Goals Galore, Roll On Next Saturday
Sep 2nd, 2011 by 'holic
It isn’t very often that international breaks yield a day of things worth watching again, but it will be well worth you popping over to 101 Great Goals in order to witness a hat-trick for Ju Young Park as South Korea smoked the Lebanese 6-0. The fella looks an interesting signing on that basis, but can we find a system that would accommodate both him and Robin van Persie? The new skipper went one better with four goals as the Dutch capped a fine day with an 11-0 beating of San Marino.
Add to those two performances a Welsh winner for Aaron Ramsey against Macedonia, as well as strikes for reported Arsenal targets Yann M’Vila and Karim Benzema as France, in hooped shirts but minus the strings of onions and berets, saw off Albania, and you have a more interesting day than I was expecting.
Sky Sports viewers had a chance to witness an interview with Mikel Arteta. I don’t know about you, but I am really excited about the prospect of seeing him in an Arsenal shirt. He was always a hard-working, feisty, and creative influence when he appeared against us for Everton. That is a cocktail of qualities we perhaps lacked on occasion when the pointed end of last season arrived. Let’s hope we can very quickly get into a position to see if he will make a difference when push comes to shove in the early part of 2012.
Swansea Home Anybody?
At the time of writing a good friend of Goonerholic has a spare pair of tickets for what should be Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal debut against Swansea next Saturday. I think it is a fair bet that match will also see the first competitive starts for a couple of other new signings too. Not surprisingly the remaining tickets sold out pretty quickly yesterday. These two are available at cost price, Β£38 each I believe. Drop me a line to gooner@goonerholic.com and if they are still available we will see what can be done.
Have a great weekend, ‘holics.
239 Responses to “Goals Galore, Roll On Next Saturday”
Sneaks in!!!!
Quick visit as the beer is flowing here due to the Dutch 11-0 victory.
1st round’s on me.
Nice work H2H π
How are you guys π ?
I like this bar :D.
Smoke the Lebanese heh.
I said in the last set of drinks (and just like my wife you all ignored me!) that the boss aint going to get too long to work with new guys due to the International break so I think that we will have to wait a bit before the evolution of the “new” Arsenal becomes really apparent.
If we can get a win with our banned players still to come back, Jack to regain full fitness, and the new guys getting time to get used to their surroundings, then that will suit me. Given our start to the season, we can’t afford to take any team lightly, although I am wholly with you Holic, really looking forward to seeing Arteta and Per German Bloke in the red and white.
Guinness for me, Bloody Mary for H2H and whatever you are having.
I’ll partake in that round.
Great prospect this mister Park, finally someone who’s not afraid to run an try meet crosses in the box?
Not sure about Benzema ever being one of our targets considering he’s said consistently for many years his dream was to play for Madrid and never expressed any interest in Arsenal whatsoever.
As for M’Vila his price just went up 5M and he was already too expensive π
And drinks for Ollie and Ging Gang Goolie too π
And Matt. π
Evening chaps .
Nice post Holic . The Arsenal goal machine has just kicked in . Goals from all over . Poor old Swansea .
Cheers for the beer H2H .
Ollie , Matt and Dr Z , didn’t see you all there .
Evening . Next round is on me .
Park probably had an assist as well, Robin got two and Andrei got the assist for the only goal in their game.
How many international captains do we have now anyway?
Bourbon and branchwater, please.
Zico, I never ignore you ! π
To be honest I’m looking forward to seeing Andre Santos as well. I mean, his attacking ability is much better than Clichy’s and if he doesn’t get caught on possession/have lapses of concentration/ruins the offside trap then he’s better defensively π
Guys, don’t push it, we have another set of International next week, we’re not off the hook yet.
Tabs – Don’t I get a drink?! Dr. C said I’m allowed to consume Alcohol!
Of course Snir . Here you go Sir , a nice cold lager .
Poor old Swansea?
I’ll drink to that once we’ve put them to the sword! In the meantime it appears the optimists amongst us outweigh the doomsayers.
I sat through the days of John Hawley, Lee Chapman et al. The negative ‘fans’ among us are probably too young to even remember the ‘halcyon (ahem) days of Hillier, Jensen, McGoldrick and Selley.
A coke please ‘Holic….
Fair point about another round of international fixtures Snir, so it will be a long week.
tabs, cheers – you have mail btw (thanks for doing the necessary Barman).
Looking at Park video – oooh, a goal from a corner. When was the last time we did that? Kos against Everton at the Grove? Don’t remember too many from last season that’s for sure.
Geoff not Geoffmr (!)
Geoff, your mate isn’t Pedro, I hope π
Can’t say I know a Pedro Zico, I’m pretty new to posting here, hopefully be up to speed soon.
Dr Z , thanks for the mail and have replied . Your suggestion sounds great .
Geoff @16 , a coke for you Sir and a quick toast to John Hawley , who didn’t lack for effort even though not long on ability . Appalling ‘tache though π
Almunia and Squillaci are in the 25 man squad.
Why? If we play them we might as well forfeit and lose 3-0, it’s about the same. π
Welcome Geoff. Being a Friday night the alcohol-infused enthusiasm has taken over.
I also missed a Goetze goal. Not that I think for one moment we will get him. Interesting though to see so many familiar names on target tonight.
@ Geoff,
Then welcome. A Swedish guy buys all the drinks here, even when he is in Crete. (That won’t sound obscure to a newcomer, oh no…..I’)
@ tabs – got your reply. Looking forward to it. I also concur on John Hawley’s tache π
takeabowson @21. And that’s just it, regardless of ability all we want to see is players representing The cannon giving their all. Thanks for the drink, what’s your tipple?
‘Holic, thanks for the welcome, it’s good to be here. It can’t do our strikers any harm hitting the net in a competitive match. Fingers crossed for an injury free return after next weeks games.
Geoff – Did you come here after the blogs mention of Holic in his Arseblog today? Now that’s some PR! Better than Arsenal’s PR that’s for sure π
I’m seriously starting to get fed up with all the media.
Everyone is slating the manager for abandoning his principles, the same principles he was criticized for having!
I mean everyone is going on about the fact that Arteta got a 4 year contract when he’s 29 when Pires and DB got a 1 year extension.
Well, first of all Arteta wasn’t gonna come on a one year contract, he would have stayed at Everton, but secondly, He’s 29, and if they would have had their facts right, they would’ve known Rosicky got a long term extension at 29 as well so nothing’s changed.
Damned if you buy, damned if you don’t. Leave the guy alone.
One Arsene Wenger, there’s only one Arsene Wenger!
Nail on the head there Geoff . A quick lager would be great , cheers .
Tabs, TS, bbtt8bbbnttnhntgt, or whatever – great stuff in the last drinks, and apologies to any not remembered – so many to catch up on these days, I can’t remember one session from another.
Drink for anyone still here, to celebrate all the various Rip-Roaring’s goals tonight. Lars’ tab, of course π
Β£38 quid a ticket ‘Holic, blimey, mine average Β£76 !! Do you have to serve the Β£5 hot-dogs on that one as well ?
takeabowson: Here’s a swift half for you, it’s getting late and I’m only thinking of your head in the morning otherwise you’d be having a pint.
Snir Geuli@26. I must confess I haven’t checked Arseblog today but I’ve downloaded the arsecast for my bedroom nightcap.
I totally agree with you about the media, it really is disgraceful. It’s obvious either Wenger or A. N. Other at the club has influenced a change of heart regarding transfers….but that’s precisely what the media were advising him to do, now he’s done it they’re writing him and us off for the speed with which he’s done it and the paucity of quality. Unbelievable.
Is it me, or the lasting effects of Wednesday night, or do Snir’s recent posts seem to be taking on an air of increasing mania.
And now Alcohol ! I’m going to have words with Dr C and woe betide you young man if it turns out you’ve been telling porkies.
Welcome Geoff, and f*ck the lot of ’em π
Snir, if you really want alcohol, I suggest you ask Wolfie for a cocktail.
I’m sure he’ll arrange a Long Sloe Screw up against The Wall for you.
Very nice too !! π
Seem to be talking to myself in here, again. π
*shuffles to corner to get coat*
I just wanna say that Phil Jones is the stupidest player in the EPL. Like seriously, why didn’t he stay in the net for RvP’s goal? So stupid.
Thank you Trev, I couldn’t agree more!
Or maybe he isn’t that stupid?
Out of Fifa’s laws of the game (maybe that’s the problem! Fix this fucking rule!)
Any defending player leaving the ο¬eld of play for any reason without the refereeβs permission shall be considered to be on his own goal line or touch line for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play. If the player leaves the ο¬eld of play deliberately, he must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play.
I am absolutely positive I’ve seen incidents where the players off the field weren’t taken into consideration (even players behind the goal).
Ooww! Sheisse! *bangs head on door frame entering the bar*
Guten Evenink, meine little Wiener Schnitzels.
I am settling in sehr vell, sank you. Ze Lady Nina Schmith viz whom I got on so vell ze uzzer day, rang me up tonight and asked me over for dinner.
She seems to be a very keen cook, and likes very much ze baking. She explained me she hez alvays vonted to try a big German Sausage sandvidged betveen her own buns.
I did enjoy it sehr much, but I voz a little offended ven she kept calling me a sour kraut.
She asked me how it voz going at ze trainink. I said I heff already spoken to Herr Wenger qvite a lot.
He vonts me to make sure zat all ze defenders communicate a lot better viz each uzzer.
I said “sure, don’t you vorry Boss, I heff vays of making zem talk!”
As I voz leavink Lady Schmith’s, Mr Vood vos arrivink at ze back door.
“OOHH! Pardon me Mr Vood”, I said, “I didn’t see you under zerr”.
Mr Vood told me to Fuck Off.
I like Mr Vood.
has anyone got a link to the 25 man squad? and when is the second round of internationals, plus im so excited for swansea
Shekssss – http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11670_7145495,00.html
Home Grown – JD, Song, Walcott, Gibbs, Mannone.
The rest (17) are Non-Homegrown.
The under 21’s aren’t written yet.
Heh at Mertesacker. Already sliding in nicely at Arsenal, I see. π
Arteta seems to know this is his last chance to really make a mark. No call-ups for Spain, no CL so I think he is going to really go for it this year and beyond. He was great for Everton but I think he feels a bit left behind and thus the reason for the move. Really hoping we come out of these internationals healthy. If anyone is still around, I’ll but you a cold one.
*buy you a cold one*
Thanks Gedo π
I’ve actually downloaded the 2 matches against Everton from last year. gonna focus solely on Arteta π
Snir, I hope we can get 30 games out of him. Good to have someome push Ramsey as I think he’s started slowly this year. Nice to see him knick one tonight.
Really likes his goal today. That’s what he’s been lacking this season. Those forward runs and getting into positions in the opposition half.
*liked.
Are we going to put two strikers up front or play Theo and or Gervihno forward? Or play Arteta up the field ala Cesc. Arshavin looks to be the odd man left out unless he plays centrally which I don’t think we’re going to do.
Gedo, I’ve thought about that long and hard and I don’t think AW will change the formation.
He had the whole preseason to at least try at and he didn’t even try it once, even though he knew Cesc would be moving on (for instance not going to Portugal after being declared fit).
I would very much like us to play 4-4-2 but looking at Arteta in a 4-4-2 he seems Denilson like.
I’ve just watched the first half of the match at Goodison Park and his performance is quite cowardly, meaning he didn’t take too much responsibility, passing the ball sideways not to lose possession.
He is positioned very deep as Everton didn’t have Fellaini for that match as he was suspended. Everton’s midfield on the day was Coleman, Heitinga, Arteta and Pienaar in one line and their overall strategy was long balls (and knockdowns from the long balls) to Saha and Cahill.
Didn’t get involved in Everton’s game at all.
On the other hand, his deliveries from set-pieces are some of the best I’ve ever seen.
Hey All,
Back with a vengeance but never been gone if you follow. I think the boys are gathering their fury to unleash on the Swans, worthy Welsh but in the wrong place at the wrong time perhaps.
I’ll take a lager and a jameson, although I banned myself from that particular liquid some time ago, I’m going to revive it because we all need the fight to get through this campaign.
Cheers ‘holic, you’re a bright star in an otherwise dim and vacant galaxy
Certainly grew into the game in the 2nd half with Rodwell coming on for Heitinga and Everton trying to be adventorous after they conceded the 2nd goal.
He seems to me in the ‘not giving possession away under no circumstance’ camp, and doesn’t try the splitting pass if it isn’t there.
Overall had an average to poor game at Goodison Park and was replaced by Yakubu in the 70th minute when Everton were going for it.
Almost 6am here in the Lowlands, session finished after a record breaking Oranje game.
Welcome Geoff, it looks like you’ve already booked your place on the HT.
Snir, I admire your dedication son, but don’t let the meeja get you down.
Also forget watching Arteta playing for the chewed up and spat out toffees, they aren’t shit, never have been (except for a period of about 10mins in the mid 80’s) and never will be. If it wasn’t for Moe from the Simpsons (aka Moyes) they would of been relagated years ago.
Arteta is our boy now, let’s see what he does in our shirt, then we can say what he’s worth.
‘
A nightcap to all my fellow ‘holics worldwide.
Goodnight and Denis bless.
H2H – I’ve never said they were shit. I actually rate them (and Moyes’ ability, not the person) very highly!
I just wanted to see basic attributes.
Was just about to post (after watching the match at the Emirates from last season) that it’s clear for everyone to see that he allowed himself a lot more when Fellaini was in the side.
He had an excellent half at the Emirates, and was a lot more adventurous in his play although Everton were playing away from home.
H2H – I’m just cooling off my fears because like I said, I’m certain AW will keep the formation so we need someone who can create, and create a lot.
I have a feeling he will have an “Ashley Young effect” like was mentioned in today’s arsecast where the player immediately raises his game when surrounded by better players.
snir at 39, i think young was playing rvp onside anyway. well done yesterday rvp by the way, lets carry that form through to swansea. wonder if we will play park first up – a big ask of him ?
IDKA – I’m not sure Young played him onside, I’m quite sure they weren’t level and RvP was in a more forward position than him but according to the ‘laws of the game’ that I posed @36, it doesn’t really matter because Jones would count as being on the goal line.
I seriously have seen lots of incidents where a player off the field wasn’t taken into consideration.
As for Park, you mocked me when I said he impressed me at the WC π .
I really was impressed with him I just didn’t know it was him, but I saw a highlight reel and realized the one who impressed me (number 10) is actually the player we signed!
I don’t think he’s gonna play 2 up front, and if he is I think he’ll let Theo play there as he’s getting increased pressure about it from the media and from Theo himself.
As for Arteta, I watched both games to focus on him a bit more than usual and I liked what I saw, I’m sure he will be a great success at Arsenal.
*posted
Right got car-lag and red pillage out of the system –
Now excited by new signings (and choosing to ignore the dysfunctional effin timing of it all and what that hints at re relations/masterplanning at le clurrb) –
A german giant in defence – “I’ll be centre-back”; Arteta making pretty patterns in the middle of the park; Park popping ’em in at the top end of the, er – park; a Brazilian left-back who shares the name of Pele’s old side and Yossi ‘gis a lob’ Benayoun – possibly coming on late to create when we go flat
Bring back future Captain Jack, add a little RVP, Geronimo, Rambo, Chesney and co – Song and Frimpong to – more subtly please boys – sort out any midfield ding-dong and we’ve got a half-decent side with half-decent cover (may be a bit short up front still), when everyone’s fit (ignores nagging voice in head re words ‘Arsenal’ and ‘fit’ not belonging in the same sentence/season etc.).
Soooo the season starts for us in earnest this weekend. Yeah – bring the big match – who we got? – Oh bollox!
Still I’m gonna get my Arse kicks this weekend checking out the odds on us to nick the league from the Mancs on goal diff. Ha! they should have had got more when we woz on the floor.
But now – i think – we’re back – just ask the new centre-half
UReds!
I do believe that if RVP, Ramsey and “It’s Chu Young Park” continue there fine scoring form from yesterday, we can pay the Mancs back in the return fixture!
In the words of Holic – Roll on next Saturday!
IDKA –
I would like to see Yossi and Park come off the bench next week, but would love to see R-Teta and Big Sack start I think!
SG@22 – They will more than necessarily likely be the very very last resorts! π
PS: I thanked my Chav mate for loaning us Yossi yesterday!(he he)
Welcome to Geoff π
“Geoffery, his name is geoffery…
Na na na na na na
His name is Geoffery…”
Jeez, I won’t even take my coat off π
You started it GT π
Maybe the free pass the Doc gave me to the MC is to blame.
Perky coffee I think please barman π
@60 Mark The Spark.
Wow, I’ve been here two minutes and I have my own song π
@51 H2H Thanks for the welcome.
Agree with MTS, Coffee all round please….
@ “it’s Mark The Spark” @ 60 π
**in the corner inhaling upon the pipe-age
@ Geoff… There is, of course, only ‘One Song’ π
Or is that another one?
GT has a lot to answer for.
Pass the duchie man…. π
goonertown
no doubt meerkat will start if fit. i hope so ! so will arteta i think. have lost track on where we are with suspensions so depends a little on that. santos starts too – we need to see what they are up to and if not at home to swansea. when ? just not sure where park will play but we will find out soon enough. good start for him if he comes on when we are a couple up
sniur – wasn’t mocking you, but you had mentioned you were impressed a bout a dozen times ! no doubt he will be very competent and if he as effective as his namesake at united we will have done well.
Haight St – good afternoon from sunny southeast England sir.
Sun’s out, there’s a nice breeze up and all is well with the world.
Now if I could just find out how to fast forward time to next weekend…
Lager tops lined up at the bar, seeing as it’s feeling summery and I’m back at my roots in Essex, the home of said drink.
Afternoon All ,
Geoff , thanks for the drink , and Camberwell , a lager top is just the juice this particular engine needs . Cheers .
Trev , more great stuff re the German @37 , a drink for you sir .
Finally , came across this little beauty . A year old , but still so so on the money . This is for you Cousin Op ….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utUyha0wjSE&feature=related
Morning Holics, or afternoon I think for most of you.
Geez Haight street it’s 05:47 Pdst when the heck do get up?
Anyone catch the Iberian diver yesterday?
That lot really know how to approach a”friendly” don’t they?
Boy I bet the Chileans being non-lisping Spanish speakers let a few choice oathes loose at their former colonial oppressors.
Anyway it was a real s**tty way to end a fine game.
Really becoming a specialty with that lot.
Guess it just shows how far you can go with talent,hard work, and cheating.
leftcoast – I saw the game. A very schizophrenic performance from the Chilean team – they should have been 4 up at half time against Spain and it looked like a totally different team came out for the second half, as if somehow they couldn’t believe that they were beating the world champions.
As for the cheating Arbeloa, well, he’s just another one. It’ll be a real sad day if Fabregas resorts to this like the rest of his pals, but don’t be surprised when it happens. Being able to win through normal means doesn’t seem to be enough for them.
tabs @ 66 – I must have been asleep as its a new one on me, and it’s hilariously brilliant. “get out of my sight you fucking dozy little shit for brains….” – the only language they understand, heh.
I’m sure Wolfgang Smallballs could make an equally hilarious contribution via http://www.xtranormal.com π
Heh , Dr Z π – Behind The Arse , on YouTube , now there’s a thought …
@Zicoinexile
Dude, that was too wierd.
As a Cancerian I’m rather proud of my manboobs.
Anyone care to let me know wtf leftcoastgooner is on about?
I’m not sure either izco, er sorry, zico.
I’ll have one of those lager tops with a BM chaser please.
And ofcourse good afternoon to y’all
Snir.52
I’m afraid you mis-understood me when I posted;
Also forget watching Arteta playing for the chewed up and spat out toffees, they arenβt shit, never have been (except for a period of about 10mins in the mid 80β²s) and never will be. If it wasnβt for Moe from the Simpsons (aka Moyes) they would of been relagated years ago.”
The “they aren’t shit” bit, was meant as they are not good at all, or they don’t amount to much.
Read it like that and I’m sure it will make more sense. (although now I think about it, it was pretty late when I posted so it may all just be gobbledegook)
tabs 66.
Indeed a classic, even funnier though are the new comments beneath from Spuds who actually admit to having the same conversation with Gooners.
Dumb de dumb, dumb.
Zico Check the last link you left.
I don’t think you meant it to go there.
click the video.
Bendtner says he’ll never play for Arsenal again…..truly a man of many talents, as well as being the best striker in the world this boy can also read 60’000 minds simultaneously!
guys, do you know if Vermaelen is fit for next weekend…he wasn’t in Belgian squad last night..
leftcoastgooner – you obviously missed the relationship between tabs post and mine.
Nevermind, at least I know you’re proud of your manboobs π
Have a drink on my tab – things look better through beer goggles.
heh Geoff, he obviously is the greatest telepath that evah lived…..
@zico
OOps got to the right ones at last.
Sorry mis-understood. Too true about my manboobs tough they are studly. Tgmbtel
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/08/15/Franchises/Arsenal-main.aspx?hl=arsenal&sc=0
I’m not impressed at all with Tom Fox’s comments on ticket prices. His way of thinking about the revenue is too American for me.
MTS -i’ll sing til the final whistle!! π
IDKA- I’m hoping to see a day to remember next Saturday π
83 Snir.
Didn’t Arsene always say he wanted a (Tom) fox in the (directors) box?
Hey Zico, I wonder what hidden talents the boy has? Certainly he has a gift for making the most of limited talent and turning it into money, wish I had that!
Snir @83 – great link. Interesting that Fox still doesn’t think tickets cost enough. Maybe he could treat me to mine, as it’s so cheap.
Tabs – cheers for the kind words re Per π Drink for you too sir.
Zico – good to see you back, struggling for a couple of days ? Know the feeling. But you’re never ignored, sir π
Please have one on Lars’ tab – a Retsina maybe ? Nice.
Hey Trev – you’ve now taken off your German strip then?
Tremendous incarnations you’ve brought into the Holic world, Mr Hill Wood and Her Per. A pleasure to share a drink with you.
You going to be around for the Bolton game – a swift pint beforehand perhaps?
Tabs @66 – bizarre link, straight from BTA. Where do you guys find all this stuff.
Zico – i know i’m a bit computer illiterate, but afraid I got the manboobs too. Only on your link, you understand. π
Zico – I’m around for every game! Sounds good.
Nice one – watch this space π
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-midfielder-Jack-Wilshere-ruled-out-for-three-months-with-ankle-injury-article794849.html
Ankle my ass.
It’s an Achilles injury covered up so we won’t panic.
Like I said before, Jack is this year’s TV.
If I catch that bitch Lady luck, she’s in for some rollicking.
Jack Wilshere: βI am feeling good. Iβve had a slight injury but over all I am feeling good. The medical staff are not pushing me. I spoke to the manager and he said, βtake your time and come back when youβre readyβ. There is no point coming back and then having six weeks off again. Itβs been. massively frustrating but it is a bit of a set back. But I am still feeling good about the season and weβve got to push on as soon as possible.β
I don’t like the “take your time and come back when you’re ready” line… Something in his injury feels fishy…
Obviously, the fact that it’s in the mirror doesn’t mean that much, but when it comes to injuries I tend to believe the bad news more than the good news considering our ‘magnificent’ injury record… :\
I agree with you that the squad is now stronger than it was last week.
For me we have gone from relegation candidates to possibly being a mid table side. Is this team able to beat any of the top 6 sides home or away?
I suggest that we take a look at the strength of our competitors before we start pronouncing ourselves as a top side-
Arsenal’s attempts to become a self sustaining business continue to be painful-because building the brand and expanding our share of the commercial market can only be based on success, not failure-and we have failed and have rightly been perceived by our rivals as going backwards not forwards- after having failed at the end of last season-we lose our 2 best players and don’t replace them in the transfer window.
This whole sustainability strategy is built on a myth-that Arsene Wenger could recruit a bunch of kids using our vaunted world-wide network of scouts and develop world class players at a fraction of market cost. It is a total myth-because the majority of Wenger’s kids never make it big-and the few that do view the club as a stepping stone and move to a genuinely top club paying top money the moment they reach maturity. If we want to keep these kids-we have to pay top money-AND demonstrate the likelihood of winning top trophies-and we won’t do that when we don’t invest in top level players.
Our self sustaining model is a piece of bullshit spin-nothing else. Its wrong in concept-no business is self sustaining on the basis of an annual balance sheet-its self sustaining over a number of years-which takes into account capital costs.
Arsenal will only gaining market share when we demonstrate that we can compete with the best in the EPL-and we need to replace the best players we have lost and some more in order to do that. The truth is Arsenal need to invest in the region of a further 50m on players-a sum not beyond our resources in order to become self sustaining.
Saying we didn’t replace Cesc and Nasri so we are automatically a weaker team, is too simplistic in my eyes.
United lost both Ronaldo and Tevez, 2 of the best players in the world and brought in Valencia and Owen.
Do you really think that anybody at United considered them like for like replacements? I can guarantee you the answer is no.
They were weakened by releasing two of their best players but they were able to successfully share the offensive burden by giving Rooney more attacking responsibility.
So Valencia is no Ronaldo replacement, just like Arteta is no Cesc replacement. But, it’s up to us to change and share the offensive burden so that we won’t be weaker.
As opposed to other seasons, I think we have a weaker first 11 than we had in previous seasons but a stronger squad, and that is what wins trophies.
Don’t let the United debacle fool you, we are not THAT far off from our rivals, especially with our new found depth.
Goonergerry @ 95: Most kids at most academies, even of the top clubs, don’t make it as world-class players. The odds are always against it. To Snir Gueli ‘s point @ 96, Cesc is irreplaceable like-for-like. As Ferguson did when Ronaldo left (replacement Valencia, hardly comparable), Wenger will have to reshape the team around the talents he does have.
Cheers, ‘holic and ‘holics. When is an interlull really an interlull? When the drinks are full of chatter about manboobs. π
Lansbury is off to a good start as well. Scored 2 set up 2 for the Under 21s. Really hope we hold on to him in the long run.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3789825/England-U-21-6-Azerbaijan-U-21-0.html
It would be rude not to π
Lets just hope that Jack Wilshere comes back as early as possible..
Does anyone think Lansbury will become good enough for the Arsenal first team? A lot of people seem sceptical at the moment.
Morning chaps.
Not sure that NB52 deserves all the stick. Yes, he’s not world class and all that, but he was played hopelessly out of position over the last year or so, which just made him look a bigger prick than the ‘scores one out of every two sitters’ type of player that he was.
Can’t replace Cesc like for like? Gentlemen, I give you… Lionel Messi π
Just saying it’s possible, that’s all π
Bacon S’wich and coffee please π
Morning clunge-avoiders.
How are we today then?
Not too bad holic, enjoying the goal fest from the international match-ups while a typhoon blows past outside.
I need more vodka I think π
I’ll bet that’s a price in Japan, Cannons?
Morning all I’ve just one thing to say,
Un-bal-eeevable Tekkers!
π
Oh Bollox! I thought he was back in light training next week!
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-midfielder-Jack-Wilshere-ruled-out-for-three-months-with-ankle-injury-article794849.html
If we can we should still see if we could build two exceptional teams so that we could have one for each part of the season pre and post Christmas, to help us finish the season! (Just saying
Little Jackie is this season’s Verminator. Can’t wait to see him in the 2012-13 season!
Do you think AW uses “being sent to the medical team” as a threat to his players?
Wenger: “Do that again and I’ll arrange for you to have a little ‘visit to the physio.'”
Player (trembling, with thousand-yard stare): “Don’t make me go back there! You…you don’t know what it does to a man!”
Arsenal confirm Jack out for 2 months . π
Yeah, alcohol is pretty expensive here generally speaking but liquor is cheaper than beer, not sure why but that’s the way the sushi crumbles π
Aggravated injury playing for England v Switzerland……god I hate international football.
Now have to sweat over Vermaelen, RvP, Ramsay not getting injured during the week.
tabs, that confirmation isn’t on Pravda as far as I could see?
Afternoon peeps.
I see nothing on Arsenal.com either.
Please forgive my ignorance, but why is it refered to as Pravda?
A big BM for an answer to my query (easy Wolfie)
Heard it on Talkshite Dr Z , but they did report it as coming from Arsenal .
Totally agreed on international football . What a crock of shite !
Refers I think to the completely non critical approach taken H2H , and their ability to put a gloss on even the direst of circs .
BM please H2H ?
I guess because it’s only propaganda on there H2H, like the old soviet newspaper or something?
It’s your’s sir.
With an extra shot of Russian to show my gratitude.
Cheers.
BTW, where did you get your LJW info from?
The Mirror article is sketchy to say the least.
One for you too CoR.
Cheers H2H , and one right back at you .
Apparently JW has tweeted that he will be out for “between 2 and 3 months ” .
Hello CoR , how’s the weather ? Drink ?
I saw this on the Beeb fellas…we’ve got Arteta and Benayoun though, maybe we can cover for LJW?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14636507.stm
I’d like a London Pride thanks tabs π
Too much gin tonic last night…Typhoon weather for the past few days has me either inside or soaking wet going to the bar :S
I literally played FIFA 11 for 12 straight hours, can’t see now but I think I developed my “football brain” a little, lol
CoR , ha , just stay in the bar would be my advice ! π
In the meantime , here’s your London Pride mate .
Ahh, good Affanoon, Arse fans!
I am half-blother and agent of new Gooner, Park Chu Young.
My other blother, Dr Chan, is a lerationship expert and has told me velly intellesting stolly about Missa Wayne Rlooney, who went to visit him.
The convelsation went rike this –
WR: Dr Chan, can you help me? Since me son Kai was born, me wife won’t have sex with me, and for months now I haven’t even been able to pick up an old Granny. What is wrong with me, Dr Chan ?
Dr Chan: Velly good. What I want you do, is take off all your crothes, get down on your hands and knees, and crawl reary reary fass to other side of loom.
Rooney does so.
Dr Chan: Good. Now crawl reary reary fass back to me.
Rooney does so again.
Dr Chan: Ahh, velly intellesting. I see your plobrem. You have Ed Zackery Disease. Worst case I ever saw!
WR: Oh my God, Dr Chan, that sounds terrible. What the hell is Ed Zackery Disease ?
Dr Chan: Ed Zackery Disease, Missa Rlooney, is when your face look ed zackery like your ass !
π
Afternoon all.
The JW news is bound to be right. Bad news always is for us. π
He would have denied it on Twitface or something otherwise ?
Wun Too Many, that’s pretty offensive man
@124 heh π π . A drink for you Sir ! Trev ?
Thanx for the info guys. Shame for Jack, wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.
Wan Too Many.
π vely funny.
Just fun CoR, and I think the joke is on Rooney ? π
Well, what can I say, I’m not a fan of jokes that use stereotyping…
Anyone interested in seeing what Santos plays like? I found this video on youtube a few minutes ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at04FU1UNvU&feature=related
Looks good Canons , but pretty difficult to surmise much from these clips . Looks like he’ll certainly offer more than Clichy going forward . As for defensively , time will tell , but certainly offers more physically . Don’t see him being bullied in the way Clichy was .
Man, it’s so quiet after the recent events….What are you fellas doing to pass the time until the return of the Arsenal?
Btw tabs, I’ll have a couple of pages of the BTA to show you soon man π
Mark the Spark @ 103: Messi is a false 9 whereas Cesc is a false 10. Different sorts of player albeit both world-class in their own ways.
Wilshere news is disappointing. Strengthens my view that we need four DMs so we always have one available while the other three are serving three-match bans.
Canons , that’s great news , be great to see . π
Ah, there you all are. Apologies. Taking this rare opportunity of a weekend off to download loads and loads of choons so the ‘hPod will be rocking on the way to games this season.
Just spent some good money on Tayo, so those Tuesday Club lads can stop calling me a bleeding freeloader π
Growing up in Fife, my mum would often use an expression “Fools and bairns should never see things half done”. It’s an expression that’s particularly relevant to the transfer window just closed. Teenage pimple picking scribes and virtually the complete alphabet of bloggers from ArseB to ArseM went into meltdown mode. “The man has lost it! Fire him! This club is in terminal decline! Fire the board. Kronke is a Krankie. We’re doomed. We’re all doomed” was the soup of spew that spilled forth from fetid brains of fools and bairns on a never ceasing wave of gloom.
Amongst all of this, pretty much ONE blogger managed to maintain some degree of equilibrium and balance. “Why don’t we wait until the window closes and judge Arsene and the Board then?” This very reasonable suggestion brought instantaneous howls of criticism down daily from the fools and bairns on a very fine head in Wiltshere.
Throughout the piece, Arsene worked tirelessly. initial efforts were directed to retaining two of our four world class players. Early focus on a CB and Spanish mid-fielder were looking good before gazzumping set him back. Meanwhile, success – he managed to buy a RB for 1M to howls of derision from the bairns. “Slur Alex has finished his shopping. Wenger hasn’t started” howled the fools and bairns. “We’re doomed – we’re all doomed!”
The window rolled on. Arsene quietly rolled out 9 players. Cesc was regretted, Nasri resented, Clichy and Traore rejoiced. Departure of our pantomime Ivorian was overdue. Adieu Eboue. I hated your dives. Denilson, Lansbury, Bendtner too found themselves off to new opportunities, probably unlikely to return. All of these efforts added about 76M to the transfer kitty. Still the bairns moaned.
Arsene set efficiently about the other side of the ledger. 10 new players arrived. To the already mentioned Jenkins were added two more international defenders, Per and Santos. The attacking flare and pace of Gervinho, Chamberlain, Park and Miyaichi arrived. Then, to bolster the already excellent midfiield of Rambo, Jack, Song and Rosicky the boss added the experience and guile of the excellent Arteta and Benayoun.
These ten were acquired for 55M. Arsene actually managed to make an excellent squad even stronger and bank about 20M. Add that to the 30M that was in the kitty at the start and we have another 50M sitting ready to strike.
The fools and bairns were flummoxed. They didn’t know whether to howl, stamp their feet in frustration. Many chose and still choose to pick pathetic holes in our fine new fabric in pissy petulant pieces of spew. They are better ignored than criticized. They appear happy to wallow in their own excrement and we should leave them to that pleasure.
One man, the same head that endured the spew during the days of challenge, stands proud and happy. So far he has refrained from saying “I told you so”. Holic, may I say it for you,sir. You did indeed tell them so, in text and podcast, yours was the voice of reason and balance. Well done! Look forward to a celebratory wee yin at the Bolton game. “To our 10 new men”. Do you think we can add Tommy V as “like a new signing” and toast 11?
Arsenal, Bloody Arsenal.
Tuuune ‘Holic .
Wise words BtM .
Thanks BtM, but many knew about the turnover this summer. I love the fact that we have addressed our obvious issues. Hoping that profit will be wisely invested in January.
Anybody who enjoyed listening to my choice on http://www.jfsr.co.uk on Monday, Gunner Rob is on again now, filling in on their Sunday Night “Love Break”.
Give it a listen if romantic soul is your bag.
I have the great good fortune of a golfing week in Napa Valley with Her Nellieness this week. If you hook your ball, you can munch on a few Chardonnay grapes while you look for it here. Magic.
We will listen to your picks tonight over a fine bottle of something red.
Looks like I’ll make it to both the Bolton and Olympiakos home games. Look forward to meeting up with you and other Holics then.
Definitely Bolton, maestro…
BtM – great stuff. AW can’t win. If he does nothing much, or buys more youth, he is ‘stubborn and blind to the problems’.
If he does what everybody tells him is needed, he is ‘panicking’.
If other clubs refuse to sell their prize players it is also, obviously, ‘his fault’.
CoR – sorry if the ‘Wun Too Many’ caused any offence – never the intention. The joke was originally told to me, in a slightly different context, by a friend of mine who is half Chinese.
Ok so Jack is this yearΧ³s TV.
TV is having problems as well.
Great, just great.
Is it 2-3 months from today or is the month that he’s already been out for taken into consideration or something?
Got the Jack news. Gutted π
There is a very interesting article on Yossi’s signature in Israel.
I’ll translate it as soon as I can.
One here, Snir.
http://www.jpost.com/Sports/Article.aspx?id=236681
BtM now in California. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was on the lam π
Looking forward to seeing you at Bolton, maestro.
‘I signed at Arsenal and I’m very happy and excited’ tweeted Yossi Benayoun, from Heathrow airport after midnight Israeli time, and ended a crazy day of marathon of advices and a race against the clock to move from Chelsea in the South West of London, capital of England to Arsenal in the North.
Benayoun will open a new chapter in his career in anther top team in English football, and actually has an impressive stint in English football playing for top teams such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
A few days later, after the Israeli National team’s loss 1-0 to Greece and the end of the Euro dream, sources from Arsenal, Liverpool and respected English journalists shared with us the whole process that led to Yossi’s signature at the airport via Fax and how the deal went about in 24 hours from the time Yossi landed in London, a deal that moved Yossi on London’s map.
Wednesday morning – Takeoff (5:00 A.M Israeli time, 3:00 , A.M BST) landing – Thursday morning (5.00 A.M)
Everything started on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. It was already during the day itself that it became clear to Benayoun and his agent, Ronen Katzav that the deal must be done quickly for Israel’s captain to realize his wish and move from his current club for which he didn’t play a lot last season because of injuries to a club that wanted him, and the list was long.
It was almost 3:00 A.M when Yossi and Katzav left for Ben Gurion Airport for a night flight to Frankfurt and then to London. Which club? Both the player and the agent weren’t sure yet but it was clear that Yossi needed to get to England.
“Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and a possible stay at Chelsea were all realistic choices when teams from other countries were ruled out. Clubs from a ‘lower class’ were ruled out as well as Yossi wanted to stay in the first class of English football”, as told by a respect Londoner journalist that reviewed the transfer closely.
As the clock approached 17:00 the possibilities were narrowed down to Arsenal, Liverpool, and to stay at Chelsea, and it was the latter that seemed the most realistic due to differences in the contract terms with the two clubs that seemed irreconcilable until the flight back home to Israel that took off at about 23:00 BST.
“As opposed to what people think, Chelsea really didn’t want to let go of Yossi”, said the journalist. “Benayoun himself felt that he had a very good preseason, something that Villas Boas himself felt, but despite that he wasn’t expected to get a lot of chances in the first team albeit being in good form. Therefore staying at Chelsea seemed a bad option to Yossi when he’s approaching the last phase of his career”.
The midfielder didn’t really leave London from the moment he landed to the moment he took off again. Repeated requests from the clubs that he’d stay a couple of more in London were unequivocally denied by the captain who wanted to get back to Israel to rejoin the National Team. The rumor that he already had a medical at Liverpool and was supposed to sign at the club were met with this response from a source at the club (Liverpool), “Benayoun wasn’t that close to Liverpool. They did want him to sign him again and the respect he has from the club and fans is big, especially after Benitez left. He did not have a medical because had he had a medical he would have signed as well”.
The reported conversation with Arsenal’s manager, Arsene Wenger, did take place but as opposed to reports, only after the signing (My side note: AW is such class, still didn’t talk to a contracted player). His representatives talked to Yossi and explained to him of the Wenger’s will to see him at the club but Wenger himself waited until after the signing to congratulate Yossi for joining the Gunners.
Katzav and the wife, Mirit, were the people Yossi consulted with throughout Deadline Day.
Another journalist said: “I never heard of a player who chooses one club over another because of a conversation with the manager and Wenger wouldn’t do that. It’s true that Wenger’s representatives called Yossi and talked to him but it was mainly to tell him about the professional part and the wish that he’d replace players like Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. I don’t really know how you see Benayoun in Israel but according to Wenger he’s a top class Premier league player and he’s definitely in the class of the mentioned players”.
Maybe in order to understand Yossi’s status, Chelsea captain, John Terry said of him, “I was very sad that he left. I didn’t realize what a good player he is until I trained with him regularly. He was unlucky with his injury last season. I felt that he could give Chelsea a lot this season. It’s too bad that he needed to be loaned out but we wish him well and hopefully he’d get the playing time he deserves”.
The fax and the signing at approximately 21:00 BST at Heathrow
The decision was made at around 21:00 BST. From that point on the only thing left to do was to close all the little details with the loan option seeming to be the best and fastest option for all parties.
Benayoun didn’t visit Arsenal’s training ground and the club agreed for him not to have a medical (My sidenote: maybe that’s why it’s only a loan, the rumors are that AW rejected to buy him because of his injury and with the fact that he didn’t have a medical, AW couldn’t check for himself so he loaned him?).
Even the contract was sent via fax to Heathrow, right before the flight, where it was signed and sent, just in time to congratulate the parties for the signature and to head back to the national mission on a night flight directly to Tel Aviv at 5:00 A.M Israeli time.
An Arsenal insider summarized the day: “We wanted Benayoun to stay a few extra hours to close some more details but he insisted on going back to Israel ASAP and didn’t want to postpone his flight. We were delighted we could sign a player of his stature that was wanted not only by us, but by many other teams. It was the biggest struggle of the summer between the top teams”.
Alas BtM you’re coming when I’m scheduled to go on the road again. All I can say is you should definitively plan a gastronomic halt in Yountsville during your week and be aware that the heavy Cabs are mightily treacherous. On the plus side DUI checks would be nefarious to the business so the police wisely abstain. The weather’s wonderful in this season, enjoy the fairways!
@Snir/83: great find, very informative article which leaves me with very mixed feelings. First there’s nothing wrong with working on maximizing the club’s revenue, as much as I dislike it football is money-driven and so is success. Throw enough money at it and it’ll come eventually. That’s what the Italian clubs of the 80s and 90s, Real Madrid (and Barca to a lesser extent), Chelski and now City have been proving all these years. Yes there’s the odd exception to the rule but if you look at league champions across Europe they’re always among the two biggest spenders on wages if not transfers. Sure the article makes it clear that Kroenke, Gazidis and Fox couldn’t care less about football and success unless it is related with growing the business. I can live with that, it’s not like chairmen who love their club have a super track record (looking at you Mike Ashley) possibly because it’s harder for them to keep rationally focused when you’re too involved emotionally. And the guys in charge seem to have done everything’s that’s right to grow the business. It’s pretty amazing to think that Arsenal only had one (!) person in charge of the sponsors. HR? check, commercial development? check, 1to1 marketing? check. Many welcome improvements which will bear fruits in the long run.
On the other hand there seems to be such a disconnect between what the article depicts and what is at the core of the business that it’s seriously disconcerting. The article states that it took a while for Tom Fox to understand how the premiership works and it’s not that surprising considering how different the US sports business is. Still it seems very obvious from that article that he (and Gazidis) for that matter don’t understand enough. US sports live in a bubble, clubs are business investments and the rules of the competition are first and foremost established to guarantee a return. The draft levels the chances, there’s no possible relegation, salaries are capped etc. But there’s no such protections in European football and mismanagement can lead to dramatic downturns very quickly. There are 2 points which get me really concerned.
The first one is commercial revenue. Say what you want Ivan and Tom, it’s going down when everyone else’s is on the up. Of course MU will benefit from their success but the article conveniently omits to mention how much better clubs like Shalke04 and Bayern are performing. And that’s not down to success. Yes we’re stuck with long-term commitments but if I remember well Ivan’s top priority 2 years ago was to develop commercial revenue and so far it’s a resounding failure. That being said there’s a plan in place and we probably can give them the benefit of the doubt and see where the plan gets us before the shirt and other contracts are unlocked. But as goonergerry said, you can’t maximize revenue if you don’t maximize success and nothing in this article nor in previous statements from the club indicates that this causal link is acknowledged by the men in black.
Now what really bothers me is the “values” of the club. They are very mentioned in every other public statement from the officials but which “values” are we talking about? When we moved to the Grove, the plan was clear. Tighten our belts to repay the loans, get some extra money from the property redevelopment and start using that money to bridge the gap until we finally get the additional 30M/year once the 10-years contracts expire in 2014. From a football perspective the plan was to rely on the best academy in the country to build the core of the team and buy one or two top players a season to complement the team. In short become the Barca of the North minus the debt. We’ve achieved some of it, the first batch of youngsters from the academy is finally reaching the first team, it looks like we can count on a couple of players breaching through every year. But one thing is certain, as long as we don’t pay enough players will leave and we will be in a state of perpetual rebuilding and we will never be able to compete with our competitors.
The fans have done their share with the highest prices in Europe, Arsene has done his share with a sporting competitiveness constantly above the level of investment in the team. Now the club has failed for now on the business side and as long as the salary cap remains what it is there’s no beating the bush: the club is not fulfilling its part of the deal. And as long as the wage structure remains in place we we should be wary of being conned. RvP and Walcott are Arsenal through and through. If they leave next summer to earn twice as much at City and Chelski there won’t any doubt left, Arsenal will be exposed as a scam.
@BtM again: Yes we have an excellent team and despite Nasri’s and Cesc’s departures we’re probably stronger than last season as a team. But so are United, Citeh, Chelski, Liverpool and even Spuds if `Arry can get Adebayor to shine (good luck with that though). The first 4 have spent 100M more or so more than us in the past 2 transfer windows.
Now we have the money to become an even better team, instead we’re saving more than usual on transfers and have lowered the wage bill. We can all be proud to be a financially self-reliant club but this is not the end goal and was never meant to be, it’s a mean towards an end and so far nothing that has come out of the club telling us what that end really is and how and when we’ll get there. Asking for explanations about our strategy as a club is what every stakeholder should do at this point.
All this talking got me parched, anyone care for a drink? Next round’s on me.
Sorry I’ll miss you, Matt. would really have liked to meet up.
Excellent piece @150. Your final point on the salary cap concerns me greatly. Arsenal has to find a way to retain our very best. There is little point in nurturing Wilshere, Song, Ramsey, Cesc, Nasri, Robin and others only to see them picked off by the attraction of salary multiples elsewhere. An increased skew away from the riches afforded to the vey young may help, but it isn’t an area in which the club will want to be exposed either.
Major businesses worldwide need to manage similar talent pool challenges. Most do – although they arent often subjected to the grotesque imbalances brought forward by Abbly Dabbly’s petro-dollars and Chel$ki’s owners dubiously gotten gains.
Commentaries like your own will be helpful in keeping the issue at front of mind. Now, if you’ll allow me I’ll get back to some more of your sunshine and, perhaps, a heavy cab.
Zico – Matt has been remiss in failing to mention the local Happy Train here – seems to go by the name of the Wine Train. Looks like it could be well worth a visit.
The Americans in this bar are lame.
I spent 15 minutes translating that article and hoped to get a response from someone before the English wake up but nobody replied.
I guess Yossi isn’t that interesting π
@83: Snir, the article was a great find. It seems that the men we have handling our commercial revenue section are having a hard time getting stuff done at the moment. It seems like weβre in a Catch 22 situation at the moment: we need footballing success to become commercially successful but we canβt achieve footballing success without successful in our commercial endeavour…
I wonder if the shirt sponsorship deals prevent us adding another sponsor on the back of the shirt? I would hate it but we are way behind in terms of sponsorship dealings at the moment…
@141: Trev, no worries man. I did cringe while reading the joke but have a Carib beer on me π
@148: Thanks for the translation work Snir! I initially thought it was just a copy-paste from an article. Signing faxes in Heathrow, hectic business! Iβm glad he decided to come to us, heβll do well I think…
Matt at 150/1 – nice work sir
snir
we signed yossi without a medical ?? was that wise ? i know we didn’t pay a fee but i assume we pay 60k+ pw ?
cannons
your point is correct “we need footballing success to become commercially successful but we canβt achieve footballing success without successful in our commercial endeavour⦔ i pointed out that this was united’s model and the way we are going (hence asia, park etc and why we made those last minute signings) and was told readers weren’t interested in other team’s problems. I pointed out that they are actually ours….
Morning everyone,
Boring boring interlulls and and swaeting wait on LJW!
Got this feeling “It’s Chu Young Park” is going to score next Sat. I’m going to include him in my Pounder!
Yay! π
…I meant (and once) Sweating
@157: Idka, I do remember asking responding to one of your posts asking if you were envious of United now that you mention it! I’m sorry about that, my hatred towards them made me react in the same way a child does when a parent says, “Why can’t you be more your older brother? He does this and that…”
We do have a lot to learn in terms of how much we’re worth in terms of commercial revenue. The board sold us short back when they were making the stadium deals and we’re seeing the results now in many ways. Hopefully we can keep improving in that aspect…
Drinks for everyone in the bar on me, the rain has finally stopped π
Cannons,
Not sure that I agree that the deals were sold short – I think that the deals made since then by others have been better, but its easy to be an expert after the event. Maybe we got less than the going rate, but how do you know that?
There are a number of things that you can criticise the Board for, but unless you have evidence that we could have got more out of the sponsors at the time that the deals were struck then that is not one of them.
“There is also currently no definite timescale on when Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen might return.”
Now where is that lady luck? That bitch.
Snir,
Diaby we can probably live without, but Vermaelen?
Lady luck is indeed a bitch. With bells on.
Morning All
Just catching up with the weekend drinks.
A good few chortles up there. Very impressed with BtM @ #136 & Matt @ #150. Great contributions fellas, cheers.
Anyone out there going to make Olympiacos on 28th? Could be a (plate) smashing night all round, with all due respect to our Greek fans, I know there’s plenty of you.
A round of coffees or whatevers for all please Mr.Barman, on my tab please.
Snir (PGGG), Dr. z, anyone?
Is there a relaible update on the status of LJW and Vermy?
Cheers.
TS – I am only going by Pravda, Arseblog and Jack’s tweets.
Vermaelen’s injury appears to be shrouded in mystery. Again.
And Hazard is injured too now.
Oh.
The Vermaelen quote is from the Telegraph’s piece on Jack’s injury.
In addition to that, he’s listed as injured at Pravda but it says he has a thigh injury where as the Dutch media claimed he missed Belgium’s game because of an ankle injury.
Now, what does ankle remind me of? Hmmm….
Oh I know, his Achilles which is shot to pieces just like Jack’s.
No TV or JW this season.
This is getting beyond frustrating, I don’t even know how to call it.
Dr.z & PGGG – many thanks! Am plugging myself back into the Arsenal matrix now, ouch π
Ollie – many hehs! We will worry about our ‘new boy’ in January π
Vermaelen’s mom has told Arsenal Benelux he will not be fit for Swansea.
PGGG
I’m going to ask one of the good doctors to precribe a mild sedative and I’ll have a side-bet with you that we’ll see LJW back in an Arsenal shirt before Xmas π
PGGG again
Nutsacker & Kos (‘Mercielny’) – the new Arsenal DM pairing for the next couple of months?
I’ll have some of that sedative as well…… this is what the interlull does to you.
I now have to worry about Ramsay getting crocked by the English hammer throwers tomorrow (you know who they are….)
Agreed Zico 161 – don’t think the board sold us short re sponsorship deals at the time. The funding of The Grove was, as we all know, enormous and stretched out over 10 years or so and so, so did the sponsorship deals signed at the time to allow us to demonstrate to the banks/lenders etc that we had the finances in place to fund the debts we were about to incur.
Unfortunately in the interim sports sponsorship deals put in place by our rivals make what we’re lumbered with until 2014 look like poor value in comparison. ‘Tis a very real constraint le clurrb/AW works under.
Seem to remember the Russian dodgy dealer buying Chelski out of their long-term kit sponsorship deal with Umbro – i think – so that they could strike a better one with someone else – primark possibly – A cheap shot at cheap shirt – i know.
Up The Arse Foot. Corp.
O.K – You’re on.
I’m saying JW will be back after 1/1/12 and you’re saying before. It’s on (for the record, I think he won’t be back this season).
Just one last thing, coming back for one game and breaking down a game later doesn’t count as coming back from injury.
PGGG
To be precise and to improve your odds, the Gregorian calendar states Xmas day is 25th December π
So, if LJW’s first game back is either Wolves or QPR at home, you still win π
That’s one bet I’m truly hoping you lose, Snir.
After TV’s happenings last season, I’m still worried you might win.
SG at 170 – i like the idea of mum’s getting more involved in The Arse set up. It might take a bit of pressure off AW if when he subs say Theo after one of his more listless performances Old Ma Walcott is stood waiting on the side of the pitch wagging her finger at him and telling him it’s early to bed with no tea till he pulls his socks up and starts listening properly to what that nice Mr. Wenger is trying to tell him.
Ureds!
AL – I don’t see much wrong with it, probably he just told her he won’t play and since she’s in contact with Arsenal Benelux (after an interview last season) she told them.
It’s not like it’s top secret stuff and you can see the Telegraph knows it as well. π
Ollie, unfortunately I’m sure I’ll win. I also have a strong feeling that TV won’t recover this season and will spend most of the season on the sidelines.
I really really don’t like the start of this season on the injury front.
TS – It’s not first game back.
It’s first game back and then a sustained stay in the team or at least in the squad.
If he comes back for QPR and then gets injured again after that game (same injury of course, not a back problem or something like that) it doesn’t count.
Don’t normally go elsewhere for my Arse kicks but this one’s causing a bit of a fuss elsewhere (Arseblog) so thought i’d pop it here for perusal. Fear the footballer formerly known as Jesus may not have, unintentionally, done the manager formerly known as God any favours with these comments…
Fabregas in El Pias: “Wenger helped me with Arsenal directors. They didn’t want to sell me at all, he convinced them and lowered the price”
U Reddies!
PGGG
“…Iβll have a side-bet with you that weβll see LJW back in an Arsenal shirt before Xmas…”
You accepted it on that basis. No other conditions, no further complications necessary. First time back in the shirt is the bet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzYPN3igOX4
Love this video.
Hello ‘holics,
After five days off, back in the grind for me
Looking forward to the weekend, gutted about Jack’s injury news
Some top drinks as usual
I’ll have coffee, please
TS – Have a look at my 175. I accepted it under a condition.
AL – Well, you could say that AW knew it was time for him to go, not keeping an unhappy player etc…
First time back in the shirt is the bet.
Bit too easy, TS. He probably sleeps in an Arsenal shirt…. π
Snir @ 186
an unhappy player is one thing. Selling him on the cheap however acts against the interests of the club, no?
SG – i also see nothing wrong with it. Indeed why not go a step further and when Arsene bloods another youngster pop his mum on the bench between AW and Pat and have her scream out the requisite instructions/potential punishments as passed on by the management team.
AW ent getting any younger and looks tired of late – i think he could do with the support
A coffee for me and whatever you’d like
Ureds!
Zico – On the cheap is relative.
On the cheap at Β£40M is indeed on the cheap for Cesc, but the other option is keeping him cause Barca wouldn’t have raised the offer. I guess keeping him wasn’t an option this season.
AL – I think all the moms should handle the transfers π
PGGG – OK, have read your condition at #175 but don’t agree. All bets are off. Never mind, all we really want is to see Jack back on the pitch for us.
Ollie @ #186, even more hehs and hopefully true! π
if only they’d taken note of the ‘holic’s loan idea. Cesc goes out there and rips it up like he’s doing, then the Catalan c@nts would have had to acknowledge his true value and pay it one way or another.
Agree with Zico that – even if you factor in a gentlemen’s agreement between AW and Cesc – Cesc’s statement raises awkward questions Arsene may be forced to answer.
Now maybe if Cesc’s mum had been involved in the negotiations things might not have gotten so shitty
Piss-poor injury news and the Cesc transfer saga find new ways to rumble on. Does anyone know of a half-decent Shamen in the North London area who’s available on Saturday afternoons.
UReds!
AL – said Shamen posts on here regularly…..name of tabs.
He’s good at mixing up the medicine too.
Lester
The C.Un.T.s already have acknowledged his true worth – their vice president quoted in Sport. “It is clear that Arsenal’s original valuation of 60m euros was correct” (quote from memory).
You’d think they’d know when to shut up….
Dr.Z @ 192 – Well if the 6 years or so of terrible luck we’ve had continues to stretch out (mind that hamstring, achillies etc.) before us then maybe our Shamen department needs to be expanded/modernised in the same way Ivan the mediocre did with the marketing department – according to SG’s article above.
Then tabs can concentrate on the HT while the new boys look after injuries, transfers, trophies etc.
Right – I’ll fire a letter off to the club immediately and see what they think. May also pop an ad in the window of my local newsagent just to see what kind of response i get … ahem –
“Wanted – Shamen/s required for global football franchise going through sticky patch. Work is part-time and seasonal. Must be good team player and have own transport.”
Barman – something large and green with steam coming orf the top, ta
Indeed you would CG – anyone would think they wanted to rub our noses in it they way they carry on
pardon – i meant to write ‘the c@@tish way they carry on’
Youβd think theyβd know when to shut upβ¦.
Er no, you wouldn’t at all, come on.
Good point Ollie.
The Catalan mind set is very much; “ha, look how clever we are, we saved money. And got him on the cheap”. All aimed at their own fans through their prpoganda rag, with no awareness of how they are perceived by the rest of the football community (IMO not just Arsenal fans).
A surreal conversation I had recently, in which I suggested to a fan that they came across as arrogant; “Arrogant? But we are the best team in the world and the most important club in the world. How can we be arrogant? These are just facts.”
*bangs head slowly on table*
As someone suggested elsewhere, pointing out that they actually paid a few millions for Hleb should help them sober up.
And now to think we were so close to equalising their CL wins record at 1-1 just 5 years ago….
*sighs*
… Chrignnnzzjkyyy at 20 miilion odd is my favourite repost.
Ibra for approx 75 million….
Along with Hleb and Petit….
reposte? You tell me, you’re the one in France
Dr.C, Ollie
Perhaps equally sobeing for the biggest, most important C.Un.T.S in the world would be the fast that (allegedly) they are nearly the biggest, most important, bankrupt C.Un.T.S in the world?
Cold comfort?
*sobering* & *fact*
slobbering & fart
iphones, eh?
Afternoon lads.
Good stuff from BtM and Matt, I tried to post a decent response to both last night, I had great comments mapped out in my noggin, but unfortunatly my alcohol levels got the better of me, so I thought it was best to wait untill later..
Now in the cold sober light of day, my “Γ―nspiration” seems to have dried up and I’ve completly forgotten what I wanted to post. Which kinda makes my think that what I wanted to post last night probably wasn’t as clever as I thought it would of been.
Alcohol therefore supposdly has a downside.
Heh, who knew?
BM please, it’s breakfast time.
heh, bad spelling competition, who’s winning?
heh, good post, H2H!
zico & H2H – a double heh! π
Ollie – I think I’m in the Top 4 for that dubious prize.
Drinks for these fine fellow please Mr.Barman and possibly a fresh pair of shoes for H2H π
Afternoon all.
Does anyone else hate internationals as much as I do? I know they’re probably popular with fans of lower league teams but I just can’t see anything good in them:
1. Half of the players are from Man U and Chelsea
2. Rooney. I’m sorry but even when he plays for England I detest the very ground he walks on
3. England are shit
4. Jingoists crawl out of the woodwork every time England play
5. Rooney.
Camberwell
You forgot:
6. Arsenal players always get crocked
7. Rooney
8. Terry
9. Terry
10. Lampard
… Should we continue…? π
TS – Thanks for saving me the trouble, but yes I had those in mind too.
Sorry I know this seems cheesy but I just had to add to that list because it fun!
How about…
1) Rooney
2) Cashley
3) Gerrard or Lampard
4) Lampard or Gerrard
5) Lampard and Gerrard
6) and Rooney!
π
Word is that UEFA have rejected Arsene’s appeal.
Considering UEFA’s own official gave express permission, with witnesses, for Arsene to communicate, I feel that Arsenal’s lawyers may have just received a windfall……
Regarding TV and LJW it’s always frustrating when injured players return dates get put back.
It’s also frustrating when you get new players and don’t get to see them playing alongside our best players because they are out injured!
These mysterious injuries are the worst because you never have anything to chew on!
I just hope we get off to a good start (post interlulls) as we did beginning of last season with what we have and when those injured players do return, we get even better because (in the words of Wenger) they become like new signings!
CG – we should be okay with the new signings in our first game in the group stages (he says hopefully), if it’s just for one game
something positive…..
http://aggbot.com/link.php?id=14718708&r=tw&c=35
Gervinho could just be the signing of the summer…. taking young kids under his wing already. Good attitude all round.
Just needs to learn how to punch properly…
Dr. C @ #215
Perhaps better than that, I think he (AW) could do with a bit of a rest and/or good oppty for him to perfect his delegation skilss.
*skills*
TS -@220 I’ve got the pipe at hand if needed
I think all of us Gooners could do with a rest after the last few monthsβ events!
I hope the ‘improper conduct’ of Arsenal officials means they called UEFA all sorts of names they deserve.
This is a family blog, so I’ll refrain to suggest any π
Only one thing to do.
Hand out pints to all within striking distance.
Ahh TS – a mere slip of the thumb away from suggesting Arsene has delegation skis – a prezzie from Sir Peter Downhill Slalom Wood perchance
Snow-tastic Al, nice one π
Apres ski?
Let snow go over (the) Board guys π
TS anything with ice ta
Dr. Z – indeed for that would be a slippery slope – i’ll get my salopettes
God damn interlull.
Bring back the transfer window……
Agreed zico, wouldn’t want to pull the woolly hat over your eyes. We could go on the piste though…
*Grabs skiing jacket and leaves*
Easy Dr. Z – surely there are somethings snow man in his right mind should wish for
Right, back in Stockholm again after a really good week on the beatiful island that is Crete. I was, however, hit for six by a rather nasty flu on Thursday night, so right now I am ridiculously tired even though I am not particularly ill anymore. Haven’t slept properly since Wednesday night. Started catching up on drinks but realized that at the going rate of reading I would have been done at about Boxing Day (2012, that is) so I gave up π
But, TS@very far back in the transfer thread: I have a pair of very dark shades. And yes, the Cretan ladies seemed to be doing just fine in the sun!
Quite pleased with the signings all things considered, but like the Holic I can’t for the life of me understand the massive ticket price hike in the context of having made massive profits from players sales/most likely lower wage bill.
And speaking of the good Sir who runs this bar: Holic, you’ve got mail! π
welcome back, Lars
I have been looking after your wallet (not) π
heh Dr Z
Can we stop talking about those cunts? It makes me wanna throw up. Like literally.
Bucket for Snir!
Hmmm…. this could be fun!
Erm – on the c@nt fr@nt i can see a lot of candidates above SG – which ones were you specifically referring to?
Here’s the bucket? Which particular c***s btw?
Such a long list……
New post ‘holics >>>>>>>>>