All I Have To Do Is Dream
Oct 12th, 2011 by 'holic
That means there will always be the temptation to return one day especially, you imagine, if a certain north London club comes calling.
‘The plan is to be settled here now I’ve built my house,’ he says of a home which he was designing during his time at Arsenal.
‘But there is something that stays with me, something in my body that wants to go back to England one day as part of a coaching staff. That is always in my mind. I don’t miss specific things but I miss the feeling, which I can’t really explain. I haven’t sold my house there yet.’
Like you, I read that here. I suspect like most of you all I have found myself thinking about Dennis Bergkamp a lot since reading those words. They rotate around my largely empty skull, prodding at what remains of my imagination, and making massive withdrawals from my memory bank.
The right side of my brain pictures Bergkamp coaching at London Colney, stylishly accomplishing rather more than his students, if not quite as quickly as in his pomp. The left side screams that our priorities lay elsewhere. Dennis won’t solve our defensive frailties. The sinister also reminds me of the great man and his refusal to fly. That may be a show-stopper for a manager, but less so, surely, for one of a battalion of coaches?
I flit from there to the goals. Three at Leicester, the wonder goal at Newcastle, Tottenham at home, Against Argentina in the World Cup. I see his elbows and marginally late (but never mis-timed) challenges on those who sought to stop him displaying the full range of his versatility by foul means. I see a man who owned the football, who dictated what it would be doing and where it would be for vast periods of play.
I wipe the moisture from my eyes.
He will come and save us one day, won’t he?
The second coming of God has been predicted a long time now.
141 Responses to “All I Have To Do Is Dream”
Glory …
‘holic is a dreamer , nothing but a dreamer
Nice dream though
What a legend that man was. Wonder goal at Newcastle still gives me shivers
First one pays the drinks for the day, right, bt8?
Brilliant. There will never ever be another one of those. RvP comes close, but thats it.
He will come back when wenger come to his senses
One of Bergkamp’s secrets as I recall is that he made excellent use of the massive power in his legs. Not the only one who did that, of course, but what a burst of speed he could produce when needed. Add to that the magical ability to control the ball to do the most unexpected things, and there is an unbeatable combination to beat defenders. I don’t think it’s possible to coach those things but he is gaining coaching experience and who knows how far he might go?
Who’s that nottabs cunt?
Aaaaah, Dennis.
And all the marvellous goals, and all the defence-splitting passes.
I predicted that the testimonial would be the first game in the new stadium, long before it was announced. OK, it was an easy prediction.
I was determined to be there. I didn’t know it would be so easy to get a ticket. What a great day that was!
Trying to figure out the identity of nottabs. Any relation to the real thing? Drink is on me.
nottabs is far from being a cunt, Ollie.
Still, the picture in the article is captioned with ‘Top Guns: Berkgamp and Keown enjoy a laugh during their Arsenal days’.
Testimonial is a rather loose notion of ‘during their Arsenal days’. ๐
If you say so, ‘holic.
Apologies, nottabs.
And here’s to your next post at 100, 200 or such ๐
pure class! best ever.
Arsa e Barca.
How on earth can you be an AFC fan and not hate Barca religiously?!
I think that it comes together after the last couple of years.
As for DB, love of my life.
Dennis Bergkamp, How do i love thee? Let me count the ways.
http://flic.kr/p/ikkGi
just for you ‘hols, there’s only one.
A brains trust of The Devine Dennis – his first touch was the sweetest, Keown and (it should have been big Pat V but not now he’s gone over to the dark, oily, shiteh side) maybe someone like Gilbert O’Silva at Arsene’s feet instructing the next generation of young’uns – Dreaaaaam, dream, dream, dream…teaaaam! Think I’d live happily Everley after ‘holic, well played.
URedS!
Forgive me ‘Holic but you say he will be the 2nd coming….. Brady was the first right?
In fairness if he came over with his boots he may well get a game at the moment?????
Another one of that crop of pure world class talent who turned into a pure world class Arsenal legend. How many top international foreign players earn the right to a testimonial? Tells you as much about the man off the pitch as his feet did on the pitch.
I still remember the day we signed DB10. I was on my way to play in a 20 over cricket match. As I drove through some tiny Essex villages in my old battered Astra I kept losing the signal on the radio. There were mixed messages coming from Highbury. Has he signed? Is he a the ground? What was happening? No one seemed to know the answers. There was no way in a million years that I could take the field in my keeping gear not knowing. Driving at a pedestrian pace in an attempt to buy time the news finally came through. I just remember being elated.
The cricket match??? I have no idea. Everything after that news was just a blur.
I can’t think of any reason at all that he should not be at The Arsenal in some capacity. Fingers crossed.
Thanks dino,
I forgot how handy you were with a lens. Did you get any response from T the other day?
Each to their own I guess.
He has always been my favourite player. In my opinion, the most complete player I’ve ever seen at the club. He had technique and talent that only the rarest of players we see in a lifetime. I often wonder if we’ll ever be lucky enough to see a player of his mercurial ability at the club again. The goal against Newcastle was one, only he could have scored..!
And he was streetwise too. He took no shit. Played with an edge and was more than capable of repaying any punishment with the odd kick, elbow or stamp whenever it was needed. Something I feel the current generation are missing.
As ever, thanks again Holic..!
He was something, wasn’t he Joe?
I must do a piece on his testimonial one day. Rocky from Vital Arsenal and Herbie from Arsenal-Land will attest that we didn’t see all of the game having infiltrated Club Level beforehand for a few free slurps…
…and then a few more ๐
My favourite AFC player of all time. Hatrick against Leicester sealed it. Question: Do you think Wenger would countenance it? I deeply suspect not.
Beer was very much the order of the day Mr. Holic Sir.
I look forward to reading your memories of the day and so won’t put
mine here so I don’t steal your thunder.
They were happier, sunnier days though with a crisp new stadium and the world at our feet. It’s been a hell of a few years since!
Snir Geuli, comes down to respect…AFC vs FCB. both clubs are the titans of the beautiful game. and when they meet, both sides playing full steam, every fan watching, whether they are wearing red/white or red/blue just know they are bearing witness to something really special…
Hola all,
Bartender, green tea and toast points please.
Bergkamp as coach. hmmm…
It’s a nice “someday” thought but right now I’m dreaming of our back four playing as a cohesive unit and the whole team defending stoutly against set-peices.
Boring if practical or maybe just practically boring.
Holic, you’ve done Dennis proud, thanks again for the memories. you have a gift yourself, you know. sort of magical, the way we nod our heads or exclaim ‘spot on ‘ when reading your posts. you illicit such visceral reactions from us, as does our beloved Arsenal. goodnite all and godbless.
An excellent post to end what for me was a strange kinda day.
My girlfriends daughter had her 11th B’day party today, due to school being out early, for a reason I have no idea about, the party started at 11 o clock in the morning…… I didn’t even know there was an 11 o clock in the morning. ๐
A gathering of around 20 young lasses in their early/pre teens that lasted untill 7 o clock this evening was one of the most testing experiences of my life, thank god I had to open the bar at 4 so I had some dvd’s lined up on the beamer in the back room which I chucked on, so I could finally escape the madness and drown the experience with a mix of vodka and lager.
Give me a bunch of alco farmers on the bar any day!!! However, back to the subject at hand;
In my early days here in the lowlands, the brother in law of my then girlfriend was a massive Ajax fan, so he took me to see them every now and again, his idol at the time, was one, very young, Master Bergkamp. He was always banging on about him, about how he was the best player he had ever seen and how he was gonna be a legend. I must admit, at first I didn’t see it, mainly because he wasn’t a gooner, and argued that he wasn’t a patch on my hero from a few years back, Liam Brady.
Slowly but surely, (when the Arsenal tinted specs were lifted) I came round to his way of thinking and I witnessed (live and on tv) some truly breathtaking stuff from this young magician, the day he left Ajax was a sad day for dutch football and the old brother in law was gutted beyond believe, but as it was for us with Brady, you just new that this bird had to spread his wings.
His time at Inter was not a happy one, even with his friend Wim Jonk (also from Ajax) at his side, it just never really clicked, I feared the worst and thought that we had seen the best of this young starlet…….until………..
I heard the news via my ex BiLaw who called me to say he’d heard a rumour. Surely not I thought. Could it be true?
As far as I was concerned this was to be the biggest signing Arsenal had ever made in my lifetime, the only others I could think to rival that were the signings of Super Mac (twighlight time) Kenny Samson (swap deal) and Charlie Nicholas (nuff said) It happened and the rest is history.
Dennis was and will always be an Arsenal legend, but I don’t think his full gooner history has been written yet.*
Some Dutch Courage for all those in the bar.
*I’ll post my speculations on that, tomorrow.
Arsa e Barca – Sorry, don’t accept that.
They can play the beautiful game all they want. I can’t stand them, and I wish every single player (besides Cesc) would suffer a career ending injury.
I think every AFC fan needs to hate them. They disrespected our club, they deserve to be hated.
Camberwell – You’ve got mail.
Bergkamp’s The Man, Holic.
Hate is a terrible thing Snir, my friend.
It only leads to pain and suffering. (Yoda said that so it must be true. ๐ )
I’m not happy with the way they handled the Cesc saga over the last few years, however, I was also highly dissapointed in the way that our club handled it too.
But as a lover of football, I have nothing but admiration for how they play the game and I’m not ashamed to say that I enjoy watching them.
They’re still cunts though.
H2H – Disagree. I think people are having a hard time hating them because they play beautiful football.
I hate anyone who disrespects my club. It can be Phil Brown and Hull, it can be Tony Pulis and Stoke, Blackburn, Allardyce, Cashley, Evra etc.
And Spurs of course.
Barca disrespected my club regardless of how my club handled it.
Therefore I hate them, no matter how good they are.
They’re all cunts.
As for DB.
I truly believe that if Titi and DB would have played in these times in the EPL where every move is televised and analyzed worldwide (!) they would have been considered 2 of the best ever.
@Snir
So much for atonement.
Hate ’em all. Let god sort ’em out.
They were, in their time considered amongst the best in the world Snir.
===
I admire your passion and I share your love for all things Arsenal, but for me, hate is just too strong a word and an emotion that should be reserved for the truly hanus. (Just my opinion and I respect your right to yours)
H2H – I know they were considered the best in the world in their time. DB is the reason I started supporting Arsenal. But I mean that if they would have had the exposure that EPL players are getting nowadays around the globe they would have been considered as two of the best EVER.
And when I say ever I mean saying them in the same breath as Zidane, Van Basten, Cruyff, Di Stefano, Maradona et al.
I’m certain they’re in that class.
To dominate the ENGLISH (!!!) Premier League is no mean feat and Titi did it without even trying to at times. Not to mention DB.
As far as I’m concerned, 2 of the best footballers ever.
Snir, I still believe that DB is seen as one of the best ever, but it could be because I live in The Netherlands, were the hype around him is still massive.
Snir Geuli, would you prefer the Catalans didn’t play their hearts and souls out against us. Now, that would be an insult to our lads and our fans. Pep respects Arsenal; remember last season when he made a big deal over wenger not releasing his starting lineup a couple of days before the match? Pep was worried alright, and he couldn’t hide his agitation from the media. as for wishing injuries on them, i understand where your’re coming from. personally, i don’t want any player hurt, purely for astetic reasons. Barca always brings the best out in our lads, and vice versa. and then there’s this, when Arsenal loses a`match, my whole week is ruined. when barca loses, say to real madrid, or whoever, i chuckle. when i watch our lads, my heart is in my throat, i’m on the edge of my seat, and my heart is palpating. and when we win, pure joy.
I really hate Barca myself personally. Almost as much as I hate Manure and the LWCs. I can’t take their self-anointed “good guys of football” status when they throw pig’s heads on the fields at ex-players and have fans (and players) that are absolutely vile at times. And on top of that their club has been implementing racist policies.
To mention our classy club and theirs in the same breath is pretty hard to comprehend I think….
Just my two cents, not having a go at anyone that being said…
Arsa e Barca.
I really am having a hard time understanding what your post has to do with what I wrote.
What do I care if they bring out the best in us? What do I care if Pep is scared? That means I gotta like them?
When I said they disrespected our club I didn’t mean on the pitch itself. I meant off the field with their dirty tactics and pretentious approach that every player should be theirs with no resistance whatsoever because they’re Barca.
Fuck ’em.
H2H – Hate is too strong a word? What would you consider your feelings towards Spurs are ๐ ?
Speaking of the Everly Brothers …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTWOwUich78
Mates, I’m not out to change your position, and i respect your passion. I just don’t give a rat’s ass about futbal politics at all. not one tiny bit. just live to see the game, not just the goalosos, but all the wizzardry it takes leading up to that moment. i’m going to play Bowie’s ‘Changes’ song for you, somehow i think it’s oddly appropriate. cheers!
whenever the man speaks, he stirs my soul. Get Titi and Dennis back to Arsenal when they’re ready and let’s reclaim our rightful place in football…which is only up there.
The best player ever to play for us. Probably the second best player in the last 20 years after Zidane. Dennis was poetry, Dennis was class, Dennis was hope, Dennis was the savior. The only problem is Dennis cannot and doesnt want to be a manager, he is best as a coach and it would be great if we can get him back here. The only problem is even today i think he will be better than half of the squad right now an they could easily get embarrassed by his brilliance.
Imo TH and The Divine DB are definitely considered among the greats of their era, and so will be compared, in years to come, with the greats of eras gone by.
It’s a real shame for them, and all of us, they didn’t nick the top European title their talents, and our best teams deserved – to crown all that glory they brought to The Gunners – 2004 still smarts.
And talk of DB’s testimonial reminds me i’ve still got one of those slightly dodgy orange t-shirts they were dishing out that day in the devine one’s honour. Think I might dig it out, dust it down and don it (under a shirt) to help invoke DB’s spirit V Sunderland on Sunday. That way the football gods are near-certain to smile kindly on The Arsenal – once they’ve been reminded of one of their own.
UReDS (with a strain of orange running thru)!
Far too much ‘hate’ today. Hate is negative, wasted energy and often self destructive, too often we only hate because we fear.
Let’s think good things and good thoughts – Denis Bergkamp, what a player so often I marvelled at the things he could do with a football and the goals he scored and created and let’s not forget Martin Keown, one of the best man markers there has ever been and a player who new no fear. To me another Arsenal legend. How we could do with a Martin Keown in the side right now – or maybe on the coaching team, but that doesn’t seem likely at the moment.
Nice post ‘holic
Have to pay my tribute to my favorite Arsenal Idol, Dennis Bergkamp
His touch was so magical that you felt the football was a part of his soul
He was one of the reasons why I became a fan. I sincerely hope he becomes a coach at Arsenal
Cheers
i think the whole planet is trying to annoy me at the moment.
More Poles and now some French.
No, I have no inclination to go to Toulouse just for the day tomorrow just to install a fucking piece of software……..
Cannons – Barca have racist policies? Could you enlighten, as I have not come across that one before… over here Real Madrid and Espanyol are generally the ones with a (reputation for) right wing following..
One of my favourite DB10 moments was his twisting & turning (& basically taking the piss!) before delightfully setting up Freddie for our 3rd against Juventus at Highbury in December 2001. Whilst he scored some fantastic goals, I loved the way in which the great man could seemingly make time freeze around him (ice man?/Bergkamp time?) & majestically furnish others with goal-scoring chances.
The 3-1 win against Juventus was fantastic. But summed up that great Arsenal side in Europe when we failed to get out of the champions league group, & were taught a lesson at home by Deportivo for good measure. Echos of And Lester’s 2004 frustration.
But anyway- positive memories- happy days/better times.
Will always remember his goal on a snowy night in blackburn, a real statement of fucking intent and oh how we miss that. Ended up 0-4 I think and on the way to the title. God indeed albeit a grounded one.
My favourite player in 54 years of watching The Arsenal.
Morning all
Lovely, lovely post ‘Holic.
My left/sinister side of my brain wants god back too at LC, helping to turn players like Oxpot, Coquelin, Gibbs and Lansbury (yes, I meant that) into the very best they can be. I want to see DB on our bench advising and supporting the players as they warm-up and as they come off the field. I want us to sing his name loud and proud during matches and I want the opposing bench to look across their technical area and sh*t themselves when they realise what a great coaching team we’ve got.
Dear Arsene and Ivan, please make it happen (and Keown, Adams, Titi too). Getting god back to the HoF would truly be just like a new signing.
Cheers all, drinks on the bar, CMC open.
Catalan Gunner, can i buy you a drink? true futbol fans are not racist. god knows the horror stories some of these lads could tell of the utter unspeakable depravity that takes place in their homelands. not to mention the abject poverty that persists. yet despite all these obstacles, a few jems make their way here, shining ever so brightly.
Ollie, cheer up fella, you’re way too young to be a grumpy old man ๐
If I don’t see an improvement in your demeanour I’m going to set our resident quackery upon you. I’ve been in Trev’s clutches this morning and I can tell you, that will give you a reason to moan (and wince).
Drs T & C – please go on standby. Our normally chirpy Ollie may need some some emergency care if his postings continue in the same vein.
I think i just need a clone
Nice post, ‘holic. Am a long time reader, first time poster. Seeing as this is about my favourute Arsenal player. There is only one word to describe his game, his touch, his passes, his control. Sublime.
Ollie
I’ll ask Edwin, he was at an event last night with much talk of biotech and genetics. Some of us are content with alter egos, a fully functioning replicant is a tad more complicated ๐
Good moniker ‘dennis10’ and welcome to our asylum ๐
More thoughts for Ollie @ #56
Would Dolly the Sheep do?
@ True Storey
Dolly the sheep died at a young age (for sheep). a salient issue with clones.
So Ollie may in fact need a succesive series of clones to do the job.
While you’re at it how about a couple of Keowns a Bould an Adams 2 Dixons and another Sol Campbell.
Can’t have enough good “D” on hand I always say.
lcg @ #61
If Edwin discovers the secret of human cloning then my first choice would be god himself. Even if the replicant DB would only last 2 seasons, it would be enough ๐
So… listening to AW’s latest snippet on Pravda.com we have Kos, Djourou and Santos as RB options to Jenks to vacate the Bac sized hole in our team.
Kos for me, all day long with The Verminator and The BFG as the two CBs.
What say you ‘Holics?
@49: CG, Sandro Rosell ran for elections on a “Barca for Catalans” ticket. If you’re not Catalan, they’ve made it extremely difficult to become a FC Barcelona member. Also, he wants La Masia, which once recruited players from all over the world, to stop recruiting African players saying that they need space for Catalan youths BUT they still recruit white Spanish-speaking players from other countries indiscriminately.
http://www.allaboutfcbarcelona.com/2010/06/sandro-rosell-new-barca-president.html
http://www.barcelonafootballblog.com/4562/fc-barcelona-offcially-closed-society-aka-color-appalled/
http://www.barcelonafootballblog.com/3442/politics-football-2010-bara-elections-pt-3/
Oh damn it, now I can’t get the thought of DB at LC out of my head! ๐
I still have to say I haven’t decided my all time favorite.
It’s been a tie between Titi and DB for years.
Favorite moment has to be the Newcastle goal. I still haven’t figured out if he planned that or not (and I know he said he did)…
Dreamy.
Correction to #63 – ‘…to fill the Bac sized hole…’ ๐ณ
Hey all it’s approaching that time of week again!:)
Doom time, GT? ๐
The weekend can’t come soon enough ๐
Now that the interlull is ALMOST finished, can I start getting excited about Sunday?
Just for you Snir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYGLjTg2m78
Absolutely Camberwell, how could you not? ๐
TS you’re an angel ๐
Camberwell, check your inbox please ๐
TS@ 70, as the (fast) show goes : ‘I think I’ve just come’.
http://flic.kr/p/ikkGi
When it came to dribbling ,D B was literally in a field of his own!
Nice piece ‘holic. I just want to point out that not only did DB10 become a favorite of lifelong Gooners, but I think he was also the catalyst for a whole generation of Arsenal support. I for one can unabashedly trace my support for this great club to the day he signed. As a life long Dutch fan (I lived there for a time when I was younger and developed my passion for football there) I never supported a club team until Dennis signed for Arsenal. I wonder how many other players were responsible for that much increase in their clubs support base? Or how many current Arsenal supporters were the result of the signing of this supreme player?
CoR, Pep is quoted as saying “This is a sad day in the history of FCB”. bigots behind closed doors making narrow-minded decisions. indefensible, yes. Pep had no part in this. don’t kid yourself, this policy is not unique to one club. nothing to cheer about here; but i stand behind Pep and his lads, all the same. god willing, we make it through to the finals of the champion’s league, and if FCB is there to welcome us, game on. the professor vs the apt young pupil, both men of integrity. both squads ready to fight for the honour of their countrymen. and may Arsenal win. amen.
CoR… thanks. Interesting stuff. I would actually (with the experiencve and frustration of living here) label it as xenophobic rather than racist. I believe that a certain amount of extrapolation has been made to allow for more dramatic headlines (ie some white Spanish people excluding other white Spanish people doesn’t make the blood boil quite as much).
The Catalan independence move over here is huge (not far off the Basque desire), and there are fears that it could descend into outright terrorism as the Basque movement has done with ETA. It is a very real social situation, and has obviously been used by Rossel in his politics. I genuinely did not know about it, but am not altogether surprised – Joan La Porta is now in politics representing a Catalan Independence party.
It is a sad situation. At least, by the evidence of the blogs that you quoted, there are decent Barca fans out there….
PS… Real Sociadad will ONLY play Basque born players…. does that make them racist, or to be admired for promoting “local lads”…. a different flavour when the club is not so succesful.
I ask genuinely, as I had not fully considered it before….
Do you mean Atletic Bilbao? Or does Sociedad also have a similar policy (though they have at least one Frenchman, not a basque one I think)
News just in…
Chelsea fans are up in arms over a proposed move away from Stamford Bridge. A Chelsea Spokesperson said ‘You can’t just bulldoze 10 years of history’
Ollie – I think it might be both of them (or maybe it’s just Athletico – not too bothered to be honest)… and maybe they have “allowed” two “foreigners” a team. A bit like England in the 80’s. Restraint of trade? Xenophobia? Promotion of “local identity”? Discuss….
I don’t want tp appear as a Barca apologist, as I am anything but… just pointing out the surrounding environment.
TS – I’m fairly sure Steve T could have you for plagary there…..
Eh? Did Steve post that one earlier? OK then, I’ll fetch my coat.
There’s an obscure rumor over here that Arsenal are playing a game this weekend. Can anybody confirm or deny?
Evening โholics. Have been a bit absent over the interlull due to being busy getting to grips with a new job. But what a truly splendid bunch of posts and drinks Iโve been able to catch up on tonight. They have cheered me beyond measure.
And some completely priceless anecdotes and reminiscences among them I must say. Not really fair to single out any one of them as they were all absolute quality, but Steve T, your recounting of Tone bringing Portsmouth to the Grove definitely sent a shiver down the spine. Epic bit of writing.
And what could warm the heart more than the dream of the iceman coming back to the mothership? Thank you โholic. It may be only a dream, but itโs a dream with the power to make me as excitable as a kid on blue Smarties. Or Wolfgang choosing โaccessoriesโ in Harvey Nichols. Powerful stuff ๐
Now I confess DB10 wasnโt โthe oneโ that bound me irrevocably to the Arsenal family. More mundanely it was the โboring, boringโ moniker of years before, which perfectly mirrored my life at that time, when I moved back to the city where I was born some 15 years earlier, in order to do my A levels.
Sadly(?) that boring, boring comfort zone lasted only few seasons (coinciding with the acquisition of said A Levels and a subsequent trip to Uni) before things started to change in quite a big way. For me, and my football club.
Not only did I find myself enjoying life in the worldโs finest capital as an (almost) adult โ โWhatโs green and gets you pissed? Your Grant cheque!โ, butโฆon one particular Friday evening, two days before my Dadโs birthday, something truly magical happened in the world of football. And it was a starting line up of Lukic, Dixon, Winterburn, Thomas, OโLeary, The Young Captain Adams, Rocastle, Richardson, Smith, Bould and Merson.
It was a night of chilling simplicity, flowers for the Liverpool fans, an immense task facing Arsenal, and it was all up for grabs. The rest is history.
Which, curiously enough, was the subject I (occasionally) studied at Uni. In between addressing such important scientific questions as โHow many pints of Guinness can I drink and still end up at home in bed despite not being able to remember the following morning any part of how I got there?โ and โHow many Tube stops can I go when drunk off my head and not have to get off because I feel sick?โ ๐
The rich and beautiful tapestry of The Arsenal is woven from all the memories of those who have truly loved this club over the past century and a quarter. Including the memories of those who post here. And itโs a wonderful, amazing and life-affirming thing to behold.
So a big โthank youโ to everyone who has shared their memories over the past few days. That kind of thing (along with peculiar alter egos, happy trains, in-depth โinsightsโ into the behind the scenes world of the Board, medicine cabinets, llamas, Auntie Beechams, dodgy doctors, restorative BMs and the genius contributions of โthe regularsโ) is what makes this Blog an absolute beacon in the mostly dark blogosphere.
Now Iโm off to listen to some Everly Brothers, dream of Bergyโs return, and get really excited at the thought of some real football on Sunday. Will it be another defining point in our history when we can look back and say โit all started to change for the better again then?โ
Well Iโm an eternally optimistic historian. So I hope so ๐
I always struggled to decide whether Liam Brady or Dennis Bergkamp was my all-time favourite player, with Tony Adams, TH14, PV4 and Sir Bob on a level not far behind.
In the end I decided Bergkamp’s Indeed The Man. I could not believe he had signed for us that day all those years ago. It always seemed a privelige to have him in our side.
We could easily emulate the Ajax model with the above mentioned team of coaches and a certain Mr Keown.
I can hardly see to type through the moistness.
Our directors should also give it some serious thought, too. If demand for tickets is beginning to falter, can you imagine how many people would pay to turn up and watch training games ?
And which player could resist signing for The Arsenal and coming to learn from that little lot ?
Come on Ivan . . . we all know you read this stuff ๐
Nice one Snowy – welcome back.
Joe @20 – nice one.
TS – hope those calves are not too sore ๐
Catalan, Dr C –
a good evening / night to you both. Many ‘heh’s’ in yesterday’s drinks – at your succinct best methinks ๐
@76: CG, I feel that the way Barca use their policies to justify exclusion of mostly black Spanish speakers as opposed to white Spanish speakers is racist. Rosell said in an interview that the Africans are overshadowing our Catalan youth and they want to limit their numbers. Also, if itโs a case of โYeah, letโs focus on local Catalan youthโ then why are Spanish speakers from other countries still allowed? I think thatโs the main issue for me. I read of the situation at Real Sociedad where they were promoting local youth BUT they donโt say that, then let certain foreigners in but not other types of foreigners.
Back to the blog, I would really love Bergkamp to come back as a coach. He would have a lot to impart in terms of skill and maybe some mental strength can rub off as well. I remember how nobody could ever boss him around on the field in addition to his knack for scoring amazing goals for the Arsenal. Quick question, was Bergkamp our first overseas player to stay long enough to receive a testimonial?
@True Story,
Thank you sir ๐ Order anything you want.
Trev – cheers. Such flattery – go on then, i’ll buy you a drink! ๐
Early morning coffees too, or BM’s if you’re up for them, for Snowy (great post) and CoR (great debate).
Like Trev said … surely worth looking at Ajax, and incorporating some more of these guys into the club… continuity and identity enhanced.
Sit tight holics, we are almost there. I can almost smell a home win on Sunday
Thanks for the coffee CG, it’ll help keep me awake during this Interlull… and certainly help me finish this comic strip I promised tabs…creating takes so long with you’re an artist with low self-esteem ๐
*warms up*
Superquiet today, isn’t it?
They are all lurking, Oliie. Poised to pounce for post 101 ๐
Is anything happening in London weekend of the Stoke game? Or is it some sort of holidays?
Haven’t book my ST yet, and checking the prices, it doesn’t matter whether I do day trip ot leave on saturday, it looks like I’ll have to pay through the nose to travel. I mean, even more so than usual.
I’ll wait until monday to book, sometimes, with Eurostar, you do got a miraculous better price by waiting.
He who lurks last, lurks best ๐
Nothing I can think of Ollie, apart from the American Football at Wembley. Can’t see that selling out the Eurostar?
Hello Cannons. How is Japan this bright and breezy Friday?
Realllly rainy unfortunately…and I have a toothache. The good news is because of the rain I can safely cancel all plans and stay in to draw instead of spending my hard-earned yens on overpriced pints. Good news for my beer belly that is ๐
Hopefully my labours will result in a BTA masterpiece all of you, especially tabs, will enjoy.
A pint of Pride for you holic?
Sounds good.
A pint is ample reward for this assist. Take that quick single for the ton ๐
too easy
And I wasn’t actually lurking around, just happened upon it by lucky timing.
hahaha!
CoR, let’s just hope the Black Cats have all been nuetered and have their vaccination papers in order. cheers!
Let’s hope so AEB ๐
Either that or let’s hope the team walks under a ladder to cancel out the black cat effect
nottabs, why so greedy? You took 100 and 101, pass the ball mate
Good work, not ๐
Listening to Alan Sugar on R2 this morning as he explained he had trouble finding a doctor to treat him in case he sued them afterwards. Eventually he found a gynecologist to treat him. Sounds about right. If anybody needs a cunt specialist…
Barman @97
Canโt see that selling out the Eurostar?
Actually, I can.
They all want to come for the snow Ollie
I will bow to your greater knowledge, Ollie. I assumed the game is popular enough here to sell out to a UK audience.
Howdy neighbour.
Ear warmers on sale in the Armoury. Thought you might be interested.
http://arsenaldirect.arsenal.com/sale-/ear-warmers-/invt/a3712/
I would have thought the ear warmers model would have worn a hat to give better cold weather effect. Or at least grow his hair longer.
Can’t really say I like American football either. But Wolfgang might like the part where the quarterback “goes under” the center. ๐
Just a quick one holics before I zoom off back to my mad schedule.
Dear Rooney,
Wahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
You dirty hacking cunt.
Best,
CG
And did anyone see Moyes defending the jug-eared twat saying the ban was ridiculous? Did he not watch the replay, it was the most blatant kick-with-intent I’ve ever seen.
Wankers, they’re all wankers.
COYG and FYR
I was naturally thinking of Merkans in Europe rather than Frogs, ‘holic.
And heh Jackster, didn’t see you there.
Snow is on Dec 10th, Everton game.
You read it here first.
CoR, rumor has it their litter box is full and their’re bringing it to the emirites. i hear the stench is god awlful. perhaps Cusop can handle this chore, as he’s quite an expert on poop. BTW, you are an awesome debater, didn’t cut this goonerette any slack. took some balls, it did.
@116, I’m using my every ounce of energy not to reply to your compliment without using innuendo! I was just trying to explain my position without being a dick about it but thanks.
I think Cousin Op will be too busy getting a sensitivity implant done to handle all of that dung + Bendtner (who’ll be watching from the stands)
CoR, too cool for school you are. Cusopt wil have to wait for that implant as i hear rooney has first dibs. meanwhile, i’m up to my arse with offers from FCB to fanny about with their press releases(eh,eh). cheers!
It’s going to be another long day, I fear….
Ollie – Lars’ card is behind the bar. Self-medicate as you need….
Thanks Dr C.
And Lars ๐
Barman, Semi-private room please for aeb and CoR. Hope the two of you don’t mind if I peep through the peephole? ๐
Evening to all in the bar. Excellent post ‘holic and as is the reason i come on here, alot of what the ice man meant to this Gooner has been echoed in the drinks. Touch, poise, finishing, that first 5 yards planned before his team mate even knew he was goin to pass to him, DB mastered it all. Would love to see him perfect his coaching skills and regain that hunger to come back home with ajax and then form part of wenger’s successors back room staff. For the now i would love to see Martin keown back at the ems, arsenal through and through and a great guy to boot. Anyways bring on Sunday, bring on Bruce’s basement battlers. Come on you reds!
The preview may be late and rambling. The Guinness is really tasty this evening ๐
Much will depend on the play of our inexperienced fullbacks. Jenkinson I assume, and either Gibbs or Santos, which brings up these questions.
Who is our backup for Jenkinson?
I saw Santos playing against Olympiakos and I like his game. What do people see as the advantage of playing Gibbs?
‘holic, The game being on Sunday, a “late” preview is a subjective concept. ๐
Just saw this on arsenal.com re: Diaby’s injury situation:
On September 23, Arsene Wenger said: “Diaby is three or four weeks. So it should be after the international break.”
Will the ‘holic pound include a component regarding Diaby’s availability this week?
i watch a dennis compilation on youtube every few months just to keep his grace, determination, and sublime skillset fresh in my mind.
he could teach our strikers a thing or two (yes, even robin) on how to finish, how to understand how the defense is moving and to counter it. if anyone embodied the spirit of aikido (to mix your energy with that of the attacker and use that mix against him, rather than fight banging head on), it was dennis.
i’d love to have him back, in any capacity. even in what i now think of as the “patrick vieira” role (no, not money-grabbing, old team-stabbing cuntery, just an icon helping encourage players to come to the club).
Aikido, I like it. I wonder if Ryo being from Japan would have any insight in that area?
To answer my own question, I found this from AW re: Diaby:
Heโs coming back in full training now so he is 10 days away to be competitive to play. All being well he should be available for the Carling Cup or the game before.
Wenger OUT. He’s only gone and defended Rooney in his presser!
8Ball, steady lad, easy does it. Ollie, any spare meds? and i do mean ANY!!!
OK, I’ll admit I’m quite lucky.
I’m not on call.
Seeing something raised from Kenya at this very moment.
And my work for the week is very nearly done now.
It’s been over a month without seeing the Arsenal.
3 games in a week? Bring it on!
Ollie,
Something raised from Kenya of a medicinal nature? I may need it to enhance the peephole experience. ๐
Well I think we should review the fight for 4th on a regular basis
Evans has come out of the and said that Liverpool will win the prem this year. He obviously did not hear the result at WHL 4 weeks ago. You have an easy visit this weekend and if you dont get 3 points then I shant review fourth any more with you lot.
The Lilly White Champions have tough visit to the Barcodes but I am quietly confident again.
so .. you get 3, the scouwsers get stuffed and we will get 3 too!!
Then the league will look like the future!!
By the way I was going to make a comment about Evans mental state but I am little worried I will offend at least 3 of you!!
Cusop, There is a good reason you are so obsessed about the future. Your club’s past is paved with sh*t.
Champions, hahahahahahaha. Here is the news from the last time your bankrupt rabble were champions old son.
Champions, tee-hee, good one ๐
Proof of above in NLD’s:
Arsenal wins Spurs wins Arsenal goals Spurs goals
League 61 48 240 210
FA Cup 3 2 7 5
League Cup 7 3 19 16
Total 71 53 264 231
Good one, ‘holic. ๐ That seems to have settled THAT.
Holic, that is one spiffy shirt, i’ll buy 2 please. Cusopt, i see the Spurs are looking for a correspondent. one lucky Totts fan to play roving reporter for their match against QPR. Why don’t you enter their contest? you can even sport this shirt for the occasion.should go over well with spurs’ fans, i think. lol!
Not really we are not on the slide!!
But seems your given up the present and the future and dwelling in the past. I knew fans like that once!!
Champions!!
@Cusop: It’s not that we dwell in the past it’s just that whenever we speak to LWCs it always becomes a historical conversation since your lot haven’t done anything worth mentioning since the colour TV was invented….In any case after you get turned over by the magpies I’m sure you will run back home to your cardboard box and throw on your betamax video of the 61 double winning team to make you feel better…