Time To Lift The Black Mood In The Black Country
Nov 9th, 2010 by 'holic
The management’s birthday celebrations mean I will miss my first Arsenal match (in real time) in years. I wonder if she will get really upset if I stay up to watch the re-run on ATvO just after midnight!
Last season we celebrated the weekend of the good lady’s birthday up there and grand’holic watched the Arsenal in the flesh with grandad for the first time. I had to sit on my hands in the middle of the home support and hope he didn’t grass me up as we strolled to an impressive 4-1 triumph. What wouldn’t we give for a repeat this time around?
I’m starting to emerge from the fug (yes, fug!) that enveloped me after Sunday’s performance. The debates that have raged, albeit with great civility, in the drinks have persuaded me I may have been harsh in my judgement of Lukasz Fabianski. We were inches away from scoring on three occasions, and on another day maybe one of those at least finds the target. I remain to be convinced that losing at home to two of the three promoted sides is just bad luck, however.
Speaking to arsenal.com Arsene has said that we have lost nobody from Sunday, save of course Laurent Koscielny after the appeal against his sending-off on Sunday not surprisingly failed. That had me scratching my head to try and think of the time I think he said that after a defeat, he wanted to give the same group of players the opportunity to make things right, or something to that effect. Or did I just dream that?
Under the circumstances that might not be a bad thing. BtM will slaughter me again about the exclusion of Denilson, and he may well have a point, but Vermaelen apart we did have our best outfield players on display at one point or another on Sunday. For their own professional pride they should want to get out there and produce a performance. I think though that I might tinker a little, and raise a few eyebrows in so doing.
Johan Djourou is the obvious, nay only, candidate to replace Koscielny. The mobile and willing workhorse that is Doyle will be a handful, but surely a puzzle that Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci will be able to solve with relative ease. Of more concern is the on-form winger Jarvis, given the inconsistency displayed by both Arsenal full-backs this season. Indeed shackling him could be key to nullifying the home side almost completely. He has been the shining light in an otherwise very dark season for them.
With Samir Nasri seemingly fit after the weekend, Jack Wilshere still in fine form, and Alexandre Song attempting to develop all facets of his play, do we really need to risk whatever is ailing the skipper against the club bottom but one in the League? I’ll leave the question hanging for a moment while you consider it.
We could still perm any two of Theo Walcott, Andrey Arshavin, and Tomas Rosicky, in the wide berths to supply the ammunition for Marouane Chamakh. The Moroccan struggled at the weekend, but this was his least effective appearance following an impressive start, and I don’t doubt his ability to bounce back at Molineux.
That still leaves a bench from which we could summon the left-out wide player, Robin van Persie, the skipper, Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue. Not bad that, is it?
The fact that I am on the final bottle, of a pack of four, of Wadworths 6X has me thinking adventurous thoughts about the ‘holic pound. You would need more than four bottles though to find an attractive big price on this fixture. I like the 11/5 against Nasri to score at any time in the match. Not big rewards for a little punt, but it will pay for the next couple of bets.
So, as usual, those going please have a good evening. The stark contrast between our magnificent away support, and the theatre-goers at the Grove, was again highlighted this weekend. People attempting to force a response are barking up the wrong tree. A football atmosphere grows organically. It can’t be whipped up by a bit of paint and some loud but insipid piped music. People forget in the golden age there were no pre-match videos and volume ten Elvis crap. At best just the Metropolitan Police Band playing in the corner of East Stand and Clock End. The North Bank boys started singing at half past two or so to create their own entertainment, and it carried on from there.
The club missed a trick when breaking up groups of friends at both ends of the old stadium when allocating season tickets for the Grove. It will take more than ‘focus groups’ to repair that, and I’m not sure the will exists to allow that degree of vocal support any longer. I hope I am wrong.
Cheers ‘holics.
198 Responses to “Time To Lift The Black Mood In The Black Country”
Flappy should be benched tomorrow against Wolves and the young Pole given a chance to prove he’s all that he says he is,if he ain’t as good as he reckons well and least he was given a chance,how will we know how good he is if he’s left with splinters in his arse on the bench? Flappy got his run of games that he wanted and cocked up last sunday so bench him(harsh but fair I say)and try the youngfella.
Give it a rest GAZ, calling him Flappy is for cunts.
Oh and lets give Szczesny a chance and if he makes a mistake, then lets write him off too. Fabianski has been showing good form, but i knew some supposed fans would jump on him at the first hint of a mistake. And true to form they have.
Large glass of bile for me and a cup of hemlock for my mate.
That was my instinct on Sunday, Gaz. I don’t think he is the long term number one, but that was Fabianski’s first error of judgement in this run of games. Perhaps his performances at Stamford Bridge and Middle Eastlands have earned him this one last chance?
Easy boys. There has been some civil difference of opinion in here the last couple of days. Let’s keep it that way. I will delete out and out abuse of each other.
Holic
I cant tell you how different an experience it is these days between home and away fixtures. Away games are just fucking excellent and the support is nigh on constant. Compare that to certain section of our piss poor home “support” and it ca nget embarrassing.
I will be there tomorrow night and Sunday too. Hopefully the players will want to put in a shift and a performance that was sadly missing Sunday. having Nasri fit is fantastic news for me.
Sorry Holic. I know mate. But that was the highly censored version too!
And the souds drew at home to Sunderland tonight. Now they ARE in a shitty run in the league! If we win tomorrow and get a result Sunday, that will almost, almost put the Toon game to bed for me.
Voidcheck Chesney in the goal, Arsene must stop this goalkeeper-rot, itΒ΄s gone to far now.
We have a worldbeater on the bench, USE HIM!
A worldbeater Nevis he’s proved himself, has he?
Nevis is iPod autocorrect, silly machine.
I stand by my point on Fabianski, not the time to drop him, he didn’t crumble after the mistake.
Single malt of your choice please Barman.
And I see you’re wearing a nice T shirt tonight.
Czzznnnnyyyy in goal v. Wolves sounds about right to me, if for nothing more than for changing the atmosphere right now which does need to be changed. This fixture last year was anything but easy although we came away with the 3 points in the end. The atmosphere at Molineux however was super thanks to both sets of supporters.
Flappy(I’ll call him that if I choose) cannot command his area,the rest of the players don’t seem to have faith in him,granted he had a few games where he did well but he’ll always be an accident waiting to happen,I haven’t seen much of the young pole but from what I have seen he looks our best bet.He talks a good game so give him a chance to see if he plays a good game,it’s just common sense.We were muck all over the park on Sunday but only for Flappy we’d have got a draw and been a point closer Chelsea.Flappy must GO!!!!
Evening ‘Holic and fellow @Holics.
I was so convinced that we were going to win on Sunday and since that insipid performance I have had grave concerns about this game – so hopefully the inverse principle will work in our favour and I will be smiling come 10pm tomorrow night.
It’s interesting to listen to the debate about the fans generating some noise at the Emirates – it reminded me of something I thought about posting after the Bolton game, but decided against it as it didn’t seem right after a good victory.
Anyway, as some of you know, I live in Scotland and only manage to get to about 4 or 5 home games per season, so I am not able to judge this from a position of strength – but you may recall after the Bolton game I posted about my air travel problems from Edinburgh and how I missed the first 15 minutes or so of the match – my point was that when I emerged from the Arsenal tube station right after 3pm I was struck by how quiet it was generally but even when I got to within feet of the stadium the only way you knew there was a game on was the number of stewards glaring at me for having the temerity to have misplaced my membership card!! It was deathly quiet.
We have definitely lost something, since moving to the Grove, and I agree with a lot of posters who have commented on the nazis that pass for security on match day don’t help, and whilst it may be the prices of progress, there is definitely not the same buzz as I remember from most of my trips to Highbury.
My next game will be the Fulham game, although I would have loved to have been able to go the game against the LWC, because if we don’t get worked up for that one, then there’s no hope!
Turning back to tomorrow’s game, before I venture the zico pound (apologies for breach of copyright Holic), can I ask – where is Lars going to be? π π
Good write up, ‘holic.
Ah, the days of the police band are over I’m afraid. And let’s face it, even die-hard North Bankers now arrive only 10 minutes before kick-off, spending more time in the Tolly or other nearby pubs watching the TV build-up. ‘Tis the way of the world.
All the Club could do would be to offer NO MUSIC for 10 mins before kick-off in the hope that fans would turn up and make some noise.
I’ll SMS some mates and ask them to leave the bar …
Gettin back to Sunday,I don’t put Jack in the muck category he was the only one with a bit of fight in him,on a few occasions he thundered into that cunt Carroll,I couldn’t believe he was subbed.He’s been our best player this season and is the first name on my tram sheet.Wish we had 11 Jack Wilshire’s.
*team sheet
If Cesc is injured he should not even be on the bench. Get him rested and repaired. We play better without him than we do when he is in the team unfit. And we play best of all when he plays fully fit.
A pint of the black stuff in honour of the post, if you would, ‘Holic.
Are you gallavanting iOllie? tsk tsk π
Good point that Ned. I don’t disagree with that at all.
Solves that little problem then.
Le Boss reckons he’s fit. http://tinyurl.com/395zuok
If only Cesc looked like he believes that…
GAZ
Flappy? I think it’s Fabianski and even though it was his mistake on sunday, I will repeat my self here again what did the others do to win the game? We had nothing going forward and when we did we went close on very few occasions. Even our skipper looked very ordinary. Perhaps lady luck wasn’t on our side but how could she be? Mike Dean was in charge π
Every keeper needs a run of games if you don’t play you will never improve and gain confidence. It will me much better if we get behind rather call him Flappy that;s not very encouraging.
Barman something mellow before I hit the deck π please
Flappy (correct terminology!) should definately be benched. AW was quick to ditch the mad kraut and Almunia after their mistakes, and AW could be faced with his nightmare scenario should Flappy make any balls-ups tomorrow. He would presumably witter on about the fact that dropping him could ruin his confidence for good, but to be honest I couldn`t give a f**k. I believe that Szczesny, young as he is, might make the position his own once given a chance.
Holic, you are right to single out Jarvis as the danger man, and I`m doubtful if we will be able to keep him quiet for 90 minutes. My other concern is the poor form of Djourou. Admittedly he hasn`t had that many games since coming back, but he doesn`t seem positionally aware enough for me. Chamakh was piss-poor on Sunday, seemingly unable to keep hold of the ball, and although he should start, one or two slight doubts are atarting to creep in.
Hate to say it, but like the chant goes : “-Our- support is fucking shit”, even by post-Hillsbourough standards.
Well I don’t really want to dwell on that, some ‘holics already have expressed my feelings fairly well.
I’ll just say that if Cesc isn’t fit to play, then rest him and play Nasri in his position. This will be another chance for him to prove he can have a real influence on our play from the midfield, because so far (in the PL at least) he hasn’t showed that he could replace the skipper who is still our most important player even when not 100% fit, Wenger knows it and that’s why HD chooses to play him sometimes even when he’s not fully fit.
Nasri, you are on good form, but leading a team and dictating the tempo of the play while providing some cutting edge is even trickier. This is your chance, take it.
Oh, and I just had a Saint Nicolas Du Bourgueil, I’ll just have a deca please. Busy and long day tomorrow.
Is Henry playing?
The ones voicing their support for Szczesny now would be the first to call for his head once he makes a couple mistakes. Fabianski is starting to show the attributes of a good goalkeeper and one error is not enough to invalidate all the times he kept us in games recently.
Holic, I think you are unfair with Sagna. If anything the criticism leveld at him by some has been centered on his offensive game, defensively he has always been among the best.
I wish Arsene would rotate the team more, we have nothing to gain by letting some (good) players lose their match-fitness by rotting for too long on the bench and it would help him tweak his team better according to the opposition.
On our current form we may have some doubts but I certainly hope the players have been stung enough by the recent defeats that they will step up to the challenge. My real fear is that Stoke will “get in” and another one of “not-this-kind-of” players will injure one of our lads badly.
Another lager top before my guiness, if you please bartender.
Holic I almost forgot a very good positive write up indeed you nailed it down to the bone.
I have a good feeling about tomorrow π
Barman another round of those mellow chasers please
PS. Flappy sounds awful and I can’t understand why you would want call your keeper anytihng like that.
@ ATG,Flappy was given a run of games and as per script with him he cocked up big time on Sunday,how will he improve you say if he’s not given a run? he’ll never improve because he’s shite!!! How will we know if Shnezzy is any good if he’s left to scratch his arse on the bench?If the young Pole was giving it large about how he should start ahead of a keeper like Seaman then he’d be out of order and would have to bide his time,but when he sees Flappy gettin in ahead of him he must think to himself ‘what d fuck am I doin here,I’m offski boss’
@RVP’s right foot: Nasri scored 7 goals in 10 games, he is well on course to clinch the all-time Arsenal goal record for a midfielder above both Cesc and Bobby. Not too shabby for someone who played only a handful of times in central midfield and maybe twice or thrice in Cesc’s position.
So far he is without a doubt our best player this season.
@GAZ: you’re entitled to your opinions but don’t act surprised or hurt when others call you on your made-up BS.
Here’s from a recent (as in 2 weeks ago) interview from Szczesny:
” I still think there is more to come from Fabianski, he is a very good goalkeeper and I personally believe him.
I have known him for quite a few years and we have gone through that learning process together and I know he is a very good goalkeeper.
He has got his confidence back and he is doing quite well. I think if his confidence grows even more he will be a world-class goalkeeper.”
Szczesny has more good things to say about Fabianski if you care to educate yourself: http://desigunner.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/mature-szczesny-backs-fabianski-sounds-like-the-real-deal/
@ Matt it’s not 1 mistake he’s has a portfolio of mistakes for Arsenal,remember Porto Matt? Wigan? Need I go on? Let’s face it he isn’t near good enough for a top side like Arsenal end of. And for those who think Schnezzy is too young,is Jack too young? Was Cesc too young? If your good enough age don’t matter.
@zico: I won’t be anywhere near The Molineux, that’s for sure! π
Can I say I am amazed at this keeper debate. We all know that we need a top keeper. Flappy was brought in and after just one solid performance almost everyone to a man was saying he should keep his place. He has been solid since he came into the side until one fuck up on Sunday. We all know it was a fuck up and a poor one at that. But if we are really going to have such a knee jerk reaction that one error means the sack then I for one am most disappointed. I do not think at the moment that Flappy is the long term solution. But I do feel that his recent performances should warrant a bit more support and loyalty from us supporters, and that he should at least be given the chance to stake a claim. Flappy stays for me.
3 points is a must for me. I hear what you say holic about the best outfield players. But I would add that the best outfield players do not necessarily make the best team. It is for that reason that I would not ditch Denilson.
Having watched Wolves against the Mancs at the weekend I am not expecting an easy ride. Far from it. Certain players will need to show far bigger balls than were on display on Sunday. Anything as pathetic as that will not do in the slightest.
Keep the faith.
Lars, I have had a word with the immigration people at Heathrow who have agreed to find a spurious reason to detain you on any future visit until the day after the game π
@Matt what have I made up? if you think Flappy is a good keeper well that’s your entitled opinion,I have mine you have your but Stevie Wonder could tell ya that Flappy ain’t good enough.You’ll have your mates back you up,I know that,but again they’re entitled to back you up,I’ve no qualms with that.
And holic. I hope you have plenty of that 6X left. You know I am a bit partial??????
Evening holic and holics, agree with you holic about jarvis he looks a big threat and wolves have been giving some top sides a hard time this season so it will be a tough match but one I think we will win. On my way home from work at the mo and stopped for quick pint of the black stuff at Liverpool st station, a few spuds fans turned up all very quiet with faces like a bulldog chewing a wasp, not happy. Did think about asking one of them what the score was but thought my smirk might give me away, hope that paints a picture that cheers you up a little after sunday. Pints of the black stuff all round if you will guvnor
@GAZ: you wrote “when he sees Flappy gettin in ahead of him he must think to himself βwhat d fuck am I doin here,Iβm offski bossβ” which the interview proves is obviously not the case.
Wenger, Seamann, Cesc and now Szczesny all say Fabianski has what’s needed to be top-drawer. I don’t know myself but he certainly has been an improvement over Almunia since he deputized for him. Watching tomorrow’s game after his mistake last Sunday will help us know more about him.
There are more worrysome things to deal with for tomorrow’s game than Fabianski. Like our lack of goals recently and Stoke’s current form, as underlined by Steve T against United.
@ Matt we are playing WOLVES tomorrow not STOKE and you say I talk bullshit!!!!!!!
@ Matt saying Flappy is an improvement on Almunia isn’t saying much for the geezer,even puttin little Jack between the sticks would be an improvement on bleedin Almunia!!!!
@Matt 25
I like Nasri very much, and I think maybe now is the time to take it up a notch, by not just being a very good performer for someone who plays in an attacking position but a real leader and inspiration from CM (when Cesc isn’t fit)
Gaz. Flappy is an improvement on Almunia. I agree that at times that may not be something to write home about and I still have no idea why we did not bring a keeper in during the summer. But as we are unable to make any radical changes (ie: in the transfer market) I say we go with what we have. Out of the keepers we are able to select from, I say that Flappy deserves another chance
You made me smile Glenn π
And yes Steve, a Waddy’s is reserved for you π
@ Steve T you prefer Flappy I’d go with Snezzy,we all have our opinion.Apart from Flappy-Gate I want to see the players show a lot more fight in them.Cesc isn’t shouting and roaring at players like Adams used to,we lack that leader on the pitch at the moment,I adore Cesc and won’t ever slag him off but he’s seems a bit subdued lately.
You got me Gaz, it was an honest-to-god confusion. That said it’s not like they have different styles of play nor are very far from each other in the table…
@RVP’s right foot: Totally, I can’t wait for him to be given the opportunity to prove it. He was unlucky not to score on Sunday, I have the feeling he will show it tomorrow.
Loved the image of the bulldog chewing a wasp π
Ready for the black stuff now…
Hah, remember when it was a bulldog licking piss off a thistle π
Sorry, back to civilised and sensible π
@Matt love to see your face if you turned up at The Brittania tomorrow night!!!!!
Evenin’ All
Nice positive write-up ‘Holic.
Thanks for injecting the memories again of the grand old Met Police Band harumphing around the hallowed turf at Highbury at half-time. Couldn’t agree more about the need to make your own entertainment – it was atmos generating stuff. I think these words will be lost on The Playstation Generation….
Oh, and describing Emirates regulars as “theatre-goers” made me chuckle too but possibly a little disrespectul of the majority who are some of the world’s greatest football supporters. We’re fortunate enough to have some of them frequent this bar of course.
Some good lively debate going on regarding our #1. Personally, I believe Pole-The-Older (does that offend anyone?) deserves a good few more chances but I would also love to see him rotated with Pole-The-Younger. I don’t think that would do either of them much harm but I guess that also means exit stage left for our dear old Spanish waiter. It’s tough at the top….
I’d like to buy a round for everybody please and toast the diversity of opinion and styles in this bar. And whatever you want for yourself Barman as well.
Gaz. The only reason I say Flappy is because I think his recent form warrants his inclusion. Snezzy started the season as 4th choice. I have no idea how good he may or may not turn out to be. What I have seen from his Carling Cup game I thought he looked very good. But he also made a rash decision flying out of the box. On other days he would catch the player and get sent off. We would then not all be clambering for his inclusion. I just think it is wrong to drop someone for effectively one error.
Agree totally re leaders. I have said it for ages now. Previous teams had leaders all over the park. This team for me does not. When it all gets a little too tough very very few seem prepared or have the ability to get behind players and get them moving again. At times we are way too subdued and that is not acceptable.
Holic. Thank you. It is my favourite…………
Wanted to build the preview around Robert Plant, Zep and Wolf, but this is not the time. No reason not to see him and a good old boy giving it some though…
Any “videos”? of the met band at half time???? π
If you don’t get that, put the headphones on, have a drink and a listen π
Hello TS, I’ll bet there probably is, somewhere π
Possibly some old MoTD or The Big Match TV footage. It needs to be introduced by “DJ Cholmondley-Warner “. I say old bean, pass the sherry if you would, there’s a good chap. π
Matt,
Stoke C = Wolves = Bolton = Blackburn
There, if that doesn’t alienate half the population I don’t know what will.
And to help redress the balance we hate playing all of them for fear of (a) defeat and (b) injuries to our precious young boys.
Is that balanced? π
It’s been a very long day and a half today, so, while I’d like to write something “creative”, I can’t. The creative (?) side of my brain is plain out of gas.
A very nice summary of the situation pre our visit to the Wolfies, ‘Holic. Lot’s of themes in there that echo many of the comments rumbling (grumbling?) around in the bar last night. My take is the following:
1) The criticism being meted out to Fabi is unjustified. If we’d paid a fortune to import him, we’d be giving him some latitude for the fact that he’s new to the League. He hasn’t played many first team games, but he’s getting no latitude at all. He’s under the microscope at the turn of the screw. In fact, some here have written him off already and some would prefer Schwarzer! What? In my eyes he’s improving, we’ve seen some superb saves and we’re beginning to see the athleticism that AW talks about so enthusiastically from the training ground. Let’s give him a chance.
2) If Scez is as good as some are touting (although they admit they haven’t seen much of him) that’s GREAT news, isn’t it? Hopefully, in time, they will both evolve as the 1st and 2nd best keepers on the planet. Only time, patience and the opportunity to craft their art will get them there. Let’s show some patience, to both of them.
3) I’d start a fit Cesc every day of the week and I’d build the team around the TTT……but you all knew that anyway. I agree with Holic, the defence picks itself. So that leaves three places. Start Nasri, Van Persie, Arshavin. Sub Bendy, Walcott and Rosicky/Jack in the 60 -70 min window.
4) Atmosphere and the crowd? I remember watching Gilzean score and Scotand beat England at Hampden with 120,000 others. Hampden roared. Most were pissed. My shoes were soaked. The crowd was swaying and I was running yards up an down the terrace, an out-of-control 11 year old, like a sardine in a shit house. Great days? Better?? Different. Certainly.
I wouldn’t want to go back there. And very few who pay to watch games at the Emirates would ever countenance the living urinal, whisky fueled, hugely unsafe bigotry of that time and place. The world changes. Sometimes for the better.
At the Celtic game in the Emirates Cup I thought “Their singing is GREAT!” As soon as one voice started the upbeat “Hail, Hail…..” everyone was inspired, knew the words, joined in with the up-tempo chorus. In comparison “We love you Arsenal” is shithouse to get folks singing.
5) So much stuff on a) our team not trying b) them not running about enough c) Money refunds vs WBA d) disgrace Vs Newcastle. Give me a break. We play a highly skilled, sophisticated passing game. When it works it’s the best in Europe. When it doesn’t and passes go astray, running around faster like blue arsed flies won’t get the job done, irrespective of how much the tickets cost “us fans”.
6) Wenger should be criticising the players more! Anyone who thinks the bullets weren’t flying in the dressing room is in a dream. Getting front page headlines in the Sun “Wenger slams Gunners” won’t do a thing for any improvement.
As for tomorrow, and assuming Deni starts, 2-1 Arsenal.
Horlicks for me, ‘Holic. Knackered I is.
BtM
Great perspective. I also remember the rivers of piss flowing down the terraced steps of Wembley and The Northbank as an impressionable young lad. Then the stench of that mixed with cheap hot-dogs and watered down ketchup. Outstanding….
Also the pitched, running battles in the Northbank whenver we entertained a local London side esp. Spuds, Chelski and WHU.
Different yes. I definitely don’t miss any of that.
But as for that marching band….
btm point no.5 spot on my thoughts exactly but worded much better than i could manage
Just been checking through the last of yesterday’s drinks with the following obs –
Clive Waterman – I have you absolutely spot on – every comment.
We have a right to expect 100% commitment and effort in every game. Mistakes are inevitable and excusable so long as the players are trying their utmost to win.
BtM – if your “put Cesc out to grass” comment was directed at me, my little piece on his age and number of games already played, was in no way intended to suggest that we should get rid of him. It was quite simply pointing out the fact that he has played a hell of a lot of top-level football for a 23 year old, and injuries become almost inevitable, as indeed, over the last 18 months in his case, they have.
The last thing I want to see is Cesc put out to grass.
I was one of the boys on the North Bank, referred to by ‘Holic, singing from half past two or so every week, and as such, I don’t feel that any game we play can be stamped ‘WIN’. There was, however, a lot of depression round these parts after Sunday’s performance, caused not by the result, but by the nature of the performance.
Like Clive, I don’t give a stuff what Sp*rs did. I am more concerned by the fact that we failed to fight for victories against WBA and Newcastle which, in the circumstances, would have put us top of the league.
Whoever plays tomorrow night has a lot to prove. Let’s hope they at least go about it in the best possible way.
Hi, Trev,
I was at the West Brom game and was, on that occasion, as bemused and disappointed as everyone else. Almunia lost the howler-of-all-time second goal, dithered over the 3rd and, overall, I felt we didn’t wake up until 60 minutes. That Nasri scored two great goals and hit the bar, was all in vain. In that game I thought we under-estimated WBA big time. They played well, could have been 3-0 up at half time and they deserved the win. Check out my post, I was critical then.
Against Newcastle, we met a very good side. They’ll do well this season. The match could have gone either way. It didn’t go our way but NOT because we didn’t try. The thing that sets our team apart is skill level not physicals. We’ve chosen to be the skill-meisters, not the runners and grunters. That delights me and its why I love this team so much. Against Newcastle, the skill level was below target. That’s why balls were flying nowhere intended.
Be careful not to confuse our particular approach to the game to “not trying”. That would be like Stoke fans saying “we tried to hard, we should be more skillful”. There are many ways to play. The way Arsene WANTS Arsenal to play gets my vote every time and I, for one, will keep buying my ticket as long as we do it that way.
If we go back to the Graham era and one-nils, then that will be a different story. Clive commented “George would have had them do extra training” (or words to that effect) – yeah, down the Nags Head exercising their right arms. The game and times have changed. Skill is the differentiator. That’s why Spain won the world cup and England were pitiful (sorry, all England fans! – include me OUT of THAT category).
Anyway, good discussion and I appreciate your point of the view and the passion that so obviously burns. I want to be top of the League too and I’d add the frustration at Sunderland as another two points that “should have been”. I just think that we’ll get their with a skill focus rather than blood and glory.
Hope springs eternal but especially so considering that Chelsea lost, Sp*rs drew and we have an another opportunity to redeem ourselves tomorrow. Come on Arsenal we can afford no more halfway performances.
Lost all hope in these bunch of no-hopers. When will they ever learn? Can they ever learn? How many times in the past have we seen them win a few games and then act as if they ve reached the holy grail of football and fuck it all up.
sorry, nothing they do anymore can convince me that they have it in them to win.. Until they win something of course. Seen far too many false dawns.
I agree with every word of BtM’s last post.
@Sajit: and there will be many more. The premier league has changed and has become much more competitive, the era of the top 2 teams dominating everyone else is over for now (unlike Spain) and no opponent can be taken for granted. Not by us, United nor even Chelski. Brace yourself for the rollercoaster ride…
@True Storey: I hear you but I would just put Bolton out of the equation as they have well recovered from the Allardyce damage under Coyle. They’re no Newcastle but still a decent football-playing team thanks to him.
Btm @ 58
Your red and white spectacles must be very very foggy indeed if you think Newcastle are a very good side.
You obviously set a very low bar .
If you think the Newcastle result was down to the passing being Off,then there is no hope for you.
What do you think the Invincibles did ?? win with their skill level,
sure they had it in spades,but they also were a bunch of hard tough bastards who PHYSICALLY dominated their opposition.
You cannot win with skill alone,even Barca have their hard bastards.
So did Spain,otherwise they wouldn’t have won the World Cup.
You need both of the above to win anything.
Sadly we saw neither against a jobbing workmanlike Newcastle.
Hi all,
@BTM We all know that we pride oursleves on winning by skill,by playing the arsenal way… but when we lose the ball we should be hounding them to get the ball back. Defend from the front. This helps in creating waves of pressure thereby breaking down teams. I dont think this happened on Sunday.
Barcelona do this wonderfully well even though their back four isn’t the most solid you will ever see.
But I imagine, even Barca would find it difficult to breakdown English teams who put eleven behind the ball week in week out
which takes away my point :).
We’ve got to win against Wolves!!!
A peg of Old Monk, please.
The Incincibles effect in full display…
In fact Clive it’s you who are setting the bar too high. The Invincibles were a stuff of legend, a once-in-a-century feat. Very likely no one here will witness it again. They were extraordinary but now it’s time to get over it. Football has changed a lot since then, so-called lower teams have caught up and like the players we should not take anything for granted. In today’s league the Invincibles would be good but would lose games too.
If you keep thinking we should walk over every team (which even the Invincibles didn’t do – a draw every 3 games) you will be harping on the team for the rest of your life.
Matt
You are missing my point,iwas using the Invincibles as a counterpoint to Btm’s comments.
The same applies to Man Utd/Chelsea/Inter Milan,all had skill in abundance but they had to do the hard graft first,which is win the midfield,and that was done with physical dominance which then allowed the skill factor to come into play.
We don’t have a Viera/Keane/Essien type midfielder to look after Fab/Jack/Nasri etc,who are all small guys.
That’s my point.
Skill allied with physical presence wins the big matches and the Trophies.
When our skills let us down on Sunday we didn’t have the physical side to try and grind out a result.
@Steve T: “But he also made a rash decision flying out of the box. On other days he would catch the player and get sent off.”
I’d advise you to look at that situation again. Szczesny actually realizes that he is late and pulls out of the situation so he won’t risk being sent off. He made a mistake at first, but had the awareness not to make it worse.
Fab made a mistake for the goal on Sunday, no question about that. But he played very well for the rest of the game, and I would not put him on the bench for tonight just because of that. I would, however, not think it would be wrong if Arsene told both keepers that no matter what happens tonight, it’s Szczesny in goal v Wolves and Fabianski v Everton and that it is an open race from there on.
Clive, you are right that I did not address your point but I maintain mine is valid still…
There’s indeed relevance to your point but as it is Arsene has taken the Barca route rather than the teams you are talking about. And our current defense is well worth theirs, since his return Fabianski has done better than what I see from Valdes in the liga and Song/Denilson aren’t less effective than Keita/Busquet. It’s up front where we have a problem, we have barely scoed in the last 4 games. We still have possession, we still have more opportunities than the opposition but we’re uninspired and predictable, we don’t have bursts of speed anymore. We know we have the players to win these games, at this point it’s simply tweaking that’s needed.
Now if you are saying that Arsene should reconsider the approach and get back to a more robust style for lack of a better word, I would venture that he will keep the current style but inject more bigger/taller/stronger players as time goes. Chamakh is a prime example and if you look at the current likely prospects the majority is on the strong side (JET, Afobe, Aneke, Coquelin, Frimpong…). But I don’t see us giving up on the fast technical possession-based game anytime soon though.
Hello, Clive,
I concede a long time ago that there was no hope for me, so no argument on that point!
Funnily enough, I don’t completely disagree with you on the mid-field. For some time now, I have been advocating the purchase of Felipe Melo for some of the reasons you mention. (He is also a superb pass player, so would fit in. Matt, I know you disagree. No problem). However, if he’d been playing instead of Song on Sunday, I don’t think it would have changed a thing. Sunday’s problem was the skill factor. Our passing game became a mis-passing game. We GAVE them every second ball and then played chase.
And now, like Arsene, I feel the moment for buying Melo has passed. The future, like it or not, is being vested in the young set of Cesc, Song, Denilson, Ramsey, Wilshere, Lansbury, Eastmond, Diaby, Nasri and Frimpong. For me they are the present as well as the future and I’m delighted that is the case.
I don’t think that Cesc, Jack and Song can’t look after themselves by the way. they all punch above their weight.
Come on You Gunners!
As for Newcastle they’re now 5th in the league and they already played United, Chelsea, City and us. They are maybe not a “very good team” but certainly not too shabby either. Hughton is doing a phenomenal job there, he’s paid the lowest in the league (10% of Arsene, RedNose and Ancelotti) and the club is sending mixed signals about his contract renewal. That tells you how clueless their owner is…
Back to the topic of the support, have you seen Apy Ary’s venting against the spuds fans? I must say he has a point… http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/9174101.stm
Long time reader, first time commenting on the
Keep up the good work ‘holic, always an insightful and enjoyable read this blog of yours.
Stuck in work this evening so will not be able to see the match but hope we turn out a better perfomance than the bile of shite that was on display at the emirates (library) this weekend… or not, we don’t even have to turn out a good perfomance but we HAVE to come back with the 3 points, as my old man would say… that is imperative
keep up the good work ‘holic
Matt and Btm
I am not and never have advocated giving up our technical fast passing style of football,i just think we need a bit of aggression to complement it.
By the way,I do enjoy our exchanges,as it would be very boring if we all thought the same.
The Arse have frustrated me and given me great joy,not always in the same measure, for the past 50 yrs and here i am still arguing the toss,so Btm,there’s probably no hope for me either.!!!
cheers
clive
@Matt: I only saw the last ten minutes or so of the Spuds-Sunderland game but it was extremely quiet at the Lane during that time. You could hear the players shouting on the pitch, and all that was heard from the stands were a few Sunderland chants here and there.
I also noted that ‘Arry wanted a penalty, but on the other hand it certainly looked like VdV handled the ball before scoring their goal – and Gomez could very well have been sent off in the last few minutes, yes there was a defender between the Sunderland player and the goal but isn’t having just a defender instead of the keeper to beat much more of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity than, say, barely being in control of the ball near the touch-line some 35 yards from goal with another defender running towards you? Oh, no, I am in no way thinking of any particular situation…
Anyway, nevermind the spuds, whatever other teams do (barring getting points deducted, of course!) we must of course do our bit first before we can look at others too much.
“but weβre uninspired and predictable, we donβt have bursts of speed anymore.”
Not sure I agree about uninspired, lately it has looked more like we don’t really know how to deal with the way some teams have played. But I totally agree that the bursts of speed have been missing lately, we saw it during the first few minutes of the second half on Sunday but after Theo hitting the bar it kind of faded away again.
Thank the Lord for Wednesday night, where all of our frustrations and aspirations once again disappear and come together again.
Nothing like a midweek game, with the correct result, to banish the blues away.
Now, there’s a thought π
As long as Lars isn’t watching it on Holics new telly I’m up for 1 – 3 to the Champions Elect.
Footnote. I wish there was a way to get hold of more tickets for away games. Even with a season ticket and membership of away supporters there’s no guarantee. The ones that go regularly know that it’s like the proper football that we all know, where we all stand (and sing) together.
how long will JET have to wait for a start?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZixaQA5CGw
‘holic 11/5 against Nasri to score at any time? You may win on that one but I have to say the ‘holic pound is not sounding very ambitious this time around~
@66 Lars. Must admit I think your theory re rotaing the keepers is bonkers. It is the one position where games and confidence are vital. The margins of error afforded to keepers are minute. Szczesny could well have caught him and easily given away a goal. Fortune was on his side at that moment. Carrol could have put his header over the bar, but he did not. I have no idea how good Szczesny will become but you have to think that he is seen everyday in training by those in the know. Sometimes you have to trust them. What I will say is that constantly changing keepers would be the worst decision possible in my books.
@Steve T: “Szczesny could well have caught him and easily given away a goal.”
Again, I say that to me it looks like it was not luck that prevented him from getting a red in that case – he pulled out of the situation very much deliberately and saved his own bacon. He was too late for the ball, but realized it and pulled out of the challenge at the last moment. Nothing to do with luck, just quick thinking.
Also, I am not advocating a constant change – I am saying that giving both keepers the chance to prove themselves could be the right decision, but what I should have been clearer about is that I don’t mean that you should pick and choose the goalie from game to game after the Everton game, what I meant by “from then on it’s an open race” is that the decision about who gets the long-term number one spot is decided after that game and then we stick with that keeper.
Gaz –
I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Schezer! Did he keep us in the game v Newcastle?
Any opinions on Chamakh. He was bought (I presume) for his heading ability which is awesome in europe, holds the ball up well and he has nimble feet but has he actually got a shot.If we are going to benefit from his heading ability,we ought to get a few more decent crosses into the box especially from the bye line.
He seems to be following the pattern of others with the tippy tappy game and is more of a midfielder than a fox in the box striker.
Guys (Chippy) … we were right about the blonde “from PR”… Chzzznyyyy’s “tweets” from yesterday..
“Getting ready fot the trip to Wolves. Guess who will be waiting for me at home when I come back… :)”
followed by:
“I said “WHO”… not “what” π So you should know it’s a person…very good looking one as well :)”
At least one of our team can score!
Right ho – back to all of your MUCH more insightful comments!
A pint for Chippy, TS and Trev… and the usual crowd too, whatever there points of view.
After a few days of drowning my sorrows, I’m glad our boys will get the chance to redeem themselves tonight. If I was picking the team I’d keep Fabi in goal, all keepers make mistakes, but I think he has improved greatly since he was givin the starting role, the poor lad was always going to be one slip away from being crucified by the BBB’s anyway. I say give him a chance and get behind him.
We haven’t got too many options in defence, so that picks itself. I’d like to see Denihlson in the team, I think we look better with him in there. I’d also start Arshavin and would use Theo as an impact sub. Whatever team is picked, we need to see an improvement on our last few performances, I’ll be down in my bar shouting at the tv, hoping our lads can get it right tonight.
A warm up pint for me plase sir, before I head on downstairs for the real pre match refreshments.
Cheers.
@ 60 Sajit.
I really can’t understand those comments. No team has the divine right to always win. Being a fan/supporter is about taking the bad with the good. Cheer up mate.
Not forgetting, many happy returns to the management, open a nice bottle of wine on me.
Many Happy returns for the Management from me as well, all the best from rather chilly Berks.
Hope our lads will do us proud tonight…
COME ON YOU ALMIGHTY REDS…..
@Holloway2Holland
Mate, we lost on Sunday for lack of effort not lack of quality.
Exactly, we dont have the divine right to always win. No one is going to bend over for us. Which is exactly why we needed to show more of a stomach for a fight.
Evenin’ all!
Catalan – Who is this blonde in PR??? Next round’s on me big man.
Steve T – Rarely disagree with your points but can’t see the “bonkers” in rotating the two Poles (sic!). Both could gain experience and confidence – it’s a question of good management, surely?
Come on you Rip Roaring!!!!
CG,
Lying cow said she was popping round mine tonight π Thats bizarre!!
TS,
We were just summersing on Wednesday about one of his tweets as he said he’d had a very very good day so were wondering what he’d been up to- I really don’t know if we have a good bit of eye candy in PR,
Cheers for the beer lads will keep me going till half time at which point I’ll shout the next in π
Come on you Reds,
Up The Arse,
Chippy
Nice to know I’m not the only one who’s been “a very naughty boy” π
Look forward to a half-time sup and a 2-0 lead – too much to ask? A stein of Dunkle for me please as I’m in Munchen for a couple of days.
Raus, schnell, etc., etc.
Fabianski, Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Fabregas, Rosicky, Song, Wilshere, Arshavin, Chamakh
Wot not Wojciech & Denilson?
Helluva bench tonight: Szczesny, Eboue, Nasri, Walcott, Denilson, Van Persie, Bendtner
BtM, don’t get too upset about Denilson
Fabianski, what on earth are you wearing fella???
Whatever happened to goold old green jerseys for GKs?
Woo-hoo Chamakh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TS. My point re keepers is this. A keeper thrives on confidence. I have said before that flappy has not had a fair chance because if does not get games. He has waited for his chance and now has the nod. My opinion is simple. Pick a keeper and stick with him until you feel he should be dropped. If snezz is the answer then pick him and stick with him. If neither are good enough then go and buy someone. But playing one one week and another the next just does not work for me. My opinion is that you need continuity. Constant changing will not be good for the back 4 either.
Fastest goal of the season?
Get in didn’t think we started till 8 !! Even better that wanker Browns doing our game π happy days!!
Maybe, but he’s got to stop wearing pink! π
Not a bad start.
Come on Arsenal kill em off ….
Yes! Well said Arthur. Another goal please!
I have sound on my stream but what the fcuk I can see which is good enough!
I have no sound….. typing too quick…
Evenin’ all.
Hi BtM, I agree with you every time about the style of football that AW wants us to play. We have been priveleged to watch much of the football we have seen over the Wenger years.
We do though have an unfortunate tendency not to learn lessons – how many times have we now heard the “we must concentrate for the whole game” comments following another spurned chance to establish ourselves in strong positions in Prem and Champs League tables.
THAT is what I mean by trying harder – concentrating and properly chasing to close down and pressure opposition players, instead of jogging around at half pace in the general direction of the oppo in possession. Too many of our players coast in these situations, and if we have to name individuals, as examples, I would pick Bendtner and Walcott from the game vs Newcastle.
I DON’T want to see our team crashing frantically into people all afternoon and busting guts to get on the end of a barrage of high balls into the box.
I DO want to see our team match others for determination in the effort to implement our style of play.
I don’t believe enough of them did that vs Newcastle, and that is what cost us the game, rather than the idea that Newcastle were such a great team.
Good debate chaps,
now let’s hunt some Wolves.
Great start now if Flappy does what he’s paid to do we’re sorted,3 points no questions asked.
For those is the US, ESPN3 is broadcasting the game right now, best stream quality once can hope for but they have one Arsenal game every month or so.
And it’s legit to boot!
http://espn.go.com/espn3/index/_/sport/soccer-futbol
Arthur,
What stream are you following?
Hi
can anyone please give me the link to a stream…I m frustrated!!!!cant get hold of anything
OK Chippy, get ’em in please – I’ve go a raging thirst on π
isn’t it interesting to see Wolves playing football rather than hackball once they fall behind…
We should be 3-0 up though.
Sound back on typical just at half time
Anyway a very good goal I don’t think they were expecting a cross so early anyway.
We then slowed down again I don’t know what happened to that killer instinct we should have been three 0:3 up by now!
Fabianski made a decent save and looks alert so fingers crossed.
Arshavin on the other hand should pass when going forward he always looses the ball ffs!
Our secret weapons still to be revealed!
Come on you Reds!!!
A pint for everyone in the bar!
No probs mate line em up please barman π
Nice early strike in the 2nd wouldn’t go amiss, Less stress that way!!!
TS
VShare.tv the sound is back on now!
A pint for you I take it?
GAZ
Not a bad start!
Arthur
Thanks and thanks! I’ve moved onto weiss bier now, hic!
Hi,
Anyone with a decent stream. I usually use ATDHE.net..its not working for me this time..I missed the half…
glad we are up though!!
come on arsenal!
Come on Arsenal, let’s big it up. Fabianski looking good in more ways than one. Look out for Bendtner 2nd half sub.
nasri,
Fabianski looking good? I hope you’re not referring to that kit! Whisper it, he’s playing well though and that’s all that matters… even if he does look like a bit of a prat π
Harsha I’m using the same one and it works
Another missed chance, WTF????
That was a red card I’m sorry!
We really are the woodwork kings…
Oh no, Song down and in obvious agony π
Why arent we making any subs?
Fa-bian-ski!
What a save by Fabbi
Come on you reds….Chamakh…..YYEEEEEEHAAAA
Chamakh, you beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, if Fabianski lost us 3 points on Saturday, he won them today
Job very well done. Yesssssssss!
Matt, A million thanks for the stream. Big win for our side.
FABianski!!!
ATG we had to wait 4 second goal before subs… but what a save from Fabbby
yeah thanks Arthur..
what a save!!!!
he won us points today no doubt…
arsenal!!!!!
This certainly wasn’t vintage Arsenal by no means but FUCK me we stuck to it we defended well every ball was being attacked this is what I wanna see from our lads…!
GAZ
Flappy ah? I think some humble pie is in order!
I don’t know if anyone noticed but Denislon was awsome too!
Didn’t see the game but from what I’ve heard Flappy had a great game,well done that lad,keep it it up and you won’t hear me complain,a great win and I hear Cesc was lucky not to be sent off?
Fabianski and Djourou should get a pay rise for that performance.
The back 4 all were great, Clichy outstanding, if you look closely you could see him caught in between 2 players, not knowing who to cover cause AA23 was strolling around.
Wow… too much for me, I can’t take this anymore…
Yes!!! Fabiansk!!! That was spectacular. Great to see his confidence is still high despite his error against Newcastle. In the past, one error led to a run of errors. Not at the moment though.
Arthur
Yes, Denilson is an un-sung hero. I’m starting to become a big fan but not in a BtM kind of way π
Cesc was frustrated by Halsey’s awful refereeing… One of the worst refereeing displays in the last decade.
Fabianski MOTM by far. Some superb save by our number one…eat that
Guys I think a Holic reunion is in order! At yeh Gove perhaps he he
Barman drinks for everyone in the bar I’ll have a large glass Merlot…. Pretty please……….
TS, You say prat but I say trendsetter and for those of us with over 50 eyesight it sure makes it easier to spot the keeper!
yeah agree..referee was awful!
that foul on squil was so obvious..i dunno how he could miss that!!
Fabianski was… wow. Best game for us? Methinks. Does it matter? Not a bleeding fuck. He won us the game.
This game was really Fabianski shining for 94 minutes, framed by a first and a last minute goal by Chammy.
I’m a tad stunned so I’ll be back later with more coherent thoughts.
A quick drink for the first minute goal, barman, and a chaser to celebrate nr 2.
Oh by the way,I still don’t rate Flappy but if he keeps playin as well as I’ve heard tonight well then he’ll keep his place and fair dues to him,I just hope we’ve seen the last of his big blunders.Have a Polish vodka on me Flappy,you’ve earned it,but please don’t drop it!!!
Drinks on me fellow holic.
From what I hear Fulham was very close to getting something from the game at the Bridge, it’s good to hear Chelsea’s having problems there, they might drop a few points along the way.
The game felt like a real smash and grab raid. Goals in the first and last minutes by Chamakh, plus a string of great saves by Flappy have left yours truly holding a large slice of humble pie, although Djourou made a bad mistake. Any suggestions as to who I should criticize next would be welcome!
Bolton have just taken the lead at Everton, and if it stays that way it will be very good news for Sunday
Yeah. I agree. Lets leave flappy out. After all he did make one mistake. Great 3 points although not seen any of it yet. What have we learnt? That knee jerk reaction is not the way forward. Bring on the toffees.
Holic is definitely for a ride when he will see the replay later on π
That was close ohhh my god I have eaten my finger nails, none left!
One thing really bufled me why keep looking very tired Arshavin when Walcott was ready to come on?
I’m not complaining…thou far far from it!
Yes, I think Fabianksi is having a good season!
@ naswi
Ok fella, if he keeps playing like that he can wear whatever he damn well likes! WIth extra big letters on the back of his gay shirt just for you π
Very funny, I snorted beer through my nose when I read yuor comment, yuk!
By the way, we defended with 10 players (bar Arshavin and his strolling – despite occasional efforts) against 13 players – Wolves’ players, fans and Halsey.
Defense was superb, all of them excellent. A good thing considering the amount of pressure we were under.
Fabianski had a solid game and in the extra time produced an outstanding save to keep us ahead.
Still we missed a few opportunities we should not have (Arshavin and Djourou in particular), Cesc had a decent game but far from his best and LJW was a bit subdued until he was subbed.
Great result, exactly what we needed!
Snir,
Arshavin had one of his better games though. He came very close to scoring – prob should have done better, but he was a threat tonight.
BIG 3 points – we need a decent run now….
GAZ
No need to rate him he won us the game tonight! And thats what decent keepers do!
Barman a top up for GAZ please π
I raise my hand in shame, being one of the ones who said leave Flappy out. That’s why I leave these big decisions to Arsene, my close pal.
TS – He was excellent attacking wise, but I was talking about his defensive efforts.
One more thing that drove me crazy was him giving up on that ball that he tried to cross and the ball just rolled next to him and he was there with his eyes closed and head to the sky.
That’s unacceptable.
TS
Too right lets build on from here, yes his strolling around was bad I didn’t like it. Wlacott should have been brought on for me and we should have used his speed for the tired Wolves legs.
ho please GAZ except the last match ONE error ,fabianski has been good this eason
Not only did he win the game for us, he made saves that are REALLY hard! Those weren’t no ordinary saves whatsoever!
Nasri
Please tell you close pal that he’s been a very naughty boy.
A strong French Liquour for you both π
Snir
Arshavin – the man is an enigma. Infuriating and wonderful in just about equal measure. He’s the new “Stroller” – I bet GG would spit feathers at that comment….
before the Flappy Fan Club go into overdrive,’he made saves that are REALLY hard!!!!!’,thats his fuckin job,TO MAKE SAVES,it’s what he gets bleedin paid for,bricklayers lay bricks,keepers make saves,it’s their job!
GAZ- Strikers get paid to score goals, yet there are some strikers that can make goals out of nothing and some strikers that can’t.
Fabianski made saves that not a lot of keepers that it’s THEIR JOB too would have made.
Excellent defensive performance, including Fabianski of course, and we will certainly build confidence from this game IF we can keep the intensity level up and constant.
GAZ
Patronising stuff from you if you didn’t see the game how can you even judge!
You don’t seem to be happy perhaps you would prefer if he had a blunder ah?
Any idea when the full match can be viewed on ATVO? I can’t bear MOTD anymore.
Dannyboy
It may be available from midnight on ATVO or early tomorrow morning so MOTD is you best bet tonight!
Dannyboy, usually around 2-3AM. Depends if we win or lose π
…We’re back on the Pravda trail again.
Whoops! Arthur beat me to it. Aren’t we a helpful bunch?
Thanks!
Hmm, guess I’ll have to take my chances with MOTD π
I hope you knee jerky judgementalists were at the game tonight. But I fucking doubt it. Of course, you have already made your min ds up about nfabianski and more fools hyou. I am not sayiong he nis impervious tom criticism, but he definitely deserves our patience at least untill christmas.
He was brilliant tonight and againl that would not be possible if we jumped to the jerky knees of some of the twats who purport to be Giooners.,
Mug
Easy now tiger easy…
But Gaz. If your bricklayer lays bricks for you and he lays them well then you do not sack him and get another one in. Have one on stand by in case his wall falls down maybe. But if not then you stick with him and give him a fair chance.
Boys. We won for fucks sake. How about we raise a glass rather than get at each others throats? We should leave the bickering to those deluded spuds. Chill out fellas and enjoy the result.
Too right Steve T order in the bar order π
@ Steve T very true but if the brickie has made howlers in the past,then you give him another chance and then makes another howler well then I’d call in the standby brickie.Look he did excellent tonight and I’m glad he did because we got 3 points,I hope he keeps it up but in my opinion he ain’t that good,if he turns out to be world class when then I’ll have been wrong and I’ll admit it.Some people don’t rate Song but I do,it’s all a matter of opinion.But the aul Mug fella doesn’t seem to think I should have an opinion but sure God love him,he might grow up some day.
Steve
You are right mate, but there are some sad twats out there who would rather slate the players, regardless of how well they have done. Go figure.
More than 93 minutes between the goals. That can’t have happened before in a normal 90 minutes?????
Gaz. I do not know if he is good enough either. But like your brickie he is the best we have available at the moment. If in Jan he has not come up to proof then lets go spend some money. But for the mean time I think he deserves his chance to prove if he has it or not. Come Jan we can all make a more informed decision and deal with it as necessary.
Fuck it. I want beer. I feel a lot better than I did in Sunday I can tell you.
Fabianski player really well tonight, as he has done since he came in this season. Yet some would rather fuck him off for one mistake. Thats complete bollocks as far as I am concerned and I aint apologisinhg for pulling so called Gooners up who cal,k for his head. he has done briliantly again tonight. But then again, I saw him in action.
Gaz and Mug: Take a deep breath both of you. We are all expected to remain civil and polite while `Holic is partaking in the post-game libations.
of course happy with the win, but when Ebans-Blake and Fletcher came on it was obvious that they would be up our end fro the win, I couldn’t understand why Theo didn’t make an appearance isn’t that what his game is all about (hanging off the last man in a counter)?
Go figure, happy about the win but felt like groundhog day (Stadium of light anybody) until Fabianski made that great save, good on him!
Come on you gooners!
I’ll have a [looks at bar] Tobermoray please.
Cheers ‘holics
GAZ…I couldn’t care less that u call our keeper “flappy” or not. The fact of the matter is he has been great so far this season in general and was one of the best performers tonight. Stop boring us with your negativity, please.
Arthur you are certainly in order to call order in the bar! How these people can get so out of hand is hard to say but disorder seems to have broken out like a tempest in a teapot. Maybe we really need to return to a critique of his fashiion?
Fantastic win today.
gaz,
what’s so civil about calling our goalkeeper names?
You’re embarrassing. Please go away. You ruin this good blog.
Shit referee, good win. Wolves played well, but we actually out-fought them.
Fabianski is, of course, the hero of the day. That save just before our second goal was nothing short of magnificent. Absolutely world-class.
Djourou was very shaky from the start, but got better and better as the game went along. Clichy and Sagna were both solid throughout.
But Cesc needs to cool his head a bit. He could very well have walked for that late tackle, and we certainly don’t need that.
The shot from Kevin Doyle that went wide was the moment I was the most scared…
I felt my heart beating at 800 MPH!
GAZ just let it go. Mug and you have trashed the bar tonight, `Holic won’t be happy at all when he comes back.
See title above, “Time to Lift the Black Mood …” and do accordingly.
Snir, For an instant I was sure that shot was in, and the game would end 1-1. After the announcer said “that could be a red card” when Cesc made the tackle off camera, I was certain it was going to be a red. For these two reasons and several others we can be thankful we escaped by the hair of our teeth, or something like that ….
Right, you pair, understand this. If I had not had a good evening I would have added banning orders number 2 and 3 on you. I have removed the posts that show the depths to which internet warriors can plunge, and it stops here, or you can both forget it.
The civility and respect that was shown here after a bad defeat on Sunday was ruined while I was out enjoying a really good family dinner, and Arsenal were winning.
Argue your points sensibly or do one. It’s all the same to me. You can get as upset as you like, but with one click I can make your garbage disappear. It’s up to you.
@85 True Storey. Do you see the problem with the rotating keepers solution now? How do you drop Flappy after that performance? If we rotate and bring Pole Junior in, what happens if he makes an error that costs us????? We would be a complete laughing stock, and rightly so.
Only seen the highlights on MOTD so it is hard to judge from that amount of air time. What I would say is that if we ever discover a clinical streak we will be world beaters. I am not just talking about this game. What I would give for another Ian Wright.
TS, Arsene and I will be hitting the clubs after this one and we’ll offer a toast to you!
Steve T @ 175 – no it can’t, cos it was 93 minutes. Sorry ! Great win anyway. Really good attitude from everybody tonight and what a difference it makes.
Not our most flowing performance but a great one anyway.
Toffees anyone ?
Good dinner holic? I am on the wine and cheese. Why??? Because I can. Care for a glass????
…….and does anyone ever wonder what happened to Pauley????????
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Arsenal-goalkeeper-Wojciech-Szczesny-who-was-due-to-become-a-free-agent-next-summer-has-instead-agreed-a-new-five-year-contract-article625605.html
With the performance of Fabianski tonight and the promise of Woj, Who’s got a keeper crisis now???
Fabianski was fantastic tonight the differance between winning and losing. Just looked at the first response to this post in the drinks again and wow how wrong can someone be, there for all to see as well.
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