Goonerholic: Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Drink, Arsenal

The New Away Kit Revealed

Jun 28th, 2011 by 'holic

So it wasn’t a surprise. As with all new kits these days, it seems, it has received a decidedly mixed reception. Because it is an Arsenal kit, it will sell in numbers.

Catch a glimpse of it in this promotional video.

So what is the diagonal design all about? Well, apparently the front of the new away shirt is divided into two halves, one navy blue and one turquoise blue, inspired by the away kits worn by Arsenal teams from the past. The diagonal line represents the gnomon (the pointer) which casts the shadow on a sundial – to commemorate the original Dial Square sundial on the site of the Arsenal munitions factory in Woolwich, where the Club was founded in 1886. The back of the shirt is entirely navy blue, with one sleeve navy and the other turquoise blue. A stripe runs down each sleeve, broken into three parts to further represent the Dial Square sundial.

So now you know.

I remembered a navy blue away shirt in the late sixties, and that Nike have sporadically re-introduced blue away kits since the mid-nineties, but even I had to look up why this shirt would have been ‘inspired’ by the past, and indeed variations of the blue kit do indeed go back to the season that followed the First World War.

I’ll be sticking with my ’71 shirts, because I think there is an age at which one can no longer carry off the latest recycled polyester kits, but I’ve no doubt we will see a lot of this one in the coming season, particularly if we can go the extra step and land a trophy in it.

Then we can celebrate the 125th anniversary in style.

Posted in comment | 305 Drinks

305 Responses to “The New Away Kit Revealed”

on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:12 pm1camden_Monkey

Absolutely hideous!!!!!!!!!
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:13 pm2Camden_Monkey

Best served on a jockey, on a horse at Kempton……
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:17 pm3Lonestar Gooner

‘Holics,

Praytell why is Lady Bracewell-Smith even on Twitter?

I would think that communication medium was beneath those of her “station.”

Her recent tweets make about as much sense as the new away kit.

Where’s the medicine cabinet?
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:23 pm4craig

i quite like it, its different! great advert brought tears to my eyes.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:23 pm5takeabowson

Evening ‘Holic ,

Always been a big fan of the Scotland Dark Blue ( always invokes memories of Mclintock , Graham and Kelly ) and have vague memories of seeing pictures of us in Dark Blue in the sixties . Is this right or have I imagined this ?

If they had left it at the Dark Blue , it would have got the thumbs up from me . Why , oh why , the spud turquoise abomination ?

We’ve had worse change kits , but I won’t be buying .
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:25 pm6takeabowson

Ah , I see you mentioned the sixties kit in the Blog . apologies .

*must read more carefully*
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:28 pm7takeabowson

Hey Lonestar , how are the Llamas ? 🙂
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:40 pm8Paulie

The boredom of this blog knows no bounds, easily the worst blog on the net. Never mind the new jersey, I bet you would give your pension for a pair of Wengers dirty jocks holic. At last Wenger is seen for what he is and all the tinting you do is just embarassing. Go on admit it for once and be a man, Wenger is a has been cunt.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:45 pm9takeabowson

Paulie ,

Why don’t you just fuck off back to Tottenham , or whatever steaming pile of turds you emerged from ?
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:50 pm10Lonestar Gooner

Hey TaBS,

Sorry for the extended absence.

I had to round up some lost llamas after Paulie and his retarded buddies decided to go cow-tipping and found my llamas instead.

The poor boys got off the “short bus” on the wrong stop.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:52 pm11Savage

Paulie is a scratched record, stuck on a track somewhere around 1961. I bet it’s about the only pleasure he has in the world.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:54 pm12Savage

I also really enjoyed that video clip – our new marketing team putting in some shift. Good work.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:54 pm13Goonerholic

….and yet you keep coming back, Paulie.

Mind your hand doesn’t fly off the end.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 8:56 pm14takeabowson

Lonestar , ha , good to see you back , hopefully Paulie has scurried back to all his wonderfully articulate “m8s” at Le Groan
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:06 pm15zicoinexile

The village has lost its idiot I see.

Not a fan of the away top, but as said in the previous drinks, the new training tops are the doggies bits,

Holic, any chance you can pass my contact details on to BtM – we have an appointment with some famed 80 shilling next month 🙂
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:10 pm16behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Doggies bits. Is that good then? Not sure the management would say so.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:11 pm17Goonerholic

No problem, zico.

The gmail one ok?
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:11 pm18Corny

Wycombe Wanderers.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:15 pm19Olliski

2 new blogs in one day?
Madness.
I need a stiff drink to recover.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:15 pm20Goonerholic

Heh 🙂

Never diagonal, Corny. See you a fortnight Friday?
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:15 pm21ol

For all i care “paulie” must be one of the ‘new, young web-happy ‘ arsenal fans from nigeria who’s frustrated with AW not signing torres for £70 m in january. Now he’s mad because his football manager team wont be assembled at arsenal. So le paulie go and le groan off!
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:16 pm22Goonerholic

Evening Comrade Ollie.

I left a tweet for Arthur but he must be away at the moment, so no Polish advice I’m afraid.

How’s the vodka?
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:17 pm23Catalan Gunner

To paraphrase Bishops Park: “Don’t feed the flamers, it only encourages Paulie”
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:18 pm24ubaha Peter

This commensurate with good luck………!
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:21 pm25Goonerholic

Spot on Catalan.

Mrs Blogs puts it far better. Never get down and dirty with a pig. Both of you will get covered in shit and only the pig will enjoy it.

I may have paraphrased slightly, but they are wise words, nonetheless.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:22 pm26Catalan Gunner

I think young Obama got into a spot of bother with that one, Holic!
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:24 pm27Goonerholic

She writes a lot of his stuff 🙂
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:25 pm28Olliski

Just had a beer tonight ‘holic with my dinner.
Days are still long and busy for now.

Cheers.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:26 pm29noel73

Thanks for the info holic you are a fountain of goonerable information, however cut the sleeves off this bad boy and you’ll be playing aussie rules for the winter…maybe thats the point though as we play teams ooo don lik it up dam…so to speak..
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:26 pm30Olliski

Ah, Dr C. That sign in Bishops Park always has me chuckling :).
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:32 pm31Docbrody

That ad brought tears to my eyes – tears of utter embarrassment.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:39 pm32zicoinexile

Nas @ 16 – since when did the Boys from the Backwoods show such discrimination? 🙂

‘Holic @ 17 – yeah, Gmail, thanks Guvnor.

And quality chat from Mrs Blogs, paraphrased or not.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:40 pm33Phil F

1991-1993, now that was good away kit!
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:49 pm34Jersey

Dreadful kit, blue (whatever shade) is just not Arsenal.
The crest thingy is too big and dominates the new kits and associated gear.

WTF are those tossers from Nike Marketing up to?

I think I’ll go back to 70-71 home and away. Now you’re talking, serious kits, that are simply ooze Arsenal and class.

CoYRRR’s
on 28 Jun 2011 at 9:52 pm35Paul

Kissing money is the essence of Arseanl today. What an effing shame because it wasn’t all about money back then. Horrible advert with an insane man’s voice rambling in the background.

‘Very active in the market’, ‘prudence’, ‘we don’t have the quality’, ‘we do have the quality’, – eh Wenger what will it be today?
on 28 Jun 2011 at 10:17 pm36Chippy

Was going to rant about that excuse for a new kit but just got some fucking shocking awful awful news that makes me realise who gives a flying shit,
Rest in Peace buddy and keep me a space next to you in the Clock End in the sky,

Best make it a very large one please barman,
on 28 Jun 2011 at 10:19 pm37Goonerholic

Don’t sound good, Chippy.

I’ll raise a glass with you.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 10:27 pm38SA GUNMAN

its not wat we have on but de fight in us lets mak dat jersey famousby winning smtin
on 28 Jun 2011 at 10:31 pm39Chippy

Not good at all Holic and your more than welcome-we’ve lost another one of the Gooner family and far to young, Carnt say to much at this moment but he will be sorely missed many,
on 28 Jun 2011 at 10:36 pm40zicoinexile

Condolences, Chippy.

Been quite a lot of sadness on the blog this year already – I’ll raise a glass to you and wish you all the best.
on 28 Jun 2011 at 10:49 pm41Goonerholic

Sorry Chippy, sounds like one I may have been near to in happier days.

Details passed on zico…
on 28 Jun 2011 at 10:55 pm42Chippy

Cheers Zico,
Whoever said lifes a rollercoaster where not fucking wrong in the space of 3 days I’ve gone from a big high to a massive low, As a wise man once said live each day as if it’s your last that rings truer tonight than ever !!
on 28 Jun 2011 at 11:27 pm43takeabowson

Very Sorry to hear your news Chippy .

Here’s to your mate
on 28 Jun 2011 at 11:48 pm44Goonerholic

In other speculation, if only this were more reliable a source…

http://tinyurl.com/63x4v4h
on 29 Jun 2011 at 12:08 am45takeabowson

Do you rate Cahill ‘Holic ?

I don’t know enough about him , but slightly concerned he formed part of a Defence that let in 5 against Stoke .
on 29 Jun 2011 at 12:13 am46Goonerholic

My view is if we are looking at him and Samba, I’ll take Cahill every time. Neither is used to the lack of protection they will get from our midfield and formation, but Cahill is more mobile.

Can’t help thinking he is very similar to Vermaelen though, gutsy but not dominant aerially. Therefore more suited to Wengerball but…
on 29 Jun 2011 at 12:18 am47takeabowson

Yep , fair comment .

Still think the Everton Chap is the preferred choice .
on 29 Jun 2011 at 12:28 am48behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Sorry to hear your bad news Chippy. All the best to you.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 1:17 am49jrgoonar

Have to agree with you there T.a.b.s, I presume your refering to the jag?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 1:32 am50Snir Geuli

Holic, they may not be used to the lack of protection, but they’re used to seeing opposing attacks every minute as opposed to what they’ll see at AFC :).

The opponent attacks about 30% as much against AFC than what it attacks against Blackburn and Bolton, plus, I thought we needed them just for the set pieces, didn’t we ;)?

HORRIBLE kit, why on earth are we not yellow and blue?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 1:37 am51Trev

Paulie – please stop wasting food.

Tabs – some nice work in yesterday’s and today’s drinks. Just caught up after a looong day.

Snir – cheers for the link in the last set of drinks.
Does anyone at B*rca expect to get away with this £27m lark.
If you walk into the TV shop and demand a £2,000 state of the art plasma for £500, it generally results in you leaving the shop empty-handed.

CUoCO.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 6:46 am52MoMoney2

Am I the only one who screamed when Gibbs showed up in the ad? I am horrified of the thought of him as our LB next season…
on 29 Jun 2011 at 6:46 am53MoMoney2

And regarding Fabregas. We should send in a formal bid of 35mil for Messi and see how they react 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 7:56 am54midas

holic,cahill not dominant aerially?I thought he had the 2nd most headed clearances in the league last season.organisation in set pieces,thats another matter.He is quite calm under pressure.

The away kit does look like wycombe wanderers’ home kit.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:20 am55Lars

Chippy, truly sorry to hear about your loss.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:22 am56Lars

That promotional video made my belly turn inside out with embarrassment. Just bloody awful.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:59 am57zicoinexile

Holic @ 41 – cheers!
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:03 am58behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Re: Momoney2 @52: I must agree with your assessment if past performances are anything to go by. If Clichy is indeed gone and Gibbs takes over I hope and pray we are wrong but I have a terrible feeling about it due to the lad’s cameos as our first left back up until now. In Gibbs I see anything but the imminent emergence of a tiger. Your idea @53 is also right on target. Give them a taste of their own medicine and see how they like it.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:18 am59Phil McCavity

I must admit I find the “Arsenal must wear yellow and blue away kit” fundamentalism a bit frustrating at times as any research into the history of our away kits will know that we have had our fair share of navy blue, royal blue and white change shirt’s. I’m actually surprised that Nike have yet to resurrect the black and white striped outfit we wore sporadically from the ’30’s to the ’50’s, the royal blue with white sleeves affair from the late ’50’s or the green with navy blue sleeves from 1982. I’m not too keen on the new one though but it could have been so much worse as one of our earliest change kit’s was white shirt with navy blue shorts and socks. Now where have I seen that before???
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:44 am60And Lester

Fromagy vid, and bleu fromagy triangle top. i know these things are planned way in advance, but flogging the fans more pointless swag (and shamelessly invoking OUR history in the process – a 125 year anniversary? The expensive marketing department must be brim filled with (London?) pride for coming up with that one – well done boys and girls), on top of ticket price rises and everything else swirling round the club adds to my sense that – rightly or wrongly – Arsenal Football Corp. is becoming increasingly divorced from the fans that care about the club as a whole and want Wenger and the gang to help lift the gloom soon.
Holic i’ve got a lot of time for the constructive approach to all things Arsenal that you encourage on here – especially when compared to some of the ridiculous knee-jerk destructive bile we get elsewhere – but bloody hell they need to throw us bone right now and stop putting their corporate foot in it … and i suppose when the transfer window proper opens they will – ‘cos for me so far this summer – with the Nasri saga running alongside Cescalona and now moneybags Bracewell’s shit stirring – is proving at least as tough as our end of season slide down the table. C’mon ureds (not blues).
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:52 am61takeabowson

BEHIND THE ARSE EPISODE 4

IG and his Head of Marketing ( IPA ) , are on their way to a Board Meeting following the events of last week .

IG : Fuck , I hate Board Meetings IPA , worse than bloody fans’ forums .

IPA : Yes Sir .

IG : Who’s coming today ?

IPA : Everyone important Sir , Peter Hill-Wood , Mr Kronke , and Mr Wenger Sir .

IG : Arsene’s back ? Well that’s good news , takes the pressure off a bit .

IPA : Yes Sir , flew in from his scouting mission this morning .

IG : Excellent , excellent … perhaps he’ll have a signing or two to report … Where was his scouting mission IPA ?

IPA : California Sir .

IG : California ! Fucking California ! Whose fucking idea was that ?

IPA : Mr Hill Wood’s Sir , he felt Mr Wenger deserved a break after the unfortunate fireball incident Sir .

IG : This is a fucking disaster IPA , do you know where he stayed and whether he’s … alright ?

IPA : I haven’t seen him Sir , but I believe he stayed with a contact he made as a result of his long standing friendship with the forward- thinking Fans Site , Goonerholic , a chap by the name of PIK .

IG : Oh for fuck’s sake IPA , that’s who they use to source their produce for their fucking CMC . My God could things get any worse ?

IPA : Yes Sir .

IG : Yes Sir ? What do you mean , yes Sir ?

IPA : Lady Nina is coming in to finalise the Transfer of her shares Sir .

IG : IPA , you utter cunt , why didn’t you warn me , you know that woman gives me migraines . Why the fuck didn’t you warn me ?

IPA : The migraines Sir . You told me never to mention her name in your presence again , unless absolutely necessary Sir .

IG and IPA have now reached the Boardroom door . IG pauses ;-

IG : *whimpers* I’m scared IPA . I want my Peruvian Anti-Riot Suit . *starts blubbing*

IPA : You must be strong Sir . Remember who you are , what you are and who you represent .

IG : Quite right , IPA , I’ve faced worse than this . Thank you , IPA . *IG dabs his eyes , pulls his shoulders back and pushes open the Door*

IG and IPA enter the Boardroom , only PHW is thus far in attendance .

PHW : Ah Gazides the very man , make it quick today ok , I’ve got a very important lunch date , Welsh Rarebit , Steak and Kidney Pie and Jelly and Ice Cream , all washed down with a couple of Bottles of Fonseca Vintage Port , none of that Rob the Chef’s shit .

IG : *mumbles* Yes Peter , understood .

PHW : What , speak up man , why are you sniveling like a pussy ?

IPA : I mentioned Lady Nina would be in attendance , Sir .

PHW : Lady Nina ? *muses* is she a woman ?

IPA : Sir ?

PHW : Is she a woman ?

IPA : Yes Sir .

PHW : Ah , haven’t had anything to do with a woman for over 15 years . Don’t trust the fuckers . Too much to say for themselves . Lived with a Llama for the last 9 years , much more accommodating – servile , silent and cooks a mean Chicken Biriyani . No point getting upset over a woman Gazides . Llamas , they’re the way forward . Now pull yourself together man , we’ve got to present a united front to this fucking Yank .

IG : Yes , Peter , of course .

Stan Kronke enters the room , followed by AW , who comes skipping into the room singing Frere Jacques

IG : *standing* Good Morning my Lord Stanley .

PHW : *slouched* Colonial fucker .

IG : *aside to IPA* Arsene’s high as a kite , I’m fucked .

IPA : It would appear so , Sir .

AW : Bonjour , Bonjour .

Stan :

PHW : Right , an Englishman’s stomach waits for no-one . Gazides , let’s hear about fans opinions .

IG’s REPORT ON SUPPORTERS’ OPINIONS .

IG : Thank you Peter . Arseblog advocates selling Clichy , seems to have lost faith in him .

PHW : Excellent news , just as well I pulled off that Coup last week , and flogged him to the Ayeties for £ 15 million eh

IG : Yes , Peter .

IPA : Err … no Sir … we’ve just received their written offer following the face-to-face talks , and there appear to be some discrepancies . We thought they were offering £15 million Sir , when in actual fact it appears they are offering a case of Frascati , a kilo of Parma Ham , and a weekend away for Mr Hill Wood at somewhere called Llamas Retreat . Clichy is still our player Sir .

IG : *head in hands* Is this true , Peter ?

PHW : Err… well … there may have been some language difficulties , fuckers wouldn’t speak English . Anyway , Gazides , … next .

IG : *flustered* Hmm .. yes .. Yogi Warrior over at A Cultured Left Foot remains a huge source of support .

IPA : Err … No Sir .

IG : *reddening* No IPA ?

IPA : Been away , Sir , gave up his blog to guest posts Sir . Miami Gooner wrote that He hopes the Russian wins the Arsenal Cold War .

Stan :

IG : Sweet Jesus . Well … Umm … Goonerholic is very influential . He’s always on our side .

IPA : Err … No Sir .

IG : Oh for fucks sake . *sweating profusely* Et tu ‘Holic ?

IPA : Yes Sir , slagged the Catering Department Sir .

IG : Well be that as it may , his travellers on the Happy Train remain supportive .

IPA : No Sir .

IG : No ?

IPA : Away on holiday , Sir . Camping in Canada , I believe Sir .

IG : *rubbing temples furiously* Well , let’s not worry too much , We are engaging with all true fans in the Fans Forum on Arsenal.Com .

IPA : Err … No Sir , closed Sir , too abusive Sir .

PHW : Good , about time we started giving abuse back to the ungrateful fuckers .Fucking unhelpful Report Gazides , lucky its nearly lunchtime eh . We need to move on . Right, next on the Agenda , transfer of Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith’s shares to um .. you know .. this chap to my left … Mr fucking Mystery . Call in the witch .

Lady Nina enters in a leather catsuit . IG begins to hyperventilate .

LADY NINA

L.Nina : Dahlings , dahlings , how I have missed you all . Ivan , Mr Icepenis , how is my favourite little Arse ?

IPA : *sniggers *

IG : *panting* Very ..well .. thank .. you .

L.Nina : Ah , I see I still have zhe effect on you , Jah . Me too , Ivan , me too , I still often vatch zhe video of zhe two of us together , vhen ve vould take on zhe vorld .

PHW : *to himself* Ivan Icepenis ? Ivan Icepenis ! *to all* Oh I say , ha ha ha , very good .

L.Nina : Jah , but I zhink I am not here for jokes , I am here so you can make me a very vealthy voman , Jah .

PHW : Quite , it’s nearly time for lunch so here’s a pen .

Lady Nina and Silent Stan sign the contract , and Lady Nina is handed a cheque for £120 mill .

L.Nina : Vhat a sum , ha ha , I zhink you should have stuck vith me , Ivan . Maybe I can stay for zhe end of zhe meeting jah , for old times sake ?

IG : Absolutely out of the question .

L.Nina : Zhe video , Ivan Dahling , zhe video .

IG : Of course you must stay .

PHW : Right ,let’s crack on , I’m fucking hungry . Next on the Agenda , that Cunt from Le Grove , Gareth or Pedro or whatever the fucker calls himself .

IG : He remains in Hospital , his condition is not life-threatening .

AW : A good shot , non ? Hee hee , back of ze net .

IG : He wants £7 million in compensation and his own page in the programme .

PHW : Impertinent Fucker . What are we offering ?

IG : Flowers .

L.Nina : This Gareth , I zhink he has never known a woman , no ?

IG : No , no , no , whatever you’re thinking the answer is no .

L.Nina : Ivan , zhis is a job for a voman . No man can resist me , you know zhis .

PHW : Excellent , I like it , Bracewell-Smith . We’ll go together to thrash out a deal with the rat-like scumbag . Good Cop , Bad Cop , Carrot and Stick . Should be fun .

IG : Sweet Jesus , Mary and Joseph , please save me *rocking in his chair*

PHW : Right , that’s decided , next item , Arsene’s plans for the team . Arsene .

ARSENE’S SCOUTING REPORT .

AW : Merci , Pierre , Merci . I ave been away and identified and purchased several new players.

IG : Thank God , good news at last . Who have you bought Arsene ?

AW : Ants .

IG : Ha ha Arsene means Ricardo Alverantz , tricky Argentinian left winger .

AW : Non ,Ivan , Non . I mean Californian Red Ants . Zey are small , young , cheap , ave a good work ethic , collective energy extraordinaire . Zey ave to be seen to be believed . Very good at making ze late run into the Box unseen , I ave bought 3 for our forward line .

IG : Dear God no .

AW : I am a revolutionary coach ,it iz my dream .

IG : But what about having Arsenal DNA ?

AW : Zey are Red Ants , zey love this club .

IG : But the fans won’t be able to see them .

AW : Zey are Red Ants .

IG : But they won’t fit into our Total Football system .

AW : Zey ave six feet , zey ave ze potential for fantastique ball-juggling skills .

IG : *banging his head on the table* But where’s our aggression , where’s our bite ?

AW : Zey are Red Ants , zey ave quite a nip .

IG : But our number one priority was the Defence ,our lack of height …

AW : I ave addressed zis problem .

IG : *looking up* You have ? Thank God in Heaven . Subotic ? Cahill ?

AW : Californian Hornets . I ave bought 2 . Zey ave good communication skills , zey are very noisy . Zey are nasty and Zey can reach heights of 60 metres . Our problems at ze set-pieces are over .

PHW : Good Work Arsene . How much ?

AW : Ants £5 million each and Hornets £3 million each . 5 new players for a total of £21 million .

PHW : Brilliant , Arsene .

IG begins to suffer from violent and involuntary muscular spasms .

PHW : Right to sum up , the fans are getting restless , but we are adopting a pro-active policy and abusing them back , whatsisname has bought more shares , Bracewell-Smith and I will sort out Gareth the Cunt , and we’ve spent £21 million on three ants and two hornets . Enter it into the minutes IPA , and Gazides , call a Press Conference and get the word out , Arsenal are back .

IG passes out .

Some hours later , IG is in a hospital bed . IPA has come to visit .

IPA : How are you Sir ?

IG : Much better thanks IPA . Doctor says my anxiety levels are the highest he’s ever seen and I need complete rest and relaxation . Shame the budget wouldn’t stretch to a private room , but mustn’t complain , the chap next door is very quiet .

Chap next Door : Err h-h-hello my name is G-Gareth , but you may know me better as P-P-Pedro , fearless keyboard warrior …

IPA : Your pipe Sir ?

IG : My pipe IPA .

CUE MUSIC AND END CREDITS .
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:27 am62zicoinexile

You had me at “AW skipping into the room singing Frere Jacque”

Think you’ll be in the secure unit for a while yet, mate 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:36 am63takeabowson

I think so Dr Z 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 12:28 pm64Goonerholic

Barking.

He’s absolutely barking 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 12:37 pm65takeabowson

Thank you ‘Holic , its a badge I wear with pride 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 12:50 pm66Lars

Barman, I’ll have whatever tabs had before writing that!

In other news, David Hytner at The Guardian seems to be hoping rather desperately that Barca will sign Cesc:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/29/barcelona-bid-arsenal-cesc-fabregas

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/28/cesc-fabregas-arsenal-barcelona-wenger

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/27/arsenal-cesc-fabregas-barcelona

Three articles in three days with more or less exactly the same content in all three of them. “Repeat a lie enough times and it will be taken as truth”?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 1:24 pm67Snir Geuli

Tabs, thank you! You had me smiling after all the other Arsenal related news have me crying.

Don’t mind losing Nasri, but to United? And on the same week Cesc’s supposedly moving to Barca as it seems as though we’ll accept the 35Mil offer..?!

Now the latter part of the sentence is a total outrage, no way in hell he’s worth less than Alexis Sanches (I’m not saying Andy Carrol on purpose since Englishmen are overpriced).
on 29 Jun 2011 at 2:01 pm68Lars

Snir, as far as I can tell there is absolutely nothing that indicates that we will cave in for £35m. That we should do so is pure speculation.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 2:37 pm69takeabowson

Lars – that’ll be a pint of Mad Dog Brew Howlin Brown Ale , you’re after . A little known but deeply satisfying Californian Beer .

Snir – thanks and Cheers
on 29 Jun 2011 at 3:40 pm70behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Tabs, Grotesquely funny. Ants and hornets must have been the result of some intense strategic planning (perhaps an episode we missed, or did the strategic planning session occur in California with benefit of the GT?)
on 29 Jun 2011 at 4:01 pm71takeabowson

I think the latter Nas ! PIK’s to blame . That’s my story and I’m sticking to it 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 4:29 pm72Stingy Voyeur

So ManIOU have signed three players and we have signed none. I suppose we are waiting for this mystical July 1st for some strange reason. Is that the beginning of the transfer window discounts?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 4:54 pm73Wembley79

I had to double take at the still at the end of the vid – Looked like Vermaelen was checking his watch!

Sorry to hear your news Chippy 🙁

Nope, don’t like the away shirt – as others have said, 71 kit all the way – you simply can’t beat it – the essence of class
on 29 Jun 2011 at 5:11 pm74Esso

Its a fucking awful kit.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 5:17 pm75And Lester

Nice work @61 tabs sir – convinced you must have someone working for you on the inside.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 5:32 pm76takeabowson

And Lester ,

Thanks . No-one on the inside , although I do know a Pam who works in Adult Education teaching people how to read and write . Of course , I have no way of knowing whether this is the same Pam , who features so prominently in Le Grove’s daily hate-fest 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 5:58 pm77Lonestar Gooner

TabS,

You are on the fucking good shit! Ab Fab has nothing on you.

Thoroughly enjoyed the reading, now back to legal drudgery…

So when can we sell Fab and Nasri, use the proceeds to speculate on youth potential, and count on Frimpong to be “just like a new signing”?

Up the Arse, indeed.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 6:01 pm78behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Tabs, there seem to be green pastures for strategic planning of the opium-enhanced variety what with the China trip in the offing. And don’t we need a few signings of Mongolian Giant proportions to go along with our swifties the ants and hornets? Just asking … 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 6:02 pm79Trev

Well played Tabs – completely mad!
on 29 Jun 2011 at 6:19 pm80takeabowson

Lonestar and Trev – Cheers .

Nas – Who knows what might happen in the future ? Certainly not me … 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 6:36 pm81behind the 8 ball but not nasri

The future. Isn’t that when we are going to win the league?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 7:32 pm82zicoinexile

The future, where I plan to spend most of my time, if you must know.

Just returned from another blog where they spent nearly 300 posts arguing about Denilson – nearly made my eyes bleed. Thank god for the sanity shown by our playwright above.

Pints for all the usual suspects, barkeep.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:16 pm83Harsha

Crazy tabs,just crazy 🙂

Stan saying nothing was very clever, indeed

I’ll have a pint, please
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:20 pm84Chippy

Cheers for the Good wishes lads still a tad numb but getting my head around it Holic@41 Without a doubt buddy probably not him as he’s my younger generation 🙂 sorry couldn’t resist !! but his immediate family you would no doubt know from days gone,

Onto all things Arsenal it seems the Barca media machine are doing there job and boring sections of Arsenal support into submission and it’s not even July !! All I ask is if he does get sold the club stand firm and get a going rate and if he dosent happy days we are the stronger for it,
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:31 pm85zicoinexile

Couldn’t agree more Chippy – it seems the media seem to be bashing away at how Arsenal might “just have to settle for £35m” yet can’t see the absurdity of placing Cesc’s value at the same level as the hairdressing nightmare that is Andy Carroll.

If Torres value in the English market is £50m then Barcelona have their benchmark. He has 4 years left on his contract and hold all the aces.
CUoCO indeed.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:33 pm86Catalan Gunner

TABS – thanks for confirming Nasri’s suspiscions @71!

“Frere Jacque” gave me an inkling that you were using some kind of enhancers. The ants and hornets sealed it.

A pint of Genius to help bring you down slowly, and as thanks for relieving my increasing anxiety over this close season.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:33 pm87takeabowson

Cheers Harsha .

I’ll have a pint of Mad Dog please Dr Z 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:36 pm88takeabowson

Thanks Dr C . On the come-Down now 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:36 pm89Stingy Voyeur

Belated condolences Chippy. Life’s a bitch and then you marry one. Sadly, we cannot escape death and taxes.

Sorry for your loss.

I believe I need to get on the Happy Train, liquor car 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:39 pm90zicoinexile

there you go, tabs, with a straw – some of them enhancers need to be dissolved before ingestion (but then you knew that)

🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:41 pm91Lonestar Gooner

My take on this is that we will take the 35mil, declare a humanitarian victory (re: we decided to be magnanimous), and go home. I dunno.

I would have much preferred our board go on the media offensive and broadcast to the media that our valuation is 60 mil and negotiate down from there.

Letting B*rca set the aspirational point is horrible negotiating mechanics. When are those who we can all agree are deadweight gonna be moved on?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:43 pm92Chippy

Zico,
Spot on- it’s almost well it is,they are itching for him to go so they can sell more rags with Arsenal in crisis headlines and they told us so follow ups, Do the cretins not realise that by selling the best players in the league it de values it, And even worse don’t they realise they are puppets to Barcas string pulling, Personally I’ve already stated what I heard a few weeks back now I don’t want him to go but if he does let’s get the going rate and move on, If that absolute donkey Henderson can go for 25 mill Cescs min value must be 50 no ifs buts or maybes, To be honest a good signing would be the Sunderland negoitator that made Liverpool part with 25 mill imagine what he’d get for Denilson, Bendnter etc 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 8:53 pm93Goonerholic

Evening all,

I am as busy as you like at the moment, but grabbing ten minutes reading you lot at lunchtime is a tonic.

I’m not sure I am keeping up with all of the acronyms though 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:01 pm94True Storey

Evening ‘Holic & ‘Holics

I see that I remain in a minority of one here as I rather like the new away kit despite that cringe-worthy promotional video. More worryingly, I think I read that Gervais or Wicky likes it too so now I have to own-up to the fact that I agree with something they wrote. Oh, the shame…

tabs – GREAT script. Lady Nina as a slim, attractive Bubbles DeVere? Masterful.

zico – there’s an ointment for ‘eye bleed’ in the CMC.

Right, I’m off to my garden shed to try and recruit the meanest, hariest spider that I can find as I know Le Boss is also looking for a decent GK to keep Szcz on his toes. He’ll have to sign a non-eating of the new defence and forwards clause in his contract mind….

Drinks for any here who are thirsty unless your name is Paulie. The CMC is stocked and open but covered in sticky French fingerprints 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:04 pm95True Storey

PS: Chippy very sorry for your news
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:04 pm96zicoinexile

Don’t worry about the acronyms Holic – one day, my magnum opus!

Thinking about calling it “An idiots guide to capital letters”.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:09 pm97takeabowson

TS – I’ve just knocked back my pints and am leading the charge to the open CMC . Who’s with me fellas ? 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:13 pm98Goonerholic

Zico 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:13 pm99zicoinexile

Oh dear, carnage ahead.

I’ll get the safety “gear”. 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:13 pm100takeabowson

TS – and there was i thinking Lady N was an Eastern European Dominatrix , but I guess it’s whatever tickles your fancy … 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:15 pm101takeabowson

Cheers Dr Z , thought I might be back in isolation there for a moment 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:21 pm102True Storey

*Fetches PARS and pipe, sets PARS to stun*

Single file please fellas, there’s plenty to go around….

tabs – my fancy is definitely not tickled by BDV. Benny Hill used to ‘like ’em big’ mind 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:36 pm103takeabowson

Good point , well made TS 🙂

*shuffles into queue*
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:58 pm104Lonestar Gooner

‘Holics,

Oh dear. I have just learned from a “good” (as good as they can be over here in the States) source that Nasri is off to ManUre for ₤23mil.

I can’t believe we’d sell him to Old Red Nose, but, if this is true, just compare the business they’ve pulled off to date with our dithering. Perhaps Lady Nina “Zis on to svomethinc?”

Any news you guys?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 9:59 pm105zicoinexile

It’s going to be a long night with the Chemical Brothers in full flow – I’d expect them to stop babbling round about the closure of the transfer window. The one with the carrots in his ears is the worst (just).

Meanwhile in sensible city, here is a very brief extract from the Glossary for those of you who want to be brought briefly into the vicious circle of insanity…..

BGFS: Blonde Girl from Sainsbury’s
MC: Medicine Cabinet
CMC: Colombian Medicine Cabinet
LISB: Lars is still buying
LIAB: Lars is always buying
PARS: Peruvian Anti Riot Suit
GT: Green Tin (storage unit within the MC and the CMC)
IPA: Ivan’s Personal Assistant ; Indian Pale Ale
DNA: Barcelona Spermatoza
BDV: Bubbles DeVere

The rest is with the publisher…..
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:10 pm106Goonerholic

Chemical Brothers, heh. It gets better 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:13 pm107zicoinexile

LS @ 104 – hard to tell what is going to happen there, but I hope your source is spectacularly wrong – I could cope with Nasri going elsewhere in Europe but not to one of our main rivals, and especially not them, that would be a Ray Kennedy moment for me. 🙁
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:16 pm108Lonestar Gooner

*Sigh*

Dr. Z, where’s my spot in the queue?

Oh, by the way, the llamas escaped again this afternoon and all the birds have flown the coop.

I suspect the Thievery Corporation is afoot…

I need a drink and some “medicine.”
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:31 pm109Lonestar Gooner

I also have it on authority of a mate from Wickham that:

(1) we stole the new away kit’s design from them (pilfered, I believe he said),

(2) there are no attractive girls at Sainsbury’s (in fact the one near his home is known for having anti-attractive gingers…ok, so I embellished a bit there). But still, BGFS might be a stretch…
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:39 pm110True Storey

Lonestar,
Step right up old bean and step right in. BTW, could you please make sure that the next time you deal with the exiled one that he keeps the llamas and PIK’s finest well separated. I’m still bleating in my sleep 😉

zico,
Chem Bros? Cheeky g*t 😉 Nasri to Manure? Shades of big Frank Stapleton and a deal with the devil me thinks. Fekkers.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:44 pm111zicoinexile

Lonestar – (2) is most factually incorrect (or was till she moved to Carolina) – maybe time for your mate to move 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:52 pm112Stingy Voyeur

There is no way on this ‘green’ Earth that Nasri is going directly to ManUre from us. Just no way. Not gonna happen. Best to disregard any rumours of that ilk and write it off as shear silly season fantasy.

Just in case, I’m going to sanitize myself with some Steamwhistle now (Kanada’s premium pilsner).
on 29 Jun 2011 at 10:59 pm113True Storey

A few more acronyms for ‘sensible zed’s’ magnum opus:

PIK: The world’s finest supplier of herbs from California, top dude!
IFMP: Even Le Boss & Ivan the Terrible are fetching theirs these days.
TSC: The Sports Carriage as featured on HT Mk II – where zico gets his way with TGFS.
TCD: The Crumbling Dump and the spiritual home of all things Lilly White – smells like they all took took a dump there too.
BS: Bio-Suit – the preferred undergarment for those who visit TCD.
BTA: Behind The Arse – de facto proof that the lunatics have taken over the asylum and a work of genius.
LFC: Llama Flavoured Californian – what happens if you let King Dom Of Fife anywhere near furry animals owned by Lonestar and those precious supplies from PIK.
PIB: Paint It Black – WARNING! Never, ever use this TLA unless your initials are BtM or you’ve been a Gooner since ’54.

TS Copywright, 2011 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:00 pm114takeabowson

Lonestar , tell your source he’s got it badly wrong . If Nasri goes to Manure , I’m a madman . What’s that you say … ? Oh!

Dr Z – Great stuff , very much looking forward to Publication of the full Glossary . 🙂

TS , when are we on our World Tour ? 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:03 pm115takeabowson

Good Stuff TS 🙂 IFMP ?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:05 pm116True Storey

I’ll Fetch My Pipe

tabs copywright, 2011 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:06 pm117takeabowson

🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:08 pm118Lonestar Gooner

Thanks ‘Holics.

I knew it wasn’t nothing.

We have a ruthless and efficient group of footballing executives who, time and time again, have shown their willingness to sign missing ingredients and prune excess baggage in order to keep our squad bring in the titles…no, wait…

Har, har.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:09 pm119zicoinexile

And I’ll get the nurse….

I’ll collect you guys in the morning – or rather scrape you off the ceiling,

Night all,

Dr Feelgood 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:11 pm120True Storey

tabs @ #114,

We start in China with the boys in red and white. It wasn’t easy but I told Arsene that if he didn’t take us in Eboue’s luggage that he’d be smoking NFC (Nasri Flavoured Californina) fort he rest of his days.

Then to the shores of Lake Superior to hook-up with the HT MkII and the rest of the gang. Who knows where we go after that?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:11 pm121Lonestar Gooner

Dr. Z,

He, my Wickham mate, married an attractive blond. I’ll have to ask him if he met her at Sainsbury’s. 😉

Pass the pipe, please!
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:13 pm122True Storey

Nigh, night zico. Will she be tucking you in too? 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:15 pm123Stingy Voyeur

Is Sainsbury close to Salisbury?? And can one get a Sainsbury steak? In this bar perhaps?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:21 pm124takeabowson

TS – Sounds like a good plan to me , I can already hear those Block Rockin’ Beats!

Night Dr Z lightweight .

Stingy! I see they’ve let you out then , after all those Canadian Riots you instigated 🙂

Lonestar – here’s the Pipe , tuck in .
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:23 pm125Stingy Voyeur

Happy Train proverb (stolen from a fortune cookie): Happiness isn’t something you remember, it’s something you experience 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:26 pm126Stingy Voyeur

tabs – I’m about as close to Vancouver as I am to London town … so watch yourself 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:29 pm127True Storey

For any of you who may occasionally appreciate The Chem Bros

‘Holic? Pretty please, would you make a couple of old men happy and work your magic embedding the above link? 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:29 pm128takeabowson

Sorry , Stingy , it’s the pipe , it’s making me reckless 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:30 pm129Stingy Voyeur

Whatever Sainsbury steak is, let’s put it on the menu for the Happy Train.
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:30 pm130True Storey

Oops SV, wrong coast? We have similar analogies here in the good ol’ UK of A
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:32 pm131Stingy Voyeur

Learn Chinese: East (dong)
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:34 pm132Stingy Voyeur

Lucky numbers: 14, 30, 28, 25, 24, 1

Don’t all rush out to buy a ticket now …
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:34 pm133takeabowson

Hey Pard’ner , good link .

Not so much of the old though eh 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:37 pm134Goonerholic

Chemical Brothers?

I’ve got the whole bleeding Chemical Family in here. 😉
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:39 pm135takeabowson

Nice work ‘Holic 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:45 pm136True Storey

Thank you ‘Holic! Yes, we’re a family of Chemi’Holics 🙂
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:48 pm137True Storey

tabs @ #133,

The ceiling beckons….
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:50 pm138Stingy Voyeur

Is Britain full of blazers?
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:50 pm139takeabowson

It’s a wonderful view from up here
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:51 pm140takeabowson

i think they went bust a while ago Stingy
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:53 pm141True Storey

tabs @ #140, Heh!

He means Glazers, SV
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:55 pm142takeabowson

Heh
on 29 Jun 2011 at 11:57 pm143Stingy Voyeur

On the left coast there is a roundball team called the Portland Trailblazers. They’re known more for their blazing proficiency and less for trail blazing … if you know what I mean? Sounds like many in this establishment would be fans of that squad for obvious reasons …
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:02 am144Stingy Voyeur

And I couldn’t, for the life of me, envision Glazers blazin’. Like the Sami to ManUre rubbish rumours — it ain’t gonna happen!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:09 am145takeabowson

Right I’m off boys . Tata
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:11 am146Stingy Voyeur

Observation: Ever since tabs (fine gent that he is, no arguing that) has become a regular in this bar the establishment has gone ‘green’ and is serving less and less liquid produce.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:16 am147Stingy Voyeur

One could say that both tabs and PiK (among others) could be labelled environmentalists for their green movement.

I wouldn’t know about such matters. A green movement to me would represent eating a very large salad + 6 hours.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:34 am148Trev

Tabs – just re-read the whole of Episode 4 (a bit hurried earlier) – gets even better second time through.

Last day of patience tomorrow and then Friday 1st July will herald a veritable raft of signings to put everyone at ease. It will.

Judging by the smell of smoke and llamas in here, most are pretty well at ease already.

A French source (unfortunaltely, not a French Sauce) tells me that Gervinho is definitely done – not a huge surpise, but he is 100% certain. We will see soon enough now.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:45 am149True Storey

Trev @ #148

Yes, all will be revealed soon enough….

Join us on the ceiling? 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:48 am150Trev

As no-one else has mentioned it yet, it was reported this evening that Thiago Alcatraz, or whatever he’s called, yes, he of the makeweight variety in the Cesc to Barca saga, has now signed a 5 year extension to his contract at Barcelona.

Said contract contains a release clause set at 90,000,000 Euros. Compare and contrast to their valuation of Cesc, and the implications for our captain look a little ominous, perhaps.

Could be that Cesc / Thiago is the long-term midfield plan, but Cesc must be getting a little miffed that everyone from Ibrahimovich to Andy Carroll is apparantly worth more than he is to Barcelona.

As I am not a user of Facetube or Twitbook, one must hope that Cesc may venture into our own bar. If you’re here Cesc “speak without delay to Alex Hleb”.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:53 am151CF4

Hello Trev, Cesc here. Can I have Alex’s mobile number please?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:55 am152True Storey

How about that Trev? You must have psychic powers. He didn’t even sign off with a gracias. That was probably the Farca DNA talking.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:59 am153Trev

TS – must sign off myself now – laters.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:02 am154Trev

By the way Cesc, Alex doesn’t have a mobile. Far too noisy and can’t stand the idea of being connected to something as big as the whole planet.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:07 am155Steve T

Away kit is horrible. I agree with whoever it was earlier that it would look better on a jockey.

The whole Barca and Cesc business I think we massively over complicate. Make it really simple for them. Tell all parties the price. Tell all that it is non negotiable. Tell all that a deal has to be concluded within 2 weeks or he remains an Arsenal player for at least 1 more season. It really is as simple as that. I really do not know why we do not start dictating to these people how we will do business. He is our player and under contract for a few more years yet.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 2:39 am156behind the 8 ball but not nasri

TS, I may not be the traditionalist some are but looking at the away kit on its own merits I don’t think it’s unattractive either. But I’m glad you were first to say so.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 2:41 am157behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Another observation: Back in 1886 our players certainly did have some hairy legs.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:46 am158Stingy Voyeur

Coincidence: Both Wimbledon (tennis, err lawn tennis) and The Arsenal are on their 125th. Small world.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:49 am159Stingy Voyeur

8ball – You stay away from being an ‘environmentalist’ you hear? You have a family to look after …
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:10 am160Stingy Voyeur

‘holic Nation,

And btw, this de Gea goaler fella, we should have bought 6 or 12 months ago. He was right up our alley. A young, bright foreigner with loads of potential. He will be a monster for a decade and a half.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:18 am161Stingy Voyeur

He’s been a monster for the past two seasons in La Liga and during some questionable Valdes moments, I was surprised that Barça never snagged him. And as this may pain some, if I think he’s good enough for Barça, then he’s good enough for us. ‘Nuff said.

Barman, it’s time for the hard stuff for whomever is left in the bar. Liquid only zone at this fine hour. I’ll start with a double Drambuie (sic? — spelling is not my thing), and light it up, in honour of the upcoming royal visit to Kanada!

Up the Arse!!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:42 am162Stingy Voyeur

And might I remind some, who will go unnameless, that ManIOU (an EPL team, just like us) just acquired a La Liga (non EPL) player whilst we have done Butkus (a fine name for a dog btw). So don’t give me none of this no transfers between associations (inter UEFA association) bullshit before July 1st. ManIOU just did it (maybe they have more ambition? Or am I being rhetorical?). We have been left wanting, as always, yet again. Some may say dithering and to that I must concur.

Double Glenfiddich neat, if you please, fine barman.

But things could be worse. At least we weren’t relegated to the Segunda Division (like River Plate — for the first time after 110 years and 33 league titles). Food for thought perhaps …
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:52 am163Stingy Voyeur

And I’m off to the rubber room, yet again, for posting five or more postings uninterrupted, as the ‘holic community must think I’m bonkers. *slips away in his dank dark dingy corner for being the dodgy lad that I am — nobody feels me therefore I drink — did Shakespeare not say this?*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:54 am164Stingy Voyeur

If I were the cynical type, I would say that we are not doing any business until the Cesc matter is resolved.

Good night all.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 6:21 am165Stingy Voyeur

David Gill believes that ManUre are being treated unfairly by the English FA. Is that so? Cry me a fucking river mate.

I can’t do links on my phone. Check that socialist UK birdcage lining rag The Guardian for details.

Sweet dreams.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:38 am166Shishir

Well, at least we know for sure now that Vermaelen is back in running shape!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:40 am167zicoinexile

Quite a night it seems – the usual suspects wired to the moon, and SV howling at the moon from an empty bar.

I would quite liked to have heard the a capella version of Frere Jacque delivered by tabs and TS in the early hours (or so it was rumoured), but was myself being delivered from evil by “my nurse”.

Can someone explain this quote from Senor Fab – “If a player is on the market it is because the club does not want him. I have no problems”

Is he (or someone) trying to twist this into Arsenal don’t want Fabregas?

I am with Steve T above – if we DONT want him, lets make sure that those c***s know the price at which we don’t want him, and be done with it.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:11 am168Lars

zico, I am fairly certain that that comment was a) taken out of context and b) incorrectly translated.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:13 am169Snir Geuli

Zico – It was mistranslated, I read a different translation where he said “it’s not my case” instead of “I have no problems”, meaning his case is not a case of a club not wanting the player.

@Lars 68 – I know there really isn’t anything that should imply we’re caving in for 35Mil apart for the media, but that’s what I’m getting from twitter from people who are supposedly in the know.

SV – IMO it’s quite the same if you bring players on the 1st of June, 1st of July or a day after the season ends.

Remember that the training hasn’t started yet, and the players are all on holiday so it’s not like the signing will get to know them or something like that. As for signal of intent by signing, every Arsenal fan knows we’re negotiating plenty of deals, that’s intent enough for me.

For all I care they can announce the signing 1 second before the first training session of the season.

Speaking of twitter, the whispers from there are coming out that this whole saga is gonna end by tomorrow’s end maximum with us accepting 35Mil plus add-ons.

I feel like, like, I can’t even explain it. I hate Barcelona.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:17 am170zicoinexile

If we settle for 35M there should be some serious questions asked, given he has 4 years on his contract.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:22 am171Lars

Snir, I will not give up in my attempts to give you some peace of mind 🙂

My experience is that “people who are supposedly in the know” usually know very, very little and if they happen to be correct it is just a coincidence. The ones who really do know stuff rarely says all that much, and especially so for clubs at the very top. People “in the know” have claimed to know about the imminent sale of Cesc for years, and they still haven’t been correct.

I would also suggest you read today’s Arseblog, it is a very good one.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:24 am172Snir Geuli

As I said @67 – it would be a total outrage.

He’s got 4 years on his contract – Increases value.

He’s played 22 league games last season – Decreases value.

He created the most scoring chances in the league even though playing just 22 games – Increases value!!!!

He’s got dodgy hamstrings – Decreases value.

He’s a one club market – Decreases value.

He’s going to a club who purchased Ibrahimovic for 45+Etoo, Alexis Sanches for 35, David Villa for 34 and are offering 35 for Rossi – Increases value by at least 30Million.

All things considered, if we take anything less than 60Million it would be an outrage providing Cesc didn’t become impatient and hassle AW to agree a fee by any means necessary.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:26 am173imissbergkamp

Phil Jones for £16m, Jordan Henderson for £20m, Andy Carroll for £35m, Torres for £50m & the bastards want our captain and one of the world’s best midfielder for £35m…is this me or does it stink, if it does happen.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:26 am174Snir Geuli

Lars – Temporary peace of mind granted 😀

The best thing for me to do is just lock myself up in the secure unit. This is unbearable.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:29 am175Snir Geuli

@173 – Although I agree with you re Cesc being more than 35Mil, these aren’t the reasons, since the English market is way different, mainly because of the HG rule therefore Englishmen are overpriced.

That’s exactly why all the examples I gave @172 were international transfers, that way AFC could haggle it up, but it all depends on IG and judging by his form on BTA4 we’re in big trouble :).
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:40 am176zicoinexile

Snir, I don’t see what relevance “international” transfers have to do with it – Cesc plays in England – Torres is the benchmark for prices – if Barcelona wanted, say, Wayne Rooney do you really think that Utd would let him go for less than they would sell him to Chelsea?

We know what he is worth to us, and how much he would cost to replace so lets not beat around the bush quoting peanuts prices.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:41 am177imissbergkamp

@ Snir 174 – i really hope that with the long drawn summer saga that this has been, the Arsenal don’t just get fed up & sell.

Along with a lot of other wrongs, it would send out a message that we are a soft club willing to sell at knockdown prices if pressurized enough.

@ Lars 171 – i think you have the nail on the head with your post and also that there is a lot of gibberish on twitter.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:43 am178Snir Geuli

Lars – Read the today’s arseblog, and two things immediately came to mind.

1) Problem is, the people I read on twitter are followed by arseblog and from what I see he believes their word and interacts with them (as opposed to those he was writing about) which worries me even more actually :\.

2) He stated exactly the way I would like Arsenal to act but I just don’t see that happening. I don’t see us tell them to CUoCO, I don’t see us rejecting the last offer (35Mil with add-ons – 40Mil).

I feel sick.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:49 am179Snir Geuli

Zico – Chelsea’s prices aren’t market prices. They use a tactic that is different than any other club apart from City.

Instead of bidding a low bid and going up, they intend to bid way higher and get an acceptance right away.

That’s exactly why they would bid 40Mil for Neymar (do you really see AW bidding 40Mil on a prospect? And make no mistake about it, Neymar is just a prospect for now – Plus, you can count on your hand the number of successful Brazilians in the EPL).

To make myself clear – I agree with everyone who says that 35Mil is an outrage, and I even suggested it should be a reason for another black scarf walk, but I DO understand the reasons Barca are offering 35Mil.

They are rude, cocky, and full of themselves and they think that because Cesc wants out and they’re a one club market it decreases his value.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:57 am180zicoinexile

Whether you like it or not, Chelsea’s prices ARE market prices – that is why Phil Jones cost what he did, and various other “overpriced” players.

Seems to me if Barcelona want to play in that market then they have to accept the price inflation like everyone else. That is why selling for £35m for a guy with 4 years on his contract.

We need to show some balls…..
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:58 am181zicoinexile

…for 4 years on his contract is madness…..it should have said.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:05 am182imissbergkamp

@ Zico – totally agree with you…need to show some mettle off the field.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:06 am183Snir Geuli

Zico – They do accept. 40 for Neymar and Alexis Sanches is way(!!!!) overpriced.

They’re taking advantage of their situation, a one club market and Cesc’s wish to move.

If I was IG I would say 80Mil or fuck off. But unfortunately none of us are, I can’t help but think that Cesc is trying to privately pressure AW to cave in.

The reports seem different than last year where they offered 36Mil and it was met with a resound no, now it’s being negotiated even though the offer is 35Mil and talks are being held.

I love Cesc to death, but I can’t help but think he’s behind this.

I can’t see one logical reason why our stance has changed from last season apart from that, and if that isn’t the case and we accept anything less than 60Mil IG should get the sack.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:10 am184Snir Geuli

Zico – I agree wholeheartedly, we HAVE to show some balls, and we did show some last year, this year it’s different, that’s what’s killing me, I don’t really get it, don’t know why we’re caving in.

What’s the difference from last season to this one?!

Please IG, the Holic bar is asking you to show some balls!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:22 am185Snir Geuli

Oh and Zico – http://lpgpodcast.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/332/
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:29 am186zicoinexile

Cheers Snir,

incredibly different version to what our media have quoted, that’s for sure and yet despite these quotes, you think Cesc is agitating?

That makes the situation even less palatable, I guess.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:32 am187Snir Geuli

Zico – To be honest I don’t know what to think.

At first I thought he isn’t, then I thought he is, now I think he isn’t.

I just don’t see a reason why our stance has changed from a resolute no to holding talks over 35Mil.

Maybe you can help me figure it out? What do you think the reason for it is?

You see now why I need the Secure Unit:)?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:34 am188True Storey

Good morning ‘Holic & ‘Holics,

The ceiling was surprisingly comfortable last night….

Lots of debate re: our captain. IF we agree to sell him, I cannot see anyway that we will let Cesc go for anything other than a proper price given his 4 year contract. £35M is not it unless we’re offered a player or two as well as the dosh. There’s just no way Arsenal wouldn’t cut a decent deal if we agreed to sell our current star player – to me it makes no sense whatsoever regardless of whatever Cesc’s feelings are right now.

I also cannot see us selling Nasri to Manure but far stranger and more upsetting things have happened. Actually, maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Cannot bear the thought of Nasri leaving us for one of our biggest rivals.

On that cheery note, the bar is open and LISB 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:41 am189True Storey

Lars @ #171,

Wise words, agree 100%.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:42 am190True Storey

zico @ #167

I’m more of a tenor. Would you like a recording? You’d have to be a dog to be able to hear it though…
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:47 am191zicoinexile

I’ll be your dog……

err, on second thoughts…..

I think I need some medicine.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:52 am192Snir Geuli

TS, Zico, Someone!

What do you think the reason our stance has changed from last season and we’re actually holding talks with those cunts?

This saga has literally made me crazy.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:54 am193takeabowson

Did someone mention medicine ? 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:59 am194zicoinexile

Snir,

Assuming the stance HAS changed, then I can only assume it is because we are needing cash to secure our own targets (having so far failed to shift “the deadwood”).

Maybe time for the not so vociferous Stan to shell out some working capital!!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:01 am195Steve T

If we sell Cesc for £35 million then I for one fill be fuming. I think if that happens it will be a massive embarrassment and just show we can be bullied by anyone who wants to flex their muscles. I think it is time for us as a club to grow a pair and man up.

Less than a week before pre season and we still face the real prospect of losing 3 senior players. To date we have brought in a kid from charlton. I can’t be the only one sat thinking, what the fuck is going on?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:14 am196zicoinexile

Steve T, well said.

Snir, fear not, you won’t be lonely in the secure unit. Consider it your welcome into the Chemical Family 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:16 am197Snir Geuli

They need cash? Then start pimping Denilson, Bendtner, Squillaci, Eboue, Rosicky, Almunia and Arshavin to every club in Europe.

They’ll get their cash alright.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:21 am198True Storey

Steve T @ #195 – No, you’re not alone but there HAS to be a plan otherwise some very bright and senior people are going to look very silly indeed. I’m trying to trust the fact that we know what we’re doing.

Snir @ #192 – My guess, it’s a perfect tactic for getting Farca to CUoCO. We know Cesc wants to return home (esp. whilst we’re not winning things) so we should be able to get a handsome deal now – he’s a player in his prime with 4 years on his contract – esp. before the FFP system kicks in. I think Dr. tabs has some medicine to help soothe your nerves 😉

zico @ #191 – There a chain and collar waiting for you on top of the CMC. The food bowl’s in the corner.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:22 am199zicoinexile

Realistically Snir, how much do you think we will get on the market for those players (excluding Arshavin who I don’t think is for sale)?

Are we asking too much or has the rest of Europe conceded that these players are all “shit” as Le Groan continually tells us and hence the reason we have heard nothing?

Serious question.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:23 am200zicoinexile

Its a double century and the ball flies to the boundary throught the covers……

Indulge me, sports fans 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:25 am201takeabowson

Morning All ,

Trev@148 – not sure it deserved a second reading , but thanks anyway .

Now as regards Captain Fab , calm down Ladies . Let your Uncle Tabs explain all .

Summer 2010 , Cesc wants to leave , goes public but stops short of putting in a transfer request . After a little heart-to-heart with Arsene , he agrees to stay . Maybe there is a Gentleman’s agreement that the Club will consider reasonable offers in 12 months time , if our trophyless period continued . We are now at that point .

The Club cannot therefore be seen in Public to be adopting a hardline CuoCo stance , as they would be breaking the Gentlemans Agreement of 12 months earlier , which would probably provoke Captain Fab into providing unwanted headlines .

Arsenal will let him go this close season at market value . We can all argue for more , but I suspect that at this moment in time , that is £45m , bearing in mind Arsenal’s earlier promise to listen to reasonable offers for him .

Arsene knows Barca wont pay£45m , so makes confident pronouncements that Fab is staying . It should be noted that whilst AW has said that he will ” battle ” to keep Samir , he feels no need to say the same about Fab , merely saying that he will be at the club next season , much the same as he said every season with PV4 , until he sold him without any ” transfer saga ” and surprised everyone .

Throughout this whole sorry saga there is not one direct and named quote from anyone at Arsenal other than Arsene saying he wont be going . Good enough for me .

PS Can we have a Gentleman’s agreement not to use Twitter as a “reliable source ” on these pages .

Snir – Welcome to the Secure Unit . I agree , it’s an outrage 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:29 am202zicoinexile

tabs, since when did you become the voice of reason?

The world just became a very scary place, people. Acid in the water supply by lunchtime would be my guess.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:30 am203zicoinexile

Just a glass of water, Barman. 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:31 am204takeabowson

I’m just chilled Dr Z 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:33 am205zicoinexile

Me too now, *sip*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:37 am206Lars

*tries to erase mental image of True Storey holding a chain attached to the collar around zico’s neck*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:39 am207Snir Geuli

Tabs – Thanks, I’m sure you’ll provide me with the right medicine over at the Secure Unit :D.

Zico – Honestly? Denilson could go for 4, Bendtner 10, Squillaci 2, Almunia 3, Rosicky 5.

Look around, shit players are being dealt for ridiculous prices in this league.

It seems as though City are getting Clichy for 7Mil.

Now we can go for my summer wish, Leighton Baines, now that’s a LB who can cross! Excellent player.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:44 am208Lars

Where does this notion that we “are holding talks” with Barca come from? I have not seen anything that indicates that we actually are other than David Hytner’s wet dreams in the Guardian. Barca have lodged another bid and have allegedly said that they hope that it will be enough, but then again they said “the deal should be done before the weekend” more than a year ago. Any bid from Barca has been met with a resounding no and as far as I can tell we have never presented any kind of counter-proposal either.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:48 am209Snir Geuli

Lars – That’s what I understood from every reporter that covers AFC.

Jeremy Wilson (Telegraph), Matt Law (Express), John Cross (Mirror) etc.

I know journalists are wrong a lot and just look to sell papers but is everyone wrong? No smoke without a fire?

I just remember seeing different reports from these same reporters last season…
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:49 am210zicoinexile

Lars @ 206, he couldn’t control a Rottweiler like me, so you can relax!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:50 am211takeabowson

Well said Lars . It’s just all Smoke and Mirrors .
on 30 Jun 2011 at 11:53 am212zicoinexile

Smoke and mirrors? a tabs fantasy if ever there was one 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:01 pm213True Storey

Lars @ #206 – Super heh! But that’s your warped mind going into overdrive 🙂

zico @ #210 – Perish the thought Fido. Actually I was thinking it might be for special nights on TSC when BGFS/TBFS wants to play ‘bury the bone’ 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:03 pm214takeabowson

Snir – no smoke without fire ? Is that a serious question ? 🙂

DrZ – I’ll stick to my fantasy , you stick to your dog bowl malarkey 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:04 pm215Lars

Snir, I can not for the life of me understand why someone like John Cross is given such importance. He is the perfect example of the know-it-alls who proclaimed Cescs departure last summer. “He has played his last game for the club”, “this could get ugly” and such was just some of the things he said. He was, basically, wrong about everything he wrote last summer. Oh, and wasn’t he also the one who claimed to know that we had agreed a deal for Joe Cole as well? Even if he wasn’t, that is another example of things that were proclaimed as done and dusted but wasn’t.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:05 pm216Snir Geuli

Galliani (AC Milan Vice-President) just said on acmilan.com “FFabregas will not join us because he will join a different club”.

Question is, when ;)?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:08 pm217True Storey

tabs @ #201

Agree with zico (aka KDOF), some super sensible stuff from you this morning. Nothing a trip to the Secure Unit and 10 minutes with zico’s nurse couldn’t fix .

Re: Cesc (again!) – If it’s ‘good enough for you’ then it’s good enough for me. He stays another season, hurrah! Now what about young Samir? If we sell him, let it be ABM – Anywhere but Manure. Thoughts?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:10 pm218Lars

Storey, MY warped mind? Well, I guess it takes on to know one 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:11 pm219Snir Geuli

Tabs – You know what I meant 😀

Lars – I actually have a DM from John Cross on my twitter saying that AFC won’t sell.

In any case, no matter what, if we take anything less than 60Mil it would be a disgrace and people at the club will have a lot of explaining to do (even though it will fall on deaf ears).

Can see lifting the EPL title with Cesc, having a hard time seeing that without Cesc. It would be a huge loss, and there is no player in the world capable of replacing him, no matter who we buy from the money we get for him.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:12 pm220True Storey

Lars @ #215

Well said again. It’s all about journos and news agencies being good at their job. As long as we keep clicking, they’ll keep writing, regardless of the facts. I’m used to reading sensible stuff from you. As for others…. 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:14 pm221True Storey

Lars @ #218

Completely guilty as charged 🙂

You’ve got to admire the chutzpah though….
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:21 pm222True Storey

To All

Another sensible(?) poser: Assuming Cesc stays, should he remain as captain? Does he want to be captain?

Just throwing it out there….
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:22 pm223Snir Geuli

Don’t make as if I take everything the media write as gospel, I’m just telling you their attitude about all this has changed.

And about the twitter guys, it’s people Holic and Arseblogger follow and interact with, that has to count for something, doesn’t it :)?

I’m just updating you guys 😀

Now, for LB, who would you want? Baines, Izzaguire, Enrique or Gibbs? Or maybe TV5 as LB?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:29 pm224Snir Geuli

Tough question TS.

On the field he’s as committed as anyone. Off the field, people can question but I feel once the saga ends (for the time being) he will be totally concentrated on the club that pay his wages, therefore still committed (at least until the next summer).

In my opinion he should stay captain. Just think of the ramifications if he’s no longer captain. It would be a huge insult for him inside the dressing room.

In case he doesn’t it should be RvP and TV5 vice captain. RvP has come out and blasted everyone who isn’t Arsenal since the offseason started, I think he wants to show some kind of leadership abilities to get the armband.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:35 pm225takeabowson

TS@217

Uncle Tabs also knows the answer to this one .

Won’t add to the Manure Twitter rumours . Blogs over on Arseblog has already done that very well .

The club set a date for July 1st for Nasri to resign . If he signs all well and good . If he doesn’t sign , he will be listed .

Arsenal will then seek to get the best price available for him from Abroad . There is not a cat in Hell’s chance he will go to Utd this Summer . Situation is not analagous to Frank Stapleton who was out of contract when he went to Utd .

If either he refuses to re-sign or go to a club of Arsenal’s choosing , he will be threatened with being stuck in the Reserves .

A game of bluff and Counter bluff , where with the Euros next Summer , the stakes are high for Nasri . Arsenal’s hand isn’t as bad as many think .

I am sure he will re-sign , though perhaps only after being listed .
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:36 pm226Lars

Snir, I do wonder how Vermaelen would work out on the left. He plays there for Belgium and did so for Ajax at times so he’s not unused to the position. However, I fear that we will not have enough use of his attacking abilities if he plays out there. He can’t do his marauding runs down the middle and he can’t use his shot as effectively either. On the other hand, if he is defensively more solid than Clichy then maybe that will cancel out the need for his attacking skills.

Gibbs has to stay fit for more than ten minutes first, if he does that then I think he could be our guy. On those occasions where has had continuous runs in the first team he has done very well.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:41 pm227True Storey

tabs,

Blogs wrote this today:

“….and the Arsenal board overruling Arsene Wenger? Yeah, you might as well have said the Arsenal board had a meeting during which they consumed more opium than a gigantic Sherlock Holmes before cannibalising Ken Friar in a poppy frenzy.”

Have you been collaborating on Episode 5 of BTA?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:47 pm228Snir Geuli

Lars – Re Gibbs, I see a lot of naivety in his defensive play, it’s clear he grew up a midfielder and not LB from the way he closes down.

To be honest I’d be willing to compromise on a LB being less capable defensively if he could cross.

AFC have about 70% of the possession, meaning our back 4 don’t have to deal a whole lot with defensive situations like in other clubs, so they have to be capable defensively and on set pieces, don’t have to be the best defenders in the world.

On the other hand, our attacking game relies a lot on our defender’s runs, so I’d like to see a change in our game and getting good crosses to RvP (who’s heading ability and technique is very under-rated), Chamakh and Gervinho (providing we play 4-4-2 and he’ll be in the box instead of stuck on the wing).
on 30 Jun 2011 at 12:53 pm229True Storey

Uncle tabs @ #225 – Thanks a bunch. Really good set of logical thoughts based on facts. Very hard to argue against. I think he’ll end up staying too after further brinkmanship. I also think that if he comes out all guns blazing in August, like he did last year, we’ll forgive him his antics pretty quickly.

Snir @ #224 – Good points, thanks for responding. If he prefers not to be captain (could be a number of reasons), RVP is the logical choice as VC. Maybe one of our new signings will prove to be good Captain/VC material?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:13 pm230zicoinexile

A full back that could cross……wouldn’t that be a wonderous thing?

I remember one goal coming from a right back cross last season (Chamakh from BS cross first minute away to Wolves) and no goals coming from a cross from our left back.

I’m sure there must have been more (“old age don’t come itself” as mother zico says) but anyone care to remind me of specifics, as our full backs “crossing” is pretty poor in my humple op!

*sip*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:19 pm231Steve T

Lars at 215. I have it from a very reliable source that Joe Cole had a medical at the club and had a deal in place. His signing was then down to if Cesc stayed or went. I can’t say anymore than that. You will just have to trust me.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:21 pm232True Storey

zico @ #230

Clichy to Song for our last minute winner against The Hammers @ home?

Yes, we need more of it. Maybe TV5 @ LB is a possible answer to answer Snir’s poser too. Depends who we buy as a CB. A Cahill type might allow us to try Tommy as LB. A Samba type? I’d say no.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:24 pm233True Storey

Steve T @ #231

Looking at JC’s form last season I’d say we dodged that bullet 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:26 pm234Steve T

TS. I think you are spot on. Hindsight is a wonderful gift.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:29 pm235Snir Geuli

Zico – Sorry to disappoint you – It was Song who crossed that ball.

Speaking of that goal, Rosicky’s spin was the Rosicky of old… Beautifully built goal.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:35 pm236Snir Geuli

TS – When you say Cahill type and Samba type what exactly do you mean? Haven’t seen much of Cahill so don’t really know what he’s like.

And I’m assuming you don’t want TV5 at LB with Samba at CB because of lack of pace? Well we got Kos and he’s as gutsy and brave as TV and recovers very well from bad positioning when it occurs (although doesn’t happen that often).
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:48 pm237True Storey

Snir @ #236,

Correct but just an opinion. Cahill looks to be more mobile, better with his feet, less of a lump to defend and attack at set pieces. I rate Kos but he’s not the finished article. He might be developed into a decent DM?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:53 pm238True Storey

Steve T @ #234

Yes, 20:20 hindsight is a wonderful thing.

BTW, I heard last summer that JC was talked out of joining Arsenal by Gerrard and co. whilst on WC duties. It must be true…
on 30 Jun 2011 at 1:53 pm239Snir Geuli

How can finish the article if you don’t write it :D?

He’s really impressed me at times (against passing clubs such as Chelsea, Barca, Man U) and really disappointed me at times (against the rugby teams).

I just think that TV5’s style is just what you described Cahill as and I’d put Kos in that same description so in that case we could play with Samba and Kos and TV as LB, it’d be interesting to see how it’d work.

This is all assuming that we don’t my summer wish Leighton Baines or Jose Enrique (haven’t seen him at all, but don’t like right footed LB AT ALL).
on 30 Jun 2011 at 2:14 pm240zicoinexile

@ Snir, wow, the memory does indeed play tricks. So did Sagna manage one crossing assist in 2010-11?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 2:39 pm241behind the 8 ball but not nasri

There appears to be little of actual news around today but this story may provide a little culinary interest: Meite joins French newcomers Dijon
Does this mean he will cut the mustard and will he add a little extra spice?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 2:40 pm242behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Sorry if off topic, I guess the culinary post was a few days ago …
on 30 Jun 2011 at 2:47 pm243True Storey

Spotters badge for you today ‘nasri. Hot stuff?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:04 pm244takeabowson

DR Z @240 – From memory , up at Newcastle for Van Persie
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:11 pm245Snir Geuli

Zico – I’ve checked Wikipedia and they say he had 3 assists this season. I can only remember 2, 1 to Diaby vs. Blackpool at home, 1 to VP at Newcastle (although it was deflected a bit).

I couldn’t find the third…
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:12 pm246takeabowson

Nas@242 🙂

TS@227 – Yes , Blogs ‘ quote made me smile too 🙂
229 – I think the fans will forgive him pretty quickly as long as the brinkmanship doesn’t go as far as a transfer-listing . If it does go that far , i think he’ll have to suffer a period of indifference , similar to Cashley in his last 6 months , before being welcomed back into the fold .
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:18 pm247takeabowson

TS @217 KDOF ?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:47 pm248True Storey

tabs,

King Dom Of Fife. He appears to be avoiding me today despite my best efforts. Maybe it was the dog references…. 😉

The rest of Blogs’ post today a corker – sanity in a sea of panic and frustration. Recalling the Paddy situation in the early noughties is, I think, an excellent parallel to the Cesc situation.

However, I really think he owes you a ‘tip of the hat’ for that boardroom excursion into a Sherlock Holmes frequented opium den.

If you reading this Blogs, how about it? 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 3:57 pm249True Storey

you’re not you…. innit?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:00 pm250True Storey

….And the batsman from the Secure Unit knocks up his quarter thousand whilst poking a two-fingered salute at the double century man 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:02 pm251zicoinexile

There is only one King Dom of Fife and that is the great BtM – well known raconteur, puntastic wordsmith (and Timelord).

Not ignoring you TS, but not standing to heel either 😉

*sip*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:13 pm252takeabowson

Indeed . PV4 went a lot further than Fab , what with his Mirror exclusive and his stated intention to go to Manure , who in those premiership days , free of bent Russian money , and inherited Arab squillions were the only oppo around . And yet Paddy is revered and rightly so .

Fab has behaved impeccably .

Nasri hasn’t done much wrong … yet .

Yet people want to slate them , the manager and the Board , based on nothing more than ” journalistic ” speculation masquerading as fact .

Funny old World ! Give me the drug-inspired surrealism of ants and Hornets any day 🙂

I think Dr Z has got his head too far in the Dog Bowl to properly engage today 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:14 pm253takeabowson

Ah you’re back Dr Z , there’s a good Doggie 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:16 pm254zicoinexile

tabs

Are you suggesting that, in ‘Holic’s words, I may in some way, be barking?

I’m still on water.

*sip*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:17 pm255takeabowson

Dr Z back on form I see 🙂 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:20 pm256Snir Geuli

Now this is hilarious, truly one of the funniest things ever.

http://tribalfootball.com/articles/man-city-offer-arsenal-ace-cesc-12m-a-year-plus-private-jet-1728511

Man City are crazy.

http://tribalfootball.com/articles/barcelona-demand-arsenal-include-toral-bellerin-cesc-fee-1728331

This on the other hand is plain rude.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:21 pm257True Storey

tabs @ #252
Yup, insects over ‘creative journos’ any day. Come to think of it, are they that disimilar?

zico @ #254
From inside this bar, you look perfectly sane.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:29 pm258Holloway2Holland

Bloody hell, I feel totally paraletic after wading through all those drinks, better just order a glass of water. Thoughorly enjoyed BtM’s previous offering and had a good laugh at the latest BTA and caught up on all the acronyms. (If you miss a post or two you can get lost here)

I’m not particulary fond of the new away kit, though I suppose I’ll get used to it, I didn’t like last years one much either, Arsenal away will always be yellow and blue for me.

I got some good news in the mail yesterday when July’s scheduale for one of my sports channels arrived. They’re broadcasting the Emirates Cup in it’s entirity, good stuff and an early chance for me to get a look at next years PL champions 🙂

Well, my glass is still half full, but top it up anyway.

=====
My heartfelt condolences go out to Chippy.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:37 pm259takeabowson

Bien Sur , TS , ze insects ave ze greater mental strength 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:39 pm260takeabowson

Hey H2H , is that a vodka top-up you require ? 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:43 pm261Holloway2Holland

Chuck it in there mate, I thought that water tasted “funny” anyway.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:46 pm262takeabowson

Very wise 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 4:57 pm263True Storey

Oui mon tabs, zey walk ‘igher above ze ground aussi 🙂

H2H – have a second on me to keep you at least half-full. Vodka no water, right?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:05 pm264zicoinexile

The water tastes just fine – still waiting on its magical qualities to arrive though.

*sip*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:10 pm265True Storey

zico,

Remind me, pretty please, what we are supposed to be injecting into the mains (not veins) today?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:16 pm266zicoinexile

TS – see # 202 and think Summer of Love 🙂

*sip*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:18 pm267True Storey

Ahhh, I see said the blind man. 🙂

*Rushes to tap, pours glass, sips and waits…..*
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:21 pm268True Storey

tabs,

I think we might need some..er…tabs 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:32 pm269Austrian Gooner

Clichy and Nasri to Man City sounds familiar ie Toure and Barndoor, maybe we have a direct debit set up with city to pay off the stadium
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:33 pm270zicoinexile

heh, TS very good.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:41 pm271True Storey

Ouch! Austrian @ #269.

But I’ll eat my schnitzel if both of those deals goes through 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:45 pm272takeabowson

Tabs here
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:47 pm273Austrian Gooner

TS Would you like chips with the schnitzel
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:48 pm274True Storey

Heh tabs! 🙂

Whoa! Why is my keyboard growing a moustache and blowing raspberries at me form the other side of my office? Hang-on, IG & IPA are now peering at me thru’ the windows.

I’ll go and investigate….
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:52 pm275True Storey

Heh Austrian! 🙂

As you can see, I’m a Boorish Brit so salt, vinegar and fish are preferred.

Have to admit though, have some very fond memories of Wien in the winter. Are you anywhere near that fine city?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 5:56 pm276takeabowson

Very good TS 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 6:02 pm277True Storey

OK, so we’ll put the keyboard ‘experiences’ down to tabs 😉

However, IG & IPA are requesting new pipes for the board.

tabs, can you box a couple up (deluxe models please), send me your address and they’ll be over in the AFC limo in about 30 mins to collect? They’ll knock 3 times and use the password ‘dahlingz’. IG looks a bit rough. Had to offer him a glass of water…. oh…..
on 30 Jun 2011 at 6:04 pm278Austrian Gooner

TS

No about 3 hours south of there but as an expat I much prefer fish and chips also
on 30 Jun 2011 at 6:08 pm279True Storey

Austrian

Oops! Should have checked first I guess. Please have a stiff one on my tab to compensate. 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 6:11 pm280Austrian Gooner

TS No worries I thought you would have realised by my impeccable English!!I think if there is any truth in the above it had better be a bottle of Schnaps in true Austrian style
on 30 Jun 2011 at 6:12 pm281takeabowson

TS i’m outta here before you overdose 🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 6:17 pm282True Storey

Schnaps it is Austrian. Cheers!

tabs, me too. It’s fat b’stards 5-a-side night tonight so off to have some fun and aid the deterioration of my joints. Laters….
on 30 Jun 2011 at 7:20 pm283Olliski

A quick hello and round of vodka for the familiar faces.

on Lars’ tab, of course 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 7:34 pm284noel73

Wow, some of ye really know how to wile away the day…am trying not to put my foot through the tv as Sky tell me they ‘ understand ‘ that Arsenal are selling half there players…cue reporter outside Maine road…any word from the club reporter?…um no but we did speak to some of their fans ( non plussed with the idea of getting Nasri I must say.) Fucking pathetic….It was so much easier without these new forms of trash media…my blood is just about ready for a tea bag..pint bottle bulmers plenty of ice please….hellllllooo sunshine
on 30 Jun 2011 at 7:50 pm285Olliski

I’m glad I’m away from the media all day at the moment.

Twitter, facebook, Sky…. it’s a shitfield.

So I come back in the evening, check a few websites and grow more indifferent every day.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:00 pm286behind the 8 ball but not nasri

noel73, I think they want to get their drinks in prior to our first real signing. Not that we should expect it especially soon. Ollie, Is there no trash media in Poland? Maybe that’s why they have such an advanced society. 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:03 pm287iLars

On a train that’s an hour late and hot as hell. Could someone hand me a pint of cold, wonderful beer?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:05 pm288behind the 8 ball but not nasri

Cold beer you say Lars? Here’s a virtual one. Minnesota hot today too. I guess summer has arrived in the north.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:06 pm289Olliski

Heh. I’m sure there must be.
Hopefully I’ll be able to investigate the culture a bit more and visit whatever there is to visit this weekend.

So far it’s been hotel-work-hotel.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:07 pm290Olliski

Sure, iLars, you’re paying so no problem ;P

Chilled as you like.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:08 pm291iLars

Cheers, 8ball!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:09 pm292iLars

Oh, and cheerski, Ollski!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:23 pm293And Lester

Clichy, possibly Naz and maybe even Cescelona basque kit case: we are so shiny new stadium skint that we can’t afford to tie down what have been staples of the side these past few years OR Le Prof has rediscovered his Arse Mojo and concocted some dastardly, genius plan for Arse 1V – The Return To The Top – and is craftily easing the above out, and some others, to make way for the new breed in their iffy new away kit.
I’m going with the latter till I get Le proof of something different.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:25 pm294zicoinexile

Is all of this on the iTab, iLars?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 8:39 pm295behind the 8 ball but not nasri

And Lester, Your optimism is sounding good. Maybe there is a genius plan at work under our noses which we are ignoring due to the advanced decibel level of the naysayers’ constant drone. The Return To The Top, you say?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:06 pm296Trev

Good Gawd alive! Having just read all the drinks I can now hardly see to write anything – someone else said something similar – H2H ? – about 200 posts ago.

Tabs – would you mind not ruining all the excitement of this window with all this considered logic, please ?

Snir – a gentle word of advice – “calm down dear, it’s only press speculation”.

For Snir and others, a true story of how impossible it is to read the transfer market –

Two and a bit weeks ago, a Spud with a neck injury I was treating, told me that the day before, he had been playing golf with an ex-Chelsea goalkeeper. During the round the ex-Chelsea man had received a text from a ceretain Chelsea player to tell him that the new Chelsea manager had been chosen.

The ex-Chelsea keeper was congratulated on the fact that he would soon be back working at the club again, as he was the usual goalkeeping coach employed by the “new manager”.

Hence my post, at the time, “announcing ” who the new Chelsea boss was to be.

Suffice to say that, in the intervening 17 days, it is now clear that NEITHER man is, in fact, to be employed by the club.

So much for transfer NEWS !!

I am quite happy to supply actual names if anyone is interested, and if ‘Holic is comfortable with that.

He may well prefer it if I do not.

Upshot of all this ?

Chill, Snir, and wait for the real stuff.

When you see other team’s players in our shirts, or vice versa, then we may or may not rejoice or panic together.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:12 pm297zicoinexile

Oh come on Trev, “wait for the real stuff” where would the fun be in that?

If there are no games to get all hot and bothered about, we may as well get all hot and bothered over the media frenzy.

I really DO hope there is a plan, though, as suggested by And Lester above.

Interest you in a pint – you can feed me some rumours 😉
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:18 pm298Trev

I’ll join you zico – cheers.

Two good things about all the rumours surrounding Arsenal players, again –

Firstly, it means we have all the best players, as usual, ref, Henry, Vieira, Adams (to ManUre remember), Bergkamp etc, etc, and now Cesc and Nasri, and,

Secondly, if the papers weren’t full of crap about our players every day, we may have to spend the whole summer reading about Fat Boy Rooney or some bleeding Spud.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:24 pm299Trev

Just tarting for 300.
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:25 pm300Trev

Yay!!!
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:30 pm301zicoinexile

Unfortunately, as he reached 300 his wayward batting partner ran him out…..

🙂
on 30 Jun 2011 at 9:54 pm302zicoinexile

Latest quotes from AW a tad worrying?

“There is nothing moving yet. The period will be more active at the end of July when we will need to really strengthen the team.”

Given we have 2 extra European games immediately after the season starts, er, should we not be strengthening the team NOW, Arsene?

Smoke and mirrors?
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:17 pm303And Lester

Aye Nas @295 and maybe beyond – ‘his name is Arsene Wenger he wears a magic’ etc ..
on 30 Jun 2011 at 10:29 pm304takeabowson

Trev @296 ,

The really important thing to know is , did you do your duty and crock the Spud ?
on 05 Jul 2011 at 2:29 pm305Teddy Bass

“We have had worse kits”.I can’t remember when .This is absolutely fucking terrible.

Goonerholic

Eat, sleep, breathe, drink, Arsenal

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