Dat Guy And Laca Lift The Spirits
Sep 10th, 2017 by 'holic
Arriving in the bonus sunshine in North London on Saturday lunchtime heralded the start of one of the good days. A really lovely lunch, a quick whizz around the Armoury, and two Junior Gooners were kitted out for an afternoon on the Clock End on a day when the Arsenal returned to winning ways.
There were rumblings beforehand of the potential for some form of protests, but the options were many, vague, confused, and failed to materialise. All of which would be a fair description of Bournemouth’s performance too.
However, you can only beat what is in front of you and the Arsenal did it with the sort of cohesive, balanced performance that we have seen so rarely in the opening weeks. It took but five minutes for a free-flowing Gunners to take the lead. Sead Kolasinac, rightly returned to the left wing-back role, broke free and crossed for Danny Welbeck to beat Begovic with a mix of head and shoulder.
Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth
It was almost as if we had gone with a balanced back three, and played players where they should be. With Alexis on the bench he was the only player missing from what one imagines would be Arsene Wenger’s strongest available starting eleven. The Gunners continued to impress but found Begovic in inspired form, particularly when getting to a goalbound Mesut Ozil free-kick.
At one-nil the atmosphere was still a little muted. The pessimists are out in force again at the moment, but Alexandre Lacazette, mystifyingly left out at Anfield, produced a wonderful finish from the edge of the box having played a one-two with the lively Welbeck. It was a great moment for our record signing to provide in front of two new young admirers.
Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth
The French international almost doubled his tally when Welbeck forced an error from Begovic but the ball had burst in the original challenge and the ‘keeper was able to smother it before throwing it out of play.
The second-half was just five minutes old when the match was put beyond the visitors. Aaron Ramsey sent Welbeck clear in the inside-left channel and a precision finish just inside the far post was too good for Begovic. Bournemouth had just enjoyed their best moment when Defoe headed against a post from close range. It was as if we had heeded the warning and responded.
Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth
At this point it would be fair to say that only fact that he had scored a brace would make Danny the man of the match. Lacazette, Ramsey, Bellerin, and Kolasinac had all impressed with their industry. The latter did visibly tire in the closing stages so may be one to get a rest on Thursday night with Sunday’s visit to the bus stop in Fulham in mind.
Ozil fired wide from a tight angle, and Welbeck lifted a hat-trick opportunity just wide of the far post drawing yet more support from both ends of the Grove. The Arsenal were pressing for more. Midway through the half Ramsey was sensibly replaced by Francis Coquelin, although the Frenchman would not see out the contest.
Jermain Defoe’s withdrawal followed, and a magnanimous home support gave a generous round of applause to the man who had befriended young Bradley Lowery at Sunderland. His previous allegiances melted into insignificance in the moment.
Bournemouth would not have enjoyed the sight of Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez coming on for the final fifteen minutes. Less in awe of the latter were the minority in the crowd who booed the Chilean onto the pitch. A rendition of his song broke out around the stadium, not for the last time. The two combined to almost add a fourth goal but Begovic got something on Giroud’s fierce shot.
There followed the sight of Coquelin breaking down just inside his own half in obvious pain. He knew immediately he had suffered a bad injury and hurled his shirt to the floor as he disappeared down the tunnel. That was a sad end to a cameo in which he saw an attempt to score his first Arsenal goal deflected for a corner.
A tiring ten men were forced onto the back foot briefly but survived the best efforts of the Cherries. With the season only four matches old it would be harsh to predict their return to the Championship, but it is difficult to see where they could pick up points in the near future.
The post mortem attracted friends old and new. Listener’s to the ABW podcast will recognise the dulcet Aussie tones of Dom and it was great to meet him for the first time. Whatever we decided the afternoon meant was long forgotten on the journey home along with some of Cardiff’s finest. This had been one of the good days.
Now for Thursday night football and the visit of Cologne. The ghost of Podolski should make for a good atmosphere for that one, despite the full use of the Gunners squad players, surely?
173 Responses to “Dat Guy And Laca Lift The Spirits”
?
Afternoon cba. ?
‘holic
i won’t go into it
?
moooooooooooooooooooooo
well ok
i will then
stop badgering me ya bollix
.
.
in the early sixties
a bright light appeared in the sky
Cheers H!
Was indeed a top day out.
oh yeah
i got it goin on
??????
.
tune for the mighty esso
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZKWffik1FE
i posted that before you appeared
stewards inquiry
you got a holding station , ‘hol
gonna think of a tune for someone else
see if they fuckin show up
(still think yer shittin wi me ‘ hol)
I hope our Liverpool debacle turns our season around just as decisively as the loss to us turned Chelsea’s around last season. We will know on Sunday.
could be a few
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu_qjcsF6Gs
.
times are
yup
After the Leicester game I was enjoying the new season. Then came the triple whammy of a miserable wet trip to Stoke, the debacle at Anfield and transfer deadline day.
I went into lockdown. Didn’t read any Arsenal blogs, listened to lots of music (including three solid days of Steely Dan, much admired in these parts by my ageing peers). Watched France and admired their front line.
I went to Lords on Thursday and it reset me for live sport. Driving down the M11 on a sunny day. My son announced the teams. Welbeck picked again. I went into slight meltdown. Much as I love Danny (as will any of the 9000 Gooners at Old Trafford that FA Cup night) he can’t hit a barn door with a banjo, won’t score as long as he’s got a hole in his arse etc etc. But at least Lacca and Kola picked in their proper positions, for the first time this year.
Into the ground. Share my views on Danny with my North Bank friends. Much sage and wise nodding of heads.
Five minutes in and a wonderful break and cross from Kola. Bundled in by Danny. Of course! Always rated him! It was only the following day that I realise he had nearly fucked it up. Still, he didn’t.
Then about 27 minutes the moment of the game. Superb pass from Ozil, nice lay off from Danny and Lacca absolutely twats it into the top corner with a lovely curl. There my friends is a centre forward.
After half time the final foot on the throat was a lovely move with Rambo playing in Danny right in front of us who looked up and picked his spot with a first time shot that wrong footed the keeper. No way in the world was that a cross Chris, take it from those 30 yards away. Much pointing out on the North Bank of my wonderful punditry re Danny.
When Sanchez came on he worked hard and his body language was good. Bellerin broke down the right and just failed to play in Sanchez who had bust a gut to get into the box. Sanchez pointed at Bellerin and applauded the effort. I like this a lot.
Ozil was sublime and worked his socks off. Lacca is going to be great – I just wish we could find his runs. Half a dozen times yesterday he lost his marker and was through only for a lateral pass from Ramsey to deny him. Release the Frenchman! He was really unhappy to be taken off with his hat trick there for the taking. The Beast is going to be a legend and is my new man crush. Offers far more than Nacho going forward.
So there we go. Cologne on Thursday and I hope Reiss Nelson plays. The ground is sold out, the Cypriot restaurant is booked for 6.15.
My appetite is re-awakened and not just for taramasalata and kleftiko.
c100
top of the range
Enjoyed this report muchly, holic. 🙂
30 yards away don’t make no diff to Chris, cba. He may be 30 light years away but his massive television offers indisputable proof that Theo would have scored at least 4 goals if he had been playing in Welbz’s spot.
Watched Swansea vs Newcastle and couldn’t take more than 10 minutes of it. Easy to see why we follow Arsenal.
C100??.
8ball
i really like chris
indeed his mate the dalai lamaaaa
is near me tomorrow
.
you mentioned before
you were a katrina victim
.
terrible doins a-transpirin’ just now
bt8, I agree that Theo is not the greatest but Wenger freezing him out is not correct. I hope he starts against Koln and scores.
Lovely stuff, countryman, thank you. ?
Good luck to all in the path of the hurricanes.
here here to that ‘Holic. Been visiting various bits of Florida for family holidays for 15 years. Was on the Keys last summer. All the restaurants etc family owned, no chains. Lovely people. Stay safe. Let’s hope relief comes quick for those south of FL.
? Guvnor!
Danny “our kid” Welbeck can be superior to Harry Kane with those considerable, Almighty-given, physical and mental attributes! ? ? ?Just believe, our kid! Al’reet?! ?✊️
Sead Koala ?; quite a cuddly beast actually!
UTAAD&AN, With A Right Proper Tight Defence! ?
Nice report, Holic. Glad to hear it was an awesome day out for you and the gang.
Thanks for your own report Countryman, always a pleasure to read about your match day experience.
Cologne on Thursday used to mean a splash of Blue Stratos before buying a bottle of Woodpecker and hanging about outside the chippy trying to impress the birds with a Bay City Rollers style jacket on.
Thirteen years old… how times have changed.
Now it’s a splash of Sloane’s Linament, oven chips, a dressing gown and BT Sport. And as for the Woodpecker… well chance would be a fine thing at my age.
cynic remains the greatest drinker who has ever drunk here
? ? Cynic-al one!
The what “pecker”? ?
If you have access to CNN turn it on now. Truly dramatic.
CBA
I’m so hurt ???
Two great accounts here from Holic and Countryman . Harry Kane’s goal was a criss not Danny’s !
And I was with a native of Tampa in Dublin on Thursday who rushed home to be with his terrified wife. From the new course of the storm that sadly appears a wise course of action. Best wishes to everyone in those storm-tossed areas.
Nice report H. Glad it was a top day with the little ones.
Best wishes for the coming days.
Worth moving the Rams to LA then, Stan.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJY4GsEWAAAAtVF.jpg
Excellent report Guvna. Some people can be relied upon for a great performance every time! Much as I saw it. Good to catch up with some Holic royalty during and afterwards.
That was an important steadying of the ship and a highly professional performance from the team. Pity they encountered a ‘keeper in top form or the score would have reflected our dominance. As others have alluded, you can only beat the team in front of you and though Bournemouth were poor, the Arsenal contributed considerably to that perception and at no point was there any wobble.
Hopefully we will have a similarly energetic and competent performance and result from those selected on Thursday then a reprise of the cup final performance and result at the bus stop.
Heh @ 30, Cynic. The hand of Nemesis.
Cynic, I was at a USC College American Football game last Saturday at the same stadium. At least double the crowd.
Come on guys, after heaping praise on Danny for delivering (for a change) you can’t allow me a tongue-in-cheek shot or cross jest?
TTG, last drinks … “he works much harder than Theo, has much greater body strength, is better in the air and has more intelligent movement and is a better team player, but Theo is a better finisher” … In fact he’s slower, can’t finish consistently, has poorer positional sense in the area, and is only better in the air with his shoulders. He’s also never scored more than 9 Prem goals in a season in his entire career.
I’ll point out again that when Theo last started – the Palace game, after which he was dropped for saying “Palace wanted it more”, which had to be true – he was just 3 goals behind Alexis as leading scorer for the club (19 to 22) in more than 900 minutes playing time less (= >10 full games) and had been closing in on the Chilean at the time.
As ksn says in #18, AW freezing Theo out is plain wrong. My theory is AW was worried Theo would end up as leading scorer which would have led to even more discontent for Alexis.
Chris. Seeing as Theo is not likely to be around much longer if you are looking for a new man crush I suggest Lacazette. Much more substantial than Theo in my opinion.
TTG, Chris,
I thought that was a great
summary of the relative merits
of Theo and Danny !
But if Alexis is going to play
at his best, Laca is given a
run at CF, we stick with a
back 3 and Ozil at 10 – all of
which seem more likely than
not at the moment – then
neither will play.
Though OG, Danny and Theo would
be the best range of attacking
options off the bench that I can
ever remember us having.
Not around much longer, bt8? I wish he would leave, then I could stop going on about him! 🙂
Anyway, I wasn’t comparing Theo to Laca who will, or won’t, prove as good as we all hope in time. It’s AW’s love affair with Danny I don’t get. Running around a lot can catch the eye, but it’s goals that win games.
Hello bt8,
Hope all is well with you.
Laca could be the real deal !
I fear we’re stuck with 3 at the back, Matt, because of the perception that it is working. I just doubt it’s the reason for any perceived improvement over 4 at the back, which not only worked well for the Invincibles, but also for several teams which have beaten us far more recently.
I’m also 10000000 per cent certain Ozil Gummidge will remain rooted in his paddock for as long as AW farms the Grove’s fields.
As for a front 3, like France I’d always play a ‘proper’ CF, eg OG, currently with Alexis on one side of him and Laca on the other (so long as the latter keeps delivering). I have no quibble with Theo being benched in that scenario, it’s Danny playing ahead of him I don’t get.
Interesting comparison, Theo vs The Rest (of England strikers), last season … https://sheworedotnet.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/bgebfbvfssbv.png
Another team who could use his scoring talents.
Nice one, Guv’nor and a splendid assist from Ttg. Always good for the young ones to see the team in winning ways.
I wonder if Welbeck is doing a Fabianski — scoring for fun in training but rarely being able to do so in games.
…and that previous was games he appeared in, including those as a sub for the last 10-15 minutes only.
Apologies to C100@13. His was the splendid assist.
Please get me off this Theo topic!!!! 🙁
Fabianski scored in training, Ned? But never picked as a striker. I wonder if Theo can keep…….
Chris@39
Personally, I’m not particularly convinced about 3 at the back
either, but something needed to be done after the Palace game
and 3 at the back is what we did. We seem to have been mostly ok,
and I think we need to give it a fair go now – to me that means the
rest of the season. We play it out and see how it goes in other
words. I am more worried about the CM partnership. It is a big
test for the midfield at the Chavs next weekend. Like everyone
I guess, I want to see some fight.
By the way I believe Ozil will go at the end of this season but
I don’t think AW will………. Time will tell if we’re more successful
minus Mesut.
AW is on a 2-year contract, and he never breaks a contract, so he’ll be here alright. As for Ozil it depends whether anyone wants him. They weren’t exactly queueing up with offers during the recent window.
3 at the back for the rest of the season? We can forget the CL again then. Maybe Europey as well. Didn’t Leicester run rings around the rest in their triumphant season playing the full 4.4.2? And Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich all still cling to a back 4 with various formations ahead. When the best teams in Europe switch to 3 at the back maybe I’ll take it seriously.
Thanks Steve.
Chris, guess what system Chelsea won the league with last season after we humiliated their back four at home. ?
Apologies for a late ‘thank you’ Holic,
Yesterday disappeared somewhere or other.
Said a little bit about the game in the last bar.
Thanks to a top man and Gooner with whom I spent the match – back on the North Bank after all these years.
Chris,
After guiding The Arsenal to an
historic quadruple I suspect
Ozil will be in high demand 🙂
Were the chavs still playing 3 at the back when we beat them in the FA Cup final and Comm Shield, ‘holic?
I’ve never said you can’t win with the formation, I just think 4 suits the defenders we have better. And 6 might be better still. 😉
My observation on Saturday was that with three at the back an intelligent, mobile defender like Koscielny can nip into midfield to intercept or start moves knowing he is covered behind him. Whether the admirable BFG has the pace to do this or Mustafi the quality it gives us flexibility.
My concern about the current formation is that Ozil and Ramsey have roles that duplicate each other. I would prefer a hard bastard in front of the back three enabling other players to play more offensive roles but we have only Coquelin who has any pretensions to this role and I don’t think he is good enough.
I was interested that West Ham were offered Kryskowiak and presume as he signed for West Brom we were too and his demands were affordable. I think he would be exactly what we need and I think we might see our two excellent wing- backs attacking mire effectively ( and giving us width) in a system where we sacrificed one of Ozil or Ramsey.
But we didn’t go for him and I think we are deficient unless every player is on top form.
Incidentally, I thought Ramsey was extremely good on Saturday. He had a lot more confidence on the ball, was moving it quickly and he has a phenomenal engine. Much as I love Mesut he wouldn’t get in my team if we had a better defensive midfielder. But we haven’t and I guess he will play in a front three behind Laca. Certainly Laca will benefit from his vision and Mesut from Laca’s finishing.
Whisper it softly but I think Lacazette could be a superb acquisition if we don’t isolate him. He’s primarily a box player but can join play up too. He and a motivated Sanchez could be fantastic together.
de Boer won the first out race
after 4 games. A new record
perhaps.
Morning Holics
Well it turned out better than I expected and AW did manage to set his line up much as I had hoped with the exception of Welbeck for Alexis. I had spent much of the journey up trying to convince the gang that Welbeck was useless and should be left on the bench but as it turned out they all had a laugh at my expense on the way home. What do I know about football !
Bournemouth were hardly the team to be measured against. They were as pathetic as we were at Liverpool and the test will come on Sunday when I will be at the Bridge thanks to an unexpected ticket coming my way from Gooner Malcolm.
I agree the MF looks shaky with lack of pace, indiscipline and the inability to make a winning tackle. AW where is that MF enforcer I have been imploring you to sign? Will he ever be convinced that we need one ?
Must say I enjoyed Lacazette’s great finish and Danny’s first time effort from a lovely ball by Rambo. Pity we didn’t score a few more and improve the goal difference. Rambo impressed me and thank goodness Hector put on a good show in his true position, he was beginning to worry me.
So to Thursday night, the late kick-off and the last train home. I know nothing about Koln should be an interesting game and an even more interesting line-up, again hoping for the best.
COYR
TTG @52, you sir are a mind reader. To the very letter.
Another mind read here, TTG.
nope , not here
55 liar
56 liar’s mate
.
?
and soz m’lud 28
?
something clever
59
mind reader
and you know where you can stick your shillelagh, seamus
RACISM at it’s macWorse
ladies and gentlemen
.
terrible behaviour altogether
in this day and age
me ginger haired donkey Pascal near dropped the turf
gettin over the offence
.
.
“why must they bully us”
he brayed
“not braid , Pascal, not braid”
“it’s the tartan ?
.
.
.
they’re back”
CBA@66
I think nature got there first old fella.
Just saying.
I won’t cry out for justice
Admit that I was wrong
I’ll stay in hibernation
‘Til the talk subsides to gone
My social life’s a dud
My name is really mud
I’m up to here in lies
Guess I’m down to size
To size
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XwW1D53z4aw
.
have to take the English on now ?
.
.
.
what ?
.
AGAIN
It’s that time again
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oZCOwnMEVvE
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gayhpUyz2os
i’m sayin nuffin
?
nice bass
TTG @ 52,
Right about needing a hard bastard in MF as our midfield of Xhaka and Ramsey will always be found out against top teams. Prefer Elneny is teamed with one of Xhaka/Ramsey to start with against Chelsea.
Oh God, if you are going to pick a Secret Affair track, at least use My World or So Cool.
Meanwhile, just for cba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwr4mqN1TXY
If yer doing the Mod Revival thing I would always go for the Chords
“I swallow my dreams like my beer”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRbLhoAphdo
Right. Wife away at a conference ’till Thursday. ‘Ammers tonight, CL Tuesday and Wednesday and the Arsenal Thursday. It’s a football week.
This is a very ….how can I put this ….English game, being played in the pouring rain.
The Chords???? Now you’re talking.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?ei=ZPW2WfCPMeKbgAaC36SYBw&q=maybe+tomorrow+the+chords&oq=maybe+tomorrow+the+&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.1.0.0l5.4802.5984.0.7089.6.6.0.3.3.0.133.587.0j5.5.0….0…1.1.64.mobile-gws-serp..1.5.307…0i67k1.pngzcRiSxg4
Fantastic song and Arsene’s answer about any new signings during the transfer window???
hmmmm. Hopefully Barca v Juve will be better …….
I see young Reiss Nelson who won the Under 23 league player of the month for August,scored another cracker of a goal from a free kick against Man U the other day.
Well worth watching,it was matched by another sublime free kick by another impressive youngster in Josh Da Silva.
Comfortable 2 nil win against a none too shabby Utd outfit.
Delia @ 54
FC Koln are bottom of the Bundesliga.
played 3 lost 3.
Scored 1 conceded 7.
A couple of handsome free kicks, to be sure, Clive. There is some talent in that U-23 side.
I hope Arsene doesn’t turn a blind eye to Nelson
You know you are getting old when you figure out you have stashes of aspirin in three different places in the house. Or, I should say, I do. 😉
In the meantime, I will go on trying to figure out who has a better haircut, Elneny or Ake.
What do you know about football, Delia? (#54) … Plenty, as you prove every post. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, and sadly I expect Danny critics to continue to be proved correct more often than not.
Köln bottom of the Bundesliga, Clive? We’re in with a chance then.
Perhaps “an intelligent, mobile defender like Koscielny can nip into midfield to intercept or start moves knowing he is covered behind him>/em> if he was picked to partner Xhaka at DMF with Per and Shkodran Leader behind him. Preferably in a back four with Hector and Nacho.
Make that…
Perhaps “an intelligent, mobile defender like Koscielny can nip into midfield to intercept or start moves knowing he is covered behind him if he was picked to partner Xhaka at DMF with Per and Shkodran Leader behind him. Preferably in a back four with Hector and Nacho.
Sorry, I’m half asleep. The quote above is from TTG in #52.
Ospina
Chambers Mert Holding
Ash M-N Jack Elneny ??
Theo Giroud Iwobi
Subs Cech Debuchy Nacho
Nelson Jeff Alexis Chuba
Could we put Jeff or Nelson
on the left ? And have Ramsey
on the bench as cover.
Or involve more of the youth?
As OsakaMatt@91 indicates we lack first-team squad cover at left back/left wing back. Opportunity for Osei-Tutu or Johnson?
Or for Dasilva? He (on the left) and Osei-Tutu (on the right) filled the wing-back positions against ManU’s U23s last Friday.
Hmmm. I bet AW plays it safer than either you or Matt suggest, Ned.
Could be Chris but I hope not.
For me the Chav game must be
the priority. And I’d like the
midfield and wide players at
least to get a rest.
Ned – don’t know much about any of
those younger lads. Be nice to see
them play though. And Nketiah (?)
the kid up front too although I
guess Chuba might be priority
just now.
The one thing AW wants above all others is a European trophy, Matt. Okay, he really wants the CL, but I don’t see him turning down a Europey which will be easier to win than another Prem title of which he has several.
My guess is he’ll risk more of his first XI trying to win both games.
He’s gone both ways in the past
Chris, if I can put it like that.
2 years ago I think, he played a
weakened team in Croatia for
the first game, OG was sent off
and we got beat. That might be
on his mind too I suppose.
I won’t fully believe it is the You Ropey league until we are deep in the depths of the Balkan countries. Good thing we have Xhaka and Kolasinac to provide cover when we get there.
Tickets are proving a little hard to sell at the moment. For the away game against Bate Borisov in Belarus we have an allocation of just 764 tickets. Having started on away scheme only, at the moment they’re on sale to Gold members with zero credits and they go on sale to Silver at 4pm and Red at 10am tomorrow.
For Doncaster next Wednesday in the league cup at home practically the whole ground is still on sale including lower tier everywhere at £10. Note that season tickets don’t count for league cup games.
Hmm. Wonder what the club will do if we have a gate of 10K next week?
Drink!
😀
#78
Great band and tunes ; they had way more in common with bands like the Undertones than any of the the other Mod revival bands…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b_Aomlo2Lg
all over again
@98. Forgot Boro Primorac. He must be a good one to resd a Cyrillic script for you.
resd = read
New glasses not much better help in proofreading than the old ones were.?
Wonder what the club will do if we have a gate of 10K next week?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_6pjHXXMes
Low gates may finally encourage ‘the powers that be’ at the club to take each transfer window seriously and ensure that their ‘staff’ make good use of time and resources to build a team that excites the multitude.
I wonder if time and resources are the only problems here.
Our supposed €92million bid for Lemar was made, if at all, late enough in the day that there never was any chance that the deal would happen.
There was the possibility though that some fans would bellieve that the club was trying to spend serious money. Not me, I have to say.
My own belief is that transfer spending has been seriously curtailed to keep the bank balance healthy enough for Stan Kroenke to maximise the collateral raising potential of the club, in pursuit of developing and relocating his American franchises.
Only when we get rid of him will the club be allowed to use its own resources for its own benefit.
Until then it’s hard, on current form, to see us escaping the gradual descent to the bottom of the pile experienced by many of his American teams.
@107 and if that’s what’s going on – and the circumstantial evidence’s gettin’ increasingly stinky – then you’d have to reckon A. Dubbya’s complicit in that lot too (save urself afore it’s too late, prof(essor/it etc.)) and so may have sold him’s, and helped sell the club’s, soul to that c*nt cowboy.
Anyway, i quite like the look of AW’s current squad (credit where it’s due – no not that sort of credit, Stan), and reckon we can make a decent stab of the Umbongo cup, or whatever they’s callin’ it naaaw!
https://youtu.be/wYj5o4kQsXs
Up The Arse Foot Corp!
Trev
Reluctantly I believe you are spot -on. The news that no talks have been held with Ozil for months is telling even if I have no clue in what way it is telling. Stan is pissing money down the drain. He is such a bad and inappropriate owner it is difficult to assess him without emotion but the club is being run by people performing at well below optimum level – Wenger, Keswick, Gazidis.
The planning at the club if that is the right word , is chaotic and I really do fear for where this may end up. I pray for the day when a billionaire Arsenal fan makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Anybody reading this with that sort of cash ?
Only cba, TTG ……
CBA….of course
Get on the phone to Stan mate!
if you’re not careful, he might call the uzbeki, stan…
and i thought *lars’* wallet was big. way to go, cba!
Could Usmanov be worse? I get the impression he has more respect for the club than the present investor, and would be more interested in seeing the club winning stuff.
Rumours that he may be prepared to up his recent £1.3b offer to £2b seem to be confusing pounds with dollars, but he could probably afford it.
Ah, the age of the oligarchs.
When I was a student I was taught the word “oligopoly” but as I recall, my teachers seemed to consider the concept to be less tangible than it feels to us today.
Just my take on things …
You should know in America, bt8. Oligarchs control your political system as well as the economy. 🙂
…add to that they also control the media and there you have it, The US is an oligarchy – as a Princeton study concluded in 2014 … http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/21/americas-oligarchy-not-democracy-or-republic-unive/
Well, Princeton should know I
suppose. Young ollies run free.
Lest I offend the cousins I should add that I have never met an American I didn’t like (except G Gordon Liddy). Always good company and welcoming of aliens to their vast country. Yes, even the customs officials!
You don’t offend me, Chris. An oligopoly is what it is and Kroenke seems to be one of the oligarchs if one of the least powerful and least willing to throw his money into a good cause.
I’d never make a good oligarch, bt8. I’d rather relax and spend than fuss about making even more, once I’ve reached, say, $25m which seems more than enough to me, even allowing for giving a chunk of it away to family and the local dog’s home.
How much would a box at The Ems cost btw? High on my ultimate bucket list that.
…where I can entertain selected Goonerholics on game days of course. 😉
Chris@123: I bet if you had $25 million, you would find you wanted $50 million. Study after study has shown that the driver of wealth accumulation is not achieving a particular number, but acquiring more than peers. An analogy would be that what people really want isn’t to have a big house, but to have a bigger house than their peers.
There is an inherent conflict in the US. Each person has equal political rights but very unequal economic outcomes. As Arthur Okum wrote more than 40 years ago, American capitalism is a system that awards “prizes that allow the big winners to feed their pets better than the losers can feed their children.”
Sounds a bit like the Premier League.
Chris
I think Usmanov seems to have even more money than you. I think he has 10% of Facebook for example. While I would love Arsenal to be owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Lord Chief Justice or going on in moral terms to the highest point…CBA, I’d settle for someone who really cares for the club and sees his investment as part of his commitment to the club as a fan. That’s a big ask but if I was a multi- billionaire like CBA you wouldn’t have to ask me twice. And I’d have Holic on the board. ( that would actually make an awful lot of sense ) . Free pies in Piebury Corner for all Holics and ( good) beer £2.50 a pint. And we’d win every game 5-0.
Incidentally I saw George Carey ( ex Archbishop ) coming out of Highbury on a Sunday after a lunchtime match and I said ( jokingly , at least I meant it as such) ‘ Aren’t you supposed to be working today?’. He frowned and pointed out that he had retired as AB . I felt our best period was when we had the Archbishop and Chief Rabbi as fans. The then Pope was a Fulham supporter and the Dalai Lama never declared his affiliation.
I feel a plan forming for the future. We just need CBA to open that wallet.
Hi Holic
Sorry if this is none of my business, but I saw the picture of an off licence shelf of whisky on Twitter and reference to a send off. Have you joined me in retirement?
you only had to ask
.
here’s a photo from this morning’s new kit launch
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/04/07/arts/07ramones-smiles-copy/07ramones-smiles-copy-master768-v4.jpg
looking forward to seeing you all in your replicas
.
and
be assured
i will not milk the club
Hi Holic
I looked back in your timeline and saw reference to a non holiday trip to Cornwall. I suddenly see that the “send off” may have been a bereavement. If so my humble apologies for insensitivity.
Mooooooo….
Doh ! Thst was for cba !
Insensitivities unintentionally compounded ?
my first appointment
c100 – Public Relations Officer
.
my second appointment
trev – Public Relations Officer’s Mate
.
I hope this isn’t your new away kit, cba:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6d/9a/83/6d9a8301085edbdc3769bc3216b311e6.jpg
well in , ned
nice deflection
?
.
your appointment is imminent
We should take europa league seriously. This is our way to champions league for finishing in the top 4 looks tough but not unlikely. The thing is as much as it is berated, an european campaign and if possible winning it will make everyone feel better and winning is a habit. Even with our best players rested, we should progress to the knockouts and if we do reach the quarter finals, we should play our first team then on.
Sunday at the bridge offers yet another chance to redeem our dismal away record. A draw will be a step towards redemption but all indications are we will lose. I am not being pessimistic but even against a poor Bournemouth team, at times we looked so out of position that it made me shudder thinking of chelshit. ramsey/Xhaka just wont work for neither has the defensive mindset needed and hence i believe we should play Elneny and Xhaka in the PL, atleast away games for sure. Aaron can play the mesut role in europa and come of the bench in the league.
lastly the question of Kroenke’s interest or the lack of it towards the club can be questioned but he aint going away anytime soon. Instead if we can focus our energies on supporting the club atleast during the game and not have these Wenger out, Kroenke out stuff, it would do a word of good for all concerned.
TTG@126: The “morality” of traditional British wealth is no better than Russian oligarchs or middle-eastern conglomerates…actually is rather worse. The traditional British “wealth” didn’t grow on trees in your tiny island, they were brought in through loot, destruction, degradation of other cultures and civilizations.
Some examples: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=187292555146777&id=183163935559639&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F183163935559639%2Fvideos%2F187292555146777%2F&_rdr
Exactly Dr F. The Brits made their money the old-fashioned way.
NBN @ 139: Well-put. 🙂
Doctor F
I think we’d be struggling to develop too much moral high ground although I did try to bring in ecclesiastical royalty today! Not too many Empires were built without considerable blood on the hands of those who won out.
My first post ever to Goonerholic was to claim that a lot of fans might prefer Usmanov as an owner to Kroenke. I was chastised immediately by someone who doesn’t post here anymore as if this was heresy. I wasn’t even saying I was in favour of Usmanov just that he was garnering support .
I can remember doing some work at the Bus Stop in 2004 and bumping into Ken Bates. He had put a notice in reception about the Romans not conquering the world by having meetings but by killing anyone who got in their way. A week after our meeting he was gone, ousted by a Russian!
Frankly I honestly think I’d like to see Kroenke ousted by Usmanov, it’s just that I can’t see it ever happening. We are stuck with the bewigged one for ever. Unless or until CBA opens his wallet ( no job for me yet I notice)
TTG@141: The bewigged one is connected to a retail chain who I believe is one of the worst violators of workplace safety and specializes in employee mistreatment. 🙂
I see that Chelsea are having tickets returned for the game on Sunday. Interesting.
http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/09/arsenal-returns-on-sale-tomorrow.html
About this job CBA. Very kind of you. What’s the pay like?
Referring to my posts 127 and 130 above ‘holic I see from Twitter that your brother in law sadly passed away. I’m very sorry for your loss, and for my blundering posts, which I’d be grateful if you would delete.
c100
once i’ve consulted my consigliere thunder T
rates of pay will be posted on the fridge door
ps
i thought i diffused yerself and trev’s
foot/mouth extraction debacle handsomely
like the benevolent dictator i’ll be
Caveat Emptor, c100.
Where gainful employment is to be had
bargain basement bosses retain the gains. 😉
*selects juiciest horse’s head for 8ball’s bed*
wahey !!!!
147
Steady boss. Think of the publicity!
Shall I set up an interview like in Citizen Kane? Or should that be the Godfather?
PS: My normal consulting rates are £250 ph plus first class travel and expenses. Deal?
never been much fuckin use at snooker
highest break in the 30s
something of a disappointment
shunned by the entire baize community
?
Blimey ! Taht was 80 years ago !
Taht ? = That. ?
What a tart – or, taht
*confiscates trev’s bottle of Bezique*
And cba, Sir,
I most gratefully accept your kind offer of employment as PR’s mate.
I assume you will be the Public Relations and Information Controller, or PRIC for short.
For my part, due to pressures of other work, I will only be able to take up my role on a part time basis or, At Times, if you will. It will be an honour and a dream come true, as it is a long held aspiration of mine to be a Public Relations At Times consultant, or PRAT for short.
With a PRIC and a PRAT heading up communications, what could possibly go wrong ?
c100 making demands
trev’s un-joined-up thinkin
.
my first two signings
show the radical new direction
i’m takin our club
.
As Head of PR I’m thinking of headlines boss.
Are you
(wait for it)
A catalyst for change?
Oh, my apologies, cba,
I see C100 is PR Controller – not yourself.
Classic – our very first communication completely crossed.
Normal service then really …..
@155
mind reader
Trev
I wear the badge of PRIC with pride.
Can’t wait for our first strategy away day under CBA’s leadership.
Zico tried this once but he couldn’t take the pressure. Retired to Scotland, I believe.
It’s tough at the top.
c100
details will be on the microwave door
.
Hey, Zico. You did a good job. 🙂
Not to cast any aspersions on the cba regime of course. ??
Too late bt8.
The boss has tipped you the black spot.
You’re a dead man walking.
I’m trying to persuade him to nix the horses head because of the tabloids.
yeah zico
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9eEf-D39KA
this isn’t real fellas
just so ye know
.
i make stuff up
Meanwhile across the Channel the anti-Breton hysteria seems about to reach a crescendo. Cultural imperialism by tilde denial. What will they think of next?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/13/french-baby-boy-banned-from-getting-name-containing-symbol
*regrets ever buying the club*
CBA
I love you dearly.
But if you can’t pay my rates.
You can stick your job where the sun don’t shine.
Maybe Trev will work pro bono?
can’t see it
trev and The Edge don’t get on
No offence taken countryman, thank you. Sorry I wasn’t around since Sunday to clarify.
Hope all are well.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Brilliant.
Genuinely laughing out loud.
Could be the brandy of course.
you can’t help yerself , can you c100
?