A Crazy Crazy Crazy St Totteringhams Day
Apr 11th, 2009 by 'holic
It’s that day again. Happy St Totteringhams day, fellow ‘holics. Astonishingly though at 3.45 this afternoon that was the last thing on our minds.
The first half at Wigan was every bit as difficult as expected beforehand. Not only did Steve Bruce’s side work energetically and virtually nullify any threat from the visitors, they grabbed the lead when Arsenal collectively fell asleep at a corner in the twentieth minute, and the unmarked Mido saw stand-in ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski spill his shot over the line.
The deficit was the last thing on any minds five minutes later when Johan Djourou was stretchered off after collapsing with what looked ominously like knee ligament damage. Fortunately we had Mikael Silvestre back on the bench, but it looks as though the injury prone Frenchman and Kolo Toure are the only two recognised central defenders left in the squad for the remainder of the campaign.
As the half drew to a close we enjoyed two huge slices of fortune that, if they didn’t turn the contest, certainly laid the platform from which we made a remarkable comeback. Kieran Gibbs should have seen red for hauling down Valencia and Wigan’s ire increased when the resulting free-kick came back off the post. The hosts deserved the advantage.
From the beginning of the second-half the Gunners took charge of the game. No, let me rephrase that. Andrey Arshavin took charge of the game. The little Russian had been largely anonymous before the break, but thereafter showed just why we worked so hard to complete the deal to bring him to North London on the last day of the transfer window.
Unbalanced and falling in the box, he found a magical little touch to tee up Theo Walcott for the equaliser. Then a wonderful pass freed Cesc Fabregas to cross from the left for Mikael Silvestre to secure the lead. Arshavin got the third himself when pouncing on a wayward ball from Koumas and smashing home a first-time right foot drive.
On this craziest of days there remained an incredible fourth from the much-maligned Alexandre Song. Picking up the ball some thirty-five yards out, he set off on a snaking run, evaded two challenges, and slotted the ball inside the far post. Had I been drinking? Well yes, but I have seen the replay, and it looks better each time. I’m so chuffed for him.
So there we are. Defensively stretched as we approach some huge fixtures, but with confidence high after pulling another plum from the pie. Will we have to wait another twelve months before celebrating the now annual St Totteringhams Day? Those who can remember the last time there wasn’t one are riddled with arthritis and goodness knows what other ailments that affect the aged.
I think I’ll have another drink to that.
25 Responses to “A Crazy Crazy Crazy St Totteringhams Day”
Cheers, me too ‘holic! Happy St. Totteringhams Day!
I love Alex Song! He’s gonna be one of the best ever at Arsenal.
I’ll drink to that too ‘holic. Cheers!
“…………….we worked so hard to complete the deal to bring him to North London on the last day of the transfer window.”????????
sounds pretty hypocratic!!!! who worked hard to secure the deal? arshvin himself or the club? why was the deal carelessly left to the last day?……………
THE MAN himselft and himself only deserves the credit! (for the transfer, reviving the team, helping win today…)
“why was the deal carelessly left to the last day?”
It wasn’t. Zenit wanted more money throughout the negotiations, which lasted the entire length of the transfer period. Long negotiations, that’s all.
I’ll also put my hand up and order another pint of strong lager.
Happy St Totteringham’s day everyone. It seems to come around quicker each year…
What are these red pills for again?
Happy St. Totts Day everyone!! 😀
I think we slightly got away with this one, as AW had to bring on the big guns to get the result. Fabianski was apparently culpable for their goal (I haven`t seen it yet), and flapped at another ball later. The ATVO commentary called him very much a `confidence keeper`, and the last Arsenal keeper that applied to was Alex Manninger. Leaving aside the sending-off claims, Gibbs doesn`t look quite ready at this level, and he was continually embarrassed. The Djourou injury is very worrying, as we would be badly exposed were he to miss many matches. Silvestre`s lack of rapport with Fabianski was understandable, but could be disasterous in future. Fortunately Wigan crumpled somewhat after we had taken the lead, and we have done well in a game that that looked tough on paper.
Arsebiscuit, I have seen the game. Gibbs had a splendid game. Leave the kid alone. Especially if you aint seen it..
I second that, Steveo.
He had some shaky moments but the boy looks like he has ‘what it takes’ to make it with us.
Harsh to say Fabianski was culpable, as the shot was at point blank range, but Manuel may well have done better.
From my iffy stream, it looked like we had to pull a lot out of the locker to get this result. This season has been a big learning experience. One I expect dividends from, in the coming seasons.
Happy St Totteringham’s day, all Gooners.
The benefit of the Spuds not going down is that we would lose this very satisfying moment, once a year, & thus the opportunity to call for one of ‘holic’s best clarets.
Happy St. Totts Day. I’ll have a G&T, methinks.
I was watching a dodgy stream that died after about half an hour, but was able to find a better one for the second. I’m quite pleased I couldn’t really see how poor we were for the first 45.
Having seen MOTD, Fabianski really should have saved that. Yes, it was point blank range, but it was straight at him. Gibbs was lucky to stay on the pitch, and Wigan must have been gutted to see him clear off the line later on.
The weird thing about our defence though, is that we so often concede a goal through the most appalling lapse, then defend extremely well for the rest of the game. You have to go back to Villa Park in December to find the last time we conceded two, and we’ve only conceded more than two twice all season.
I was quite happy at the prospect of JD replacing Gallas, but he didn’t even manage half a game before our injury curse claimed him too. Now we’re stuck with the guy from Easter Island.
We do like a bit of adversity though, don’t we! The second half was such an improvement. Once we took over, we were excellent.
Great to see Adebayor terrorising their defence, and Cap’n Fab and Arshavin were brilliant.
And let’s all laugh at Michael Brown. At 1-1, he committed a ridiculous, pointless foul on Fabregas, got a yellow, and then watched as we scored from the free-kick!
Arsene Wenger’s Office. August 3rd, 2008.
“Pat, I had a dream last night. It was St Totternghams Day. We were still in it. EPL third place. FA Cup Semi and on the brink for Champion’s League Semi. Swiss Tony was already off to Milan for his sabbatical. William Gallas had done his knee the previous Saturday. Was I worried? No way. I knew I still had Swiss Johan up my sleeve (so to speak)”
Pat “Got you, Arsene. Good dream so far, Monsieur Le Boss.”
“But wait” I said to Madame Wenger (still in my dream). “What if Swiss Johan does his knee on St Totteringhams Day? I’ll be up merd creek without a paddle. What to do?”
Pat “Buggered if I know, Arsene! Where’s merd creek, down Dagenham way is it?”
News of The Screws, August 4th, 2008
Arsene Wenger buys Silvestre from Old Red Nose for ten bob. Goonerholic proclaims purchase “strangest ever by AW”.
Now we know, Holic. Still a bloody strange purchase though.
Great post, mate. Superb second half by our Russkie. I too was tickled for Alex Song. I think 4-1 calls for a Vodka Afrique with a twist of Caiperinhia (Denilson was one of our best until he retired). Bring on Ringo Pires and the Yellow Submarine next Wednesday.
Am I still the only one who thinks Valencia fouls Gibbs?
🙂
I can see your point because Valencia used his arms to fend Gibbs off, but the ref will always see that as six of one and half-dozen of the other. As soon as Gibbs stopped his progress, it became a foul.
What does piss me off though, is that every time Adebayor tries to fend off a challenge, the whistle blows immediately.
Rather busy and with not much interweb here, but I couldn’t not greet you from here and ask for a Schooner of some beer of your choice.
Ollie, 2-0 to les Girondins at Auxerre. It was a good day for you.
G’day mate.
Well this is great weekend isn’t it?? Firstly, I wish a very Happy St Totts day to everyone! Second, we celebrate a 4-1 away win – we made a bit of hrd work of getting the result but the quality shone through in the end. And third, well I don’t have to go to work tomorrow!!! Marvellous!!!!
Back to the game, the positives are surely that we have enough daylight between us and Villa/Everton to qualify for Champs League next season!? Also, a hard fought result like yesterdays is a great confidence booster as we enter into a week that will hopefully see us go through to the Champs League Semi-final by disposing of Villareal (who lost 2-0 yesterday). Finally, just how good is Andrey Arshavin?? Great stuff!
But I have to highlight a few negatives.
1. Lucas Fabianski. In short, this guy worries me. He simply doesn’t look confident enough in front of goal, especially in dead ball situations.
2. Central defence. We are seriously down to the bare bones, having now to rely on an injury prone Silvestre in support of Toure. The weakness is showing!!
3. Andrey Arshavin! Along with Cesc, the diminutive Russian adds a fluidity, a gracefulness that is missing when he is not playing and it pains me to think he cannot play in the Champs League. Ok, we knew that all along but I thought I’d mention it all the same.
So with some really tough games coming up (Champs League, Chelsea, Liverpool) and as we draw to the close of the season, never has the current squad been under so much pressure to seize the opportunity for achieving honours for Arsenal Football Club.
A large glass of that McGuigans Estate Shiraz at the back please ‘Holic – in fact I’ll take a couple of bottles for this week please 🙂
i had a word with the malaga lads to crock some of thier players. cheers hloic, fizzy water please
Bad news taking out Senna, dizzy. That means Bobby will be in there, with a point to prove.
It will be great to see him start though.
Bobby will have his work cut out but we all know that if anyone can…..indeed!?
No resting on our laurels…..still lots of work to do but I, for one, am encouraged to here that Senna will not be playing.
Happy St. Totts Day from Aus everyone!!
Got it all wrong in the 1st half to be fair, but 1-4ft will do be any day of the year.
Snail
I’ve just watched the highlights again on MOTD2, and you know what? You’re right. Valencia pulled Gibbs down and then fell over himself.
Well spotted.
Cheers Gerry – glad I wasn’t the only one. I wonder if that is why the ref thought 6 of one and half a dozen of the other and only brandished a yellow…
“Those who can remember the last time there wasn’t one are riddled with arthritis and goodness knows what other ailments that affect the aged.”
94-95 season ‘holic. Graham was sacked and we lost the ECWC Final thanks to you know who from the half-way line.