Has The Fat Lady Got Tonsilitis?
Feb 11th, 2010 by 'holic
What sozzled old soak said “It’s a funny old game”? Correct. Me at around 9.40 after Arsenal had completed the only win for the top four tonight. Let’s face it, the two results that preceded the triumph over Liverpool were not good, and you can’t really say that those who over-reacted did so without reason.
Now perhaps some will consider the twelve games remaining, and the fact we face nobody in that top four. We have two wins to our credit in those big four clashes, and that is one more than United managed in their title triumph last season. Maybe the portly ‘prima donna’ is not preparing her latest aria quite yet.
Just for a moment though, let’s forget the goal that put us back within six points of the top. I read somewhere in the last couple of days that William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen were not communicating any more. I forget where and I won’t go hunting for that sort of garbage now. Anybody who saw the pair exchange a handshake and a glance after the former had produced a tremendous last gasp challenge on N’gog in the second half knew the degree of mutual respect they were witnessing.
If that challenge was one key moment in the triumph, then obviously the next came when Abou Diaby showed the value of having somebody in the opponents box taller than five feet four inches. Tomas Rosicky picked him out with an inch-perfect cross on 72 minutes and the goal we had threatened finally arrived.
The visitors were left moaning (Liverpool? Surely not!) when the last action of the evening saw Cesc Fabregas block a free-kick with his raised arm. “We know that was penalty” claimed the portly bearded man who will be serving squid and rioja at the Lime Street tapas bar at the weekend, ignoring the fact that Fabregas would have to be in the area for that to be a valid claim.
Cesc was once again the driving force in the middle of the park, but it would be wrong not to acknowledge Arsene’s selection of Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner. Who would have thought that we would be saying that a year ago when both were sometimes not best appreciated for their contribution, but they certainly gave us something different tonight, and given the most recent results that was no bad thing.
The result tonight was far more important than the performance, but although we may not have played “with the handbrake off” throughout, this was still a solid display against a side who came into the game buoyed by a derby victory at the weekend, and intent on overhauling us in the Premiership, according to their skipper. Once again Gerrard left us wondering if he has some sort of ear infection affecting his balance, displaying a propensity to hit the deck for little or no reason.
Arsenal pulled eight points clear of their opponents, but even funnier was the performance of the little club up the road. Their manager was positively twitchy as he claimed they should be going above us tonight before the contest. He is positively epileptic tonight, after his tactical genius earned his current side a defeat at Wolves on the day his former employer sought to survive the days of personal cheques from the chairman and growing crippling debts. In other words mismanagement of the highest order.
To think some criticise Arsene for not doing what that man has done at a string of now financially struggling clubs.
Goodnight.
106 Responses to “Has The Fat Lady Got Tonsilitis?”
First in????
6X please. Bloody freezing out there……….
I’ll stick to my mantra…keep the faith. Gritty performance…not elegant but effective. Almunia’s save onto the bar should be noted (and yes he owed us all that!).
12 more on the trot please – and a pint of Cider Sir…
Agreed Tim. Top save Manuel. If Eboue can win the masses round, Almunia shouldn’t have any problem. Will take a few more like that though.
Not been in for long. It was a bloody cold night at The Grove. Funny but I knew it would be our night. I am a creature of habit when attending games. As I made my way from the tube my customary hour before kick off, I bought my programme from the same spot I always buy my programme. You will know holioc that I am definitely and optimist. A glass is half full bloke. As a result I finish many of my posts on your blog with the words Keep the faith. I hand over the cash and are handed my prog in return. I start the walk to entrance B thinking of the game and my first pint. I take a look at the cover. There is a picture of Cesc with the words “KEEPING FAITH.” Well bugger me. Someone has been listening and clearly turning up her from time to time.
Faith well and truly kept, I then watched the most boring Scouse team that I can remember. Dreadful. Poor first half with little quality. 2nd half I thought we wanted it more and got our reward.
TV and Gallas were massive at the back. Bendtner caused problems and worked hard. Gerrard moaned and cheated. I thought Diaby deserved his goal and he took it well.
So all in all a great night. We take 3 points, Mancs drop 2, Chavs 3 and the spuds lose at Wolves. Happy days. String a good run of 6 or 7 wins together and, well who knows???…………
Keep the faith…..
Just what the doctor ordered. Holding out against the eventual Liverpool riposte will restore some lost confidence.
Night-cap, please
I have been reading your blog on and off for about a year now. I agree with alot of what you say and love your sensible, positive outlook. Even in times as bad and hard as the last week and a half. Two blogs that stick out in my mind are the April fools one you did last year ans the February 2020 one you did recently. Very funny and uplifting stuff.
I agree Tim, Almunia did owe us that save. It was a great and important one, hopefully a sign of him coming back to his best?
1997/98 – 12 match unbeaten run in?
Spot on with Diaby in the box….nice to see us actually get on the end of one. Thought Bendtner was a handful and gave us a different look (minus the dive). Liverpool can cry all they want about a handball at the end but there is no way that was a free kick….he went down like he was shot.
I suppose that fat lady is in a lot of our minds. Was thinking the exact same thing!
Looking at the fixture list ahead of the season I thought we could make it if we were within 5pts of the top after the Liverpool game. As Tim said, keep it simple. Game by game. If they show the same workrate as today then why shouldn’t we take at least 30 points till the end?
Keep it up boys!
I disagree on the Almunia save. I think he closed his eyes and did his best to punch what was essentially a shot right at him, straight into his farkin net. We will win nothing with that clown in goal. Great win tonight and good to see my bwoy Abou getting on the score sheet.
I believe I may be wrong with my 1997/98 comment. But there is something there, trust me…
In fairness to Almunia he looked a lot more solid tonight.
Cheers Dan. Gald you enjoyed the April one as much as I did. Sadly I won’t get away with that again, but it was fun just the once!
Not only the handshake and “look” between Verm & Gallas, but I even saw a congratulatory fist-bump betwixt Gallas & Almunia during the match. That’s what the team needs…just to stick together.
That collection and tackle of N’gog by Gallas was a man’s defensive play. Cool, assured and experienced.
Almunia had a fabulous punch from a cross (or free kick, I can’t remember) that went nearly out to midfield. He hasn’t handled a ball that aggressively in ages.
A real “team win” for the lads tonight. Proud of them for coming back after the United/Chavs matches.
Yes-good blog as ever. Weren’t sharp, not surprisingly some of the team looked tired. However, we showed far more defensive cohesiveness than of late and didnt get overstretched too often. This squad are better than recent results have indicated. Even though half fit we looked better with Bendtner leading the line. No one is getting carried away by this.
Personally ,I am happier to see what happened at Everton and Villa rather than at Wolves, just in case anyone still believes that the top 2 are unbeatable.
They are very beatable gerry, for others sadly. Question now is are we? Can we roll off thirteen unbeaten and make it interesting?
long time reader, first time poster
thought Diaby was absolutely fantastic tonight, he seems to have learned when he needs to stay back and cover for Cesc/Song, and did very well both defensively and going forward. I actually felt Cesc was the weakest of our midfield trio, not poor by any means, but more of a compliment to the other two. As for Gallas – give this man whatever he wants in his new contract!
top blogging, as always
It was massive.. I wonder how the folks at the grove would have felt.. It was a question of who wanted the win more and our lads maintained the attitude they started to display during the second half of the Chavs game.. They seem to have grown off each other and it shows.. Did u guys witness Diaby’s celebrations and Rosicky’s initial reaction in the background as Abou nodded it in? (ofcourse thats rhetoric).. It was just awesome.. So we win, Spuds and Chavs lose and the Mancs get a lucky draw.. boy oh boy! When it rains it does pour!!
great to be back winning again………….had definitely been feelin’ the blues recently!
Still think MANU & Chelsea are a cut above us but we do not need to be dragged into a race for 4th! Bring on Porto and lets hope for the best…..
GOOONERS!
Wenger actually picked the side i would have today and it worked. Granted we can play better but this result was just what we needed! Im not saying i could do his job just that hes realising that some players just need to be dropped (denilson – current ability, sagna – form) I just wish gibbs was fit to offer clichy a challenge. Big Al definitely owed us that one but we should have a world class keeper who is expected to make world class saves, Almunia has the rest of the season to prove he is up to the task. I cant see it myself but he is the right age now so who knows
Ps i think we need to get off theos back because last time he came back from shoulder problems he was absolutely ineffective against anyone but over time became a very useful weapon. There was so much more support for him then and it was paying off so give the lad a chance!
pps Denilson does not deserve the same treatment but needs to go out on loan to learn about graft and hopefully come back able to make an impact for 90 mins.
Holic this is one of my favorite sites you old cobber. A bit of wisdom amongst all the irrational heads…Mine included.
12 FINALS TO GO
Redknapp can eat his words.
Shitty first half.
How about Diaby up front with Arshavin or Eduardo just behind?
Arse should get top 3 but watch out for City
Welcome Joey, hope to see more of you.
You still alive, stonroy? 😉
BOOZY,
You’ve nailed it mate. Twelve wins and it is ours. Any less and ?
She sang last Summer and last month, pull collective heads out, you’re just hurting yourselves.
Come Arsenal that is all you will get out of me for tonight!
More than deserved win, game was even form most of it , but we held and Clichy made the turn around I was wating for!
Snowed in here in NYC. No negativity today. Just happy that we got 3 points.
This means nothing. For all we know we could drop points against Spurs, city and brum…anyways that is a worry for another day.
Today am just thankful that Diaby is finally repaying all those seasons of frustration
Sajit, I get the feeling if you fell in a barrel of tits you would come out sucking on your thumb. Cheer up for goodness sake. Thanks.
Sajit on another note can you just not be happy for the WIN?
Holic what a comment to folloew God bless you!
A win is a win and from now on we can wim em all….
Man U dropped….Chelsea dropped and that is all were waiitng for perhaps we can sneak in from th erear and why not?
“Goonerholic
Sajit, I get the feeling if you fell in a barrel of tits you would come out sucking on your thumb. Cheer up for goodness sake. Thanks.”
hahaha! Love it.
Great result, write us off at your peril. 6 points is nothing, it is down to us to keep winning and getting back to form.
Diaby, Song and Gallas were superb today.
Come on you Gooners!
Sajit, if you really are in NYC, get yourself down to Nevada’s on match day, ask for danks or Dodgy Keeper. Learn what being a Gooner in the Big Apple is all about. Seriously fella, go do it.
LEAN!
The man came to visit me? Bless you fella. We’re on our way!
‘holics, if you haven’t paid a visit to Arsenal Vision before, now is the time. Just click on the name Mean Lean, above.
@Holic
It was a tremndous win, if Sajit thinks its nothing the we might as well pack it in mate 🙂
The truth is this season will be about the team that wins the games against the lesser teams…
I may be worng but you never know!
Been to LEAN pound before now bad at all 🙂
We’re at least the best of the rest and if we beat the rest of the rest we just might be the best of the best
Long way to go Arthur. The odds are just about against us, and rightly so, but a good run would make life interesting. That’s all we can ask for after the two games that came before tonight. How narrow are the margins this season?
How are you doing Magic?
Right, work in six hours. Time for some shut eye.
Have a good one ‘holics.
Im feel so good about the win but i remember this feeling and its usually followed by the depression of a physical northern mid table side holding us to a draw or at worse.
our next league game is sunderland so come on boys we need to build on that game and get our momentum back we’ve got no more top four games lets show the world what we are made of and make a real impression on the league.
on another note is anyone else worried by the fact that barcelona have come out and said that nothings happened with fabregas. I dont remember it happening before and its the sort of thing wenger would have insisted on when doing a deal
arsenal lose and within half an hour newsnow is crawling with cockroaches ready to vomit their crap views all over the net.
arsenal win and i only see your blog. well done.
some simple math for the plastic lightweights
the title is over 38 games
it is NOT 4 games against manure and mickey mouse.
surpport your team win or lose or find another pastime because plastic fans are no use to anybody.
Wow!
That was too much for my heart, I almost collapsed when they got that free kick.
Interesting points about everything basically.
It was said a couple of days ago that probably AW has given everyone a warning to watch out for their place and they probably understood what the task at hand is.
Steve T – I get the feeling we’re not the only optimists now, are we :)?
The most important thing for me is the lessons learned! There wasn’t even 1 good counter attack from Liverpool’s side and I almost jumped to the sky when Clichy got his yellow cause the guy actually fouled to stop the counter, I was smiling as if we scored 3 goals in one half. The guys are understanding the weaknesses.
Gallas’s tackle and Almunia’s save were tremendous and the team looks as if they are out to prove something to everyone – I can feel them though, getting slammed every week, and hearing that they need to be replaced with expensive and “better” players.
If Chamakh signs and Arsenal do win the league then Arsene needs to get a cheque from the media as compensation for all their comments, cause not only did he get him for free but he also didn’t bring him in January and still won. He is the best there ever will be and I feel sorry for all those people looking for his head.
Regarding the run in, the only difficulties I see are Birmingham, Stoke, and Hull away, all the others should be easy ones.
As for Chelsea and UTD being beatable they most certainly are when they need to play an imposing style of play and not rely on counters like they did against us. That’s why they’re losing so many points with the small clubs. They’ll drop more, a lot more.
Holic, thanks for having this blog, it has become my first site when looking to talk Arsenal cause there are so many sensible voices!!! Just the kind of attitude I needed, I just couldn’t stand all the other’s with their pessimistic look on life.
I’ll stay with my regular pint of Carling :).
I think TheSKAGooner hit the nail on the head, that fist bump between Billy and Manuel pretty much summed up the evening for me. Believe me, I had my doubts about Manuel in goal, especially after the Chelsea game, but seeing the mutual respect between the players, picking each other up, it was reassuring.
Hopefully now that our “mini-league” is out of the way we can get results against the smaller clubs and move up the table. I just hope AW treats the UCL a little differently than the other cups. As strange as it sounds I do think that loss at Stoke in the cup killed our momentum.
Keep the faith!!!
Game finished around 7am here, so I thought I’d have a little shut eye before work. Woke up screaming “F*ck you!” and with my heart racing!
Dreamt that we conceded a last minute corner and Almunia threw the ball to the Liverpool player who took a quick corner that ended up in the back of the net before we were ready. Then from the restart, Gallas failed to bundle the ball into the Liverpool net just before the final whistle blew.
Was screaming and disoriented when I woke up. Had to immediately go online to make sure we actually won 1-0. Whew!
JUst wanted to say great win today, I always drop by and read your comments, although never wrote before, but since the sadness of the last 2 games is so gone I just felt like shouting it on all sites I read about our beloved gunners!
We are back baby!!
*waves*
I spent the extra time hiding ’til I heard the whistle.
Haha, Ive been to Nevada Smith’s alright! And lol, Im a gooner too ‘holic, just that Im a quite pessimistic by nature – nothing to do with Arsenal – and is that so bad?
What I wanted to convey is – there are still a lot of potential pitfalls and more importantly its out of our hands. We depend on Chelsea AND ManYoo to drop points. Not inconceivable but highly unlikely.
I can say with absolute conviction that during matches I’ve been fully behind the team right till the final minute of every single effing game.
The pessimistic nature comes out after that 🙂 – probably just to balance what I sometimes perceive as unwarranted optimism.
Great second half by the lads today. Battled in the first half but we didnt seem sharp out of the blocks. Good to see Eboue on form, Cichy actually taking on and beating someone down the wing again, and Bendtner sprinting atleast 50m to cover the RB position after Eboue had caught in the attack. Theo needs to get some confidence, and He’ll be fine. I Have a better feeling and spring in my step about the rest of the season!
Are we still toothless and predictable? Or was that only on Sunday?
some time after the game arsene called hairy spudnapp
Hairy: howdie?
Arsene: up yours dickhead !!!
p.s. i really hope arsene did that after the idiotic comments !!!
…good display from the boys, i have to admit i shit myself after we conceded that freekick!
I’ll be only too happy to eat humble pie if we were to win the PL, But my god what a performance from Diaby and Bendtner, We need that physical presence so much.
I still think it’s a big ask, but both Utd and Chelski dropping points immediately after pulling away from us……..still it can’t really happen for us……can it?
holic thnkx for the focus on the positives
felt that after first half a totally stressed out no score draw was on the cards – how wrong can you be
cesc was a weak link – would be interested in his passing stats recently – for me he’s poor in that aspect but Im sure his work rate is still the best. As for the handball – what was he doing , but ref got it right and blew for time rather than a free kick – phew
lets not over analyse the rest of the season just take a game at a time and win the lot!!
For the time being, all is well.
12 games in hand.
No top-4 to compete.
Fingers crossed on the injuries.
6 points behind Chelsea
ManUnited yet to face Chelsea
From here, we can only self-destruct and not win the league!
I agree with many very interesting points made here and since the discussion is drifting towards our title hopes, I had a look at the points dropped in the last 12 games in the recent seasons:
Last season:
United: 8
Chelski: 5
2007/2008
United: 7
Chelski: 6
2006/2007
United: 10
Chelski: 10
2005/2006:
United: 7
Chelski: 14
2004/2005
United: 15
Chelski: 6
The Invincibles: 10
Unfortunately I could not find data for the 97/98 run. but I think you get the idea. Note that on one hand the winner was decided early in some cases and they dropped points afterward but then on the other hand this season has proved to be harder for the top teams and they dominate much less than before. A bad injury to a key player could (and probably will) make the difference.
With our never-give-up attitude against smaller teams, it’s going to be a riveting run-in up to May!
Well done boys keep the dream. I am glad Wenger was finally allowed to come out and explain we simply don’t have the money to buy the likkes of D Villa etc. We need to get over that appreciate what he is achieving on a restricted budget and back him and the team.
I agree some of the guys might not be good enough but we need to be realistic and all get behind the team and you never know?
The board have been hanging AW out to dry and the fans need to know the real picture
@matt: Awesome stats there!
It’d be interesting to have another row added to that ‘Arsenal’. 😀
After all, we are going to drop points too! We have UEFA CL along with the league.
2 very nervous teams in the first half.Thought Ebouie or Gallas were MOM.
Always a one nil game just glad we got the one.Bloody freezing though.
One further point i still think we would not go far wrong with signing Babel.You dont get called the dutch Thierry Henry for nothing.I think with proper coaching he could be world class.
Frustrating to see sky sports news replaying the Bentner “dive” but not the Gerrard one. Gerrard dives in virtually every game he plays but no one says a thing!
And as for the scallies asking for a penalty? Unbelievable! Cesc’s hands were protecting his face and it was outside the area. Not “on the edge” of the area but clearly outside.
April 3: nasal whiney northern monkeys v chavs.
If we can stay in touch over the next few weeks this incredible season could get better still…
Great blog, as ever.
Diaby takes the man of the match for me and that is not just because he scored the winning goal, fantastic alround performance. We have better chance of winning games with denilson,walcott and nasri stay on the bench. Gerrard 9.5 9.8 9.6 nearly got a ten for that alwful dive in the last minuate. Why no yellow card ? Bendtner got one and there was contact !
One of our key games will be away to Stoke! Let’s hope for a better performance than in the FA Cup. Perhaps a timely injury for DeLap would help!
Also the Citeh game at the Grove looks tough too. Arsenal old boys again Arsenal young boys!
Otherwise it’s a good run in.
A trouncing for the Tiny Tots at the drain too!
What a turnaround!
I thought we played well throughout.
In the first half we controlled the game, had the odd half-chance but defended as a team giving Liverpool little sight of our goal.
In the second we upped our game and went for the win whilst maintaining our defensive discipline.
Arsene’s subsitutions were spot on.
Everybody did their part to earn us that win (although some people are never happy critisising AA for a poor performance and barely acknowledging Alumina’s “world class” save to deny Babel).
Keep up the good work lads and lets build on this for the run-in and who knows maybe we will finally have something to stick in the trophy cabinet at the Grove!!
Ps ‘holic sorry you lost your pound but I am sure the result more than makes up for it!
Did Twitchy really say that the spuds would be above us after last night? If so, he has definitely lost it. Or maybe he just doesn’t know his basic maths?
Anyway, a great win. Not a great game, but a great win. I have to say that Diaby is starting to look more and more like the real thing. I also think that Eboue had a very positive influence on the team attitude-wise. That man just never gives up, and we need more of that.
One week of resting and proper training on the back of this win will probably do us a lot of good, Cesc for example looked a bit tired last night. Get a good result (at least a scoring draw) down in Portugal and then just give it all we’ve got in the remaining games of the season and see where that lands us.
As others have said: KEEP THE FAITH!
Holic,
Another great post Sir to back up 3 massive massive points last night ive been scratching my head this morning and wondering if in my Arsenal watching lifetime ive ever seen a more negative liverpool than the one this season now i know theyve got a few injuries but that is no excuse for the pure rancid approach they take to games,
So after much thought in the last 25+ years ive been going i could not think of a worse Liverpool side I know your a bit more long in the toth than me and was wondering if thats the worse youve ever seen them?
The reason i ask is weve had some bad results recently but last night brought home how we could be in much worse shape ie Liverpool
A number of things:
1. Great Blog as ever.
2. I have slated Almunia recently but don’t underestimate how important that save was last night – well done goalie.
3. Typical that the robbin’ scousers are whingeing about a penalty (that never was) decision. Howard Webb gave them just about every other decision last night, the twat.
4. Not too many people have commented on a much improved performance from Gael last night, thought he played really well.
5. The way Liverpool play these days makes my eyes bleed. How those scally’s must be hurting having to endure greates like Maxi Rodriguez….
6. Its only 10 sleeps till my next visit to the Emirates – taking my youngest daughter to her first Arsenal game (vewy pwoud….)
So much happier today, thank you Arsenal.
Superb TEAM display by the fantastic Gooners. Everyone did their job (I acknowledged Clichy in the previous blog zicoinexile ~ yes, he really worked hard and put in a fantastic performance overall).
Babel is a player that interests me. Worse thing for his career in signing for Liverpool (went for the moolah….and has paid the price) at the very last minute, when a deal has been agreed with us, so I recall. I suspect he now knows that! It has been said many times that we need to stretch our attacking play across the 18-yard box in favour of more wing play……and Babel would’ve been the ideal candidate, all under the 1st class tutelage of Arsene. Who knows….maybe he turned down the transfer window oportunity of going to Brimingham in the hope Arsene might sign him sometime in the future. I guess that depends on the development of Walcott. Stranger things have happened!
Also the clearly prejudicial commentary had me seething at points. For example, Bendtner ‘prematurely slices it over the bar’ (or words to that effect) afer getting himself in a great position, whereas Lucas does the same but ‘was oh so close in just missing with a terrific shot’.
Unbelievable!
Keep on believing 🙂
I was impressed with the defensive work from almost everyone. I was certain we’d concede but after awhile I suddenly found myself feeling sure we’d eke it out. Excellent, gritty, mature victory, despite the flaws in the performance. We need more victories like this.
To be precise, we need around 12 more victories like this 😉
Barman, a “good attitude” award should go to Diaby and our other players who have persevered through serious injuries without whining to the press or bringing in other forms of negativity. Diaby in particular has had a horrendous string of injuries but demonstrated great patience and perseverance over several years while not uttering a negative word in the press that I can recall. It is wonderful to see him coming good this season, as is also the case with Alex Song and several others who may have not had as many injuries as Diaby. But we have too many players who have had almost as many injuries as Diaby. I recall hearing Arsene say he prefers his players not to lift weights. Is this the best policy in terms of avoiding injuries and being able to shake off opponents’ bruising shoulder charges?
For everyone interested in just how we managed to get these four games in a row (at least the last three!) I just posted a link over at Untold Arsenal (due to a discussion about the probability of us getting these hard games in a row) and I thought, well, I might as well post it here as well. Many of you have probably already read it, but for the rest of you, it really is a good read.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/06/secrets_of_the_fixture_compute.html
It’s not really a lottery and it almost sounds like every season is going to be more and more alike with more things regulating the fixture list.
Hey Holic’
“Happy days are here again…” da da dada, da da dada… and so forth. I’ve always been more of a pessimist (an under-promise-and-overdeliver kind of Texan), but I was buoyed by yesterday’s results. We showed grit, determination, and endeavor… we need more of that.
Query this, though: Chel$ki lose to Everton and draw at Hull; ManUre draw with Villa; while we have handled Everton, Hull, and Villa pretty well (dropped a couple points, though). Do our boys have a mental thing with taking the bit from ManUre and Chel$ki, or do those mid-table teams have a structure that suits them better than us against those two?
Alternatively, perhaps our “big-boy” opponents take a letdown when they are not facing the Arsenal (credit to us)… then again, maybe we are easy for those two to figure out and frustrate ?
I dunno. (head hurts) For now, I’ll just toast the win and future good fortune! Fortune favors the brave, boys – Hook ’em!! Come on you, Gunners!
Cashley has broken his anke.. out for 3 months!!
So.. the inlcusion of Mr Bridge in the Ingerrland squad… possibily the team for the first game out in S Africa looks even more likely.
Much fun and games to come.
In the meantime… unlucky A Hole.
Lonestar… what you make of Diaby? 😉
And Giggs broke his arm, 4 weeks off. It’s not football that is going to decide who wins the title, it’s luck.
It’s hard not to be proud of the lads. Despite 2 disappointing draws and 2 horrible losses in a row they are able to produce a game full of grit. Of all the Arsenal teams I can’t remember this is the one that displays most the spirit needed for a long winless streak. They are hungry and they know what they’re capable of.
On the other hand Liverpool will not play in the CL next season.
On MOTD someone made the remark that Arsene was not able to align twice the same team since over 100 games. Against Liverpool it’s Arshavin and Song who got injured as is now the rule (at least one player picks up an injury per game) and could both be sidelined for a bit.
I still maintain it will be very hard for us to win silverware with this injury rate.
Stringfellow Hawke #77,
I really like Diaby (when he is fit; see Matt’s comments above). I like his height and close control – and he was really treated harshly regarding his own goal at Ol’ Trafford. Cesc definitely needs his help. It’s a different team when he’s on the pitch, for sure. Are you a stateside supporter?
Of course my blog entry comments about him (Diaby) were from last year. He’s grown… as have I 😉
Matt – I still think Liverpool will get 4th, Spurs have no chance, Villa are too unambitious and I suspect Man City will ultimately prove too inconsistent (or more so than Liverpool anyway).
I think City will get 4th…they’ve got the squad and won’t be drawing many more matches after that streak of 37 in a row right?
‘Holic, what are the odds for a string of 13 games with the scoreline of 1-0 to the Arsenal? Also, did Spurs sell Robbie Keane to Celtic to avoid a Pompey-like fate before the end of the season?
Arshavin AND song injured? Say it ain’t so, Joe?
Actually, having now read the BBC site – Arsene has been quoted on a number of occasions about players injuries only for them to miraculously appear in the team line up thereafter.
I am not for a minute saying we have not been cursed by injuries this season, but when I hear about “fresh” ones I immediately assume they are as bad as Van Persie’s and start to panic!
I suppose by the same token, our injuries have been so bad that we are playing players not fully on a fairly regular basis (Arshavins foot for example).
I expect both to play in the CL next week – just a hunch.
Good piece, Holic. Without Torres, Liverpool’s only really scary threat is Gerard’s diving — like a Cesc Fabregas pass, it can come out of nowhere and lay you low, without warning. And Stevie G did try tonight.
As one who lived through the original Fat Lady madness, Arsenal would be a perfect home for the idea, and Dick Motta and the Bullets would be proud of the association. Unfortunately, Arsenal lack Elvin Hayes.
You were mentioning where to be a Gooner in New York. Any views on that in the Bay Area?
Evening chaps.
I think A Hole’s broken ankle is really good news for us. He has been quite successful lately maraudung down the left flank for the Chavs and puttig in crosses (as we know only too well). I also think his absence will upset a shaky loking backline, which means their dropping points even more likely. Gigg’s injury is also a blow to Manure as he has filled some of that Ronaldo like gap in their side of late, so they may become even more one dimensional themselves.
We may well be seeing lady luck starting to come down on the red side of London. Hurrah!
PS. We could do with a few ladies in this bar, now that the gloom is lifting. I suspect it was all those ‘window cleaners’ that ‘holic hired in over the last couple of weeks, they’ve really brightened it up in here.
Cheers Boys, I’ll have an ice cold Guinness Extra Cold, served in an ice frosted glass.
Bay area, Joel? Only what I see linked in Arsenal USA I’m afraid. Although a few of the New York Gooners I have met I cannot say the same for those on the West Coast.
That’s more of a surprise than you might think, as I work for a company that was headquartered in Menlo Park before being swallowed up a few years back.
This is supposed to be the place, but not by personal recommendation…yet!
http://www.maggiemcgarrys.com/
blimey. How’s a bird supposed to get to the bar through this crowd?
When’s Gibbs due back from his injury? Just thinking if Cole is out of the WC that Gibbs could be a smokey for the squad. He would have to get at least some regular game time before then, and I’m hoping Clichy continues to improve and gets back to his best .. so it might be a bit hard for him this time.
Evening gents.
Can´t believe I missed this blog last night, I was celebrating in the bar on the last drinks and I probably had a few to many non cyber bevvys during and after the game.
I posted this last night after this blog was up, so if you don´t mind;
Lately I´ve has some harsh things to say about Almunia, so I think it´s only fair that I praise him for tonights performance which I thought was solid.
It´s not the fact that he made a few decent saves that pleased me, (although that was great) because we all know he´s always been a decent shotstopper. It was his attitude and presence that impressed me. He didn´t dilly dally on crosses as he has done lately and seemed to be confident. This confidence looked like it spread through the defence who performed as a unit. I saw many high fives and back pats going on between them and a fist on fist moment between Almunia and Gallas which was nice to see.
Long may it continue.
Anyway another great blog and excellent drinks lads.
´holic, I told you I´d thrown sleeping pills in her drink, locked her dressing room door and stole the overweight lasses mic.
The fat bitches performance has been canceled indefinetly.
I´ll take a pint of lager please chief.
Cheers.
How’s a bird supposed to get to the bar through this crowd?
No need. Just do what I do when I get in the pub. Wink at the nice barmaid you praised to the hilt before the game, and your Guinness will appear before the fifty people in front of you have had a chance to place their order.
Might I suggest you should make one slight amendment to this policy. The lad with the shaved sides and longer crown cover may be more productive in your case 😉
Oh in that case I’ll have a kir royale and a packet of mini cheddars please
Heh!
Bar tarts!
and that is a problem because?
I like cakes as much as the next man.
@Joel,
You could try posting your query at http://www.7am.com which is an USA based Arsenal blog.
Tim, the guy who writes it, usually has recommendations of good venues across the States to watch Arsenal games with fellow Gooners.
@charlie: looking at it, Pool have a slightly more favourable schedule than the others but they are not the Liverpool of lore. Another injury to the diver and they’re back struggling for draws. And it’s harder to get results against smaller teams when they smell the blood. Playing for a draw with 2 DMs won’t help either.
I wish my Everton were in the race, Moyes is a great manager and they play attractive football to boot. It’s a shame they started slowly with their many injuries.
Other than that I don’t care for the teams in contention (when I don’t outright despise them) but Citeh looks the likeliest to me, more so with Mancini.
And I tip both teams (Everton and Citeh) to do well against United at home.
@dharg
You probably mean http://www.7amkickoff.com which is a great blog btw.
@Joel
You can find bars (mostly Irish pubs) using the “find venues” feature of the setanta US site. Just go to the most convenient for a premiership game with Arsenal and you’ll find fellow gunners. Unfortunately many are packed beyond hope for the CL final rounds.
‘Holic about #87 Maggie McGarry’s has a very dedicated crowd of gooners although I have been only once, for our victory against Villa a couple of months ago. There was a great crowd and spirit for so early in the morning, and it is located in the great North Beach section of San Francisco. Not as large as Nevada Smith’s but Maggie’s had an exclusively gooner crowd when I was there, which you normally cannot say about Nevada’s. Minneapolis has Brit’s which is another great pub for watching the footie. All in all, the game is hotting up in the States, and I’ve noted many yanks aside from myself on your blog. About your title, I’m not sure if the fat lady has tonsilitis, but she seems to have something at the moment!
@ Joel: I’m here in the Bay too, my friend. Kezar’s can be fun out in the City, or send me a message and come have a Guinness @ 7am with my friends and I!
Holic, thanks again. Your words and open bar have kept me sane in my isolated misery here in California. I will never get to join you all in being so close to the Arsenal, but nights like last make me feel so f’ing proud to be a Gunner. I thought the team had a fabulous performance overall: Clichy seems to be finding his stride a bit more, Bendtner’s hard work opened up some space for Cesc, Diaby was disciplined and skillfull, TV and Gallas worked some wonders- even Alumunia joined us for a night back from the dead.
I don’t know how it was at the stadium, but even on TV- thousands of miles away- the pride and elation was quite tangible. I know my block of neighbors won’t soon forget it!
I’ll have another pint o Guinness, if there’s any still left… The title is still ours for the taking!
I was in the stadium and it was tense and freezing
That should keep our Merkan friends in Sunny California, KT 😉
That should give my lowly red membership a better chance too.
North London / Herts chap here…now in Phoenix – previously Los Angeles (which was great for gooners – and was there during our wonder years) whereas here I could just as well support Oldham to maintain a high profile…actually I know an Oldham supporter here, nice bloke about the size of Arshavin.
A great friend of mine has become obsessed with English footie….a few years ago he wanted me to help select a team…he didn’t want a big name / glory hunting team. A nice stable team with a chance to do reasonably well…we discussed all sorts and he settled upon Middlesbrough, this of course was before they went down. I suggested Boro due to Ray Parlour and a girl I had a brief thing with years ago was a boro resident and supporter.
Bless his heart – he’s still fervently following them as they stagger around in the Championship. He’s got the bug!
@Tim
Where from in Phoenix?..I am from Tempe, in search for good places to watch the afternoon games,what with UCL coming up..
Vivek –
Small world….I’m in South Scottsdale! The British Open pub is a good bet (if it’s on ESPN) – Scottsdale Road and McDowell. Email me and we’ll grab a pint…. I work for myself so watching the match always takes precedence…
— only rule — no baseball hats…
Email is Tim -at- Theclashblog.com