Time To Back This Great Club, Or Shut Up.
May 7th, 2010 by 'holic
It is easy, in the gloom that has surrounded the last month, to forget just what had gone on before. On Sunday we play competitive match number fifty-five of a season that promised so much for so long. The last five results have cast a huge shadow over the fifty that preceded them. Perhaps some, including yours truly, have been too quick to forget that fact.
The visit of Europa League Finalists Fulham has arguably become our most important fixture since arriving at the Grove in 2006. So now is the time to get fully behind the side that will set out to clinch the point, or points, that will secure a place in the group stages of next seasons Champions ‘in-the-last-fifty-years-but-only-just’ League.
Any recriminations about recent results, and any transfer speculation can wait. From Sunday night it will be a couple of months at least before an Arsenal side takes to the pitch again to prepare for a fresh start, and there will be plenty of web pages to fill then.
We pretty much know the shape of the side charged with securing that third spot in the Premiership. The goalkeeper will obviously be a perm-any-one-from-three job, and whoever Arsene plumps for could be for reasons of which we may not be aware, so I’ll be calling his surname out loud when the team is announced. Any lack of enthusiasm here is not what the supporters should be transmitting to the team immediately before kick-off.
Gael Clichy faces a race to be fit to return, but otherwise the faces are likely to remain the same at the back. In midfield there is possibly an opportunity for Andrey Arshavin to start centrally and free up Samir Nasri for a wide berth, but that would be a surprise for me. The key could be the combination of Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue. If between them they can work out a balance between protecting the back four and providing some energy in attack, then we can make inroads to what may well be a rotated Fulham line-up.
I would not be surprised to see Nicklas Bendtner start in a wide role up front, from where he can both interchange and interact with Robin van Persie. (Edit, even though he is ruled out by injury. What a dozy pillock I am! Eduardo it is then.) Add the pace of Theo Walcott, or the trickery of Arshavin, and an instruction to all eleven starters to leave nothing behind in terms of enthusiasm and effort, and we should be celebrating come six o clock on Sunday evening.
The final ‘holic pound of the season seeks an ambitious result. The odds on a home win are frankly absurd at 1/5 for a team without a win in over a month. The correct score odds offer a mixed bag, so I am looking at a nerve-wracking 3-2 home win which is offered at 40/1 by Stan James, I’ll have a back-up pound on 2-1 which the same bookie prices at 9/1.
So that is it. A lot has happened since I made my inaugural trip to Barnet to catch a glimpse of Thomas Vermaelen back in July. There has been a mixture of ups and downs since, and that is the lot of the football supporter. We will be starting to look back on the season next week, but for now let’s make sure we are fully behind those wearing the red shirt, and not be a reason for them not being at their most committed on Sunday.
I’m expecting the majority of the support to be very vociferous this weekend. Even those severely frustrated by the failure to land silverware again must surely get behind the lads, knowing the importance of the occasion. If that is too much to ask of you, at least don’t get down on the side and risk dragging them down any further.
A final word in advance of the event. I sincerely hope to be celebrating in the pub afterwards, and foolishly I have not taken Monday off, so don’t be too surprised if my report on the game appears some twenty-four hours after the event. I’m off to check the odds on Burnley to draw with shh, you know who!
Have a good one, ‘holics, and thanks for your fantastic support this season.
127 Responses to “Time To Back This Great Club, Or Shut Up.”
il be honest and admit i didnt read the article,the name of it is spot on,to much moaning to much whinging,its funny these FANS all start crying when things go off the rails,im looking forward to sunday,we will win and finish 3rd,which is and improvement on last year,liverpool have completely gone to hell,our team is young and is getting better all the time,keep the faith ,,the glory days arent far away,stop all the wenger bashing aswell,does my head in!!!!!!!!!
so we are not entitled to an opinion now, dictatorship the name of the game or go support another club
Holic, I’ve made the same schoolboy mistake with regards Monday may be a sickie in the offing 😉 Wont be going in the ground but those that are make sure you back em so they have no excuse to stroll 3,1 I said yesterday and I’m happy to stick with that
Come on you Rip Roaring Reds,
Up The Arse,
We are entitled to our opinion but some cunt wanting spurs to finish above us is pure shedness.
That is not what it says, visionary, sorry Paulie. Open your eyes. You can express your opinion after the event when players don’t need backing again for this season. Just stop your whining and put your toys back in your pram for another couple of days.
Trust me, I’ll be far from happy if it it all goes wrong, but I won’t be part of the problem ahead of the game. Unlike you. Goodbye.
Thank you Holic for yet another fantastic post. Reading some of the other absolute pieces of negative shit out there just makes me appreciate blogs like yours even more.
You have been critical when needed yet you have always respected the club, manager and players. That to me is nothing but class.
By the time the final whistle blows on Sunday, I suspect that everyone will wonder what we were worrying about in regards to the 3rd spot.
ML
Means a lot to me ML, coming from one of the top Arsenal bloggers out there.
Cheers, big man. I’ll raise a glass to you and your readers on Sunday.
“Just stop your whining and put your toys back in your pram for another couple of days.”
E X A C T L Y ! ! ! !
Excellent post ‘holic, I really can’t argue with it. You are expressing a point that I cannot believe some people miss. While there is something to play for, back the team, they really need your help. When it’s all over, you have the summer for bitching and moaning. Slagging them off now, does nothing to help our cause.
My first Arsenal game in the flesh (so to speak) was Supermac’s debut in the opening game of the 1976-77 season. The trip to Highbury with my Mum was so memorable (so GREEN that pitch!).
We lost 0-1 to newly promoted Bristol City. But, guess what? That result (and the following many barren seasons save the ’79 Cup) didn’t get me so negative as the past 4 weeks seem to have got some Gooners. Why??
Like you ‘holic, I have been critical when needed and agree that the last month has been sheer hell.
BUT let’s get some perspective. Without our RIDICULOUS injuries, it could have been so different. Just not this time.
I hate it when we lose, but I’m a lifelong Gooner and, as such, will support them EVERY time they play.
We’ve plenty of time to discuss what could be happening over the summer. Now let’s get behind ’em for Fulham.
Now, ……I’ve got to put my little boy (middle name Henry, wearing “Fabregas 4” pyjamas) to bed. Night!
people are talking up spurs how graet theyve been (and they had a nice run) but they allmost didnt make the top 4. we had a good season with a disapointing end with injuries and stuff but we are going to finish third when at the begging no one could see that happening. so be happey with what we got and next year with a few new players we can improve some more.
p.s excuse my spelling mistaks english isnt my first language
Thought this little ditty was appropriate for tonight and Sunday has allways been a favourite of mine when belted out in the pub or bar 😉
And well drink drink together in Praise of the AFC
And well drink drink together in Praise of the AFC
Fulham can stay at the Cottage
Southampton can stay at the Dell
And as For Tottenham Hotspur They Can Go
To Hell To Hell,
Looking forward to signing off the season in style.
I believe the players and Arsene will be up for this one. There is too much at stake. With confidence and delusion levels Sp*rs on an all time high, its the time to make our statement of intent.
I generally suck at predictions but hope that we sign off the season the way we started it.
6-1 to the Arsenal!
Oh DAF, what a memory. I was in the Clock End that day. Me, the old man, and a couple of his mates, and ten thousand Robins celebrating their first day with the big boys. ‘Orrible it was. We were wondering why we had blown a third of a million on the bandy-legged one 😉
Not as painful as the return game at Ashton Gate though. Lively lads down in the West Country!
Good post ‘holic…I must confess the last few were a bit too gloomy. Yes we’ve been awful the last 5 games – but 5 games don’t make a season. Last August the media has us 5th, 6th, 7th and some fans felt the same way – while winning the league never looked likely it was bloody exciting having a chance until early April. When the dust settles and we evaluate the season we’ve done better than expected *and* I think we are better positioned to make the changes needed.
Let’s finish it like we started it at Goodison..that would be nice.
No sleep – was waiting for election results all night…that was a waste of time….but…after a change of PM – how do we fare?
1979 – Thatcher – 79/80 4th in the League + 1979 FA Cup Winners
1990 – Major – 90/91 – League Champions
1997 – Blair – 97/98 – League Champions
2007 – Brown – 07/08 – 3rd in the League
So — a 75% chance we win a trophy next year…unless Gordon somehow hangs on
And who th f*ck do you think you are to decide when others should shut up? Do you not know that greatgGreatness is a measure of achievenent? What have we won in the last 5 yrs>
who are you addressing Biggy?
Biggy? Are you small?
Biggy, you seem like one of those fans who wants us to lose just so that they can whine some more and then wail to whoever will listen about how our great club is getting destroyed. Well misery loves company and am sure you want us to join you in your general misery. No thanks. I’ll be at the Grove supporting the team.
Bristol City at home 1976 ….ruined this (then) nine year old’s emotions for a good while. Just a few days prior I had Supermac sign my ‘Shoot’ annual as he appeared in a new sports shop that had opened in our town. I was traumatised to see us lose/him fail to score a brace……one of the earliest good memories I have sitting with my Dad and Brother in the upper west and asking when I’d be old enough to go ‘over there – it looks exciting’ (the North Bank)
It was a lovely day wasn’t it? (weather wise)
Biggy smalls were that not a rapper? Biggy take a deep breath and read it properly yes back the side before the game and then after you can do as one pleases get it?
Nowt to be gained by showing any displeasure before a balls been kicked in anger!!!!!!
I’ll be there on Sunday.
The nervous anticipation is a strange feeling. Just a few weeks ago before the home Barca game I had a confidence that we would push on and achieve something this season.
But now, I hate to say it but Sunday has a feeling of dread for me. Funny that I never had this feeling at the end of the lasagne season.
Still, as I said, I’ll be there. I’ll have seen worse than a top four finish as well.
If they wear the shirt then they get supported until they diss the shirt by not playing, not caring.
Go Go Gooners!
Great post ‘holic and many thanks for all your great insightful posts. Equal thanks to the rest who make this a great discussion forum.
@Biggy, who the fuck are you to tell anyone what to do or not to do? if we do not want people to slagg Arsenal then we dont! Its a democracy is it not? One are entitled to ones own opinions! The owner of the blogg asks true fans to stand together and support the team on sunday as everyone does better when not boed(elementary psycology).
He must be entitled to think and mean and feel so without some snottrag like you shouting “who the fuck this, and who the fuck that, and *tantrum,tantrum* “toy throwing everywhere”! That is just really really unprofessional of you Biggy.
Infact your attitude stinks more than the entire Arsenal season !you are no worthy fan! belive it or not! You are the Silvestre of the arsenal fans! yep, totally usless when it matters. Fans are suppose to be the 12th player you know, help their team. it is obvious not everyone got that ability…..
ITs really sad to see all that protest thing going on in other blogs. We all were proud of this team before april. We all were proud of the resilience courage and determination. How can it all change in space of a month? All of a sudden all that gud work will be ignored just coz we got really unlucky at the end of the season? Wen u claim urself to be a gooner u shud be ready to take the thick wth the thin. An end of season protest will not only dampen the hopes of all those who gave their heart out this season, the likes of cesc vermalen but it will give a very gloomy image of a season which in all fairness was pretty gud till the last part of it 🙁
@Tim Merrick T’was lovely weather indeed, a heat wave that summer after all, hose pipe bans the lot, remember?
I also remember cowering in a doorway on Avenell Road as opposing fans ran riot after the game.
Lived abroad at the time, hadn’t seen this sort of stuff before. Scary!
Good memories though. Here’s to some more next season.
Great post mate, i fucking hate the plastic fans. Up The Gunners EIE!!!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shin Ryujin. Shin Ryujin said: Time To Back This Great Club, Or Shut Up.: It is easy, in the gloom that has surrounded the last month, to… http://bit.ly/9Z8KsP #Arsenal […]
Always like this site, but nobody should use provocative terms like “shut up” casually, especially when it is the fellow Gooners you’re addressing to. Many of us are frustrated, not only with the recent results, but also the I-can’t-care-less attitude shown by some players. Yes there are doom-and-gloomers who mindlessly call for Wenger’s head and that’s annoying, but there are also many genuine fans out there who are concerned about the team’s future, and some are more vocal than others. I don’t think they deserve this type of discourtesy.
Great post – as ever mate. Gutted, mate let me down for Canvey, maybe next year; I am definitely gonna get there one year. Still possible silver lining. I might, just might be around for a pint this Sunday. Here’s hoping.
Cheers for a great season of blogging and everything else.
Leave the ranting and abuse to the pub, NEVER AT THE GROUND! NEVER! We have to be the 12th man, we need to win this game. Regardless of what you feel toward the players and the manager, if you want to finish third, THE TEAM NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT.
There should be tickets about Esso. Get your arse up there mate. Sorry about Canvey, but glad you might be around for a proper old end of season session.
Hold on Holic…….get behind them….maybe our gutless wonders should show us what commitment is then we will give them kudos for at least effort..results is another thing. The anger is not about the silverware. it the utter capitulation season after season. this run in especially. Its the clear stuuborness of Wegner to plug the OBVIOUS problem positions. It the utterly ridiculous injury roll. This has to have an enquiry. How are we training these boys? injury upon injury far exceeding other clubs. Why are we not spending at least the money raised from Adebayor and Toure? Why are we bringing in the likes of Silvestre and an aging Campbell? Why are underperforming players (the favourites) played match after match with no pressure to perform.
The reason for this anger is that this is the same old story season after season since 2004. The anger compounds and we still have to pay through the nose for a underresourced and patently inexperienced team at the top level. kind regards.
Noticed that I have generated a few interesting comments. Tim, I know that my comment came right after yours, but it has absolutely nothing to do with you. I was reacting to the tittle of he post which I though a little patronising. Mean Lean, I am as big as they get. Alex, you should see my comments after a good win. Chippy, what can I say, after the last few matches the team has it all to prove not me. I am willing them to do just that. By the way, this Biggy does not sing/rap, my game is computer programming.
Thanks for the post, ‘Holic, and the season. Completely agree with the sentiment. I’d also like to buy Sajit a drink for the 6-1 victory. I’m with you on that one!
I expect a drubbing. I think any frustration in this team at their performances/ results of late will be laid bare by the destruction of a weakened Fulham side at home. I have to believe they want it.
Up the Gunners!
gt, if I am wrong then I apologise, but I am only asking for people inclined to the negative to keep it to themselves until after Sunday, when I may even have a little grizzle myself.
I reckon the only people who will be offended by that are the sort of fuckwits who are hoping for Spurs to finish third, or asking us to leave the ground before the end. Great idea, eh?
Actuallly, I am still firmly of the opinion that people who hold such extreme negative views are in the minority, albeit a growing one, and in fact the bulk of the people who go to games are still very pro the club and what they have done in recent years.
‘Holic, other sites say Bendtner is out so I hope you’ve heard something I haven’t.
Colonel, Biggy, this is a broad church, and as long as you are not abusive to individuals (other than me of course!) then you are welcome. I know there are all sorts of reasons to not be happy clappers at the moment, but spreading those feelings ahead of such an important game is counter-productive, in my view.
If you look at what I have been writing in recent weeks you know I have not had the rose-tinteds on, but I think even I have been guilty of a little bit more of a knee-jerk reaction than is warranted for the season as a whole.
Anyway, as I said, welcome. Come back Monday and moan like hell 😉
#36 Goonerholic
Thanks for the reply. Yes I am aware of the dimwit who called for the Sp*rs to finish ahead of us. I wonder what he smoked; must be something strong and most likely illegal. And of course I hope the fans will show their appreciation to the team for playing through a long, hard season this coming Sunday. That said, I am one of the many downhearted fans, and I hope Wenger will address the many issues seriously over the summer. Even Walcott had the gut to come out and say “youth is not an excuse anymore”; I hope he can back up his statement on the pitch, starting this Sunday.
They are right, bt8bbnn.
I am a dozy fuckwit. For some inexplicable reason (alzheimers?) I thought he was on the bench at Blackburn.
Eduardo time it is then 🙂
Must confess I’ve been a bit of both over last couple of weeks. Angry at the team and lack of effort and angry at the lack of new players. However, I guess when you look back at the beginning of the season before Everton, all of the usual wankers were there slagging us off – even before a ball had been kicked! One that sticks in my gut is Phil Thompson (the tosser who really believed he was a good defender) NOW A ‘PUNDIT’ ON SKY. He was asked where Arsenal will finish this season and he said: ‘Arsenal, they’re nowhere. there’s only a top three, Liverpool Manu and Chelsea. Come Sunday I will take great pleasure in sending Sky Sports an e-mail reminding him that Liverpool are NOWHERE!
It just makes me sick that we are targeted by thug defenders, pissed on by dodgy refs and berated daily in the press. Shit, I reckon Osama is slagged off less!
So fuck ’em. I agree, let’s stick it to Fulham and take back some pride. The rest of the EPL generally shit themselves when they see us play our game. I bet they all go to bed each night and pray we never get rich!
Arsenal for life.
I’m smoking something strong and illegal.
Its great!
…and the Silvaman will be there Sunday, Esso 😉
I think we are all on edge Holic….My intolerance with Arsenal and especially Arsene is not the success or lack of. Its the same errors for the last few seasons. failing to adding the obvious to squad in key places. Decisions like making Cesc captain…crazy. constantly giving Diaby, denilson, eboue and the like constant first team action for non-performances. Not strenghening in January. Injuries yes obviously very hard to overcome but that should have been planned for. remember when Mancs and Chavs tonked us we were not far off full strength. I think one doze saying he hope Spurs finish above us…well we shall say no more…is not the sentiment of the fans. I think though the anger stems for Arsene doing the same same in the last few seasons. It is reaching boiling point with the best and most loyal of fans. would’nt worry about fulham…we will beat them. but we need a performance.
You’re really selling it to me aint ya?
‘Holic, where you would be without eagle eyes like mine? Let’s hope the team show a few good things going into the summer. Eduardo is one of the players who could profit psychologically from a good showing.
I`d hate to be in the pub with you lot if Fulham reserves take the day at Emirates, wow! what a wake…..
Anyway that won`t be and I`m quite sure I`ll be able to save all my moans and groans for Wenger if he doesn`t buy a new keeper. just don`t crack the bottle until the fat lady sings. Here`s to next season.
I hear you Colonel, and don’t disagree with a lot of what you say. I know it is a genuinely held view because it is the sort of stuff the Spy is coming out with in the Gooner, and that fella has been a Gooner since Herod was a baby.
I happen to interpret it differently. I think we have over-achieved given the financial constraints that we could not make a song and dance about in recent years, but yes, in an ideal world we should have added to the squad to push on to the next level. That may happen now, if I understand the financial situation as well as I think I do…
Esso,
The Candyman is coming 😉
‘Holic, you’ve got nothing to apologise for. gt and others don’t seem to understand the message you’re promoting, although I would assume that comes with not reading the post before leaving comments. It’s absolutely silly, all of this overreacting and talk of protest, as though anything like that would help us get a much needed win to close out the season. There seems to be a very vocal minority of “supporters” who seem almost giddy that Arsenal have hit this stretch of poor form in that it proves them right in their negative assumptions. It’s this lot that I really wish would go and support the lilywhite neighbours. After all, plenty of them will be cheering them on to finish above us on Sunday anyway.
Oh to be a Gooner.
This is the deal.
All of us were equally and whole heartedly pissed with the displays over the last few weeks.
But this is the last game of the season, lets part on a high.
If they give another crap display, show your displeasure by all means but lets not judge them even before they have stepped on to the pitch!
BC – its perfectly clear support the team…yes i agree. Answer this question for me though. What has driven this poor run of form?
Looking forward to the final trip of the season to The Grove. I think the support will be completely behind the team as it has been all season. I think the vast majority have, on match days at least, backed the team unreservedly. For once holic i do find your title a tad abrasive towards those of us who have turned up week in week out completely unconditionally. It is not just the lack of trophies that has been the reason for the frustration, it has been the recent spineless and gutless performances. Perhaps your title could be well served on some of our squad??? Perhaps it is time for some of our highly paid superstars to step up to the plate to “back this great club.” Something that appears to have been alien to one or two recently?
I think it could be a nervous day unless we make a strong and positive start. I do not see anything other than an Arsenal victory and i am hoping for a convincing performance. A performance that has any resemblance to recent those of recent weeks will be met with anger and frustration. I guess the point i am trying to make is that everyone has a part to play. I for one will be in full voice, but i also feel that i am owed a decent performance from those who take the pitch in the famous red and white.
Keep the faith.
Holic ….ok yes finanical restraint. But some bad management too. Allowing the Cesc-Flamini-Helb midfield to be broken up, for instance, was very poor on Wegner behalf, with the smallest bit of reinforcments that team was well on it way instead of back to rebuilding it again.. as was letting Diarra go that season also…Wegner boggles me sometimes. Selling Ade and Toure and just letting that money sit. If we have no money for investment fair enough say so. But you can’t say we have financial restrictions as a definitive answer from board has never be forthcoming. Me I think they are happy to take the money and dividends.
#49 BC
“There seems to be a very vocal minority of “supporters” who seem almost giddy that Arsenal have hit this stretch of poor form in that it proves them right in their negative assumptions.”
I can assure you I am NOT one of them, even if such “supporters” really exist.
There are lots of constructive ways to “support the club” and many including ‘Holic have offered constructive criticism in the last few weeks. But let’s show a united front, put our best effort out on Sunday, and gather our thoughts for the post-season analysis in the post-season. You can wait 2 days, can’t you?
you can’t say we have financial restrictions as a definitive answer from board has never be forthcoming
Agreed, Colonel, but they couldn’t. No responsible board of any company in any business would come out and say “we’re potless, city bankers.”
My take is that what money was generated in the last four years was being put in the pot for the development in Queensland Road. The regulars here are sick at me banging on about it.
Let me put it in personal terms. You decide to move from your first terrace to a swanky detached up the road. It’s a stretch. You lie a bit about your income to get it sorted. You go through a few years of hardship, tighten your belt, and before long the pain eases and you have quite an asset on your hands. In the meantime if you need money to fix a burst pipe you don’t tell all and sundry, in earshot of your bank manager, that you are visiting the Shit Creek store to look for a paddle.
Does that sound more feasible now?
Would Clegg sell his soul for an Arsenal win?
Probably Tim.
Great to be able to debate things with you tonight ‘holics, without the accompanying abuse.
Wonder how many LWC’s I’ll run into heading back across London on Sunday, while I’m pissed and happy 😉
Call me mental….but it’s just 95 days (or so) until the new season…and I can’t wait
They wont be running anywhere holic. Not with that webbing!!!
Yes holic a fair assesement. Maybe the money is going to the development. I just don’t know. But say for instance the sales of Toure and adebayor to City, if that cash is destined for projects like that how many year before we say we are now ready to compete? five-ten…who knows?
and Zebedee boinged in…
Time for bed!
Nice one ‘holic!
I don’t think it is now Colonel. Not easy to second-guess this lot, but the commitments to Queensland Road now appear to have been ‘traded’ to partners in recent months. My take, which may be bollocks, is that we really do have cold hard cash now which they can choose to put into the football side of the business.
I would be very surprised if I was wrong, however, and the neighbours charge to the Champions-in-the-last-fifty-years-but-only-just League may just concentrate a few minds in Highbury House.
great post! i think the home fans were supportive through out this season and would be a real shame to be less positive on sunday! Oh to be a Gooner
DAFT!
You are sorely missed elsewhere young man.
… and at the pub. You will have to make a home game next season. I really don’t think me coming to Stoke is a good idea 😉
I hate it when people personalise their critcisisms of players in horribly offensive ways. Yes, there is a lot to be unhappy about at this point in time and I can absolutely understand a reasoned argument why Wenger should not be manager of the club based on recent years events. But some of the personal abuse I have read is really dumb. There are seldom any constructive points just foul-mouthed nonsense and perhaps the ludicrous suggestion that Arsenal would be better off with Martin O’Neill. Please!
When no-one else can understand me
When everything I do is wrong
You give me hope and consolation
You give me strength to carry on
And youre always there to lend a hand
In everything I do
Thats the wonder
The wonder of you
Yep – it is really, really cheesy isn’t it. Worth a giving some voice to tomorrow tho
….and Sunday too!!!
Thought you were serenading the ‘holics for a moment there, Amos 😉
I would prefer…
Oh, I don’t know why the neighbours,
Have got a fucking itch,
I guess you’ve got your reasons,
And a boss who has a twitch,
‘Cos for ninety-seven years
We’ve been living next door to Tottenham.
Ninety-seven years and twice we did parade,
The title at the Lane while you were living in our shade,
Now I think we’ve got used to living next door to Tottenham…
TOTTENHAM? WHO THE FUCK ARE TOTTENHAM!
Bleh: I share your sentiments entirely. Please see my later comment.
GT: Usually, I am giddy with delight when we win well, it’s not quite the same feeling when we lose and lose again. If you really believe that this “negativity” as you put it is a delight in failure, then you must be the deluded one. It is fans like you that seem to believe that we can go into the next season without any changes and wipe the floor with everyone else.
‘Holic – enjoy Sunday.
We will beat them.
After Sunday (whenever it may be) – I hope to hear something positive on a new keeper for next season.
I really do hope that AW has been putting up smokescreens about his intentions on new players, but even it is only 2 new players one of whom is Chamakh, he must deal with the GK situation – I don’t think I could contemplate a new season with our current “custodians”.
BTW your Blog has been top notch, since I discovered it mid-season – the pleasure has been all mine!
There will be changes, Biggy.
It’s looking pretty clear that at least two central defenders are on their way, and with only Djourou to come back, I’m sure we will see one new arrival.
We know Chamakh is on his way.
The big questions are will we get a ‘keeper? I think it is fair to say a lot will be surprised, upset in fact, if we don’t.
And will we get another top notch defensive midfielder to support/cover for Song when he is injured, suspended, or away?
Let’s give them a chance to plug the gaps.
Yeah – we should sing that one even louder! ‘holic 🙂
@ 71
I’d like to add to that – cheers and thank you to the ‘holic for putting out a great bit of writing every few days for the last 9 months. It adds so much to following the team (especially when you are far away from home like me) and the posts coupled with the drinks and seeing so many points of view is never less than enjoyable. For someone who misses going to games horribly (I was a season ticket holder from 78-96) I miss the pre-match the terrace banter as much as the games themselves in a sense, the blog is such a welcome find.
Cheers all
# 70 Biggy
Please read my comments (#29 and #39), and enlighten me on how my words implied I “really believe that this “negativity” as [I] put it is a delight in failure”, and how I “seem to believe that we can go into the next season without any changes and wipe the floor with everyone else.”
Thank you.
Agree with #71 and #74. Thanks to ‘holic for the top quality posts throughout the season.
holic. I know you said that next season was for another day but the topic seems to have got round to the subject again. I guess it will always be high on the agenda. The financial situation i do not think is black and white. However it would appear that a far greater amount of cash is available to spend. Whatever happens i do think that next season is massive for the management of this club. Some massive decisions need to be made in the close season. Then? Bring it on.
It’s top of the pops. It’s the loneliest number. It’s odd, uneven and quite unique at the same time. When it’s twins, it’s Legs Eleven and a century, I declare, when there’s a double-0 behind. It’s a unicycle if you’re bike’s lost a wheel, a unicorn if your horse sprouts a horn, but not a universe if you’ve only got A Song.
He’s a monocle, if he’s your dad’s short sighted, French brother who lives in Monaco. A monologue, if you’re Steve T talking about Ade at singular length; monopoly money if you want to buy Emanuel back from Citeh and a monorail to Arsenal Station if you’re a Spud on the wrong track.
It’s a song Metallica sing and U2 single 2. It’s the point we need for a medal of Bronze. It’s one game to go, one from a finish and one behind the Silver we hoped for, Long John. One point to be won and I wonder if we’ll get three; or will Fulham ace it, with one minute to go, and leave us with n-one?
There’s only one Cesc, but he’s got one leg with a chip, so the chance of a chip-in from that one is one thousand to one. One-nil to the Arsenal is the Song we all sing, but will Alex be playing or will Fab let one in?
So here goes for one last thrill, and hopefully not one more spill, as one more game and one more season slip slowly below one more post from the one and only, uniquely singular, never to be doubled, squared makes no difference, mon of the moment, Goonerholic!
OK – I know, everyone’s gone to bed at 76. Not one will read this, not even one Snail. Wait a minute! Maybe Her Nellieness?
Yeeessssss!
Nothing unreasonable in that Steve. Let it wait until Monday though. My guts are churning enough. What happens on Sunday could dictate how we feel for a year. I shouldn’t have abandoned the mantra…
… FFS, Win the next match!
BtM, where exactly do you get those ’shrooms? 😉
Great to have you back at this critical time. Good man.
However, it must be said the Citeh boys are climbing all over yer man for his constant offsides and lack of effort Wednesday night.
I just sent them the download of my favourite Four Tops track.
‘It’s the same old song’ 🙂
Ade? Constantly off side? Lack of effort? Fans had enough of him? Have you got that right? Surely that is not the ade that we were so disappointed to see leave for such a vast sum of money? Did he kiss the badge?
Evening btm.
Did Adebayor do that great thing where he strolled along just behind the action and you realised if he ran into the space he would have got to the ball and scored a goal? That was my personal favourite.
Ahhh … Adebayor bashing that woke me up, now you can never get enough of that can you, still THE highlight of the season for me (when we sold him). It’s also great to be hearing all the negative vibes from City fans NOW because WE all knew what a lazy money grabbing cxxt he IS, now they are just finding out, I so hope they sell him on to either Spartak Moscow or Galatasaray, because I’d love to see him playing in -7 weather or just playing in Turkey so we never see him again!!!
Holic:
That’s why I love reading your blogg’s, you are a true fan that just wants the best for MY CLUB. & you are so right about tomorrow everybody needs to get behind them in the ground for one last shout-up because close season is a long time.
But I have to pick-up on a point here, think you have it slightly wrong about other fans disappointment, we well for me anyway it’s the fact that we should be @ least 2nd not hanging onto 3rd by the skin of our teeth, but as you say Mr Holic that’s for next week debate….
I like BtM, but I like The Arsenal better sorry BtM.
So I hear we’re definitely going to be out of the Top 4 next year? City are going to do us in like the Spuds did the scouse.
BtM I have to say you win the medal for long-windedness one more time. Her Nellieness must be either a saint or a mystic.
Still enjoyed reading it though. How many games did you say we have left?
Nice Post Goonerholic.
Like your optimism and support for Gunners
Its true in that just because the last 5 were not good we shouldn’t forget the earlier 50
Talking about the number of matches played the numbers somehow struck my mind
Till 49 we were good .. followed by a bad patch post that
49 the number where the greatest run ever ended though unfairly…
seems number 50 is unlucky for us 🙁
Blimey seems Holic had a bit of a lock in last night some top top posts written and gratefully read this morning Biggy, soz for not getting back to you last night the land of nod took hold 😉 Mate I’m with you and agree with most of you thoughts some serious serious questions need to be asked about where the club is heading because we are just stagnating at the mo, I can understand the walkout as it would send a message to the board,Wenger and some of the half arsed players that they couldn’t ignore but we’ve always had a touch of class about us and I wouldn’t want that to go up the swanny like so much of our tradition has, Im pretty sure the club monitor the Internet and so forth and will be well aware of the unrest and if they are not someones not doing there job properly as this is the worst I’ve known the Ill feelings since the bond days and if they don’t strenghten properly this summer and continue with the spin and lies they have everything that’s coming in my view, I just think Wenger should be afforded this summer to put things right and we should be as loyal to him as he was to us in his more succesful years as make no mistake He could have taken any number of higher profile jobs.
Up The Arse,
Thanks to Mark the Spark, who has noticed some invaluable public info material from another time that may be relevant to today…
Guys here’s a thought:
Although I know it will never happen, our board it would seem have a combined wealth of $12 billion (sod doing the £ calculations) between them (if you take into account Stan’s other half’s mountian of money, but even if you dont we are talking $9-10 billion. Now bearing in mind we only pay I belive £20mil a year in mortage payments, correct me if i’m wrong please? so surley now all the (hard debt) has been paid off, + we now know that future profits are expected to be forthcomming from both the property development & AFC for years to come they could use this “combined wealth” to catapolt us onto the next level, @ good rates to themselves & the club.
I personally heve never seen this as bad business as the extra profit that comes with winning things can only be a good thing all round?
if you want negative, check out these old timers who think we are still in the 80’s. they refer to people who where there colours as moo moo’s totally dismiss any fan who has’nt supported arsenal for 30 years or more as jlc [ jonny come latelies] and are so anti arsene’ it beggers belief. (link edited)
Cheers for the nod ‘holic, see u sunday 🙂
We love you Arsenal, we do…!!
ce65,
Apologies, but I have removed the link as it will not work without a registration, which I assume you have.
That baffles me, as it is made clear before you sign up what the site is all about.
I’ll say this about that site. There are people on every forum with whom you will not agree. That’s because, thankfully, we are not all the same in our values, beliefs, and experience.
I do however know a lot of the people on there, and they have earned the right to an opinion on the Arsenal down the years. Their idea of passionate support and yours may not coincide. Probably these days the people who think like them have largely been driven away from the game, but that doesn’t make their opinions any less valid than yours, or mine for that matter.
Let’s just put it this way. If I was coming out of the Lane on a dark and miserable night in the middle of winter, I know who I would want around me.
Like I have always said, this is a broad church.
Well put Holic, I can pretty much guess what site was added 😉 some good people are found on there and more passionate and loyal you will struggle to find,
A splendid season of blogging holic. Enjoy the game tomorrow.
Cheers Hat,
I’ll see you there, I take it?
24 Bleh
I failed to read your above mentioned comment properly – divided attention. My comment was to assert the right to freely speak my mind about what is going on in the Club that I love. If you think that you are well placed to oversee these rights and manage everyone’s expectations, then you must be one of those who throw tantrums when you don’t get your way.
What in the world led you to the believe that I have to be professional when discussing football and Arsenal in particular?
I still reserve the right to speak my mind. Notice that I say ‘speak my mind’ it does not go as far as to lecture others about how to exercise this right. You went on to call me Silvestre and to make other immature analogies. Silvestre is still our player who is likely to play tomorrow – How does this square with getting behind the team? Or you only get behind them when you see fit?
Afternoon Holic & Holic`s
Well one day to go in a season that has given most of us a few heart flutters along the way. Very fair point Holic we do sometimes forget what proceeded in the previous 50 games and is was a crying shame the way it has came to a end.
But here we are looking forward to a comfortable win at the grove that will secure 3rd place and what 3rd place means this season is more than most with the WC and players coming back late and the last thing we want is to go through qualifying for the CL.
I can see the boys turning it on knowing that the players owe us a last hurrah for the season. I for see a 4-0 win to the mighty Gunners with a hat trick for RVP and Nasri adding a fourth in the 88th minute just to rub salt into the wounds. So to all who are going enjoy it ladies and gents and raise the roof one last time this season.
Lee @ 90. If you’re advocating the club loaning money from it’s shareholders then you’re still just increasing the clubs debts. Spending tomorrow’s income today. In the longer run that doesn’t buy you very much. It’ll still have to be paid back someday from somewhere which eventually means less resources for the team.
Amos;
Yes this is exactly what I’m advocating however I’m only doing so because the timing is completely right, otherwise why have that type of board/owners in the first place we my as well be owned & run by the fans just like Real Madrid.
My point if it has not come across is:
We are a nats cock away from having a world beating team after this seasons result’s, & when you look around the other big teams in the prem they all have ageing teams, where as we have a very very exciting YOUNG team. So therefore all the other’s will need to spend astronomical amounts of money in the summer just to stand still all well over the £100m mark I’d guess @.
where as if we spent between 50-60-70M depending how well AW’s scouting network is working, you need to bear in mind the projections for the development are £40m next year alone, so it’s not unreasonable to think we could actually pay the board back within a couple of years (so no long term debt there then) or high interest either.
+ don’t for get if we actually won the CH & Prem on the back of it that money would be recouped in the first year of asking……
well iv been a silent reader mostly for almost the whole season…..iv loved the blogging…and the fact that u reply to almost every reader yourself that is awesome…….here is to 3rd place!!!……holic!!
Thank you. I can’t manage to reply to anywhere near everyone, but if someone takes time to contribute I reckon it is good to acknowledge them now and again.
Here is to third, indeed.
DAF @ 10, I have been going to Highbury / Ashburton Grove regularly since 1968. I do agree that the amount of negativity amongst some, myself occasionally included, has been surprising considering where we actually sit tonight, and what we have seen and been through over many worse years than this.
My own negativity is confined to those occasions when there is an apparent lack of effort from some players.
I think much of the negativity at the present time is actually borne of frustration.
Fans are frustrated that some obvious personnel changes have not been made for such a long time.
We are maybe frustrated that the board have never really clarified the financial possibilities open to the manager over the last 7 years, although they are fairly obvious to those who stop and think.
Some are frustrated that the manager does not publicly blast “lazy” or “inadequate” players. But if he knows he has no alternative, for the above financial reasons, what is he to do.
I think we are all continually frustrated by the unfair treatment we seem to get from referees.
We are frustrated by the crazy number of injuries we seem to suffer, and the fact that our players seem to take so much longer to recover than those of other teams.
We have been angry and upset, to say the least, at the sight of yet another of our players lying on the pitch with a smashed leg.
We are frustrated to see another season fall apart in the space of a week – although we regard third place as disappointing, while the Sp*rs are euphoric at finishing fourth.
Eventually all this frustration boils over, and like so often in life, on whom do we take it all out?
On those we love the most – and often as not, we then regret it.
Let’s at least try and help them tomorrow.
Good stuff as usual ‘Holic. Here’s to 3rd!
Come on Arsenal, make us proud of your effort against Fulham and leave us with a good taste in our mouths for the long summer.
Word for word, Trev. Great stuff.
Now, up we get boys and girls. Big day ahead and we don’t want to miss any of it.
Last Arsenal for a couple of months. Let’s make the most of it.
Let’s be having you true Gooners!!!!
Here we go then. Have a good one ‘holics!
@Lee: and what you are suggesting is nothing different from what clubs like Pompey and in particular Leeds have done. Leeds were banking on future Champions League income and when that never happened they fell apart entirely. And also, the problem as again illustrated by Pompey, Southampton, Crystal Palace and others, isn’t buying a player. The problem is paying his wages in the long run. We wouldn’t, for example, have had any problems buying Carlos Tevez last summer for the £25m asking price – but we would have had a hell of a lot of trouble paying him £150k per week for a number of years to come.
It’s not the one-off expenses that kills a club, it is not being able to pay the running costs of the team/keep up with loan repayments. Look at Liverpool, if media reports are to be believed, they are within a cat’s whisker from going under because of the loan repayments and a fact that has gone somewhat under the radar is that far from all the debt is from the takeover – they bought players (at least Torres and Keane) for money they borrowed from banks. Hicks and Gillet took out a loan of about £100m a few years ago and a large part of that was used to fund transfers.
Anyway, to those of you who are going today – get behind the team and do your best to help secure third. Tonight and for the coming weeks there will be plenty of time to discuss what should be done to improve things.
No matter what, backing the boys today like it’s my f***ing job. It’s St. Totteringham’s day or bust..
COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
Fulham look to have fielded a pretty strong team with rotation up front. Murphy on the bench.
Trev!
That was the most spot on piece of writing I’ve read in a few weeks, and that is coming from somebody that regularly reads this here blog and the comments that go with it. And this being the place for some of the sharpest writing about Arsenal around, it’s a compliment.
Well said and let’s now celebrate the fact that we scored 4 goals, a feat accomplished by another club today as well, namely Burnley, to end the day in quite a nice fashion.
I’ll see you all next season.
…
Who am I kidding. I’ll see you all later tonight, perhaps tomorrow, in ‘Holics after match-review.
Chip it like Vela! (He’s the Delap of chipping! Good at what he does best, not a regular starter otherwise…)
That’s a better memory for the Summer. RVP will bag 30-35 next year (if he stays fit)
ive enjoyed ur blogs@this season holic- thank you.
Although this season ultimately ended in disappointment we have two things to be thankful for-
1) we dont support spurs
2) our manager is not a) going to jail or b) going to bankrupt us
Reasons to be happy 😉
Great result today chaps had to end on high!
Congrats to Burnley like Toby said above they must of stunned those Spuds I remember checking the score at half time and they were 1:2 done, well done.
Trev
Great write up too we will always be frustrated by something no doubt every game but hey that’s what being a true Gooner is all about!
As for me my Season Award will go to ‘Holic and his the rest of you holics. This place wouldn’t be the same without you!
WC now to look forward too, and I pray none of our players will get injured.
Barman, this one is on me! Who is having what?
Look not a pizza in sight & the spuds still choke!!!
Thanks great result boys I can now turn my mobile back on as i’m expecting loads of spud calls to applogise for fantasizing about todays results!!!
No arsenal for quite some time from now… Sad 🙁
Happy St Totteringhams Day all.
Happy St Totteringham’s day holics, albeit last day of the season
Don’t know about you lot, but I’ll be having lasagna for lunch tomorrow 🙂
I seem to be getting my Italian based food metaphors mixed-up in the excitement of the day, but you all now what I meant I hope………
Check him out, Holics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGr9KUpPdI
Steve T – you won’t like him, scores too many goals for a man of your fine taste in attackers.
Hi guys,
Can anyone help me figure out this rule after all?
There are 25 players who can be registered but what happens if we have 10 injuries before the transfer window and the second registration – what happens then ? Will we be able to add players or are we left with 15 players to field from until January?
After watching the Eden Hazard video my first reaction was Ive seen all this before.
He looks uncannily similar to what we already have in the squad in Nasri, Rosicky etc..cannot see him adding anything new to be honest.
BtM
He looks like a player Wenger would go for but I agree with Sajit we have too many of those types in already also he’s too young.
@Snir Geuli: the list of 25 can only be changed during the transfer windows.
Lars, that’s my question exactly, what happens if 10 players from the 25 players get injured, you won’t be able to even have a full bench?
What happens in cases like that, which we did have this season where we’d have 9 or 10 players unavailable – would we be able to do something about it or just choose from the remaining 15?
Snir,
you can also have an unlimited number of under 21’s in addition to the 25 named.
In our case that’s an impressive back up list.