Half-Full Glasses, And Reinvestment To Follow Udinese Test, Please?
Aug 23rd, 2011 by 'holic
So much to consider today, brevity is likely to be a desirable objective that I will fail to hit.
First up is a preview of the vital Champions League meeting with Udinese. Twenty-four hours ago the options were better than they appear tonight. The midfield, an area for concern, looks threadbare again following the departure of Nasri and the ‘setback’ suffered by Jack Wilshere. With Johan Djourou able to start at the back I would imagine Alex Song will accompany Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky in the centre, with support on the flanks from Gervinho and either Theo Walcott or Andrey Arshavin.
That set up looks vulnerable if your glass is half-empty, or capable of setting up the away goal we desperately need if you are more optimistic. Dare I suggest some of us occupy the entirely more scary middle ground! We witnessed the Italians direct threat through the midfield last week, so hopefully plans will be in place to counter that in the second-leg.
What of the ‘holic pound? I don’t mind admitting a draw attracts me tomorrow night, and I will not back my team to not win. The away goal is critical to that I think, so I’m looking at my usual value in the anytime scorer market. The aforementioned Djourou has been known to miss the occasional farm building entrance from point blank range in his time, but may benefit from Vermaelen taking markers away from him at set pieces. A price of 18/1 is probably fair, but worth an affordable punt I reckon. Surely he is due to double his career tally for the club at some stage of this season?
Nasri Goes, And We Look Even More Exposed.
I cannot ignore the farewell to Samir Nasri, which on top of the departures of Fabregas, Eboue, and Clichy, and the loan deal for Denilson, leaves us with what looks like an imbalanced squad for the season ahead. With a week of the transfer window remaining we are also expecting to lose Almunia and Bendtner to complete the list I was given back in May of those not likely to be with us in the new season. We have lost a mixture of quality and experience that does not appear to have been adequately replaced as yet, and so many feel those qualities were already in too short supply at the tail end of last season.
I must say at this point there is a week left to produce the new signings also hinted at earlier. I feel the overwhelming urge to scream “I told you so” as I fear there is insufficient time and negotiating resource at the club to bring in the number of new signings that so many now agree are desirable. I say that not to appear some sort of online smartarse, but a committed and passionate Gooner who so wants the best for our club.
I don’t buy the ‘Wenger and board are at loggerheads’ stories. These are professional people all, who will not agree on every aspect of the business, but do have an established working relationship that is evolving. I do totally understand the root of such speculation however. This board have a week to demonstrate (by their actions, not words) that the unspent portion of the player trading account, and the additional income from the recent sales, will be made available for the strengthening of what appears to be our weakest squad in nearly twenty years.
In modern business speak, the ‘core business’ of this organisation is football. It is the team first and foremost that the members are paying vastly increased sums for the coming season to watch and support. The reasons for those increases now look hollow. In the week that follows there is an opportunity for the club to once again justify those rises by re-investing in the source of our affection, the main reason for our continued custom.
A week from now my love for Arsenal Football Club will not have diminished in any way shape of form. the ‘holicdad carved it in my heart when I was born. I trust the current custodians of this fantastic institution to demonstrate their commitment to the ambitions of those funding the matchday experience. They have told me all summer that the money to strengthen the team is there, and will be spent. I would be extremely sad to witness the repercussions if they don’t.
Give them this week to show they mean business, please.
Arsenal-Land Is Back
I am heading for a one thousandth post, and a fifth birthday of Goonerholic, in the coming days. This wasn’t my first experience of writing online, however. Back in the days when there were altogether fewer Arsenal sites littering the web I cut my teeth, as it were, at Arsenal-Land. In recent years the excellent stuff that they produced has been mothballed, and just a forum presence has remained. I’m delighted that the main site returned this week, and would like to wish Darren and the team all the best. I’m sure they will quickly re-establish their reputation for quality Arsenal views, opinion, and history.
And Finally
Let’s finish with a warm glow. A memory to inspire. Wednesday is not just a vital matchday. It is also the 44th birthday of one Michael Thomas, title-winning idol of this parish in 1989 at Anfield. Many happy ones big man. We’ll never forget.
266 Responses to “Half-Full Glasses, And Reinvestment To Follow Udinese Test, Please?”
1ST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cup of tea thanks
Blame the board NOT Wenger
p.s. bring back Dein
Feeling a Gervinho goal tomorro ‘holic.
i’ll take a mount gay and coke, cheers
“We have lost a mixture of quality and experience that does not appear to have been adequately replaced as yet”
That has got to be the understatement of the decade!
So calm ‘Holic, you’re an example to us all.
I’m not convinced about the consensus between Board and our Manager, but then maybe it is just the internet age that has got us all looking for conspiracies that aren’t actually there.
We will know where we stand in a week – good, bad or indifferent squad, we’ll still want to go watch the Arsenal. And as you know, the Happy Train runs for as long as there’s trophies to play for, even if it means we are rank outsiders to win any of them.
Pint of the black stuff for me and you.
A picture that tells a thousand stories, Even as a still I get goosebumps it dosent come better than that well apart from the lane the lane again and maybe old Trafford lol,
Up The Arse,
PS Hope your Insiders are right on the Transfers Holic
Wrighties, the board and Arsene are pretty much the same entity. Either that or he is a docile ‘yes man’, as he has preached the boards ideas without hesitation at every opportunity. An ideology (the dreadful misguided ‘self sufficiency’ model ) has clearly been devised between all the power brokers and, while some it may have appeared like a sensible approach, anybody with half a brain could see it simply could not work in practice.
This hellish folly is the instrument which has dealt the club an almighty blow this summer. Morons (and yes everyone who trots this out is a moron) who say ‘we only want players at the club who want to play for us) need to be led back to their holding cells. Nobody wants to play for a giant, astoundingly wealthy club who pays wagers like a mid table team . Not the maligned Adebayor. Not Fabregas. Not Nasri and, yes I hate to put it out there, not RVP, Vermaelen or Jack Wileshire.
If the club is able to pay top transfer fees and wages and still be self sufficient, then self sufficiency is great. If it is not, it is this despised stupid policy that needs to be parcelled off. Not our best players. We all know that Usmanov is considerably wealthier than Abramovich. I’ve just read that Wall Mart are the wealthiest company on the planet – its not hard to see where the extra investment shoudl come from.
Its is about time that all Arsenal fans started to demand it.
As you say, our midfield looks threadbare for tomorrows game.
Would it be folly of me to suggest the impressive Frimpong is allowed to play alongside Song in hope that they can form a solid barrier in front of our defence.
Admittedly in a game of such importance, a player with so little first team experience such as Frimpong would not be expected to start but these are far from normal times at present and our options are too few to mention.
Top post ‘Holic. At least Wenger is allowed on the bench for the Udinese game. It’s almost like a new signing. 🙂
from what i’ve heard there will be a true statement from Our die hard away Gooners come sunday..
why we keep turning a blind eye to the destruction of Our Beloved Arsenal is beyond me…
lets remember Wenger’s words…
If we sell both cesc and nasri we will show the World that we’re not longer a Big club…oh my how very true..
We are being lied to,ripped off and all we do is keep smiling and turn the other cheek…
get Kroenke Out…and Gazidis i really dont know how to describe that lying creep…by now i think he will be in some rough weather very soon…one cant just walk in and rip out the heart of Our club,
what a disgraceful figure that fellah is…
i hope soon the AKB’s of the world will understand what is going on…we should stand up together in these hard times…
and Wenger..i did love You..Respect You and Admire You…but now You are just telling more and more lies..Stop it..!!
A remarkable perspective holic! God help
us if van persie gets injured…hopefully s strikers are
on that list!
Sleepinggiant,
Not sure if you are aware of the house rules. I’ll let that that morons tag go this time as it was a generalisation, but I will not have Gooners abusing each other on here.
Discuss with respect, or head for one of the sites that enjoys that type of stuff.
Thanks.
I’m quite concerned with all the drinks being placed on other person’s tabs…my bill last month was staggering (I could hardly keep it on its feet – har, har)
Winstons, I hope the altitude isn’t causing many troubles. Lonestar Farms, LLC looks forward to a strong business relationship! Professor Storey can just sit back and let me handle the llama trade – Zico
Personally, come hell or high water, I’m behind this squad, and I am looking forward to seeing the core of champions that is currently being forged in this crucible…
Drinks all ’round, please guv’nor.
BMD.
and the next one to mention AKB’s can take a hike as well.
Realistically holic,how many players do you think we need and realistically how many players do you think we will sign and what positions.coors lite for me;-)
Joshua 9,
I somehow think the local water bottles wouldn’t agree with you 🙂
Tasos,
Frimpongs got to start he done more in 70 minutes than some have done in 4 years at the club + seeing his heart drive and utter thrill of playing for The Arsenal kinda felt good is this money orientated age oh and that’s without even mentioning the boys a serious talent 😉
*2 strikers that is!
I do wish that I had your sangfroid, ‘holic. Some Oude Jenever for Dutch courage, meinherr!
What a huge game tomorrow is – one we shouldn’t even be involved in as we should have won the league. That’s the ultimate kick in the bollocks, should we end up with Thursday night Channel 5 football.
Come on boys, step up and be counted.
CoYRRR’s
tomstoned.
Here here. That is how most of us feel. But the lies started a long time before Gazidis. Tell me, all of you (like me) who were swayed by the promises that the new stadium would allow us to challenge Real Madrid etc, what do you think now?
We knew it would take a few years to get in financial shape – well, guess what, we are now in good financial shape and what does the club do this summer. Continue a policy of asset stripping which allows a creepy little Spaniard to redicule us in comparison to Chelsea! Chealsea – not even a big club but F”$£$” Chelsea!!!
The way I feel right now, I would love to blow the Emirates to hell and move back to Highbury. If I thought this was the bright future we were promised, I would have told them to stick it.
Not a single penny will be spent if we fail tomorrow.
‘Holic
Sorry, I didn’t realise there were such rules.
But I think it is a point that needs to be made. This is an excuse all small clubs make in order to make their lives tolerable. It is beyond blinkered to think that any player is going to put up with this. Nor should they. Arsenal is the biggest club in Europes biggest city. It is backed by people whose riches are beyond imagining. It has qualified for the CL every single year, and therefore avails of the finances from that competition.
No player wants to be taken advantage of. And rightly so. If one players has a problem, fine, he may be greedy. We have an epidemic of so-called greedy players at Arsenal. Utter garbage. It is the club that is selling them short.
Definitely glass half full for me ‘Holic.
I would like to see Song and Frimpong holding in MF with Ramsey in front of them, although I expect your line-up to be what AW goes with. He’ll use TR7 for experience sake if nothing else.
Doc,
This is not inside info, just a personal view.
I think we need at least one central defender, one left-back, and one midfield playmaker as a minimum. I doubt we have time or resource to do more than three deals. I don’t know if we have three players identified and available in that timeframe.
Additionally I would also have liked another goalkeeper, and another holding midfielder. I suspect Frimpong’s form and Fabianski’s return to fitness will put those off the bottom of the list at Highbury House.
I want any signings to be of first eleven starting quality, not Squillyvestres, if you get my drift.
Danish,
I fear you are correct in that assertion.
sleepinggiant, I recognize that I’m not most of us, but I don’t feel that way.
Sleepy
Has it occurred to you that you may be putting too much store in one online article based on an anonymous “source”.
I doubt that the article was placed with any malice, but sometimes “sources” don’t know as much as they think they know.
sleepinggiant..
no worries mate….be patient..
look at the emirates its called walk away…but i must correct You on one small thing mate…Money?? where is the Money we all speak about..The Money who should have been reinvested in Our Beloved Arsenal…where is it ??have anyone seen it; ?surely not…
Danish Gooner..
sad but true…not that Kroenke and the gang would have invested much anyhow ..
im absolutely shocked that Gooners accept this robbery in plain daylight..
Great post ‘Holic . A black one from me .
Like Dr Z however I still err towards the Boardroom disharmony theory . I say that mindful that I am a mere supporter on the outside looking in , but I just cannot fathom an alternative take on this summers events in order to come up with an alternative logical explanation .
Like Tasos I would also go for the Green but bullish Frimpong tomorrow in order to hopefully provide the additional defensive screen which will probably be required .
Come on you Gunners !
This close season and start could not have gone worse if it had been designed by a rabid spud!
Fuck only knows what is going on at the club.
Wenger is acting like he wants to be sacked, while players are deserting us like no ones business.
Stanley is silent, yet potentially deadly, players are dropping like flies, or getting sent off for fuck all and we still havent seen the signings that we have needed for all summer. And all the time, the twats in the media are sticking the knife into the club and particularly the manager.
Still, we have a game to win and I think we will win it, 2-1; Theo and Vermealen!
Up the Arse!
Nice one Holic, I’ve already imbibed too much mate!
@’Holic – Need some brevity tips, well, don’t come anywhere near me!
I think that you are being balanced and calm beyond the call of duty as ever regarding transfers, or the total lack of them, in the following week. As ever I doff my hat to you for your ability to do this.
Although…
It does bring to mind a saying that a dear friend of mine used to use regularly (prior to commiting suicide, oddly enough)…
“If you are keeping your head whilst all around you are panicking, there is a very grave possibility that you have totally misjudged the gravity of the situation!”
In this case I so, so, so desperately hope that he was wrong.
Anyway, posted this in the drinks on your previous missive about 5 minutes AFTER the bar opened and, as it focused on yet another money-grabbing exiting Gooner, I thought I would dump it here too just for good measure…
“…And just for the record…I think that Citeh are going to get a Toure/Adebayor rooting up the choccy in about six months when they find out that Na$ri wants to go play in Madrid (or Malaga if the truth be known!) and has a hideous drug addiction to go with his horrible cash addiction!
Imagine that! HA! Not to mention how funny it will be when they realise that Clichy cannot defend!!!!!!!!!!! Mancini played in WHICH position?! Aaaahhhh…That explains it then!
Take a quick squizz at this and judge for yourself exactly what size of a c**t Mancini is…
* – “Joining Leicester City in January 2001, Mancini made his Premier League debut against Arsenal at the age of 36, but failed to complete 90 minutes in his five appearances for the club. In early February, he was given leave of absence, citing personal reasons. However, he telephoned the club on 14 February, and informed them he would not be returning to England (he had been offered the manager’s job at Fiorentina). Despite this, he cites his time at Leicester as the period during which he fell in love with the English game, and which later prompted him to accept the job at Manchester City.”
Nowt to do with the cash on offer then?!??! HAHAHA! WANKER!
Seriously, somebody should phone one of the “sheik & vac up all the other teams players” bastards and explain how much fun it would be, exactly, to let a total and utter, never played so much as a semi-pro game in their life, sofa surfing NOBODY manage Citeh for a year and see how many trophies he/she could win given half of the money that Wancini has spent and a salary of, say, 100k per year and a win bonus of 1m per trophy.
Can anybody here honestly tell me that they think that they wouldn’t get at least close to winning something?! I am fecking certain that a CL place and a pot would be well within my grasp and what I know about the real inner workings of a football club would fit on Na$ri’s loyalty bonus paperwork!
Anyway, on a less vitriolic Citeh-hating note, I still think that it’s novel that Chelski fans are “off the hook” regarding tapping up and overpaying players!
Strange times indeed.
(* = Stolen lovingly from Wikipedia.)”
@Lonestar:
You have a point regarding the drinks mate and I think it only fair that I help you out and take my share of the responsibility…
Barman, put all my drinks and the drinks of all Gooners here on…
…Lars’ tab!!!!
🙂
Cheers Holic.
Well we know they have the guts of 70 million for the sales this year alone.
However, as with all the other money that pours into the club, I suspect it is kept under the bed of messrrs Kroenke and friends. CAnt be much room under the bed at this stage.
Winston , great post at the end of the last round of drinks .
A drink of your choice on me .
Hate Twitter rumours, but Cahill move hinted at tonight.
Oh, and Adebaywhore has joined the pikeys at the Lane on loan.
We were so close to winning a trophy last year, we beat Utd, Chelsea & Barca. We only needed to add a couple of quality players in key positions & I feel we could have made the step up this year.
Now, surely club insiders must have known Cesc & Nasri were likely to leave. We had cash in the bank to cover buying replacements BEFORE player sales…..all I want as a devoted fan is a statement of ambition from the one man who controls everything…. Come on Stan, what’s the plan?
Holic,
Surprised you wouldn’t want a striker with NB also on his way we are left with VP and Chamakh heaven help us if VPs gets injured, Saying that we are at this point in squad terms a bucket full of holes and only so many can get stemmed in such a short period sad but true.
Looking at Nasri,and the fact we must qualify for the,CL,it leaves a butter raster in my mouth.
Here is a guy who believes he should be challenging for that tag if best player in the world.
Here is a guy who believes he deserves a 200% pay rise.
Here is a guy who,when the club needed him most,disappeared….not once,but twice.
He was absolutely null and void in the second half of last season,and a major reason we are playing Udinese.
To make matters worse,he turns tale and runs for money,nothing else,when a decent man would fight for the club who made his name for him.
I never thought id say this,but if he did a knee next week,I wouldn’t flinch one bit.
Winstons and giant, thanks for contributing tonight. We have no worries about people with conflicting views. Only the way those views are sometimes put across.
Welcome, and have a virtual Laphroaig with me. (Of course mine is far from virtual!)
I am chuffed with your reply holic,I think we will get three players also.a centre back,creative midfielder and a defensive midfielder.expect to see Gary cahill,lucho Gonzalez and that hard as nails m’vila chap from one of france’s feeder countries.keep the faith.
I thin we have options up top, Chippy, and of course the unknown that is Campbell. If we are going to persist with the Cesc formation then a proper midfield schemer is a must-buy. He should provide the ammunition.
We need strikers, a creative mid and a
centre half as a minimum! If we buy 3 or
more players I would be amazed with 8
days left. Those positions I would cover
first. Of course we need a quality left
back but if he buys the centre half he will
know vermaelen can cover at LB.
Scumbags strikers
rooney, hernadez, welbeck, beratov, owen
citeh strikers
aguero, tevez, balotelli, dzecko
arsenal strikers
van persie, chamakh
u do the maths 🙂 I wonder if van persie
can score 50 goals this season??? We are losing
about 25 goals a season with number 4 and 8
leaving…although maybe jack will score 15+ after
missing the first 2 months of the season???
Now that would be glass half full!
Sent from sega megadrive
Holic.
Great post as usual but I’m absolutely certain AW will choose to go with the more defensive approach of putting Song and Frimpong together rather the adventurous approach with Rosicky.
Thanks for the plug Holic, gent as ever
Thanks for the drinks ‘Holic and TABS…Will drink them both when I get home and follow them with what amounts to about the last 2 or 3 Bushmills in the bottle!
Seriously, if anybody here, for whatever foolish reason, finds themselves wandering out to this end of the world, please feel free to let me know and let’s see if we cannot see to helping out a little.
Entry fee is, of course, any Bushmills of the aged variety (although the 15 is the best in my opinion!)
By the way, I don’t think that M’Villa will be coming, in fact I don’t even think that Wenger will buy another DM. From the reports of Frimpong, we already have that “like a new signing” excuse ready and waiting to be used!
I do think that a creative midfielder will come, but knowing Wenger he will buy 4 strikers for 8m from North Korea who will need to wait 3 years for work permits and then Kim Jong Il will just shoot them when they try to leave because…oh no, ready for this…
He thinks that there should only be one Red Army!!!!!!
Sorry…Leaving with head hung in shame!
I think it may be better to see what players we have available, on a match by match basis, and then adapt the formation to suit? Common sense? Presumably that is what any manager on the planet would do?
Mr Wenger, however, prefers to stay with his formation regardless, and then ask players to play in positions unsuited for them. This is utter madness and has been going on for years.
We are in BIG trouble.
Winston,
A wonderful rant. You have vocalised all my feelings about that smiling weasel at Man Shitty.
How can we believe we can win the Pl with strikers like Chamakh and Bendtner ????
Vert balanced post holic amid the hysteria. I think everyone is worried we are not going to spend but am sure I read before that this money is ring fenced(could have been swiss ramble) so where does the conflict come from if the money can be proportioned as part fee part wages. Easy compromises when that amount of money is involved and lets face it the only ones who deserves wage parity are RVP and TV as the rest are either very young or very replacable. Bushmills please guv and whatever everyone else is having.
Holic,
Personally I’d go for a proper Forward rather than a centrehalf, Think we are crying out for more fire power (Never thought I’d say that) Think we could probably muddle are way to 4th with what we’ve got at the back + Finally having a keeper worthy of the Arsenal number 1 but not so sure on the goal scoring side,
My Ideal world Centrehalf, Leftback, Centre Mid, Kaka on loan (This club needs a bergkamp esque signing at this moment in time) and Messi joke,any decent Forward !! Not happening is it lol.
Wenger has said he has signed the necessary players to replace Nasri.He is deluding himself if he thinks Gervino,Jenkinson,Chamberlain and Campbell,without much playing experience,can be the part.
Let the actions on the pitch speak for themselves.
First stop Udines.It won’t surprise me if the gunners after scoring in Udinese are pegged back.There could a penalty shoot out.
Hardly the ideal preparation against the red faced.
As far as new signings go, I have been quietly cinfident all summer that the squad would be dtrengthened, for the 1st time in years! How naive! Ha!
5 players are needed at this point in time. But now, after all thats happened? I really cant see that happening now.
We definitely need a striker Holic, IMO. In fact, I would rest RvP tomorrow night, thats how concerned I am about our forward options.
Chamakh worked hard last week and thats the kind of shift we are going to need tomorrow. With Theo on the right, GGGervinho left, Arshavin behind MC and behind the lil Ruskie, Frimpong and Song.
I thought Frimpong was as excellent Saturday as Ramsey was poor. May as well rest Aaron too while I am at it! Frimpong, Song and Jack wont be available for the Mancs.
48 Danishgooner:
No fan thinks we could even come close with those two!
@51 – cowardly , Sir , very cowardly .
Get a new moniker .
Chippy
I agree mate with that last post I mean
Wolfgang
Gervinho isnt a kid, he’s pretty experienced, why is it beyond the realms to think he might, given more than 5 fucking minutes, replace nasri and then some?
If we score tomorrow, then there’s zero chance of penalties.
Just saying
I’ve been quite impressed by Gervinho think he’s settled in pretty quickly more so than Nasri when he first arrived,and from what I’ve seen he will be good for 10 goals a season- Needs to work on his final ball mind
Man City have done their destruction job to guarantee them a top 4 spot, well done guys!
Let’s turn Udinese over tomorrow, time to wake up. WE ARE ARSENAL.
As the hysteria seems to grow, I find myself entering a mindset of pure, zen-like calm.
One by one the big questions are being answered. Would cesc leave? Would nasri follow? Next up – will I be having to keep my Thursday nights free for the next 8 months? And shortly after that – have we really forgotten how to sign players completely?
Speculation is pointless. Ranting is pointless. It’s all in the hands of the gods now.
I, for one, am looking forward to 1 sept. If we’ve signed some half decent players then grand – something to finally get excited about. If not, then fcuk it – I’ll get behind chesney, tommy, the mighty Frimpong (already more of an Arsenal man than Nasri ever was in my eyes), Rambo, jack and rvp and back these lads to play their guts out between here and May.
No more speculation, no more Twitter rumours. Just the Arsenal.
And if we’re still in the champs league then all the better – COYRRR!
Gat kaka,4 years ago he was top 5 players in the world.if he stays at Madrid his career is as good as done,if he comes to us under wengers guidance and style of play he will be a gift from god:-)
Required: Champions League proper.
I’m anxious.
N7 @59 – Brilliant post – I agree with every word .
Au Revoir Samir
” I see your Golden Crown shining in the Summer Sun.
What manner of Man could resist your proffered riches to join your
Band of corrupted men,to chase the Holy Grail ‘.
When Winter sets,the snow is deep,and clouds as black as thunder,
will all those Summer dreams be Torn and Rent asunder.??
If i was Arsene Wenger this is what i would do
I would sell Nasri and buy Gervinho for the left wing
sell Fabregas and buy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
sell Clichy and promote Traore to 2nd choice left back
sell Eboue and buy Carl Jenkinson Jenkinson
sell Emmanuel-Thomas and buy Joel Campbell
release Lehmann and promote Mannone to third choice keeper
loan out Denilson and promote Frimpong to back up for Song
loan out Vela and bring in Miyaichi as 3rd choice left winger
What he has done that already??
Then i would spend the £50m profit on Cahill (£17m), Honda (£12m), Drogba (£6m), Dann (£7m) and Parker (£8m)
I would also sell Almunia, Arshavin, Bendtner, Squillaci, Eastmond & Rosicky for about £30m and bring in Mertesacker, Kagawa and Diarra.
The gunners have a bad habit of letting slip a single or even two goal leads.The fiasco at NU last season was unbelievable.
The gunners must score first.Easier said than done.To score first,they need to cut out the excessive passing. It’s great to watch but doesn’t win games. Worst the intercepted or misdirected pass can be used to turn the tables on the gunners.
We have seen them many times in seasons past.
Wenger has lost his way with his over emphasis on youth.If he aint careful,the gunners risks being left further behind.
Imho,I dont think the gunners can win the epl and cl.Never mind it’s another step in the learning curve.By then MC,Chelseaand MU would have gobbled up all the trophies the next ten years.
Yeah I know UEFA’s fair play financial would come in soon. These moneybags teams are very wily and know how to overcome it. Then what.
Which Diarra?
3 signings in 8days! We cldnt tie up a single deal 4 months.
Anyone for 4-4-2 tomorrow night?
RvP in Dennis position and Theo playing on the shoulder of the last defender rather than pretending to be a winger.
I’m pretty sure we won the occasional thing playing 4-4-2 in the past, why not give it a go. the Barca system suits Barca. We are Arsenal. We went the season unbeaten, something the mighty Barca haven’t managed to do. And we did it playing 4-4-2.
Just a thought.
“we love you Freddie, because you’ve got red hair, we love you Freddie because you’re everywhere, we love you Freddie cos Arsenal through and throoooough”
Ah, happy days….
The Sweeper @63 – soothing poetry Clive , great stuff .
N7@59 Spot on and like tabs iterated i couldn’t have put it better myself. Roll on the weeks where it’s the football that preoccupies us not the crap that comes with the silly season.
Amen, TaBS. The Sweeper is a rogue scholar!
BMD.
Tabs @ 69
We’ve seen it all many times before mate,
Modric has been tapped up as well, he cannot think straight,for the pound notes swirling around in his head.
Trouble is you cannot prove they have been tapped up,players just make up an excuse,’ i need a new challenge ‘,’ i want to win trophies ‘ ‘ My wife doesn’t like the climate ‘ etc etc.
But the cold reality is,Money Talks,particular the amounts being thrown around by the Clubs with mega rich owners.
Would Eto really be going to a no name Russian team if he wasn’t getting 300 grand a week.
Anyway wed night for us will either be Armageddon or The Promised Land,but at least we can be pretty certain that those wearing the Shirt against the Eyties,and representing OUR CLUB,will be giving 110% for the cause.
In the end you cannot ask for more than that.
cheers
The Sweeper.
I clean up after the earthquake. Take a quick nap on the couch and, hey, before I know, I’m in the drink 70’s. Oh well, here’s something I wrote pre-tremor.
We’d welcome a wonderous wet Wednesday a-way win wouldn’t we?
Dudes, doubtlessly a dogged draw, diligently derived in these dangerous, desultory days of doom and departures ‘d do damned dinkumly. Defeat ‘d be devastating, define us dryer than a dead dingo’s dick and is distinctly, definitely and demonstrably something to be devoid.
I think we’ll see an Arsenal team determined to shrug of the outrageous slings on Jack, Diaby, Gibbs, Djourou’s legs and Koscielny’s back, shake away the slurs on their ability to win in the absence of Cesc and Nasri, and arrow straight to heart of the competition proper with a no- nonsense away win that demonstrates The Arsenal’s resilience to the watching world.
The task is pretty simple. Don’t let Udinese score and we’re through, no matter what else happens – right?
Wojcieck the invincible, the Pole between the poles, the ring of confidence in the box, is certain to start with Fabianski on the bench watching in hope and admiration.
Jenkinson, Miquel, Vermaelen and Sagna would be my first pick back four assuming that Kos, Djourou, Gibbs and Traore (?) all remain unavailable. I swithered over Song ahead of Miquel alongside Tommy V, but I think Alex and Frimpong need to play together as a defensive mid-field shield. Miquel has the quality and will likely fare well against a Latin attack. Under NO circumstances would I even let Squillacci on the plane. The man is an albatross.
Ramsey, Frimpong, Song, Rosicky is my midfield selection. Arsene needs to give Frimpong (who is undoubtedly a real talent) some “keep cool, keep calm, think hard” tablets before kick-off though. He is a near guarantee to give away unnecessary free kicks and Udinese will exploit any opportunity. Song and Frimpong need to break down Udi attacks and hold. Rambo and Rosicky need to be the providers for the front two and also get forward and shoot at every opportunity.
No question about the front two – Robin through the centre, with Gervinho given a roving commission betwixt both wings. Neither Walcott nor Arshavin deserves a start after their woeful performance on Saturday. I might expect to see both appear as “impact” subs if we need them in the second half.
Alex, Frimpong and Gervinho, the red card brigade, need to run their hearts out tomorrow. They’ll have ten days to recover and leaving the field with one electron of energy or a single molecule of stamina in their bodies after 90 minutes would be unacceptable given the damage their stupidity has caused the squad at this early stage.
I’m optimistic, that despite all of the woeful bile-spewing negativity emanating from the pens of the boil sucking teenage pimple pickers who scribe on The Arsenal these days (yes, Gareth LeCunt – you and your likes) that this Gunners team will prevail in Italy. Come on you rip roaring reds!
Enjoy the game wherever you’re watching. And be sure, Arsene will be spending SOME of 75M stolen from Shitty for Kolo the Holo (15M), Ade (27M), Clichy the Weakest Link (8M) and Three Good Months out of Thirty Six Sami (25M). Bench splinters and anonymity are their destiny. AND we’ve sold Eboue for and have another 4M to spend on four more Jenkinson’s. Yeeeeeeees! AND we’ve got our Cesc bankroll to chew on too. It’s a fantastic time to be a Gooner.
😀
G’night BtM…
N7 @59. Brilliant sir.Count me in for your year of zen. Now, can I meet that friend of yours?? 🙂
You’re all pansies! Lived through the Billy Wright era have we ? That was suffering. How many Saturday afternoons have you spent beseeching the Highbury heavens,”Death where is thy sting?” I lost count but survived with the later help of several stiff brandies and soda at the Perseverance on Stanhope Street. Ah, the Perse.
These last three years at the Emirates are a mere convalescence by contrast.
“The sun ‘ll come up Tomorrow, Tomorrow,TOMORROW….It’s only a day away!
Or should that be? “an Udinese away.”
I resent the continued assertions that I relentlessly spew bile and pestilence and that I’m a of the boil sucking teenage pimple picker. I’m thirty-f*cking five for f*cks sake!
Hey, where is Afobe in all this? He looked good in the pre-season. He would be a better choice than Chamakh IMHO.
Sagna – TV – Djourou – Jenkinson
Song – Ramsey – Frimpong
Afobe – RVP – Gervinho
Walcott kept as impact sub
@garethAll Le c: all well and good but im still gonna need to see some ID tho, leave the grown ups to the serious drinkin
CG @75
Ha ha, very good. Tell you what, if we finish off Udinese and take three points from Old Trafford I’ll see what I can do about having her jump out of a cake on your very own front doorstep!
Good stuff ‘holic and some quality drinks above.
Must admit that I’m starting to get a little nervous about tomorrows match.
A Vodka shot to calm the jitters please.
England midfielder Wilshere has had his foot put back into a protective boot to prevent an old injury worsening into a stress fracture, which could wreck his whole season.
Wenger, who said the 19-year-old’s lay-off was a consequence of too many games last season, added: “For me, Jack was always out ‘long-term’, because he was out three weeks. It’s not ideal for us on the day we sell Nasri.
“We knew he was ‘in the red’ in the last two months [of last season] and we continued to play him because we had no choice. But maybe it is a consequence of the overuse last year.”
That’s the last thing I wanted to read.
No Jack this season – Season ends in November (yes, he’s THAT important to our team).
Holic, I love you man. You’re like an Indian chief. It is you I seek for wisdom when so much nonsense spews from all angles.
The boys are good enough to get the job done tomorrow night. The clean sheet was fortunate but will be the deciding factor in this two legged tie as I see us nicking one (maybe Gervinho opens the Arsenal Account).
Just like Bill Murray said in “What about Bob”, baby steps to the elevator… Win tomorrow, add some fresh faces, and who knows maybe Wenger has a little gift for Gooners come Sunday.
Damn you Holic we are not the Pikeys your the Pikeys and I was going to wish you well in your endeavors, PS.. If you lose do you get to play in our league or are you Gonners
@59: Perfect post man. Zen is now the word of the day.
Sapporo for everyone in the bar….
@84: But Cusop, your lot have been fighting furiously to move to Stratford to get out from under our shadow for months now…caravan all packed yet?
Came across this online and I felt I should share a piece of it with the bar. It’s Old Red Nose jumping to defend the boss…the last line made me chuckle a bit 🙂
Ferguson has defended his old foe and insists he has done an ‘unbelievable’ job at Arsenal. “It’s a crazy world we’re in. It’s a critical world and you only need to lose a couple of games to have critics howling down at you,” he was quoted as saying in The Sun newspaper. “All the talk is about Arsenal and Arsene leaving. But who can replace him? It’s the most ridiculous situation.The man has been simply unbelievable. He has given Arsenal platforms they never thought they’d get to. He should carry on. He shouldn’t listen to the critics. The one thing you need in this game is ear plugs.”
http://www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item661163/Ferguson-jumps-to-Wenger's-defence/
How can I be anything other than optimistic about tonight? Arsenal is my team, my club. Agreed it isn’t going to be easy but Udinese didn’t score an away goal and we lead 1 – nil, (1 – nil to the Arsenal always used to be enough).
Ideally we will score a precious away goal and then some of the pressure will be off but concentration will be important tonight – and not getting red carded which makes me a little nervous about Frimpong should he play (magnificent though he is).
We must be strong and disciplined in defence, mercurial and cool in attack and everyone must work hard – then we will go through.
Come on Arsenal.
replace Arsene (MR BEAN) sorry had to make fun of the upper post,i am not known for patience but i will give Arsene a stay of execution to see who he brings in,but i fear the news about Jacks foot,come on the young-uns do us proud, i also fear we are near the who will come stage rather than the who we will get.
I think the team for the game will be:
Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Traore, Song, Frimpong, Ramsay, Walcott, Van Persie and Gervinho.
Let’s go Gunners! We can do it!
Heh, at the time of writing this, under the picture of the Thomas goal at Anfield it says “89 drinks” and “89 responses to…” – quite fitting 🙂
Now time to catch up on drinks.
Traore is injured is he not
Right, drinks caught up on.
Several good posts in this session, I have to say. And as for tonight, well, we really should have what it takes to go through. Udinese will be very aware of the fact that if we score once they will have to score three. For that reason, I would definitely play Walcott because he will threaten them with his pace alone. I’d go with this team:
Szczesny
Jenkinson-Djoruou-Vermaelen-Sagna
Song-Frimpong
Rosicky
Walcott-RvP-Gervinho
I am fairly optimistic, but I won’t take anything for granted because that will only worsen the disappointment should things take on the form of a fruit not entirely unlike apples.
Anyway, whatever happens this still applies:
Up the Arse!
N7@80
*hastily books haircut, pops down to the gym, rubs rabbit foot and doesn’t step on cracks of the pavement before tonight*
So many great posts, ideas, concerns and frustrations. Times like these remind me of supporting the club in the early 80’s when we took nothing for granted and top four finishes were the things of fantasy. Don’t get me wrong, things have changed, we are a bigger club now and our expectations grow with that (and the accomplishments of the last 14 years, which happens to be Wenger’s spell).
Today is the biggest match we’ve had in quite some time, certainly the most important August fixture I can ever recall. Since 1988 we’ve tended to pull out the right result when our backs were against the wall – especially in games which could be argued in advance to be defining fixtures. Get through this game and who we purchase will surely be different than if we go out – get through this game and the swagger will return (just a bit) before the weekend – get through this game and see that the eleven we put out there are Arsenal through and through.
I’m not even contemplating failure, we are Arsenal. ‘Holic the choice of Michael Thomas today is something that stirred some very old and deep determination – I think we’ll get the job done.
All I know is, whatever happens tonight, all I want to see is a good fight by our boys. They need to put their battle helmets on and get ready to show the watching world what we are capable of. They should also know that whatever happens, we will still be proud of them.
Up the Arsenal
Game face guys, game face.
We are the Arsenal. 2-1 to us anyone?
nz gooner – Is that Yoda-speak for “Traore is not injured”?
This Zen fella sounds like a good buy – where does he play and is he ready to go straight into the team?
CoMonuReds! (thou it may be 2 shades of blue i s’pose)One clean sheet!
Up The (european) Arse!
Ps ‘holic finely scripted, exquisitely toned piece as per –
Plus the invoking of the spirit of Mickey ‘f@@K me he’s only gone and tucked it in the bottom corner’ Thomas at this time is genius – for rarely – in my time as a Gooner anyway – has so much re the club seemed ‘up for grabs now’
Happy b’day Mick.
Up The Arse!
Someone had to …
Curses!
Honestly Holics, how on earth am I meant to focus on work with this game to look forward to at the end of the day?
Starting to worry that match references will creep into my lecture and I’ll unwittingly come out with something like:
“So when you’ve finished writing your focus statement, your next step will be to begin the first body paragraph by beating Udinese and getting your essay into the CL group stages.”
Camberwell, focusing on work really does take a lot of energy today. Just over ten hours ’til kick-off at the time of writing this…
CG @97 i feel older than yoda some mornings but definatly not as wise
Hi all,
Something has been bothering me for a while now, and I’m surprised we don’t hear it mentioned more. It bothers me so much that I decided to get my finger out of my arse and post something on the internet.
Is it me or have we had an injury crisis that goes back to god knows when? I recall that at some point last season some fans, bloggers, and even Wenger and co did address this briefly, but I’m still amazed at how unlucky (incompetent?) we are in that department. Fab, VP, Vermaelen, Djourou (and now Wilshere) just to name a few have always been missing at key moments of the season, and now we’ve barely played a couple of games of the new season, and half the team is already out!
What if, (yeah, I know, what if…) but what if we had our three best players available for more games last season? Many fans called for quality signings, but it seemed to me that keeping our best players fit for longer would have gone a long way to us securing at least second place.
I do remember that my biggest fears during games was to loose even more players to injury, and still is to this day. It doesn’t really surprise me anymore that loosing one player per game seems to be have become an average and no longer bad luck. Some say Wenger always buys injury prone players, but isn’t it the training regime or something that makes them injury prone? (not sure what really, can only speculate. voodoo dolls somewhere?)
I don’t pretend to have a solution to this problem, but again, it seems this has been going on forever, nothing has really ever changed, and nobody seems to be addressing this either.
And as big holic’ fan, I would like take this opportunity to buy a drink to this blogger and all the regulars at the bar who have always made for very interesting and (mostly) mature readings.
(What I wouldn’t give for a proper drink… yes, in some parts of the world they drink beer with ice and a straw…)
I raise a toast to the Arsenal!
Holics,
Don’t you just love Frimpong re the Wilshere tweet for Nasri.
If he makes it or not on the field of play (by the way I think he will), he still gets my vote as a Gooner.
What’s the odds AW will be going out & buying another Frenchman to replace Nasri, cos it must be getting to a point now where French speaking is becoming the 2nd language in the dressing room?
Holicdad will be here with us , Arsenal will win today !
Morning Holics
Busy here last night I see, apologies I was busy with decorating my little Gooners room he’s back from hols next week and I should be taking him to the Grove one fine weekend for the first time.
Big game tonight… Lads need to show some heart and give everything they have!
Come on you Almighty REEEEDS!
Holic @24
Could not agree more with you on that one. These new signings (if there will be any) must be of first team quality no Squids & Vesters please. Quality players who can jump straight into the first team are required.
Ideally two midfielders, one CB and a LB damn this was in my ideal world! Still have to keep the faith you never know it may still happen.
Morning Holics ,
“I want to make it, man. I don’t want to make it at any other club than Arsenal, because I’m an Arsenal fan. I want to be here for as long as I can. I can’t see myself being anywhere else.”
None other than The Frimpstone – Ain’t you just gotta love him !
The Sweeper@72 – Wise words indeed .
BtM@73 – Great stuff and such a pleasure to read , after some of the kids that were in for the early drinks .
Peter@76 – Great stuff .
Gareth Le C @77 – 35 you say ? Age or IQ ?
N7 @80 – Can I join the queue for the cake jumping activities ?
Canons@86 – a great spot , and makes all the more ridiculous the stick that Arsene gets from some of our own .
I’m going with Lars’ team @92 , save that I think Traore (if fit) may get the nod in front of young Jenks .
Great stuff from the regulars this morning , and to the man in the $3600 suit , welcome , and have a drink on me , Lars tab of course .
Come on the Arsenal – let’s jump in our minis , put these Italians to the sword , bag the goodies and hot foot it back to the Border .
I’m enjoying taking all your positives, but it’s all a bit de ja vu for me.
We could have won any of the last 4 seasons titles, with a bit of strengthening/tweaking, but I’m just watching the same old story. Jack out now for 3 weeks. Same was said about TV5 at the start of last season.
Why can’t it be said just what is so felkking difficult about signing either Cahill or Jagielka or A N Other who only needs to be a ‘good’ player, not ‘super quality’.
Can’t think of a player that AW has signed that has given a ‘DB10 has just signed’ moment? So I don’t expect any to be made TBH.
Better get used to it my fellow holics I say.
I think what I hate more is that i’ve now become a moaner 🙁
MtS
Have a drink on me chap! Chin up it’s not the end of the world and especially Arsenal, we will go on as we did before and I say let’s give Arsene and the board few more days.
I have mentioned this before but I will say it again, massive game tonight and if we get through we are more likely to sign those identified targets. Playing in the CL brings can bring those players in without a doubt.
Hello again all holics! Just wanted to wish all of the away fans heading to Italy a safe journey.
I’m busy drinking some vodka so I can fall asleep as fast as possible. Game is on at 2:45 am here in Kobe 🙁
The rest of this Absolut for the rest of ya…
UTA
Mark the Spark:
Don’t worry it’s not your doing, just a natural reaction to the never ending BS that has been pitched @ us over the last few years…
Because apparently we have already signed Nasri’s replacement, according to AW?
As for tonight I’ll be there in front of the TV beer in hand nervously watching the game, because to be honest I see enough in the first leg scare the shits out of me.
We have a very difficult night from where I’m sitting!!!
I think I will hold coments until after tonights massive game, frustrations have held me back from making any posts in anger. Tonight for me is D-DAY !
Wish I had your restraint Arsenal1971…
Lee: difficult it is, but even more so for Udinese. If we score once they have to score three, remember. I will be bitterly disappointed if we don’t make it through tonight.
999th post: qualification/elimination
1000th post: new signing(s)/more departures
The next 2 posts could define Goonerholic’s season.
I’ll have a pint of Bitter with you, Lars. On your tab.
Lars:
Yep your right about the one score, just that once we scored in the 1st leg we never looked like scoring again, or controlling the ball for that matter?
You sure Lee?
I remember at least one great opportunity for Gervinho, and another one for Theo at the death.
Ollie: Walcott also had that one earlier in the second half where he completely fluffed his shot. So that’s actually three really good chances apart from the goal.
Yep, I was trying to forget that one, Lars 😉
Must have been getting refills from the fridge @ the time?
No really just expected us to be more dominant than we were over the 90…..
Udinese looked a pretty decent side and will give us a hard game on their own turf.
Whilst, there’s no point in crying over spilt milk, if we don’t get through to the CL proper after tonight, we have only ourselves to blame for a complete lack of application toward the end of last season and for that, many players still in the current squad can have no complaints.
I see Arsene is suggesting that the current siege on all things Arsenal can generate positive outcomes
“It can have a positive consequence as well – if you are strong mentally it can increase the solidarity, knowing you have to fight more”
I would prefer all our top players putting their A game together for tonight rather than waiting on Arsene’s elusive mental strength. If we are provided with the former, then the Happy Train will be chock a block on the way home. If we don’t, then we are in for our first Class One Event (regular commuters will know what this is 😉 )
Dr Feelgood and I will settle for any sort of draw, and if you offer it now, please check you still have both hands afterwards.
Up the Arse.
I just made a very stupid mistake. I got online and thought to myself, “I’ll just go and check if there’s anything worth seeing on Football365.com”, completely ignoring the little voice in my head saying, “They’re a bunch of shit-stirring tabloid-alikes. Don’t waste your valuable time.”
Went on said site and what’s the main headline?
Wenger: Champs qualification ‘not critical’
Fair enough, I thought, he’s just gone and topped his maddest presser comment yet.
But wait. I was forgetting that F365 are a bunch of shit-stirrers. When you actually READ the article the quote is: “It’s not critical” – and they conveniently don’t show you the question, thereby leaving interpretation of “it” completely open.
He does actually go on to say that “qualification is at stake”, so my guess is “it” meant winning. But we’ll never know, because all F365 want to do is stir shit and get their retarded readers in a tizz.
I f*cking HATE that site.
BTM. UTA. COYG. Oh, and…FF365.
Great post mate. Love it. Nervous about tonight, but I think we’ll scrape through somehow.
Essssssssssssssssssooooooooooo!
Good to see you here mate!
Hope things are a bit better on all fronts.
If we can get to half-time 0-0 then I’d say we’re favourites.
But an early goal from Udinese could spark another “Captain Mainwaring” panic and God knows how that would end up!
I’m nervous, wetting myself, biting my fingernails and fidgeting with my lapels all at the same time.
Hope Wenger goes with the tried and tested tonight, or perhaps takes one token foray into unchartered territory, say a cameo for O2TC who proceeds to rip their defence a new one – or perhaps even the meerkat through the centre where he can play killer through balls.
COYRRR
Camberwell – How are your students coping with being sprayed ? 🙂
Dr Z – Just call me Captain Hook , you hand-biter you 🙂
zico@127: couldn’t have said it better myself. Have a pint on my tab!
Cheers Lars – and one right back at you.
Oh and one for Hooky as well 😀
Cheers Dr Z – working up quite a thirst at this end .
Only 5 hours to go , until I poke my head in the away juicer of choice .
I am starting to feel really, really nervous about tonight. Will go home in about 45 minutes, have a bit to eat and then be off to the boozer and arrive there about two hours before kick-off. I am still quite optimistic and as I have said before we should go through, but I know I will feel physically sick by the time the game kicks off so please please please can we have a good result tonight?
Sadly old rose nose would not be defending Le Boss if Arsenal were still a threat to any silverware……Spoke to a fellow fan at Am-dram yesterday and he is a clam and well spoken individual who is seeing only a top six finish at best for us, Unless we get some amazing signings coming in the next week or so I’d struggle to see us doing that well, We had relegation form with some of our best players and since then a whole team virtually has left us and still waiting in the wings to leave, We’ve replaced them with some amazingly talented kids but we need/ed experience as well.
I am amazed how good some of these young guys are, but I cannot see it being a title bothering challenge with just young guys and a very dejected and depressed RVP up front, Chamakh has lost the plot completely, Andre is still less hot than freezing cold, Gervinho could be a megastar but could still end up more on Theos wavelength where a good game is always followed by seven or eight where he seems completely clueless.
Tommy V and Jack and Wojnech are simply put awesome players, but are now reliant on those around them being of similar ability and calm headedness and we know that seems overly hopeful lately, and although I’m not a fan of conspiracy theories its not hard to see we get some really shitty treatment from officials in games and after the bloody games.
So I am bloody nervous about tonight and think that unthinkable failure could spell the beginning of the end of Wenger and the beginning of the beginning of some really promising players who may prosper under a more tactically aware manager who maybe has less of an issue being able to change his philosphy to suit our opponents.
He is not a clam but is in fact very calm and not to be confused with seafood 😉
Afternoon lads.
After a good nights sleep/alcohol induced coma I feel a lot better and not so nervous anymore.
I am starting too think that tonights game is like the spider/mouse v person conundrum, meaning they are probably a lot more scared of us then we are of them, and rightly so.
We may of lost a few of our starters to homesickness, injury and greed, yet the team that le boss can put out tonight should be enough to get the job done.
To use a tennis anology; the ball is in their court, they must score so they will come at us, so gaps will appear and chances to get that all important away goal will come. Time for the Gonzales Brothers (speedy Theo and speedy Gerviniho) to shine, they have enough pace to scare the shit out of any defence.
A top up in my half full glass, please, and some voddie shots for the lads.
COYRRR!!!!
Well holic & holics the the game that could shape our near future is almost upon us, fail and we will be flayed by the media and the doomers, succeed and the world is our oyster, be prepared for a bumpy ride lads but whatever the outcome I will be forever Arsenal
jus caught up on last night’s fine bar business – so ta tabs for the drink – think i’ll take it now to help settle mounting nerves – and one for urself and any other listless jumpy malingers like meself – who keep wandering in and out of the bar in search of succour re the soccer when really they should be getting on with something else – b4 what is an enormassivastitanicrucial friggin’ fukkin’ match –
Ahem – from a more than usually jittery gunner …
COMOOOOOOOONUUUUUUUUREEEEEEEEEDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
If Djourou is fit he has to start Song and Frimpong in the midfield with either Rosicky or Ramsey in front of them. A majority of Udinese’s real threat last game came from give aways in the middle of the field. So it is key that Song and Frimpong stay diciplined in not just their positioning but passes out of the middle ( ie when in doubt send it to the corner for Theo or Gervinho to run on to)If they do that we will come away with a draw and maybe even a win. On their game those two can form an unparalleled back four shield.
tick tock tick tock……. The Hour of Judgement is nigh.
Good To See Mark The Spark and GlenW back you were being asked after yesterday by Mr Zico hope all is well Fellas,
Come On You Reds give us something to cheer about,
“Bearded Gooner”. Awesome name. I should change mine to Bald Gooner!
COYRRR!
Correction, that should be “baldING”
Btw, is anyone building a house at the moment cuz I’ve shit enough bricks this afternoon to construct a mansion.
Answers on a postcard. 150, get in!!!
Thanks CG. It is actually an ode to this guy
http://www.sportressofblogitude.com/2011/05/10/san-francisco-giants-fans-growin-a-beard-just-like-brian-wilson-did/
He is a world champion in baseball and has popularized the phrase “Fear the Beard”. Hoping the Arsenal develops some of the same tenacity and fearlessness although I think young frimster is well on his way. Maybe he just needs to grow a full beard.
BG, that is absolutely smashing. If the CG Management wasn’t against the idea, I’d refuse to shave until we won a trophy.
Bearded , are you suggesting the squad goes a bit ZZ top-ish ?
Can’t say I’m fully in favour of the look , though I do seem to recall they had some backing singers that were very pleasing on the eye .
Frimpers on the pitch tonight exhorting the Gooner masses to ” Give me all your lovin’ ” anyone ?
Dr C @145 – maybe so , but for who ? AW or the put-upon manager of The Green Tin Rollers ? 🙂
CG and TABS – Yes I absolutely am. The bearded closer for the Giants basically refused to shave ( as I have I) until they were eliminated from contention for the champioship and well he still has that beard and on top of that a nice shiny trophy in whose reflection he can admire it.
Chippy, yep spotted that from zico, thanks, already in the mood for tonight (a few pints of Guinness helped) sure we will be ok tonight, enjoy is probably the wrong word, maybe endure would be better but whatever it is we will come out the other side still all the better for being Arsenal. Can you tell I’ve had a beer?
You over on the other side of the pond BG?
Yeah, actually the edge of the pond. Born and raised in SF currently living in NY. Which is a nice change because it makes the annual (at least I am trying to make it annual) pilgrimage cheaper and easier. Oh and no more 4:45 am kickoffs. Starting to drink that early in the day never ends well for me.
Welcome to the drinks. More facial hair in the bar is ALWAYS better than less!
Nice one Bearded 🙂
Thanks CG and TABS – Always a holic reader and fan and been in the drinks on a few occasions. First round is on my tab then.
Chippy, thankyou, feeling defiant as ever in the face of all the crap being hurled our way, seen worse, we will be ok at the end of the day, we may dip a bit but we will always rise to the top in the end
3 hours to go, had enough of journos praising man city as if they have somehow pulled off some sort of coup, alex ferguson defending arsene? piss off, papers saying we are doomed again piss off. Time to send herself to the gym, duct tape the young lads mouth and forget all the bullshit cos i’ve got hopes da da da da highhhh hopes. Come on Arsenal..
Right, off to the pub. I am insanely nervous.
COME THE FUCK ON ARSENAL!
Zen, boys, Zen…….
TABS – there are so many different clocks ticking it’s hard to know which one to focus on.
I’d say the GT Rollers’ manager, Dr C, is pretty safe right now. I mean, who’d start talking about wanting their manager out after just 2 games of the season?
Oh.
Motorcyle Maintenance.
Noel, with you on that, and if it’s not pleasuring themselves over Man City or the Deeply Indebted’s young team which beat the spuds (some of the coverage on WeAreWankers365 – sorry, minor typo I meant Football365 – was so sycophantic I nearly lost my breakfast) they’re all pissing themselves laughing at the Arse.
Let them. The day will come when WE will be laughing and let me tell you the silence will be deafening.
Let’s do this boys. Let’s get a goal, defend our hearts out and stick two fingers up to everyone else, because WE ARE THE ARSENAL!
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
OK I’m off.
Gonna jump into my fetching lycra, cycle home and get the beers in.
Let’s Have It.
Afternoon Lads!
BG top stuff have a drink on my tab and the rest of you as well!
Leaving work in 25 min, getting a bit jittery already. Who’s got the keys to the MC?
I think a pipe and some Chinese herbs are in order….
Come on you REEEDSSSSS!
Dr C @164 – heh 🙂
I have lit the candles , knelt before my laughing Buddha , and am praying for 2 things ;-
1. A tasty ” f*ck you media scum” 3-1 win for the Arse tonight .
2. An incantation that I am not reincarnated as a Dung Beetle ( tho , clearly even that would be preferable to being brought back as a spud ) .
Am just twiddling my thumbs marking time . I’ve read all the drinks ( great stuff Glennw ) , I’ve drunk AL’s drink (thanks AL) , I’ve ruminated on Beards , I’ve tried and failed to come up with a comic riposte to H2H’s tennis analogy , I’ve wondered whether Draped’s Am-Dram pastime is a little fishy , and I just can’t sit still .
Time , I think , to get pissed .
Arsenal to win 30-15 .
Pipe and Chinese on its way for you Arthur
Come on tabs, not even an Arsenal need to show some ‘new balls please’.
Or how about a simple, I’d “love” for our lads to “serve” us up a win.
No?
Nevermind, join me in a drink.
Two vodkas with orange deuce please.
Dr C.
I’m feeling a bit peckish.
I’ll have one of your zen hotdogs……
One with everything.
Great stuff H2H , I’ll have my vod with some Robinson’s Barley water please .
Come on The Arsenal ! All volleys into rather than over the net , no Wimbledon long ball stuff , let’s deal with the overhead assault , don’t let the Italians pull any strokes , and watch your Goolagongs .
Arsenal not in the Champions League ? YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS …
Ace tabs.
Thanks for getting the first one in Arthur!
Yes Lee, brainwashed by bullshit I think! Nasri’s replacement? Hazard? I do bloody well hope that that’s not *Agent* Hazard… sounds a bit too much like a LWC for me!
Thanks for the nod Chippy. Have popped in for a quick browse over the summer, but keeping stuum and kicking the cat seemed a better use of transfer window time!
Seems like Lars’ tab is the one to use… but the first one’s on me y’all. (I can speak American too 🙂 )
COYRRR’s!!!!
ARSENAL side tonight just announced .
Schez
Jenks Djourou Verm Sagna
Ramsey Song Frimpong
Walcott VP Flipper
I literally can’t take this anymore…
This is just too much on my fucked up nerves.
COYG
Fuck I hate players playing out of position especially full backs. But if anyone is capable sagna is..
That’s a great line up.
Up the Arse.
Great line up, this will be the game gervinho shows us he’s more than a replacement for the orc look alike who went home to middle Manchester! Come on you reds!!
The gaffer has nailed that starting XI.
Time for the talk to stop – let’s see what we’re made of.
COYG
See you all on the other side
Come on you Gunners!!!!
Time to fucking show them cunts what Arsenal is all about!
If ever there was a game for the old Arsenal to re appear this is the moment come on you Rip Roaring Reds stick it up all the Cunts !!!
Up The Arse,
Someone should tell Figo not to give up the acting lessons. He really is shit on that Just For Men ad.
Sorry, I forgot myself.
Fucking COME ON ARSENAL!!!!!!
Fuck it I spilt my beer @ 45 seconds gervinhos cross 😀
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
How unlucky can we be?
Just once goal. Just one and we’re through.
UTA!!!!
We look tentative. We need a higher workrate. Close some guys down. We’re giving them way too much time on the ball.
On the other hand, how good is Di Natale? (And how could Theo and Robin miss those sitters?)
It’s squeaky-bum time.
BMD.
Great start as like last week but for an inspired keeper and a little more composure from theo and we were home and hosed! He’s a right little handful that Di Natale but the service from their wide men and full backs is killing us. Theo n gervinho need to help out more. One half of football is all there is now. Time for the lads to stand up and be counted, come on you reds! Massive 45, massive!
Chippy Brady is doing the half time analysis on tv here, always great to hear him describe the play as ‘we’ and ‘us’ when talking about our Gooners. Could do with him out there in the middle to calm things down 🙂
COYRRR
I thought the UEFA coefficient rule would save us. Unfortunately not.
Come on lads, one goal should be enough.
Big call bringing Rosicky on….
GET IN THERE RVP!
Gervinho brilliant…
COME ON YOU REDSSSSS
YeSsssssssss
THEARRRRRRSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!
Keep. It. Tight.
Focus.
Please.
What a save!
SuperSuperchesneeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!naanaanaanaaa!!!
Wicked Won!!!!
Wicked Woj
Gervinho woo ooo, Gervinho woo ooo he’s from the ivory coast – ‘e’s ‘avin their full-back on toast – Gervinho woo hoo ooo, Gervinho woo hoo ooo
well why the eff no,t we’re winning fuks sake!!!!
UUUUUURRRRRRREEEEEEEEDDDDDDSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tabs 3-1 prediction looking nice…
Theooooooooo
Get the drinks in.
Now THAT’s what I’m talking about!!!
bmd.
Get in there Theo, Theo, Theo..
Yesssssssssssssssss!
Arsenal on display tonight.
BTW I have been following the game on a DishTV/Ten Action stream tonight and the english commentators have been raving about Arsenal from the start. It’s a delight to watch your team come back but in these conditions it tastes even better.
Why Song? Why?
BMD
Credit where it is due… Rosicky has been huge!
BMD.
As I’ve said before lads, we take what have and crack on! Well done tonight lads, let’s build on this! 🙂
Agreed, Rosicky has been bright this second half. SZCZ, Frimpong, Gervinho as well. Jenkinson looks sharp, everyone’s playing great.
Must of been the californian I shipped to RVP… 😉
Wojciech ‘The Legend’ Szczesny
That’s from the BBC live commentary.
As I’ve said before lads, we take what have and crack on! Well done tonight lads, let’s build on this!
Fucking Yes!!!!
Everyone played brilliantly in the second half
SZCZ is the man!!
Up the arse 🙂
the boy Jenkinson quietly very efficient
Well played Ureds and fank fuk Arsene seems to have found his magic hat …
Up up and away The Arse!
Told ya not to worry 😆
IDKA….
Theo is a “pretender”? Would you care to give credit where it’s due?
Great win….champions league without Arsenal unthikable
And exhale…
Well, that second half was magic, wasn’t it?
The kind of performance we’ve not seen in a while – pure bottle and a touch of class.
Heroes all over the park. Chesney motm for me. No right to get to that pen. Frimpong – another great showing, massive future. Jenks – did you hear him mentioned all night? Head down, put in a shift and did a great job on his champs league debut. A steal at the price and the kind of player our squad has been missing. RVP? What a time to pop up with a goal! Gervinho? Who needs Nasri is all I’m saying.
It’s been a rough week. As rough as I can remember. This fixture has hung like a cloud over us all and i can’t be the only one who has had the Arsenal anthem on repeat.
But we’ve come through and we’ve shown some real bollocks in doing so. Proud to bursting of the lads tonight.
And proud of Arsene too. He’s taken an almighty kicking this week and he doesn’t deserve it, whatever his flaws.
A million other thoughts in my head but am off to celebrate, so I’ll just leave by saying let’s get some reinforcements in and build around this talented young squad, because there are some future legends in there, make no mistake.
Oh, and before I go – cheers to ‘Holic. It’s been a really shit week, and this place has been an oasis of sanity that’s kept me from kicking the dog on more than one occasion. Respect to all the proper Gooners on here (and there are many).
COYRRR!
Jenkinson’s got promise, I like!
I asked for the Arsenal of old and they didn’t dissapoint I’m sure I see Seamen in goal at one point 😉 The players have done there bit it’s now down to Wenger and the Board to follow suit by showing some bollox and buying what we need they have no excuse whatsoever now to spend some serious wonga !!
Fully Up The Arse,
And Lester @ 218
Agreed about Jenkinson. A solid defender. Who’d have thought it?
De Natale .. wouldn’t mind a cheeky bid for him. No penalties though.
Zen seems to work….
At last, a ‘proper’ Arsenal performance, one that we have missed since about March.
Could be just the lift we need.
Maybe the cheque book will come out now as well?
Onwards and upwards.
Man Yoo? Who the fuck are they? 😀
Team was sharp, and against excellent opposition! A round of applause for Udinese- if only a few teams played like that in England league games would be fabulous to compete in.
Guinness please, barman!
N7, I’m with you all around. Particularly in regard to the Holic establishment. Three cheers.
Be careful of wounded animal! That’s all I got to say. Us against world. Champions League Football Gooners. Oh how I love Arsenal.
Drinks for all the fine gents in the bar 🙂
It’s on my tab
Finally we get what we deserve!
Perfect result, great game, terrific team spirit and excellent individual performances, mightily impressed by many players. That’s more than enough to gain confidence and build momentum.
Well done lads. Very well done.
I hope Rosicky gets his mojo back, he’ll be like a new signing! 🙂 fucking yes guys!
Does that win give us 25 million more, for a new player? 😉
I thought the boys did very well and I have to praise the manager for the belief the team went on the pitch with in the second half.
Still want you to sign some players though, but hold my hands up for allowing doubt to creep in.
I’ll be at Old Toilet on Sunday so lets be having ’em!
Apart from all the obvious kids. I feel a massive round pf applause and appreciation is reuired for Rosicky. Fantastic shift… his value as an old head for the kids showing through.
A leader. Good to have him back.
Legend, indeed!
Absolutely MASSIVE!
bmd.
Can’t wait to see what the doomers make of that brilliant display.
Harsha! Lagavulin please, cheers!
Come on you gunners. Brilliant performance by the whole team.
Gervinho is a fuckin MONSTER, I will wager he gets the most assists this season.
And there is only one Wojciech Szczesny, that was a fucking 25mn save.
And a special mention for Jenkinson, no-nonsense tough as nails 6 feet full back who actually has a safety first approach. Refreshing to see.
Song so infuriated me with his dominant display, I realized what we will miss at Old Toilet because of his impetuous stamp.
Now come one Arsene pull those bunnies out of your transfer hat.
Catalan, I agree. It’s been years of struggle for/ with him, but today was the good ‘ol Czech the Technique many of us were so happy about upon his original signing.
As soon as you down Harsha’s, everyone get one on mine. If we can consistently play like the second half, we will be alright.
Just hope Ramsey will be OK for Sunday, seemed to be limping in the end. Fingers and toes crossed, God knows we can’t lose anymore in midfield.
COYRRR
@CG & AL: Well I guess some people at the club had a hunch the boy was that good 😉 Hats off to the scout who spotted him!
So proud of that performance, felt like a real watershed tonight, sink or swim. Heroic performances through the whole team not least young jenkins. N7 you are not the only one with Arsenal Anthem on repeat. Now lets just enjoy this for tonight and forget about transfers, man u on sunday and all the shite that goes with it cos that really was special.
Fabulous, fabulous result, even my computer was so excited that it wouldn`t let me post for about 10 goes. I feared the worst when they scored, and when our away goal advantage looked like being wiped away with the penalty award. However, Szczz`s truly world-class save won us the game, as they would have cranked the pressure up even more. A word about Jenkinson, who is looking to be a seriously good buy, and it was the right decision to play him and out of position rather than go with Traore. Now we must hope that Arsene brings a few new faces in – pretty please.
Is this match finally the reversal of the Birmingham City defeat in the Carling Cup in terms of belief and confidence building? I certainly hope so. Backs against the wall after the Udinese goal and the team never gave up and that save from Chezzer was MASSIVE. How much did that lower everyones (players and fans) stress levels?
*CONFESSIONAL
Fin: I have sinned, it has been since we beat Man Utd that I last confessed.
Priest: And your sin is what?
Fin: I lost my faith
Priest: That is a grievous sin, what happened?
Fin: I thought we would lose to Udinese
Priest: Ha, ha, ha..
Does anyone know if Jenkinson has played at CentreHalf through his younger years as he looks to me like he’d be a natural in that position?
CG @ 225 Zen was all over the park – the unsung hero for me, more credit for Arsene maybe methinks
Ureds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liam Brady quote 1 on RTE tonight: “we signed wojcheck for £50k at 15 years of agr and his father helped out in the negotiations.”
FICKLE? ME?
I’m proud and very fucking happy… What a performance, what a team — is that why Arsene talks about MENTAL STRENGTH?
Because we had it in spades in tonight.
Rosicky? He was colossal. And how many of us went nuts when we realised he was coming on for Frimpong?
I’m so happy, this has definitely made up for the shite end of 10/11 season.
Tequila for everyone, especially ArthurTheGooner!
UP THE ARSE
Liam Brady quote 2 on transfer Possibilities: “well I think there’s been speculation about a centre half (he specifically mentioned Cahill and Scott dann) and a left back and I think he’ll address those”
Keep the bloody faith! That might have been Rosicky’s greatest ever 45 minutes in a red shirt.
This incidentally is dreadful http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Club-news/2011/August/Samir-Nasri-scores-first-City-goal
I’m so happy…..I didn’t think we’d bottle it. Let’s make this a springboard to unity on and off the pitch eh?
Great result tonight, and massive respect to all the team.
But… we still must strengthen this team. COYRRR’s.
Wojiecheie Szcsezezsny he’s got game we can’t spell his fucking name!Na naaa na na! Na naaa na na!
Tim@254 – curious they didn’t include Frimpers’ tweet eh?
Liam Brady quote 2 on transfer possibilities: “well I think there’s been speculation that he’ll sign a centre half (he specifically mentioned Cahill and Scott dann) and a Left back – I think he’ll address those issues”
Went on to mention that no club can compete with Chelsea or Man city but to compete with those teams on such lesser resources deserves alot of respect and that 14 seasons of CL qualification is some feat!
Also said he hoped to see another striker coming in.
Come on you Reeeeeeeeeeeeeds!
What a performance from the boys. Chips were down, it was looking grim and we frickin turned it around, dug in and sent them packing! So proud of the team tonight!
Dear doomers, sorry to disappoint you, you must crying into your Chelsea mugs. Bellends! Go find someone else to boo you plastics! In your collective face.
Dear media, put that in your anti-Arse pipe and smoke it! Hope it explodes in your face and you feel very silly. As I’m sure you already do now.
Very f*ckin lucky in my opinion.
Apologies for duplication – iPhone has a Mind of it’s own.
Anyways I’m crowning tonight’s achievement with an irish/scottish cocktail so it’s Guinness and bowmore all round on my tab!
And whatever Gervinho is having!
When the going got tough, the tough got going.
Excellent win and some really good performances, Chesney, Song, jenkinson to name but a few. Finally a special mention for the old head of the team. T Rosicky pulled up his sleeves and rolled back the years tonight. I doubted he still had it in him. Thanks for proving Me wrong TR7
Just a shame our African boys (Song, Frimpong and Gervinho) are going to miss Sunday..
On tonight’s performance they could have contributed to a shock result on Sunday!
Trevor Brooking FA Cup Final 1980: 0-1 Arsenal. I ask the old man if it’all be alright… ‘Yes, Matthew’ he says, ‘we’ll pull it back — mark my words’. What happens? We lose.
A few weeks later, Graham Rix lifts it over the bar in a penalty shoot-out in the Cup Winner Cup Final. Arsenal finish 5th in the league (or some such). We win NOTHING and get NOWHERE. I’m 10. I cry myself to sleep.
Those were the days hey? Oh, to. Oh to be. Oh to be a. GOONER
And this last week?
I start preparing my son for the season ahead. I start telling him that we’ll do okay. Not great. But we’ll be okay — maybe fifth. Not much better than that. But don’t expect much better.
But? Never in any doubt! He knows more than me!
I feel like an English tabloid journalist in a World Cup Year.
UP THE ARSE!!!!
Good Evening Holics
What a great effort from the boys and what a super game of football ,it had everything.
I was so pleased to see TR7 running the show in the second half ,a great favorite of mine.
Two great goals and a wonder save from Wojciech ( on my new shirt) . Young Jenks is showing us why AW bought him and what is more important the whole team showed the old Arsenal fighting spirit which had been missing at the end of last season.
I await the morning headlines in the press, I doubt that AW and the team will get the credit they deserve.
All we need now are reinforcements at LB, CB, MF playmaker and perhaps a striker. It is going to be a long week!
Perhaps there will be a monsoon at OT on Sunday and the match is abandoned, oh for some divine intervention. What sort of team can we put out?
As always COYRs