Goals Of The Month Ensure Top Spot
Oct 20th, 2013 by 'holic
There are days when everything just slots into place. This was one. Not that it was a flawless performance. Passes went astray, the initiative was surrendered either side of half-time, but the quality of the goals that secured another three points and the top berth in the Premier League will long live in the memory.
To rank the four goals that Arsenal scored will serve little purpose. The opener, on eighteen minutes, was about as good a demonstration of one-touch passing and movement as you could wish to see. Jack Wilshere running at the Norwich defence had already featured large when he set off on one more assault on the visitors rearguard. The ball was shifted with pace and accuracy between Jack, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud before the young Englishman found himself in the clear. One nil to the Arsenal surfaced briefly as the chant of choice.
There were moments where the quality of the football threatened a repeat or two, not least when Giroud seemed destined to supply the second goal but was thwarted by an astonishing Ruddy save. The Norwich ‘keeper was also handily placed to comfortably pouch a Bacary Sagna volley, more’s the pity.
Norwich had their moments too either side of the break, but it was from a corner to them that Arsenal broke with pace and purpose to double their advantage, courtesy of a rare Ozil header from a Giroud cross, another remarkable goal. This was not a typical Arsenal performance, and so when a comfortable lead was halved by Howson with twenty minutes remaining it was not entirely surprising.
At 2-1 there was much chewing of fingernails going on around the ground. The loss of Matthieu Flamini to injury in the opening half had unbalanced the midfield and allowed the visitors a foothold on the game. Surprisingly what swung matters decisively Arsenal’s way was the introduction of Nicklas Bendtner for the tiring Giroud. The dieting Dane gave us a lift at an awkward time, and posed real problems for the visitors.
Another switch saw Aaron Ramsey, astonishingly rested from the starting line up, unleashed on tiring legs. His goal, an individual effort that left defenders embarrassed, ensured a comfortable closing phase. Having scored himself the Welshman turned provider with an inch-perfect lay back for Ozil to claim his second, and Arsenal’s fourth.
Cheers and warm applause greeted the final whistle, along with the obligatory “We are top of the league ” chant. Always a favourite that, but even more so now after so long spent watching others contest the biggest of the domestic prizes. So thirty games remain, and much may change, but this Arsenal side still display a spirit that could see them involved for the duration this term. Everything crossed here.
Post game beers duly despatched, it was time to head for home and to watch repeats of the goals. We could surely have our own goal of the month competition, based just on today’s strikes? I’m still not sure if Jack or Aaron would win it.
Cheers ‘holics, enjoy your Sunday.
208 Responses to “Goals Of The Month Ensure Top Spot”
Get in…,
Apologies. I’m finding it a tad difficult to focus. I will catch up tomorrow.
Oh take a run and jump Geronimo!! 🙂
Arsenal have lost once in how many games now? If you can’t ‘celebrate’ goals of the quality of today then you are completely missing the point.
I am very happy to see ramsey form .we prayed for him when he had injure ,now he started to pay us .I olso want to thank jack goal it was amazing .this is our season to win something .
cheers, holic. some brilliance plus a bit of magic made up for the tiresome half hour that Norwich equalled our game. fortunately the other 60 minutes we spanked them!
Geronimo stop being so negative. The team do not owe you anything so get behind them and maybe they will produce the wins you desire!
Oh. And we’ve beaten Manchester City, Napoli and Spurs this season.
Fantastic goals today. Bring on more Wengerball on Tuesday!
@Geronimo so what do you want them to do, you can only beat whoever is put in front so you. So stop complaining and enjoy the team. Damn you just can’t satisfy some folks. Didn’t they beat Napoli too? Up the Gunners!!!!!!!!!
Ramsey’s goal was the pick of the bunch for me, great individual effort, as you said Holic, he made the defenders look very silly. Jack’ s goal was also pretty tasty, some lovely quick one two’s. I thought Bendtner had a really decent game when he came on, him and Rambo definitely lifted the pace at the end of the game. Loved it, and with Rambo HFB and Ozil in my fantasy league I collected a rather healthy sum of points 🙂
Thirty games left? Let’s count them down, three points by three points.
what I said last post
Too much Oozzz factor to deal with bed time fore over and out!
To the skeptics who say we have mostly played the lower sides, I would say that there is an old rule of thumb for winning the league: beat the bottom ten home and away; beat the top nine at home and don’t get beaten away. And it is not as if our results against lower sides have been immaculate in recent seasons past.
‘Holic, re: the last drinks, you are an officer and a gentleman. Well in, Steve T.
Long time admirer and first time poster driven to my keyboard mainly by comments such as “Arsenal picked up maximum points from corresponding fixtures previous term, so DON’T get excited.” We get it a lot from non-Arsenal supporters, “experts” and the media but we dont need it from our own supporters.
What these people fail to understand is that the maximum points we picked up from the same fixtures last year were over the entire 9 months of the season. If we had the same fixtures in exactly the same order last term good chance we would not have won ALL of them because we did not have the consistency, the believe, the quality, spirit, “mental strength” we have this time around.
The other point our detractors are blind to is how our rivals are also dropping points. Anyone tried to do the same exercise and compare how our close rivals are doing againsts same corresponding fixtures last season? I haven’t, but would not be surprised they are worse off, some after spending huge.
We are the most consistent side this calendar year, something like one loss in about 27 games? Btw 27 games is just 11 games short of the enitre season. I know someone will quickly tell me 38 good games over 2 seasons does not win you a trophy but my point is meant to illustrate how we’ve carried momentum from last year and that gives me reason to be optimistic this term.
Cheers from RSA.
Make that “momentum from last season”. Apologies.
Cheers from RSA.
Soweto,
Have a drink on me AND Lars!
Great work, last night. I’m basking too much to say much else other than the goals by Jack and Aaron have to be contenders for the goal of the season already!
I want to see more Arsenal so I’m rewatching the Napoli match at the moment 😀
Soweto, nice first post; looking forward to others down the road.
There must be a lot of Gooners in RSA. Last year, on holiday in Cape Town, we hopped into a cab whose driver had an Arsenal pennant hanging on the rear view mirror; was a big fan of the Ox.
Speaking of the Ox: it’s hard to see where he can fit into the side once he’s healthy. Is it possible — unthinkable not so long ago — that he may benefit from a loan spell, just so he can get consistent match time?
The Aaron Ramsey Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTTiRHDeF2c
Geronimo
Turn it round. How many of the so called teams would like to be playing us ?
I admit I sometimes thought Wenger got it wrong these past few seasons and many fans can be fickle but Wenger knew the once booed Ramsey would come good and this lad could finish up as the player of the season.
It wasn’t a perfect performance but the memory of all the goals,the commitment by the whole team including the subs shows we are making giant steps in making a big marker for this season or perhapd next.
Who would have thought in the Summer that Flamini would not only be back but is just the steel that was missing especially in defence.
Don’t over analyse each pass in the game just enjoy the result, I feel there will be many more like this to come and with hopefully DB 10 back next year in a coaching capacity the jigsaw will nearly be complete.
big teams I meant
Welcome Soweto, the haters would keep hating, but we don’t give a 4k.
Posted in the wrong bar the other time, LJW’s goal was orgasmic. Rambo’s was sensual & what’s more? Özil’s brace are what one wants to see always.
‘we’re top of the league’. Thanks Guv’nor, thanks all holics. Let’s do it again on Tuesday.
Soweto gooner@13 knows…its was too much of a good day for partypooping
Welcome Soweto, the haters would keep hating, but we don’t give a 4k.
Posted in the wrong bar the other time, LJW’s goal was orgasmic. Rambo’s was sensual & what’s more? Özil’s brace are what one wants to see always. BN52 was good as well when he came in. Kudos to him.
‘we’re top of the league’. Thanks Guv’nor, thanks all holics. Let’s do it again on Tuesday.
Goals of the month? Damning with faint praise, ‘holic? Jack’s cracker has to be in contention for goal of the season already … maybe even of the decade. 1, 2, 3, 4, BANG … genius at work.
Great to see us come back from the letting up which happened when Flam was replaced. For a while the match had all the hallmarks of a disastrous draw, when we were clearly the better side and should have walked it in. I do wish there was a bit more ruthlessness in the side, if only for the sake of my nerves!
As for Geronimo, give him a break, he has a point. After all Norwich are a bottom 3 club and we struggled for much of the game against them. We are yet to play anyone likely to contest top 4 with us, no not even the neighbours whom I refuse to consider in our league anyway ever. Fact is, apart from the spuds we haven’t yet played anyone in the top 10 of the Premier League, and that continues with second bottom Crystal Pal next weekend. We should be looking to boost our GD considerable.
So far so very very good, but I want to see us hold our own against Manchester or SW6 before I dare to dream.
A thought did occur to me though … I wonder what RvP is thinking today! 😉
Öskar
Geronimo is about as far away from having a point as it is possible to be.
Has he really done his research? Can he look at every game we’ve played this season and compare them to the exact same ones last term? No, because the circumstances are different this time, as with every season. The teams we play are not the same, we’re not the same so to look only at points will give you an incomplete picture – which is probably why he does it, his aim is to beat Arsenal with a stick and there’s always a handy one lying around if you look hard enough.
Take the Sp*rs game for example. If you want to examine points gained playing them at the Ems, you need to go back a little further than one season if you want your words to have any weight. A few seasons ago when they ran us close for 4th again, we lost this fixture having been 2-0 up. Last season we won it and still ended up 4th. This season we won it again, but look at the difference in circumstances: they’ve spent the GDP of a small country and they still can’t beat us.
Anyway, their ridiculous spending will be judged at the end of the season, as will our efforts. As Soweto wisely pointed out (and welcome, new guy/girl, looking forward to more from you) we’re different this season because we can string lots of good performances together.
If you can’t look at the football we’re playing, and you can’t see the improved confidence. togetherness and quality of play, you must be blind as a bat. Not so long ago we went through some pretty dire times playing slow, plodding attacking play and now we’ve rediscovered that swashbuckling, incisive style that I really haven’t seen for 5 years, maybe more. I DON’T CARE IF IT LEADS TO TROPHIES OR NOT. It is FUN to watch and it’s the best in the league right
…now.
So Geronimo, if you want to cross your arms and refuse to enjoy this feast of tasty football, just save me your ‘analysis’, I’ve heard from your species of fan far too much and this ‘I don’t smile till I see some silverware’ mentality does not wash with me, it’s spoilt brat, immature, entitled little child talk – now run along back to your whingey Emo friends and stop wasting my valuable time!
Yes I also refuse to take any enjoyment from our goals, performacnes and victories until we have played a decent team…..
Like Southampton.
You can please some of the people some of the time but you can’t please all of the people all of the time 😉
Exactly, and you can never please some people ever!
Watching Jack’s goal again is fun! That was a tic tac toe goal of premium class. Ruddy would have needed a second pair of eyes just to follow the movement of the ball. He sure asked himself who’s put him in a lifesize pinball machine 🙂
Tuesday can come. Sure they will test us but that’s what we are looking for isn’t it?
COYG
What a great vid CoR @ 18. It goes quite nicely with this one.
http://vimeo.com/4500030
What well deserved confidence the lad is playing with, perfectly demonstrated with that step over and backheel pass at the end of the highlights.
Porco @ 25/26.. Bravo!! Well done Sir, well done. Glass duly raised.
Morning all,
Welcome back kelsey.
Really enjoyed yesterday. It was one of those days to remember.
Enjoy your Sunday.
G’day all. Just crawled out of the sack – slept so sweet. Thx ‘holic for the report and deleting Geronimo’s post – looks like I haven’t missed anything.
If Bale is worth €100 mil., what is Ramsey worth? As someone said in earlier drinks, RM must be thinking they got the wrong Welshman.
Which makes me wonder when Aaron’s contract is up for renewal – give him a new one now, Arsene.
Whether we end up with silverware or not, this is going to be one hell of a season. We have the squad to cover most eventualities. Even another striker looks covered after Nick’s contribution yesterday – he’s looking very fit and sharp – the sumo has become a samurai.
Cheers Demented! Top o’ the morning to you.
G’day too, DK. And all other Holics as well.
I wondered if genie from last drinks and geronimo were same poster.
Then I see genie has disappeared too – Heh.
Cheers H! Greta result, great day. Load of bad family shit going on, but still went to bed with a smile on me puss.
Panic not about Ramsey’s contract situation dkgÖÖner. He signed a new one only last season. Round about the time many people were questioning Wenger’s sanity, remember?
Here you go dk
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/five-young-internationals-sign-new-contracts
Cheerio @ Camberwell. A fine morning ’twas indeed.
Something about a Sunday always makes me want to do my laundry.
As you were, ‘holics – as you were.
Re. Nick B. He certainly seems to have got his body sorted out – hopefully his head too. He knows he is playing for his career – the Denmark manager has made that clear to him. But I’m sure he’s looking to play regularly, which may mean his departure in January if he continues giving cameos like this. He’s trying to show he’s worth the money he’s asking for – could be a good idea to bring him on as a sub in a CL game to reduce the number of suitors for this season.
BG – thanks for that – wonder what “long-term” means. Presumably 4 years.
Ramsey, along with Jenks, Gibbs, AOC and Wilshere (I think?) all signed 5 year deals last season.
Morning all.
Still basking.
Gents
Breathtaking stuff yesterday, whole team is clicking and the goals were superb. I agree with the above – I can live without trophies if we’re going to play like this, although it’s hard to imagine the latter without the former.
Only two little black clouds for me; the first is that we must start to keep clean sheets – forwards win games, defences win trophies.
The second thing: Arsene, please sign da ting. Amidst all the euphoria, am I the only one worrying about this? Especially when I look at what’s currently going on with our “pals” up in Salford.
I know the whispers are that he’ll stay, but to lose him now….
Not trying to run before we walk and it is still early days but I think where Arsenal have a slght edge this season is Wenger when he gets it right has a distinct advantage over Moyes,AVB,Rodgers and Pellegrini and I am yet to be convinced that it will work with Mourinho a second time.
Chelsea and City have no doubt the strongest squads but how they are used will be the key.
N7
We kept a shit load of clean sheets towards the end of last season, when we were grinding out results.
I don’t mind us conceding the odd goal when we are scoring 3s and 4s of the quality of yesterday’s!
Hey guys
Our beloved Arsenal FC has gained a new member. My 3-week old son. He has yet to taste defeat in 3 games, and long may it continue.
Anyone know how to go about getting a cheeky announcement on the Emirates PA for the Chelsea C1C game? Thought it would be pretty amazing for the lad if I could pull that one off
Cheers 😉
Oh what a beautiful morning.
Perfect report H. Good to see you and the other Holics at the Tollie yesterday.
Have a good day, Holics.
Hey Norris
Indeed we did – and second best def in the league last term, with more injuries and rotation.
I think the personnel we have is fine, but I’d just like to see them tighten up again a tiny bit. We are not going to be able to simply blow every team away and the odd sloppy goal, which we’ve been able to afford so far, could prove a good deal more costly during the run of big games next month – particularly given how hard to beat we are once we get in front.
Just a bit more concentration required. Hopefully they’ll step it up once the big games hit – it’s encouraging that in our toughest two games thus far this season we did not concede.
Massive congrats to Uncle Charlie – well done that man.
Long may the nipper retain his lucky charm status!
Cheers ‘holic.
Ramseys goal was special but Jacks was something sent down from a higher place they could re try that move in training 1000 times and never execute it again so perfectly !
As for the league title maybe, maybe not, but we will challenge, we have hope, and we are playing some wonderful stuff along the way that will do for me 🙂
Would be nice to see a certain dutchmans face if we pulled of a league and champs league double mind ! I can dream Lol
Just finished back-drinking from GT’s post. Great stuff all around but special mentions to for his ‘report’ of his trip to The Grove and Tania for gracing us with her presence.
Congrats on the new born, Uncle Charlie.
Porco @25 and 26, thumbs up. I’m all for cautious optimism but I’m enjoying and celebrating every goal and point like this http://24.media.tumblr.com/857a7a9766c9582cc7087aa0a9695485/tumblr_ms23gzLFYc1r6ibubo1_250.gif
Lots of new faces in the bar, have we lost yesterday?
Anyway, it is hard not to get excited about this Arsenal team. Finally it is the perfect mixture of youth and experience. The spirit is here, the hunger is here, the quality and the talent is here.
However, I am trying my best to stay calm, lower my expectations and keep things in perspective. Being an Arsenal fan taught me to not get carried away. Couple of bad results, we are in crisis again and vultures will start to circle.
I am saying this because on twitter it looks like we have scored the most beautiful goal this season already, had the player and manager of the year already and won the title already.
For our own sake, it is healthy to avoid mentioning the title this early, keep thing simple, go with a game-by-game mentality and see where we are in May.
Having being this cautious, I must also add that I can’t remember feeling this optimistic about Arsenal campaign since 2008.
Greetings
In spite of the early wonder goal from Jack, where the “artistic impression score” was off the radar, I didn’t really relax until Rambo’s dazzling dribble through the bemused Canaries defence gave us the impetus to finish them off in style.
Flam’s early exit really did throw the balance of the team sideways and standing off the opposition didn’t do anything for my nerves but this side pulled themselves together and gave us a great display of Wengerball at it’s best.
One happy Gooner here, can’t wait for Tuesday night ( got a seat from the TX). A lot will be revealed about our trophy credentials over the course of the next few weeks and a winning display against Dortmund would be the perfect start.Whether the Flam will be allowed to play might be a critical factor but here’s hoping he will be in the squad.
The journey back to King’s Lynn was a jolly affair, if somewhat crowded due to the influx of City fans. They are a decent bunch and after all we all come from Norfolk.
See you all at the Ems on Tuesday.
As always COYRs
Lurky @55, you are entirely correct to urge that we keep a lid on our expectations.
There are some bigger tests ahead. Let’s see how we deal with those and hope that we can lay that old ‘November gremlin’.
We’ll have a better feel for our capabilities in December.
Meanwhile, barring the Villa aberration it’s been an excellent start, we have talent to come back and we are looking good in most departments.
great spirit within the squad. with everyone fighting for each other. long may it continue. the season is too long to get carried away.
I still feel that our lack of size in midfield means we get bullied against stronger sides. wish our geniuses could have been a foot taller and a couple of stones heavier.
why the hell did wales play ramsey in two 90 min games. they were already eliminated. too bad the lad can only showcase his skill at the Arsenal 🙂
One more comment on the idea that we also won the corresponding fixtures last season….
Let’s not take way from our wondeful run-in, where some of those were obtained. Yes, this season is different, but it started becoming different last season already, from the Bayern game.
I was confident that we would maintain that form into this season, and Wenger is right to point out that the Villa result was not an accurate reflection of the team or our form. It was distinctly a blip.
Hellollie, will mail later.
Esso, sorry to hear about agg. Hope it eases quickly.
I should add, H, that I think it is remarkable, nay superhuman, that you posted at 01.00 this morning. I was in deep coma by then. You have the constitution of an ox, sir.
A great win and what a display of proper football.
The only quibble was the team’s loss of structure from the time between Flamini going off and Rosicky coming on.
What a player Tomas still is!
He immediately upped the tempo with crisp, pacy passes and movement.
The Yokles could not respond.
What Porco Rosso said @ 25 and 26.
No two matches are the same nor should they be treated as such. All teams have strengthened over the summer and some have changed managers and therefore, style of play.
It is therefore naive for MNB (I presume) to argue that we ought to amass the same points from the corresponding fixtures, not considering all circumstances which may include injuries, suspensions, officiating, etc.
Again, our title rivals (dare I say?), who already had splendid squads, made massive additions to their squads (by spending much more than Arsenal did) in the summer but have yet so far not done much better in their corresponding fixtures of last season.
There is also the argument that we have defeated only opposition from the bottom half of the table. In truth, apart from Tottenham (who I honestly wish are also in the bottom half), all our league opposition this season have so far been from that realm. But that doesn’t tell the whole story because 1. a bottom half opposition has defeated us this season as well, and 2. all our rivals have equally played their own sizable portion of bottom half opposition without better results than us. A comparative look at points gained in all corresponding fixtures of Man City, Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham will reveal this:
Man City – ’12/13 = 15points, ’13/14 = 16points. Number of Bottom Half Opposition so far played = 5.
Man United – ’12/13 = 19, ’13/14 = 11. No. of BHO so far = 4
L’pool – ’12/13 = 15, ’13/14 = 17. No. of BHO = 6
Chelsea – ’12/13 = 19, ’13/14 = 17. No of BHO = 4
Totts – ’12/13 = 12, ’13/14 = 13. No. of BHO = 5*
This is not to argue that we have (or have not) assembled another ‘Invincibles’ on the strength of the first eight league matches of the season. But the team is playing good football with favourable (and sometimes) fantastic results which is something that may not be said of the other teams that were expected to stroll through the season. Therefore, corresponding fixtures and league position of defeated opponents are hardly bases for logical criticism.
Nice report guvna, sounds like a great day out.
Congrats to Uncky Chas, but doesn’t that now make you Daddy Charlie. 😉
Good stuff from Porco Rosso, but then futher down the page I see Cam’ Gooner….. I’m confused.
* Totts have only played 7 matches and their next opposition is bottom half too.
Soweto, welcome to the bar!
Great report as usual, H.
Surprisingly what swung matters decisively Arsenal’s way was the introduction of Nicklas Bendtner for the tiring Giroud. The dieting Dane gave us a lift at an awkward time, and posed real problems for the visitors.
Like I said around the WBA cup game – Nicklas Bendtner is going to surprise a few people this season 😉
(ok, shameless Itoldyousoism over and done with!)
I see some have cottoned on to the “but we struggled against them for a bit” line, but for me what makes this win all the more great is exactly the fact that despite actually not playing that well we scored four beautiful goals and were never ever in threat of losing the game. A few wobbly minutes, yes, but then Man City were really under the kosh for a while at West Ham, Chelsea needed a goal that should have been ruled out to get back into the game v Cardiff, ManU dropped points and Liverpool dropped points despite being one man up for close to an hour including added time. Man City got the job done in the end, as did Chelsea and as did we. Any team in this league can have 15 to 20-minute spells against any other team in the league where they look threatening, it is quite rare these days that a team dominates for 90 minutes.
Is the lack of clean sheets worrying? To a certain extent, yes. But only once this season in all competitions have we conceded the first goal (WBA away) and when it has really, really mattered (Totnum, Napoli, Fenerbache) we have kept the opposition out. I also feel that we are actively working on establishing a way of playing where we can switch to a deeper defensive line which worked beatifully against Napoli and Totnum. Also, me may be about tenth in the league in goals conceded, but apart from the very impressive three conceded by Southampton almost all teams are only or or two goals better off than us (though annoyingly enough, one of those who aren’t is Totnum with five). I’d like us to improve a bit in that respect of course, but at this point I don’t see it as too alarming considering the nature of most of the goals we’ve conceded.
A good win, a good day out and consequently I am in a good mood. That does it for me 🙂
Who cares how other teams perform, it’s all about the Arsenal.
Anyone who is belittling this nice run we have put together misses some relevant aspects: (a) The team is still very much a work in progress with key members learning to play with each other (Ozil and Santi for instance) and the team would only get better, (b) A run of consistent results like this solidifies confidence in players about themselves and trust between each other which make all the difference in a closely fought league like PL , (c) We are learning to adapt the tempo and strategy within the game according to the situation , the lack of which has been a persistent problem for quite a while now.
And would any opposition matter if we can reproduce the quality and speed of passing and movement for the first goal? Would any defense in PL be able to anticipate that move and do something about it? I am not saying we will be able to reproduce something that special on a regular basis but is not that something to anticipate with a positive spirit?
Some of the football we are playing now we have not played for many years, and it is not built around one or two players (a la the Cesc years), and the team really has a fantastic attitude (neither the complacency nor the defensive negligence that had blighted many of our otherwise great runs since the move to Emirates) … how is that not enough for a fan to be ecstatic about?
The silverware are always a reward for quality and consistency. Let us appreciate the quality — which is not as given as some spoilt fans may want to believe, it is a result of great planning, very hard work in training and patience with players — while hoping for the consistency to continue. What more should a fan expect?
I am relishing seeing a midfield three of Flamini, Arteta, and Ramsey protecting a back four and one goal lead. It’s not as attractive as some of the mouthwatering offensive combinations AW can trot out there now, but the discipline and work rate would be top notch. I know it’s early but are Flamini and Ozil the two best signings in the entire league not just Arsenal?
Keeping one eye on Leeds-Birmingham on the telly, and discovered that Kyle Bartley now plays for Brum. I had no idea Swansea had sent him there, where he is playing together with the knuckle-dragger that is Paul Robinson and let me tell you that they are really, really poor. It’s 4-0 to Leeds with about 15 minutes to play and that is a flattering scoreline for Birmingham.
Any Holics planning on going to Chelsea in the CoC?
If you are please say so here! 😉
Steve, maybe we’ll make up for last time mate.
FF, how are you accounting for the fixtures against the newly promoted sides? If you exclude those, which you should as there are no direct comparables, by my reckoning, you get:
Points this season vs last in comparable games:
Chelsea 11 points vs 17 points
Man Utd 8 points vs 16 points
Man City 13 points v 9 points
Liverpool 14 points v 11 points
N7@45: my guess is that AW won’t decide over his contract until the end of the season when he has seen if this team has won anything and knows whether it has the staying power to win the CL within, say, the next three years. If he thinks it can, he’ll sign a new contract, if not, he won’t. And if we win the CL this season, he might call it a day to go out on a high. I really think that he doesn’t want to end his Arsenal career with its second half being trophyless.
The argument that we should amass the same number of points from the same fixtures is a dumb argument.
If that were the case then every season woulda been the same. Why bother playing then?
Excellent contributions from Soweto and Porco Rosso which really hit the nail on the head. I have been most heartened by the Napoli and Spurs’ games. Probably the two most difficult games and two shut- outs. We had excellent second halves in both where we closed the game down. I think yesterday was a third gear performance and in a sense that is why they attempted stuff like the first goal. I’d go further than the Guvnor and say Wilshere’s goal will be the best of the season. If Barca had scored it we would have seen it repeated all over Sky.it was mesmerising and showed what a focal point Giroud now is. I think we need to be sensible about recruiting a top striker in January in that if we pay too much there will be a temptation to put him in ahead of OG when it isn’t really merited. Benzema does not fill me with excitement and I’d prefer Martinez or a reliable goalscorer like Ba was recruited if we can’t get another striker at the level of Ozil ( Suarez is probably one of the few who fits the bill). Lewandoski is probably the other that really appeals. Possibly Rooney might want to jump ship to us now. I’m sure the Dutch Skunk does!
This team understands that you can control a game even when you don’t have the ball.
You see that based on what the opponents do with the ball.
With all the possession our opposition enjoy this season, we are rarely under pressure.
Yesterday for instance Norwich only had 1 corner. We on the other hand are much more efficient with the ball. We had 10 corners.
We also have the highest conversion rate in the league.
Plus I think that on current form Giroud is the prem’s best striker. Mainly because of how he brings others in to play.
Not many strikers in the world can get the two assists he got yesterday.
He’s also less wasteful than last season, not clinical but not wasteful either.
He’s also massively improved his movement.
Last season he kept on running to the near post on attacks from the left flank and far post for attacks from the right flank.
This season he comes to the near post regardless of where the attack is coming from.
This is a great analysis of how he improved (or how AW made him a better striker) – http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JkcF8u5IUnw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJkcF8u5IUnw
The doctor @68 knows
well, watching the cunts from the other side of town play. Hope they still keep rolling down the hill. AVB is toilet paper coz he has lots of shit players.
Totally agree with TTG re the HFB.
Look at his final ball for Wilshere’s goal – absolutely world class. Very hard to tell what impact it would have if we were to hook him from the first team now, regardless of who comes in.
I suspected in the summer that we look at Suarez because he can also play on the wings, thereby ensuring a bit more game time for OG. I hope that thought is still in Wenger’s mind (doesn’t have to be Suarez though).
Crap, Totnum 1-0 up at Villa Park.
Villa desperately need Benteke back. They have absolutely no one who can hold the ball up in attack. They are quite rubbish in this game, I must say.
Only a troll of the highest order would complain about something so trivial after a performance like that, our “friend” Geronimo/Genie/whatever guise he is hiding behind at that moment, is a master in the art of wummery, also a skilled jizz juggler I hear.
The team is doing what it’s supposed to be doing, beating their opponants, our current record speaks for itself, only two points dropped since the second day of the season, not to mention progression in a cup competition and sitting pretty, with maximum points, a top of the toughest group in this terms CL. You can only beat what is in front of you and that is what we are doing.
I’m also pretty tired of hearing that we can’t be judged until we’ve played anyone decent. Why??
From what I’ve seen there are not too many “bankers” this year in the PL, even the teams close to the bottom are more then capable of playing. This year, like every year, the destination of the title will be decided by who has the most points, not who played well against the “top teams”. Case in point, Villa have taken six points from us and Citeh, does that mean they are title contenders? Does it fuck.
Beating the likes of the oileys and manure will be great for confidence and braging rights, but it will be our results against the rest that will define our season. The belief that we just had to show up to win these games in the past has been the reason for our downfall, but that doesn’t seem to be the case this year (we actualy started to turn it around last term) it looks like we’ve finally learnt from our mistakes, even though the lads sometimes like to put us through the wringer by conceding a goal here and there. 😉
I’m not saying we will win the league, I still think we are a little short in one or two key areas, although Bendy’s cameo yesterday slightly relieved some of my fears, but is it so wrong to dream? If you can’t take plesure with the way our team are performing then I seriously propose that you find something else to fill the void in your life and leave us who are enjoying it in peace. I also hope that the Hansen’s of this world continue to write us off, while we give him “nothing negative to report”.
Top of The League!!!
NBN, goes to show my inadequacies in the task I ventured into. But the truth is that I substituted promoted sides for relegated teams. Just for argument though.
Bollox, 2-0 Totnum. Not watching any more of that, then.
No more excuses for Wenger after spending £43m on a single player he better bring home the bacon.
Santi’s old team mate is turning it up in Serie A after an year or so of being out due to injury. Some comeback by the Viola, 4-2 from 0-2 down against Juve, Rossi with a hat-trick.
Fiorentina on their better seasons always play expansive football. Had a couple of good seasons with Montolivo.
Snir, you have put your finger on a key point. This team is so much better than its predecessors at controlling games when it doesn’t have the ball. The sense of dread that descended when we lost possession has gone, as has the feeling that even a two-goal lead could easily be surrendered.
FF, reasonable assumption. We both came to the same conclusion; some of the top teams have got off to a better start than last season, and some haven’t.
Re: Snir @76, your statement about Giroud that he’s massively improved his movement. It could be so, but I would posit that is only an optical illusion. He has actually improved his mövement. Big difference. 😉
How splendid! MNB has a new alias. What chance he/she can come up with a new tune too?
l, for one, am not holding my breath.
Are you suggesting that the HFB has jöined the dots, 8ball?
Greetings, apologies I disappeared as quickly as I appeared in this fine bar.
Where to start? Thanks for the welcome drinks from NorCal, Lars (and your famous credit card), Bayonne Jean, Arsenicdaemon, Kenyaconnect and Porco Rosso.
Frank Frank thanks for the quick analysis of the “corresponding fixtures”. As I suspected it proves nothing and I agree with Snir it is a dump idea.
However winning at bottom half teams is just as important as winning against your close rivals for the following reasons:
* Winning against so called smaller teams gives us confidence to play our game and win against the top guns. It also introduces some doubt in all opposition (top or bottom of league), it is a virtuous cycle as opposed to vicious where everyone thinks they can beat us. Sports is a very “mental strength” thing.
* All wins are worth 3 points, if you win all home and away games against bottom 10 teams that is already 60 points and you are in good shape. You have buffer points against your top competitors, Mourinho is already trying that playing for draws away e.g. Old Trafford game.
* The point that you have to beat your title contenders is only relevant in leagues such as La Liga where top 2 go on crazy record breaking runs beating everyone else, I think Barca won it on Head-to-Head not so long ago. EPL is not that type of league.
What feels me with “cautious optimism” this term is:
* We can win ugly – I don’t know why its called that e.g. 3 set piece goals against Stoke.
* We can shut the back door if we have to e.g. Spurs game.
* We can go free-flowing possession style which requires good midfielders and free-flowing counter attack which requires good wingers (note all our good wingers are yet to come back from injury).
Title winning teams should be able to adjust accordingly and we are learning that. We are not the finished article but in the interim I plan to celebrate every point accumulated, against big or small club, because at the end it is the total number of points accumulated that wins leagues.
Not celebrating wins against small teams is tantamount to not celebrating a goal in a game because you are scared opposition is going to come back at you.
PS. Bayonne Jean, will touch on RSA Gooner support at some other time, I have already taken up too much of all your time.
Cheers from RSA.
I thought what I saw of the Villa/LWC game was very low quality. Villa without Benteke are useless. LWCs rely on Townsend now like they used to on Bale. lots of average PL players–Holtby,Sigurdsson,Dembele,Walker,Dawson,Chiriches and Soldado’s movement is non-existent. We are playing 9and capable of maintaining) a much higher level
Agree with Snir entirely. With our double pivot midfield we look very secure
Arsenal last 10 league fixtures 2012-13:
Swansea (A)
Reading (H)-Relegated
WBA (A)
Norwich (H)
Everton (H)
Fulham (A)
Man Utd (H)-Demotivated
QPR (A)-Relegated
Wigan (H)-Relegated
Newcastle (A)
Arsenal fixtures 2013-14:
Aston Villa (H)-13th
Fulham (A)-17th
Spurs (H)-Transition
Sunderland (A)-Bottom
Stoke (H)-15th
Swansea (A)-11th
WBA (A)-12th
Norwich (H)-18th
The last 18 league fixtures show Arsenal have only played cannon fodder.
Who have been duly despatched. P18 W14 D3 L1. So your point is what exactly? Apart from the fact you have an incredibly small penis.
Sorry, misprint there. Penis was meant to spell brain. Of course.
His point, Esso, is that Sp*rs fans are finding it harder and harder to convince themselves that we are not going to finish above them yet again, even after they have tipped a further £110 million down the toilet.
Their desperation has now turned into delusion – a not uncommon phenomenon, as I’m sure Faustus will confirm. 😉
NOTICE
Lurkers, please note. At present, due to strange new counting technique, 104 is the number to aim at. Repeat: Lurkers! Aim for 104.
ENDS
Sorry to have missed all the other Holics yesterday.
I arrived at The Tollie at 1.00 and spent a quiet hour and a quarter chatting to myself, and was just leaving as Tabs appeared.
I doubt we will ever quite see the like of Jack’s goal again – the move culminated in 7 one touch passes, the last of them being the one past the keeper into the side netting.
The move was replayed on the giant screens four or five times immediately, as whoever edits the footage must have been as incredulous as the rest of us.
Having witnessed the goal of the season/ decade/ century, Aaron Ramsey, as is his current wont, then treated us to the runner up.
Great days are back at the Arsenal.
Teams like this don’t happen all the time.
They are just to be enjoyed whilst raising a middle finger to the cynics.
Heh @ Pangloss.
Some folks are such tools.
BMBD
Ramseyyyyyyy
Pangloss, 105 is the new 104.
Well in Lonestar, shame it won’t be allowed.
Bang
There are 38 league games in a season, if your only interest is a trophy then there is just one possible match to sate that appetite & as we all know oh too well that occasion is incredibly hard to achieve, so inevitably one’s football life is going to be 99.9% disappointment.
What I would suggest is perhaps to enjoy the game for what it is, accept no team is faultless & when your’s scores 2 sublime goals like yesterday, ‘king celebrate it.
Soweto Gooner, let me add a belated welcome.
You can’t even start to guess how much of each other’s time we take up. 🙂
You are right about beating the bottom half of the table home and away. The old formula for winning the league was to do that, and then beat the top half at home and avoid as many defeats as possible away.
Well in Ned. I was going for the most complicated self-assist ever
I don’t fucking care who we play against, everytime we pull off an amazing pass or set of passes, dribbles, tackles, interceptions, win throw-ins or corners, make a save or score a goal my heart lights up and if any of the above actions is leading us to or secures us a point(s)/advancement in a cup game I will be over the fucking moon with my celebrations. If at the end of the season and by the worst of lucks we lose the league title on goal difference as well as lose in all the cup finals I will be sad for as long as it takes to get over them but as soon as the next season starts and we do anything positive on the pitch, or even off it, I will be off with my bloody celebrations yet again!
The bad days take their toll on me so whenever I see the glimmer of a good day I will be basking in the sun sucking it all up. I’ve seen and heard too much sadness in my short time on this earth to do otherwise.
No goals conceded v Spurs or Napoli, in top two of their respective leagues. If you want to doom away at least get the facts right.
Agree every word there, Cent.
Good evening Celebrities! What’s that you say? We’re immortalized at the Emirates, oh my word!!! 🙂 Just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the holics on twitter, YOU know why. 😉 Have not seen the game yet, except for watching THE JACK GOAL a gazillion times. Or read the drinks properly, but I saw a lot of lovely faces. And look forward to reading everything on Monday. Fingers crossed for Mathieu, hope he isn’t concussed! Have a wonderful evening, Holic and holics. 🙂 Damm, can’t wait for Tuesday!!!
Hi abb. Night abb. Night all.
COYG
Massive congratulations Uncle Charlie! Is it your first? If so, welcome to the club and good luck mate. Try to enjoy every moment, it’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done!
Cheers, Lurky.
Can’t wait for tuesday too, Nurse.
Night, Pangloss.
92
Cannon fodder.
You probably don’t realise your own wit.
Not by half.
MagicHat/Stingy,
You have no idea what I think or am happy with, but if you can’t enjoy yesterday’s goals for what they were, you cannot be an Arsenal fan.
MagicHat, Why don’t you, er, put a sock in it eh? There’s a good chap, noone’s listening to you.
MagicHat,
You seem to be labouring under the misapprehension that Wenger needs us more than we need him. It takes two to agree to a contract, other teams want him (e.g. PSG with much deeper resources), so I think we should do everything we can to tie him down now (as he is most unlikely to walk if he has signed da ting).
Now that he finally has money to spend he seems to be spending it rather well…
Trev…when it comes to Arsenal supporters you are best of breed. The guv’nor will soon put magic hat back into his box and disappear.
Congrats to Uncle / Daddy Charlie…another gooner enters the world.
Ex Manure player and an ex Spud backing the gunners.
Alan Hansen eat your heart out.
MagicHat – no guarantee with either of those – and what have they won so far as coaches? Ah!
You are obsessed with your anti-Wenger vendetta and you need to get help.
As a manager, Laudrup has won the Danish Superliga, the Danish Cup (twice) and the C1 Cup.
Pochettino – nada. When he left Espanyol, they were bottom of La Liga.
God give me strength.
MagicHat – that must be Black Magic – brain made of chocolate with a soft centre.
92 8:23pm
Magichat
Funny that the identical post has appeared on le grove.
Is someone robbing your thunder or is that your natural home?
92
dial square ?
Even ‘them others’ want you gone from your normal home.
Have you all gone mad talking to imaginary posts.
Seen this one?
http://www.arsenalfantv.com/watching-ramsey-cazorla-and-ozil-is-better-than-sex/
126
No.
Yes.
Who said that?
The voices.
Evening all.
A great day at The Grove had by all. A nice write up Holic. Spot on for me.
The first goal was just different class. It all stemmed from a General Flamini interception. The rest was poetry in motion. The fact that Jack put it in with his right foot was the icing on the cake.
Flamini’s exit coincided with the spell of play when Norwich came back into the game. At that stage our midfield consisted of five creative central midfield players. The shape and balance suffered temporarily. It also went on to show how important Flamini has become.
The second goal came from an Özil run from left back. The third just shows how wonderfully well Ramsey has developed. The forth was again the result of another great move.
People are right to point out that we have not played any top sides. But you play everyone twice and can only beat what is in front of you. Perspective is obviously called for. That said, sitting on top looking down on everyone else is a great place to be. If people can’t be positive about what they are watching at the moment then they must be Spud. There is no other explanation.
Tuesday???? Bring it on.
Trev. Anyone that can spend over an hour with one pint and then leaves the moment tabs turns up gets my vote. Well played sir.
Red Alert on the HT Mk III!
Imposters, nutters, malcontents, and half-wits have breached the outer defenses.
Ignore comments from all trolls, troglodytes, idjits, and window-lickers. The CMC is secured, phasers set to stun.
Prepare for siege until the barkeep returns… g’nite Nurse.
BMBD
Oh yeah, I forgot. BLG scored her 29th goal on Saturday…from 9 games…against all boys teams. It was a wicked cross-over and left footed finish that had parents on both sides commenting to me after the game.
Pride doesn’t begin to describe the feeling.
Congratulations Uncle Charlie. Although I know the moniker’s inspiration, it has been my experience that “Charlie’s” are usually confirmed bachelors (e.g.: C. Sheen) not Daddy-Os…perhaps change of moniker is in order? 😉
ooh to be a goonah!
BMBD
Lonestar.
It’s good to see you are at your post. 🙂
And BLG seems to be holding up her side too.
Bloody heck, ‘Holic, that 104/ton was moving around faster than a Jack to Giroud to Jack set of passes. I don’t know whether I reverse self-assisted Pangloss or not — but it was a lovely one-touch flick either way.
DKG, the other thing about Ladrup is that he could split a defence with a pass. Here’s 10 mins of a passing master class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XCi-I4wl1I&sns=em
And if you have an hour or so to spare search YouTube for the 84 mins (yes, 84 mins) version.
Thanks 8ball. We must remain vigilant against the spuds and other vermin.
BMBD
…and things can only get better as the new players bed in and when the crocks are out of bed and back on the field. And the more we continue in the same vein the more attractive we look to potential transfer targets.
Question is, Do we really need anyone? Everyone says a top striker is essential, but is it? OG has made himself into an indispensable member of the team and while a replacement for him has always been the call, now it looks more like we need a partner for him. But do we? TGSTEL actually looked more than useful in his cameo, and he’s definitely looking fitter than I ever remember him. But my pick to partner OG is still Poldi, whom everyone seems to have forgotten. For mine he’s still the best striker of a ball in the club and with your choice of Özilla, Santi, Ox, Theo, Rambo, Jack etc etc providing the through balls, or OG nodding them down to him, Poldi would be lethal.
No, if TGSTEL really is back in the picture the only cover we still need is in the back four. Varanne or Alderweireld would be ideal Arsenal types.
IMO.
Öskar
Oskar @ 138: This injury induced break may be actually be a blessing in disguise for Poldi as he can work to get his full fitness back. He was evidently not physically hundred percent for much of last season and in this season too even though he scored a couple of beauties he didn’t look to be moving that well. I agree with you he still is the best finisher in the club and even though he cannot play the lone striker role the way Giroud does (and be a pivot around which attacks are built) he can be lethal as a central striker with Ozil-Santi-TR7 providing him through balls. We will have to change the shape a bit while playing him centrally though.
Poldi’s wing play is quite good as well, even if he is not a traditional winger. Last season he had provided a few excellent assists from left wing to Giroud and has a good understanding with Gibbo. Really looking forward to his return.
Quick word on Gibbs. How well is he developing???? I have been very impressed with his performances this season.
Morning all.
Anyone who watched The Sunday Supplement will have heard Paul Smith,football writer state that Suarez will definitely leave Liverpool in January or the latest in the Summer.H was adamant that he had connections that this was the case and that we would up our bid for him but more than likely Suarez will go abroad, which I would agree with.Smith also stated that Arsenal could win the league. I don’t know him but he seemed extremely positive.
I tend to think a player like Suarez is just what we need but whoelse is out there and more importantly are the days of a true CF over.
Reading some reports we were apparetly not very good for long periods of the game on Saturday,but as has been pointed out by many the loss of Flamini definitely disrupted our flow,so maybe that is an area we need cover as we now have 6 or 7 players who can score.
Another iss ue is that all international players want game time leading up to the World Cup and that brings me on to Vermaelen who hardly gets a mention these days. By his standards he had a poor time last season but don’t be fooled he is a good player but needs to curb his marauding up field.
I think with Walcott and Podolski returning Arteta and Rosicky will get cameo roles more and more as the season progresses and it appears the Ox and Diaby will not feature again at least until the very back end of the season, but for now I can’t wait for Dortmond tomorrow.
Kelsey: I caught the last 70 minutes of the game again on a re-run last night (just missed the first goal) and I must say that my view of Norwich “putting us under pressure” changed rather dramatically. They were never as much in control as I felt while watching the game as it happened, though to be fair to them their goal was quite well-worked and it was a really good finish. Sure, they had two or three situations where they could possibly have scored with a bit of luck but then again Aaron Ramsey alone probably had just as many situations that were closer to resulting than what Norwich had. All in all it was closer to 6-1 than 4-2, I’d say.
I also took the opportunity to have a closer look at what Bendtner did and I really liked what I saw. It was also good to hear the crowd cheer him on at his first touch, well played everyone who participated in that. He worked hard and created space (look at the way he pulled defenders out of the way for Rosicky to make that cross before the fourth goal, that was a rather intelligent piece of play if you ask me) and the more I see of him the less I feel there is any need to buy an attacker in January. I am increasingly convinced that the penny has dropped for him and if so we already have our backup for Giroud. I am not expecting him to stay beyond the end of the season, but he has shown enough in the past few weeks for me to no longer completely rule out the possibility.
Right, back to work…
Steve T,
Top comments in relation to Gibbo and Flam.
Lars,
My tuppence worth is that I think we’re exposed is on the right wing.
If you look at the left wing: Cazorla, Podolski, Ozil, Gibbo and Monreal are all wonderful alternatives. On the right wing we realisically have Theo, Oxlade, Sagna and Jenks. Cazorla is ambidextrous, but I believe he prefers the left wing generally if I’m not mistaken? So I feel thats where there is a significant imbalance.
The players we’ve tried to sign, Higuain and Suarez can both play as a striker or on the right wing.
There’s no doubt Giroud has been on fire this season but I still believe we need a player to cover both Giroud and Theo even if Bendtner has done well.
Lars: I am not suggesting that we were not very good for long periods of the game, in fact the contary, it was what I read on other sites and in the press. my point was that for about 15 minutes either side of half time after the loss of Flamini we lost our fluidity.
I agree about Bendtner,in fact he surprised me more than anyone. He has lost some weight,had scored twice for Denmark and short term maybe the answer for us and for himself to have another chance to put himself in the shop window.
Having watched the game numerous times I had missed how much ground and how fast Ozil ran from the halfway line for his goal.
NBN – re Laudrup – funnily enough there was a link to that 84 min video on the Grauniad yesterday – watched about 10 mins of it. He was a fantastic player and he and John Jensen formed a managerial partnership which took the Danish club Brøndby to the Danish Championship and Cup double some years back, but he hasn’t done much since, until winning the C1C with Swansea last season. It will be interesting to see how they do this season, especially in the Europa.
But then AW hadn’t done a lot before coming to Arsenal – how many of us had heard of him?
Flamini is reported to have trained this morning. The man is made of titanium.
Good point @ 142, dk.
He certainly has the potential to be AW’s successor when the maestro decides to call it a day, hopefully many years away. In the meantime he could hone his skills at the Cap Nu or the Bernabau for a few years once he outgrows Swansea.
Bath, I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure to meet you on Saturday, even though you wafted that foul-smelling Glenfiddich under my nose when passing it to a very appreciative ‘Holic :-). I hope to catch up with you again soon.
I’m on creme de bleeding menthe from here on in 😉
Hahaha. I’m going to try to persuade you, Ollie and Tabs onto appletinis on 23 November – scentless Grey Goose and all that … :-).
The Flams is out tomorrow, great pity.
Likewise Poppet. A most enjoyable evening. Glenfiddich was, I am afraid, the only malt whisky available. Although the blenders at that distillery have improved the flavour in recent years (in the 80s we regarded it as sanitised malt for the English palate), the lack of a decent range of malts is my one quibble with the Tollie.
They really do need to broaden their range. I think Holic is the man to persuade them.
As a minimum they should have a true Speyside of quality such as Glenfarclas or Macallan (your mother’s tipple, if I remember correctly), a Highland such as Glenmorangie, a peaty Islay such as Ardmore (for Holic), an unpeaty Islay such as Bruichladdich or another island such as Talisker or Jura, and a lowland such as Auchentoshan, topping it all off with Highland Park 18yo for true cognescenti.
I’ll defer to Joe on the Irish malt whiskeys.
Hello again Bath, you are absolutely right, Macallan is my mother’s tipple :-). It is interesting how broad the range of flavours, just in the ones you have covered in your post, is. I have brought two other tasters of whisky (in addition to the Glenfarclas we discussed) to the pub for ‘Holic in the past but I have no clue whether they were peaty enough for him, now I see that is what he likes – eek. I will know better for another time ;-). Thank you.
Holic,
Will there be a Gulp of the Menthe competition ? 😉
Heh, Trev. Your punning turns me green with envy.
Heh Trav @ 151.
You are awful. 🙂
TrEv even 🙂
Hi Trev – I wonder who will win the label of minty fresh record-holder ;-). I hope that you are well.
Worry not Poppet @150…his taste is eclectic and he appreciates the variety and qualities of all types of cratur. Or at least, he puts on a good show if he doesn’t.
Re: The video of Laudrup’s passes. I’ll lift a Carlsberg and a Tuborg to that display. 🙂
Did they invent a website yet with sample aromas of the Scottish malt whiskeys?
Great writeup and drinks as usual.
Its become fun to watch Arsenal after so many seasons..
Now that would indeed be a fine thing, bt8b.
However it would be Scotch whisky without the ‘e’ added by all other pale imitations. 😀
The only thing that sounds wrong about appletini is the first five letters. 😉
You are hilarious ‘Holic – you tuck into your special brew and I’ll enjoy my delicious, if I say so myself, concoction :-).
I shall try anything once 😉
Santi @ The Tolly;
http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/20/santi-cazorla-stops-car-outside-holloway-pub-to-greet-arsenal-fans-video-4153693/
Steve@140: cover for Theo would make more sense at this point than cover for Giroud. I agree that we seem a bit thin on the right but then again we have done quite well so far with Theo and the Ox out of action for most of the season. I would say another defender has the highest priority at this point, having only three central defenders is not really ideal. But it won’t be easy to find someone good enough in January.
kelsey@141: apologies mate, I was a bit unclear there – my comment was meant as an addition to what you said, not a counter-argument.
Clarification: cover for Theo would make more sense as the Ox isn’t really a winger, and Arsene has of course also said that he sees him as much more of a central midfield player.
You’ve got to laugh.
Can Arsenal win the league?
“No!” was the resounding reply.
The fact that it came from the mouth of the Wank from Sauchie (also known as Hansen), just made it altogether more funny. The apples on which he was feasting, with Arsenal top of the pile, were as bitter as a winter in Stalingrad. You could tell by his on-screen grimace that each of those four goals on Saturday were like a stake to his vampire heart.
I’m hearing that Arsenal fans are “getting ahead of themselves” with talk of winning the title, but the fact is, I don’t know too many of us who have even whispered the T word. We have the temerity at this moment to enjoy a rejuvenated version of Wengerball and yes, why wouldn’t we luxuriate in our lofty position since in recent times, by October’s end, we have had neck-strain looking upwards, for reasons we have all agonised over a thousand drinks before. We were castigated for “celebrating” fourth, and now we should be in despair because we are winning matches?
I’m not thinking about titles.
I’m too busy looking forward to the next match. The anticipation of the next 90 minutes is enough to keep me busy, happy, excited. Beat what is put in front of us, and then move on to the next match and do it all over again. I’m loving watching this Arsenal team.
But you’ve still got to laugh.
Will they win the title? I’ll say no, but they are exciting me…...
Well if we are exciting Alan Shearer, someone has fundamentally mis-calculated. He might stop painting his fence – if he comes off it first, that is.
What he said:
Will they win the title? I’ll say no, but they are exciting me……
What he was really thinking;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwc1Wi-mlCI
*they both shop at the same shirt shop too.
zico knows. Enjoy it while things are going well. If not, when the hell are you ever going to have fun???
Zico
What Shearer said is similar to my views on Kelly Brook
Can I shag her?–no but she is exciting me.
Wasn’t it great to see the old curmudgeons having to admit how great our goals were? Miserable old gits.
Tomorrow we will see just how important Flamini is to us against a very good attacking unit. Hopefully we can cope but he would be very useful to have out there.
Losing Flamini is a blow, but at least we know it will only be for one game, maybe he could play, but concussions are not to be trifled with, thus the five day rule has been observed.
I think AW will probably double up to fill the void with Arteta and Ramsey in front of the backs in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
It will be nice for Flamini to pick up a booking at palace and serve his suspension at the chelski cap one game.
It’s obvious that gooners -players and fans alike are the most matured. Our confidence and composure in the face of seeming/apparent disaster kills them most. Besides, we are the most patriotic, passionate and noble minded.
One very beautiful thing about Arsenal & her fans is that we stand side by side. With other clubs, their fans stand apart & behind depending on their circumstances & predicaments.
Enough of the pessimistic talks, we have so many things to be happy about as fans of this great club, namely, the grove, the best manager, down to earth players with skills unimagineable, a style of play, an abysmal list of fallen & standing Legends and most importantly, the purest fans cutting across continents, class, age et al, a good number always converging @ the sacred bar (though some also sneak into the intimate theater too) as arranged by the Guv’nor.
Even if we don’t end the season with a trophy, I’ve got an endless list of boxes to tick & smile at.
Till tomorrow, keep the faith, live the dream, love yourself & have a pint. And for the Arsenal haters, please stick your wieners in a pickle.
G’nite ‘holics
This is fantastic.
I know which view I ascribe to.
http://goonersphere.com/team-lineup/royally-arsenal/5662-ra-psychology-of-arsenal-fans
Too early for an assist?
maybe a tad. 😉
I thought the blog post was very succinct ‘Holic 🙂
I liked that article quite a lot Snir @ 175 (and btw I subscribe to the same view you do 🙂 ), don’t agree with some of her personal views per se on Twitter after having a quick scope of her recent tweets but I’ll give her blog a go, she approaches Arsenal from a different viewpoint than most blogs do, little bit refreshing 😛
Uncle Charlie, belated congratulations on the birth of your new son 🙂
Snir@175
Agree its a well- written and interesting blog. An Ozil- like debut for the lady!
Cracking goal by Fulham….
Indeed it was z’, very tasty,
Unfortunately the rest of the game has put me to sleep….
Preview, H?
Missed the 3rd goal then?
Poppet –
hi to you too. I’m ok thanks, and trust you are too, on your voyage of discovery with the Scottish fire water.
H2H @172,
“concussions are not to be trifled with”
Is that why they always hit people in the face with a custard pie ? 😉
Wind @178,
“I thought the blog post was very succinct ‘Holic ”
That, coming from you, sir, is no guarantee of brevity 😉
Yeah, if only we’d ever had a player like Senderos……………..
Heh Trev.
A Norwich fan is trapped on a remote desert island with a sheep and a dog.
Soon, the sheep starts looking really attractive to the Norwich fan. However, whenever he approaches the sheep the dog growls in a threatening manner.
The Norwich fan takes the dog to the opposite side of the island giving it some food as a distraction. He runs back to the sheep only to find the dog growling at him.
The Norwich fan ties the dog to a tree with a large leash. He goes back to the sheep only to find the dog growling with a gnawed off leash around its neck.
By now, the Norwich fan is getting depressed and frustrated.
As he sits under a palm tree staring out to sea, a beautiful woman in a tight-fitting wet suit emerges from the surf. She notices how depressed he looks and, taking pity upon his lonely state, asks if there’s ANYTHING she could do for him.
The Norwich fan thinks for a moment and answers,
“Yes, you could take that bloody dog for a walk !” 😉
heh Trev, I think it’s the first time I hear that one with a Norwich fan though I don’t recall which version I first read.
Been practising my German ready for tomorrow evening – looks like I could be in for a sore throat ………….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_xUIDRxdmc
not very friendly, is it ?
Heh Ollie, not quite.
Hope Palace are as poor on Saturday.
Let’s hope indeed. Unlikely, as usual, but we should hopefully have enough to beat them 🙂
Tonight we will see just how good Marco Reus really is. I must admit I’m torn. For a couple of seasons I’ve had him among the best 5 players in world football, dearly wanting AW to sign him. Right now I hope I was wrong!
Or perhaps he could do the right thing and have an off night?
2-0. OG and who else but Rambo.
Öskar
Evening chums, a fine crew in tonight.
Z, a preview will now be prepared, and hopefully up by midnight…
Cheers H
Might be in the land of Z by then 😀
Heh.
Sausage severing time?
http://www.bravosport.de/sites/default/files/bilder/750x500x95/juergen-klopp-borussa-dortmund-wurst-witzig-fun-atu-1ClS.jpg
Maybe not in the way he expects?
Can’t wait for tomorrow night!
Even more excited after I’ve fixed a trip to London for new year 🙂 Hope tickets for the Cardiff-game will still be available when the window for red members opens.
Yeeehaaaaw!!!
COYG
How bad on a scale from 1-10 is it to spell your own name wrong 🙁
11
H2H
That’s what I was thinking myself 🙂
Still excited and happy though.
Well, as consalation you got the century, wel in Datsyuk.
That’s a first for me then 🙂
Asking a question @198, expecting the answer @199, giving you a certain goal @200 MUST count as a semi self assist.
I demand a yellow card !
If not for that, then for not even knowing your own name. 😉
Ouch! From scoring a goal to be cautioned within seconds is also a first. Not that nice but today I can take that with a smile 😉
Not a bookable offence I’m afraid Trev (that name ignorance)
Otherwise Kaka, Little Pea(nus) aka Chicarito, C Ronaldo and all the other twonks who don’t use their real names would be constantly banned.
Yours realnamingly
Holloway2Holland
Some defending:
I need to get used to that a little as I am not an educated or natural born striker 😉
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Is this still good news for the JT-Ozouf fiber optic investment in Jersey? My house in the UK was linked up to broadband 20 years ago….