Arsenal’s Opportunity To Open Gap
Apr 26th, 2014 by 'holic
There have been worse days. Everton’s defeat at Southampton in the Saturday lunchtime fixture leaves us two wins away from a guaranteed fourth place finish in the Premier League. The only dampener ahead of the visit of Newcastle on Monday night is the proposed tube strike. If you have tickets I hope you are able to get to and from the match safely and don’t get stranded overnight.
The team news is that the skipper is likely to join the squad that won so convincingly in Hull last weekend. Personally I would play Vermaelen at left-back, but I suspect the boss will go with an unchanged starting eleven, and ask them to start the match as strongly as they have finished the last two. Those who do make it to the Grove in time deserve to see that midfield sparkle again. It was refreshing to see Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, and Santi Cazorla moving the ball with pace and purpose again on Humberside.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew returns to the touchline following a seven match ban for giving Hull’s David Mayler a Glasgow kiss. While he has been confined to the stands his charges have lost six times, and beaten only Crystal Palace by the narrowest of margins at home. They also have key players likely to return to the starting line-up. Full-back Debuchy and top scorer Remy made substitute appearances in last weekend’s defeat to Swansea, but neither have started a game since a win at Hull City in early March. Sissoko suffered a hamstring injury in a 4-0 reversal at Southampton earlier this month, forcing him to miss the Magpies’ last two games.
Although that infamous 4-4 draw at Newcastle remains in the memory that was three years ago now and we have won the last four matches against the barcodes, including a crazy 7-3 in this corresponding fixture last season. Theo Walcott grabbed a hat-trick in that match and if my guess about the team is right then only six players who featured then will start this one. Olivier Giroud, who scored two of our seven and the only goal of our trip to Newcastle in December will be hoping to continue his improved form.
Now the ‘holic pound has to be wagered on a Gunners victory which would see the commencement of the feast of St Totteringham for the nineteenth consecutive season. There isn’t much value to be found on a home win, so fancied are we to win by the bookies, but I have been tempted by the 18/1 offered by one firm for a 4-1 home win, and I’m on it.
That’s it for now. Enjoy the rest of your weekend ‘holics.
365 Responses to “Arsenal’s Opportunity To Open Gap”
1st
Let’s do this, win at home and get some confidence under our belt for the FA Cup Final. Have this done and dusted before the final match of the season. 4-1 sounds about right Holic.
Not number 2?
[…] Goonerholic: Arsenal’s Opportunity To Open Gap […]
Odds on Pardew getting suspended for another head butt in this game? Worth a punt, surely, if the odds are good.
Good stuff ‘H. I was to have been at the game but the buggers switched it to Monday night which is too much of a trek from Cardiff so I’m missing out. Let’s hope I miss a classic.
I embrace the return to the values of George Graham. JFWI Arsenal.
COYG
Just win the game – score immaterial.
Odd stat: victory over westbrom to seal UCL,3rd year in a row…assuming we beat pardew’s mugs ofcz…interesting
Good preview Holic
Another must win fixture approaching. No time nor room for complacency, handbrake fully released all cannons firing at barcodes!
Come on Arsenal!
Nice late one, Holic.
4-1 would be just lovely. 😉
A thought for Monday evening –
Why don’t Scouse girls like to marry Geordie blokes?
They don’t want their kids growing up too idle to go out stealing ! 😉
Wilfied Bony wouldn’t be a bad recruit for us in the summer.
Strong enough to hack it in the Premier League, and when all our usual injuries kick in we can say we’re down to the bare Bonys. 😉
I would be very happy with a 4-1 drubbing of the Magpies Holic. I hope you are as sound in your judgement as you were last week.
Couldn’t have asked for better from the Saints today. I believe a win for us tomorrow will be enough to guarantee fourth. Everton have an injury crisis and a thin squad
“Everton have an injury crisis and a thin squad” Martinez OUT! Must be the manager’s fault. And why didn’t he buy a new striker in January window??
Sorry ttg, couldn’t resist that.
4-1 it is Mr Holic. Will be listening to the match. See you for West Brom.
Fork n knife Holic, could you not have waited until tomorrow to post a preview? I’ve been in training for Cup Final day, all day, today……hic.
St Totts is assured on Monday.
Enjoy the feast Holics. 😎
I missed all if the chat from the last bar earlier. Just catching up now.
I’ve always said Coleman was the ideal replacement for wantaway Sagna. He’s now scored as many for us in one game as Bacs has all season!
Öskar
Correct I’m in NZ, Goonertown, but a born and bred Englishman living in exile.
It can be really annoying being out of synch time-wise on boards like this. Very little chance of getting a pun in before Trev, for example! 🙁
Öskar
The team aren’t planning to travel by tube to the game, are they? Can’t we afford mini cabs?
Can’t see anything else preventing St Tott’s Day celebrations starting before half-time.
A conservative 3-0 is forecast, but we need to watch Remy who will be out to impress in the hope of getting a transfer to us.
Öskar
A win against the barcodes would mean one last nail in Alan’s coffin. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. (0(
Nice writeup HOLIC. second place is still within grasp.
Luke Shaw looked the better right back between him and Coleman.
According to my Xbox predictor, we might be in for a solid 0-0 against the Magpies…
I’ve been wrong before though 😀
Luke Shaw is a left back 8 ball. Better than the LBs we have, but never a RB. And Coleman doesn’t lead the Fantasy football defensive scores for nothing.
Öskar
Most of us have been supporting our club regardless, lester. It’s people like yourself who only want to be fans in the good times. Although I can imagine you moaning about the Invincibles when they only drew…
Öskar
Dont feed the troll Öskar!
Cheers ‘holic!
Yeh Oskar have sympathy for those less intellectually fortunate than us.
Nice one H.
Let’s get this job done.
Well in all senses, I believe Arsenal is going on firing it’s cannon through both cylinders. Arsenal is getting both the FA cup and champions league qualifications.
[…] http://goonerholic.com/2014/04/arsenals-opportunity-to-open-gap/ […]
Morning all.
Good to see Dr z on the lash last night 🙂
BtM, West Brom it most certainly will be. Looking forward to it.
@13 BTM
I get your point to not blame the manager on absolutely everything but, as a matter of fact, Everton got a new striker vand quite a decent one in January, from Monaco on loan, who injured himself in his second game for them. Lacina Traore if I’am not mistakin, I won’t brother to check.
Hi holics,
Been a while since my last drink on here. Good to see the bar in good ‘spirits’ as always
Well, just seal the top four and win the cup please, Arsenal. This will give us something to build on
Btw who are we rooting for for the league? I cannot imagine the jizz from all the pundits if the Scousers win it (it is looking very likely at the moment). However I’m torn between the oil cunts/Scousers on this one..
Cheers
I see that the Mirror thinks we are “leading the race to sign (Gareth Barry) permanently.”
He is 33 years old.
Not exactly a prime candidate for AW.
I’m still in the “TV5 as defensive midfielder” camp. Only 28 – LANS :).
Harsha, “we” are divided, as usual.
I’m even divided – can’t make my mind up from one day to the next. Devil and deep blue sea. As long as it’s not Spuds.
Win our next two games at home and we will qualify. Then get ready for the final.
😆
I saw portion of Arsene’s interview on BEIN sports last night.
1) Praised eden hazards football qualities. sees great potential in him. He had Eden’s agent visit his home to strike a deal but could not afford to sign him before he signed for chelsea.
2) Glowing praise for Tony Pubis and considers him as Manager of the season. Brendan might have something to say about that!
3) He says the scousers had an advantage against the rivals due to a less tiring schedule. he did however praise them for their attacking play. And it looked like he was rooting for them to win against chelsea.
4) He will stay at Arsenal. His exact words:
“I have told many times that I have given my word to the club to continue”
Pause of 3 – 4 seconds
“That means to stay”
Looks like Arsene will stay.
Going to be very competitive next season. With mancs coming back and pochettino going to manage the spuds who will no doubt take some of the better players from st. mary’s with him.
A very tough top 7 or 8 to contend with.
Nice summary DB10.
I remember the time when we were after Hazard and if I am not mistaken it was the same summer we bought Chamberlain. Many reports at the time suggested that he was very keen on joining, but Arsenal didn’t want to spend more then 12m for him. Lille wanted close to 20m and rejected our offer. I thought that he is exactly what we need at the time and I still stand by that. He is a great player, but hasn’t fulfilled his enormous potential yet and I don’t think he would do that, ever. In fact, he could, but only if he is guided by Arsene at Arsenal.
Arsene rooting for Liverpool against Chelsea is the most logical thing in the world. Who on Earth wants Maureen, Ramirez and Terry to win anything, except their dirty nazi supporters and their criminal owner?
Will be very happy for you to land the ‘Holic pound, ‘Holic. If we can secure all remaining nine points there is still an outside chance of third, but the first order of business is three of them on Monday evening to usher in St. Tott’s day.
DB10@36, Lurky@37: What a great buy Hazard would have been! He is really good…interesting idea Lurky that he may not realize his full potential…methinks he may be off to PSG soon…
So ‘holics, assuming LJW is ready for action in a couple of weeks, would he make the starting 11 for the FA cup final? and would we miss him if he didn’t? he can be so good, but somehow he needs to step it up…for the final, we need all cylinders firing from the get go
If Cardiff go out this season I would not mind a cheeky bid for Caulker.
Still can’t believe that Tots decided to sell him and keep Dawson and Kaboul. Great potential, English, PL experience, played for Tots- reminds me of certain Arsenal invincible- only younger.
Thanks for setting me right Oskar.
No wonder those two were on the same side of the pitch then. 🙂
Anyways, Shaw got the better of him many times during the game.
Never a penalty for Sunderland!!! What a strange decision by Dowd. By strange I meant stupid, of course. PL refereeing this year is a joke.
Cardiff just put a final nail in the coffin red card and a penalty for Sunderland!
Looks like miracles do happen.
I don’t mind if Sunderland do stay up, they can torment Man City again next season then.
Lurky
He tugged him should have never done it knowing Down don’t ever give him an opportunity like that he will punish everyone.
Watching the Sunderland match here. With that pull, the card was only ever going to be Juan Cala…
Down=Dowd ha ha 🙂
Heh CoR @47
Charlie, City was tormented by Cardiff either.
Arthur, it was red card, but no penalty as the foul was outside the box.
Harsha @33
The only team we should want to win this year’s title – given that we cannot- is $hitteh.
Another title for the oil-doped Mancs makes no difference to our summer tasks. Further, it pisses off Maureen and prevents Terry getting his hands on silverware. Na$ri winning another medal is no more nauseating than SteveeGee winning one.
The Scunts winning the title will get in the way of our summer signings and markedly enhance their progress next season despite the added pressure of ECL participation.
Our key challenge is our summer task of getting in the top striker(s) and defensive MFer. If the Scunts are champions, they will get an additional £100m to spend and as ‘Champions’ will no doubt be a distraction to our targets.
Blatant self interest demands that we swallow the bile and cheer on the blue meanies today and $hitteh to the title.
Lurky – but Sunderland torment City year in , year out lately! Plus I hate Cardiff.
Chelski wasting time already
howdy ‘holic
nice job
howdy ‘holics various
hope yer all fine and dandy
lapsed catholic sunday here
sunny as fuck too
nother barbecue
outta homemade stout
should be interestin
big lumps on the limoncello
only homemade left
assembled hairy knuckles
will
look
*fabulous*
.
have a nice sunday all
🙂
Chelski = Stoke style
You too CBA have a great Sunday 😉
Smooth move there Gerrard
I just hate the way chelsea play …. but I hate the commentators even more, its as if they are willing liverpool to win…. so it was gerrard , so what? …. its as if the commentators falling over his feet and behave as if he is most deserving of the title …. why the fuck does he deserve it more than anybody else , I wouldnt know
I am caught between a rock and a hard place …. one the one hand you have liverpool and on the other chelsea …. but I think I would be able to digest a chelsea or oil slickers winning the championship , than having to hear how liverpool have shown arsenal how it should be done all season long
You nailed it with your last sentence there arselove
cheers arthur
.
heres to a
RIP ROARIN MONDAY NIGHT
.
limoncello 1/2 pints
nice
feckin brutal
collapsed catholics
apart from young drew
a collapsed prod
after all
presbyterians
are people too
😉
god bless sundays
.
“All stand for hymn no. 432”
.
“She wore a yellow ribbon”
Radio 5 pundits wetting their pants. If Liverpool are beaten today, title is in City’s hands. BUT, oh but, but, but……. for their match against Palace Citeh are without David Silva and his absence will be a HUGE negative factor which City may struggle to overcome!
Fire the manager. It’s his fault. Didn’t buy enough cover. Should have spent, spent, spent. Must have played Silva “in the red zone”. Didn’t even buy a striker when none were available in January. Clearly his fault if City don’t win it now.
Let’s get ready with a great big chorus of “Pellegrini Aaaaaahhhhht!!!”
And here we are, with many in denial that absence of FIVE (our best five) has dented our chances of the double? Go figure.
@51 – With you absolutely, Professor Bath. (If only because a Citeh win will underpin my theorem:)
– It’s only about the money. Citeh has unlimited. Therefore the future is light blue.
Despite this, Arsenal (with Wenger) are better placed to challenge than most. COYRRRs!
Check your mail, Professor.
maybe
that shoulda
been
“All stand for hymn 4-4-2”
“So paddy got up”
.
cos
ye see
we’re all
i’m
yeah
i know
gets coat
.
🙁
Afternoon all.
Thanks for the preview ‘h.
Real busy at the mo, so quick pop in to say ha ha at the Mickeys.
Plus, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Maureen is Pullis (in his Stoke form) with money.
God knows I dislike Mourinho, but men you have to give it to him. He sure knows how to motivate his players and get his tactics right. Don’t want him to coach my team, but have to respect his motivation of his players. You can call it whatever you like but he sure knows how to play against the so called big teams. This team might actually make it to the CL finals. Unfucking believable just mind bugging. COYG!!!!
There goes our third place if there was any slight chance of getting it.
Lurky, we screwed third up ourselves. We simply need to nail fourth and the FA Cup and buy cleverly in the summer.
I do not mean buy that manc donkey Cleverly!
I mean buy smartly.
SAGooner, we don’t ever have to give Maureen shit. What you see isn’t motivation or inspiration; what you’re looking at is insipid cynicism.
Football dies a little bit every time this team, led by this necromancer is rewarded with a trophy or a win, even.
So distasteful.
That said…can we buy some of their players? 😉
Agree bath. There was a small chance of getting third though.
City 1 up. Come on.
ABTH,MU,C orL.
@69 I am with you, but still his team do play out their heart regardless. So he must be doing or telling them something that our Coach seems not to be getting from his players. We should have still be in the title race as far as I am concerned but for whatever reasons here we are fighting to hold off Everton. Oh well I pray we win the FA cup, that would be a huge leap from not winning anything for the past 9 years. COYG!!!!!!!!!!
Why does nobody remind ‘pool of how long it is they have not won the league?
Or give them hell for lack of honesty over Suarez’s contract and poor sportsmanship today when Chavs put the ball out for Ba to get attention?
Because, frank, they are not Arsenal and so it is not seen as disgraceful.
Bath, agree about the destination of the title.
If €ity win it well, so what, so they should do with their spending. The same logic applies to €hel$ea but they are so utterly revolting that you could never want them to win anything, ever, except maybe a hamper full of anthrax in a fake Christmas raffle.
The meeja would be ramming the Scousers down our throats for the next nine years if they do it, so it has to be €ity.
Meh! 🙁
And that is actually the big danger.
If UEFA/FIFA do not properly implement FFP, the whole game will become season after season of inevitable MEH !
We will get third. This is the 100th anniversary of our first season at Highbury. We finished third in 1913-14 (in the old 2nd division, and still known as Woolwich Arsenal). So it is written.
(A bonus point if you know, without looking it up, the only two other clubs in 2nd division then who are also in the Premiership now.)
Had a quick back drink……
Sir bath knows.
Lurky, Caulker??
Double MEH, with meh sauce.
Dumped by the tinys and lynch pin of a defence from a team that will be relagated…….. Scott Daan Mark II……. MEEEEEH!!!
Oh how we miss Viera… Toure’s doing the job at city 🙁
We better get some reliable personnel next season!
Sir Trev knows too.
H2H, lots of men’s lately. Considering your great football knowledge can I find out who would you suggest as our 4 th backup CB, who would be decent but not expensive, with proven PL experience and preferably British so we can use one more spot to bring some shiny foreign striker? Enlighten me, please.
Lurky, imho, Steven Caulker, ex-Spud but solid, mobile and improving.
I wouldn’t say I have superior knowledge, Lurky.
I have an opinion, nothing more nothing less and in my opinion Caulker is not what we should be looking at.
Because he;s British would probably mean an added couple of mill to an already inflated price, that’s not an opinion by the way, that’s a fact.
If you’re looking for enlightenment, I’d suggest trying a zen hotdog……
One with everything. 😀
Plus, why would a first team PL starter want to come to be a 4th choice?
H2H, lots of men’s lately.
I think you’re confusing me with wolfie.
h2h
a savvy saveloy
nice
So, season 2013-14 begins to wind down. Dr Pangloss begs to present his metaphysico-theologo-cosmonigological wishlist for next season:
i) The club to be in sound financial state at the end of the season and to appear likely to remain so for at least a further 10 seasons;
ii) The team to be involved in the League title race well beyond Christmas;
iii) The team to be involved in European competition past Christmas;
iv) The team to qualify for the Champions’ League 2015-16;
v) The team to win a trophy.
Failure to achieve i) would be a disaster.
Achieving fewer than three of items ii)-v) would be very disappointing.
Achieving all of ii-v) would be a success.
Dr Pangloss is happy for these targets to be quoted in any judgement at the end of next season.
Further, Dr Pangloss would be very interested to discuss any additional, objective targets.
COYG WTNM
Cheers cba me ol’ china.
But I’m more of a silly sausage. 😉
H2H, you’re the worst of wursts.
Plus, why would a first team PL starter want to come to be a 4th choice
You reckon Caulker would want to stay in Championship instead of playing for a top club in the PL? He is still 22 years of age and he will be a one for the future. As I said, he is a decent backup with potential to be first choice at Arsenal in a couple of years. I would not reject that opportunity if I was him.
Dumped by the tinys and lynch pin of a defence from a team that will be relagated…
If I remember correctly Cahill was part of Bolton team who went relegated that year. It didn’t stop Arsenal to go for him and Chelsea to buy him. He is one of the best three defenders in the PL at the moment, along with Koz and Kompany.
And, correct me if I am wrong, he is English.
And, correct me if I am wrong, he was bought for 6m.
Inflated price?
Where’s The Trevinator ?
Punerator to the stars .
Pork based hilarity
Lost for all
🙁
Lurky, I’m not sure what you want from me.
I’m not a scout, nor some sort of know it all, I have an opinion, you can take it or leave it. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don’t, there’s no animosity, nor do I mean to belittle your opinion. If I say meh, then I mean meh, but I could be wrong, it’s happened a million times before and I reserve the right to be wrong again, believe me, it will happen.
I don’t mean to offend you with a basic opinion and if I did I apologise, have a drink on me, I’ve drunk enough to sink a fleet of battleships this weekend and I have no intention of stopping yet….. HIC.
H2H, rather than attempting to sink a fleet battleships, may I commend to you the idea of drinking sufficient to float such a collection of warships?
Allow me to set one up on the bar for you as you pursue this laudable ambition.
🙂
Cheers Pangloss sir.
About to board cross country flight so all ill say is this.
Cba has it – Trev is the pun-inator. Dead-eye Trev o’ the pun.
Tho NorCal could hold his own. Speaking of whom, havent seen NorCal in an age. Hope all is well.
Homer.
NorCal has morphed into Dr Sleep.
bbq roarin
head beetroot
yellow swally
walkin wounded
wives tuttin
sun blazin
wives bokin
chicken eaten
me hidin
guinness sneakin
yee haaaaaaaa
Looks at penalty box and wafts foot in general direction of the ball…
H2H, same as you, I just expressed opinion, that we should consider buying Caulker. You don’t think he is good and I respect that.
Just to clarify, if you are OK when people reacts to your opinion with- meh, that’s fine for you and you are better person than me. I don’t find it offensive, I find it disparaging in a way and can’t agree that it is the most appropriate term to express your disagreement with someone else’s opinion.
No hard feelings as usual, enjoy debating with you.
I’ll have a beer, thanks, next round is on me.
BAMMM
Nicely tucked away, H2H
Sausage puns ? cba,
well I’m a little late to the party but please salami (requires slight Cockney accent) to join in now.
Sausage puns aren’t that easy to come up with so, the internet, I thought, and tried a sausagy Link-on-sheer instinct but it failed to come up with the required cocktail of pork and beefy merriment.
Quite lambentable in fact.
So, I will give up and leave to a chorizo’ boos. 😉
Cheers Pangloos.
Double heh @ salami.
Lurky.
Meh is not derogitry, it’s simply meh, as in, can’t really be bothered. Cheers back. 😉
As the pundits would say, it’s yours Toulouse, Trev. :0)
French teams Bath?
Trev, be happy that he didn’t use Nancy.
That wouldn’t have been Nice. 😉
Thanks H2H.
Wait, you dont mean literally.
“Morphed” into. Thats nearly punny itself.
We done.
🙂
🙂
🙂
Heh bath,
Or, in this bar, we could always go Greek and have a Lurkyniko sausage. 😉
That’s a load of Baloney, Trev. (phonetic spelling)
I have no ‘more da tellya’.
love this place
shower o smart shites
🙂
always a privilege
‘holic
how the fu k
did you assemble
the ‘holicnation
just
brilliant
or
that might be
the lemon fire water
and
hidden guinness conspiring
anyhoo
its a double yee haaaaa
If anyone sees that Irish bloke in here looking for sausage puns, could someone just give him a Coddle ……
Thanks. 😉
*goes misty eyed*
Jam on, Senor Trev, jam on!
Ah Homer.
Wide awake, you are. 🙂
A double yee haaaaaa indeed cba.
Mine without ice please. 😉
*sneaks behind bar*
.
WHAT’S EVERYONE HAVIN? ”
.
sshhhhhhhh
Lots. 😀
Mmmmmmm I wonder if the Kop will be holding a one minutes silence for Gerard’s slip at the next home game 🙂
Mourinho’s a fucking genius. That’s why Cuntksi have lost at Villa, Palace and Newcastle and home to Sunderland.
On the Chavs’ win today, does anyone else wish those lots to continue their season-long form of winning the big games and losing to lowly sides?
A loss or draw against Norwich next week will surely not sadden me one bit.
Esso sir, we are saying the same thing in different ways. Or at least I think so.
Esso is saying that Maureen is a cunt….
And i concur.
H2H @105 – still on sausages here mate.
As log as they don’t contain PSG, er I mean MSG.
Maureenwhore is a luckiest of all bas••••. That what he is..
Miserable Sunday evening. Don’t know why. Then I check in here, and I’m smiling again.
You lot are barking 🙂
Bath.
You say sausages, I say french teams. 😉
Evening guv’, hope all is well.
Here in the lands of low;
Ajax champions again.
If we need a new boss (when Arsene calls it a day of his own accord) we could do a lot worse then de Boer. (he’s assisted by God, don’t ya know)
Coddle for Holic, too 😉
Hope all is well, Guv.
119 chippy should be chipolata just for tonight 😉
H2H, with a name like De Boer, seems more suited to work at Chav$ki and Maureen 😉
H2H – so long as we don’t emulate Ajax by losing the cup final to an underdog!
Heh Uply.
Literaly translated is “the farmer”
Indeed Charlie.
Trev & cba, coddle is a meal hard to beat on a cold winters night, washed down with some black gold of course.
howdy ‘holic
hope yer well fella
All is well thanks. Where else could you get sausage puns 🙂
I can give you some links. 😀
Uply
were i not
already
on
the outside of
a goodly barbecued (pro)portion
of
donegals livestock
.
(cattle huddled in
the corner of the shed
pushin the weaker ones
to the front
all the while
nervously bitin their hooves)
.
i’d
organise a coddle
.
stomach says no
138
🙂
137
good to hear
big man
🙂
any danger a scotch egg?
137 guv….perhaps Harvey Walls Banger may help 😉
Howdy cba – nothing to beef about. Trust you have enough space left for liquids 🙂
heh @138
bowser
Cba 141…. A scotch egg minus the egg will be perfect tvm.
🙂 uply
heh Uply @144 – much the better without the egg bit – nnever liked the combo.
Heh @ Harvey Wall Banger…
Hold the Galliano and you gotta Screwdriver (oo er)
Kudos to all te sausage puns.
You really are a bunch of cool cats……..
or should I say, hot dogs.
Bath, absolutely, for many even adding just water is sacrilege. We could pass the egg bit onto H2H to go with his egg noggin….perfect recycling n’est ce pas?
*still behind bar*
.
sshhh
he’s next door
.
so
its
a
round of
scotch eggs
hold the eggs
.
might take a while
.
breaks those
lttle eggs hearts
.
Eegsactly Uply. 😀
Barca 2-0 down come back to win 3-2 with the help of two own goals. Messi got the winner with eight to go. This time of year there seem to be very few end of season games anymore !
Re Moaninho , who I detest, !! I think he is superb at stopping teams playing but less good when his sides have to drive games . He is a football nihilist. If Gerrard hadn’t slipped would Chelsea have attacked enough to get a goal? Give me someone who tries to make hearts soar with the quality of his team’s football. You can only admire the resilience of his defences. And he is starting to be loathed by many fans for his arrogance and posturing.
And his teams will win nothing this season
I detest Maureen as much as anyone……..
But I wouldn’t bet against him for the CL.
Hope I’m wrong, but I believe with his negative tactics he has the beating of any team.
His arogance when facing the so called lesser teams cost him the league, he never makes the same against the big boys.
H2H 🙂
Cba – at least you are behind the bar and not under it ( rider..at the moment) 😉
TTG / H2H – Maureen is indeed a loathsome character who motto is too win at all costs..a perfect fit at Chav$ki. It says a lot when we hope a non English team wins the UCL out of all the remaining teams still in the competition.
Maureen is simply an even more loathsome upmarket Sam Allardyce. Stifle the opposition by hook or by crook and play a percentage game, waiting for mistakes and looking for opportunities from set pieces. He has better players because his clubs have more money, so his clubs win more than Sam’s. However their football philosophy is the same.
Well, Suarez did say earlier in the week that ‘pool winning the PL was unbelievable. Looks like he may be right.
Is there some Scouse festival this weekend – one that involves giving presents? Or shitting your pants?
The results today are just great for us, because Citeh play before ‘pool next weekend and that will give them an extra incentive to really go at Everton.
COYG – WTNG
DkG…..Suarez has failed to score against the current top 4 clubs in the premier league this season #flattrackbully
in similar
and
not related
stuff
years back
i said to friends
of mine
gooners
d’you read arseblog
they all did
none left arses though
they were all lurkers
cowards
all
to a man
greater football tactics brains
than me
mind you
that
wouldnt be hard
but
had read
my pointless splarges
on the arses
oblivious
.
some of
the same fellas
are
gonna put
2 and 2 together
and
realise i’m cba
today
cos
i told them
to
goonerholic
themselves
a long while back
.
they were bbq-ing
here
my fuckin
cloak of anonymity
shot to shite
.
aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhjhhhjh
Cba….bbq-ing your cloak of anonymity….have you run out of beef? Alcohol had a lot to answer for at times 😉
Evening all. BTM been on the sauce again I see.
The results very much went our way this weekend. Everton managed to beat themselves. The park the bus Chavs managed to beat the bin dippers on their own dung heap. Citeh beat Palace very much keeping their interest alive. Citeh then play Everton next Saturday before we play west brom on the Sunday. Win tomorrow and Citeh do the Toffees then 4th will be secured with 2 games to go.
I will look forward to tomorrow a lot more if the tube strike is cancelled. If it goes ahead then I will have real problems afterwards. Those however will be a lot easier to deal with after a convincing victory.
I’m with you Holic re Tommy V at left back. I would play him. The rest almost picks itself. Let’s get in, give the Geordies a right fucking kicking and get out again.
Anyone heading for the Tollie first???
Bring it on.
Time for a new persona, cba?
Sadly cannot make it myself due to a commitment in Oxford, Steve. Enjoy the game mate. Hopefully see you at West Brom. Hope the strike is cancelled.
Not at West Brom sadly Bath. On a rugby your with number 1 son. Even if he is injured and can’t play. I hope by then top 4 is nailed.
Just watched MOTD 2. Can’t believe some slaughtered Dowd for the penalty and sending off??? I think it’s a great bit of refereeing and he got it spot on. I wish more refs acted the same way. I also don’t think the standard of refereeing has been that bad this year when you consider everything they have to deal with.
Thomas Vermaelen at left back was a revelation, largely because he did not do very well in his previous appearances for us in that position. So llong as we are not facing a speed demon of a right wing he has earned another start there at least considering our injury situation.
bt8ball, Wenger will never play TV5 at left back when Nacho or Gibbs is fit. He will see it as disrespect to the recognized left backs which can trigger a crisis of confidence.
And he would be spot on too.
cba
not a soul
has a clue
🙂
.
trust me
Suarez failed to score against Pool, Uply? (#156). He shoulda signed for us!
Öskar
Beer.
Yes. That was a good invention.
I’ve had lots of it tonight.
Tollie tomorrow, and then the Emirates for the game. Let’s hope we do them over well and good. Or 1-0 or whatever – as long as we win it.
Well anyway – see you tomorrow, lovers of the Arse!
Open gap? How about slash gulley??
Good night Lars and good drinking!!
frank is Nacho completely fit?
I had this idea of challenging H2H and Trev with a clever pun.
But am back in New York after a few years hiatus.
And , as can one could imagine, am in the cups something fierce at the moment. So … I got nuthin.
I just wanted to add to the holics comment.
After a shitty and long flight. And hour on the tarmac just effing around. BS traffic. A Freaking blind driver. Saints save us !!!
Just had a quick back drink – had me laughing out loud. And i surely needed it.
And, cba, your posts aleays give me a headache. Please – keep them coming.
Cheers holics.
Best. Bar. Around.
bt8ball, he completed the Hull game without incident. And he is listed as fit.
bt8ball, he completed the Hull game without incident. And he is listed as fit on the official site.
Still have to give it to jose as to how he manages to win these games, i mean the title looked done and dusted and then he gets his team to win at anfield making 7 changes, amazing.
Arsenal and more so Wenger needs to understand the one thing that seems to be missing in big games- we need to have a defensive stability when we play such games, the gung ho approach will not help always.
We may end up just 7 points behind the eventual league winners( hope its city than pool), i mean imagine that. If we had not had those crucial injuries, what if we had converted those home draws into wins against chelshit, manu, swansea, everton, those points dropped specially at home cost us the league. Those were eminently winnable games and it feels so sick to know that this could have been our title.
Tonight will be a lot tougher but i still hope an early goal will kill the contest and then we can see all the intricacies between the magician, rambo and santi. 3-1 looks a fair scoreline.
Jose Smose to be an arrogant and a prick (can they be even mutually exclusive) has team DEPTH, he’s not some tactical genius. Everyone knew he was going to park the bus at anfield and counter!
Some teams aren’t able to do that and suffer and that’s that.
Pool may be scoring profusely but their defense has always been leaky.
We have been unlucky with some long term injuries and need a bigger squad with more depth and cover. Hope that is rectified next season as our financial shortcomings are definitely behind us. Look forward to winning the league next year!
Up The Arse!
Oh what a beautiful morning
We just need to wrap up the week in style like only we know how tonight.
Diaby apparently trained yesterday. Good on him for overcoming the so-called ‘groin strain’.
Most of our ballers are out tonight so it should be a good show against the barcodes.
Lovin the Gerrard v Mourinho trolls!!!
😆
Will city last the next 3 games? If they can keep yaya and Sergio fit they may. Anyway, let’s not get ahead of ourselves aye?
Hope the tube strike has the desired effect tonight!!!
COYR’s !!!!
Oh @ Bath – that donkey cleverly 😆
Mourinho is indeed a brat, wurst person in PL.
And, to be perfectly frank, furter discussion is a waste of time. Unless you want to put pepper on i_t.
I still think we should sign Merguez at right back – and Romagnolo at left-back.
Sorry.
You’re a silly sausage dkg.
Merguez video here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkqvfTPjqos
And Romagnolo here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxgErpDyoLc
If Mourinho is a tactical genius then so are Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis, and Roberto Di Matteo’s run to the Champions League trophy was the tactical masterclass of the century.
I find it incredible that when Chelsea lose to Sunderland/Palace/Villa it’s because the players aren’t good enough. When they win at Anfield by sitting in their own box and waiting for errors, it’s all down to the manager.
I would like to have seen us adopt the same tactics in a couple of big away games this season, and I’d hope we might do so going forward but – seriously – they are nothing to celebrate, more a regrettable and occasional necessity.
In short: Jose Mourinho can fuck off.
Tim Stillman’s analysis of our tactics over the last 18 months makes a good read. I entirely agree with the desire for us to occasionally set up to stifle play against top teams and ‘first not lose’.
Such an approach against the Mickeys and the Chavs might not have won us those games but might have gleaned us a couple more points and would certainly have avoided us having to play the subsequent match with a fragile mentality.
Fuck Cheslki and that cunt of a manager I hate them more than I hate the mugmashers!
Best option is for Shitty to win the league in my opinion!
When I see Mourinho’s face I feel sick honestly, that sly look on his face makes me vomit!
He’s 19th century anti football tactics is really pissing me off!
That was not weakened squad by any means! God I hate them because it’s him as well!
howdy all
howdy ‘hol
in popular parlance
*boilk*
parlance
palance
jack on
film4
now
.
who d’you want
win league
don’t give
a fuckin monkeys
.
picking shit over shite
.
COME ON YOU RIP ROARIN’ ………!!!!
big gooner
jack
Further to recent conversations re: Suarez and his possible status as the best player in the world – just thought I’d note that he has now played against the other members of the top 3 clubs in the Premier League on seven occasions this season, and he has scored precisely 0 goals in those games.
Lord know, Liverpool could have done with him producing yesterday, but he was once again quiet.
Will be interesting to see how he goes in Europe next term.
🙂
Another 25 minutes and I’ll be on my way home ready for some real football this evening!
Come on Arsenal!
As much as the stats that I quoted could never prove my assertion, (that i think he has been the best player in the world this season only), the same can be said of your stats now N7. The only reason Liverpool are where they are is all down to Suarez and no one else! Maybe that Wenger broke all transfer limits in trying to sign him might go some way to indicate just how highly he rated him when other thought we should have “invested” in players like Fellaini.
Joe.
As much as I think he is the best in the PL this season, best player in the world is a bit of a stretch. L’pool may very well end up with bugger all this season and he went missing in arguably their biggest game yesterday.
Very true, Joe – just pointing it out! 😉
By the way, I was perusing the popular Utd blog Red Cafe the other day, in search of weeping Mancs, and I came across this interesting thread which dates back to last April.
http://www.redcafe.net/threads/what-is-luis-suarez-worth.369634/
In it, the Red Mancs attempt to work out what Suarez might be worth.
Estimates in April 2013 run between about £15m and £30m (probably averaging at about £25m). By July (once we’d bid), they begrudgingly admitted that he’d probably go for about £40m, with the odd person thinking that Liverpool might get £45m.
Now, he’s regarded as being worth about £60-70m.
Interesting context for when we’re told it was obvious that Arsenal would need to bid more than £40m last summer, and that our bid was derisory.
H2H,
Of course, that title is generally reserved for players who perform consistently at the highest level for big clubs. And for most people that would be Messi and Ronaldo. But i don’t believe that either of those two players have done more than Suarez this season – and they’re playing in easier leagues, with far better players beside them. Suarez and Suarez alone is the reason liverpool find themselves so close this year.
Joe.
Suarez is the catalist, but it would be a great diservice to his team members to say he’s done it himself, many of the players have lifted their game immeasurably, maybe Suarez has had a hand in that too, but a lot of credit must also go to Brentan.
Anyways, enough about that beaver faced, easily felled fraktard.
Game on tonight, time to hand Pardieux and his Chateau Nouvaux their prissy backsides to them.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Bring on the Barrrrcoooooooooooodes!
😀
Bring on the bar snacks. 😉
Heh
You mean the medicine cabinet snacks? 😉
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will contest a Football Association charge of misconduct related to comments he made “congratulating” referee Mike Dean after the Blues’ defeat by Sunderland.
The contesting contestations of the contentious one …
..CUNT. There I have shortened it.
BB
Delusional bloke and what you think and wrote above!
Mmmmmmmmmm medicine cabinet snacks.
*drools Homer Simpson style*
🙂
*runs with ball towards the half way line…passes down the right flank
Assist………….
Bangs it in from close range
Cheers for the assist H2H 😉
Well in Arthur.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Podolski, Giroud. Subs: Vermaelen, Rosicky, Flamini, Fabianski, Sanogo, Jenkinson, Kallstrom.
That looks like the strongest available team. Bench not too shaby either.
COME ON YOU REDSSSS
Come on Arsenal!
where’s gnabry? still out injured?
gonna be a barn burner, hopefully the holic pound will win out!
Just win, baby.
yo, lonestar! at the owner’s box again?
what was it zico said again?
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!
Have we scored yet ?
COYR
Looks like they are flooding the midfield
eight across, maybe, cg.
A bit scrappy to start with
great ball from santi to mesut, not so much from mesut across goal.
Good right wing move there
Scruz –
I had some glib response involving the phrases “The Owner’s Box,” “chained to the desk,” and “working for the man,” but, given the current events surrounding the LA Clippers, I opted for a bit more (dull) discretion. 😉
So, anyway, not out watching the match…instead, I’m at my computer working out stimulating financial transactions. Hope all’s well in Northern Cali.
COYG!
Final ball is killing us…..
COME ON YOU REDS
good call, lonestar. you wouldn’t want a sterling reputation, eh? what a travesty, that he was allowed to retain ownership after all his racism. a real scumbag.
sorry you’re not watching. we’re playing with the handbrake on, unfortunately. some nice possibilities, nothing has come off so far.
all’s well here, though i could go for another week or two back in hawaii 🙂 good luck with the financial stimulus, hopefully you have success as our team does on the pitch.
OOoooooooooooooo Ozil
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… so closeeeeeeeeeee!
Was that offside?
Any streams, chaps?
They be playing 19th century football allright…!
http://www.stadium-live.com/Channel2.html working for me, porco.
Porco wiziwig.TV is good starter
wo ist poldi?
Try here Porco
http://xn--frstrowsports-39b.eu/
I’m watching on tv
KOZZERRRRRRRRR
KOSSSSSSSEEEEER
Get in
KOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kos didnt use his head GOAL
1-0! beautiful run in towards the back post on the cazorla’s freekick given when sissoko pulled down giroud for a yellow card…
Super free kick delivery from Santi
Get in Kościelny come on!
Yellow for Kos.. FOcking REF!
very super, h2h. one of the best i’ve seen from us in a while.
OOOooooooo Poldi.
COYG
bb, he shouldn’t have kicked the ball away.
nice save by krul on poldi. damn.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Poldiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
No doubt scruz but a soft yellow nonetheless.
Great goal and a great cross from Santi as H2H pointed out
Ohhh Poldi so close
Nice corner, unlucky Poldi
another great save by krul, serious reaction save. wow.
Ohhhhhhhhh!
Well read Schezzer
that was moving!
Impressed by Bac is he looking for a job?
That wasn’t a yellow ref 😉
calm chezza. that was nice/risky.
Cool Woj.
Nice backheel by Mesut
really pretty work down the right side. bac with a great cross, just a bit too long for giroud.
and good on the ref for letting that play on, santi was fouled.
OH just fucking get on with it
We seem to be inviting them on.. need to close em out quicker!
Come On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OG i meant
lots of nearly right there. ooh.
Some great long passes there.
Someone shoulda shot though.
right across the face of goal…og so close. damn!
OOOOOOOOOZZZZZIIIIILLLL
TWO!
og gets two bites of the cherry, ozil finishes…
HAHAHHAHAHAH….WHAT A GOAL!
Oh dear OG
ozil
Ozil. Get in.
Come on get in there Ooooooozzzzzziiiillll
Need to build a bit of a goal difference just to be safe!
COME ON!
Pardew to butt his team at half time. …… What odds please
Can you here the bells of St Totts in the distance?
Happy St. Totteringham’s Day, everybody!
*hear.
Duuuh.
ooooh, we’re playing some pretty, pretty stuff at times.
Die Everton…..D.I.E!!!!!!!
ha ha, h2h! they’re lining up for self-flagellation…for yet another year.
Ooooooooo Santi
krul having to play out of his skin.
good, teiote booked for the foul on aaron.
We were worth 4 at least that half
well *that* was fun. og having a bit of a nightmare, but he did get the assist on ozil’s. we seem to be a mix of really gorgeous play, and some dire stuff in the midfield. defense is strong, chezza hasn’t had too much to do. monreal was a great signing, he’s an excellent player. more of the same in the second half, though!
Started off a bit tentative, but was always in control.
We started to come out of our shell just before the first goal, since then we’ve been masterful, Santi and particularly Ozil, who has made some sublime touches, are pulling the strings nicely.
More of the same in the second half please.
It’s only Krul, who I’ve always rated (I know him from his early days at ADO (the Hague)), that’s keeping this from being a thrashing.
COME ON YOU REDSSSSS
pardieu with his tie blown over his shoulder by our quality.
aaron pulling a theo there…falls, gets up, keeps going. he only needed the goal.
OOoooooo unlucky Santi
Super Kos!!
we are just one fine touch away from a goal, in the end.
The drive that Rambo and Santi are showing is brilliant
our 10th corner…
Thank you Woj.
great work by koz to harry gouffran, good stop by chezza.
per is so fucking calm.
Was that Alan Sunderland in the crowd?
yes it was, h2h. hair’s a bit different, though.
Put Sanogo on and rest Giroud.. we’ll need him fit for the next match!
giroudddddddddd
GIRRRROOOOOUD
What a goal!!
fucking BRILLIANT cross from ozil. a bullet of a cross, a bullet of a header.
Ok… now take him off! 😀
“ain’t no stoppin’ us nowwww”…
I can hear those St Totts bells ringing. 😆
OOoooo Poldi
poldi just wide, coloccini tips it…
Heh @ McFadden & Whitescruz.. 😉
shoulda been a corner!
eh, h2h?
ah, nevermind…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY0tsKCB4lc
oh, yeah…
matty and rozza getting ready.
Know your classics scruz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY0tsKCB4lc
hhhhmmmm? 😉
another great game by the fire twins, aaron and mesut.
Oz and Ramsey off.
Precautionary move me thinks
Shake it off sagna.
pardieu looks like a man about to be sacked. too bad his team of all brits couldn’t take on the cosmopolitan gunners. oh, wait.
and on comes sanogo, gotta be for giroud.
or, not.
finally!
Sanogo(al) for the HFB
come on yaya!!! get your first one in the colors…
Quote : The travelling Newcastle fans have taken to entertaining themselves now by ironically cheering each Arsenal corner and throw-in.
Good of them 🙂
Unlucky Nacho…
and poldi
nearly there…four points up on everton with two games to play, a three goal differential, and if a miracle occurs we could get third. just win, baby!
YES.
Wow.. haven’t seen the barcodes this bad for awhile…!
Happy St. Totteringhams Day!
Job done!!
HAPPY ST TOTTS EVERYONE>
It was a cunning plan from Arsenal not to score four just in case they came back to equalise. 😉
City should do us and themselves a favour and then we can rest players for our last 2 matches in preparation for the final 😀
happy st. totts, indeed!
forever in our shadow.
Good thinking H2H. Might well be spot on.
Gap well and truly opened now holic. Good professional performance tonight by our lads
joyous
happy st totts
all
🙂
Barcodes past their sell-by date.
Happy St. Totteringham’s Day gents!!!
Such a great pleasure watching very entertaining game, full of goals, chances and great moves. Today was once again evident how much we missed Ozil and Ramsey. If only…
Anyway, I am satisfied. Fourth place is very near, the annual St. Totteringham’s Day arrived and we have FA Cup final to cheer.
Thank you Arsenal.
And this great evening will turn into even greater. After enjoying Arsenal, I am off to watch the newest Game of Thrones and Cosmos.
I just cannot get enough of watching our third goal, thing of a beauty. Fantastic cross from Mesut.
Kos scores again against Newcastle. He got ours in Alan Sugar’s 1-1 draw at the end of last season.
Job done. Now for the Abu Dhabi mercenaries to eliminate Toffees, and give us two dead rubbers.
Plan would then be: completely rest those who deserve it against the Baggies, as neither team would have anything to play for. (You have to think that Chelsea will beat Norwich to clinch third…) Then, use Norwich away as a first team tune up for the cup final, and also respect the other teams that are fighting against relegation and go for the win vs. Canaries.
That’s 73 points – same as last season with 2 to play.
And Newcastle look well and truly beaten and totally disinterested. Warning to City; Liverpool play this lot at Anfield in the finale and you could see Suarez et al. putting up double digits against them to threaten that goal differential.
And Cardiff must be fancying their chances of 3 points.
The Everton-City game could be a cracker – both have to win.
Lads have shown what they are made of! A bit scrappy 20 minutes but we have shown a lot fight and clever play!
Shame Holic pound didn’t produce as I was ok the same wavelength!
Upwards and forward!
Come on you Bloody Good Gooners!
And because of my cousin Fu….. Che…..ski 😉
Apologies I get too much shot from that bloke!
Shot=shit
Chelski play Norwich and Cardiff.. Relegation battle for them.
Let’s hope they both beat the dour one!!!
We then of course stroll into 3rd.. that would actually just make my year!
Happy St Totts Day ‘holics !! 🙂
Chris tòó right!
A drink of your choice on the bar 😉
This is what I call football we tried and they tried too!
And we are the Arsenal we are the Best! !! You know the rest!
Snacks are on Lars bloody wealthy credit card!
Thanks Arthur 😉
Far be it for me to say I told you so but please drink back to #14.
Talk me through that £100m spent last summer, Mr Levy……
Happy St Totts all the way from Japan! Let’s all go to KFC 🙂
Happy St. Tott’s Day to one and all.
Greener Haaaaaa
Happy St Totts day to everyone.
Season is in grave danger of turning out nice, innit?
COYG
@Lurky
Respect for the Cosmos shout out!
n7@356, god forbid. let’s just keep winning, one game at a time, all the way through may.
Bloody brilliant result! What can you say typical! ARSENAL! 🙂
Come on we all know if it wasn’t for those fucking injuries we would up there for the tittle!
But that’s for another day to talk about!
Evening all. A late one tonight 🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Happy St. Totteringham’s Day!!
Could have easily been a few more goals. Classy overall performance with a few glimpses of Ozil’s genius.
My MOTM is Santi, in addition to his superb control and orchestration there was a bit of Rosicky about his attitude and the drive forward today. The fluidity and interchanges in the midfield was most pleasing.
Kos’s yellow card was one of the genuinely sillier ones, bordering on the idiotic. Sure Arsene will remind him how potentially problematic that could have been.
Cheers N7.
As a fan of Sagan’s first Cosmos series I must say that I was overjoyed and exited when I heard that brand new series are on their way, because our knowledge of the Universe has changed/enlarged over this last thirty years. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Recommend it to anyone that hasn’t see it yet, if there are any. If there are, you are missing big 🙂
Cosmos is a must see, it puts things in perspective and shows how minor and small, but at the same time, how big and important we all are.
I saw the >>>>
Bit just wanna say.
Gunners!!!!!!!!!!
@Lurky
I’ll second that: big fan of Sagan’s original and really enjoying the new one.
All hail gunners.