Next Up Toon, So Stock Up On Broon
Feb 4th, 2011 by 'holic
I don’t mind a drop of Newcastle Brown Ale, so tomorrow I’ll be washing the half pint glass, buying a case of the bottles with the blue star on, and bunkering down in front of a stream. The atmosphere won’t be the same, but I should get a closer look at the game than those of you with tickets in the Gods at St James’ Park. They don’t like the visitors getting too close to the action on Tyneside.
The barcodes go into the game possibly a little short of firepower, but considerably better off after shunting out Andy Carroll for a mind-boggling £35 million. Newcastle are also without striker Shola Ameobi who fractured his cheekbone against Fulham in midweek. Cheik Tiote will return from a three match ban and is expected to be named in the starting eleven. He does the job that Alex Song would normally be doing for Arsenal, but can be a tad over-enthusiastic in the tackle.
Sadly Song is an absentee for a tricky away game. Denilson (hamstring), Samir Nasri (hamstring), and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder), also miss out whilst Sebastien Squaillaci returns to the squad from suspension. With a week before the next game with Wolves I expect the strongest available starting line-up. That means a back four of Bacary Sagna, Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscielny, and Gael Clichy in front of Wojciech Szczesny. Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshire are likely to be joined in midfield by Abou Diaby, with Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie probably partnered with Andrey Arshavin up front.
I see the Song absence as quite important. Diaby is a fine player at his best, but inconsistent and still attempting to get back up to speed after his long lay-off. Newcastle’s most potent threat could be the physical Nolan playing in just the area where Diaby will have to be at his most vigilant. Consequently I suspect a clean sheet is unlikely, but I still fancy us to have too much in the attacking third to surrender any points. The ‘holic pound goes on a 3-1 away win at 12/1. For those more confident of us keeping the Magpies at bay you can get the same price on 3-0 at Bet365.
Have a great day if you are going. Don’t forget your altitude sickness pills, and give it a lungful, as usual.
Still Begging For Barca Away
A reminder to anybody who may have access to tickets for the Nou Camp at cost price. I know an intrepid band of travellers who are still short of tickets for the game, so if you can help please drop me a line at the email address below. I will put you in touch with them.
Oops, That Was Silly, Wasn’t It
If you have been trying to email me, gooneratgoonerholicdotcom, in the last ten days or so then I owe you an apology. I made the mistake of not setting the mailbox up in my new set-up, being a forgetful old duffer. All is now corrected so please resend any mails that contained offers of work, money, or free holidays. Don’t bother if you need help transferring an inheritance or have unlimited drugs and watches for sale. Sorry to those who were genuinely attempting to get in touch.
That’s it for now. Have a great one ‘holics.
Come on you riproaring!
213 Responses to “Next Up Toon, So Stock Up On Broon”
Cheers ‘holic. You never let us down.
1st. After a looooong time..
Roll on gunners.
I think you dont have to worry that much about Diaby, Holic, he was surprisingly decent against Everton.
SS is back already? Someone on drinks told me that it was a 3 match ban. If he is back, we may use this as an opportunity to give Kos some rest.
Oh crap… darn you TvN.,
First and thirsty!!!! I’ll have a pint of the black stuff please barkeep
Ok 4th but still thirsty!!!!
Nice preview, but I wouldn’t feel too casual about that game. Newcastle can be a handful at home and they have the knack for finding unknown reserve players who will shine for a few games. And with Indebted playing the easiest of their remaining games the pressure is certainly on us on remain on their heels.
Any win will do but I fancy an overdue goal from Diaby!
Excellent write up yet again Holic!
I also fancy us outscoring by at least two goals tomorrow and the cherry on the cake would wolves getting a draw against Fergie’s man!!
@Sajit.
I dont quite agree with giving Kozzer a rest, Squillacci is not up to the level and despite of the fact that Newcastle will be without fire power upfront, Kevin Nolan’s delivery in the box can be dangerous, so lets just play it safe this weekend with JD and Kozzer, they have formed a formidable partnership at the back and the team oozes confidences which is for everyone to see! I would give Eboue a start tomorrow as well though since he needs to be match fit for Barca :)!
I’ll have that pint with Nez, the brown’s stuff not bad at all I must say.
Sorry to beat you to the punch fellas. Drinks are on me for the two of you. How’s about some of that brown ale considering the opponent tomorrow.
Sajit – SS only got one game for the pro foul.
‘holic – I like your XI. I think wish both Nasri and Song out it’s a no brainer really. I’m picking 3-0 for us and love that there is no Carroll or Ameobi. Diaby will do us proud.
Just to finish all last match’s crap, Moyes says he’s happy for people to believe him or Le Boss. Well, you would be if you had a biased press banging the drum for you…
Here’s to three points, Kevin Nolan on at least a yellow and no broken limbs please!
Barkeep, pint of ‘between the posts’, which I’ve just had in a South London pub watching the six nations. Effing delicious. And one for everyone in the bar, since it’s a Friday!
Damn, just realized Pardew is the main man at NUFC. Cannot stand him one little bit.
toon fan here go for 3 nil because i cant see us scoring
sajit join the club neither can we 😉
Excellent preview Holic
Diaby needs to be on his toes indeed he looked better agaisnt Everton though and I’m sure he will put a fight against Nolan. I just don’t him wandering up front too much exposing Jack at the same time. He’s not Song for sure but I like him as a player and I want him to improve, we never really seen the best of him yet.
I think I will also join you on the Holic pound 12/1 sounds rather tasty to be honest with you.
A large beer for the Barman is required 🙂
Sajit
I prefer Koscielny to Squaillaci anyday to be honest with you, I just believe he’s a better defender no doubt. With Johan at the back as well I feel a lot more calmer. Plus we can rest Koscielny against Orient if the FA Cup.
Bring on The Toon I say we need to make up for that lost game at The Grove.
I’ll join Nez and Matt on the brown stuff please…just after I finish my bottle of Bishops Finger 😉
ill have some of that yellow stuff there all pouring out in the bath rooms had a taste and i must say it was nice but i was told to try my own…apparently it tastes better! cheers bartender and while your at it pass one of your chocolate logs that they are all passing out in there aswell!!! cheers!x
Your lineup choice is shared by me, ‘holic. As is your choice of the Brown Ale for tomorrow’s sustenance. A 10 AM kickoff here might stop some from indulging, but not me. I’ve always found it helpful to drink a bit of the enemy’s product during battle. Feels like I’m draining their hopes and dreams with each sip. This formula has worked with Sam Adams against various New England teams in the past.
Diaby and AA23 seem no like no-brainers to be in the XI (although knowing AW, he might prefer Rosicky to one of them), and the rest of the team picks itself at this point.
My one fear for tomorrow is a two-footed Barton assault on Cesc or Robin’s ankle, so let’s all cross our fingers that Mrs. Joey finds it in her heart to give her man some love tonite. Maybe then he won’t play like such a c*** against us for once.
Another Mojo IPA for me, please. A nice late afternoon buzz never hurt anyone, did it? Cheers, ‘holic.
Another goal for Kozzer would do nicely as one of the three to celebrate his international call up. Cold brown stuff sounds pretty good to me!
3-1 to the Arsenal? I’ll be having some of that.
A question if I may ‘holic? How come you blokes will never send the urn down under but you are quite happy to send your weather? This is the 11th washed out Saturday this season. I have only had three stints at the crease this year, two interrupted by rain and one terminated by a lack of concentration. Today is no different. >:(
Never mind, sorry about the cricket talk lads. I should be happy for small mercies, not being in the midst of a tropical cyclone for example. Besides, I’ll be able to order my drink a lot earlier as I wait for the clock to tick over to 2am and kickoff. There’s a lovely bottle of scotch to be sampled and I may just start with a Ballantyne’s and Dry. Loverly stuff. Go the rip roarers!
DT,
I’ll have those Sam Adams. Quality product no matter where it’s from. Don’t forget to tell your namesake about the neckwear tomorrow as it’s a bit chilly in the Toon. We are a snood friendly team that does not question their manlihood, especially lately. We’re also counting on said namesake to come up big @ the Castle too.
We love you Arsenal! We do!
Evening all.
Tomorrow is no time to rest anyone, the best and strongest starting XI is required to gain a very important 3 points and keep that momentum (which I keep banging on about) going. It’s still a tough place to go and Pardew is a c***!
AW is very likely to rest many players next weekend against the werewolves, in preparation for Barca – not that I agree with it – and then against the O’s, so as you were tomorrow please.
Good luck to all going tomorrow..
I’ll try a drop of port please barkeep.
CoYRRR’s
It was much better when Newcastle Brown Ale was on the front of Newcastle’s shirts. Northern Rock is interesting as a company name but being American I have no clear idea of what Northern Rock is although I recall something about bank failures a few years back and I’m pretty sure it’s not a rival brewery. Also I must agree with Matt that three points will be an impressive haul if we can get it, no matter whether it’s pretty or not. Diaby has a chance now with Song out to give us maybe the most important contribution of his career if he can steps up. I wouldn’t hope for him to score the big goal, although we all know he has the capability, but just to prevent it. C’mon the Arse!
Evening Holics, GT here, checking in.
Yes agreed, the Toonies are no Moysies Boysies, so I see at least another goal more in the absence of Nas and One Song from us!
Yes the concerns will be with their almost full strength midfield v our one man short. However as pointed out, Diaby not only handled Everton but has played alongside Jack this season to a positive result v the seasiders with a line up lighter than expected tomorrow.
On the other hand that git and Nolan can both deliver good crosses and although he is not yet proven, that tricky mover Ranger should keep Kos and JD busy. My suspicion is that the attacking flare vs the lack of attack (see what I did there Holics?) regardless of the missing 35 Million dollar man, will be the ultimate deciding factor. If we give away a set piece then we’d better make up for it at the other end. Isn’t that what our cousins do? We’d better get practicing then seeing they’ll be visiting in twelve days!
Arshavin for Nas will provide the Toon back right side a thing or two to think about, creating space for additional creative attack, or even a few close range free kicks judging by the tackle happy participants that will be trying to prevent us from putting the ball in the back of the net!
If it’s tight around 60 mins, I expect Bendtner and Rosicky to come off the bench to assist finishing off the collection of points, as nothing less than what’s been discussed in the bar tonight will do.
Eboue tomorrow may be a good idea, seeing the side that will go out next week will also need to be evenly balanced in order to keep everyone fresh for purposeful rotation.
Provided there will be no injuries tomorrow an evenly balanced squad for Leyton and then a full strength side for Wembley, should give everyone a good chance to recharge the following week to prepare for the trip to the Nou (to the nou was an unintentional rhyme but it worked all the same).
I need at least 2 goals to put my feet up tomorrow, but my gut feeling is that a 3-1 or better is achievable tomorrow, as we know what it means to stay in the race. We may be Pardews next concern but strengthening his squad is his main priority!
Up the Arsenalage!
Thanks for the drink Holic! An ice cold Volvic Lemon and Lime with Vit C thank you!
Until later Holics!
The sports direct dot com arena had been one of my planned away trips this year but unfortunately family business ended that idea.
I think this is a tricky one to call. The game for me will be won and lost in the middle of the park. Song is a big loss. One of the positions that we have no ready made replacement. I am sure Diaby will come in, if for no other reason than to cancel out the ariel threat posed by Nolan. Diaby as a player frustrates the hell out of me. I have seen enough of him play to know he can be a real top player. But consistency since his injury has not been something he has found easy to come by.
I think this game depends on exactly what Arsenal and Newcastle team turn up on the day. I for one had no reason to suspect anything other than a convincing Arsenal victory at The Grove earlier on this season. And we all know what happened then.
That said I think a 3 -1 victory to the mighty Arsenal is a fair shout. I really can not see us keeping a clean sheet unless the boys have spent all week learning how to defend set pieces.
After Saturday out of our next 5 league games, 4 are at home. All are very winnable. A big fat 15 out of 15 and off we go. Happy days.
Keep the faith.
TvA- I’ve reached out to Abou and relayed the message about wearing his turtleneck tomorrow. He told me not to worry, it will be in effect @ St. James’.
Being an American I really don’t understand the English obsessive hatred of the “snood”. If it’s cold out, bundle up! No issue. What’s next? Managers having to roam the sidelines in shorts and a t-shirt? Pat Rice in his swimming trunks and a towel? Would that make us a tougher team?
Just some British bunk about snoods showing weakness, lack of cajones, etc. Fergie, being old school, won’t let his players wear them … but it’s okay for his players to wear gloves. Doesn’t make any sense to me. But there it is.
I saw Inter’s keeper wear a toque yesterday. I wonder how well that would go down with the British press?
The Guardian says Arsenal have scored the lowest proportion of set-piece goals and conceded the highest of all clubs in the Premier League. And yet we are in second place. Can you imagine where we might be if we could handle set pieces even moderately well?
3-1 seems fair enough. I still hate Pardew for that game v West Ham when they scored after fouling our player and he left his technical area to come over to ours, put his hands on Le Boss and insulted him. The next day, rather than question him for doing that, the press ran with the old “Wenger the sore-losing Whinger routine” and I was livid.
We’ll have to be on our toes in midfield, and Diaby needs to produce the kind of performance we all know he’s capable of.
I’ve never had Newcastle Brown ale before so I think I’ll try some of that today, barkeep.
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Cesc and Jackie to open the scoring followed by late one for Theo
Nasri. Exactly the point I have tried to make several times now. For me it is quite frightening the way we defend set pieces. If we could only get that aspect right the title would be almost in the bag. I can never understand why when we are 2 up and the opposition gets a corner that I am always terrified.
http://bit.ly/i92UzJ Interesting interview with clichy. Apparently, he was playing last season with an injury, maybe that explains his poor form
Ox @19, re the urn; really, what’s the point in taking it all the way down there nowadays? May as well just leave it where it belongs..! 🙂
Steve T – You’re absolutely right, I’ve actually stopped looking at set pieces asking my dad to tell me what’s going on since I’m way too terrified to look.
Although I have to admit, we’re getting better in that regard as well.
I’m not confident at all of today’s game. Not because of the defense but actually because of the fact that apart from the City game at the Emirates this is the only game where we had Cesc and we couldn’t score (Newcastle at home) so I’m hoping with RvP’s off the ball movement (which is far better that Chamakh’s even though I love him to death), we’ll be able to break them down.
P.S: What on earth is the reason that Chamakh can’t get a single game? He’s not even a sub! I don’t think that’s fair towards him, he’s been brilliant, much better than NB52 and he deserves to play at least as a sub.
That is an excellent point in my book, Snir. I still think Chamakh would be an option out wide and interchanging with van Persie. If he had the opportunities to play that role that Bendtner has I think we may have quite a solution. The problem is that Arsene sees Chamakh only up top, and with van Persie fit his chances will be limited.
The other problem both he and Bendtner will face is that Theo is adding some consistency to his game, and is worth a start on the right, and Arshavin appears to be coming back to the boil, which will nail down the left-hand side.
What a great problem to have.
Holic, good morning 🙂
I’m pretty sure Arsene has once come out and said Chamakh can play out wide as well.
I might be mistaken here but I think he said that.
Anyway, in most games (apart from Everton) he could have come in as a sub as we were cruising against Brum, Wham, Wigan etc’.
I just feel bad for the guy, I absolutely love him to death, his work rate is amazing and he’s an example to everybody in the club.
About Arshavin, he’s got a lot of work to do in 11 days from today, if only we could have a fit first 11 I geniunely believe it would be a fair fight between the two teams.
Snir @ #35
As you pointed out in a previous post, assuming no other injuries and that Song will be back in good time then we’ll be without Sagna and Nasri from our first XI when we face Farca @ The Ems.
I think/hope Arshavin will be up for it and in strong form by then but let’s see. So the only issue will be cover for Sagna. Is comarde Eboue up for it and/or up to it? Again we shall see.
For the away leg, we could have Nasri back but he may need a few games to get his eye in.
It’ll be a big challenge but I believe that we’ll Buck Farca and progress.
In the meantime, we’ve got some critical EPL games so I’m going to focus on The Toon match for rest of today.
Barman? Whatever Snir is drinking please, thanks.
COYRRRs!!!
PS for Snir: You’re up early aren’t you? Can’t sleep on matchday or are you on your travels? 🙂
I’m in Israel right now so it’s 2:25 P.M 🙂
TS – I love your optimism.
I’m not too sure about progressing but 6-3 on aggregate it won’t be.
By the way, for all those wondering.
Atdhe.net has been seized by the US government.
They moved to atdhenet.tv
Enjoy!!
COYG!
I think Chamakh went through a period of looking tired. Hardly surprising considering the work rate he displays and the fact for several months he carried the attack on his own. I don’t think a break will do him any harm at all. No doubt he will have a major part to play as the season draws to a close.
Snir,
2-1 at home and a draw away will do it for us!
Enjoy the match this afternoon. Have no idea what the scoreline will be but fairly cerain that we’ll have too much for Newcastle.
Steve T – I agree that a rest would do him good, but don’t you think he rested enough by now? I barely remember how he looks like lol 🙂
I don’t like Steve Bruce at all, but he built himself an excellent Sunderland side.
He plays 5-3-2 (how unusual is that in the year 2011?!) with Sessegnon and Gyan up front and that Sessegnon looks a good player.
I’m just enjoying watching them beat Stoke 🙂
@ Steve T
Agree, it would be great to see Chamakh come back into the squad and take a pivotal role up-front.
We’re very fortunate to have so many options in midfield and attack. The only issues are combinations of players that gel and balance.
Hello Holic and holics, it has been a while (not that many of you had noticed 🙂 ).
@ Snir: Re: Chamakh
I love Chamakh as well, but I think that unless we start playing in a lot of good crosses for him to head home, an in-form NB52 is more useful against defences that sit deep against us.
The former has a great work rate, links up the play well, which is all good except when we need more cutting edge up front.
Chamakh rarely takes responsibilty and shoots, and his aerial ability is not really put to good use by our full backs in tight situations.
Overall, I find that Bendtner has that little bit of selfishness ( OK, that outrageous amount of selfishness 😀 ) that you need your CF to have.
Bendtner also has slightly better technique. Well at least he tries to beat his man, whereas Chamakh will rather try the pass, which tends to lead promising breaks to an abrupt end.
Now of course, Bendtner’s finishing can be very disappointing, but if that improves, I’ll take him over Chamakh any day.
However, I do think that with some more confidence, Chamakh has the raw abilities to become a lethal striker because he already has a great attitude, and with the number of the chances he can get from our stellar midfielders, he’ll be the one we look up to to break deadlocks when teams park the bus against us.
Now, I think I’ll start warming up for the game with the usual Erdinger por favor Barman.
Welcome back RVP. How’s the left foot today? Will it be bangin one in against The Toon? Pull up a chair, have a pint.
It looks like family outing day means I’ll have to record the match for later viewing but what an important day for the Arse. Critical to come out roaring so let’s see it!
Watching the Stoke v Sunderland game. The very same linesman who allowed Saha’s goal against us has just awarded an offside goal to stoke.
@ TV5 – as I said in the last round of drinks – totally incompetent 🙁
I think Chamakh has had a very good first season. I also think that when everyone is fit that he brings something different to the table and give us different options. We have always looked dangerous up front. Sort out some width, buy a book on defending set pieces and happy days. We will just about be there.
Last week saw a massive, massive goal by Arshavin. Repeat performance today would be quite nice I must say. I hope he took his vitamiins and no I don’t mean vodka!
Welcome back RvP
Looks like Fox is on sopcast 90521
Up the arse today! An early goal and no injuries and we will be fine!!
Holic. Don’t want to sound thick but how do I get onto a stream? I am a duffer when it comes to all of this?
You on a pc or a Mac, Steve T?
If the answer is pc then download this first…
http://download.easetuner.com/download/SopCast.zip
Well, I have remained awake the marathon 20 hours to watch the Arse tear the Barcodes a new one. Let nobody say us Aussie Gooners are not committed to the cause. Come on lads, 3-1 would be just wonderful. Get in there!
If you have a Mac, or are blessed with patience try one of the streams labelled ‘others’ here…
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=103735&part=sports
If you download sopcast there is a great stream on channel 90521 from Fox Sports. These are generally good quality, and reliable, but with a one to two minute delay.
Cheers. Onto it now.
This techno stuff goes way over my head. I only had kids so I had someone to set the video??????
🙂
Newcastle will be a tough match. Well, I’m a pessimist by nature.
A lager please, Barman.
Bloody HELL!
2 up before I have even connected the stream 🙂
2 minutes, and two goals?
Is that a new record?
Wow.
Talk about rip roaring!
What a start.. 2-0 in the 3rd minute…
Oh?
3-0 in nine.
‘holic pound heading south 🙁
http://atdhenet.tv/33729/watch-newcastle-united-vs-arsenal
‘Holic,
Hearing that odds for a 6-0 win has come down to 20 from 450..
4-0 in 26.
The pound is dead 🙁
We are detstroying them, payback time I suppose, dont worry Holic I’m in the same boat 🙂
Come on you REDS!!!
I’m sure your not to fussed by that Holic 😉 Shows what a massive result it was on Tuesday, the boys are flying and I’m loving it. Jäger Bombs all round please!!!
“Are you Tottenham in disguise”
HAHAHAHAHA. Gotta love our travelling gooners.
I would take off Van Persie and Fabregas at half time. What do you think?
‘Holic,
what’s the odd for us scoring 10 or more goals…
Cant make a stream work. Clearly a techno twat. Just checking the wireless…….
Steve,
http://atdhenet.tv/33729/watch-newcastle-united-vs-arsenal
Will take a few minutes to load. Might be a bit quicker at half-time when people head for the kettle/bar 😉
What a performance! A real statement of intent, fantstic.
Who says we can’t beat Farca now?
Champagne tops all round please Barman 🙂
RVP, I would leave Vanregas on until a few minutes into the second half just to steady the ship. The bring on the second X1ers.
2 more goals and we’ll have a better GD than Manure (until they beat Wolves anyway)
JD’s first of the season? Well done the big man. Kos 3-1 Djourou.
TS,
Yep was thinking the same – more of the same in the second half please, Its going to be tight this year and may even come down to G D, Make hay why the sun shines is the old saying isn’t it !!
Was that Arsenal? Where is the tension, nail biting, etc?
Lol, Im strangely uncomfortable… at the level of comfort.
Yes Chippy. It could easily come down to GD.
Naaah, we’ll cruise it 😉
Sajit,
Like Chippy says, make hay whilst the sun shines.
Enjoy!!!
Those ten minutes were the best in CLUB history.
Steve T – Don’t you feel more comfortable on set pieces today 🙂 ?
Am I the only one who is petrified of the Newcastle players trying to injure our players? We should sub RvP before his leg explodes. Not to mention Cesc’s hammy.
Trying it again. I will see what happens.
Thanks for the help.
Snir. At 4 up I am sitting a tad more easy I must say.
Steve T – try hostream.net or http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/
some require sopcast but others dont
personally I am more worried for arseblog’s friend Internet Joe if this match continues like this –
after my complaints about the ratio of shots on target to goals scored Id better eat my words (followed by a Newky Brown of course)
TS,
I think its JD’s first one for the club…
Steve, you’re comfortable about the set pieces, I’m really not comfortable about them breaking our legs out of frustration.
What the fuck is wrong with Diaby?
I’d take RvP off NOW for Rosicky.
Afternoon holc & holics
don’t like to comment straight after an incident but Barton truely is a nasty little turd, the day someone breaks his leg I will be very very happy. I don’t like to see anyone badly injured but happy to make an excption for that piece of scum
My first reaction to Diabys punch was “Fire the man, don’t let him let the team down like that, with Song and Denilson injured”.
But after watching the zoomed in slowmo I have to say I can understand his reaction even if I still don’t condone it. I like us not being pushovers but we’re just too short in midfield at the moment for Diaby to do that.
Cest la vie
Barton is a big cucking funt. Or was it a runt?
either way, his “challenge” on Diaby was disgraceful, and I understand diaby’s reaction after all he’s been through, but FFS! we’re 4-0 up!
And oh, yeah, that is a penalty.
We can’t do anything the easy way can we? Red cards, injuries and penalties is kind of our thing, innit?
Awesome play by Szcz there! Getting up, dusting himself up, stealing the ball right away. He is a bit mental isn’t he?
How do we always manage to make the game so interesting !!!?? The ref sucks btw..
@Toby:
Well his dad did punch Roberto Mancini all those years ago 🙂
Must run in the family.
2-4. This game is getting interesting now!
Well, we ARE the Arsenal.
🙁
Heh, yeah, I saw the clip.
Anyways, I’m not in any way worried. We’ll get to 2-5.
The boys have been through worse during the season and I think they have the confidence to see this through no problem now.
Surely not … We are missing JD so much .. how bad did he look ?
Attack ATTACK ATTACK!
Glad I can’t find a stream that works. What the Fuck is happening?
Szczesny earning his wages now! Great workout for him. Perfect mix really, letting a few in to spur him on to be even better, whilst still making a few really good saves so his head doesn’t drop.
No sad faces now ‘holics! We’re keeping the pressure up, and it’s only one let in goal more than 1-4, a scoreline we would all have taken!
The pressure on Man Utd that is, we don’t have any pressure at all on Newcastle 😉
“What are you paying the ref?!”
You have GOT to be shitting me.
10 men?
0-4 up?
Holic the JD please
We will be fine!
…oh and phil Dowd…
Phil Dowd, I’d say, won’t be.
I don’t want to be right.
Diaby just cos us as a game WTF ….
My afternoon just turned very grey indeed
This is starting to feel like the sunderland game all over again when my stream got fucked in the dying minutes and when I refreshed a scores website I saw of Bent’s equalizer.
….
We… erhm… will… be… eh… fine?
Lol!
FUCK ME.
…Or Tottingham at home?…
Not seen any of it but totally inexcusable. Spuds just got a winner as well.
I’m finished with this league. Bent to the core. You cannot always win against 12 on the pitch.
Sajit, you were right.
how was van man off side?
Ouch this hurts bad, 4-0 up and don’t take 3 points gobsmacked 🙁
A fucking draws better than Fucking nothing!
Aarrgh!
Not you chippy I’m angry at myself
I want to cry.
AND SMASH SHIT!
We are the Arsenal.
As I said, not seen the game but there can be absolutely no Fucking excuse for that. None at all. Can’t wait for the comments.
Yet again you have to ask if we have enough cover? I know my opinion. Voiced it several times on here.
Why, oh why does this always fucking happen to us…
We haven’t really had one of these catastrophic days yet this season. Today it happened. We’ve had a few off-days and a few bad days, but this was the catastrophic one. It happened to Spurs a few days back to Fulham. And that this isn’t us chasing the games, letting in more and more counter attacks after conceding a few early ones makes it harder to take.
But.
And I am fuming and this hurts as fuck.
But.
Wait until after the Manchester derby next week before calling the season off. One catastrophic game doesn’t a bad season make, just as one great game (or being 4 nil up) doesn’t a great season make.
This makes it harder and it should be a big blow to the teams confidence but we’re still in four competitions and a League Cup Trophy and a City win next weekend and things will be looking up again.
Not sure how Holics going to sum that up !! What a farce that’s taken top spot on capitulations seen in the past three years!! JD went of and by all accounts we went to Pieces best hope it’s not a long lay off or we are fully up shit creek.
Toby Spurs at home?
We played three days after our last game. With 10 men. You cannot come out the winners against 12 men. The second time in a row. This must be so physically and mentally consuming.
There must be an investigation into this match. How can we compete in the face of corruption.
Oh, Chippy, that is just a myth! Never happened. And Elvis is alive. 😉
Absolutely speechless. Horrendous officiating, first Everton, now the 2 softest penalties you’re ever likely to see. However the worst is still to come, as any wrongdoing on Dowd’s side will be completely eclipsed by the media frenzy over Wenger’s comments on the matter, as usual the ranks will close and we’ll be left out in the cold trying to work out how the hell this has happened?
Even more grim is the fact that no one can possibly blame giving up a 4-0 advantage on pure refereeing decisions. Total and utter capitulation, made so much worse by the officials, without the penalties we wouldnt have lost, but it doesnt take away from the fact that we were awful. What an incredibly grim afternoon. Not really sure what we can take away from this that isnt soul destroying really.
Barca anyone? Fuck.
The comments i’m anticipating from Wenger that is, because frankly if he doesnt say something about this i think we’ll all lose alot of faith.
need to fix my tv now… threw my remote control. my old lady’s livid, but fuck me, that referee’s making my blood boil.
btw, any links for the man u match?
But fair enough mate! Brain not working that well at the moment. Think I am in denial mode. This is some kind of delayed shock. Instead of the usual ranting first and calming down after, this is me having post traumatic stress, actually believing (not just pretending!) everything will be alright.
Not looking forward to the come-down.
I know, there is should not be an excuse…
but, can we please have a referee from outside of England in this league? Surely hard to win a football game if referee is “VERY HAPPY” to punish you with soft contact, while letting the opponent kicked you hard and gave nothing…
Bravo Diaby, I understand your reaction.. yet, you should’ve done enough chocking that cunt barton… the rest was too much…
Up Gunners!
I don’t get Wenger at all.
We are in the lead and instead of subbing on defensive players he brings on Rocky (who looked well out of it by the way).
Why not Gibbs and Eboue with strict instructions to shut down the wings, double team with the full backs and stop crosses coming in? Both of their dodgy pens came ultimately from crosses into the box.
Phil Dowd and his assistant were both utter cunts.
Barton should have already been off for his tackle on Arsh but he didn’t even give a free kick.
Bollocks!!!!
I feel like crying.
Newcastle were out to break our bones and we didnt get a single decision our way.. Dowd was absolute crap.
And Roscky even worse.
I hate this.
Toby. Are you sure? Have a look again and add the last 10 games of last season to that list.
Embarrassing in the extreme.
I can understand Diaby’s reaction because he has had so many injuries as a result of the poor level of protection he and other skillful players receive from referees in english football.
No wonder he overreacts and thinks he has to stand up for himself.
Steve T! Heh, read 137 again, I’m blaming my reaction on PTSD. You’ll all just have to live with the fact that I’m, strangely enough, for once, taking out all my frustrations by looking at the bright side of life.
I don’t know what is happening to me.
I’m afraid!
Thank God I don’t have to write a blog tomorrow !
I can only sum it up by saying I feel now like I did when we drew with Sp*rs 4-4 two seasons ago and then capitulated against Wigan last season – completely numb.
Hopefully a ‘once-in-a-season’ feeling.
After the Spurs game this season, this shouldn’t have happened again. This will give Man U all the motivation they need in 10 minutes time.
I walked out of this bar at HT and all the talk was about improving our goal difference. What a joke.
When did you last see either Man Utd or even the Chavs turn a half time cakewalk into a second half nightmare? They just don’t do it.
We can crow all we like about referees but the problems are closer to home, in my opinion.
I’m numb. Totally and completely numb. Honestly, I feel….nothing..
Dear Premier League,
please hand the league title to the mancs. Today we know that you fooled us.
yours truely
f*ckit
Dear all,
I shall be self medicating for the next few days. See you all on Wednesday.
What about that first half then? Heh.
Toby:),
understand mate me I’m off out to get totally and utterly smashed as I thought these days were consigned to history but they’ve reared their ugly heads again – Im afraid our in activity in the Transfer may also come home to roost if JDs injury is a few weeks
Laters All,
Up The Arse,
@ Catalan,
I’ll be joining you on the medication. And maybe some self-harming.
It’s going to be a rowdy one in the bar tonight.
Newcastle became intelligent at half time and started playing in survival mode.
They played to our weaknesses in the second half becoming very physical with the harsh challenges and winded us up.
Phil Dowd should have clamped down but instead we reacted to one challenge and went down to 10 men.
I’m not sure what happened to one of our goal scorers Djourou at half time but Scqilachi took over in the second.
Down to 10- men we changed Arsh (who was having a good game by the way), for Rosicky.
Our wild card was Eboue later to try to prevent any other goals leaking but the two pens finished us off and we take 1 out of 3. At the moment Utd are going the same way.
…and we can take our first half performance positively going forward seeing we were without two of our starting XI
Over to you Holics!
It’s our fault we dropped two points. No excuse ever for losing a four goal lead.
That said, that surely doesn’t mean Phil Dowd gets a free pass for (possibly) the worst officiating I’ve ever seen. Wow. Just…wow.
Unreal.
According to the commentator, no team, in the history of the premier league, has fucked a 4 goal lead, not ever. I feel like breaking something, maybe a google image of Diaby. I’m not buying the ref shit, they had a perfectly good goal ruled offside when Roscisky was playing them on. Just total fucking capitulation. And shit substitutions. Gonna really hit the bar tonight.
Bollocks.
…oh and how the fuck was Van Man off side with our fifth goal? He was pure class today you fucking flag waving cunt!
And Djourou limped off, that could spell deep deep shit.
This is the problem in England. After a while no one is talking about the refs.
The English media are complicit in this farce.
Arsenal v Spurs L 2-3 Phil Dowd
Arsenal v Wigan L 2-3 Phil Dowd
Arsenal v Sunderland D 1-1 Phil Dowd Alex Song (red)
Arsenal v Newcastle D 4-4 Phil Dowd Diaby (red)
…We lost the lead but Dowd and his mobb lost us the game…simple as that!
Chippy! I’ll join you in a bit!
Thank you Typeface
Just leaving for the pub but would just like to say Newcastle spent their 35million wisely buying off the refs is a masterstroke !!!
We lost to Spurs coz we couldnt protect a 2 goal led at home for 40 minutes.
We drew with Sundeland coz we couldnt maintain concentration in the last minute of the game.
We drew today due to a pitiful second half performance.
We lost at home to West Brom and Newcastle coz we played shit – are we gonna blame Phil Dowd for that too?
We lost the lead but phil dowd lost us the game
But Manure are lsoing so it may not even matter! Hehe!
Lol! I meant losing!
Ok, I am now down on my knees praying to one of my Gods, Robert Plant, Director of Wolves, please please do what Arsenal cant do – hold on to the lead.
Okay maybe not dowd on his own but his teams decision’s were detrimental to our loss, but not losing the lead!
We didn’t have a dodgy penalty ruled against us or a goal cancelled out for offside when we were on side to win the game v those other games Dowd officiated!
But we did today!
He he!
Cu’mon you Wolves!
Cu’mon you Wolves!
well thia is the first time for a long long while that i’ve felt physically sick after a game.
i’m afraid cescs comments are coming back to bite him on the arse and referees will take every opportunity to fuck him & arsenal over, especially phil dowd who seems to preside over every disaster we conjur up. see above post. spurs h..wigan a etc
no way on earth should either of their penaltys have been given, but even so the hapless squillacci at the back meant they were always in with a chance; i didn’t see diabys sending off, apparently barton kicked him up in the air & he retaliated…i know he’s been compared to vieira by some but that is taking it to extremes.
even so, no way ever should a professional team ever give away 4 goals ever in the last 20 mins, we managed to hang on to a 1-0 win when down to 9 men a few years ago for half an hour v liverpool in the cup, but then we had martin keown in the team.
2 points squandered, tues nights monumental effort wasted, and the y1ds score a last minute winner; i’ve had some shit weekends before but this up there.
I and Stone Roses have become Wolves Supporters for the next 45 mins
GoonerT,
I agree, detrimental is the word. Excuse me for being so vociferous, I am just so angry that I’m shaking.
I don’t believe for a second that Man U will lose the game. I didn’t believe it either when they were 2-0 down against Blackpool the other night.
Don’t hold your breath, Holics. Man U will win this one.
Man U has a strong bench, but stranger things have happened in Football, especially today!
He he!
The 1st half performance was simply sublime especially the 1st 10 mins. Unfortunately, not bringing in any Players during the window bit Wenger in the ass today. There’s been many concerns about needing cover at Centre Back & Defensive Midfield in the event Song or Djourou get injured. As soon as Djorou left the field today it all went downhill. On came Squillaci, and you get what you pay for, you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
Then Diaby immaturely reacts to get a red card. Knowing Arsenal you could sense this game was now going to get interesting. Sure enough it ends 4-4. You can’t make this stuff up. Unbelievable.
Why do we insist on blaming outside forces? When will we actually wake up and smell the coffee? The whole of the league is laughing its socks off at us. Yes we have had some really Shit decisions this week. But that happens. This is football. Deal with it.
A geordie mate has.text saying we are mentally weak and lack leaders. I would like some constructive comments please to assist me to rebut his comments. Because white frankly I can’t think of any.
Looks like Wolves are doing us a big favour…
Now now Steve, looks like tonight the whole of the league will laugh at Indebted. And honestly I think a day like today only contributes to cement the premiership as the best league in the world. Nothing’s granted for anyone.
“But that happens. This is football. Deal with it.”
To who else exactly? I find it very difficult to lay the blame on the players when for over 90 minutes Dowd did everything to f*ck us over. The second penalty was never a penalty and Diaby would never have lashed out had the ref done the slightest bit to caution Newcastle.
It was a pathetic performance from a boneheaded tramp who did everything he could to restrain Arsenal. Yes, the team was a fault as well but you can’t tell me that this would’ve happened without Dowd’s immense contribution.
Cu’mon you Woooovles!
Hmmm?
Mc Carthy’s throwing on a striker and taking off a play maker?
I’m sure once everyone watch’s the highlights tonight they’ll see what we’re all complaining about!
It’s a disgrace!
Ow they’ve just added 5 minutes
No!
Giggs not getting the card. 5 minutes extra time. Loving it……..
GET IN YOU WOLVES
I won’t jinx this by saying anything.
OH GET IN YOU WOLVES
CU’MON YOU WOLVES
OH CU’MON YOU WOLVES
yeeeeeeeeeeeeessssss!!!!!!
Hey hey mama said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove – Robert Plant, 1971
Hey hey mama said the way you sway, we beat that Scotch bastard with his stupid fucking wristwatch today – Robert Plant, 2011
Will not jinx it.
THERE WE GO!
Good on you Wanderers!!
WE’VE STILL CLOSED THE FUCKING GAP YOU FUCKING WINGERS YEEEAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
What an emotional roller coaster
WE’RE STILL THE IN-FUCKIN-CINC-IBLES
PAY BACK BITCHES!
The invincibles record is safe.
TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT!
LETS FINISH TODAY’S JOB AGAINST WOLVES NEXT WEEK
THIS HELLHOLE OF A DAY ENDS WITH US BEING 1 POINT CLOSER TO THE TOP AND MANURES UNBEATEN RUN BROKEN.
What the fuck?!
Rollercoaster.
DA DA DA DA, DA DA DA DA, DA DA DA DA, DA DA DA DA…
In their time of dying, its nobodies fault but theirs!!!!!
FUCKING YES EAT THAT DOWD
I fuckin hate Ferguson soooooooooo much.
They had it in their hands
I’m not into conspiracy theories but how the fuck can Indebted be given 5 minutes of extra-time? How can Giggs get away with a direct punch?
Anyway their 12-man team didn’t get away with it this time.
Rocky bumpy ride. Don’t you love it?
Have to say never saw that Man Utd score coming – relieved & frustrated all at the one time
Ivan. 4 nil up with 20 to go and it ends 4 all. That is not all down to the ref. Sorry fella. No matter how Shit he was.
Utd got some tough games coming up
Starting next week and their injuries are piling up at the back
Dowds decision making has contributed to our adverse results
That’s “rock ‘n’ roll” . Come on you Zeppelin werewolves!
Doesn’t make up for our capitulation, but hey ho, every cloud and all that.
A pint of extra cold Guinness please, one for Robert Plant and all the boys in the bar.
CoYRRR’s
Good point Matt @ 175
All my Barca friends and family, all though loving that they win, do not “enjoy” the excitement that every week brings to the premiership.
It’s all very boring and predictable
Barman…
Toon fan here.
Are some of you guys seriously unhappy with Barton’s tackle on Diaby? It was a good tackle, he took the ball, didn’t take the man and it was one footed.
You guys have had Wenger too long – Where’s your dignity?
The more I look at the second penalty, the more I think the referee got it spot on…
Watch Rosicky, he makes no attempt at all to go for the ball, but has both is hands on Williamson’s back and gives him a little push.
Very soft, but a foul none the less… because he played the player not the ball.
Very stupid on Rosicky’s part… and a soft penalty to give away.
The first one was a more blatant trip… but also soft and unessessary to say the least, especially when 4-0 ahead!
However, I think Arsenal have only one person to blame for throwing away victory…
Diaby – ridiculous mentality.
Barton went in hard, but fair (he won the ball clean and his foot went straight down – he didn’t leave in high during contact with Diaby) – even my gooner mates agreed and there were four of them in the room with me.
Anyway,
Good luck for Barca, if any top four side wins the league I hope its Arsenal. And you did gain a point on Manure today so probably more than most expected.
Also I didn’t mention the offside goal that was onsides by a good yard… Just had to bring that up, because many seem to be forgetting that decision that saved the Arsenal from defeat.