Back To The Real Thing
Oct 18th, 2013 by 'holic
The end of the international break is always eagerly anticipated. After a fortnight without our Arsenal fix we are back to normal for the visit of Norwich City. I have to thank our friend zicoinexile for his contribution to what turned into something of an emotional week here. Thanks all in fact, for your contributions to the pieces about Geordie and Gooner Terry.
Now though we can turn our attention to another chance to secure our position at the head of the Premier League table. Of course Norwich will have something to say about that, as they did a year ago on the corresponding weekend when a solitary Grant Holt strike did for us at Carrow Road after a two week break.
The injury news is mixed, unclear even. That is probably deliberate. I anticipate a likely start for Mesut Ozil despite the question marks that hang over his availability. With Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla also likely to be in the squad the midfield options are just amazing. I suspect Santi may get a return from the bench at some stage and we have to hope that will be to play alongside and not replacing Ozil.
Norwich currently sit in the bottom three, averaging just a point a game from their first seven starts. How relevant that is at this stage of the season is anyones guess. I would imagine there are more than three worse sides in the top flight. They have taken their points from 1-0 wins against Southampton and Stoke, plus a 2-2 draw with Everton. The have only scored five goals but defensively look steady, having conceded just nine goals, one more than Arsenal.
The holic pound is lured by a 2-0 scoreline, favourite with most bookies, at a frugal 13/2 if you shop around. For those going, I look forward to sharing a light libation with you. For those hunting streams and obscure television links, I wish you a good afternoon, or whatever time of day it is where you are watching.
Have a great one ‘holics.
205 Responses to “Back To The Real Thing”
Go on you good things!
Nice post ‘Holic, (club) football is back! 😀
And thanks for dropping in Taina with that lovely story in the last blog post, my heart was pulsating as soon as I starting reading the comment.
Best wishes to you, Asha and Ria.
Thanks Holic for a really great website I live in Perth in Australia but grew up in Belfast and have been a gooner since before I knew what a gooner was. Have managed a few trips back to the emirates of late and am envious of everyone getting to go there regularly.
Last posts about Geordie and Terry were very emotional and to hear Taina;s story was wonderful as was the blog from Geordies daughter. I guess Arsenal really get in your bloodstream eh.
Its my sons 21st this week and I asked him what he would like, he asked if him and I could get matching Arsenal Tattoos. So at aged 52 I am off to get my first tatt. I brought him to the WBA season opener a few years ago and when wewalked into the ground and the lads came on the pitch I looked at him and felt a salty discharge from my eyes. Anyway agrat site and thanks for it
Norwich next COYG
Will be with “you guys” in spirit, if not body, tomorrow, and will be ready to jump into a stream come kick off.
The good news though is I’ve reclaimed the North Bank for Wolfie’s birthday. 😉
We are all gagging for a fix of our Arsenal tomorrow. Let’s hope we can continue the momentum we have developed in such a stop- start season. I think we are all starting to believe great things are possible but games like tomorrow need to be won emphatically to build the self belief. My guess is 3-0 in our favour. Enjoy Holics!
Nice one guv’.
After all the tedious International bluh, space monkeys and general crap it will be good to get back to the good stuff. In the form we are in this really should be a home win, still, complacancy can be a winners worst enemy so AW needs to get the lads fired up for this one.
Be interesting to see who makes the first XI, especially with the small matter of a CL game against Dortmond looming, some will need a run out, others may be spared, I really have no idea who will start, especialy in the middle of the park where we have an embarassment of riches at this time.
Have a great day out all you who will be there, me, I’ll be stream hunting and enjoying the company here in the drinks.
Good evening everyone. Lovely summary Holic. Still a bit cautious about playing teams that are struggling. Apparently, a Mr Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (if his name doesn’t put a grin on your mug, then you be a lost cause 😉 ) is one to watch closely. His manager had only glowing remarks about Arsene and the lads. We know what that means, they aim to destroy us! Ha Ha. Taina, thank you for your generosity, you are always welcome here. Sydneyred, you did well, son 😉 Lonestar and Dr Faustus, thanks. xx Goodnight holics.
I’ll be another hunting a decent stream. Difficult to predict who will start – depends a lot on who’s carrying a knock and how bad it it is. My approach would be to start with the strongest team, get a lead and then get Özil and Giroud off as early as possible. Mesut and Santi need to spend some match time together and even if they are not 100%, this could be a good game to give them that match practice.
Arsene tends to do it the other way round and start with the essential players for Tuesday on the bench and bring them on if needs be.
I wonder who will be refereeing the lunchtime game – if was me I’d be itching for Suarez to dive like he did against Argentina so I could wave a yellow at him – in fact, I think I’d probably give him one just for running on the pitch. Please Arsene – don’t do it – don’t go after him in January – pleeeeeeeeeease don’t.
Let’s hope we have a better ref then this guy;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24589671
For those who are always looking for video streams, might I suggest that going forward you link up with an American gooner using Slingbox. Since every premiership match is now available on NBCSports either on cable or over the Internet on a strong signal, it’s a good arrangement. We use it with our gooner offspring, and have been happy with it.
Yes. Back to the good stuff. That international mix was not getting me near as high! 😉
Hard to say who starts and who subs. I hope AW picks the right mix. I would like to see Gnabry with a start to give us a little width. With all the midfielders we have that play the wings we sometimes play too narrow and I am sure Nar’ wich would be happy to park the bus. I like a 3-1 victory.
cleggy,
Good luck with the tatt. I got an Arsenal one a couple weeks ago.
Victoria Concordia Crescit.
https://twitter.com/acopemail/status/388353956700635136
Evening abb,
I am going to get a photo for you tomorrow 😉
Do we know where ABB’s stone is? Would like to visit it.
Evening all. I would not be surprised to see Özil start on the bench tomorrow, especially with Tuesday in mind. If we score early then I think we could well get a hat full.
Abb. Glad to see that whatever happens in life that a wolfswinkel can still put a smile on your face. I dread to think of the carnage if he ever came up against Danny Shittu.
🙂
See you in the Tollie for a couple of scoops after the game those that are going. Then it is off to Hammersmith for a Weller gig. Not a bad way to spend your Saturday?
We do, as of today NorCal…
Behind the Tony Adams statue, fittingly…
Thx Holic. I’ll seek it out.
Cheers Tollie Brawlers. Will be thinking of you and the Arsenal tomorrow but I’m bound to miss this one altogether as I will be on the last leg of a cycling trip. Rain or even snow in the forecast over here so I hoope it is a bit brighter over London way.
Greetings all honourable members of the sacred shrine. Looking forward to a bright weekend. I’d go with the 2-0 score. Hope OG keeps his good run. And from the last drinks, my heart goes out to Gooner Terry’s family.
I can’t wait to see the Arsenal once again. During the interdull, I got addicted to Sopranos, on season 5 now. Better than watching boring internationals I say…
I also think we could see a 2-0 tonight but my crystal balls are a bit foggy so I can’t be certain 😀
Not sure if this is a good omen or not, but just played Arsenal v Norwich on FIFA 14, and saw Giroud get fouled by a Norwich defender. Yet, despite Arsenal getting a free-kick, Giroud gets booked! And then he gets sent off later on for a nothing foul 🙁
Even digital referees don’t like us!
Final score was still 2-0 to the Arsenal though haha 8)
Referee’s don’t like you?! You are kidding right?! Were you at the game last season. Where norwich dominated for most of the game and bar a shocking pen decision and a linesman who clearly was on the payroll would have come away with 3 points!
Arsenal are my second team, always have been. Plus I live down the road from arsenal in turnpike lane. But you don’t have the best record against us haha! Last season we beat you and lost to you. Season before lost at home and thrilling 3-3 at Emirates!
I’d be happy with a draw but I’m getting a lot of pressure from a few mates (mainly villa fans hahaha) that we are gonna beat you! Something about a gut feeling haha!
Personally I can see it either being 3-1 to you boys or 2-1 to us
Morning all
I really can’t second guess the starting eleven and knowing AW he will be taking one game at a time and Dortmund can wait.
Iwonder if Vermaelen and Wilshere may just have cameo roles today.
The league table at this stage of the season can be misleading and as already proved there is no such thing as an easy game in the PL.
I remain confident and the number 3 keeps appearing in my head so 3-0 or 3-1 will do nicely.
Coming from a bookmaker family it is now a fact that the younger generation wager more on the multitude of football permutations than the traditional horse racing bets.
A few facts for those interested.
The average score in the PLover the last 10 years is 2-1
The average number of corners in a game in the PL is 10.5
The average time the ball is actually in play in each half is 25 minutes.
Always bet on last goalscorer rather than first as providing the player stays on the pitch for the duration of the game one gets better value .Obviously if your selection to be first goal scorer comes in you are laughing but again statistics prove otherwise.
One never sees a poor bookmaker 🙂
Good luck to everyone going
For those like myself that cannot attend matches I highly recommend the following site. I have subscribed to it for over 18 months and they literally show every PL game, CL and Europa Cup game all in real time and one can subscribe for a year for £27.00 or 2 months for £7.00 with a lot of different options to pay.
How legitimate it is I am not sure but I have never had a problem watching any of our games.
http://hd-streaming.tv/watch/livehds
Those with Sky Sports and are long time subscribers you will have noticed that their Sky Sports package has nearly doubled in 6 years and they are aware of BT basically taking over the Setanta channel.
If you phone Sky and threaten to cancel they will always give you a big discount on the Sports package for 12 months. I recently got mine reduced by £12.00 per month. In addition every few weeks they have special offers which they don’t advertise, so be persistent and ask.
Thanks NorCal the tatt looks great think I will go for a cannon with the motto beneath. Wish I could be going to game today but will have to settle for a couple of whiskeys and a 10pm kick off (perth time),still as long as we get a result life will be good. even better a big score and pool and chelski dropping points would be nice.
Cant wait to see what Caz Oz and whatever combination AW puts out can do, its mouth watering when you look at our mid fielders, still think we need a sneaky tricky 20 goals a year player to really take advantage of the service that team could provide.
To all gooners lucky enough to get to the game have a great one. COYG
@21: Hey, Chris what’s up?
I had to rewatch the highlights to see what you were talking about with that penalty. Your defender clearly pulled Giroud down as he was about to kick mate! As for the loss at Carrow Road, not sure Chubby Holt is going to be playing against our third string keeper today, so not fumbling I reckon 🙂
Norwich have always been hard for us but I feel pretty confident that we’ll give your lot some just desserts instead of a victory 😉
Have a Guinness on me!
Oh no (from Lady Arse)
Written by: Hurley on October 19, 2013. I don’t think, in all my years of following football, that I have ever felt so sorry for a player as I do for Abou Diaby. Speaking to the press yesterday Arsene Wenger confirmed that the midfielder had to undergo further surgery on his knee and will now be out until March. Arsene said “He had a little key hole surgery again, on the the knee because his knee blew up every time he did something so it is now six months after the cruciate. “He could not even jog yet so with new surgery it is a set back for him so competitive football cannot be played before March.” In the past anytime I’ve done a piece on Diaby I get greeted by comments and replies on Twitter which rip in to the player as if he wakes up each morning and decides ‘how shall I injure myself today’ and it annoys me beyond belief. Abou Diaby would have been one of the greatest midfielders of his generation in the *world* had he not met Dan Smith and it is no coincidence that he has suffered so many injuries since that fateful day just a few months after he arrived at Arsenal as a youngster when he was practically crippled. If you con’t believe that, have a look at some of the things which have been said about him by Arsene Wenger and various managers of the French national team. One of my dreams at present, along with seeing Arsenal winning trophies again, is to see Abou Diaby fit and able to enjoy the career he has had so cruelly snatched from him. With every injury setback that occurs it gets that little bit harder to believe he will ever be able to do that and that makes me incredibly sad. Abou has one and a half years left on his Arsenal contract.
kelsey,
I cannot but totally agree with that, it is so sad to see Abou suffer from setbacks like this time and time again. He has the talent and the potential to be really world class player (if anyone is doubting that, just WATCH the game against Liverpool away last year).
I fear that his body and muscle balance was so effed up by that ankle injury that he is never going to fully recover from it (bit like TR never fully recovered from his long term injury in a way that you no longer see those 30 meter piledrivers from him). I very much hope I am wrong.
Eandy
TR was hardly ever injured before joining us and I remember those pile drivers playing for his national team in the Euros (or was it the WC). He has made a tremendos comeback when qute frankly I thought it wouldn’t happen, but age is not on his side and every time he now gets injured the recovery time gets longer.
@Kesley26…..u got to feel for him (abou diaby) and maybe we havent stopped to wonder how this also affects him. Its practically his fcking life we are talking about. He is frightening good, we may opt to cut our loses in the yr and a half remaining but i’ve seen wenger persist with an ungrateful son of a cunt for 8yrs only to elope wth the devil when the wait paid off.
Morning Holics.
I am really looking forward to the return of proper football this afternoon. It’s fascinating how international football has lost its attraction over the last decade and a bit.
I am really hopeful that this Arsenal team is about to really ‘click’ and give someone a proper thumping. Hopefully that’ll be today. That would be a nice lift for the Dortmund game on Tuesday.
However it’ll probably turn out to be the usual slog with a 2-1 win after being 0-1 down. Same old, same old. 🙂
COYG
Just in from a flu jab and shortly off to catch the Gooner train, only today it will be packed with Canaries.Might have an interesting journey home.
Looking forward to the return of Santi and another winning display with Rambo on the score sheet. 3-1?
See you all later at the Ems.
As always COYRs
Proper football returns.
Will be interesting to see how we perform today. This is a slightly unfamiliar position for us to be in in recent years, we have played well and got the points in so the challenge now is to avoid becoming complacent. And on that note, I am actually not that happy with the “he now plays for one of our rivals” comment from Gazidis about Bale because to me that indicates that hubris might be creeping in and that is something we can not afford. Norwich will be well up for it today and will go into the game feeling they have nothing to lose so any complacency from us will be punished. As long as we do the job we’re supposed to do we will win (and I will be bitterly disappointed if we don’t) but I am not in any way expecting a rout. Do the job and get the three points and I’ll be happy with that.
On another note: feel quite sad for Diaby, I have to say. Being denied to do what you love to do and also are very, very good at must be awful. Now he’s had another setback and surely he must be very close now to the point where he has no option but to pack it in.
Two Norwich fans were walking down the road. One of them found a mirror on the ground, picked it up, looked in it and said,
“Hey, I know that bloke !”
The second one took it, looked in it and said,
“Of course you do, you idiot – it’s me !” 😉
Kelsey,
Agree entirely about Abou Diaby – a huge talent and a huge loss.
Having now had eight operations on my right knee as a result of an opponent stamping on it, off the ball, I can understand how he must feel – and I was never going to have the chance to play at the heights that he did.
I know when he was signed that AW believed he had signed the player of his generation in France.
Sadly for everyone we never got to see him really play.
Trev: 😆 😆 lol:
I share the sadness for Diaby. He has also earned respect for his efforts to play through injury after injury. Here’s hoping that this is the definitive curative procedure and we see him fully fighting fit and hungry for success in 2014.
Heh Trev @ 33.
Those somewhat failed laughing faces were of course for Trevs Norwich joke and not for the following post. But you all probably understood that anyway.
Lars @37, I thought it was just you being a callous Viking. 🙂
Bath, to paraphrase tabs: “empathy is for softies” 🙂
(please note that I have no trouble admitting that I am a certified softie!)
I remember in Diaby’s first season in 2006 he received that horrendous ankle fracture up at Sunderland in May, and if I remember correctly it was a tackle on or near the touchline about equadistant to the half way line , minutes before full time..
That to me was the injury he never got over though there appears to be some muscle malfunction as well.
Good afternoon all. Been away for a few days because of circumstances beyond my control.
It was heartwarming reading the GoonerTerry post, and reading Tania’s drink in made my heart melt. Great stuff.
Hopefully our boys can grab maximum points today so I can do a proper back-drink with a top-of-the-table smile.
COYGs.
Off to the pub. Come on, Arsenal!
The ever-fallible monks at Castle Ned are torn between a 2-0 and a 2-1 as we haven’t kept a clean sheet in a league game against Norwich for some years.
Random useless stat: We have scored as many goals in our last four league games against Norwich as the Canaries have had corners.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Wilshere, Arteta, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud
Ramsay rested for Dortmund apparently
RamsEy, rather
Well done Newcastle.
Back from work, just enough time to look for a stream and say that this is winnable.
Come on you Gunners!!!
Afternoon all, jus6t about made it, now for a stream…….
Afternoon all 🙂
streams here http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=222347&part=sports
come on lads!
great ball in by Bac
Meh, the only stream I can get to work is some Arabic jobbie, with the sound out of sync.
WHAT A GOAL
Get in!
beauty! 😀 get in Jack!
Wilshere 🙂
as good as team goal you are going to see this season..wonderful
http://www.rojadirecta.me/goto/milloxtvch6.blogspot.com/
in spanish
well. just, wow.
good morning, all. overslept a bit, but what a goal to wake up to!
That was beautiful….uniquely arsenal. Its an art i say
Hungry to get the ball back.
I like it.
We attack and you try and defend 🙂
Best 30 minutes of the season by Jack this season.
ouch Flamster
ouch. flams looked out on his feet as he fell. but god love him, he tried to get up 🙂
Eye-gasm on my TV, orgasm by Gooners all around the world.
Adam in London: Arsenal have just scored the greatest team goal of 2013, without doubt – and I say that as a Chelsea fan.(BBC)
I swear the norwichs goalkeeper was waiting to see where a pass is going next before he realised it was headed in his own net
OOOooooooooooooooooooo
Unlucky OG
Well played Gibbs.
Ramsey for Flam
oooh OG close!
excellent save by ruddy.
flams off for ramsey. be well, mathieu.
nice volley, bac!
I hope it is nothing serious with Flamini
Probably just a bit concussed Eandy.
A canary cracked an egg on him 🙂
I must say Giroud’s lay offs are superb.
Well saved Woj
Hi all,
Whoaa Bac! Great volley but what was that on the other end off the pitch?
Great save Woj!
I think we need the break right now
@77, time for orange slices and tea.
This just shows how important signing of Flamster was..we are not as secure defensively as we were when he was on the pitch.
eandy, i think things got a bit muddled with the switch, but they’ll be sorted in the second half.
off for coffee and cheese toast, see y’all in a bit.
Eändy
I think exactly the same
Great start, sublime goal, everything under control until Flamsters knock. We then seemed to give them a way back in, they had a little more space and became adventurous.
I’m sure AW will sort it out at HT and we’ll come back out all systems firing, get another one and then sit back.
Come On You REDDDZZZZZ
i will say that i am underimpressed with nbc sports extra online. slow, buffering, and bad streaming quality.
Wakey Wakey lads, come on.
jack has gone way off the boil after the goal. misplacing passes, not tracking back quickly.
woj with a couple of saves he has to make, but come on, boys!
OOOOOOooooooooooozillll
Yes
スゴイ‼
Great goal by Arsenal again!!!!
Get the fuck in!
OZIIIIIIIL
TR7 for Santi
oh, what a break. ozil streaming up the middle, two assists for og!!
Now hold on to the ball boys.
Ozil, I nearly came,but I have got prostate problems 🙂
GIROUD – the real assist king 😀
cometh the hour, cometh the man.
TR on for Santi..what a great thing to have to send fresh Tomas on tiring Norwich…way to go!
not directed at kelsey, obviously 🙂
jack tries to return the favor to og. too much.
Another ref trying his best to tar all our good work.
Lol, Fallteta 🙂
Experienced at drawing the free kicks he is 8)
C’mon boys, get a third and put the game to bed
knocking on the door, we are. good defensive work by their turner.
Fuck
Merde
fuck
F@ck, saw that one coming somehow 🙁
Good finish it must be said
COME ON ARSENAL!!
nervy 20 ahead
damn. right, cor. it was. loose on our part defensively, though.
Not what my nerves were asking for
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!
Ooooh close
Unlucky Aaron
oooh, aaron. great strike.
ruddy keeping them in the game right now.
The mad Samurai for the HFB
Bendy on for OG..good luck Nick
well done, og. off for the samurai.
Ramsey confidence sky high, he’s shooting on sight.
Aaron really wants that goal 🙂
that ruddy bastard.
Scruz
Motm for his team I think
Get that third please
RAAAAMSEEEEEEY
Whooohooooooooo
I have now 🙂
What a FUCKING goal by Aaron!!! Fuck me sideways with a hot coconut
AAAROOOON …jizziiiing here
How fucking good was that?
Ramsey you beauty. Bravo
man, ramsey wanted that one.
smiling like an idiot here …so great to see Aaron on top of his game
Holy Dennis! Ramsey, mate!
Ha Ha Southampton just equaliseagainst Manure.
Nice burst from Jack there…
And earned it scruz
Ramsey…..R for Respect
Ozil
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL
Yessssss
oh, almost by per.
you beauty …oh my gosh 😀
Haha! Theatre of Screams!!!
And fucking Özil again!!
We’re in dreamland
Get in! Ozil
Heh, scruz on delay.
watching this freaking game “live” on nbc, it sucks.
what a touch by ozil. and what a touch by ramsey. keep pushing for another, boys. get that goal difference.
Whoa, can’t keep up with watching, reading and writing
hahaha Aaron really enjoying himself
way on delay, h2h. 🙁
Longer to enjoy it scruz. 😉
Those first three goals were absolutely fantastic team work and finishing. Even Bedtner looks a lot fitter.
We really have a good bonded team. Love it.
true, h2h. just saw the replay of aaron’s turn and backheel, sumptuous.
Surely a penalty?
Manure drop points again. 😆
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!!
oh, a nearly by jack.
Nice done, love this team and how they go forward
what a game…really enjoyable afternoon
yes! top of the league, what a beautiful game.
Fair play to Norwich, they gave us a game, I think they’re unlucky to be on the end of such a hiding, but we definetly deserved all our goals.
4-1 and for long periods we didn’t look like we could be bothered – Norwich weren’t that bad. But what sumptuous goals – all 4.
Anyone got any money on that score?
true, h2h, but we could have easily had another three or four with different luck. woj only had to make a couple saves all game that were remotely difficult.
Yösh, job done and everyone’s happy. Time for bed methinks 🙂
Good goals, good fight and to all gooners, a good night.
UTA
Beautiful! Just beautiful! I’ll sleep with a big grin on my face. Gnite all, may the force be with us.
off to a glorious saturday, sunny and warm, on the back of that win. have a great day wherever you are, holics!
Here’s a bit of nostalgia for you – Henri Lansbury scored for Forest today.
Enjoy the rest of your day ‘holics, I’m out for a while.
I had to come here and post. Such brilliant goals, particularly Jack and Aaron. Orgasmic indeed
Enjoy your day holics
Good to see Santi back – 60 minutes was just fine. Gibbs has to be the best left-back in the country right now (but don’t tell Woy). Thought Bendtner looked sharp – I guess getting a couple of goals in the qualifiers won’t have done him any harm. That wasn’t Özil’s best game for us by a long way but still two goals. Aaron is just unstoppable this season – thank you Arsene for keeping faith with the guy.
Just imagine having this team out there and Theo, Lucas and Alex on the bench. Mind-boggling. Feel a bit sorry for Gnabry – he’s shown a lot of promise but I guess he’ll only get a look in in the C1C.
Now top with a 2 point margin.
Tuesday can’t come quick enough.
dkgooner@164
Had money on 3-1. Damn you to hell, Özil. 😉
Going back to ‘holic’s headline – yes, that was the Real Thing.
What a game, I enjoyed it thoroughly 🙂
Even though my stream wanted to cock up during Jack’s goal of the season contender (seriously, what a team goal 😀 ), after 2-0 up I was never in doubt.
Top of the League, bitches! 8)
What an accomplished win! Don’t think we went past 3rd gear all match but still Norwich were thumped comprehensively! Didn’t want to get my expectations up too early but screw that this form and especially the way we were playing had all the hallmarks of a truly special league winning season.Ecstatic here. And by gosh the first goal has to be the in the top 5 all time goals scored by Arsenal! Giroud flicks and Jack’s too were sublime.
And then Ibra’s beauty : https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/D0958889D11003368687522177024_1af23308bfc.3.4_HcSQ7otoa85goLVigdmWRAv7NCP04VXC41qkePJPQ3OucoQiHzKsS36GjvQumi0X.mp4?versionId=iWJiJKPBi0PlDpTuehdxLdWVXVJs9jD4
Overall very happy!
A very enjoyable match with some great goals…their keeper Ruddy played pretty well. We laboured a little at times, particularly after Flimflam went off. Norwich managed to make a game of it but they were at their weakest in the final third, along with Woj having another confident game between the sticks.
What a revelation Aaron is this season, now a vital cog in the team.
I finally managed to get a stream and watch the whole match on my ipad – glad it was a corker.
Right now off to a black tie dinner..will be even more enjoyable.
I’ll just leave this replay of Jack’s goal so you holics can salivate like Pavlov’s dogs for a few hours 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9uUcjadx7sU
to be honest at the first moment I thought that the ball bounced off the norwich defender during Jacks opener to send him clear, only when I seen replay I realized it was another brilliant touch by HFB..his touch is just amazing for “big” striker.
What an enjoyable game and I still feel there is 20% improvement still to come.
Hard to pick a man of the match but both Jack’s and Aaron’s goals were something very special.
One can see a huge difference as whowever plays there is a bonding and better understanding and with this good run continuing confidence builds.
Just look at Bedtner’s cameo compared to three weeks ago.
Giroud is a 9.5 neither a 9 nor a 10.
It must be a pleasure for holic to write up the post if he is still sober by then 🙂
Great game, loving it go gunners!!!!!!!!!!
“The flat-track bully tag will remain until results prove contrary.”
What does that even mean?
@183
It means that we’re so bad and don’t deserve the first place.
But I’m still learning klingon lingo so I could be wrong.
As I came down the stairs at the end if the match a bloke next to me said’ Quite boring until the last ten minutes’. Honestly- that was terrific entertainment aided by a very decent Norwich side and a referee who keeps his cards in his pocket and let’s the game flow ( although we might have had a pen) . The first goal was as good a team goal asI have seen at Arsenal- quite majestic. All our goals were great but apart from the goals the piece of showboating at the end by Ramsey was sublime and showed just how confident he is now. Also a big mention to Gibbs who is soooo underrated, Flamini – we drifted after he went off and to Giroud who produced two brilliant assists.
It’s fun to watch the Arsenal again!
Some beautiful football played today….can’t get arsed about who we haven’t played yet. We don’t make the schedule but have done our part so far which is all we can ask. I don’t think any one of us believes you can win the title in the first ten games but we all know you can certainly lose it if the results don’t come. One match at a time. COYR!!!
Small Jean Genie snuck off to the city
Strung out on lazers and slash back blazers
Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters
Talking bout monroe and walking on snow white
New Yorks a go-go and everything tastes nice
Poor little greenie, woo ho
Get back home
And fucking stay there twat.
Noticeable you only crawl out from under your stone on days like this.
Sorry H and others, know I’m reacting and feeding the troll, but;
WHAT
A
CUNT.
Good day for Arsenal.
As in full stop.
Just home from a session in the Tollie with the Guvna, Poppet, Mrs Woo, Steve T, Snowy, Pontus and the inimitable Tabs.
Fine game – tho a close run thing at 2-1.
Fine session.
Ollie – where the fuck were you pal?
Finished reading the Gods good book this morning and that first goal was straight from them pages .Wow. It encapsulated everything that’s great about the game, Will say Flamini makes such a difference when he went off,Norwich started to find far to much space in front of our back four but that’s just churlish 🙂
Up The Arse,
Spot on there Chippy – not churlish at all.
I hadn’t realised how important he has been in organising our MF and defence until we lost our defensive mojo entirely in he last 10 mins of the first half.
Important we learn from that.
Eandy @ 179: Giroud’s first touch was the first thing we noticed when he joined and even when he was not convincing everyone. Last season too both of Jack’s goals — against Montpellier and Swans — came from two very good Giroud assists, though the overall quality of this goal today was of a truly rare category.
His second assist to Ozil was very decent as well, good bit of patience and intelligence to convert himself as a winger, notice Ozil’s lung-busting run and a very impressive pinpoint cross.
We didn’t even play that well today (missed passes, disorganized in shape too often, things not uncommon after an international break), but just when the game seemed like drifting away from us found enough quality and resources to step up. Could have been a few more goals even though Ruddy had a very good game — his save from Giroud first half was world class — and Norwich overall was very organized, disciplined and with enough quality to give trouble.
While Rambo’s goal was one of the best individual goals this season in the league yet, really loved the fourth goal too, Bendy’s unselfish lay off to TR7, an exquisite cross and Rambo offering up Ozil his second on a platter which he finished neatly.
Would be interesting to see how we line up against Dortmund, Flamini could be out.
yeah I know Faustus, I always pointed out the quality of Girouds link up play but lately (especially this season) some of the stuff he pulls off is just unbelievable and it is great to watch.
Agreed about Özils run, really deserved that goal and also about the fourth goal..TRs cross was pinpoint with neat layoff for Mesuts tap in.
Interesting thought about Dortmund, I have no idea how is Arsene going to field the team in but I very much hope Flamini is available.
heh MotD after our game “huh..nothing negative to report” XD
I’ll say YES!
Hansen, you are a bitter tosser.
Hi baff, sadly couldn’t make it due to bad travel planning.
Next time.
We missed you today Ollie. And you too Esso.
What a bloody marvellous day out. Helped muchly by the appearance of Saint Robert of Pires making a delicious appearance during half time. Still swoony after all these years.
Loved the team effort, especially for the first goal. But I will keep replaying that Rambo goal in my head, again and again, for about the next millennium.
And Delia I hope your trip back home is as deeply satisfying as it ought to be 😉
Night all.
and Napoli – but you wouldn’t want to remember that one ……
He whines when he wants.
He whines when he wantssssssss
MNB the spud,
He whines when he wants….
Chippy, sign of how things have changed around the club when Flamini goes from “AW’s lost it signing Flamini on a free” to indispensable lynchpin of the defence.
Some sumptuous goals today. The first was Wengerball at its purest. I’m sure all the TV pundits will say it was pure luck, and then show a compilation of all the other flicks in the game that didn’t come off. But it was passing football of the highest quality, perhaps one of the five best Arsenal goals ever.
We seemed to play in waves and troughs, and full marks to Norwich for battling it out. But when we were riding the waves the football was fantastic. Özil’s two strikes were technically superb, without, like everything he does, looking flashy. A player of that quality in the team is always going to produce game-turning moments, often out of nothing, something we’ve lacked since a certain Dutchman departed. And Ramsey is just irrepressible at the moment.
And a tip of the hat to the defence, today, especially Kos and Gibbs. Another good shift from the keeper, too.
The interesting question is, did we start with our first choice team? Arguably you could have permed any two from Flamini, Wilshere and Ramsey, but it is hard to see any of those out injured going straight back into the team once they they are fit.
Just on the way home after a day of training, a wonderful victory and then fantastically entertained at the Hammersmith Odeon. We had our faults at stages today but at times we were fantastic. Then I discover that there are still those that want to moan and whinge like a deluded spud….. It beggars belief.
Good catch up in the Tollie.
10 mins from home means about 13 mins from the highlights. Bring it on.
Dubious goals committee, the 200 should be reevaluated and awarded to Steve T.
Missed the due to family commitments and what a game to miss….
This was pure football and proper football, hats of to Norwich they certainly can be a bloody nuisance! Wojtek made two really good saves as well!
Ozil oozing with class, Ramsey oozing with class Dr Feelgood WTF have you been giving him since August? Van Stapletons horse placenta?
Bloody hell it’s working! Miracles and I have to admin last season I was very negative towards Ramsey! How wrong was I!
Seems strange most of my mates say it’s because of Ozil we play so well but I keep saying it’s not just Ozil it’s EVERYONE!
Loving every moment of it!
Maureen throwing his toys out of his pram again….
Bring on Dortmund we need to stop Reus, Blaszczykowski and that other Polish lanky dude!
We love you Arsenal!
And if any other pole is a Gooner…..some of you might enjoy it as well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rMgjQxoluQ
I don’t know about you, but I am slightly tipsy.
And I am also off to bed. Back-drinking will have to be done tomorrow.
Had a fucking fantastic day out. Hope you all had an equally good day!
Toodle-do!
201, it has 😉 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>