800 Not Out
Aug 29th, 2010 by 'holic
As a babe I was carried to that place in N5,
Where in time I felt all between dead and alive.
I’m six when begins my hazy recall,
Of so many in red who could master the ball.
Joe Baker, George Eastham, first idols of mine,
So many would follow, and join in that line,
Two years at Wembley, the pain and the tears,
But thirteen and fourteen were my special years.
Eddie, Raddy, Jon Sammels scored the goals on the night
That won the Fairs Cup, put the Belgians to flight.
Twelve months on at the Lane, Arsenal did it again,
Ray Kennedy’s header meant that title we gained.
Back at Wembley that May Eddie did it once more,
Then Charlie beat Clemence, and lay on the floor.
Too soon that side found itself broken up,
And eight more years we would wait for a Cup.
No more Frankie Mac, or wee George on the wing,
No more ‘Storey, Storey do your job, would we sing.
On the Bank we would suffer, whether ‘middle’ or ‘top’,
But unlike Mancs and Tottenham we avoided the drop.
When spring turned to summer, the first week in May,
I was proud to see young Liam Brady at play.
With the last weaving run, fed incredible cross,
They set up our ‘Sundy’ to apply the gloss.
In Brussels we wept as he waved us goodbye,
For a while it was just like a part of us died.
Then along came George Graham, a stroller they said,
Put his faith in the youth, and the force back in red.
In Adams, O’Leary, and Bould, he took pride,
And landed the title up on Merseyside.
In Denmark’s main city his patched-up young pups,
Turned over great Parma in the Cup Winners Cup.
Three years on came the man with the oh-so-apt name,
To introduce us to a whole new ball game.
In his first full season, the double was won,
Bouldy fed Adams, a great day in the sun.
Wrighty went east, and Thierry arrived,
Dennis, and Paddy, and Bobby, they thrived.
A double again, won with guile and flair,
“It’s only Ray Parlour”, and Freddie’s red hair.
But the feat that surely surpasses them all,
Was thirty-eight games, and lost BUGGERALL!
98 Responses to “800 Not Out”
sheer poetry ‘holic. loved it
That’s a fine effort good sir 🙂
Beautiful.
Pure quality ‘holic. I’ll have a lunchtime short of your choice, please.
Great poem and great memories Thank You
Brilliant – responding well to BTM’s challenge!
Nice .. and it ryhmes.
Real fine effort. The ending was marvelous.
Very clever and absolutely brilliant. I must have been there at the
same time as you……A great walk down memory lane.
Poetry in Gunners’ Motion …
but why 800 ?
800 blog posts?
Top draw!
800 blog posts.
Quite an achievement really, considering the number of drinks in that time… 🙂
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Lovely stuff
iSnail,
Quite an achievement indeed, irrespective of what type of drinks you are referring to (the drinks in this bar or Guinness).
Brilliant!
Lovely stuff ‘holic! Pint of the black stuff and a bag of cheese and onion please.
Indeed, Joshua.
No mention of Song’s new do? It could be time for a new stanza!
Class.
Nice
I was at the game yesterday, and was just wondering if anyone else who was there got the impression that Almunia’s approach to the fans at full-time felt like a farewell.
Wow…
Excellent piece `holic.
Cheers…
Superb, ‘Holic. You are an unmatched voice of reason, balance and entertainment in a Goonosphere that seems to grow, with teenage scribbling wannabees, on almost a daily basis.
800 is a remarkable milestone. I can never imagine having the talent, discipline and lasting will to grind out commentary on situations good, bad and indifferent over such a sustained marathon.
And tolerance too! I see you respond diplomatically, curtly, appropriately to all kinds of crap. I’ve had a yellow card (think it was tongue in cheek, inspired by Snail), but haven’t suffered the lifetime ban imposed by the likes of The Hawking Arse for simply expressing a different point of view.
I look forward to the next 800. I’ve seen you hint that you may have the opportunity to relinquish other pressures over that time frame. That can only be a good thing for everyone in the bar.
So, sing, “Only one ‘Holic, there’s only one Goonerholic, one Goonerholic, there’s only one Goonerholic…….”
Sincere congratulations and thanks for the forum to express a point of view; and your tolerance of all of our quirks, grumps and groans.
Brilliant holic.
And BtM, I’m nineteen and I take offense to your jibe. 😛
Thank you, Mr. Holic, for all your disciplined passion and congratulations on the success!
Careful, Nick, it was a comment like yours from Snail that got me my yellow from Holic. In any case, your posts do your generation credit. It’s those among your peers who have never played, never been to a game, have only seen Arsenal on the telly but STILL feel they know so much more than Arsene Wenger and say so on their “I’m only here for the clicks” blogs, who cause me angst.
By the way, Bendtner’s pink boots are a disgrace and that’s another thing that’s wrong with the younger generation. So don’t get me started on all of that……(smile).
Congratulations on reaching your 800th post.
But it’s no surprise to us, who like this blog the most.
Your excellent anaylsis and razor sharp wit
Show you’re a true Arsenal man and not a Le Groany ars git
Through thick and through thin red and white blood you bleed
Balanced insight and reaction like yours is what the blogosphere needs
Thanks for past stories about the club we all love
And a round for the bar, to your health, cheers guv’
——
Long may it continue!!
Congrats on reaching 800 Holic!
Now as a present for that, can someone break Xavi’s leg?
Heh, fair enough BtM. But my name is Nickspinkboots for a very different reason than is apparent at the outset.
It was Bendtner’s pink boots which scored the goal against Dynamo Kyiv, which officially started the tenure of captain Cesc. Slightly convoluted, but still. 🙂
That’s worth dusting off the Johnny Walker Blue Label surely?
But, alas I have a small gripe. Gripe you say. Yes, with 800 blog posts gone by, still no visual appreciation in your masthead, which historically is incorrect. And as you are our bard for the day, may I say where for art thou ‘Mackie’? Wherefore art though Bruce?
Nayim was ‘Mackie’s assassin and let’s not forget Brucie’s gift to us….DB10. surely worth a place in ‘Hols visual paradise?
But 800 eh? Yes it’s a Blue Label for me.
Top man ‘holic
BtM – wasn’t it another bard that said “youth is wasted on the young” 🙂
Good stuff ‘Holic. We must share almost exactly the same period of Goonerhistory – although I’m sure I started at a much younger age!
As with all your “history” posts, it perfectly encapsulates the period. As with a great photograph, the secret is knowing how much to leave out – and you certainly do.
Cheers, and here’s to the next 800!
I wondered if I might take the liberty of attempting a poem to cover the same period of Sp*rs history.
Let’s move from N Five
Down to N Seventeen,
We’ll always be shit,
And we always have been.
Oh well.
@36 – the “we” assumes it was written by a Sp*rs fan, of course.
Top drawer stuff!
Btw anyone has any update about Jack? Hes far too young to be going down the Joey Barton route.
Don’t worry, apparently he was peacemaker.
Brought tears to my eyes ! Lovely piece to round a great weekend off.
Great win for our beloved team, scum losing as well..
Large vodka n coke in a pint glass please kind sir ……:..
Sajit, here’s the full story;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11126887
Thank you all.
You’re all as soppy as me really, aren’t you? 😉
Only 800 posts ‘Holic?
Lightweight.
Only kidding mate – a quality effort. Great stuff.
You know your blog will keep us all sane in the “interlull”
Cheers for all the great posts ‘holic (and the puns of course!).
Looking forward to the next 800.
Thanks Fin,
Looking at the contributions above perhaps I should hand the reins over to BtM and H2H for the interlull?
A fine 800th post sir. I can hear you singing in your bathroom “Yippee! I’m a poet, and I know it. Hope I don’t blow it”
Many more hundreds please.
Thank you.
Perhaps we just don’t hear about the ‘foreign’ players and their mishaps at the weekend?
Perhaps it’s just a storm in a teacup?
He’s in good (English) company though.
Can you get arrested if you are a witness and helping the Police with their enquiries?
“The police have made it very clear that he is an important witness to the incident and played the role of peacemaker”
Oh well let’s hope Sajit he isn’t going down the Barton road because he’d be a right Joey if he did.
Holic, @46 – YOU should no there is no such thing as an interlull at Goonerholic. But in the true spirit of “give me an inch”, here’s a rein from my plein. No doubt, H2H will rein you in shortly.
Why Alex is the First Note on the Song Sheet.
I’m feeling sharp, C, but I’ve no intention of making you B flat or grow crotchety or cause a quaver in the soundtrack of your day, whether it’s playing on your walkman, your ipod, your mouthie, your radiogram or your tin whistle. No, that’s not the drumstick I’m wielding. Not the snare skin I’m striking. Not the frugal horn I’m puffing.
But I’m wondering, in the key of G whiz;
“When Arsene pulls his A4 pad, his pencil and his eraser – (note to non-Americans – I used to say “rubber”, but it got me into so much trouble that I’ve erased the memories of these troubled days and now stick to eraser) – WHOSE NAME is the first he scribbles for the next game?”
Who is the foundation stone, around which the rest of the Arsenal architecture will be assembled? Who is the ground floor from which the elevator will rise to the pent-house? Who is the rocket ship that will be the launch platform for the exocet? Who is the chip that will eventually provide the fish supper? Who is the anvil from which young Arthur will pull his sword?
Asked only twelve months ago, my answer was easy and clear. It was predictable. I’d be willing to wager that my answer of last year would have your “two thumbs up” if you’re a Gooner and a huge raspberry if you’re a spud. I even had a solid gold, back-up pick to take with me to Fort Knox. I’m talking of Cesc, of-course, as Arsene’s first doodle of the quill francaise. And Rockin’ Robin as the gold bar back-up of le biro.
But twelve months are twelve months, and things can change in less, and usually do. And my answer has definitely changed. And I’m willing to wager Arsene’s has too. I’ll bet his first name no longer begins with a “C”. I’m certain that there’s no “R” there either.
C for Cesc, and R for Robin, have both ushered little dark clouds into the big blue infinity that was previously their sky. A Barcelona summer and an ankle’s worth of horse placenta have moved them off the pole. Not as far off as Michael Schumacher on the grid. (Let’s face it, he’s nearly at the North Pole). But likely into positions two and three. But off, nevertheless – and definitely sitting behind my new pole sitter, on Arsene’s paddy.
Who’s ringing my bell? Who’s playing my tune? Who am I scoring to score on the boss’s musical manuscript as he composes the prelude to next weekend’s opera in football boots? When the curtain comes up on Bolton, who can we be certain will be there as the fulcrum, wielding the baton, if not to conduct, then to hit the Spanish conductor with and gee him up.
There’s only one I’m thinking about. Only one I’m talking about. Only one who’s emerged, at age 22, as a world-class talent at the heart of this team’s success and future and who’s indispensable, if we’re going to win the League. He’s our zombie of the week. He’s our new haircut of fear. He’s the one and only Alex Song.
If he stays fully fit this season, he’ll be central to great things. He’s a superb ball winner. He’s always willing to show himself for others. His first touch and passing are better than most and he can find time-space-continuums that are beyond the reach of Dr Who’s Tardis.
If he’s injured, we’re in deep Doo-Doo of the worst VooDoo Doo-Doo kind. Who’ll win these mid-field duels? Who create that space and support for the Spanish magician? My prayers were for Melo, but I’m left feeling mellow yellow on Donovan’s Reef. “No one” is the honest answer, although I think AW will give Jack, JD 20 and Gibbsy the opportunity to try.
So for me, he’s top of the pops, his Song’s got me Groovin’ on a Sunny Afternoon, I’ll give it “foiv on my Juke Box Jury and oi’ll buy it” on iTunes if iSnail hasn’t bought it first.
What do you think, ‘Holics?
Thirsty after that, TaTa-Tifi. One chilled crocodile blood with a gris-gris straw please, barman and “Sing, sing a Song………” “I’d love to teach the world to Song……”
Not since ”Twas the Night Before Christmas’ has iambic tetrameter been put to such good use! Though to make this a truly patriotic English poem, it should have been in the unrhymed iambic pentameter of blank verse (a la Shakespeare, Milton).
Oh sod it. Give me a drink.
BtM, I think you’re spot on about Song.
The fact that we looked for someone to be his backup so urgently means he’s so important to us.
His current crop of backups are O.K but we’ll still have a hole when he won’t be playing.
It seems like Schwarzer will be coming to the Emirates to replace Almunia, and from the look of our current squad, I like our chances. We actually solved all our problems, 2 CB, GK and a CF who will add an aerial threat as opposed to our passing game which sometimes gets stuck against stiff opposition.
What do you guys think of the Mail’s article about Cesc? It’s been 2 weeks and already people are trying to demoralize him saying he doesn’t wanna be here.
I don’t know about them, but watching the game again, he was all smiles when he took the field as Arsenal’s captain.
Cheers Holic, BtM, H2H and the rest of you excellent posters whether poetic or prosaic. The more talented lot of supporters I have not seen.
bt8bbnn – I’m in a generous mood, your next drink’s on me!
High praise indeed ‘holic sir.
I’d gladly pour the drinks in the bar, but I’ll leave the posts to experts like your good self and the eloquant and lyrical Mr BtM.
Not sure if any of you guys saw MOTD2 tonight, they takled about our Jack’s incident but there was something a lot more sinister that caught my attention.
At the start of the program they said they were gonna try something new, they were going to decide the order in which the games were shown by drawing lots.
Colin Murray (the presenter) turned to the guest pundit, Ex Hull mismanager Phil Oompa Loompa, to draw a lot and said;
“Sorry, all we could find was this brown paper bag.”
Was he talking to the viewers or the Tango man?
——–
Snir my friend, the British media aka pond scum, will always do their best to try to wind up and create havoc where there is none, I wouldn’t wipe my backside with a red top rag, there’s more then enough shite in those so called “newspapers” as it is.
Jack will be alright methinks. This is a boy who, when asked what he would do if a spider came into the room, answered ‘I would call me mum. And run out.’ Somehow I don’t see him assaulting a woman. Not now, not ever.
Then again, if he keeps training with Terry and Gerrard…
beautiful :’)
Heh! Milton says the cricket lover. Shakespeare even!
Love it Bunburyist. Left school at sixteen with four o’levels because I needed to watch Arsenal every week. Finally got a degree in my thirties, gawd bless the Open University.
I didn’t used to know wot a knackered emic was, now I is one, as someone once said.
Now then. Iambic tetrameter. Is that anything like that tantric sex bollocks? 😉
BTM @ 49
After reading your latest missive i am going to have a cup of Horlicks and a lie down.
thnks for that.
made my day,which doesn’t say much does it.!!
It’s been half a century since Spurs won the League.
And Redknapp is starting to sound like Captain Queeg.
Sure it “ends in one” but this is twenty-eleven
and it will be The Arsenal who bring their fans to heaven.
I’m starting to see where I went wrong, Uncle Mike. Short and snappy. I like it 🙂
Start to follow your blog after 650 posts and loved every bit of it. Whenever I get time, I spend few time on post #1, #2,#3 …..and soon I will get to # 650.
Thanks ‘holic for sharing your beautiful memories of our club and for all 800 of posts.
I don’t usually post on here, but that was BRILLIANT. Again I’m amazed at how many top quality bloggers the Arsenal has; with yourself, Arseblog, Gunnerblog, Goodplaya even down to Youngguns, we are truley spoilt.
Everytime I need a pick me up I always go to read your write up of the Orange one’s (Phil Brown) visit to the Emirates last season. Another of your quality entries.
I raise my bottle, here’s to the next 800.
Happy 800th and a lovely ditty. I especially appreciate your history posts since no one writing in the goonersphere has the memory and the art to make those days so vivid and alive for us.
Snir Geuli, I agree with you that there is a gap unfilled when Song is out. But as far as the GK situation, it isn’t looking good since there are reports Given is staying at City. Without a replacement for Schwarzer, Hughes won’t let him go.
Cesc is an impeccable player and just coming back to match fitness again. He just doesn’t strike me as the type to give less than his best, and Arsene said the same thing–he loves Arsenal, even if he did want to go to Barcelona. I certainly hope we don’t let rags like the Mail undermine our enthusiastic support for Cesc.
Re: Wilshere, I really hope he isn’t making a habit of being out till 3am in the morning. Peacemaker or no, what good comes of it for him as an Arsenal player to be out on the town like that? Boys will be boys, but let’s hope he keeps out of trouble and that it doesn’t find him.
@ Limestone
You’d imagine that young master Jack has an appointment in the headmaster’s office right now!
@catalan, indeed!
In the interests of fairness, a positive comment is deserved for Manuel Almunia yesterday.
Considering the bombardment he was subjected to, particularly in the first half, he had a pretty decent game altogether.
Two years ago, with intense competition from dear old Mad Jens, Almunia looked the part overall, and personally, I thought he had turned his early years around and would make a decent No. 1.
We all know about last season and how he sank in our estimation. Thing was, he had no competition – leaving aside the personal upsets and infections, imaginary or otherwise.
This season, with intense speculation over his Arsenal future – a competition of sorts – he seems to be rediscovering some of his form of two years ago.
Maybe, probably, I’m just looking for some cause for optimism, in case the window slams shut tomorrow and no new saviour has arrived.
Trouble with that scenario, is that Almunia then has no competition once again.
With Schwarzer’s arrival though, we would have a very steady No. 1, and as Arseblog has deliciously pointed out, Almunia could make a solid No. 2 !!
No, I honestly did not write the whole thing just to deliver that gag. I really thought he did well yesterday.
I am on holiday in Crete
I went the day after we handed Blackburn a defeat
Almunia was really good
But today I ate too much food
Anyway, just wanted to say that this bar
Is the best by far
The ‘Holic keeps delivering his brilliant words
Not like Tony Pulis who only delivers turds
Have a nice day and take care
All of you everywhere
Limestone @ 63
Re Wilshere,
Couldn’t agree more,very very silly boy.
Having just broken into the first team squad with a great future ahead of him,the last place he should be is out clubbing in the early hours.!!
He is either very badly advised or is running with the wrong crowd.
Arsenal Football Club do not tolerate bad/negative press that reflects on the Club.
Wilshere needs to be very very careful he doen’t follow in the footsteps of several other young footballers at Arsenal,who transgressed in the same fashion and were summarily dispatched from the Club.
Everyone deserves a second chance so let’s hope he learns his lesson.
Trev @ 66
Re Almunia,i think he is a much maligned goalkeeper,as the last line of defense their mistakes are always magnified,but the defense has to also stand up and take some responsibilty.
We conceded over 40 league goals last season and how many of those could you truly say were down to Almunia alone.
Supportrs only focus on the mistakes and forget all the important saves he made through the seasons.
Last season he obviously had some personal problems and wasn’t himself,and with a defense that couldn’t defend it was always a bit chaotic with no real stability.
Hopefully this season,and on the evidence of the first 3 games he has done nothing wrong,with a much more solid defense in front of him and with better organisation/communication he may yet surprise a lot of very sceptical Gooners.
Confidence is everything in Sport,and if Almunia continues in the same vein he has started the season,and if Wenger just quietly has liked what he has seen so far,then all the speculation about new goalkeepers will be just a memory.
It seems Benitez is feeling a bit cheeky:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/08/30/2095161/inter-have-287m-plus-sulley-muntari-offer-for-arsenals-cesc
The sad thing is that they offered more than Barca (who were supposedly dying to get him).
Heard the most shocking news that Citeh could loan Adebayor to Sp*rs. Now if that happens itll truly be hilarious. Trying to watch Sp*ds cheer the very man at whom they chanted the elephant songs.
Naice.
Clive – Not to get into whether Almunia is a good GK or not but I can think of at least (!) 5 goals which are his fault.
Goal at Anfield, Ibrahimovic’s first, Danny Rose’s goal, Birmingham away 90th minute, Nani’s goal.
I do know that he also had the season of his life in 08-09 and that he was quite solid when dispossessing Jens (god, I loved him) for the number 1 spot, but, he hasn’t been himself, we need a keeper that gets us points, not one that doesn’t do too bad or nothing wrong if you get what I mean.
On the other hand (as it seems Given rejected Fulham and Almunia is staying) Arsenal have possession 70% of the time, and we saw we only had about 91 shots against us, all he needs to do is to save 70% percent of them. I’ll live with 30 conceded.
Happy 800 `Holic, count one me to be around for your millenium!
Agent Adebayor, under DEEP cover, on his way to Spurs?
That’s exactly 100 appearances more than Bergkamp and Rocastle combined – esteemed space indeed.
Congratulations and many more….(my 500th next month!)
Snir @ 71
Unless something happens out of the blue in the next 24hrs,Al will be our last line of defense.
I hear what you say about the 5 goals definitley down to him,but equally i am sure there were plenty of goalbound shots he saved.
I can think of Everton in the last minute at the Emirates, and i am sure i could find a few more.
I just think with a more organised defense and experienced centre backs in Vermaelen and Squillaci especialy,that they will work more as a unit and be on the same wavelength,much like the Utd and Chelsea defensive units.
It’s no surprise that those 2 Teams have been the benchmark for the past few seasons as they concede the least amount of goals season in season out.
I know we play a diff type of game to both those teams,but you still cannot concede more than 30 goals a season and expect to win the Title.
Confidence and trust are at the heart of all the best defensive units,we’ve made a good start, so let’s hope ours can reach the rarified air at the top of the Premiership and more importantly stay there.!!!
Clive – Speaking of defenses, what do you say about the fact that we are the only team that seems to have 4 CBs?
United have Rio, Vidic, O’Shea and Brown (which is like having 2) and Chelsea only have Alex and Terry (they have Ivanovic as cover but that’s like adding Song to the list).
For the first time WE have the Deepest squad, at the back, in the middle and upfront.
United and Chelsea’s midfield is really short compared to ours.
Morning all,
Lars, you have been hiding your light under a bushel 😉
Snir
You are forgetting Evans and Smalling at Utd which does give them 4,
I agree with you re Chelsea central defence,for the first time they do appear a bit light in that area.
I think where we differ from both of our rivals in midfield,is they have the power players where we are more about finesse,
you think of Essien/Lampard/Ramires/Mikel/Kalou/Benayoun,that’s not a bad sixpack in anyones language.
again Utd seem to be a bit light on in the midfield.
So in summary,Utd strong in defense,average midfield,take Rooney out of the attack and they will struggle.
Chelsea lacking depth central defense,strong in midfield but take Drogba out of the attack and again they could struggle,but they always seem to get 15+ goals from their midfielders so may not have as many problems as Utd without Rooney.
As to our fav team,i think we have 3 good tough central defenders,with a question mark against the 4th,Djourou.
I have never known a nasty Swiss,Senderos was too NICE to be a central defender and i suspect Djourou is the same,so he is no 4 in the pecking order.
I agree we have an embarrassment of riches in midfield,but i still worry about our attack.
RVP looks like being out for 4wks with ankle injury,Bendtner still out for a while,so already we have problems.
I would prefer another striker in the squad,as Vela doesn’t seem to be top drawer to me.
Whether Walcott/Arshavin will be switched to play in the hole behind central striker,i don’t know,but losing RVP is like Chelsea losing Drogba and Utd losing Rooney,you can’t replace them.!!
As always with us injuries will determine our future,let’s hope the football gods smile on us just this once.!!
Morning Landlord,
Don’t want to spam a link, but there’s a rather nice feel good video about Bendtner, Eboue and Tony Adams (!) over on Gooner Talk for anyone who wants a little perking up this morning.
Good luck with the coffee and sandwishes today ‘Holic. Think it might be a fruitless wait though.
@Clive and @Snir
Any thoughts on the nice Swiss Johan as cover for Alex Song as CDM? I think he could make a good go of it…
@Catalan – Not too sure, haven’t seen too much of him there, but anyway, I was happy with Diaby’s play in the first 2 games in Song’s absence in the midfield.
Clive – Chelsea’s sixpack is not even close to ours. Compare their midfield to Song, Diaby, Cesc, Chamakh, RvP, Arshavin (and we haven’t even talked about Wilshere, Ramsey, Eboue, Walcott, Nasri, Rosicky, Vela, Bendtner etc’…) and their midfield is good but lacking depth when Lampard/Essien gets injured.
Re RvP – Luckily enough he’ll miss Bolton at home, Braga, maybe (18th of September) Sunderland away, W.B.A at home. I don’t think we really need him apart from the trip to Sunderland, he can heal in time for the 3rd of October for Stamford Bridge (again, don’t believe anyone who says we can’t match them based on last year – We played with a 5’4 striker which led to no aerial threat so only through passes that were eventually misplaced and caused counter attacks, this year it’ll be different with Chamakh).
I really do believe this year that you can say the same about us as you said about United and Chelsea, that you can take out RvP and we’ll be fine cause we’ll get our goals from our midfield and Chamakh.
With all due respect to Alex, Terry, Smalling, Evans, O’Shea, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand – I want to see them handle our sixpack – Song, Cesc, Diaby, Arshavin/Nasri/Rosicky, RvP, Chamakh/Walcott, Eboue.
Last time that happened and we had an aerial threat in Adebayor (and Bendtner against United) it finished with a 2-1 win didn’t it?
This is SO our year.
And of course, good morning Holic, have a nice transfer window closing day, hopefully you’ll have something to write about come 6 p.m 🙂
Catalan
I don’t think Djourou has the intelligence or the required mongrel to play DMF,can anyone remember the last Swiss enforcer at any club playing DMF,they don’t exist.!!
Snir
I have to disagree re our midfield versus Chelsea,
I think our top six MF against theirs is probably a draw,except as i pointed out,in Chelsea’s size and sheer physical prescence in that area that has caused us so many problems in the past.
When was the last time we beat Chelsea in any competition.??
Back before the Special One arrived at the Bridge.
The only player with height and strength to match theirs is Diaby,all the rest are midgets.
When we continually beat Chelsea for years it was because we had the sheer size and physical strength of Viera and company that totally dominated mid field where all matches are basically won or lost.
The Special One reversed that trend and now we cannot beat them to save our lives.
So it becomes a mental battle as well as a physical one.
2 barriers we haven’t been able to overcome YET.!!
As i pointed out in earlier comments,they need to win all 4 of their league games before they go to the Bridge,one down three to go.
This will take them there in a great frame of mind,hopefully injury free,and we will find out over the course of 90mins whether they have the intestinal fortitude to believe in themselves and show their long suffering fans that they can match it with the benchmark team of the Premier League.
I admire u mr. Holic and always read but never comment coz i am so taken up by the drinks its so enjoyable…hope to read many more of ur posts
At Clive83…there is Inler at Udinese who i wish for Arsenal to bring in…I fancy our chances this time round..all our players look hungry and well rested…
Now then Clive… Johann might be a very clever boy!
Thank you Ugandan for remembering a Swiss CDM when I couldn’t!
‘When was the last time we beat Chelsea in any competition.??’
Er…at Stamford Bridge in the league in 2008/09 didn’t we? And at home in 2007/08 I thought. OK a fat lot of good both wins did but still…
no wonder new songs are rare, the mob that sit roundabout block 24 can barely remember the words to ‘Arsenal Arsenal, Arsenal nevermind that lengthy tome you’ve written sir. It’ll never catch on!
😉
‘I don’t think Djourou has the intelligence or the required mongrel to play DMF,can anyone remember the last Swiss enforcer at any club playing DMF,they don’t exist.!!’
Vhalon Berhami? Not the most assured of DM, but an enforcer alright. Anyways, I’m not too convinced about Djourou in DM either. He had a match there in pre-season, imo, didn’t look too comfortable.
Delightful as always Holic, pure class in the posts and drinks (BtM deserves a medal).
Here’s to the next 800…
…and maybe a goalkeeper?
Lets not be too hard on Arsene, we all know he’ll bring in a top quality keeper in the january window. I wonder what Arsenes shit smells like Holic, I bet you wonder that every day.
it’s time to get behind Almunia, don’t hit the panic button yet if he plays like he did at the weekend nine games out of 10 we will be just fine. I think I defend him more than most but when he took the job over he played well if not a world-class goalkeeper. I think the confidence will grow with the right back four/ rotating central defenders to avoid the exhaustion that cost us dearly last season. Keep the faith- Schwarzer was never worth 4 million as quoted if true at his age
So that’s that. Two defenders and a striker with height. I’m happy with that. Oh yeah, and Cesc is staying.
Bring it on!
It’s all very well saying Almunia had a good game at the weekend but we all know he isn’t the answer – he wouldn’t get a game for any of our rivals and virtually all of the Arsenal support agreed that if one position needed a change, it was the goalkeeper!
Who would’ve thought back in May we would have been in this position now?
Sorry but I can’t see how we can expect to win the title with our current 1 and 2 (whichever order they happen to be in!).
zicoinexile, I think you are completely unfair to Almunia in saying it is not clear what order he and Fabianski are in. Have you not seen the huge difference in the quality of their performances? I have not seen Chesney play at all, but I rate the others as 1. Almunia 2. Mannone 4. Fabianski
Bt8bbnn – maybe so, but still not good enough to win us the title.
I think we have been let down on this one – I am pleased with the other signings but still think that the most fundamental change that was required has not been addressed.
It will take but one Almunia error in the next few weeks and the Arsenal blogosphere will go into meltdown.
I find it hard to believe that Mark Schwarzer was the only GK that we could have signed given that we have had since the end of last season to do something about it.
Given the quality we have in other areas of the pitch, I cannot understand this inability to find a better keeper than we have (especially since we are prepared, so we are told, to spend money).
Barman – rum and coke (double)! 🙁
Holic,
Best make it a strong treble the thought of watching the same keepers making the same basic mistakes for another season has driven me to despair . Such a shame hes handicapping our season once again, sorry for the downbeat post but i just cannot see us winning anything with them in goal and you cannot blame Almunia he trys but hes just not up to it, I hope im wrong and they prove to be solid but i just cannot see it, And if and when the do make mistakes that cost us points our Manager has no one to blame but himself weve had months to sort it out and not only has he not hes also undermined the ones we do have its completly bizarre,
Here is to 800 more! U are the best!
Given my rather nascent age of 22, I could only relate to the last 10 lines in entirety. But I must applaud the entire piece nonetheless. It’s flawless.
Keep at it Sire!
Cheers 🙂