They Think It’s All Over
May 26th, 2014 by 'holic
It’s the close season. That’s official in my book now that the Champions League and Play-Off Finals are in the past. Doubtless I will have to do some World Cup coverage this summer because there will be precious little other football news to cover. I have to confess right now my ‘give a fig’ometer reading about that is pretty low.
What a season it turned out to be though, courtesy of an FA Cup triumph that was a little bit back to front, with us comfortably beating the bigger teams on the way to Wembley before being thoroughly tested by both Wigan and Hull City in the national stadium.
In the Premier League the promise of the calendar year 2013 flattered to deceive. Fourth place means a crowded early season post World Cup with the FA Community Shield now added to two qualifying round matches in the Champions League. Cue lots of pressure on the club to secure some key additions to the squad sooner rather than later.
You will have heard I hope, more of my thoughts on the season in the final Arsecast of the season. By the way, did anybody mention at all that WE WON THE CUP! Anyway, we singled out some players for a player of the season discussion, and there didn’t seem to be much dispute that Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny, and Per Mertesacker were the one, two, and three, with honourable mention of Wojciech Szczesny as he matured into a top notch goalkeeper.
At the end of it we have already had confirmed the departure of squad players like Bendtner and Park. Unfortunately Bacary Sagna has confirmed he is ninety percent certain to leave the club. Personally, although sorry, I cannot blame a player of his age seeking a last bank balance boosting deal. He has honoured his contracts, given a hundred percent for the club in his seven years, and come back to top form despite breaking the same leg twice, in the same place. Thank you and good luck fella.
The big plus of this weekend was Lukas Podolski telling Kicker that he would be staying at Arsenal next season. Whatever the reason for him not lasting ninety minutes too often he is a proven finisher with over a hundred caps for Germany. He is a significant part of the squad and a player that would have been expensive to replace.
With Lukasz Fabianski and Thomas Vermaelen also reported to be mulling over their future the squad, which proved insufficient for the rigours of a nine month Premiership season, is in need of replacements as well as additions. A busy summer should follow. Already I hear the pessimistic segment of our support doubting that will happen. Please, not yet. Let’s enjoy the Wembley triumph a little longer and trust that behind the scenes the club are making their moves with stealth and diligence.
And with that I must do similar. Poor old Eduardo the iMac made it through to the end, saw and reported on WE WON THE CUP!, and promptly joined the choir invisible in computer heaven. I have to set out my stall, source a quality replacement, and strike before somebody else comes in with a better offer.
Oh, and of course I cannot end today without thanking you all for reading this nonsense for yet another year, and mention the words of the day on this oh so special anniversary.
IT’S UP FOR GRABS NOW…
273 Responses to “They Think It’s All Over”
Get in .
4 fuckin pens
and Probert didn’t see one!
Liverpoo position?
and WE STILL WON THE CUP after giving Hull a start!
Great season of reporting, maestro.
CL spot?
Plenty to build on in this squad. Just need a bit of summer business now. The corner is being turned.
The year 1913? 🙂
AND YES, WE WON THE CUP!
Excellent end of term report guv’nor, only the pedantic would highlight the wee typo in the third paragraph. Sadly, I am such. Wasn’t 1913 our relegation season?
…and thank you for providing this haven of relative sanity and tranquility topped-up by a consistent stream of high-class blogs.
UTA
Sorry Lars
Holic
A stellar season for you too. Countless excellent blogs and very effective monitoring of the bar to ensure discussions didn’t get too heated.Many thanks for moderating so well.
I’ve vowed to ignore silly season transfer gossip…..until tomorrow.
Referring to discussions in the last bar Lee Probert once gave us two penalties in three minutes at White Hart Lane-and both were genuine, so I think the reason for his performance in the final was that he decided to let the game flow, which necessitated letting a lot go and then found it hard to manage as Hull began to defend increasingly desperately.
Certainly at the time I thought the first foul on Santi was a stick-on. The Myler foul was also a definite pen and the other two were fouls but I’ve often seen them ignored.
I thought he had an awful game. He set out to be laissez-faire but games that flow most naturally are those with relatively equal possession and both sides attacking (often at pace) not sieges which our game was from ten minutes in. Hull decided to defend deep and frustrate us but apart from Davies they weren’t very good at it!
Thank you once again ‘holic for yet another saeson of top shelf blogging. I had the honour and priviledge of meeting your goodself and some of your merry band of followers this term and am hoping to see you all again in the next campaign.
Roll on summer…….
Played a blinder all season holic,blogger of the year 😉 no question thanks a lot.
Heh! 1913 🙂 In the modern vernacular… ROFL. Senile sod 😉
Cheers holic for another solid year of running the best joint around.
And for letting all sorts of unsavory characters in … present company included!
Interesting debate on the referee in the cup final. One or two looked worse than they probably were. Handball … dunno. The pull on OG looked very soft – he goes down funny, sort of away from the direction he’s being pulled. And I think OG goes down too often/too easily. (Apparently, I’m not alone there.) But the contact on Santi … those looked like fouls. Santi fights thru tackles more often than not – and I don’t really remember him going down a lot or easily. (That’s my two cents … tho surely there’s video evidence to embarrass me.) But it worked out in the end, so what the hell … Arsenal FA Cup winners!!!!!!
And seems theres a lot a negativity on Cesc, and in my view unwarranted. Especially the DNA thing(maybe its an inside joke and I’m missing it). But it looks to me like he’s being made a villain and I don’t really recall it that way at all. RVP was different: a total dick. (what with letter posted, hiding behind his agent, and RVP left AFC high & dry at the worst possible time and really drug it out, not so with Cesc.)
At any rate, should be an interesting summer.
Alright back to work!
Cheers all.
Nice summary, Holic.
Eduardo is dead ! 🙁
No chance of this then .. ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1D9wWxd2w
😉
Heh @ Trev.
Top work as ever Trev 🙂
Thanks all. Hate laptop keyboards as iy os si easu ti hut teh wring kays.
Well done, ‘Holic. Sorry about your Mac.
BTW, what is the coolest thing ever? Hearing BLG sing “She wore, she wore, she wore a yellow ribbon…” to her baby brother.
What a club.
Time to settle into a back corner booth of the bar and nurse this scotch until the fall. Laters and have a safe summer all.
Lonestar – I fear that if you’re planning to settle back until the Fall, you’re about 6018 years too late, according to Bishop Ussher.
Sorry – got to get in the cheap “two nations divided by a common language” cracks in when the opportunities arise.
Have you declared “mission accomplished” on BMBD?
Have a good summer; see you in the autumn.
I see Pochettino in in talks with Spertz.
Their board will make him an offer he can’t understand. 😉
Maybe Levy can turn him into a real boy.
#thereaintnostringsonme
Thanks holic, you have been great. Looking forward to a better transfer window.
Thanks again ‘H. Sad to slip into the summer but glad it ended with A CUP!
Cheers all. Have a safe silly season.
Lonestar, I’ll see you at the fall.
For those of a Twitter persuasion, Arsenal are doing “as live” tweets from Anfield right now.
Great stuff ‘holic, all season long. Here’s to a relaxing summer and recharged batteries come August.
Thanks ‘Holic for a year of top notch blogging and hosting this generally well behaved bunch of lunatics. What a great bunch of gooners you have attracted to this bar.
Cheers all!
Great stuff on twitter. 67 minutes gone. Mickeys under pressure.
Not bad, are they U 😉
Seeing as we are in the subject of thanking ‘holic, it strikes me that I never thanked him once.
A little thought then relates this to the fact that I can’t thank him enough!
So I’m not even going to try 🙂
Top blogging holic. And great atmosphere, ‘holics.
Cheers Holic.
Summer? What Summer?
I had to put an 8 tog fleece on this afternoon just to walk the dog…..
As usual, another top year of blogging. Thank-you from a long time reader. Oh, and we won the cup!
Always a pleasure to read your posts H.
I don’t know how you do it but top marks anyway.
Long may it continue.
Also remiss not to thank the ‘ Guest ‘ posters during the season,
Zico/BTM/Tabs/Wind/Lars et al.
Well done to everyone,[ with the odd exception, ] who have kept me thoroughly entertained throughout another traumatic season In the life of the Arsenal Football Club.
Cheers
The Sweeper
So Eduardo is definitely dead and there’s no hope?
If nobody has mentioned it, the Arsenal Ladies manager has fallen on her sword and resigned, but will still be in charge for the cup final on Saturday. Bring back Vic and his Achers.
Thank you Holic for so graciously keeping the bar open throughout!
Has the season started yet? Is Diaby in the starting 11??
Thanks Holic for providing the best arsenal bar out there with the most varied and interesting drinkers.
I look forward to the upcoming arsenal transfer window being one of our best if not the best (surely this time) to go with the platform set by the FA cup win.
Well played all season long.
re Eduardo… I think I’ve found the problem…
http://www.seniorark.com/Humor/Double%20Takes/after%2012-19-07/dog%20pees%20on%20laptop.gif
Öskar
Top season’s blogging, again, ‘Holic. You definitely get the ‘holic of the season award in this bar.
New season. New beginning. Eduardo RIP. Bring in the top of the line MacBook Pro with Retina display. Top blog needs big-name signing. The budget’s there. Get the business done early.
And I am sure Lars wallet can stretch to a final round of the season for all the regulars, even the more irregular ones among that number. Thanks for keeping me amused, entertained, informed, educated, infuriated and everything in between. You are a top lot.
My first full year Goonerholicing has been a pleasure, fellow holics. My congrats to the boss, and sympathies to those who have disagreed with me (that’s many of you most of the time). It’s not my fault you lack imagination, experience, foresight, rational analytical skills, common sense, intuition, judgement etc etc … even I was like you once.
Yes, I used to be conceited too, but now I’m perfect! Please remember that.
And so will our beloved Arsenal be next season. Assuming they don’t all incur three-week injuries at the WC. That’s the world cup, not the urinal. Although mishaps at either are equally possible with our history… 🙁
Öskar
Well, finally Goonerholic !
All those years of positive blagging, or blogging or whatever they call it, finally paid off and we have a trophy !
Arsene knew all along, you see. Something of a shame we needed so many Germans to do it, but they do take a good penalty. “No they bloody well didn’t”, Lady Nina has just informed me but, still, you know what I mean.
Lady Nina is, in fact, delighted with the trophy. She needed to have something new to buff up in the bedroom every night. Can’t say I’m not a tad relieved myself. You can only polish an old one so many times before the true sheen just wears off.
There were those, of course, who thought at one time that yours truly’s time was going to be called before the trophy drought had ended.
“He’s had his chips”, I heard them say more than once around the Emirates. Truth was I was merely ushering in a new Chips – lucky bugger didn’t have to wait long for his first silverware, did he ?
So we live to fight another day, and whenever times get really tough there’s always the comedy act down the road to cheer one up again.
Good times are coming chaps. This summer I fully expect Arsene to be, well, Arsene. And by the time the forthcoming transfer thingy has ended, you can rest assured it will be September.
Fear not ! The club is awash with money ! We’ve even changed the club’s old motto –
Victoria Concordia InCredit
Toodle-pip !
I ended the last summer, on America’s Labor Day three-day weekend, by watching Arsenal’s non-spenders (Ozil not yet bought) beat Tottenham’s 110 million pounds worth of new “talent” at the great Misconduct Tavern in Philadelphia. Then, after a rather enjoyable half-hour discussing the day’s events (which also included Liverpool providing the first crack in David Moyes’ Man U armour), I crossed the streets, walked down the steps into a rail terminal, and took a train to the New Jersey shore, where almost nobody recognized my Arsenal shirt — almost. The breeze was nice, the shrimp was good, the beer was cold, the women were beautiful, and The Arsenal had beaten That Lot. A great end to a tough summer.
I started this summer by watching Arsenal drive me up the wall before finally presenting me, and every other Gooner, with a cup, one every other club in England (and Wales) wanted to win, but we did. One in which we beat Tottenham and both Merseyside clubs along the way — something you won’t hear from the people who talk about how we “only” beat Wigan in the Semi and Hull in the Final. (And don’t forget Coventry, and the great show their fans put on!) Now, on our three-day Memorial Day weekend, which concludes with the Anfield ’89 Silver Anniversary, I can go into the summer proper knowing for sure what I suspected all along: It’s good to be a Gooner.
My glass full of Magner’s is raised to you all, to all the ‘holics, Capitalized and otherwise. For it is you, as much as the players and Arsene Wenger himself, who have made me proud to be one of you. “We are The Arsenal, and we are the best, we are The Arsenal, so… ” You know how that goes.
Thanks for all the blogging and a toast to many more years of blogging about many more pieces of silverware.
Thanks ‘Holic for managing the best bar in London. This is the only blog I read on a daily basis and comment on a slightly less than daily basis. You have attracted the best bunch of drinkers, boozers, drunks, and non-alcoholic Arses in the land.
Hope all the regulars and irregulars at the bar have a great summer or winter depending on your hemisphere. Looking forward to drinking with everybody through the silly season and into next season.
Oh, and by the way, WE WON THE CUP!!!!!!!!!!
otd – I have never had any doubt about your perfectness. I only wish to learn from a master. 🙂
Cheers!
You’re welcome, ecg. Gullible, but welcome! 🙂
Öskar
Pangloss, regarding the “Fall,” I remember that day fairly well. We were sold a bill of goods, something about “Better to serve in Hell…,” then I heard some foolishness about starting a “football club” using a white kit (irony) and a turkey buzzard standing majestically atop said football as an icon (referencing our ruling the earth or hell or such other madness). I knew then that it would all come to our ruination, but, to borrow a phrase one of our more famous confederates later coined, “iacta alia est.” And so it has, thanks again to ‘Holic for reminding me just how long it has been since Spurs actually won anything.
Good reminder, by the way, regarding our collective differences in “English;” gave me quite the chuckle.
Finally, regarding “BMBD,” alas Cato was a better Roman than I could pretend to be. I reckon this season would be as close to destruction as Barca will come, so it was high time to “declare victory and go home.” (I learned that trick from another of our veterans of “the Fall,” and fellow Texan – I’ll refrain from naming him… you all know who he is, anyway)
Norcal, thank you my friend. I look forward to seeing you in the fall. I hope this means I will be able to break bread with you again?
Cheers all.
Well done, Uncle Mike.
I find it is becoming more and more difficult to go unnoticed while wearing our shirt.
Good thing, indeed.
Great post holic.
You deserve a tin of bear grease for your groovy blogging work this season. You chilled the burning flames after Villa and tempered the expectations during December.
Time for some R & R player.
Hit me up if you want a set up with one of my BBWs 8)
Spot on Clive. All of the guest posters this season kept this place going. Thank you all. It is soooooooooo appreciated.
Holic, thanks for the regular fix you provided us especially during the intelulls.
And to the regulars here, you have done yourselves proud. Blogging of a very rare quality in this time and age.
And to mnb and the like, we won a trophy after all.
Thanks everyone for this bar. Enjoy your summer, winter, rainy season or harmattan (whichever you find yourself in).
It is 2:45AM here in Boston, I am up from a deep but dream-laced sleep induced by a long weekend of chasing after a twenty eight months old and copious amounts of seafood and Sancerre and Muscadet.
I sat in front of my MacBook and after bracing up for the week by a quick glance at the Calendar and a visit to the Arsenal web-site to see if anything new has happened since we own the FA Cup, I decided to settle myself for a few minutes of ‘Holic time before I try to put myself back to sleep.
Even when there is nothing new happening at Arsenal now, even after the season is over, just for the pleasure of reading anything new — and invariably balanced and entertaining — from the maestro and the always excellent camaraderie and debates in the inevitable post-blog drinks.
Between work, family, myriad hobbies and Arsenal there is scant little time left for socializing for this already not-that-gregarious soul. And whatever is left is spent with the very few special friends that one is fortunate to have in real life. So this bar is my primary place for Arsenal-related discussions, and other than Arsenal web-site and Arseblog (which is less of a blog but a collection of a few very excellent different opinion pieces every week and general fun-and-facts in the news section) the only other Arsenal related site I visit. The eloquent ACLF which I used to read every week previously nowadays I do not get the time for.
This has been a great season for us, at least from my perspective, and it has amply demonstrated that the vision of our great club has been on the right track, and it has demonstrated that with stability in the squad Arsene is still capable of all the magic that some of us had started to doubt. Looking forward to our first treble winning season in 14-15 which would also include the first CL trophy.
Only two months before the first Arsenal pre-season match. And a World Cup in the summer to see some of our favorite Red-and-White footballers in action.
And looking forward to one more excellent season of blogging, discussions, the great humor and insight from the blogmeister and the leading regulars with which the occasional fractiousness is kept within the limits of enjoyment.
Back to sleep. ‘Morning all.
well , i suppose
if everyone else is doin it
.
*shuffles awkwardly*
.
well done ‘holic
i suppose you’re not so bad
.
😉
🙂
.
.
cheers big man
best in the business
best by a mile
.
“Bayern Munich have confirmed that Claudio Pizarro has extended his contract at the club. The Peruvian scored 12 goals last season.”
Pizarro is 35 years old and plays as a striker.
Puts some perspective on Sagna’s case.
Looking forward already to the next season and i cannot foresee any changes in the teams who will be in the top 4. Positions may change but i think City will start favourites again, we and chelshit behind them and pool will make up the numbers for the top 4. I seriously doubt whoever united buy, that they will be able to break into the top 4.
News of Aaron set to undergo a surgery for the muscular pain he had is not good news and i for one am praying that he recovers quickly to be fit for the start of the season. We all know that the chances of Theo starting the season is pretty remote, so we cannot have Aaron join the list.
Overall a mixed season for me, winning the FA cup was the highlight but missing out on the league was the low.
in other news oskar
can’t say that
growing up
when i saw a union jack
flying atop a lamp post
i spent much time
lingering
to check if it was
upside down
.
anyhoo
must go
bonanza’s started
.
cheerio
Holic, the guest blogging pleasure was mine. Only happy to help, and any time you feel a bit of sharing of the workload would be welcome just let me know.
shitty episode
morality
no hoss
no hold ups
no shootin’
.
anyhoo
.
off now to purchase
a lemon v-neck jumper
rupert the bear trousers
and a swagger as big
as king kong
so i can learn
how to pronounce
my own name
and those of my
countrymen
.
🙂
Lurky@53: Take your broad point, but Bac played 48 games last season, all for the full 90 minutes, where as Pizarro played just 26 games and was used mainly as a sub, playing a full 90 mins in only four games. Much different demands on the body.
Also I presume no-one else turned Pizzaros head by basically doubling his current salary Lurky.
Pizzaros?
aren’t they available in the frozen food section at Tesco?
apologies for the lack of apostrophes in my posts, makes it confusing to read sometimes, I just cannot be arsed to switch to english keyboard everytime I need to use an apostrophe…could use czech accent instead but it looks weird (Pizzaro´s) *closing language window*
Lurky, the counter-example to Pizzaro would be super Tomáš Rosický . 🙂
Speaking of players released, among the youngsters Chuks Aneke was released too. I guess at 22 he needs regular playing time and that midfield is too congested for him and there is already Zelalem and Eisfield ahead of him in the ‘potential’ category.
But, but, I thought his combination of physique, strength, pace and both defensive and attacking abilities was rare …. he had a terrific season, albeit in the third tier, and maybe could have been kept and loaned out to one of the lower ranked PL side? Maybe even in Ligue 1 or La Liga?
Anyway, best of luck to him. Hopefully in a few years time he would turn out to be a superb player.
Cheers ‘H, top stuff.
Heh @ Mr Hill-Wood. 🙂
Still walking on air. What a fabulous end to the season.
No problems with Bac signing off (if that’s what he ends up doing). Sterling service, and we’ve had the best of him. I would prefer it if he stayed, not least for the cover he affords in central defence, but not so much that I want us to match the ridiculous money reputedly being offered by the oil cheats.
Fabregas? I’d take him, but only as the cherry on top and not as a priority. It would be tough seeing him in another Club’s shirt, but if we make the signings where we really need them, cf, and dm and possibly wide, I won’t really give a monkeys where he plies his trade. If we can pick him up at a bargain price because of the first option clause then great, but I wouldn’t want any outlay to heavily impact on any other new signings in positions where the need to improve is greater.
Poldi? Nice to see that he intends staying, though I wouldn’t set much store by any public pronouncement. Things can change quickly. His position is one I would like to see strengthened this Summer. Draxler please Arsene.
Sweeper – Cheers, and thanks for the charming tale in the last set of drinks.
Holic – top man.
Cheers for the quality write ups, and for continuing to provide a forum for sensible discussion of the ups and downs of this great club.
It’s not always easy on the nerves being a Gooner, and it helps if we can suffer and celebrate together with like minded souls. I’ve met many good people through the bar, and my life as a football fan would be all the poorer without this place in existence.
Now, it’s been at least 10 posts since anyone pointed it out, so if you don’t mind….
WE ONLY WENT AND WON THE FA CUP!!!
Roll on next season. In the mean time, gents please be upstanding and charge your zen for the impending transfer window bollocks.
COYG
tabs knows, as does N7.
You’ve said it all ‘holics, this bar made supporting the Arsenal this past season every bit more enjoyable. Special thanks to you ‘holic for giving me the opportunity to guest-write on this excellent forum, it was my first ever and believe me I lack words to describe how much it meant and still means to me. Thank you once again!
this year holic is different coz we won!!!!
best gunners blog by far and a great community of arsenal fans n family. see you next season….we are the arsenal!!!
We shall most definitely build on the Cup Victory! Coming through from absolute pulmonary stopping stuff against Wigan and then Hull, and yes to beat Pool so soon after the dramatic lost in the league.
There will be no more mental softness in this team! We now have a stable and mature core! Let’s all be looking forward to another Cup and also a League victory for the next season.
I, for one, cannot wait for the next season to start! Here’s hoping all our personnel come back fit and ready while at the same time getting in the required replacements to last the season. Don’t think that’s too much to ask.. first taste of victory in almost a decade leaves one wanting for so much more.
Victoria Concordia Crescit.
@54 Vinay
The story about Aaron Ramsey needing more surgery this summer is according to Arseblog absolute tripe
http://news.arseblog.com/2014/05/ramsey-dismisses-guff-story-by-mail-as-guff/
I will join in the praise for Holic and all his regular posters and guest writers.
You’re by far the greatest bar the internet has ever seen.
My favourite video moment of the season is the Cov. fans having the craic at half time at the Emirates.These are supporters who are losing 2-0 in the cup and have all manner of problems with filthy dodgy owners and no real home ground yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5gOBj0PK0Y
check out the chap at 15 secs who casually starts the beer eruptions
Tottenham Hotspur appoint Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager on a five-year contract.
The latest throw of the dice from the spuds…!
@64 Tabs, I agree with every single one of your points.
But Draxler? Why? Anyone watched him playing this year? He was half of the season injured and those 7-8 games I’ve seen him (maybe even more, because I was interested in him), he was average at best.
I agree that he has talent, speed, nice dribble and good shooting abilities, but he needs to work really hard for the next couple of years for even leveling Poldi, replacing him would be even harder.
I watch Bundesliga a lot and if I have to pick a player from Germany that would improve us, that would be Firmino from Hoffenheim.
He can play in every attacking position on the field including both flanks, behind the striker and even as a striker if needed.
Would cost half the Draxler price and is already twice a player Draxler is.
Check him out if you haven’t already, cracking player!
The Spertsz have got a new manager…………….. AGAIN.
I wonder if the team will bother to learn this one’s name.
Fair enough Lurky.
I will admit my opinion of Draxler is an uninformed one, based on little more than hype and a few youtube clips. Clearly there has been significant interest from Arsenal in the past, and I suppose my interest in him doesn’t amount to much more than ‘if he’s good enough for Arsene, he’s good enough for me’.
Saw Firmino mentioned in a 7am kick off article, and his stats are indeed very good. I know even less about him than I do Draxler though.
My main point really was that even if Poldi stays – I actually don’t think he will – and despite the widespread affection for him, I hope that that is one of the positions in which we are looking to strengthen.
Don’t know enough about Firmino, solid name though. 😉
But I will agree that I never really understood the Draxler hype, good enough player, but not at the price being quoted especially when you’d be paying for his so called potential.
I agree once again Tabs, genuine left winger is maybe the position we need to strengthen as much as DM and CF.
OK, not that much, but it could be nice.
Whenever I watched Konopyanka for Ukraine mainly (not sure about spelling) I was impressed and maybe not him in particular but that is the sort of genuine winger I have in mind.
cheers, ‘holic, for all the great writing and casual bonhomie you’ve created therewith. your bar is a gem, and i am grateful to have washed up upon its shores.
lonestar, thanks for the great meet up at the captain’s in february. top gooner, you.
i feel bad for pochettino, he’ll follow in the footsteps of all of scum’s managers for the past 18 years, and never get out of our shadow.
lurky, i just watched firmino, and if he could hold up to the shawcrosses of the prem, he’d be a nice addition. my only wonder is his defense, which isn’t shown in the youtube clip i watched; if he’s on the wing, he’s got to play some.
oh, and welcome back, shaft. i thought i smelled bear grease on the air.
Nice Comments Tabs, N7, H2H, Lurky
I find myself feeling rather bullish about our transfer expectations in this window. I know I was somewhat positive last year too, but there are other reasons to feel even more confident this year: new silverware, flush coffers, last few years for Wenger to win old big ears.
We know Wenger has already tried to sign Suarez, Higuain, Draxler, Cavani. All of these players can kick with both feet, play on both wings or as main/supporting strikers. They’re versatile. These were obviously primary targets at one time or another.
While he’s also been very interested in Benzema in the past, I don’t think the same interest has been reciprocated. Could he be a realistic option this summer? I really don’t think so. He’s in the last year of his contract. As we well know, world class players in the last year of their contracts are worth about 25m or so. Real could arguably get that much for Morata so all the cards are with Benzema. Why leave the club thats just won the CL..? Why sell a proven centre forward when you can get as much money for Morata? Sure, Real might sign Suarez, but I’ve a feeling this will be ‘in addition to’ rather than ‘instead of’ Benzema. I think Real will give him an extension and sell him next year when they would arguably make more money for him.
Di Maria is a wonderful talent who would cost an absolute fortune to prise from Madrid. If I had one criticism it’s that he’s pretty much confined to playing on the left wing. I think Wenger will want a more versatile forward for that money especially one who can lead the line.
An interesting piece of news so far is the Luiz deal between PSG and Chelsea. Apart from paying that much for a clown like Luiz, I thought PSG were one of the clubs being fined for non-compliance with FFP? And yet here they are about to spunk 50-60m on Luiz. It is very high risk to fall foul of FFP twice so it just doesn’t make sense unless PSG intend to balance the books by selling one of their big players. It could well suggest that Cavani may be in the market for a move?
Reus, Sanchez, Rodrigo, Falcao, Remy, Griezmann and Turan are all players who fit the versatility profile too at varying levels and could well be options.
It’ll be interesting to see who we end up with. Considering who we’ve tried to sign in the past, its fair to say we’ll probably be aiming high again. I only hope we land one of the big players.
I’m with you 100% Tabs on Podolski.
Tottenham are looking at David Moyes as a possible successor to Mauricio Pochettino.
Chuckling.
Nice one Joe.
From what I’ve gathered over the last few days, PSG don’t seem to wish to pay too much attention to FFP.
The club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is quoted as saying “No one will stop us, I repeat. We buy who we want. How? That’s our business.”
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/blanc-confirms-eden-hazard-is-plan-a-owner-says-no-one-will-stop-
How much truth there actually is to that, I don’t know, it is afteral, silly season.
A bit short term that, Lurky.
Do they have a plan for who will follow Moyes ? 😉
Agreed on Fabregas, Tabs.
Hope you’re wrong about Podolski. His stats are awesome although his performance level often appears not to be. We have got to find a way to get the very best out of him or, sadly, find someone who can play a fuller role.
Ideally not another goal scoring forward played out of position and expected to defend though.
The most effective Spurs’ manager was their first, Frank Brettell. Highest winning percentage of any of the lot of them, 57.8% in 1898-99. The neighbours should just have called it quits then.
Mauricio is a cunt.
Officially.
Very interesting interview with Mikel Arteta on the dot.con. I only wish Daniel Levy hadn’t read this part:
Is there any current manager who particularly influences you?
One is Arsène Wenger, of course – he has a philosophy that he’s never going to change because he really believes in it. That is the most important thing, because if you don’t really believe in something then you’ll just change it after one bad result and drive your players crazy. Another is Pep Guardiola, who I’ve known since I was 15. The way he sees football is always to look ahead, then further ahead, always improving. Then there’s Mauricio Pochettino – he was my captain at PSG and I always knew he would become a manager. He has taken a lot of influence from Marcelo Bielsa, who was his coach with Argentina; they used to talk about things a lot, and now you can see that his teams are really aggressive, both when attacking and defending. He takes a lot of risks, the players enjoy playing for him, his decisions are always sound and he’s got a good personality. I’ve admired Pochettino ever since I was young; he really looked after me when I was at PSG as well.
H2H
Interested in this reaction from PSG. A Parisian club taking on the leading figure in French football history. If that is the PSG approach then UEFA cannot allow them to prevail or their credibility will be shot to pieces.
It’s the sort of arrogance that several clubs probably exhibit privately but having started the fight UEFA must finish it. Certainly the Luiz deal astonished me and I had expected a corresponding sale of assets to balance the books. This puts a different complexion on events.
Enjoyed reading that Holic, spot on mate.
UTA
Had the France-Norway friendly game on the TV while doing something else, just saw Giroud’s rather excellent goal from the edge of the box. If you can, check out later on Youtube etc.
8ball@85: That interview was out on last month’s Arsenal magazine. I am quite sure Daniel Levy has been reading exactly those parts for the last one month. 🙂
What a goal from Giroud, indeed Dr. Faustus. The shot was well taken, but his first touch is the moment when art meets sport.
Like I said Ttg, I have no idea if he actually said that or he was misquoted or whatever, it would seem to me to be a hugely misguided statement to make less then a week after being hit by a sanction. I hope it’s true and they keep spending just to see if UEFA have the balls to uphold and enforce their rules.
Wouldn’t read too much into the fact that they would be going up against Prattini as at this moment PSG are about as French as Barak Obama.
Frankly I think the papers are talking garbage about our transfer dealings. How can we be considering buying Di Maria, Khedira, Morata and Benzema from Real Madrid? Frankly will Di Maria trade Madrid having just won the CL to join us? Would they sell a player who has played so well this season?
I think Madrid are using agents to create some chaos in the market prior to moving themselves but we know a transfer from Madrid is not easily arranged anyway.
Of the current rumours ( and remember season- ticket renewals are not yet complete so Arsenal are briefing friendly journalists) I can only seriously contemplate Griezmann and Marshall as possible captures…oh and Kallstrom returning permanently. Surely Wenger wouldn’t sanction that one after he has already said he won’t be returning? Every squad place taken by a Kallstrom or a Barry is likely to block a place for a serious defensive midfield capture
wow, faustus, that is impressive. measured as hell, too. lurky, indeed. but he’s been doing stuff like that all year for us, so why should we be surprised? 🙂
Ttg.
I take everyting published in the rags with an extreamly large punch of salt.
I believe nothing until it’s on dotcom or officialy announced on the beeb.
Not new news to us – just look at these injury comparisons
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10857688/Arsene-Wenger-calls-for-medical-and-training-review-after-Arsenal-slump-bottom-of-201314-injury-list.html
We really need to sort this out
Scruz, can’t remember him scoring this type of goal from distance for us, to be honest, but he had some amazing attempts that hit the woodwork.
Anyway, he is capable of scoring from distance, showed that tonight and previously for Montpellier, has powerful and precise shot and I am really surprised he doesn’t try it more often.
Ttg @ 91,
Honestly, I think we’re fishing for FAR bigger fish than the people you mention. Wenger has spent his entire life to get to this position and he now has 2-3 years left to potentially win a European Cup. Seriously, don’t underestimate his ambitions on that front. For what its worth, I’ve a feeling we’re going to be very pleasantly surprised this summer.
I really hope the new guy at Spurs can lift them to a higher competitive level.
We need them to be a serious threat to the other top 4 contenders.
The stronger they are,the more chance they will take points off the other top teams,which can only help us.
AW has pointed out many times the disadvantage we have playing so many local derbies during a season.
The likes of City/Utd/Pool and Everton don’t have that handicap.
It will also help make us even more competitive,as the players know the fans will never accept Spurs being top dogs in London,let alone in the league.
So here’s to Poco Poco working his magic at the Lane,and to what should be 2 cracking local derbies next season.
Cheers
The Sweeper
Joe
I do hope you are right. I have been rather frustrated by our progress in the transfer market in recent years but hope springs eternal. Having said that Wenger has probably found more bargains who turned out to be world- class than any other manager you can name.
It’s up for grabs now……
Goes for glory
Classic Lurky goal. Well in, sir.
Well in Lurky.
Should we not have received two penalties when the Hull player touched the ball in the penalty area with BOTH hands at ONCE?
😉
Cheers Pangloss, it was quality through ball from Uply.
Two or three Koscielny-style signings would do quite nicely. To quote just about everybody when his signing was announced, What’s a Koscielny??
Heh 8ball. Maybe not two penalties but one penalty with two balls one after another, if you miss one the other counts. If you miss both, well, you can open yourself a grocery and stop playing football asap.
Well in Lurky, no lurking required for this one 😉
And a classic TaBs glory position from Pangloss.
Lurky. I suppose you are right. Just hope the grocery will have the Tesco girl or a reasonable equivalent. 😉
Clive … a better plan for the spuds would be to have them relegated. Two less derby matches, and never-ending laughs!
Öskar
I’d still prefer Reus to Di Maria, while still keeping Poldi. The German connection is one to be encouraged … much more stable than the Hispanics and Latinos, imo.
But Lurky’s suggestion of Firmino looks interesting, even if he is Latino. Never heard of him, but a bit of Brazilian flair never goes astray, and he plays anywhere apparently. Another Brazilian, Lucas Moura, has been on my watch list for a couple of seasons too.
I just hope AW is looking at these premium players as much as I am, instead of French Ligue 2 or loanees apparently not good enough to play for their clubs.
Öskar
A bit of Brazilian flair might go astray Oskar, if Andre Santos is in the house. Keeping him in the right latitude proved too much of a challenge. Not that I don’t expect Brazil to win the WC though. The biggest chance of real drama during the WC will be either Brazil losing or anti-WC street riots. Will be on the lookout for the ‘holic pound on the odds of either of those things happening.
Öskar @ 109: “…much more stable than the Hispanics and Latinos, imo” . Wow! If there ever were a sweeping generalization …
In my memory of Arsenal — all Arsene era — I think we have had five regular Brazilians: Sylvinho, Gilberto, Edu, Denilson, Santos . I don’t think instability can be accused against any of them. Denilson never became good enough and Santos was never fit and disciplined enough to survive as a full back in PL (he had added a bit of attacking flair and some important goals though) … but unstable? 🙂 Gilberto was and still remains the embodiment of cool gentlemanliness, whereas much admirable Jens might have been I am not sure he was quite right in the head. The nice kind of crazy, but crazy indeed. 🙂
8 ball @ 110: I think the Brazil team would simply win the thing out of fear for big Phil. A balanced and well-drilled team to begin with — but not exactly as full of talents as say Germany — but Scolari would be a big factor especially back in familiar surroundings. 🙂
How about some predictions? My guess for semifinalists would be Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina.
Yes, I am excluding Spain as I think the weather would not be most suited to the incessant possession game of tiki-taka and the fullbacks would be especially vulnerable. But most likely I am wrong and they would take the place of Argentina.
Italy is a very well-balanced team with a core of all-Juve players, especially in defense, with good understanding.
Since no one seems to have picked up on the Guvnor’s sly reference in the post to a special anniversary, I think we should turn the floor over to Tabs.
http://goonerholic.com/2013/05/guest-post-what-size-does-that-work-in-mate/
Dr F., though I have been saying it for the past three World Cups, I think it is time an African country gets through to the semi-finals. Ghana would be my pick.
Okay, Dr F, unstable was a poor choice of adjective … try calm, phlegmatic, imperturbable etc. And Brazilians aren’t especially typical of what I meant anyway. Gilberto was magnificent, better even than most gave him credit for, and even if I never got so excited about the others you mention they were never as mad as Jens.
But nothing wrong with a good generalisation in my opinion. Very useful shortcuts sometimes. As in ‘All spuds are…’ for example. You’re not going to argue with that I hope! 🙂
Brazil at home has to be a good bet for the WC, but The Netherlands at around tenth in the betting look much better odds. And Germany are overdue for another win. Those three will do me. Oh, and England to do a lot better than many believe possible.
Öskar
I expect Colombia and France to have a great World Cup along with Germany. Quarter finals for all of them and maybe semis, why not.
Croatia to be the surprise of the tournament maybe, they have some interesting players.
Belgium has great players, not so sure about their team, they lack mayor tournament experience.
Brazil and Spain are always the favorites, though.
Don’t have opinion about England at the moment.
Expect Holand, Italy, Argentina to crash spectacularly. So, it is safe bet that two of them will be in the final.
I’ve just been looking at the list of Premier League managers over on wikipedia. I see that the Sp*ds lead the list with 20 different managers… it’s like a trophy.
FOYS
Rumours:
* Wenger told not to re-sign Fabregas
* No other exciting links – boring
But wait, Giroud scores a brace for France just over a week after winning the FA Cup. Now that’s what I’m talking about.
I know this World Cup is going to be about it. I just know it. I know it so much that I bought the FIFA game on x-box. My son beat me 8-5 as Brazil v Argentina in my first Mach against him. Brilliant. He almost cried when we drew 3-3 in our second match. I just love this game. I love this game so much that I went and purchased my annual emirates cup tickets for both days this time.
Hah that livened things up!!!!
Morning all, can I echo the many words of praise toward Mr Holic. Despite my loyalties lying elsewhere, I have enjoyed this blog for 3 or 4 years now and the standard of writing is superb. Spurs?? I have long since given up being surprised by what goes on there, makes me even more amazed by those who have a pop at Mr Wenger. Still, it’s a game of opinions and it’s mine that the new man at the lane will easily see out Christmas…
Yes, Dave, for sure… but which Christmas?
May I echo, quietly, Mr Holic’s regular welcome to you – it’s always good to be reminded that there are civilised Spurs fans.
Pangloss, the next one of course!! Yes, thank you for mentioning that.
Nice one Dave.
Regarding the impending WC.
I’ve already decorated my bar with various orange bunting and what not way before the tournament starts, not because I believe that that team will do well, quite the opposite I’m afraid, it’s just because I didn’t want to put in that effort only to have to take it all down a week later.
NL haven’t exactly been lucky with the draw, first they have to get past Spain, Chile and Aus, and if they don’t top the group they will more then likely face Brazil in the first knock out round.
Besides from that, I don’t really think they are very good this time around, Louis van Gaal, although strong in the club game is not an International manager, I don’t think he really knows how to set the team up, as evident in the slightly embarrassing 1-1 home draw to Equador played on the same day as we were lifting the cup.
Argentina or Brazil for me. The former because of their relatively easy draw, the latter, because well, they are at home and it’s Brazil, innit.
H2H@75 – Haha 🙂
Lurky @76 – Agree with you on Konop. I have only seen him once, against Spurs in the Europa last year, but I thought he looked pretty lively.
Cheers Joe, and like you, I think (and hope) that we’ll be trying to shop from the top drawer this summer, making all those calls in january to sign average but expensive players rather redundant in my view. Quality not quantity. Bayern’s Martinez and a mobile versatile forward would have me skipping round the streets.
Trev @82 – Yep, read the big discussion on Poldi here a while back. I’m afraid I’m on the other side of the fence to you on this one. I think the onus is on Poldi to do more myself. I don’t really agree with the assertion that he is being played out of position either. Most of his caps for Germany were earned out on the left. I don’t think he’s good enough for us to alter our whole style of play to accomodate a mythical best position for him and play 4-4-2. He has been disappointing whenever he has played up top, and was, in my view, our most disappointing performer in both Wembley games. I certainly couldn’t understand the booing when he was substituted in the Wigan game. Sanogo might be all arms and legs, but he represented a far more potent threat than Poldi in both games. For me, Poldi is a great option to have coming off the bench, but if we are to compete at the very top table, no more than that.
Ned @113 – Haha thanks, you can be my new agent! I’m sacking that DrC 😉
Cheers Dave. As already discussed with you, I think potentially it’s a good appointment. He will need time though, which I doubt he’ll get. Count me in the ‘Hoping Spurs go down’ group 😉
Germany vs Argentina final for me. Bfg to win it with a 25 yard rocket!
Well, my loyalties are split.
Due to my Italian/Uruguayan/Costa Rican grandparents. 😉
🙂
I somehow see the Brazilians in the final. Take your pick out of Germany, Spain and the Argies, as their opponents.
Semifinalists: Uruguay, Italy, Spain, Brazil.
Darkhorses: Germany (Dark because they cannot realistically be expected to survive the tropical heat, unless they realise their potential as dark horses, of course. 😉 )
Good time for getting in WC predictions, it still being plenty early and all. By the time the actual event rolls around nobody will remember all of my off the wall predictions. 🙂
Update on our loanees :
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140528/season-review-arsenal-s-loanees
Hi everyone. A good back drink, and glad to see that the spirit here echoes my own. Still basking in cup glory, some idle summer speculation, but really can’t be too bothered just yet. There’ll be plenty of time for that later on.
So a couple of golazzos from Ollie G yesterday in a meaningless game. They were great to see, and I’m happy to see the club is evidently already at work tying him down with a contract extension. But as the big man effortlessly found the same top corner with two very different, but equally impressive, finishes, my first thought was, why doesn’t he do that for us more often? And then it occurred to me, that Giroud seems to score his best goals in the most insignificant games. Remember he scored some belters in preseason last year? And then seems to lose his finishing touch in the biggest games. There seems to be an inverse correlation between the quality of his performance, and the magnitude of the occasion.
There could be other reasons for this. Some of our biggest games this year came when he was at his most physically ragged, for instance. But I thought worth noting all the same. Thoughts?
hahahaha this is priceless 😀 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2640190/Spurs-fan-Britains-dangerous-prisoner-Charles-Bronson-61-smears-butter-taking-TWELVE-officers-Arsenal-win-FA-Cup.html
I am sticking to the prediction that most would want there, atleast the neutrals- Brazil Argentina finals, I so want Germany to win it but i am more worried about having a Ozil/Poldi/Per to come back safe and fresh than wanting to see them win so no i dont care if they do so or not.
Spain as ever will be there and there abouts but the aura seems lost and it does feel they are getting old.
England sorry never mind. I hope Roy goes hammer and tongs and for once just tell the players go play and dont worry about the result, if he does they can have a shout or else they may come home early.
GL@131: I think he scores enough important goals — number of match winning PL goals he had this season was a testament to that — and in Europe he has scored goals against Bayern, Dortmund, Napoli. No PL or CL match is “insignificant” in my opinion . Was the goal against Spurs at home in that very important match early this season insignificant?
But he had indeed failed to score against a top 4 team this season which I think was a combination of multiple factors: he lacks that extra bit of pace to spring through the defense, our overall attacking performance was considerably sub-par especially in the away matches against those oppositions, some of those were played when he was visibly fatigued and out-off-form.
@134: I meant out-of-form. In addition to the work rate, the attitude, the hold up play and the link-up with the midfielders, theist pleasing thing was the concrete tangible technical progress. The goals against Villa away or the West Ham home were of excellent technical quality.
… The most pleasing, auto-correct and it’s godly delusions … 🙂
It will be tough for Germany to make the Finals if only because, if form holds, they are in the same half of the draw as Brazil so would have to play the hosts in the Semis. Argentina, mostly likely being in the other half of the draw for the knockout rounds, are more likely finalists. Spain’s chances depend on how they fare in the round robin round. Win their group and they can avoid Brazil until the Final; come second and they are looking at playing Brazil in the Round of 16.
I see you can get 40-1 on England losing all three group matches and 8-1 on Rooney getting sent off. Were I a betting man, those would almost be worth a punt.
Mauricio is a woman….Officially.
10 managers in last 12 years.
Time flies, eh.
Dr. F: That’s fair. You’re certainly right that there are no insignificant games, though some are more significant than others. Chelsea away is a more momentous occasion that West Ham home.
You’re right, too, that pace, the team’s overall attacking performance, and fatigue go a good ways toward explaining his lack of goals in the big games. You’re right to point out the Spurs goal as well. But it’s hard to forget those big misses against Chelsea at home and away, and against Man City away. Those could’ve made a big difference to our season.
Look, I love the big man. He’s been huge for us this year, and his tangible progress is encouraging. He does seem to struggle to rise to the big occasion though, and his most impressive goals seem to come when the pressure is off.
…..there are no insignificant games, though some are more significant than others.
How very Orwellian. 😉
Hmmm. Apparently there are reports that one of the ManIOU Glazier owners has died.
Malcolm… and Stan Crowther.
Well its all started again. I mean those ridiculous stories about marquee signings. We know that Arsene sometimes lives in his own bubble, but surely even he can appreciate how incensed fans are when we hear reports of us offering a deal to Kallstrom. We are also still in pursuit of Barry and Millner, not to mention Solomon Kallou. I want our manager to state now that he has no plan to ever, now, or anytime in the future, bring Kallou to Arsenal!
This will sound a bit rich coming from someone who was draped in the stars and stripes at the 2005 Cup Final, but can we show some restraint about the Malcolm Glazer news please all. He was family to some out there. Cheers.
Malcolm Glazer suffered two strokes eight years ago, leaving him in very poor health, and three of his five sons, Joel, Bryan and Ed, had run his businesses since. Whatever one thinks of the family’s ownership of ManU, the father turned the Tampa Bay Bucs into a championship winning (American) football club and was much beloved in Florida for it.
Personally, I would have been looking for a little more “mobile” striker, but AW knows. Apparently. 😉
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/05/28/sp-torino-president-close-to-accepting-146m-bid-for-arsenal-targ/?
Just another of those stories where they says so-and-so is an “Arsenal target” based on absolutely nothing. Hereisthecity and Hereisyourarse. 🙁
Typical spuds fan, Eandy (#132), in jail since 1974 but still re-living his distant memory of league titles long forgotten. Just a big cock really.
Öskar
bt8b: I wouldn’t take any report that has TGSTEL as on of our “striking trio” too seriously.
Backdrink finally over! I don’t know why I fall behind so easily these days, its like time flies quicker than ever… 😕
Thank you ‘holic for another great year of top top quality blogging. Without this blog, I may have never met some of the excellent Gooners who continually warm my heart with their kindness whenever I happen upon them in person, and I may not have encountered upon some of the Gooners who I’m indebted to from the bottom of my heart. I’m glad to have met even more this season just gone by in the flesh, and I’m looking forward to meeting more Holics old and new next season.
Another thanks is in order ‘h, for giving me the opportunity to have a guest post published, especially as I just intended to lump what I’d typed up in the drinks as usual! It was the 1st time I’ve ever had any of my ‘work’ given such a medium to be viewed upon, I was truly humbled by the positive response I got from all who read it.
I don’t get on here everyday as I once did, such is the changing state of the happenings in my life day by day, but this is still my favourite Arsenal blog out of the three that I regularly read. Not just because of the excellent content from Holic and the guest posters, but also because of the meaningful interactions here in the drinks between Arsenal fans from different walks of life, different countries & cultures and different opinions. I’m glad to have positively contributed to it this season just gone, and I hope to do so again in the upcoming season.
Cheers, all of you 🙂
@150: Don’t forget to stock up on bear grease for next season youngblood. Once you get started on your marvelous moustache that is 😉
I got to make tracks now though, gotta see a chubby woman about a waxing…
@132, 148: Typical LWC, deluded and violent.
So Fabs is about to join Swans, good luck to him, decent club and he has a very high chance to make that no.1 spot his own there. Thanks for everything Lukasz.
The Swans to win the FA Cup next year then?
Good luck to Fabianski. Thanks for the FA Cup SF win. Steve T will miss you. 🙂
@155: Bath, who knows how Steve T will cope 😉
Morning all,
What bath said about Fabianski.
Good to see a player who, whatever his own personal fortunes, never moaned or criticised the club or anyone in it.
The charge off the touchline towards the end of the final probably betrayed the difficulty he had with decision making that cost him the chance of the number one spot.
The subsequent save low at his right post may well have ensured that we won it.
Whatever the plusses and minuses, it was great to see him genuinely celebrating the win as reward for a good few years of loyal service.
World Cup predictions:
Argentina to beat Germany in the final
Brazil and Spain to make the semi-finals.
England to lose in the quarter-finals (I fancy them to make it out of the group, especially as Italy rarely have two good international tournaments in a row)
ITV to have hilariously shoddy coverage as ever
Good luck to Fabianski at Swansea. At 29, he needs to grab what could be a last chance to make a career as a No 1, as Don Vito has done. Can’t blame either man for that ambition.
Thank you Lukas Fabianski, you left on a high, but to be brutaly honest you never quite really made it at the Arsenal, but, I wish you success in your next adventure.
Like way too many crosses into your box, you shall be missed.
Two very impressive statistics for the 13/14 season: best win percentage ever in Arsenal’s history, and for the first time we won the FA cup with a hundred percentage win record in the competition (no draws/replays).
http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20140522/end-of-season-review .
We also won it without leaving London.
Joining in the chorus wishing Fabianski all the very best at Swansea. Given the trajectory his Arsenal career had initially taken, he has to feel very very good to have the memory of the last year and a half, and especially this year’s FA cup run, to take with him.
BTW does this mean Vorm isn’t at Swansea anymore? Or Tremmel was there other guy? Just curious whether Fabianski is going as their new number one, or if he’ll have to fight for it.
Trev@157: That’s a good word about Fabianski never complaining. All indications are that he was always well-liked and respected, a hard-working pro. And with all the drama day in day out from players malcontent with their situations at other clubs (Toure is the latest example, though I’m sure I don’t know what he has to complain about), it’s refreshing that we have had to put up with comparatively little of that at Arsenal in recent years. Witness, too, TV5, who’s been put in a very difficult position but who’s never breathed a word of complaint publicly, has always backed the club and the manager, and has continued about his duties as captain in the most professional way possible. I’m still holding out hope, tenuous as it might be, that he’ll stay on next year, though I couldn’t blame him if he asked for a move.
Hahaha @H2H 160
As for WC predictions, Germany or Italy for me with France being dark horse. Brazil will crumble under weight of expectations, while Argentina will be depending on Messi too much.
Having said that now, it will surely turn out that either Argentina or Brazil win :D. My main concern, considering Czech did not qualify from the easiest group possible, is that all Arsenal players return back unscathed.
Bold prediction those Eandy my friend.
A European club has never won the WC when it has been played in South America……..
There always has to be a first time for everything though. 🙂
Good luck Fabianski!
Agree – Trev and well put Goonsterham.
As for the WC, I hope most that all Gunners who have call ups return home without injury. Next, to see a good competitive (i.e., not boring football) tournament. Last, that the USA make a good account of themselves. Or, at least a fair account. Hell … I’d even settle for “not a laughing stock” account given the group. And all this kerfuffle on the squad selection, (or, Donovan-gate) is, frankly, silly. Donovan is a decent player, but a world beater he is not.
Make no mistake, I’ll be sneaking out of the office at the drop of hat to watch the matches. WC fans are krazy fun.
Cheers all.
When I say club, I mean nation ofcourse. 😳
Yeah Brazil have to be massive favorites. The home team has such an advantage in any World Cup. Remember when Korea made the semis?
Besides Brazil I think Germany and Argentina have the best chance, with Spain an outlier. France/Italy could surprise, but it would have to be a pretty big surprise.
I don’t think Argentina are too reliant on Messi, Eandy. In attack they have depth galore. Besides Messi, Di Maria, Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Lavezzi, Palacio, among others. It’s in defense where they are suspect, relying on the paleolithic Demichelis.
But it’s a tournament, not a league season. Any team that gets hot at the right time can win it. A lot depends, too, on the group draw and how the knockout rounds fall out. The right draw and a little luck could see a mediocre team into the final rounds.
It’ll be fun. It’s methadone, fellas
I agree that Argentinians have incredible depth in attack, but so does Barca and look how they turned to Messilona in last years. It just seems to me that every time Messi plays and his team is having a tough time in the game, they all expect him to bail them out (which he does on regular basis) which sooner or later catches up with them.
All of the players you mentioned are able to step up when needed, question is, will they when they have Messi alongside them? I am just rumbling nonsense tho:P been a long day.
Just back from a week in the sun, no idea who will win the WC but I expect the Germans to be hard to beat. I have heard that the Dutch have a young RB in their squad who would be a very good fit for us if Sagna leaves. H2H have you seen him?
Aurier!
Lurky ???
Do you have Aurier news ?
You know it is silly season when:
Liverpool are on the verge of a £4m deal for Southampton and England’s 32-year-old striker Rickie Lambert, BBC reports.
You know it is the silly season when:
Arsenal are said to be offering Monreal and Arteta to QPR as a straight swop for Adel Tarrabt.
🙂 🙂 🙂 😀
Adel Taarabt – the only footballer to make Nick Bendtner look like a Stakhanovite.
Stakhanovite, dkg? I’m impressed!
Öskar
Is Lambert the replacement for Suarez, Ned?
Öskar
dk.
Coming swiftly to the defense of Taraabt, it is common knowledge that he smokes the Shisha pipe better than Chamakh. 🙂
“There have been offers from Europe, the Middle East and the MLS. But Eto’o keeps coming round to one thing – he wants to stay in England, ideally London, and especially Arsenal.
It has long been a dream of his to play for Arsene Wenger and it has nearly happened in the past. There is a mutual appreciation and respect there.”
Is this the most unexpected and best story of the silly season so far, or is this guy really nicking a living down at the Mirror? 😉
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-sign-samuel-etoo-theyd-3620735
Sagna’s gone…
http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1836782/bacary-sagna-leaving-arsenal-summer
He can always sink his teeth into the job, Otd.
Seeing as it’s baseball season over here, it seems de rigueur to provide a quick lesson for the old world incognocenti. 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSPaLiTBL3E
Hmmmm. And here, 8ball, is Freddie Flintoff explaining the game of cricket to a New World sports sciolist … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIFzCeFFgUM
Öskar
I guess it really is silly season, Oskar?
It was 30 degrees here in Minnesota today but surprisingly enough it was 30 degrees centigrade, not fahrenheit, and it was sweltering.
BBC says AW has put pen to paper on three-year contract extension, or at least is holding the pen over where he signs.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27635264
I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific Delia.
Any Dutch player comming to the Pl will only be linked to Manure due to the LvG connection.
Wenger – it’s official – on AFC website.
Oscar@175: nothing to be impressed about – just a fading memory reinforced by google :).
Oskar may have been impressed by dk’s reference but for anybody else who was flummoxed, as I was, by Stakhanovite, this is an excellent lesson in Soviet history. 🙂
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stakhanovite_movement
Well, well. Barca denounced the sale of Cesc, by saying he is not for sale apparently after putting him on the for sale list, presumably by mistake, knowing them! That photo of him apparently out on the town in London was probably the final straw 😆
Well thank fook for that. Now ourselves and Utd can concentrate on other targets as silly season continues.
Well at least we were linked with Falcao today, as he tells the media he would like to play in the PL someday, as he works towards fitness to feature in the world cup for Columbia.
Anyway, other than that, boring.
Ave we syned NE 1 yet? Lol
I see Poo have shown ambition by buying Rickie Lambert as they push to compete in Europe and the league again. 😆
He will presumably rotate with Suarez and Sturridge! They will now be known to the Kop faithful as ‘Lass’ (Lambert and Suarez, Sturridge) 😆
Boss signed for 3 years, fantastic! Next up – Angel di Maria?
or ‘what de Rass?’ (Rickie and Suarez, Sturridge)
😆
I’m so funny!
Hi All
Well I am delighted the boss has signed a new deal, I thought he would but you just never know if football.
Break out the chq book and lets go to work Arsene.
Cheers
Woo hoo! Le Prof is on board.
1 signing down, 3 to go.
Have we spent any flipping money yet?
Liverpool and Southampton agree a £4m deal for England striker Rickie Lambert, who will have a medical on Saturday.
Interesting.
Costa Rica star striker Alvaro Saborio out of finals. He joins Suarez who will Probably not be fully fit if he manages to play.
Hodgson’s real serious about this one isn’t he? Wonder what sacrifice he made to the footballing gods! Wonder who else is going to be out before the finals?, maybe someone from Italy now..!
😀
Arsene = The oldest LANS ever.
Wafts foot nervously in direction where ball might be
slightest of deflections
And that ends nine years of waiting…..!
🙂
Well in Eandy.
Unlucky there BB, you tabsed it son.
Well in Eandy. Nice waft Pangloss. 🙂
Good afternoon, Meinheer.
Goede middag, Bath, sir.
===
I think I may of just made a rash assumption calling BB “son”.
Apologies if I made a gender faux pas.
*runs off celebrating like OG against Fulham*
He’s not just LANS, he’s like a new
Arsene;http://news.arseblog.com/2014/05/wenger-fans-can-expect-a-big-summer/
Let me be the first to say
Wenger out!!
😉
VERY interesting link there H2H. A declaration of intent if ever I hears one. It’s now or never for Mr Wenger , I think.
Last year it as I Gizzle who came out spitting the tunes that the fanbase wanted to hear, the “we’re gonna rock your transfer dreams world” ditty was well recieved but was used as a rod the longer the summer went on.
This time around he has fashioned the stick to beat himself with.
It’s easy for us to all sit around and make wishlists about player a and player b, etc, but in reality we all know that what we need is a striker (or two), a replacement for Bac, some CB back up and a player in that almost mythical of positions, drum roll please…… a DM.
If we as simple fans can see where the holes are, then surely Le Boss must know it. I hope he’s already been busy making his target list and has dispatched Dick Law and his mignons to bring home the bacon.
This is his most important transfer window ever. A decent season were we showed progress and added that all important first trophy since, well, you know when, has got him a lot of credit, but failure to bring in what we need and the knives will be out.
Believe it or not, there are so called fans out there just sitting in the corner sharpening said cuttlery as we speak.
Some excerpts from Arsene : http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140530/transcript
Looks real interesting!
Certainly it is about time we had some music to our ears from Dick Law and His Filet Mignons?
Well, there certainly is a lot at steak this summer 8Ball.
…….yeah, I know, but he started it. 🙂
H2H. Signing the wrong players would be rash. Signing nobody would be rasher. 🙂
Di Maria quoted by Give Me Sport as follows:
“It hurts when you’re always doing your best for your club and then you hear that you might be going to Tottenham.”
Need he say more???
Dick Law and his mignons sent to beef up the squad a bit.
Now, no ribbing Mr Law. He must not fail this summer – the steaks are too high.
No bull shit, this time, Mr Law. Just gird your loins, get out there and get the job done.
That’s right, Sir, loins! 😉
Nice link H2H.
Couldn’t agree with you more – its the biggest transfer window ever for the club and indeed for Wenger too. 3 years left to win the CL. He’s got to sign quality players to make that happen.
H2H @ 162: probably set an all-time record for least distance travelled to win an F.A. Cup — six matches, less than 50 miles return.
Enter Trev to meat our punning expectations.
——
Indeed Joe, indeed.
Over to you Arsene……….
——
No frequent flyer miles for us this time Bay’.
Agree Trev, the need for the right cut of player is clear.
Meaty signings – that’s the ticket. Something juicy to really sink our teeth into. Surely it will be a well-done job by Mr. Law.
Dick Law getting it done quickly….that’ll be rare 😉
Well done, Uply
Prime comment Uply!
Lost cat mixup drama reaches happy conclusion in Minnesota.
Dick Law claims non-involvement.
Arsene Wenger is quoted saying “I didn’t see it.”
Prime, well done or rare, please make mine world class. 🙂
Yes, Dick Law, get it done quickly.
There’s no point stewing over the business that needs to be done. Just going to have to chuck all we’ve got at these deals.
Still, I’m sure if we want it to be brisk-et will be. 😉
Mad cow disease to hit our rivals’ signings? Or, a little less draconian, the pernicious rumor of mad cow disease at rival clubs to prevent them from making signings?
Let’s not get our hopes b raised – we’ll only get cut up about it.
A nice bit of Argentinian beef a la De Maria will be perfect. 😉
@205 H2H
No worries there, I’ve been called worse 🙂
We won the CUP! Arsene has signed.. now let’s get the players for next season now!!!!!!
Up The Arse!
Transfer Rumours, our targets include: Juanfran, Atsuto Uchida and Serge Aurier.
Well, Juanfran is 29 – hardly optimal for a full back in a 4-3-3.
Uchida is injured.
Aurier is a possible but from what I’ve heard less good at defending than going forward. Does that make him any better than the Jenks.
And Aurier is Ivorian so would be absent for the African Nations Cup every other season.
Not convinced – yet.
What to do to get French football news in English when Ollie is not around (as he has seemed not to be now for quite a while 🙁 )
http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com
I don’t know Trev but methinks Juanfran would be brilliant seeing what he’s done for atletico of late but they seemed to have rejected our bid and he himself is said to be happy to stay.
We need to sort out the key positions, hopefully before the WC starts.
bt8b: I clicked on your link and the lead story was about PSG trying to sign one of our reputed targets, Antoine Griezmann. Rather disappointing.
It also says we have contacted Nice over their keeper, Ospina, which would be interesting as he is 25, just a year older than Szczesny. Decent keeper and an international, though.
If there is anything to the Juanfran rumor, he would only be a stopgap for a season or so at his age until Jenks or Bellerin is deemed ready.
Trev knows ! 😉
Wot Trev says @235.
Hope the knee is coming along nicely.
Orrabest mate.
What Bath says @236.
Some good stuff in this joint. Dicky Law needs to get his finger out. There is too much at steak. Support is needed all over the park. Giroud can’t shoulder all of the responsibility up front. We all saw how the Ox-tailed off at the end. Skirting around injuries saw performances of utter tripe. We ran out of heart and had little to offal at times.
But let’s not forget. We are still a topside, make no misteak. My only beef is the time we take. So come on Dicky. Chop chop.
😀
So, Bacs has gone. He could not agree with things at the club. I don’t know, another Arsenal star departs. Where is the loyalty these days? He has been looked after by the club and then dropped us like a stone. The clever talk has him off to Citeh for a handsome weekly pay check? I take it that all of that means he will be totally slaughtered by loyal Gooners all over the world??????????
On a serious note I’m personally sorry to see him go. He has been a true warrior. If there was anything in the Juanfran rumours then I have to ask why we would let 31 year old leave and offer 9 million for someone who is 29???
Di Maria???? Very much yes please.
And finally, the Flapster signs for the Swans??? I’m sorry to see him leave for Swansea. They must be places further away he could have gone. Someone who always have 100% but was just not good enough. He has been a capable number 2 and has been rewarded handsomely for sitting on his arse. I’m sure if Vorm stays at Swansea then he will again take his seat on the bench????????
Twickers tomorrow for beer and a spot of egg chasing watching. Looking forward to it. I expect to return to find at least two new signings in the bag all done and dusted.
Enjoy people.
🙂
Carry On Punning.
Which one of you lot is Hattie Jacques?
We need a wind of change, in fact a tournedos running through the club.We have a big stadium and need a topside to fillet. So if he doesn’t succeed Dick Law will get the chop. We would have to say sirloin Dick it’s been good to know you. Although it hasn’t particularly.
That must be Shaft in drag, dkg.
Some rib-ticklers in the punning dept. Not one I would chuck out.
Good Burgers of Highbury!
Whatever your beef with Mr Law, hoof-or better or worse is all we have, let’s wish him luck over the summer. If he can get some of those on football’s gravy train to see sense, he may yet be able to fatten our squad a little. It would certainly see his stock rise at the Emirates.
To save you some time, Mr Law, it’s already much too late to think about Steve Bull, Pir-low, CowPat Jennings, or Brian Hornsby.
For a right back though, maybe a trip to Fulham to check on El-moo-hamady.
Could we find a striker surplus to requirements at Bayern Munich in Thomas Moo-ler ?
Or even an addition to the coaching staff – a comeback for Glenn Rodeoer ?
So many possibilities. No doubt old Oxen Gooner will be in with a few ? 😉
Top round of puns, Trev. Only hope Oxen isn’t out with a calf injury.
NBN @234 I saw those two stories, and not having heard them before immediately thought they could be true but not wanting to mislead anybody let you point them out. 😉
And … Trev trmps the ace on the punfest.
Well done Trev. King o the puns!!
Mmmmn well done ….
Good stuff Trev:)
I was going to suggest we tried to sign Barry Venison but at the price quoted he was just very dear.
Some good punning from all concerned methinks. 😉
Apparently we are in for Rubin Kazan’s hotshot teenage Iranian striker, Sadar Azmoun, “the Iranian Messi”. Has all the hallmarks of a Wenger signing — young, obscure, talented (20 goals in 14 matches for Iran U-19 team), except for much of an injury record.
An Iranian striker, NBN ?
Do you think we’ll see him after games in The Aya-Tollie ? 😉
bath,
Yes, making decent progress thanks. Good and bad days, but overall on an upward curve.
Cheers, and the best to you too.
Morning holics from a sunny Big Apple! Please understand that I need a regular transfer targets update with my morning coffee/cigarette(s), so if you can’t do the needful then I will have to make them up! 🙂
First off: Not Benzema please! 🙂
Not so big a news day. Creating news could be the order of the day, Peter. Especially for the stats fans.
BANNER HEADLINE:
77% of footballers who earn more than 77,000 per week have seven or more mistresses, study shows
bt8b@254: Is 76% of that 77% Giroud all by himself? Gotta love that ‘interview’ with the HFB about Arsenal cracking under pressure in the big games. Only thing is the pic accompanying it should have been the hotel/french briefs pic from the night before the ManCity tonking (was it that game or the ‘Pool tonking at Anfield?) Still, got to hand it to the man, in spite of all the bitchin’ and moanin’ he stayed fit throughout the season! What would we have done if he had had an Arsenal ‘3 weeks out’??
Fabregas story ramping up agin damn! as long as every other needed position is filled first then go ahead I guess
Second made up story: Di Maria please!
Third: Any Germans out there?
WOW! If we can get an international keeper with 46 caps for free, Remy for £8mil, Aurier for around £8mil, Vela for £4mil and Cesc for £30 mil that would be some bang-tidy business. 5 players for £50 million quid, filling the squad out in defence and adding goals. Just need a set of stones to hold the midfield after that.
UTA
Wow, some prolific meat-based punning I see – knocking them out quicker than a butcher in a competition!
I’m too tired to join in, so see you all to-marrow.
Well most of it happened yesterday, Porco, so I suppose it was a real
bone-Friday punfest. 😉
I was at Lords today and met a friend who is well – connected at the club. He was fairly tight- lipped but I would not be surprised if Aurier and Remy are announced as signings before the World Cup .
It seems there is real intent to bring in some quality in the face of serious competition
Ttg. Thanks for clueing in the masses, old chap. 😉
bt8b,
You have to realise that absolutely everyone at a cricket match is completely pissed.
All the time. 😉
Good news about the ticket, ttg.
Trev
That’s absolutely true although I did speak to him at 10.30 when the game started,I was only slightly pissed then . Be interesting to see if he is right
Thoughts on today’s rumors reg. Cesc? Im torn honestly. On one side, its a position of the field, we really don’t need strengthening [or should be our last priority]. On the other hand, I don’t want to see him at a rival, you cannot have “too many world class players”, he’s a f**king bargain at 30 mil, Rozza is 34 soon , and with Cesc you always felt there was some unfinished business..
Ttg. A drink is on the bar for you, whether your information turns out to be right or not. 🙂
How is Loic Remy an upgrade over Giroud? Underwhelming to say the least.
Sajit@266: We are most likely not going to get an ‘upgrade’ over Giroud, we are going to get players that complement him and make the team collectively pose greater goalscoring threat.
By that I mean you won’t really find many players that do all the things that Giroud do and yet a faster and more clinical central striker: Zlatan on his good days, Cavani, Drogba of five years ago, who else?
Benzema, Illorente, Costa, Jackson Martinez, Higuain, Suarez all are better finishers in the penalty box, faster too, but there is no example or guarantee that they would be able to play as central a role — in terms not just of technique, but physicality, team ethics, work rate and attitude — in our formation as Giroud does. I would consider some of them to be complementing Giroud.
I am not that fond of Remy either. But Remy is fast and clinical, with okay link-up play can do a decent job as Giroud’s back-up but more importantly can play with him — either nominally on the wings cutting in or centrally in 4-4-2 — and use his pace and finishing abilities to good effect.
This is all my guess of course, but I think our big money signings would be in central midfield, most likely defensive, and a Reus-like goal-scoring forward/attacking midfielder.
If those are achieved, a squad of forward players in Giroud-Poldi-Theo–Ox-Remy-Gnabry-Vela/Campbell-Sanogo would have potency and variation both.
@267 — The forward line looks better when you add in the ‘assumed’ “Reus-like goal-scoring forward/attacking midfielder”.
Thanks Bt8b
A nice chilled Sauvignon is the order of the day!
More transfer rumours
Aurier – an Arsenal supporter met him and tweeted a photo with him and Aurier taken at the Ivory Coast v Bosnia game with a message stating that Aurier told him he’s coming to Arsenal. Remember, that I reported that Toulouse had accepted a bid for him week before last. Let’s not forget, the transfer window has not officially open here in the UK yet and Sagna was still an official Arsenal player up to yesterday.
Remy – how many times have we heard that terms have been agreed with a player, only to here otherwise? Well terms have supposedly been agreed. I’m sure it would not be too hard for us to agree terms with Remy. How do I feel? Well that’s an extra 15 goals to add to our 68 from last season. We still have another strikers spot available and the media speculate that it could either go to Vela or we could have an all French line up by adding Benzima to the list. Either way, that should be another 15-20 goals.
Cesc – against the wishes of the president of Barcelona, the media are adamant Cesc is still up for sale. This rumour bothers me the most, because we don’t need him but would not like to strengthen a rival. I say let’s just see how this one develops. Hopefully, there will be nothing to see. My guess though is that Barca may try a swap deal with Ozil, as they were sniffing around earlier this year. Bollocks to that, I say. But if it means another 15- 20 goals and we still but that others a keeper and another DM, the welcome back home, I say.
😆
That should have read *hear instead of here. Also buy the others, not but the others and for the record, I do not approve if a swap with Ozil. I meant in addition. Right I’m off to get the day going.
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