Sorry Per, The ‘Holic Pound Is On Your Head
Oct 14th, 2011 by 'holic
At last, a weekend with real football to look forward to. Perhaps it is more accurate to say I am looking forward to running into some friends old and new on Sunday. Much is in the pipeline, and with good luck and a following wind the Arsenal will gild the day with a quality performance and three points.
Sunderland is one of those games. It doesn’t set the pulses racing, probably because we don’t have a history of memorable encounters. Even to Gooners of my vintage talk about the mackems and we recall an FA Cup semi-final defeat in 1973, Malcolm Macdonald making his first trip back to the north-east in 1976, and a goal-less draw in a biting cold wind in May 1991 as we closed in on our tenth title. We didn’t win any of them!
When we met at the Grove in March an Arsenal side at the beginning of a crisis of confidence, that can be said yet to be over, had to settle for a point from another goal-less meeting. It was a day Andrey Arshavin will not remember with any fondness. He should have had a penalty when molested by Titus Bramble, always a tad clumsy around the box, and had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside. In the interests of fairness I should also recall that Szczesny made a critical late save from Welbeck.
This weekend the team news is mixed. Arsene dropped some pretty heavy hints in his pre-match interviews that Carl Jenkinson will probably get the first crack at filling the right-back berth vacated by Bacary Sagna, although he also hinted at some rotation there until the Bac is back. Tomas Rosicky is expected to recover from a groin problem, and central defenders Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou should be available again, freeing up Alex Song to return to his midfield role.
We do need to start with a greater sense of urgency and show a willingness to compress play far more enthusiastically than of late, so I would be all in favour of letting the raw talent that is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have a rare start. His positivity may lift the crowd as well. Don’t misunderstand that. The home support have by and large got behind the side so far, realising that it will take a period of time to embed the new faces. That patience is finely balanced though, and requires evidence of lung-bursting effort as well as technical prowess.
Chamberlain isn’t yet ready for regular first-team football. We, more than anybody, should be wary of overplaying another exceptional young talent, but a home match against another side low in self-belief could do both player and team a lot of good. He can then continue his education on the bench in Marseille next Wednesday.
Regulars will know I usually believe we are on the verge of turning it back round again. I’m not as bullish about the ‘holic pound though. Sunderland too have had an inconsistent start and can be expected to put up a real fight. They are as desperate for points as we are. Ladbrokes offer the best prices on the likeliest scorelines, 2-0 (7/1) and 2-1 (8/1), but I am looking for an extra return. It is time for Per Mertesacker to score his first goal for Arsenal, so Paddy Power’s offer of nines against the German scoring at any time is my tip.
First Great Western and TfL permitting I will manage a couple of Guinni before the game with friends from far and wide, but I am looking forward just as much to venturing into a different venue post-match for another celebration. If the day is as good as I suspect then the report may not appear until Monday night after a hungover day at work. We shall see.
Have a good one ‘holics, wherever you are watching.
172 Responses to “Sorry Per, The ‘Holic Pound Is On Your Head”
Get in….
Bass please bar tender. Now I will read it all.
Balanced report Holic. I think this is another one of those must win games. Time to set down another marker and kick start the whole shooting match.
Hoping to make a swift one pre match. Post match, those re attending the tollie should keep an eye open for Niall Quinn.
Here’s to a big 3 points.
Come and say hello if you do Steve. Should be a big turnout on Sunday for various reasons.
Holic. I will drop you a line. I am dependant on kids sports and trains etc.
Holy shit.
Just found out I can leave the US in March.
I’m coming to London with my dad and 2 brothers. Liverpool away and Newcastle at home. LOVE IT!
Holic, liked the report and I think the same. We should be turning it back in the next 2 EPL games. But to be honest I am quite wary of Sunderland though. They’re a good side.
In my opinion there is a bigger battle to be won on Saturday by the crowd.
Most of you have heard about the protest on Saturday.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/incoming/article811051.ece/BINARY/gallery-large/Arsenal-Arsenal-protest-banner-cropped
This is from LadyArse
I hope they did it and that battle has to be won by that lot.
http://ladyarse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/AW_1.jpg
Apparently they did do it.
http://a.yfrog.com/img858/9826/xb0cp.jpg
Holic, first 20 minutes will be critical for us. the lads need to score first and slam another pass the keeper in 2 minutes after the first goal. this seems to be the window of opportunity that has worked well for Arsenal in the past.
Snir Geuli, i’m happy for you mate.
Cheers mate, despite your moniker ๐
Some house cabernet sauvignon if there’s any going, ‘holic.
My plans are well-afoot for a London sojourn in the grip of winter. This scares me muchly. I should be set for a pilgrimage to the Emirates on Feb 4 for a humble encounter with Blackburn. Any tips to surviving the cold?
(Durban, RSA resident of 15 years, am too used to 30-degree winters and 80 per cent humidity. I’m going to die.)
Excellent Jam.
You have to promise to come and have a drink with us first, then we reveal the secrets of keeping warm…
Holics, looks like I will be showing up at the Tollie this year after all ๐
Everyone I owe a drink to, don’t worry, I’m bringing Lars’ wallet with me.
stoke next week is my first trip over since the spud debacle last nov……….i now have a good friend who lives in laaandon so my trips will be frequent,,in fact im looking for work in da london area,,but not in a bar!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s great news Snir.
Looking forward to a pint with you and Dad again.
I think I owe you a mail too. I’ll play catch up next week…
Holic, my dad is teetotal.
I won’t mind drinking 2 pints though ๐
No doubt I’ll be there, ‘holic. I actually had my first ever Guinness a few weeks ago (sad for me, I took my time), so I’m ready and willing.
By the look of it I’ll even be staying in Islington for the majority of my stay. All the way.
Now just to get tickets. Arsenal Australia, don’t let me down.
If they do Jam, let me know. Don’t knock the trip on the head…
Looks like you’ll be a busy host this winter holic.
Another 15 years of Arsene, eh, no matter what. No questioning of that, no critical faculty whatsoever. No matter what happens. Amazing. The cult of Wenger.
Jekyll.
Top 4.
With Wenger 15 out of 15.
Without Wenger 23 out of 92.
And I believe there weren’t any City or Chelsea Sheiks or Oligarchs before Wenger.
In Arsene We Trust (at least I do).
Thank you Snir for the historical perspective. I hope Jekyll has benefited in some small way. ๐
Whats the set-up at the Tollie now since the expansion? Will be accompanied by small person, making his Arsenal debut, so wont get inside. Is the fence still there?
*boilk*. Again. Not good.
A big weekend for the GT Rollers… will Rooney be banned for the season – will Holic and 8ball’s chickens come home to roost?
Hi Holic,
Looking at our last 5 fixtures, we have never lost against ‘these guys’ at home!
So keeping with the spirit of things. 2-1 will do me with Gervinho to score at any time @ 15/1 courtesy of b65
Enjoy the game guys!
Morning all.
Still a fence, Esso. Just a bit more of it now. And it is not so far that I cannot still make it to the bar and back carrying a Guinness, a Star, and a soft drink ๐
How many more times do I have to sign up with ITV. Seems like every time I want to watch ITV Player ๐
Pain in the arse.
Goonertown – We hadn’t lost at home to Hull City before, either. With Wenger in charge, nothing is certain.
” In Arsene we rust.”
Anybody looking for a ticket for tomorrow? I know of one available and can put you in touch with the holder.
Drop me a line to gooner(at)goonerholic(dot)com
Spectrum, I don’t mind people coming in and criticizing me and the other holics, but I won’t tolerate first time posters who offend us.
Why? Because we have a bit more of an ounce of loyalty to the greatest manager in Arsenal’s history?
Fuck off.
I just love a troll from Australia coming on and digging out Arsenal supporters. Must be a slow day.
The abusive post has gone Snir. I’ll edit yours accordingly.
Oh, I missed some ‘fun’ then. Guess I didn’t miss much.
Since when has a long sunday session, however good, prevented you from posting on the same night, ‘holic? ๐
Oh, and Sunderland mostly evokes memories of Alan, of course.
Good post holic especially:he should have had a pen after been molested by bramble,always clumsy around the box!!think that’s why he’s been suspended by his club,heh.
I thought everybody had missed that G ๐ Thanks.
Ollie, tomorrow promises to be mega-boliky…
Hey hol seems it aint to busy here at the mo may I ask your opinion on the ‘fans’ who want to unveil a banner saying thanks but goodbye to arsene,personally I think there insane,as an arsenal fan since our centenary year I can say iv been very fortunate with my lot,but u guys seem to have seen some bleak times and good,but this lot WTF is going on in there brains?
They pay their money, they are entitled to their opinion, G.
Personally I think they are at best misguided to be protesting when basically a new side is trying to find form and confidence.
Something isn’t quite right at the club for sure, but dragging down the side you profess to support seems to be incredibly short-sighted.
We should be one hundred percent behind the side on the pitch in my humble opinion.
Thanks for the reply boss,3pionts tomorrow hopefully kill there short sightness!as one of your regulars said last week gunner thru good times and bad..
SG –
I couldn’t have said that any better myself! ๐
Just popped in for a quick raid on the MC ๐
Thank the Lord for the return of proper footie
COYRRR’s ๐
mega-boilky is nothing new even to that extent, ‘holic, no?
Unless there’s something I don’t know.
Anyway, I’m off. I shall be in London before you ๐
Bon voyage, Ollie.
18 points from 18 games since CC Final.
Record breaking defeats.
Ever spiralling goals against column, year on year.
7 years without a trophy.
Bit of perspective on where we are NOW with Wenger.
Where I do agree is the protest seems ill timed. Why October? Best to wait until end of season now.
Holic,
Does post match mean a trip to a pub with live music if so I may well see you there, Will be a good day let’s just hope the singings up to scratch, Think B Jesus may get a good airing lol ๐
So, can we hope for a 22-man brawl, points deductions and lengthy bans at Anfield today?
Jekyll: but is all that down to Arsene Wenger?
Snir, why would you want to steal my wallet? My wallet is for everyone to use, you are not allowed to hog it for your own personal benefit!
Lars, it’s happened on his watch. Surely the manager must be held accountable. It is possible to always find excuses for him of course. He’s got Gazidis and Kroenke to do that for him already, easing the pressure as much as they can.
Jekyll, “it happened on his watch” – that is a real straw-man argument, I am afraid. Can you tell me exactly which decisions were his, can you tell me what money he really has had to spend, can you tell me what part the board played in the Cesc deal over the summer, can you… et cetera?
And “the manager must be held accountable”? But what if he has managed to talk the board out of even more stupid things? PHW has said that Arsene Wenger is not given a budget for which to buy players, the board says yes or no per proposed deal – maybe Arsene wanted to spend more money earlier in the summer but wasn’t allowed?
I have always been saying and I keep saying that none of us know enough to demand the head of anybody at the club. Maybe it IS Arsene who has lost it, but then again maybe he has saved us from an even bigger fall? I don’t know and quite franky, neither do you. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but right now all we can do is get behind the team when a game is on and demand from the club as a whole to buckle down and fight all they can all the way. It might be nice to have a scapegoat, but as the Chinese say: “be careful what you wish for, because it might come true”.
Lars, you make valid points, the problem is the conclusion one draws from that is fans should never question the manager or demand change. So for that reason it isn’t a perspective I wish to share.
And surely there must be some failings where the blame can clearly be laid at the manager’s door. For instance, the failure to address defensive deficiences dating back years, whoever the personnel back there, must be a coaching issue.
By the looks of it the 2 manc clubs picked teams with the CL in mind. Wonder what AW’s got in mind – can’t wait
UReDSssS!
Fiddy!
Jekyll: where am I saying that we should never question the manager or demand change? The problem for me is that far too many are far too quick to just point to the manager and assume that he is to blame. What I am saying is that if we are to demand change then we damn well better be 100% sure that we demand the right change. After all, if we assume the right to question things and demand change and to hold others accountable, do we not have the obligation to make responsible and considered demands as well? Accountability is a two-way street, you can’t demand of others what you don’t demand of yourself in terms of doing your best and taking responsibility.
Lars, that’s the conclusion I drew from ‘none of us know enough to demand the head of anybody at the club’, that therefore our opinions are invalidated. How would we ever be 100% sure? Relegation?
It’s true that fans can never know the full picture regarding behind the scenes machinations, but by that token perhaps Bertie Mee shouldn’t have left in the mid-70s as how do we know the board or other forces didn’t force him to break up that double winning team and plunge us into lower table mediocrity. By that rationale, as we don’t know all the facts, he should have kept the fan’s support and remained in charge until he popped his clogs a decade or so back.
Anyway, that’s enough from me, thanks for the constructive debate.
Man City can pick a team with billy connelly’s hairy arse in mind and still beat that villa team. Utd and pool played out an uninspiring draw but both will be happy and both moved further away from us. I hope tomorrow will have something to inspire us fans again as this season has the look of a procession about it at the top. Not that I give a shit about the league at this stage just a solid performance, some fluent play and the odd flash of brilliance to whet the appetite for the winter ahead. Come on Arsenal..
haven’t seen much of billy connelly’s arse lately, but from what i saw of citeh 2day thought they looked okish for a team that cost 4 or 5 hundred million quid. Hoping the sun shines out the mighty Arse 2morrow…
C’monURedSS!
Re: Dr. C @24: No great movement by GT Rollers detected as of yet. If I didn’t know better I would think the entire team was smoking one giant reefer for the entire 90 minutes. ๐ ๐
Hi ‘Holic & ‘holics. Missed your fine blog ‘holic & all the brilliant people here. Been away with stuff for a while. Looking forward to the match tomorrow though for reasons I can’t identify, not with that much ethusiasm.
Hoping the boys stuff ’em proper & keep a clean sheet too (don’t really think so though).
Plumping on a 3-1 to the Arsenal with Theo, Gervinho & Ramsey to score.
Thanks DW. Hope everything is ok personally for you…
8ball…. that’s because 3 of my team don’t play until tomorrow – a strange concept but I picked Arsenal players, not Manure, Chelski, Scousers, Spuds or Munsters. Yes, we’ll be relegated, but our pride will be intact ๐
Just watching the Barca game. That Lionel Messi – if he applies himself he could make himself into a decent professional!
195 goals… at 23??
This bar is very quiet tonight, so I’ll just ramble on with random topics…. is it just me, or does anyone else get a picture of Tim Curry in their head every time they read a post from Wolfgang??
Probably just me.
I really think that Arsene is worst manager ever and he should go gome right now!!
Manchester United win us 8-2!! not 1, not 2, 3 .4.5.6.7 – 8!!!!!
we have 7 points from 21!! we lose to teams like blackburn!
we sell Cesc and Nasri (why sell nasri?! he is one of the best players in england, give him more money to stay!)
I hope that tomoroww sunderland will not win is, because if they are win us we going to struggle against playing in the Championship.
Snir Geuli, You sure that you an arsenal fan and not Arsene fan?
you obviously arsnel fan for 2 years or something like that.
You even know who is henry? Or bergkamp?
Go to read about arsenal history and about the premier league and then come back to here.
you are not connected to reality if you think arsene is the best manager in england.
He was, but not now.
Good luck tomoroow, Come on Gunners!!!!
Hmmm…..
Yeah, Snir – you know nuffink! ๐
Ok.. we must have some lurkers in here.
I’ll buy a drink for the first DEBUTANT poster to get involved – you know you want to. Anything you like – love Wenger, hate Wenger, the game tomorrow, The Jam, why did Wolfgang kill Eddie?…….
Obviously, drinks for the regular lurkers too…
Arsenal fan, please enlighten me. Who are Henry and Bergkamp?
What happened before 09-10? I didn’t watch The Arsenal before that year (although saying that I think AW is the best manager because of the last two years is quite obsurd, here I was thinking it’s the other way around and my thoughts on AW are due to his success before 09-10. Oh well).
THERE you are!! ๐ ๐
Tomorrow in Block 32?
I am for my first match at the grove tomorrow. Holic where do you meet up pre game? So maybe I can pop over and say hello.
Hello Jay,
In the Tollington Arms the big group that looks like extras from the Commitments. That’s us.
Cheers.
Ok cheers holic! Sounds great I have came over from Lurgan in Co Armagh. We be a pleasure to meet you cheers
*would*
We’ll be the car park side under the brolly Jay. I’ll be the old boy on the Guinness. That should narrow it down a bit.
Not much, just a bit ๐
Jekyll, thank you too. Have a pint on me!
Oh the irony. Someone from Baqa Al Gharbiya telling Snir not to “come to London”.
Some of these webwarriors make one giggle.
Extras from the Commitments – love it
Shit, gotta
go, Roxette is on the warpath….
“Arsene is worst manager ever”
“you are not connected to reality if you think arsene is the best manager in england.
He was, but not now.”
Comedy Genius.
I’m outa my head, send help or I may be dead. They mustn’t carry out their evil plan…..
Roxette? Dr Feelgood? Mmmmm…
Catalan,
Go to read about arsenal history and about the premier league and then come back to here.
๐
Lars @47 – spot on mate ๐
We don’t know. Not much else to say really, is there ?
In the summer AW said, “you cannot sell Fabregas and Nasri and call yourself a big club”.
So who was he aiming that comment at ? Himself ?
Hardly.
What did Arsenal do ? Sold Fabregas and Nasri.
A thinking person would, therefore, imagine that those decisions were taken by someone other than AW. But we don’t know.
The impression given, at the time, was that AW was quite prepared to keep Nasri, and let him go for nothing next summer if necessary. But the board would not allow it and risk losing ยฃ25million.
By selling him when and how they did though, they increased the risk of us not qualifying for the CL next season, which would cost us the ยฃ25million anyway.
Is that definitely what happened ? We don’t know.
So instead of accusing people of being blind, AW sycophants, some folks would do better to try and apply a little logic to some situations, and wonder what makes themselves so certain that AW alone is to blame.
There are problems and shortcomings at present for sure. But Arsene Wenger looks as angry and frustrated by them as anyone else. We are not trying to compete on a level playing field at the moment.
The only thing, right now, that fans can affect, is the support given to the players. They will not benefit from negativity.
Snir – well played above. The anger management classes are working ๐
Hey Catalan – just in case you’re still looking for a chat – I’m off ๐
Big game tomorrow – and a bit of pre-match Tollie.
Sorry you can’t make it TABS – hopefully next week ๐
Catalan Gunner, lets raise our glasses to lil Messi, may he grace the pitch for many years to come. remember the La Liga game towards the end of last season when Real Madrid was playing (i forget what team) and it was Amnesty night for all the players who had yellow cards. Well the ‘Special One’ instructed 3 of his lads to foul out deliberately to prevent them from potentially getting red-carded. 2 of those were Sergio Ramos, di Maria, and the 3rd, i think was that scum bag Marcello. this was the most disgraceful ploy in professional futball i have ever witnessed in quite a while.
Arsenal Fan, your remark about Nasri being one of the best in the league rang true for this gooner. i don’t appreciate the way city are treating him either. this lad was born to play the beautiful game, and i miss seeing him play for us, i really do. i wish him only the very best, just like i do for Ces. Arsene wanted them to stay, you’ll not be able to convince me otherwise. HOLICS, i’m predicting 3-0, RVP, for sure. just wish AW would change his mindset about the OX and let him get on with it. cheers all
On a side note – glad to see the ‘holic is pounding Anguilla and Tuvalu into submission: http://www.sharenator.com/w/goonerholic.com
Jam, way cool! does us proud, he does!
@73, Holic – What on earth are you talking about?
Up and at ’em people! First trip this season, wopidooooo! Have to be on me best behaviour, but still leaves plenty of licence. She Wore!
Very cool, Jammathon – The Cook Islands should be trembling!
Trev – cheers for the, erm, chat..!? Have a good trip to the Tolie and the Grove today!
Snir – Holic was, I believe, referring to the location of Arsenal Fan. Just in case you fancied getting an education in “premier league” and “history”.
Like Trev said – keep up with those anger management classes ๐
Enjoy Esso, and your son too, on his debut. A strong early morning coffee?
What did she wear, Esso? ๐ See you later geezer.
Thanks Jam. Not sure about the ‘web empire’ bit…
Snir, sorry, but we had a visit from someone last night who wasn’t your biggest fan, and apart from some snide little abuse he asked you not to come to London, so I thought I would check his ip. Is there a London in your homeland?
Holic, no London in my homeland (unfortunately! That woulda saved me a whole lot on plane tickets ๐ )
First “Arsenal Fan” who wants me to have a reading session (he can relax, the mail arrived yesterday with my copy of The Making of a Modern Superclub and my Wilshere jersey for this year, so I have plenty to read now ๐ ) and now someone from Baqa al Gharbiya?!
All of this because I don’t want AW to be fired? This is getting beyond weird.
The Small Faces ?????
Now you’re talking.
Mods rule.
Can’t wait to clock in at The Clock-End – for old time’s sake…
ComOnUReDDDSSSSSS!!!!!!
It’s true, I haven’t seen Esso in ages. I think he was scheduled for an earlier appearance this season but couldn’t make it.
So today’s surprise one will be great.
It’s gonna be a lovely day
These wind-up merchants know no shame, Snir.
Morning All
Have a great time today ‘Holic & all ‘Holics going to the HoF and the Tollie/HoH (Home of ‘Holics).
I hope to catch up with some of you next week when Lars’ elephant’s scrotum wallet will be stretched to capacity, no doubt.
Edwin has locked the CMC until lurkers like ‘Arsenal fan’ have been quietly escorted away by Carlos K and the boys. He has politely requested that regulars with keys keep it that way until the coast is clear ๐
Trev – will get to manage a full pint today? Have fun either way ๐
Dr.C – Well played you too.
Snir – It’s much more fun to deal with ‘the hard of thinking’ in the way that you have chosen to do – good choice ๐
Steve T – Up The Arse and up the Mods. The Who, Small Faces, Arsene and RvP. How’s that for a decent Sunday? Are you travelling to The Ems on your TV200 or catching the 5:15?
Dr.F – Edwin has some cream for that (your sunburn not Roxette) ๐
COYRRRs!!!
3-1 to The Arse.
Ah, Komrade Ollie. You have a great day too and all being well, see you next week.
Storey, in fact my wallet is surprisingly small. You’ll see it in action next Sunday!
Feeling a bit nervous about the game today. Nothing but three points will do, that’s really all there is to it. I don’t care how we win it as long as we do.
Anyway, quick shower now and then off to the pub for pre-match pints. Up the Arse!
Heh Lars. It’s the capacity of it’s stretch that intrigues ๐
Enjoy the game with your fellow Viking Gooners. Yes, any win will do today but a decent marginof victory could help build our, so far elusive, confidence.
UTA!
TS – it’s always the capacity of the stretch that intrigues – ask Wolfie !
Sadly looks like I won’t even make a half today, after all. Not feeling the best this morning, so am going slightly later and straight to the ground. ๐
Not to worry, next weekend looking good for a meet ๐
Come on RREEEDDDSSSS !
Dr.T
Enjoy the game today. Sunshine + a few goals from the good guys (hopefully) = happy campers all round.
See you next week. I’ll see if the Tollie will dish up a special ‘single shot of beer’ to keep you happy ๐
Rude not to. Self assist on a matchday!
AFCMTA is climbing up the table.
CoR, I’m aiming for your 3rd place by the end of the day (even though I might have a problem because we both have AR and RvP) ๐ !
Late leaving so not going to make the tollie. Junior girls football over ran.
TS. I am with you brother. No lamby. Just out of my brain on the train.
Enjoy fellow holics. Here’s to a resounding Arsenal victory.
Here’s to three points. Nothing less will do.
Steve T
So we’re back to ‘Girls of sixteen’ then?
Enjoy the match, maybe see you next Sunday?
Looking forward to this one
Come on Arsenal!
True Storey, what does Carlos look like? some thug showed up in the wee hours of the morning and tried to pry me of my stool. can you imagine that (ha, ha). Up the Arse!
Busy last couple of days, so a quick pop in to say;
COYRRR.
Lager please.
Well, here we are at our latest new dawn.
Sadly can’t make it along to this one, but still bang up for it and will be roaring them on from the couch.
Loving the direction of the Holic pound – a goal from big Per would make me a happy man. An absolute hiding for the Mackems would have me dancing on the ceiling.
COME ON YOU SUPER GOONERS!!
Hi ‘holic,
Thanks. Everything is okay.
C’mon you Reds!…Lets do this!….
Yreeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssss!
RvP
Get in there!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL..!!.
My…!!!
CHOCOLATE LEG!
Briliance from RvP, deserved a goal.
RVP!!!!…..
What a lovely piece of skill!…Just needed a lil bit of luck!…
anybody having luck with streams? if so, link please. cheers
Fuck.
Jenko!…For a moment there, I thot i caught a glimpse of Clichy-esque lapse in concentration.
A bit scrappy right now.
Are they playing with the handbrake on or what?…
The usual first half from this squad. Sublime to ridiculous to frustration to hope. Still think we have the beating of this lot with some more composure in front of goal and more patience from our midfield with the back four ensuring they maintain their concentration a little better. Two fantastic goals, in fairness to seb lars Freekick it was truly magnificent. Still we move on and ever upwards! Come on you reds!
A half of two halves
I thought we started really well and were in total control for the first 25mins, creating chances with ease.
Cue a semi chance for Sunderland (offside/onside) run and we fall apart. They equalise and if it wasn’t for Woj would of been ahead.
I hope Arsene gives them a bollocking and they come outfired up for the next 25.
Come on you reds.
Whoa.
Rosicky can run, who knew? ๐
120
25 = 45, d’oh
That should of been red. Terrible tackle.
Howard Webb!!!…What was that yellow for?….
Wicked RvP.
Gooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RVP!!!!!!!!!!
God I love RVP.
Now fucking finish this off lads. Heads on.
Van Persie…!!!! Magnificent…!!!!
Yeeesss!!
3 delicous points.
& we live to fight another day!….
Common You Rip Roaring Reds!!!!…
Come on Arsenal. Build on this win. Onwards and upwards. ๐
One more thing. Come on Newcastle.
What great satisfaction this win brought. RVP was brilliant. What a player!
Come on Arsenal! Time to stack some wins together now
I really have no idea why AW persists with Theo even on his off days. I woulda subbed AA for Theo and kept Gervinho on. Theo was horrible today.
Rosicky was excellent today.
Get in there!!!!!!!!!!!! RVP scoring free-kicks again, gotta love it….as for the rest, I’m too drunk to comment on. But that free-kick made my weekend….
Song and Mertesacker were brilliant too, Arteta looked a little ponderous but we broke our Sunderland duck
Snir Geuli, couln’t agree with your assessment more, Rosicky and the little Russian were absolutely brilliant! mates, RVP is a bonified living legend, and WE have him!!!
GET IN!!!!!!! RVP is on fire! Always wondered what a string of time uninjured for him would look like- he must be the most patient person on the planet to keep his focus through all his tribulations and still come out screaming. UTA.
Enjoyed that…. eventually – Sunderland are going down at this rate though – how many filthy fouls did they commit.
I don’t think any Arsenal striker has ever had 25 games like Van Persie – not it’s time for some others to chip in goals to help the cause.
How fucking great was THAT save by Szcz? We might look back on that one in May. Also I think Rosicky deserves a lot of credit – most of our better work came via him. Did you see that eager Russian sub come on at the end…..who was that? ๐
Hola, to Holics everywhere
Sun, sand, and dark haired maidens were uppermost in my thoughts until 1 00 pm today when my thoughts turned to my constant love
*looks to ensure Roxette is out of sight*
The Arsenal made heavy weather of that today, but a win is a win and I will gladly take the 3 points right now.
For those of you who made it to the Tollie today, enjoy and have one for me.
Where would we be without the majestic Robin van Persie?
Onwards and upwards though. Theres beers to be drunk – should be back in Blighty for the Marseille game before I disappear again on DLL executive duty to Cork next weekend.
PS – Holic @ 76 many thanks – you hit the spot ๐
Snir, so right about Walcott.
Get him dropped and get the Ox into the team. Pronto.
Right, see ya later, playmates….!
arsa e barca-”RVP is a bonified living legend, and WE have him!!!…”
I haven’t ”heard” truer words today….
Fantastic to get the win. Three points is all that matters.
@ goonerholic
You may feel this is a bit of an arcane point but I feel it’s important to get it out there. You say:
“(Arshavin) should have had a penalty when molested by Titus Bramble, always a tad clumsy around the box, and had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside. In the interests of fairness I should also recall that Szczesny made a critical late save from Welbeck.”
The save from Chesney does not balance out the refereeing errors. Sunderland were not denied a goal because of an officiating error. Chesney’s save was legitimate. AA beat the keeper and scored. His goal was actually scored and should have stood. Plus we should have had a penalty. Had to get that off my chest.
Spurs go down today, feel it in my bones. on Wednesday, Marseille will wish they were playing United instead. Cause we’re going to DESTROY them! 140, totally agree, BRING ON THE OX!
DreamWright, thanks mate. i’ve said it before, and i’ll SHOUT it again, our lads have so much SWEET potential! Carling Cup, Champion’s League, still within our grasp. KEEP the faith lads, mark this day on your calander, the day we BELIEVED we are still the bloody INVINCIBLES!!!!!!
@ Zico & Arsa…Have you considered that if The Ox is to take Walcott’s place he’d be playing in front of Jenko, who though looks promising going forward, is still shaky defensively. & AW has said several times that Ox has to work on the defensive aspect of his game.
I personally don’t think it’d make sense tactically to play them both together. At least not against quality opposition, Carling Cup perhaps, but definitely not in the league unless Ox & Jenko improve defensively.
Of course I agree that Theo was poor today, but did you see his tackle/block after a terrible back pass from Benayoun?
@ DreamWright – agreed – that a was a huge block by Theo. It’s about defending too and I thought he put a shift in making sure Jenkinson (who still wanders far too often, no shock he’s played perhaps a year professionally) was getting support.
DreamWright, start the OX, give him a chance to work his magic, he doesn’t have to play the whole game. oh bloody hell, vanderfart just scored….
Yes! 1-1 thanks to Friedel’s folly. Ha, Ha cusop!
sorry lads, apparently DeFoe didn’t get my memo!
Ameobi did.
Game on Ameobi, what a goal!
Anybody noticed we are already out of the bottom half? Let’s keep going in the right direction…
what can i say, Collochini, should have put that one away. All in all, a terrific day. Cheers!
Just back from the HoF and all I can think of to say right now is…
I love you Robin
That is all *
๐
* Normal service may resume after a few more drinks…
For any LWCs who wander into our bar:
F*ck you!
More importantly, it’s been a good day for The Arse ๐
Enjoy the post-match Guinnii ‘Holic and look forward to your post tomorrow ๐
UTA!
Well in Snowy. See you next Sunday? Will partly make up for not meeting-up @ The Sh*thole.
TS – most definitely. By Monday week I shall have been in the new job for 3 whole weeks, so I think I should safely be allowed a boilky Monday by then.
๐
Saved by thatman – and the boy wonder – Robin – URedSS!!!
Honestly, where the hell did Howard Webb find FIVE minutes to add on? Even three would have been stretching it, sure there were six subs but our first was done in about five seconds while we were setting up a corner and of the other five, two were done at the same time so there were only four real stoppages for subs which should equate to two added minutes. There were no injury stoppages and only one goal (and you should not add time for goals unless the celebrations are abnormally long which was definitely not the case here) so how the hell did he make it five bloody minutes?
Anyway. Three points were absolutely vital today, and this game also shows that what this team needs is confidence. If we had scored that second goal in the first ten minutes I think this would have turned into a rout, but then of course Larsson scored that magnificent free-kick and we were shaky again. Just hope that the players gain a bit of confidence from the way they fought through the second half.
Szczesny made a bit of a mistake when mistiming his run but what he did well was not stopping half-way and giving the Sunderland player time to aim a shot. Once you’ve commited yourself you’ve got to go all the way and at least delay your opponent. And THAT save a few minutes later… echoes of a certain Mr Seaman in the FA Cup ten or so years ago – and wasn’t that one also against Sunderland, by the way?
Arshavin made a great cameo. So close to scoring what would have been almost a replica of Henry v Liverpool in 2004. Maybe he is starting to find his way out of that massive slump he’s been in for so long?
Sounds good Snowy. There should be a small gathering of ‘Holics assembled for the Munsters match.
wasn’t the Seaman save vs Sheff Utd Lars?
Nice report Lars, I’ll reserve my opinions until I’ve see the highlights. 3 vital points is the headline for me.
See you soon Mr.Viking ๐
Tim, maybe it was… *dashes off to YouTube a bit* …yup, you’re right. It was Sheff U.
Hey 8 ball – the Numpties were matched by The Rollers this weekend… I guess that’s what happens when Flipper and RVP start combining sweetly…. enjoy your days at the top, they are limited.
Although, clearly not by The Rollers. ๐
…And a big hand to Snir and Harsha for your teams this weekend.
Great to meet up today Geezer. You’re a fucking star! Thats what you are.
Hi holic tried to find you today in the tollington, was talking to Dave and Gary out of the north wilts supporters club. Hopefully I will get the chance to meet you sometime again.
Dr. C
Let the underdogs celebrate, and I congratulate you on an excellent week’s outing, as well as Harsha and Snir who also have a certain RVP man to thank. Knock on wood the RVP man will keep on banging them in for Arsenal’s sake (and maybe even for the future cause of the Frozen Numpties?????). This week’s tabulation comes to (drumroll please, maestro):
GT Rollers 43
Frozen Numpties 42
Let the wild celebrations begin. ๐
Very quick one before beddy-byes…
Couldn’t get in the bar during the interlull as I was bored silly by it.
RVP you absolute God!!! And speaking of gods, the footballing ones can go fuck themselves for not letting his sumptuous chip go in. I would have creamed myself if it had.
And massive, massive props to the Pole between the poles, not just for that save of the season material. Did you see his celebration when the winning goal went in? Passionate Arsenal man through and through. Strong undertones of Spunky himself.
Arshavin also should have had one (goal of the season contender) for dancing through the entire defence and should have buried it.
Anyways. Bring on Marseilles!
P.S. 8ball just seen your last post. That means I’ve forgotten to update the mighty Boy Racers for about the 4th matchday running. Bugger!
Night all.
Lars –
good post, and points about the keeper and his – say it quietly – Almuniaesque charge off his line.
His positioning for Sundahlund’s goal was “curious” too, but for the number of games he’s played he is amazing.
“That” save has to be one of the best ever by anyone.
You over next weekend ?
Fuk My Old Boots
URRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quad still on – Up up, and away, The Arse