, his goal was a ripper! The way he takes aim and wax it in is beautiful to watch. Me sphinx it was the best he has scored.
And it must have hurt!
Oskar
The clearout has begun:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8755111/Arsenal-midfielder-Denilson-has-cancelled-his-contract-with-Premier-League-club
tabs, cheers for that Al Jazeera link. And of course the daily fail and others have turned that into “Arsene Wenger admits interest in Rooney”…
Lars – Indeed, always an interesting exercise in spotting the huge gap between what is actually said, and how it is reported.
Afternoon all.
To The Sweeper @ #97 – Hehs! and well said.
Nevertheless, even though it won’t happen, such is his quality I’d be pleased to see him return.
As you were ‘Holics.
In neither of my minds does it make sense that any sane individual should remotely consider Rooney to Arsenal either possible or desirable.
Afternoon all.
Another prime example above of how the written word can twist the spoken word to make it look like whatever the writer wants it to, silly season tactics 101.
Rooney, meh. Cesar meh2.
==
Once again, I missed the England game, no coverage on tv here and not enough time to bother stream hunting. Saw Ox’s goal, but that’s it. In follow up to our discussion last week would someone please be so kind as to inform me how Neymar played, it’s ot that important, just a morbid curiousity. Cheers.
Maureen’s back at Chelsea.. Official!
Time to find a puke bucket to fill.
Afternoon all,
And cheers bath @185. Glad to hear it 😉
Just spotted Tabs’ ‘aljazeera’ link so off to have a read.
One thing that bothers me though – if we do sign Wayne Rooney, are we really going to have to change the “Fat Granny Shagger” song ? 🙁
Don’t worry Trev.
There’s no way we are going to sign, on the Wane, Rooney.
http://abload.de/img/moureturrrrrnedj4n.gif this is absolutely hilarious.
H2H knows.
Song-esque chipped through ball, dropping over the striker’s shoulder…. can he finish….?
BaMM
Heh @ Cent’s 197.
Yes I can N7, yes I can. 🙂
And our resident jester just made me miss that assist.
Well in, H2H!
Hello.
I am an extreamly sad individual with no friends and devoid of anything resembling a life.
I am a complete fuckwit who get’s his kicks by posting crap, trolling and stealing others identities, I’m also known as MNB due to my sad way of returning under different guises even though it’s painfully obvious that it’s still the same odious little cretin, i.e me.
It’s not my fault I was born with a penis that would embarass a nat, nor can I do anything about my craving to slobber on barnyard animals private parts, it’s not fair I tells ya!!!
So I will continue to be an irratating knobend because thats all my miniscule IQ will allow.
ps. COYS!!
Oeps, outed.
I’m with bric-a-brac. Wenger ahhhht!
Blimey, there’s been a proper cull of posts there!
Nah Ollie.
The guvnor had to come in and fumigate the place.
Too true H2H. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>