Progress Still Possible – If This Team Can Discover Consistency
Oct 1st, 2015 by 'holic
The aftermath of Tuesday night’s performance has generated quite a mixed reaction, not surprisingly. I wondered if a positive look at how we can recover from such a poor start to our Champions League might be an idea for tonight, but then realised that is likely to involve taking points off Bayern Munich, and what a reaction that suggestion would provoke right now.
Then I ventured onto Arsenal.com to see what was happening. The headline story is the 19th anniversary of Arsene becoming Arsenal manager, congratulations boss. Regardless of your current view it is impossible to deny that he gave us some incredible moments.
He grafted the talent of Vieira, Petit, Overmans, and Anelka onto the no small amount of quality he inherited and turned us back into double winners. He bought Thierry Henry and Bobby Pires. He replaced the legendary back five, signed the Tottenham captain on a free in the process, and delivered a second double and the Invincibles. After what are now being called the years of austerity following the stadium move his latest team finally landed the FA Cup not once, but twice.
With every bad defeat the clamour for a change gets louder. I understand that more than most would expect. The FA Cups, and the new money from sponsors and huge television deals, were viewed by many as a platform from which we should be able to launch serious assaults on the two major prizes on offer, the Premier and Champions Leagues.
It is mystifying that, having only improved the squad to the tune of one top-class goalkeeper in the summer, that said player has not been involved in our opening European fixtures. It is not a reason for some of the stuff I have seen written about him, but it is an open goal for people who question his judgement to attack. It’s no more than that though.
We are three points behind the current leaders of the Premier League and nobody will know more than Arsene that the outcome of Sunday’s meeting with them will be crucial. Last season we beat both Manchester clubs in their own back yard. Now it is time to show we have learned the lessons of those wins and can kick on and beat them at home too.
Whatever happens I have remained constant in my view over the last couple of years, when the money has been available, that as long as we are making progress then Arsene deserves the chance to take advantage of the money he didn’t have for so long. The Champions League campaign could not have got off to a worse start, but that Premier League challenge is still alive courtesy of Manchester City’s recent stumbles.
It’s time the players Arsene has spoken so highly of started to consistently deliver for him as a team. Occasional brilliance is not enough. They need to start turning the losses into draws and the draws into wins. They need to start justifying the faith and loyalty he has shown them. If we are to achieve the ambitions the club claims for competing with the best then it is time to demonstrate, on and off the pitch, that we can make that leap from being just a cup team again.
With that it is time to turn our thoughts to other things ahead of the visit of United.
Amputee Football – The Arsenal London Amps
Staying with the official site I turned to page 2 of the news section to find a good news story that may have been overlooked in the wake of the Olympiacos defeat. Petr Cech, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey paid a recent visit to an amputee football session at the Arsenal Hub – Home of Arsenal in the Community.
I have had some experience of assisting at a golf tournament for amputees and disabled players. It is very humbling let me assure you. Few sportsmen show such determination to not just play sport for fun, but to genuinely improve and compete. That Arsenal are involved in providing another sporting outlet for amputees is quite rightly a matter of some pride for the Arsenal in the Community staff.
Good on the three players for getting involved for a day too.
179 Responses to “Progress Still Possible – If This Team Can Discover Consistency”
Early preview to boot. You’re early on everything these days ‘keep 😉
Looks like Arsene got the hairdrier blowing hard yesterday. Hopefully it’ll work as well as for Rednose.
A win would do use a world of good but I’ll take a draw if that’s what’s on the menu.
2-0 for us, Cech knows how to deal with the manx.
About time we showed some of the emotion and dedication these guys have had to come up with to get where they are today.
An admirable idea, Holic,
have to admit frustration is still winning out over positivity for me at the moment. I’ll get there before Sunday though. 😉
Unfortunately due to the manager/club’s failure to add to the outfield playing squad, every loss and bad result/performance is amunition against Mr W.
He has made a rod for his own back, a rod that should have been avoided. Signing players and strengthening the squad, using the financial resources at your disposal is as key a facet of the job as coaching and picking the starting 11.
He fucked up, big style and the piss poor games and losses only magnify that failure.
The funny thing is, we might be crap in Europe this season, but we could win the PL! Not because we are that good, but because the other teams aint anything speacial either!
I’ll be at the game Sunday, expecting a positive reaction and 3 points off the mancs.
UTA!
Good stuff ‘H.
We’re due, nay overdue, to beat them.
Here’s to a positive reaction and at least something to nil.
I wouldn’t mind 7-6 Dr z 🙂
(My heart may object however!)
Nice one, sir. Plus good publicity for good deeds by the club.
I’ll take any kind of Arsenal victory whatsoever. It feels so long since we sorted them out at our place. Last season’s aberration must not be allowed to happen. I’m looking to Rambo to take the game by the scruff and run it.
COYG
I went to an amputee match fairly recently and the standard was unbelievable.
Good on Pet, Theo and Rambo. And if it makes them take better care of their own legs it will have been a doubly worthwhile experience for them.
Öskar
Congrats to you, Trev, for resisting further temptation in the last drinks. 😉 And good to hear of your daughter’s recovery. Is she your only child? I have just one, also a daughter, and know exactly how it feels when illness threatens. Or the wrong kind of boyfriend for that matter…
Öskar
Yes indeed – nice write up Holic and good to remind people of the more positive things the club has done – as you say yourself “Guns out” !
I’m with Bath – any type of victory at all. Thing is, we never seem to have a problem showing up for the big ties these past few years – its the ones where we expect to roll over the opposition that seems to cause us problems, those and the games that Mike Dean referees of course. I was at this tie last season and spent the night afterwards with Tabs & Snowy in the Tollie wondering how we managed to loose? Its a test and one I hope we manage to pass this time. Manu are poor and while we have been far from efficient, if we turn up – we’re more than capable of getting a result. But as usual, it depends on which Arsenal turn up? I will be watching from behind the couch, between the crevices of my fingers, hoping that Anthony Taylor does his job and doesn’t interfere with the game!
Wenger has been at Arsenal for nearly 20 years.Most top teams and indeed all teams have sacked /changed managers within a 2/3/5 year time frame due to underachievement or poor results or not winning games and trophies.
By the law of averages he shd have been fired five years ago.
If Arsenal do get ejected from the cl,he can vindicate himsef by winning the epl.The only way is to do is beat the top teams.IF not time’s up for him.
If the team can discover consistency.Consistency begins and ends with Wenger and nobody else.Take it from me he will lose if he continue his game of accent on possession and endless passing.
Mot teams know how the gunners like to play.The problem is they are very good if given time and space.
The thing is when they are hounded when in possession that’s the danger sign for the other team to hit on the counter.
You are only as good if the other side allows you to play your style.However if they play park the bus,Wenger and Arsenal have a problem which to this day he is unable to solve or come to terms.
He cuts a dejected figure castigating the other team for negative soccer. Who cares as
long as you win.
Let him play his type of pretty and endless passing somewhere in the mts.
Excellent piece H. I’ve always believed that Arsene deserves the chance to build another title winning side. It becomes tough to defend that though when the club fails to strengthen obvious areas of weakness, with no real justification. Here’s hoping that changes although at the moment I won’t hold my breath.
Nice report re the amputee football. Always puts a lot into perspective.
@Steve: not sure you had the time to read my last comment before the page was turned, I thought you might like to entertain the idea so I’m reposting it.
I fully accept that Kroenke couldn’t care less about soccer. Doesn’t look like a cash cow (and I don’t think he needs it either) more like a long-term investment. He’s confident his investment will flourish under the current management and doesn’t interfere much if at all.
On the other hand Arsene is a born competitor nearing the end of his career and I’ll bet my first born he has a massive hunger to cement his legacy. It’s not possible to count on the CL for that, too many imponderables and the circumstances are unfavourable to english clubs at the moment with a much more competitive league, more games and refereeing more physically permissive than on the continent. Now I’m sure Arsene’s eyeing the league and maybe even more so the century old record of 3 FA cups in row.
Do we have the team to do it? Does he believe we do?
By all accounts we were missing 2 pieces of the jigsaw in the summer: a striker and a DM. Since Theo was bought Arsene has touted him as a striker. He believes in it and that’s obviously his plan for the season. Some may not see it and the jury is still out after a promising first month with a goal per game average. And no other striker moving around in the summer has done better so far. Time will tell. I’m a believer so I’m inclined to think it is the right decision and Giroud is a very decent backup. You may not agree to it but at the very least it’s an understandable decision by Arsene who’s done it before.
As for the DM it’s more puzzling. We tried to flog Flamini to Turkey in July but the rumours went full stop in August, which is when we knew it wasn’t going to happen. We didn’t move for Kondogbia (who’s struggling to adapt at Inter btw) nor Schneiderlin (not a DM) nor anyone else and we’re left with Flamteta as cover. I see it too ways. It could be due to the same thriftiness/incompetency/short-sightedness (however you see it) of a few seasons ago, theory which leaves fans bemused since all signs were pointing that we were past it. It’s a distinct possibility that can’t be discarded off-hand, it has happened before.
There’s another theory I’ve been contemplating. There’s a young DM who’s head and shoulders above the rest, who won the player of the tournament award at the under-21 euro and was available to boot until he broke is leg at the end of July, just when the Flamini rumours died. The perfect match that fate made unattainable this summer. If that’s the case and he is our earmarked DM candidate then it makes sense to bet on Flamteta until the player can be bought in the winter window. From my perspective if we get William Carvalho this winter it will all makes sense and all will be forgiven.
Believe what you want ?
Nice feature on the Community side of things, ‘olic.
Volunteering for a great cause and witnessing the human spirit at work goes a LONG way to restore faith in humanity and also goes to distract a bit from the shambles that was Tuesday night.
We might be shit on the pitch but at least we’re not too bad outside of it.
Oh, and great preview as well.
A round of drams to whoever wants them.
Morning,
So Sunday, must be the most important game of our season.
Right?
Morning Matt.
As always, a thoughtful and learned contribution. I have always enjoyed reading your thoughts, even if I don’t agree sometimes.
Stan is only interested in money. Short term or long term, it’s money. This is an investment and I’m not sure he gives a monkeys about trophies.
I think we are a minimum of 3 players short. I would add a centre back to your list.
Have a re read of the post above. Look at the names quoted. All top quality players who Arsene brought to the club. All dare I say, head and shoulders above what we have now. That fit me has been a problem for many a year now. How many world class or top drawer players do we actually have? I would suggest very few. We have a lot of what I would call second tier players. Good players, internationals, but not top class.
You made a point in the last drinks about the levels of the likes of Zargeb and Olympiakos. The point you made was that they were better organised and had better players these days. You may well be right but I know I’m not the only only who would have expected a club like Arsenal to take four points as an absolute minimum from those games. If you want further evidence as to their quality just check out what Bayern did to them.
For me we don’t just lack quality. We don’t have the right balance and we don’t have leaders. Having got back into the game on Tuesday night, at 2-2, who took control? No one. As a result we are behind again seconds later.
You make some great points re Arsene. I’m sure he does have the hunger. I’m sure he does want to win things, especially the league. What I’m not sure about anymore is if he has the ability to win the league again.
Times have changed. Football has changed. Not all for the better I would hasten to add. We live in times where money is more dominant than it has ever been. You only need to look at the oil clubs for that. FFP has never really helped to stem the money spent for reasons raised many times before.
So, where does that leave us? There was great debate about our dealings in the summer. I listened to all of the arguments. I never ever agreed with those who felt there was no one available who would have strengthened the squad. I’m guessing a few more think that way too now. For me, we have lacked a top quality striker since RVP left. I like Giroud. Always have done. Theo up front is more out of desperation for me. Theo can be hot and cold as we all know but I have always liked him as a player too. I don’t think he has ever become the player that some had expected when we signed him, but he is one of a very few we have that can actually change a game. Theo is 26 now. I have no doubts that he can play up front. However, if this really was to be his natural position then I think we should have found that out 4/5 years ago.
Something else I have said for a few years now is that the Premier League is not the same standard that it was. You only have to look at how the English teams have done in Europe over recent years to see that.
So, where does that leave us? Well, treading water I would suggest. We have sort of stagnated for a few years now. Years back it was blamed on the money, stadium etc. But now we don’t have that excuse. So, when people say that we did not buy in the summer because there was no one suitable ask yourself why? Is it really that there was no one suitable? Or is it that we just didn’t look hard enough? Arsene’s comments on Martial recently were interesting. He was asked about Martial and said something like we had been tracking him for ages but that he didn’t think Monaco would sell. So, whilst the hunger to win the title might still be there, does Arsene still have the ability to assemble a squad capable of doing the job?
People may think that my assessment of the current squad may be a little unfair. Before you judge just ask yourself one question. If all of the first team squad were at other clubs and available to transfer, how many would you want us to be bidding for?
At the moment, the squad is what it is. Like everyone, I’m hoping for 3 points on Sunday. Am I confident? No, not really. Like others have suggested, it may be down to which Arsenal team actually turns up on the day. Our predictable unpredictability remains one of our main strengths.
Thanks Maestro. That’s the stuff we all keep coming back for!
The last line of the video from Theo:
“That’s what football is- it brings people together and it makes people happy.”
Amen.
Happy Friday to all Holics everywhere, and to yourself Boss.
Sunday is quite possibly our most important game of the season. I would just like to say in advanced…
…that bloody ref!
🙂
Morning H,
If the footballing juices cannot be stirred by the prospect of the red Mancs rolling into town, sitting top of the table, with us three points behind, then we might as well all give it up.
I would not say I have never seen a poor AFCvMUFC game, although top of my head I can’t think of any.
I see fear and trepidation among the normally resolute?
I remember 2008 when we went into the game with a side ravaged by injury, Bendy playing on his own up front, Silvestere in the centre of defence and Denilson in our midfield, and Almunia between the sticks. Howard Webb was the ref, SAF’s lost son.
I admit it, I was edgy. And what happened you ask?
We hammered ’em.
And so it was, so it shall be.
Morning all,
Jusr re-reading. To be clear, it was the Arsenal positivity I was struggling with earlier – not the disability section, which the club seems to do so well.
19 years of the great man and sadly most of such occasions are marred by doubts about him than admiration. It is no coincidence that his 1000th game, his anniversaries at the club etc always seem to fall when things are not going well . I do hope that sunday offers a better reception for the great man who has done absolutely everything to make our club better, he in fact has made our club better.
Arsenal havent beaten united in the league in donkey years. The last was 2011 right, the ramsey goal in that 1-0. It is sick to read that we just do not seem to know how to beat the mancs or the chavs. Both who i genuinely feel are not as good as we are.
Sunday offers another chance to rectify and put the season back on track. A win will make us close to the top and a huge lift, a loss or even a draw will be another deluge of abuse and doubts. Please i do not care how we win, we should win.
Play the best 11, which would mean Theo upfront, ramsey wide, santi and coq cm, Ozil and Sanchez to complete the attack. Gabriel and Per worry me against the nimble footed Depay and Martial along with Mata.
Mesut needs a big game, these are games he needs to stamp his class and for that he needs to understand that opponents wont give him time or space, he needs to create it himself. Alexis is the one player we all know will give his all, Alexis a couple of goals will help too pleas.
Come on Arsenal, we are not as bad as the world is making us out to be. prove them wrong.
Play the best 11, which would mean Theo upfront, ramsey wide, santi and coq cm, Ozil and Sanchez to complete the attack.
I think the best team we have, if all are on form, is Theo wide and Giroud up top. Sadly Giroud is in terrible form and has been for almost a year.
I have just seen Wengers press conference.
While there may obviously be some obligation to give and attend press conferences from a PR perspective, I’m beginning to seriously wonder if there’s really any point anymore? All it has become is an opportunity for toe-rag journalists to bait the manager about his team selection, Mourinho, or any other hot topic that might incite some sensationalist tabloid headline. Wenger is far too classy for this lot. I believe in freedom of the press etc in much the same way that I believe he has a right to abstain from attending if Journalists don’t behave themselves. Some of the questions he was asked begged belief.
I agree Joe but was sorry to see him looking more careworn and agitated than he has in a long time. Hopefully it was just despair at the stupidity of the hacks he had to put up with.
I agree Cynic, ideally it should be Theo wide and Giroud upfront, alas not the case for both reasons, one you mentioned about Giroud and two, Theo is scoring most games.
Indeed Bath – I thought the same more so in the aftermath of the Olympiacos game where I felt his answers, body language and confidence all looked a little brittle. If only his players would stand up for him a little more and justify the trust he places in them. Maybe thats the problem!
Dr. Carneiro not asked to testify but Mourinho exonerated.
What a SHAM, a FARCE, and DISCONCERN FOR JUSTICE
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34427786.
I am sure the Portuguese have a word for it Bt8 🙂
Just watching Wenger’s performance in his presser today. Not impressive.
Re: scruzgooner in the last drinks, I saw your prediction that the game would be replayed later on an obscure Spanish language channel but somehow after reading about the result I couldn’t bother myself to look to see if your prediction came true. 🙁
My posts keep disappearing and then re-appearing
🙂
Good job the preview is being written tomorrow. The Guinni are evaporating quickly tonight. 🙂 I may be a wreck later!
Guinni. Isn’t that an ancient coin sometimes found in recovered Spanish treasure galleons? 😉
In the same week as we are destroyed by Olympiacos at home even the Spuds manage to escape Monaco, albeit without Martial, with a 1-1 draw. What indignity. Please don’t tempt me with all that Guinni talk maestro. Over here the sun is barely over the yard arm. At least in 20 minutes it will be p.m. so I can justify it on those grounds. 🙂
The force is strong tonight! 😉
Been trying to practice the old visualization trick of “seeing” positive things happen in my head over and over to get the positive energy flowing. Must not be very good at it because I can’t get visions of Martial scoring against us out of my head. 🙁
May the force be with you young man. 🙂
Okay, so props to AW for mixing it up during the press conf.
Frankly, I found the questions boarder line entrapment and largely irrelevant because half of those journos there showed up just to trip him up, few questions about the upcoming fixture. AW keep it up and gave as good as he got. I have to admit, and it is easy to forget with all the frustration and eff ups in results, but I like the way AW rolls.
homer
absolutely
everybody has to engage
in life or work
with retarded spanners
at one time or another
not many of us
face the mountain of noisy voiced twats
Arsene HAS to
i think he has been exemplary
in dealing with red top knuckle draggin hacks
over the years
bt8 @29.
What a measured response. I’ll go further…
I think the FA as a body is sickening. The entity that is responsible for football in this country is peddling bigotted, sexist rulings and calling it justice. They don’t even bother to do the things that might provide a smokescreen of due process, like, oh I don’t know, collect evidence. What ‘evidence’ they do collect, and indeed the ‘experts’ who provide it, is factually disputed on all sides and they don’t give a toss.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Absolutely bloody no-one, that’s who.
Its disgraceful. As usual.
When we lost mid-week I was very unhappy about it but I was not anywhere near as disgusted as I am by this whole affair. Like the video above, this sort of thing puts matchday results in perspective for me.
If this is how football responds to this sort of behavior then what the hell is our game worth?
cba – my brother used to be a mechanic. On his first day at work, he was pranked in the usual style when the boss sent him out to fetch some retarded spanners.
He returned with the entire Tottenham squad.
This may or may not be true.
gsd
disgust is valid
but
c’mon
dunno bout others
as far as i’m concerned
barring a total bizarrio shite fuck at the club
i will always be a gooner
mind you
if Arsene said he hates paddy gooners
i might have to like him even more 🙂
COME ON YOU REDS
cba.
Clive has recently touched on lifestyle changes as they relate to health. I underwent that process myself a few years ago. Went from working 80 hours a week and spending as much of the rest of the time drinking as was possible (and I used to be seriously good at that game- even for a chef) to working a measly 50 hours and going to the gym 5 times a week. And none of this pissing about with bicep curls and then staring at myself in the mirror. I was the sweaty mess reeling away from the squat rack.
That was just the start. Physical changes made me realise how much change was possible and how little I wanted to spend the next forty-odd years as the man I was. These days I’m almost unrecogniseable to the man I used to be. And it is ongoing. About 6 weeks ago I went teetotal! Moreover, I bloody love it!
So my tone lately reflects changes in me as much as it does football. I’m simply not prepared to put up with this stuff anymore. No reason why anyone else should feel the same. The ‘me’ of a few years back would have thought of me now as being a silly man. Although he would have used different words. Probably loudly to my face.
I’m not going to keep banging a drum. No-one needs that. But stuff like this Dr. Eva thing is pretty crappy however you slice it.
Someone asked me yesterday what my back tattoo means. I said that, literally translated, it means ‘Victory grows out of harmony’. That was all I said. But it says it all.
For the record, no matter how disillusioned I am with football, I will, like us all, always be a gooner.
Come on you rip-roaring…
ahh shut up ya tart
have a fig roll
😉
Teetotal?!
What’s the world coming to?
Some stuff gets into you so deep it won’t run out. And, as I hope I have made clear before, my issues are with football not with Arsenal. It’s just that I can’t have Arsenal without football and I can’t accept the moral cost of football any more.
Anyhoo, I got on the tube yesterday and was about to sit down next to young lady in a tracksuit- I guess she was about 20.
Then I saw the logo and the words ‘Spurs Ladies’ on her top. I kept moving and found another seat.
They’ll always be the enemy.
Cheers cba. That made me chuckle.
Even more so as, as a special favour to my old dear, I spent about 4 hours today making a fig tart. Coincidence? Or do you know more than you let on…
decent fella gsd
fair play to ye
Cheers again cba. I can still buy booze and there’s one on the bar for you.
Not sure about this fair play idea though. It’ll never catch on. Wink.
Anyone know if nurse abb is okay?
I sure miss her dulcet keystrokes…
cynic
IT’S TRUE!!!!!!!!
🙂
Cynic.
Make sure he never tells a Spuds manager how he got them all to do what he wanted. Sounds harder than herding cats.
Noooooo, it is not true!
We will never die!
Damn you spiderman!
i was herded by dogs
they were
just outta the pen
still hyped up
herding cattle
close quarters
buzzzzzed
they went fer me legs
cant imagine what its like
for the dogs though
they get right in among the cattle
and nip or nearly their legs
cows are feckin huge
mind you
no sympathy
the wee cunts
relentless thumpin off me to get them off me
and
fuck off any animal welfare sorts
if you drink milk
that cow whence it came
was knocked up
and its newborn is wrenched from it
and it produces milk
heartbroken
for yer expensive cereals
anyhoo
blaaaaaaahhhhhhh
🙂
Steve T @ 18, you started off writing that our squad is 3 players short which means for a squad of 25 players you agree with 88% of our squad. Yet strangely in the rest of your post you go on to slate the entire squad. Also your argument of us having stagnated in the last few years really baffles me. If we are buying players like Sanchez & Ozil from Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, the two undisputed biggest clubs in the world – how on earth does that count as stagnation?? Also if you haven’t noticed in the last couple of years, none of our better players have been bought off by any of our rivals or other big clubs in Europe. Infact we haven’t sold any players that we do not want to sell. That is in sharp contrast to three years ago when we couldn’t prevent such sales even if we wanted to.
And is winning back to back FA cups stagnation? If it is then apart from the two teams which won the league in the past two seasons,all other teams in the premier league would vie for that ‘stagnation’…And who were those teams that won the league in the last two seasons? Surprise surprise… Manchester City and Chelsea. Two teams whose spending habits we would never be matching and neither should we. So I don’t think we have stagnated at all in the past two seasons. In fact we have progressed and progressed substantially.
I also share your frustration regarding us not signing that defensive midfielder in the summer. I don’t have the same grouse about the striker because clearly no great ones were available in the market. You pointed out Arsene’s comments about him perceiving that Martial wasn’t available and went on to raise doubts about Arsene’s ability to assemble a title winning squad. Don’t you think that the kind of money United threw on the table turned that deal? Or do you think it is a reflection of LVG’s ability to assemble a title winning squad? For a man who made it every year to the top four with players like Denilson, Song, Eboue, Bendtner, Clichy etc,, even making the semi final of the champions league with a team that had an 18 year old kieran gibbs at left back – I certainly believe that he can challenge for the league with this much improved squad.
The invincibles and even the earlier double winning squads of Arsene had a good balance of Silk and Steel. Ever since the dismantling of the invincibles, we have been tilting heavily on the silky side. Arsene has been looking for that tall strong central defensive midfielder for three seasons now. Matt alluded to William Carvalho earlier and I think he could well be spot on with that one. We can only wait and watch now.
Also Steve T you posed a question to Matt that if all our first team were at other clubs and on the market, how many would he sign? Interesting question and I don’t know about Matt but I would sign the following – Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott, Welbeck(yeah I think he will become a very potent striker and I think we are miss missing him a lot right now), Rosicky (what a player to have as a reserve midfielder), Chambers ( there is fantastic centre half developing in him) and Jeff Reine Adelaide (every team has a future talent)…
Well a lot of them made it!! I ofcourse like the potential of this squad. I hope they fulfill that potential starting this Sunday.
I like dogs.
Not service dogs.
and
by the way
those two be-bearded belfast herberts
from the posh cornflake shop
that
posh auntie gentrification herberts
threw stuff at
in no way reflect the normal people of belfast
🙂
🙂
odds are
the double-barrelled anarcho-herberts
i’m sure had someone actually called herbert
in their expensive balaclava’d ranks
Cheers GSD. Not easy to make those changes and I salute anyone who has the mental strength to do it.
But, personally, the tea I can live without. Guinness, well, thats another story! 🙂
Our top 5 competitors have all spent upwards of 300M pounds in the last few years and there’s only 2-3 players in each of their squads I would add to ours:
Chelsea: Courtois, Hazard, Costa
United: De Gea, Mata (Schweinsteiger too old)
City: Aguero, Toure, Kompany (the good season version of him)
Liverpool: Coutinho, Sturridge (good fit, he’s always crocked)
I don’t think anyone of them has a significantly better team than us aside from DM backup. At this point mental and resolve is everything (which Chelsea’s slump illustrates).
Also this is the strongest league I can remember. With the advent of telemetric football stats providers every single club as access to the same scouting network and tactics guru equivalents. No game is granted, it’s going to be dog eat dog until the end. And when the TV rights jackpot kicks in next year the poorest club in the league will have a budget bigger than anyone in Europe bar 7-8 clubs. Hopefully a champion outside the top 4 will become a distinct possibility again. Like Steve I have qualms about the evolution of football but I love the leveling up.
I really believe we’re consistently on the up and we’re likely to win silverware again this season, be it the league or the century-old triple FA cup crown otherwise I wouldn’t be here. We may likely loose more game than we’re used to but so will our competitors. It’s the relative position that matters at the end.
Are you saying that the normal people of Belfast are dedicated breakfast fry-up noshers, cba?
Anyone who pays £3+ for a bowl of cereal deserves to lose all of the too much money they have in a terrible accident involving a hungry chihuahua pack and an open bank vault.
You can get 24 ‘breakfast biscuits’ for £1.90 ffs, and that’s WAITROSE own brand Weetabix. So it’s not even as if the snobby lot have to slum it to get a cheap nosh.
I realise I’ve left the door open for cheap nosh crudity but please refrain.
😉
I’m worried about Wenger. He looks terrible at the moment. We know he has marital issues which are entirely his own business but which may be an added stress for him but he looks more raddled than I have ever seen him. He has huge powers of recovery and reinvention but we owe the man too much to end up making him ill. I hope the Board show him the level of concern and care he deserves and I hope the Arsenal fan base realise, frustrating as he can be, how privileged we have been to have him in charge. I want his end at the club to be peaceful and triumphant but endings in football so rarely are.
On a churlish note to Desi’gner Gooner who writes much sense- sorry I don’t see the centre back in Chambers. I see the deputy right back after Debuchy is sold in the January window
belfast
interesting place cynic
rumours of peace breaking out there
still greatly exaggerated
one fart sniffed on the wrong breeze
good night irene
never fuckin liked the place
they talk funny
TTG, interesting point on how haggard AW looks.
I was just wondering that the other day but thought, nah … maybe its me. But you are absolutely right. He is after all a human being. The man has been wonderful for the club and after all the frustration, piss ‘n’ vinegar of the modern fanbase dies down, one hopes that everything good he’s done does not get lost. Hopes ….
I’ll have a hard fought 3-1 to the good guys tomorrow. Manu’s defense is wodbbly. More so that ours! Sanchez, Feo, and … wait for it … Ozil – with a Pirloesque free kick.
Cheers all.
“wodbblly.”
a non-word word worthy of cba himself.
not surprising
that
angry dark-clothed
ultra lefty
deffo poshy
balaclava’d sorts
didnt trouble the ferry over here, cynic
late 60s
a few
but
not great marches of them about injustice
after
mmmmmm
.
silly venison sausages
Thanks GSD. Abb is making the odd appearance on Twitter and is as remarkable as ever.
me ?
what are you trying to incinerate, homer?
howdy ‘hol
hope alls well chez you
apologies for ebullience
strange day
drunker than drank
cba
holic bard in residence
’tis a pleasure
tae see yee again
here’s hopin’
yee
and yers
are blooming’
in this
indian
summer.
Slainte chiel.
*raises a glass o’ the cratur*
regrets the extra ‘, due to spellchecker imposing a g
Cheers H.
You know I’m not a tweeter but if you get a chance please let her know she is missed here. By many more than just me, of course.
‘Remarkable’ is an excellent choice of word- you’ve got a way with them you know. Ever think of doing anything with that? Wink.
slainte big man
always a pleasure
to say a howdy
top o’ the range
top man
Thanks Homer. A cold one coming your way.
In my teens there was nothing better for my first meal of the day, at about 3pm, than a (nearly) pint of Guinness (damned cans aren’t quite big enough) next to a pint of full fat milk. Both in Guinness glasses. There is something movingly beautiful about the two opposite colour pints sitting side-by-side, staring each other down in a battle to be creamiest. And by the time you’ve done both of them you are pretty full. And, of course, ready for another Guinness…
And I watched some of Wenger’s presser and agree totally with your 39. I like the way Arsene rolls… Great line.
jeez gsd
ya fuckin posh cunt
no teenage years here
we’re born
go balder
and die
show off shite!
(the above only for comic purposes)
(i have a fantastic head o’ hair)
can’t see me
keepy uppying til the ton
wi my back
an these feet
😉
You think I was posh then cba. These days my milk is organic. And my Guiness is being drunk by Homer!
And as for my head of hair. Fantastic doesn’t come close.
oi
lurkers
keepy uppys
‘holic
yer devotees
are sloppppy devottees
(lumpy hansen accent)
lurky keepy uppy shy shitehawks
i only get a tenner
for each drink
hardly worth it
even
if
i
do
a
droopy
one
yeah
etc
wheres me pay rise ‘holic
tut tut
*takes it off cba and smashes it onto the crossbar*
*adjusts position deftly and nods the rebound nonchalantly back towards an amazed cba’s instep*
*looks around smugly and cups hand to ear, soaking up the applause*
i say
i say
“tut”
i say , i say
“tut tut”
*scratches hole*
Firstly,hats off to GSD for his lifestyle change.
Never easy to do when you are so used to one way of life for so long,to then have the mental strength to draw a line in the sand and change the habits of a lifetime.
More power to your elbow.
On matters football,
Was not overly impressed with the Greeks midweek,thought we lost it rather than they were better than us.
if we had converted our early chances the game would have been over,but like Monaco last season,we were profligate,and paid the price.
I must admit to not being able to generate much enthusiasm for the CL,the whole concept of the tournament really has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.
With multiple qualifying rounds,then long drawn out Group stages,most of which are a waste of time,the whole shebang is getting very boring.
What was an elite Cup Competition for the winners of the league title,has morphed into a glorified wank fest that has significantly increased the workload of players to the point that they are being asked to run the equivalent of a mini marathon every 3-4 days,week in week out.
No wonder they are dropping like flies.!!
I’d love to know how many of the current list of injured players at the clubs playing in Europe,are down purely to muscular injuries,rather than injuries from poor/bad tackles.
Take Arteta/Flamini as examples,both out with muscle injuries,caused not because they weren’t physically fit,but because they were not
‘ Match fit ‘ which is a significant difference.
Flamini played his first full game of any note this season against Spurs,and 4 days later starts the game at Leicester,surprise surprise,hamstring goes after 20 minutes,Arteta comes on as a replacement,having made a few cameo sub appearances,but again surprise surprise,picks up a muscular injury,and is back on the casualty list.
Too much football is killing the level of quality on the pitch.
The old adage was never truer.
” Less Is More “
TTG,
AW does indeed look worn. The other issue that worried me after Olympiacos was rhe Cech ‘injury’.
Having told the journos that Cech had had a small problem before the Leicester game – so why didn’t Ospina play then ? – and he, AW, knew things others didn’t, Cech then said publicly that he had declared himself fit for Olympiacos.
Public contradiction doesn’t seem a great thing in the circumstances……
Not so much a lifestyle as a physical change for me –
I had decided, after some thought, not to get a new brain – but then I changed my mind. 😉
am in the big smoke
at the minute
dunno
can’t be fuckin doin with it
misappropriation
skinhead
tattoos
big beard
.
ridiculous sheep
each on their own
dead on
all together
usually the opposite cliche
of their composite parts
jeez i’m glad i live in the countryside
feckin feck
Smalling is amazingly emerging as a very good player, much better than Phil Jones and better than Cahill and Jagielka. He and Stones are the two best centre backs England has at present. AW saw the potential in him but copped a load of abuse when we were linked with him.
Sunday worries me but should the best version of Arsenal turn up we could win easily. But several other versions are available as well and some of them are pretty excruciating.
That followed an episode last night when I couldn’t remember how to throw my boomerang properly – but it eventually came back to me 😉
*is tom cruise gonna jump up on oprah’s chair*
envangelizing can sound a wee bit evangelizey at times
off out to change my life!
ton ?
pfffffftttttttt
Cheers Clive.
I agree completely about CL. It is pretty dull stuff.
I do have a ticket for Bayern though and I hope that is a game that goes against the grain.
The last European game I saw was last year’s Anderlecht debacle. It comes to something when the best thing about a game is the opposition fans, who were really excellent. The only time the Gooners made any noise was after our goals, giving it all the big’un with a minute of ‘who are yous’. It was hard not to feel they deserved their chants of ‘We are Anderlecht’ after they got the equaliser. There was no response from our lot. But half had left by then. And the three thousand Anderlecht fans were louder anyway.
No more of that against the Big Bad Bayern please. I’m looking forwards to a cracking night. A big result against a giant club with everyone pulling in the same direction after two steadying results on the back of excellent performances have left us top of the league.
First step is doing Manure. It has been too long and would give us all a much needed boost. Bring ’em on.
You in Dub, cba?
That place is on my bucket list and the offers to stay would make a tour of the pleasant green very inexpensive (I know Joe!).
If it weren’t so far from the Arsenal I would be tempted to move there with the price of property as it is.
Clive, spot on re GSD. A proper young gentleman.
Soft as shite, me. 🙂
slowly i turn
step
by
I really like Gary Neville as a pundit, even more so compared to the rest of the lot. He has an interesting take on Sunday’s game which has been echoed here these past few days: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11907814/Arsenal-need-to-make-one-big-change-to-win-the-Premier-League.html
I’m in full agreement with Clive with everything.
Also massive congrats to GSD. I have been transitioning to a healthier lifestyle in the last few years as well, curbed alcohol to once a week (if that), hit the gym 4-5 times a week. I still struggle with smoking big time, I’ve quit for 9-10 months every year for the last 3 years but I stumble every year as well. I’ll get there eventually but I’m currently relapsing again. Arsenal rollercoster’s not helping, I blame Arsene.
step
🙂
Matt@62.
A few choices I would disagree with but only one worth mentioning. Costa?
As in Diego Costa? You’d have him? To do what with?
I’m hoping this is part of some larger plan that I’m not seeing. Some sort of game-changing court case that allows clubs to tie players up in litigation for years at a time, whilst they are under ongoing suspension from both playing and being paid? Completely scuppering their entire career as a footballer (if indeed Costa can be called that). A kind of reverse-Bosman? You can count me in if that is the plan.
Starbucks have laws of their own. Why not a Costa law?
‘hol
not ‘lived’ in dublin fer a coupla years now
but
if ye want to visit dear old eireann
theres a welcome mat always out
in donegal derry or belfast
Matt.
Well-in! And congrats yourself. I have been aware from previous posts of your efforts and I’m glad that they are paying off.
I quit smoking over seven years ago. Completely cold turkey on one specific day and I have not had so much as a single pull since. Everyone ex-smoker has their tuppence on this topic. So here goes…
Put a date on when you will quit smoking. Next Easter day, for example. Then accept that until then you are not done with the fags or ready to give them up. Until that day comes smoke as much as you want. Do not worry about how many you have and try not to feel guilty. ENJOY THEM! You wouldn’t smoke if you didn’t like it- so allow yourself to enjoy it without feeling guilty. It ruins the pleasure. Have six months (or whatever- I was younger and gave myself a full year run-up) to make your peace with the fags. I reckon you need to make peace with them before you can say goodbye and I don’t think that happens if you spend your smoking time feeling bad about yourself because you are smoking.
You are smoking now. One day you won’t be. Fine. No judgment. Just accept it as part of you for now but a part that won’t be there forever. Enjoy them while they’re here, prepare to enjoy their absence when they’re gone. Like when the spuds turn up at our place to take their beatings.
And every night before you sleep say to yourself, just once a night, the phrase- ‘I am willing to change’.
I’ve never read any article about quitting that says anything like this. But I haven’t read many as most of that stuff doesn’t work for a lot of people. It never helped me. If none of this works for you you have lost nothing. At least you might enjoy the fags you do smoke a bit more. Nothing wrong with that.
They were GSD’s tips on giving up smoking. 😉
Surprised they got past Holic’s filter ……
And thanks for all the kind ones.
I obviously give a sense of who I am in the way I post but I don’t usually get too specific. Generally I value my privacy very highly. Especially in these times when I see so many valuing theirs less and less. The wonderful and supportive people in this ‘ere bar persuaded me to share a little more and the response has touched me.
Best bar in the world. Top Landlord. Top regulars. You’re all stars.
I have left real drinks on the bar for everyone. If someone could just pass me my orange juice?
Cheers!
I go out for five minutes and the drinks pile up. Swines.
Sorry for rudeness of not replying, cba, I was stuffing my face on a sharing bag of those little jelly-like things covered in hard bits of sweet stuff, that you get in Liquorice Allsorts.
Obviously no sharing was allowed to take place.
As fatty no mates is me.
God bless us every one.
And if he won’t even do that, bollocks to him.
*gets smote*
Off to bed.
They worked for me Trev. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
cracker 🙂
cynic
know the ones
blue or pink
head and fuckin shoulders
above their coconut compadres
GSD: Thanks a lot. Quitting smoking is overdue, it’s only been a few weeks I’m back at it and I already feel the urge to quit. Staying quit is another matter, I have a healthy lifestyle where I live nowadays so that’s pretty easy. Now once I go back to my country in the summer my friends still drink, smoke and party like decades ago (I’m probably a catalyst) and the combination is what gets me. Anyway that won’t deter me to follow your advice in the coming days 😉
And I won’t argue about Costa, the list was quickly made to illustrate my point and I’ve not given much thought about it really. He is disgusting as a player although perhaps we could use 10% of his nastiness at times but that’s about it.
Interesting and a bit surprising to be honest that the odds are so much on our side, almost 2 to 1: http://www.betexplorer.com/soccer/england/premier-league/arsenal-manchester-united/tt17KF1S/
smokin is fuckin stupid
expensive stupid
expensive fuckin stupid
cba looking good for the double-ton.
hard-fought double-ton.
hard-fought double-barreled double-ton.
I know the feeling Matt.
At least people understand the concept of the quitting smoking thing. The teetotal thing turns most of my mates into goldfish.
Then they snap out of it and their only difficulty is working out in what order to explain to me the reasons why the whole idea is a load of crap and why it would never work anyway.
I listen and smile. And then I gently move the conversation on.
And (and this bit is really key) I continue not drinking any alcohol.
I love ’em to bits but I never give them any grief for being who they are. And its only really them getting their heads round it. They know that even if I U-turned tomorrow it would be for some reason of my own and bugger all to do with their ‘advice’ anyway.
It’s like training an animal. Just be firm and fair- they’ll work out where the line is.
Funny thing too- not one of ’em would be offended reading the above post. They know I do my own thing and they know what I’m like and, even when it takes a while to adjust, they get there and then it doesn’t matter at all anyway. A two-way street of course. That’s why we’re mates.
The first time they saw me in GSD gear I got a laugh. Followed by a bunch of looks between them that clearly said “Yeah- that seems about right!”
Years of being considered a madman are finally paying off!
*disclaimer*
This policy may lead to actual insanity…
cba.
Are we on this 200, or what?
Matt.
The mantra is quite useful. It builds up without you really noticing.
One day you’ll be back home, you’ll have had a few beers, some good friend will offer you a fag and just as you reach out to take it your own voice will suddenly be in your head saying, very simply, “I am willing to change.”
That can be pretty powerful stuff.
Whatever happens I wish you the best with it. You’ve made changes before- you can do it again. If you want to make it happen you will do. That is for sure. Good luck!
Right. It looks like cba has bottled it and I haven’t got 75 more in me.
Lets get there before the Guv gets his preview pixelated. Night to anyone who it is night for.
Take it away Oskar…
Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t breathe…
And every night before you sleep say to yourself, just once a night, the phrase: I am an idiot….I am an idiot…I am an idiot…
Remember not to breathe…
I’ve been toying with the teetotaling idea for a couple years now. The last couple times I quit smoking I also quit drinking for a couple months to make myself steadier, it wasn’t hard but it’s weird socially, I get bored with people much faster 😉
Still it’s probably easier than trying to limit oneself to one drink which I’ve been very rarely able to when I tried. Either I drink or I don’t it seems.
I like the mantra, I’ll use it.
@SSY: Don’t drink, don’t smoke but breathe deeply, at least that’s what I got from yoga 😉
It’s an age thing, the older you get the more you realise you’ve been and you still are an idiot. It’s becoming second nature now, doesn’t require a nightime effort. You’ll get there 😉
Agreed the “champions league” format is a bore. Why not turn it into an actual league competition where all games have the same importance?
Trev- Still the reigning king of the puns.
Leastways while norcal is away, im guessing on urgent matters of state or other worthy causes.
Ive nearly hung up my punning guns given the caliber in the bar. Out of ammo as it were. Slight of caliber maybe…? Oh whatever, I’m just shot of all that self effaciousness.
Whats that old saw?:
I asked my doctor, doc:
What if i stopped smoking cigars. And drinking. And eating rich foods.
Will i live forever?
Doc says: No, but it’ll feel like it.
Now … Exit stage left!!!
Desi*gner gooner @57 – Nice post!
Cheers guv.
Time to put Tuesday behind us.
Sunday is where it’s at.
COYG’s
On reflection, there isn’t an iota of possibility that we will beat Manure on Sunday.
A win would project us to level on points at the top of the league and this group of players simply could not conceive of that possibility without getting extremely dizzy.
We will therefore play like Islington Incompetents FC. Our playmakers will be the most anonymous that they have ever been, our strikers invisible and our defenders more Keystone foppish than ever.
Not a chance.
You read it here first.
Between 2006 and present time (9 years) Arsenal fans got more complains than solutions. Mr Wenger always explaining why we lost only for us to loss in a similar fashion the following week.
My stand on arsenal cannot change. As long as we don’t buy players that are not available we’ll never get there.
‘desi’gner gooner@ We bought Sanchez and Ozil from the Spanish giants not because we muscled them but because they want to sell the players out. The players were available. Why didn’t we go for Suarez and James Rodriguez.
We have to admit that Ozil was a mistake and let him go the way Man U did to De Mariah. Ozil contribute almost nothing to u except for small dribbles and passing. Ramsey is far more influential than him. He just don’t bite. Why didn’t we pounce on Coutinho, Toni Kroos or Javier Pastore?
“33King GT
My posts keep disappearing and then re-appearing”
They are getting caught in the spam filter for some reason GT. Not sure why. I am approving them manually.
I think Naija might be onto something there ….
Pouncing – that’s what we’re not doing enough of.
Mind you, be careful where and who you practice on ….. ?
Anyone up for a bit of Mancy walloping tomorrow …. ?
Nice bit of, er, hexing up there, bath. ?
Moi, Trev! ?
‘Naija gooner’ @136, I did not mean that we muscled Real Madrid or Barca into selling those two players. I meant that we paid hefty sums which was unlike us and more importantly Ozil could have chosen PSG over us and Sanchez could have chosen Liverpool over us. But they chose to come to Arsenal because Wenger clearly remains a figure who attracts top quality football players.
And if you feel that Ozil is a mistake and we should have sold him then I don’t think we see the game of football the same way….
Thanks Impec 1 and TTG.
TTG we can agree to disagree on Chambers but I don’t think he is getting sold in January and only time will tell whether he becomes a good centre half…
Matt: never had to give up smoking as I never started, but a good friend had success with acupuncture when everything else had failed.
So so so excited about tomorrow. Frankly, fuck Tuesday, fuck Europe, and let’s fuck Utd silly. Soooooooo much still to play for this season. So much talent. So much untapped potential in this team. Far too early for depression and negativity IMO. Defeats hurt but fuck it.
19 years? He’s a hero to me. Deserves a statue, but he buit a stadium. Bit like he deserved a title but went undefeated instead. I’ve questioned him since the 6-0 at Chavski, but never been disappointed the board have stood firm.
For me the story of his time at Arsenal can be told through 3 playmakers: Bergkamp, Cesc and Ozil.
The brilliant one he inherited and took to new heights with his finest managerial moments. The one who might have been, but was a snake who stabbed him in the back before it all came together. Then Ozil… Like a micocsym of this team for me, so talented, so close, needs to did that little extra. If this team stumbles on til AW inevitably leaves, Ozil will look like the poster child I reckon. If we figure it all out, he will be the symbol of the new team, global star bought from the stadium finally paying off, and a footballing choir.
That said, we lose tomorrow Klopp in and all that. Just got to try and stay sober enough to remember the second half now…
#UTA #HeKNOWS
Cheers H!
I’ve given up cigarettes
I’ve given up weed (well as good as)
I’ve given up Class A’s (see above)
I’m fucked if I’m giving up the ale. Or the vino. Or el ron. So there.
i drink like a fish
but
can’t drink anywhere near the amount i used to
volume the problem
so in lieu of a miracle
both
poverty and ingrained cheapskatery
forced me to homebrew lightning bolts
slap round the chops
minimal millilitres
dunno i could give up swally
i enjoy disjointed nonsense
too much
mind you
once i’m starvin wi hunger
on a spree
have to eat there and then
not just greed
never used to be like that
gettin old the answer
number begins wi 5
shite catches up wi ye
stand down oskar 😉
ye’ve a few decades on me
R.I.P. Denis Healey
Thank you ‘Holic xx
Just looking at everyone here. What a feeling, words can’t describe. ♥
Trev, please, a big hug to your little one, from all of us…
Holic, so pleased you wrote up our players joining in with these brave and amazing Amputees. As always, proud of our Club. xx
nurse abb
any chance of that tenner ye owe me?
short arms long pockets , eh?
typical
Well, don’t stop chatting Lads! Giggles 🙂 🙂
8ball, TY for speaking up for Dr Eva!
Florida OJ on the bar for GSD (and cba, too 😉 )
Shame Man City beating up the Toons. 🙁
cba, you sly Devil (winks) 😉
Hello abb!
A pleasure to hear from you! I hope you are well and happy.
Pull up a stool and join me for some OJ. It’s delicious. And made all the sweeter by the company…
I completely forgot to change my fantasy team this weak and consequently it has scored 3 points so far.
Except for Aguero who is my captain. Nice.
Thanks GSD! Will do 🙂
Holic keeps us informed on Twitter, can’t wait for your next Challenge for Charity. ♥
Must say not happy with footie results today!
And yes Arsene was correct to rotate. Just like any good Farmer, you must rotate your crops for best results. 🙂
I’m with you Esso! Only the booze left. Giving that up won’t make me live longer, but it will sure as hell feel like it! 😉
Lovely to see you here, abb. 🙂 x
Gracias Amigo Holic!
Just waiting for someone to argue about rotation, cause I’m ready for them!
What a marvellous Saturday.
My local side lost.
My local reserve side lost.
I’ve fucked my camera up and cannot afford to replace or repair it.
I’ve eaten all my jelly blobs with hard bits on.
Gus fucking Poyet is on my telly, am sayin’.
Robbie Savage is still alive.
Jamie Redknapp appears to be constantly cupping his own balls and the referee in the Chelsea game looks to be utterly bent.
Talk to Jamie Redknapp about rotation, abb, he appears to be an expert at ‘rolling his own’, so to speak.
Pull up a stool
As one sewer worker said to the other.
Ivanovic is like the footballing Samson. The more hair he loses the worse he gets at football.
Thanks for clarifying that Holic @ 137.
If it helps, it happens mainly when I’m posting from my I-phone!
Like then^^
Oh dear Chelsea.
Oh very very dear.
😀
*whistles. shuffles feet*
Hey Cynic ! Chelsea robbed of a PK. And poor Ivanovic Team Game, I say!
Southampton robbed of two pens in the first half though, both clear cut.
As someone said on the BBC, Chelsea have been rubbish since they sacked Eva so maybe she was coaching the team 😀
*waves at abb*
~ ~ @ 167 😉
Arsenal please just win tommorrow. That’s all I ask for.. COYGS
🙂
Ah, Chelsea… what an utter shame.
Saturday ends on a lovely note.
Time to go and cook.
Probably burn the house down now…
Good night lurkingtons.
Games are tougher when the ref doesn’t gift you the result, eh Jose?
Hey abb! Nice to see you making a guest appearance in the bar.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
10 men went to laaarf, went to laaarf at Chavski,
10 men, 9 men, 8 men, 7 men, 6 men, 5 men, 4 men, 3 men, 2 men, 1 man
Went to laaaaaaaaaaaaarrrff at Chelsea.
🙂
cba.
I’m up for the double hundred if you are…
Of course, you’ll have to drink for the both of us…
But somehow i think we’ll manage!