Three More Points In The Bag
Nov 5th, 2011 by 'holic
As halftime approached I wrote in the drinks that there appears to be a feelgood factor about the place. It is as if the slow progress that has followed a poor start is finally being more widely accepted. Of course we are only one bad performance away from more soul-searching, but this team seems to be reaping the rewards for a positive attitude and a work ethic we have become unaccustomed to seeing on a regular basis in recent years.
Who impressed you most today? If I am being honest no one player stood out for me, but most in the team caught the eye. From the off we put together a lot of intricate passing moves straight off the training ground. Seldom was that in itself enough to open up opponents who sat off rather more than I suspect their manager had told them to, but the occasional incisive ball provided the chances that eventually produced the goals.
You won’t see many more incisive than the Ramsey ball inside the full-back that set Walcott free on twenty-two minutes. Foster could only parry Theo’s effort into the path of, who else, Robin van Persie. There is no deadlier finisher around at the moment. Although he didn’t get the second himself, the skipper played a key role in the move that secured it. The clever ball into him from Song was cut back into the box and Gervinho’s instinctive back-heel went straight to Vermaelen. Bang. Two-nil to the Arsenal.
Throughout the half, and continuing into the second, Arsenal were being prompted from all over the park. Jenkinson again showed just what hard work and a big heart can give to the side. He won’t keep his place when Sagna is fit, but he has made more of his unexpected opportunity than even he could have hoped for, and this experience will benefit Arsenal, as well as the player himself, in the long run.
Then there was Arteta. It seems to me that in the wake of the humbling defeats at Old Trafford and Ewood Park he has been under orders to sit deeper than he might otherwise do instinctively. His burgeoning partnership with Song is one of the main reasons for a little tightening of security in front of the back four. Today though, when the Baggies did not pressure the ball as enthusiastically as they might the little Spaniard made more of an impact in the opponents half.
His reward for another non-stop performance was a van Persie set-up for a clear shot and a third Arsenal goal with over a quarter of an hour remaining. The ‘holic pound looked good at this point. Unfortunately for me the crucial fourth goal did not come. That took nothing from the warm glow I felt at the final whistle.
A solid performance. A good day. What could make it better? Only the tweet of Andre Santos, caught between his tenuous grasp of English and the spellchecker on his smartphone.
‘Verry good win gays!!!’
Yes, yes it was.
251 Responses to “Three More Points In The Bag”
Get in!!!
*runs to the corner to congrtulte Snir*
*congratulate.
damn phone.
Top post Holic.
I’ve said it time and time again here but the thing I like the most about this team is the fact that everybody’s committed to the cause ALL THE TIME.
It was Song who said last season they showed up to games thinking they already have the points in the bag, and we all know what happened then.
This team plays like it has something to prove every single time and it shows in the results.
*Points to H2H and orders the crowd to applaud him for the wonderful Ramsey-like assist.*
3 points,
3 goals,
1 clean sheet,
Lovely.
Boring, Boring Arsenal π
Three sweet points. Job done. Well done to the lads
Fucking interlulls, I hate them
Yourr all gay!
Gay abandon and the happy train is filling up, definitely a team performance as you noted. I thought the Baggies would be far better…… (If you’re keeping track we have now collected 3 points more than from the equivalent fixtures last season).
Onward and upward. Jenkinson MOM simply for effort and not letting the pressure topple him.
Way to go gays!!
Top post ‘holic, I agree with all your points.
A special mention for the Vermcielny who looked rock solid. All in all a great team performance, an important victory made to look easy.
Shots on the bar gents.
Mr, Holic, my first post here, been reading from a lot of time though. I really like your blog and I would like to suggest a new chant:
Koscielny, ooooooh, Koscielny, oooh, ooh, oh,
He come from Laurient
He’s our Superman!!!
It’s great to be a gooner now π Great keeper, great central defenders, finally a proper skipper and team that works its socks off every fuckin game! Cheers from Bulgaria.
ette ehh π
BG It’s always a previlage to be GOONER!
Good and bad times even though we are silent!
Holic that clock needs a revamp!
QPR is doing well so far come on Barton π shhhhhhit I said it!
Finally a relaxing 3 points.
Jacuzzi football.
Mikel Arteta is getting better with every match while showing his class
with a well taken third goal so why doesn,t the coaching staff pair him with ben-Ayoun already ,two very experienced premier league pl
ayers now and every bit as good as Cesc and Nasri ,allowing Ramsey to take a break with Diaby and Wilshere due back soon and Rosicky available if needed ,it,s time ?
Great post sir. I too hate interlulls but this season I felt the first two came at the right time. Just keep our fingers crossed and hope everyone comes back healthy and we can keep our momentum going.
Arthur, always a privilege, sometimes somewhat tough though π
Thank you SF, good to see you here.
And Blogs, thank you verry much, indeed we arre π
T Mobile dongles suck arse so didnt see it but happy out nonetheless. 3 points, clean sheet, no injuries…no worries
On the button, as ever, ‘Holic.
Samuel@20. I suspect AW is nursing Ramsey carefully. He seems regularly to be pulling him off after about 70 mins.
Well, that win has left me gayer than a squirrel with a hole full of nuts in the middle of winter. π
The Law @ 26: That sounds like brass monkeys time.
1986 – 87 …….
Adams, Thomas, Rocky……
Heart, commitment, teamwork…..
…though I am sure that the crack medical team of this parish would be available to huff on anything that needs thawing out….
@NBN, well, a squirrel with no nuts in the middle of winter would not be very gay at all, no siree.
The Law @ 31: Or probably at any time of year.
Ned @25. Lucky old Ramsey! π
8ball…
How on earth have you got John Terry (the cunt) in your FFL team? You should be relegated for that…
I am gay.
You arre gay.
We’rre all gay.
*Not that therre’s anything wrong with it.*
Great game you Reds. Win the next match.
BG – remember, it takes a little more to be a Gooner. It’s always an honor through the thick and the thin.
BMBD!
North bank Ned @ 25.
All I can say to that is lucky old Aaron Ramsey. One way for someone to show their appreciation.
Lovely post βholic, as always, you Maestro π
What a great result for the team, and the back 5 in particular (although there were good performances from pretty much all of our gays ; -) )
However the player Iβm most pleased for is the boy Jenks. Itβs always a pleasure and a privilege to watch a young talent grow in skill and confidence, and the progress he has made since that fateful game at Old Toilet is simply immense.
Credit to him for not just grabbing the opportunity that an unexpected injury to a first-teamer gave him, but for his obvious graft in working on his game and trying his heart out every time he puts on the shirt.
Itβs really only a handful of games heβs had since then, and the difference between the nervy newbie he was just a couple of months ago, to what he is now is great to see.
Today I heard a chant for him getting going round the North Bank for the first time. And Iβm utterly delighted for him. Not just because heβs a great young player, but because he and his family are Gooners to the core. And I hope they are all bursting with pride tonight.
Sorry to focus on the one player, but it doesnβt get much more satisfying than that I think. Today, Carlo, you properly made your mark.
Seriously looking forward to MOTD so I can see it again π
βJenkinson, Jenkinson, Jenkinsoooonβ¦.β
Nice post ‘Holic, Can I just say, I LOVE Club Level!!! π
Gourmet food, lovely staff and the Arsenal, what more could anyone want, honestly?
‘3 points!’ someone shouts.
But we got those too! π
On the match, it was great viewing from my vantage point in the East Stand, Santos breaking out the samba style tricks, Jenkinson pulling some skills out of the bag on the wing made my day lol :p
Bombed in great crosses as well, MotM in my eyes on sheer effort and workrate, the fans appreciate that, we take it to heart.
3 points, 3 goals, 3 different goalscorers (shout-out to TV5!), I’m content.
Forward Arsenal, forward.
One more thing.
Santos you legend!
I’m gay for Arsenal, and Arsenal alone <3
‘holic, As I have said before, Santos brings excitement in many ways, and today he added one more. π
Snir, When Terry stops performing Numpties will ditch him, but today he delivered a solid performance for the side, along with the maximum 3 Arsenal players. π
Good summary of an excellent team performance and it’s good to see that emerge over the last few games. We have a healthy work ethic which is a contrast with the former complacent sense of superiority that caused us to slip up in games like this over the past few seasons. Some lovely passages of one touch quick passing that were reminiscent of more celebrated squads. Here’s to a continued renaissance despite the irritating interlull. A bottle of Glenmorangie to pass round the bar, barman, if you please.
Holding on to The Boys Racers’ coat tails as both teams stroll past the, err, Strollers. Strol on boys, strol on… π
8ball. Terry? In my mind that’s worse than Shrek – at least he has some skill! You know no shame…
Snir
A delayed response to you – unleaded at 1.32 euros / litre.
How’s that for random?
Also, thanks for the kind words in ‘Holic’s last post Zico, tabs and the post writer himself, I honestly enjoyed myself although I have to say ‘Holic, I stayed clear of the beer and the wine, my +1 wasn’t drinking so neither was I, we kept it at the Pepsi/Orange juice strength level π
Before that Ollie fella pipes up, that should have read “stroll” rather than “strol”.
I think.
Yes, I’m sure of it.
Where’s my pipe? Nurse????!!!!
Wind @44
*other cola drinks are also available*
Dr C, yes good sir, there were other cola drinks, Pepsi diet :\
3 points, 3 goals and another clean sheet.
Onwards and upwards.
Damn you Interlull, just as things were getting interesting.
Wind @ 44 – this alcohol free stuff, (despite the plaintive pleas from the Sweeper), is unlikely to catch on with most of the customers on the Happy Train.
Maybe I can send Roxette round and she and your + 1 can go shopping? Then you can get back to the real business at hand. π
CG – that was so delayed I’ve already decided to ditch the car renting idea and book some easyjet flights π
8ball, I don’t know how to respond to that. What if Cashely starts performing, will he get in your team as well?! *surprised smiley*
Right behind you Dr C breathing down you neck π
Proper, solid win today. West Brom were made to look very, very ordinary. We put some serious pressure on them and never gave them much time on the ball.
I am really starting to like Carl Jenkinson as a player. Wasn’t tested too much today but what little he had he passed with flying colours.
And oh, how we have missed Thomas Vermaelen…
Wind: Club Level is indeed quite nice, especially the free drinks at half-time π
Lars, not just that his crossing is magnificent.
I love thefact that he mixes it up with his crosses every single time…
The opposition never know what’s coming whether it’s a low cross, drilled cross, flat sharp cross, floated cross, near post, far post etc. He does ’em all and does ’em well!
Snir – you were going to drive to Spain from USA??
Yep Snir, I’m a big fan of his crosses, a shame no-one today could meet one of the drilled ones at the far post, the baggies’ defence was well and truely penetrated by Young Master Carl today π
@Zico, heh heh I can only wish. It wasn’t my other half with me (haven’t got one yet lol) as my +1 was one of my best mates, a fierce gooner in his own right but he defers alcohol on account of his religion Islam, so unfortunately Roxette’s services won’t be required.
Lol, no.
I’m meeting my dad and two brothers (who are flying in from Tel-Aviv) in London in March.
We’re taking a coach to Liverpool for the away game at Anfield and then a coach back to Luton and catching a flight to Madrid to watch Real vs. Espanyol and then coming back to London to catch Newcastle at home, then we’re catching a plane to Milan for Milan vs. Lecce the day after.
After that they go back to Israel and I go back the US.
Now, that’s gonna be a spring break well spent π
Good Evening Holics
Just in from the Ems. I thought the first half was played at walking pace , too many cross field passes by the mid-field players. We didn’t use Theo enough ,who was often left unmarked out on the right in acres of space. Tommy V , who scored a thunderbolt and threw himself in front of the attacker to save what was probably a certain goal and Kos were excellent hroughout ,although I thought Kos was lucky to get away with a dodgy tackle in the box. Then there was a very strange back pass that Szczesny picked up ,did anyone else notice, the officials certainly didn’t?
The game opened up in the second half and there was some terrific attacking play . Ramsey, who does need a rest, and Arteta both worked extremely hard and I was delighted that the Spaniard got his goal. TR5 and Benayoun looked good when they entered the fray interchanging passes .
The player that caught the eye was Jenks , his crosses into dangerous areas in the box were fantastic as was his never say die attitude.This lad is going to be an Arsenal favorite for years to come.
Our hero ,RVP, gave his all for the cause and converted Theo’s cross at the near post for that all important first goal, what a player, we must keep him fit.
Then there was Santos! Don’t get me wrong I like the guy but today we had one too many tricks and I see him more as an attacking LMF than I do as a LB, very Brazilian and a future candidate for Strictly Come Dancing!
WBA didn’t offer much going forward until Tchoyi came on late in the game. Very glad he didn’t start as he looked dangerous and did cause one or two problems .
All in all it was a good effort from the whole team and I really enjoyed the second half when the fans got going. Pity about the Interlul .
As always COYRs
Patient Ganggoolie, please report to The Quackery! π
@Lars, The Lovely Pam’s Treacle Tart at half-time gave me almost as much delight as seeing TV5 put one in the back of the net π
I was offered some alcohol as soon as I walked in (eyeing up the red) but Pam pulled the 18 card on me, and I couldn’t prove my age anyway, in combination with my mate being my +1 it wasn’t to be.
@56 Delia
Theo was screaming for the ball all day until he got subbed off, I agree with you there, and that TV5 ‘backpass’ was a bit dubious, looked like a non-deliberate backpass of a clearance when it was actually a expert (deliberate?) backpass disguised as the above in my eyes. π
Well done Thomas lad.
Evening all
A very gay day for The Gunners today.
Holic, another lovely post. Sober or… full of er…. Mount Gay your posts are always spot on and a top read.
The big question now is: can we gay all the way?
A very good evening to all the regulars and a big welcome to all the new gays.
Snowy – Agreed, Jenks is a top gay and a really solid performer esp. for one so young.
zico – Edwin says we’re going to need extra strong gaytes on the platforms to prevent an overfill of the HT. All the gauges are off the sgayle in terms of ticket sales. How times change π
A round of drinks for all please Mr.Barman and one for yourself of course π
Dr – What did I do now?
Delia – The Kos challenge I think you’re referring to was never a penalty, Thomas went down way too easily and the other tackle was magnificent to cover for Jenks as they played it in behind him.
The back pass was an Aaron Ramsey slide tackle which can be interpreted both ways.
And I’m quite shocked to read what you wrote about Santos… The guy barely crossed the halfway line today, he was very defensive by his standards today and didn’t make any defensive errors.
I’m kinda shocked that you find his performance worth pointing out.
*Apple spell checker prevented gauges being shown as gayges as originally intended*
Feckin apple π
Why don’t you just turn the spellchecker off? π
Interesting stats by 7amkickoff:
3 β League goals scored by Mikel Arteta this season (2 for Arsenal 1 for Everton)
3 β League goals scored by Arteta in 29 League games for Everton last season
8 β Number of Arsenal players who passed the ball at a 90% rate or better (Ramsey 94%, Jenks 93%, Koz 92%, Santos 92%, Gerv 92%, RvP 92%, Benayoun 92%, Arteta 90%)
http://news.arseblog.com/2011/11/arsenal-3-0-wba-by-the-numbers/
Holic
Young Jenks remind you of anyone.???
Watching him improve with every game,took my mind back to 2
young fullbacks who made themselves Arsenal legends.
Not the most skilful players,but had big hearts, Rolls Royce engines and played every minute as if it was their last.If Jenks is not a reincarnation of Pat Rice and Lee Dixon,then I’m not here.
He will get plenty of opportunities while Sag recovers from injury,but i predict he will go on to make himself an Arsenal Legend.
Zico @48
Mr and Mrs Dwarf are still waiting for confirmation that his/her/their
request for His and Hers bathrooms in the Healthy Carriage of the HT
will be raised at the next Board meeting.
They/him/her are not impressed with your tardy responses to their requests.
cheers
The Sweeper.
November, oh, November, six games – only one away!
A month to remember.
Strawberry daiquiri for me and non – alcoholic lager for Jenkinson. Drink up son, you deserve it.
Clive,
Rome was not built in a day – the Dwarves carriage is having to be expropriated from the Snow White set at Eurodisney. Whether it can then be incorporated onto the HT MkII will require rigorous debate at Board level (roughly translated as “what’s in it for Dr Feelgood?”).
D L Ltd thank you for your patience.
And we agree with you with regard to young Jenks. π
” It is as if the slow progress that has followed a poor start is finally being more widely accepted”
I am not sure it will ever be accepted as many like me will feel that the problems early doors were of our own making. The poor start to the season was down to dragging our feet for some strange reason. I am not sure I will ever understand why. But Holic you are quite correct, the feelgood factor has definitely returned.
Arriving today there was seemed a whole different atmosphere about the place. People had smiles on their faces and the whole atmosphere pre match just seemed so much more relaxed. A feelgood factor? Quite possibly, yes. Not too many weeks ago a game against the Baggies would have been viewed as a potential banana skin. It just did not feel like that today.
The little man again had a ball. He is turning into something of a lucky mascot. Fuelled with his traditional foot long hot dog and 2 packets of sweets, (still a pound but the bags do not seem to have as much in them these days) we made our way in.
I will be quite honest and say that I do not think we played that great. We hardly had to get out of second gear, but as AW has said several times, confidence is so important. Don’t get me wrong, we did not play badly. Far from it. But we will play a lot better this season. We played exactly the right attitude. We played as we should have done. We are the big boys. we are The Arsenal for fucks sake. We are at home against West Brom. There could only be one outcome. We grabbed the game by the balls and dominated from first minute to last. It was a stroll in the park. Why? Because we played as a team that believes in what it is now doing.
Many have mentioned The Jenk. I am finding it hard to remember too many players who have made bigger strides in such a short space of time. He development has been so rapid that it will have shocked many I guess. It seems ironic that we now have two full backs who can deliver a great cross the season we decide to send NB52 packing???
TV makes such a difference. Kos has come on and looks so much better with a proper centre half next to him. Those who did not shine still put a shift in and still battled for every minute on the pitch.
Arteta and Ramsey in the middle pulled the strings. Simply, we dominated the whole game. I dread to think what the score would have been if we had decided not to coast. There is clearly lots more to come.
One slight grumble. Has anyone noticed how many silly and unnecessary free kicks we give away? Opposition player has the ball near the half way line, back to our goal. Player going nowhere. We gave away several silly free kicks just trying to win the ball by going through the back of the player and making slight contact. With our phobia against set pieces this may be something we wish to eradicate.
We depart and the contentment that filled the ground pre match is enhanced post match. There is light hearted banter concerning RVP. Let’s hope he has picked up a slight muscle strain. Nothing major, just something that keeps him at home rather than making him travel away with the Dutch. A week with his feet up and a further week in the gym and the pool would do him the world of good.
I am now off to relive it all on MOTD. I have lots of London Pride just at the right temperature and awaiting my attention.
Holic, I hope your celebrations have gone well.
Holics, I raise my glass in unison, to toast The Arsenal.
Keep the faith.
Jenkinson was by far the standout player of the day, I don’t think I saw him make 1 mistake!
Zico
Mr and Mrs D thnk you for your prompt response.
At least some progress has been made.
They have also asked if you have remembered their/his/her request for stepladders in each of the bathrooms,to enable them to reach the toilet and wash basin.
It would appear that Doctor F may need accomodating in some fashion re this matter,
I assume i will be hearing from him or your goodself on the subject, in the not too distant future.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Mr. Right back – Jenkinson – think i’m in luv!
UrEDSSSS!
This is an absolute joke! I contemplated between Agbonlahor and Ba last week, I picked Agbonlahor and Ba scores a hat trick. I take Agbonlahor off for this week and he scores and has two assists!
How unlucky can you get?!
Snir. Give up. π
Just kidding. Ba should get a yellow card for too few letters in his name. π
You have no right commenting on the FFL until you take those cunts off your team ! !
Just watched MotD, we win 3-0 but we’re still 6th in the order of matches. If this isn’t insult enough, after the match, all we get is one line from Lineker containing… I’ve forgotten already!
Then to add further insult, Liverpool goalness draw with Swansea gets about 2 mins of who else, Alan Hansen commentary with indepth highlights.
What a bleedin’ disgrace, now I know the mainstream media hates Arsenal with a burning passion.
Getting a blessing from MOTD is like making the menu at McDonalds….it might be popular but it’s crap for the masses. The media continue to only enjoy us when we struggle, the same can be said for some blogs and indeed blog comments. It reminds me of the good old days at Highbury “Arsenal only have 36,000 fans in England and they all come here every other weekend”. Alan Hansen is still bitter all these years later.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-striker-must-never-leave-the-ultimate-football-team-says-Marco-Van-Basten-article827666.html
It amazes me how much we’re admired outside of England but laughed at in England.
Have a look at this beautiful piece from a beautiful player.
Someone just wrote on twitter that the board found AW’s replacement when he decides to retire in Van Basten.
While I’m not too sure about his coaching abilities I do agree that the board need to hire a manager which ‘admires’ the Arsenal way. There are plenty of that, unfortunately for the media, not a lot of them are British.
@ holic…great post as always. Consistently as good as Jenko’s crosses.
Just that we ‘holics always manage to get on the end of them, which can’t be said for the other gays.
Hope the anniversary went well?
Snir @ 79….nice link. My heart swelled with pride where van Basten (himself!) described us as the ”Ultimate football club” & praised those things that we almost often take for granted, for example, him saying we had a beautiful shirt.
Oh, to be gooner!.
So sad to see we are not as appreciated in England as in other parts of Europe. But i’ve known this for a while now, as someone said in the drinks above, the media are only happy & consider us newsworthy when we are miserable. Ever noticed the biase in the way the Mancs news stories are often treated by the media?
I don’t give too much of a f**k anyways.
Love what he had to say about Van Persie’s contract situation too… Was mostly spot on. He describes what I think is the best course of action for VP considering the options he has
(he could decide to do a Nasri!).
Onwards & Upwards Arsenal.
Keep the faith gooners
& Common You Rip-Roaring Gays!….
Loved the win , but I have to say there’s far too much gayness in the Bar tonight .
Clearly , I’m the only gay in the village π
Straighten up boys , we have a long season ahead .
long time reader, 1st time writing,
great article, keep it up,
its so sweet i dont want to get used to this!
Overall a good team performance. For me, our recent success is a result of the protection that Arteta and Song have provided to the back four (Arteta/Song) along with the fullbacks not getting caught out of position. Not to mention, they are very measured going forward which limits the number of times we get caught on the break. Of course, a hot RVP never hurts…..Most of all, and it may be b/c our title chances were stomped-on in the first five games, Arsene seems to be offering humble opinions after each match and in press conferences…..not talking-up the team too much, keeping the pressure off the team. Let’s just keep sneaking our way up the table.
Now, cross your fingers that we stay healthy over the interlull.
I watched the game while lying on the sleeping bodies of three worn-out women and gently applying moustache wax to my burgeoning handlebars when suddenly it occurred to me, the boys in red are cool cats. They play for the shirt, knock it around with class and I’ll be damned if they’re almost as sexy as woman with a huge booty and no drawers. I had to smoke three cigars after that pleasurable win because it was so enjoyable baby
Shaft,
@ 85 that was epic, and more than a tad bit frightening. More Arsenal, less boozing and swinging π
BMBD!
Tim @10
I prefer not to look at the corresponding fixtures but at the points we had after 11 games last season regardless who we played to figure out certain patterns.
Well, we had almost an identical record with 6 wins 2 draws and 3 losses.
We now have 6 wins 1 draw and 4 losses.
We only had 1 more point after 11 games last season and we were spoken of as title contenders. The main reason was that United and Chelsea were dropping points. While City isn’t dropping points, I’m not saying we’re (as of now) contenders, but it gives you an idea of how exaggerated and far fetched the notion of “Arsenal in crisis” was.
A few losses don’t put a club in crisis, especially not when the results are virtually identical to last season where a crisis wasn’t even thought of.
Granted, we’ve gone through some shit, but sometimes you gotta look at it sabermetrically.
SteveT, always a pleasure to read your post-game posts and it’s good to hear that the little’un is enjoying his matchday experiences!
As for accepting what happened early on in the season, I think we have to make a distinction here. You can acccept that it happened while not accepting why it happened – and then of course hope to Dennis that the club will have learned from the mistakes and not repeat them come next summer.
Snir@87: one thing to add to that is also that many are too hung up on exactly where we are in the league table. Even when we were down in 17th or whatever it was, we were still only very few points off fourth spot. At this stage it’s not about how many teams are in front of you, it’s how far behind you are in points. We still have a long way to go to secure at least fourth place (or even reach fourth place to begin with!), but we are definitely back in the race again.
Lars,
I take the view that we had our end of season collapse early this season – it’s all upwards from here. We just need to avoid losing players to injury in this damned interlull.
International football is such a pain in the arse…..
A really good all round team performance yesterday. It felt like watching the side a few years back, absolutely no worries and I felt certain we would win and also not leak a goal.
The mid-field are gelling nicely and props to Jenkinson, how long’s it been since we had someone in the side who could consistently put in good crosses?
In the defence the TV Kosc partnership looks like our strongest to me.
Only concerns – no striking backup for RVP and Arshavin looked out of sorts again when he came on. With his ability he shouldn’t be behind Walcott in the pecking order.
Why on earth does Uefa have to have a round of friendlies when they playoffs are on? Just have those NTs play and that’s it, why do you need friendlies?!
Djourou and PM should make sure nobody tackles RvP in their games next week.
If you think I’m going to catch up with the drinks…
You summed it all up, holic, great team effort, struggled to define a man of the match (apart from ‘not Arshavin’ unfortunately again).
– and unlike the U18s in the morning, where nobody stood out but the performance was poor π
I had forgotten what a nice and easy stress-free victory was. The atmosphere was great too, it brought me a few years back!
Hair of the dog please.
No food all day was obviously not such a great idea π
There’s nothing quite like a very comfortable win. Excellent post, ‘Holic and some drinks of the highest orfder here this morning, very much as I have come to expect from the regulars of this very superb hostelry and its happy train transportation system.
Can’t add a thing. I’m in the Kingdom. Here to celebrate the oldies 60th wedding anniversary (Diamond they call it apparently) and my dad’s 87th birthday. Great to have all the family together and hear the old boy reminisce about meeting my mum at a dance in the drill hall at Leven (having forsaken Perth Town Hall as the hunting ground of the day) and then go on through Bombay, Mandalay and Rangoon before sailing home on a troop ship to spend the rest of his days in Auchterchoochty.
Great fun. Sorry to be in Fife and not meet up Dr. Z. Unforgiveable, I know. Too much of my life is being spent at 30 thousand feet in a aluminium tube at the moment.
Norwich after the interlull will not be an easy outing.
After watching MOTD.last night I was left feeling sick .As much as we all hated NEWS OF THE WORLD FOR THEIR dispicable things they done I wished the were bck . Even ray charles will tell u he sore the not given penalt againist FA united .adding insult to injury I have witnessed player showing loyalty to former managers but but wes brown just takes the buscuity. And it seems after the crises rubish signing awful defending one man team.the comemntors had nothing else to say after for the match analyis and just on to the liverpool match lol
Hmm? I’m liking the idea of moving up one or even two places on the league table if we win our next game!
How random was that? π
Morning all
Greetings BtM. Good point re: the away match at Naaaaaarwich, it will be a stern test.
However, we have locals Delia and Norfolk Dumpling to cheer the boys on as well as The (Massive) Travelling Faithful.
All will have a profound effect, I’m sure. With the way we’re currently playing, despite Norwich’s excellent form, I am positive we will overcome them and will all be singing like canaries after the match as we toast 3 delicious points.
‘Holic is right, The (Dr.) Feelgood factor is back!
Have a great Sunday all.
PS: Is King Kanute a busted flush? They were very lucky to get a point from their home match with Swansea. Chelsea even more lucky to get three, I thought Blackburn deserved a draw at the very least.
Szczesny to Jenkinson who carries forward to the half way line and then passes, inch-perfect, across the park to Rambo….
Allow me to provide the assist…
Get in!!!!
We’re a one man blog.
2 goals in one post…
If I were the board of this blog I would do everything to make me stay but my dad told me this is the ultimate blog.
@ Lars # 64: Tell you what, I’ll turn mine off is JR GUNZZ (welcome by the way) turns his on π
zico @ #90: Excellent, heh! Much better that way round too.
wolfie @ #82: Apparently not. Mr.Santos may also be batting from the pavillion end?
*And of course thanks Holic for the assist!*
*casually boos*
‘Holic – you have mail x 2.
@85 Shaft, you’re a boss π
@100, Snir, your finish brought tears to my eyes and laughter to my mouth π
Plaudits to ‘Holic for the assist as well.
BtM @ 94
Glad it went well – and the Gunners fulfilled their part of the bargain as well π
We must catch up at the Tollie if we keep missing each other in Fife!
TS @ 97 – whilst he is arguably the best player Scotland has ever produced, never been convinced by him as a manager. (And he’s a sour faced grouch, to boot).
Barman @ 99 – well enough this morning to provide an assist? Respect π
Excellent win. It seems to be giving the players confidence to have overcome the adversity and bonded so quickly as a new bunch of players. The experience of Arteta, Mertesacker and Santos doesn’t hurt, and neither does another year of experience for Koscielny and a few others. A happy interlull on the HT is in store, I trust.
Re: BtM and Auchterchoochty. That’s a mouthful! π
Re: Dr. Z @90, I hope you are right that our “end of season collapse” is in the past.
Re: Shaft @85: π
Got ’em Trev.
Will see what I can do.
Is it just me or after all of the insane transfer dramas, red card incidents, injury troubles, bad results, fan civil wars, everything just seems subdued somehow? I want my crisis back! It’s the only way I feel anything anymore π
Jack the Lad interview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9dGTsA5gTQ
Vermscielny = Fantastic mobility and wonderful to watch!
TS@102: alright, that’s a fair deal π
zico@90: this coming interlull is scaring the living daylights out of me π
Cheers ‘Holic, great summary, by the way.
Don’t tell Santos the next home game is against The Cottagers π
Snir – great link @79.
Only one piece of disharmony in the team spirit during yesterday’s game, when Santos got a bit irritated when he was asked to take a throw-on in the middle of lighting his cigar !
A very different kind of player (!) but cult hero potential π
There is a good feel developing with this team, for sure. You can sense that there is a bit more know-how on the pitch.
Players like Arteta and Santos know their jobs, and importantly, how to do them without getting hurt.
Adding a bit more age and experience seems to have stemmed the tide of constant injuries, as well as calming the side down a lot.
Yesterday’s win was very comfortable, and there was no fear that the oppo would grab three (!) goals to rob us of victory.
I discovered that my very expensive seat in the stadium still has that lovely padded back on it.
Bolton’s opening goal against Stoke has more than a touch of one of those referee-assisted goals so often awarded against Arsenal, speaking purely of the past, of course. π π
Come on Fulham. Get ready to steal 3 points.
Please Fulham, do us a favour today!
(but I don’t think they’ll be able to, unfortunately π )
Fulham own goal after less than ten minutes.
That’s me switching to Bolton-Stoke, then.
Bolton are absolutely tonking Stoke. 5-0 now and Stoke are more rubbish than a discarded piece of rubbish on an abandoned rubbish tip.
Great team performance yesterday. We looked in control throughout and I can barely remember any of our usual sloppiness or switching off in defence.
I watched the game in The Fox and Hounds, Studio City, home of the LA Gooners. Great atmosphere and drinking a couple of beers at 8 am in a darkened room, watching your team play in the company of a passionate band of the Arsenal diaspora is the next best thing to going to a home game.
I feel very lucky to have a season ticket, but watching games thousands of miles away is a reminder of how much joy is shared round the world when we achieve a good win
It’s all because Maccabi made it hard for Stoke on Thursday π
Fulham wasted chance after chance, they should have won this judging from the last 20 or so minutes but instead they got nothing. Spurs had so much luck in the last few minutes it’s absolutely unbelievable.
I have no idea how Fulham didn’t equalize against Spurs, how many chances do you need?!
Someone told me that the Swedes always hold the money when in a group.
And there was me thinking it was only Lars.
Koscielny on Canal+ before Bordeaux vs PSG
One think that I have thought about before and also did today is why don’t more teams try to focus their attacking play against Sp*rs on playing close to Ledley King? He’s very good when he’s allowed to face the game and stand back and mop up balls but make him turn and run and it takes him about half an hour to get up to speed again – Fulham did this quite well a few times in the second half and there was no way King could keep up with the attackers running in behind him.
Ollie, never heard that one before, I have to say. But I was once told that in Italy there is a saying that goes something like “in hell, the British do the cooking, the organization is done by the Italians and the Swedes provide the entertainment” π
Well I did laugh heartily when I was told that yesterday, Lars!
3 nil to The Arsenal, a great result for young Samri’s first match at THOF courtesy of Mr ‘holic.
Cheers neighbour
Yes, I think ‘holic should be barred and be replaced permanently, Jacks!
Great debut from YS indeed!
Ollie, I can understand that – and it certainly seems true for this bar anyway π
Wish I could be in London for this one:
http://www.thecomedystore.co.uk/special_events.php?location=1&id=100&ref=side
Excellent performance yesterday – we’re starting to look back to something close to our best and various players are clicking.
I know it’s a way off, but for my money our next league match is a lot tougher than it looks on paper. Norwich don’t know when they’re beat and it’s exactly the kind of fixture we normally drop points in – newly promoted club in November. Add the early kick off and i do hope Arsene makes sure to get them properly fired up. As others have said, a phantom injury for RVP this week would be a touch.
In other, less savoury, news, I have had reports this morning that Nasri took a proper barracking at Loftus Road yesterday while warming up. Evidently the home fans were keen to let him know what they think of a player who doubles his pay to sit on the bench during a pre-European championships season, and he actually got involved in verbals with supporters on several occasions. To be honest, I’m glad we got shot – great little player on his day but proven bollockless when it mattered. Exactly the sort we don’t need.
It was also good to take a look at City’s bench – 50% former gunners. Glad to see those big money moves working out well for everyone’s careers!
Anyway, that’s enough about others. Just wanted to say hats off to the players for their efforts since Ewood Park, hats off to the manager as usual (someone told me earlier that we have one less point now than at the same stage last term – surely not?) and most of all, hats off to the many wise heads who drink in this bar and who always keep things on an even keel.
What was it Kipling said about keeping your head when all about you are losing theirs? This place in spades.
Cheers.
N7 – We are. Have a look.
http://stats.arsenalist.com/table/?date=2010-11-07&league=eng&season=2010&tier=1
Dr T @ #116 & #118 – Excellent, both tickled my funny bone π
More laughs:
This from Holic on Twitter ->
“50, could 50mebody 5h0ut out the #5t0ke 5c0re please?”
This from Arsenal Gent on Twitter ->
“Our thoughts should be with Stoke City at this difficult time.”
Puli5-0ut?
N7: Norwich after the interlull is very much a potential banana skin. It is a game that may tell us a lot about where this team stands in the long run this season.
Lars – I agree. Norwich look like a banana skin to the entire league but I have a feeling it’s gonna be like the visit to Blackpool.
A great crowd, an attacking team which has a go but we’ll hit them on the break and close the game out.
Lars, Snir – Does it look like a banana skin because its also yellow? π
Arsenal to win!
Jackster at 133
TS – the best laugh on Twitter recenly was Ollie’s drunken texting last night! Classic use of capITaLS !! π
What is it with bizzare scorelines this season.
Dennis the Menace will be having kittens tonight,
Ajax with only 1 defeat all season,got beat 6-4 at Utrecht.!!
On the subject of Norwich,which is too far away for me to even contemplate,
But for those Nervous Nellies already stressing here about a potential banana skin,they have already conceded 18 goals this season,almost as many as we have,so a goalless draw is out of the question.??
But seriously we should beat them comfortably.
The only away game that should concern us before Christmas is Man City on the 17th Dec.
Mark that one in your diaries,because that one will certainly raise the anxiety levels of those of a nervous disposition.
We will have consolidated our position in the top 5 by then,so it should be a Festive Cracker.
Cheers
The Sweeper
Heh Dr C. Seriously, I’ve just discovered that my BB switched to capital if you press a bit too long on the keys.
I didn’t think I did, but clearly my fingers must have been a bit heavy.
That was very annoying!
It doesn’t seem to happen as often when sober (although it DOES still happen to some extent, so I don’t just blame the booze! :D)
So you were a bad influence on yourself yesterday then, Ollie π
Heh ‘holic. No, you were there in (the) spirit.
Dr.C, Ollie
I did see some of that. I somehow sensed that he was completely w*nkered.
WAs it SOmeTHing To dO WitH ThE dEBut oF SiRi @ tHe hOf??? π
@ Jez
How’s the Fox and Hounds these days? I helped christen that place when it opened in ’97 (??), it was the luckiest pub ever as the owner and I (he was an Arsenal nut too) watched that team get better and better. Used to leave the office for a ‘business lunch’ for all champions league games and then take twice as long as I planned as I’d get stuck on the Hollywood freeway going back to work.
Good times. Eric Idle used to come in often for 7am kick offs…..made him laugh once….highlight of my comedic career.
Dr C @ 144 – have to agree with you there – a virtuoso performance Ollie π
CleArLy I mIssEd a ClaSsiC eVenIng.
Unfortunately some other duties prevented a visit to the Tollie yesterday. But I shan’t be letting that sort of nonsense get in the way again. Being responsible is so completely over-rated
Evening Comrade Snowy
You mean you missed the opportunity to see young Ollie upsidedown under a Tollie umbrella in the name of duty?
Do priorities need to be reset?
( Very metal π )
Evening Comrade TS – fear not, priorities all good and reset now π
And yes Very Metal indeed. It’s surely only a matter of time before #ollieisvyvyan starts trending on Twitter…
Evening snowy, Ts, and Tim.
Early night for me I think. Off to Shenley tomorrow. More details tomorrow night if the journey isn’t a ‘mare.
Just finished watching the replay of yesterday’s game. Jenkinson looked outstanding in both halves and I’m amazed with his progress. Arteta is doing an excellent job for us and I can’t believe people would not be impressed with him by now. Van Persie excellent as normal. Vermaelen and Koscielny look a wonderfully solid and versatile pairing in central defense. Santos, Ramsey, Song, Gervinho all solid. Walcott unspectacular. SZCZ not tested the entire game, but we put in a good performance, no injuries and we can keep building from here. π
Evenin’ ‘Holic
There was a time when that expression meant something quite different. Come to think of it, it would still apply to many in this bar, myself included π
Have a great day tomorrow, whatever you’re up to. I will guess that your trip to The Creche is book related.
Howdy Holic and Holics,
Spent the weekend with my brother-in-law and his wife. She gave birth to their firstborn this morning 01:06 hours PST. Iona Lewellyn Bartels. She’s Dutch and he’s German so I don’t know what’s with the Celtic name but the child is loud like the rest of the family so I take it she’s in good health.
I missed the game yesterday and just now finished watching the replay on Aresnal player. Nice to have a game where I didn’t have to white-knuckle out the last 20 minutes for a change. If only Fulham could have offered us a bit of help it could have been the perfect weekend.
Glad there’s an international break I spilled tea on my laptop at the hospital and will have time to get a new unit up and running before we return to the fray. Back to MOTD.
@ West Upper#91 AA has loads of ability granted, but what of his appetite for combat?
Come on You Gunners!!!
Congrats uncle LCG!
I went to the game yesterday. WBA as good as handed us the points from kick off, I can’t believe how timid they were. I believe we played well within ourselves the whole game , probably the easiest 3 points we’ll get all season.
Snir, amazing stat re: points from 12 games last year, good work mate, thank you
8ball – @155 – Since arriving at Arsenal Arteta has made the most passes per 90 min. of any EPL player 79.6 & has created the most chances 20 -BBC Football
Congrats leftcoast!
Congratulations LCG!
Iona is a lovely name by the way.
Stoke goes down 5-0 to Bolton, club in crisis?
I think we should go out of way to label other clubs as being in crisis. Isn’t that the way these things go? Jump to conclusion as soon as you can is the order of the day, right?
Manager in over his head, captain in the courts……CHELSEA IN CRISIS!
Only won against Sunderlan by lucky own-goal…..MAN U IN CRISIS!
Can’t beat Swansea at home…..LIVERPOOL IN CRISIS!
Lost to Bolton 5-0…..STOKE IN CRISIS!
Managers and the ‘meeja’, eh?
Arsene Wenger – blinkered Frenchman, single handedly responsible for the decline of the english national team, due to his refusal to fill his double-winning teams with sub-standard indigenous players.
Also responsible for the total breakdown of on-pitch discipline in England, as evidenced by the constantly referred to running total of red cards awarded to his players over a fifteen year period.
No mention of the fact, of course, that those same players were often, over a season, the most fouled against in the league.
We have received red cards for scarcely heard cussing in French (Petit), and any number of undeserved silly second yellows. Rarely has one been awarded for anything malicious or dangerous.
Do not mention the fact that Arsene Wenger’s presence in England has transformed the way that players now have to look after their health and fitness, the longevity of their careers, and produced some of the best club football ever seen, anywhere in the world.
Tony Pulis – now here is a “great” manager, who has done a tremendous job over the last five years. He has, in fact, taught his players to launch arrowed balls by hand, — and uniquely in the league with the aid of an ever ready bath towel, and amounts of time that would see our players awarded yet more yellow cards — to a collection of giants, who wait to bundle the ball by any means possible into the opposition net.
If this can be done while fouling, or better still maiming, opposition players, then so much the better.
His team are now on an Europa League “adventure” for the first time, while Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal scratch around picking up points for fortunate victories on previously unconquered foreign soil, for the fifteenth consecutive year in the Champions League.
Don’t mention that either, by the way. π
Sir (ffs) Alex Ferguson – this magnificent example of humanity has ruled Manchester United for a quarter of a century, in case anyone hadn’t noticed.
Only today, one of his most gifted youth products, the model professional otherwise known as Phil Neville, described how Sir (ffs) Alex filled every player from 11 years of age upwards with terror, simply by arriving at the ground.
He still does it even today, only for “11 year olds” read referees.
But he’s so kind and caring, Phil told us, that he knew every single thing about every single player at the club. Their school’s name, their siblings’ name, and yes, even their parents’ name. Really ?
Neville Neville ?!?!
Not that hard to remember really, is it Phil ?
Sir (ffs) Alex has, it must be said, won a trophy or two in his time.
But this guardian of all that is good, has manipulated referees, has criticised officials whenever he has not got what he wanted, has kicked boots, in temper, into the face of his own player, and has refused, in breach of media contracts, to talk to a broadcaster for over 7 years, in retribution for a comment made, that Sir (ffs) Alex didn’t like.
‘Meeja’ response ?
Multi page eulogies in national papers. Special features on national television channels, and hours of national radio coverage ,to the greatest manager this country has ever seen.
Excuse me, while I throw up in my multi-page eulogy.
Conclusion ?
We may not have won anything for six years, and things may still not be perfect at our club.
But as the ‘Feelgood’ factor begins to slowly return, many will feel entitled, with no measure of sycophancy, to believe that we have an intelligent and dignified manager of whom we can be proud.
Would somebody mention it to the ‘meeja’ ? π
Congrats LCG – no need to ask what was used for pain management π
Ovaltine on the bar if you’re still there TS π
G’night all. Quackery for me tomoz, see you Tuesday.
Trev, You just said it to the meeja. Congratulations! You are so right. π
Gunder and Lightning how is it possible to afford all of these FFL players on your team at once: RVP, Rooney, Aguero and Nani. It seems like they would break the bank for the whole team all by themselves ….
You guys make me sick.
You literally don’t give a fuck about the league’s rules!
Rooney, Terry, Nani!? What’s up with you guys?!
I’m proud to say that I’ve no Chavs, Mancs, Spuds or Pubis’ cunts and I’m still 6th.
Fighting for a top 4 spot! π
Yes, Snir, you are morally superior but I am getting better. π
8ball, could you do me a favor and beat the Packers next week? Seriously, it was heartbreaking enough not winning the SB in that perfect season, I definitely don’t want the Packers to do it!
Snir, I will speak to my viking friends and neighbors about it. π
Here’s another entertaining WBA match report, by Celine Dion (?)
http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s378/st172694.htm?
Great post by Trev at 162! Itβs like you siphoned my thoughts using a flexible straw while I sleptβ¦.Donβt forget he was also being looked at for receiving bungs, looks and acts like a drunk pig all the time and eats babiesβ¦
@166: 8ball, Iβve learned a thing or two about making money go a long way. I once got stuck in Thailand and had to make 400 baht last for a weekβ¦β¦.but thatβs besides the point. π
@167: Sorry Snir, I got approval from Sir Holic, the only man born of a woman worthy of knighthood. I do look away from the screen when Iβm clicking on those cunts to join my team and no LWCs or SCCs are in thereβ¦
So the complaints should be targeted at Holic then…? Interesting…. π
You know what? Even if I finish 4th and the three above me have Rooney/Terry et al in their team I’m having an open bus parade.
I’ll never have Terry in my team though, you need to be fast to be a part of a team called Lightning (and not allegedly racist). Shrek will be getting the boot soon as well (I don’t know how I even managed to put him in, I really hate that wig-wearing imbecile)…..gotta find someone cheap and reliable. I don’t envy you and your Ba-Agbonlahor troubles, why don’t they allow us to go 2-5-3?
In other news today, Szczesny said he’d put ten quid on us to win the League…
http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/szczesny-id-put-a-tenner-on-arsenal-to-win-the-league-0017440-1
Nice post Trev @ 162
May you be in the hands of a real medicine man π
Lest we get confused between fact and banter, the only player in the HT League operating under any additional restrictions is me.
You can pick who you like. As a member of the Arseblog League I am forbidden from picking LWC’s (I wouldn’t anyway), Ash the cash, or Adebuymore.
If you pick these bastards in the HT League it is ok, but you will take some gentle ribbing π
Holic!!! You were supposed to back me up here!!!
Ollie is the only one deserving accolades here, he’s got a pure team!!!
As for your tolerance on cunts in the FFL teams around the HT league, it only strengthens my resolve and I WILL have an open bus parade.
AFCMTA forever, we’re clean of cunts!
Great stuff again folks and of course holic. But, we all seem so surprised that we didn’t really kick into2nd gear as STEVE T pointed out but, surely we played with “THE HANDBRAKE ON”.
Really enjoyed the game myself since I didn’t have much to worrie about, can’t think of another one of those in quite a while. Maybe because I’ve been aged so horribly by the last 9 months or because Ive caught CRS…
Can’t Remember Shit!
Alcohol. Heh.
@178: Snir, pure is overrated! Come to the dark side of bountiful points with a dash of mercenary π Surely if you don’t keep those vermin from other teams for more than 2 weeks they don’t matter? π
As for your open-top parade, I’ll be there in crowd getting a pint and groping a female or two in celebration of your third place victory at the end of the season…but then again, that’s how I operate in public places anyway π
Trev@163: brilliant stuff.
the only player in the HT League operating under any additional restrictions is me.
Don’t mind me π /Jackster.
thanks Snir. impressed you got so high with your self-imposed constraints!
I’ll be there for your bus parade!
Enjoy Shenleybury, ‘holic, it still looked nice on saturday, well the outside anyway π
And I would have hazarded (no player pun intended) the same guess as TS, but what do I know?
Morning All,
Trev @ #163 – Top drawer soap-boxing, I loved it. Wishing you a very speedy recovery. The CMC is freshly stocked with plenty of pain-killing meds to help dull the pain. See you in a couple of weeks mate.
Snir @ #173 – So 4th place IS a trophy? The brats over at LG would be up in arms. Well done that man π
And lovely stuff, Trev!
Extract
November 6th 2011
What a night! Fireworks on the Happy Train following a routine win over the Baggies, led Carlos and the team to send a search party out for Mario Balotelli, until it became apparent that it was just the usual suspects in high spirits, with Wolfgang Smallballs leading the choir in a rendition of β(Sing if youβre) Glad to be Gayβ. He had the bar staff in stitches as he minced around with his little sparkler protruding at right angles.
All this gay talk has left me somewhat disconcerted, though, not least when Roxette suggested that we go shopping for a Dr Feelgood Man Bag. Whilst it would be handy to stash the medicinal concoction of the day, I much prefer the idea of a Senior Medical consultant to dispense these for me, as and when required, and unless the satchel (it is a satchel, isnβt it?) is full of used notes, I canβt see it having any real attraction for the modern transport Executive.
I now have a week and a half of international assignments to negotiate, with travel very much on the agenda. A trip to France is likely, as one of our more eccentric customers has put in a request for travelling accommodations suitable for his vertically challenged friends. I am thinking of calling Cliveβs carriage the Andrei Arshavin suite. Suitable for the occasional small passenger. As long as he doesnβt expect to pay in roubles.
I will also need to find time to visit one of our own in hospital β Dr T has obviously paid the price for his continual late nights with his Catalonian counterpart. Despite what he tells everyone, he does not do things by halves.
I can take the opportunity whilst there to pilfer a new white coat for Edwin (who needs to wear this type of thing to convince both himself and the rest of the world that he is a scientist). Anyway, get well soon Dr T, we will hopefully have a new βenablerβ, I mean Manager, for when you return.
See you down the tracks….
Monsoor Feelgood, I feel obliged to protest on the slur that people in ze c*untry vere I leeve are comme vous dites ‘challenged vertically’
I haf to tell you zat there are sum very large bottles produced locally zat are well able to contain ze small people, and preserve them wiv ze local brews.
By ze way, did you know zat as well as ze excellents cognacs produced ‘ere, zey also produce ze vodka “Grey Goose’ suitable for all zose Russkis to drink
Ow did you know that zese bottles are classified size AA, I do not know
Along wiv ze other ‘holics I weesh Mr. Trev bonne sante et bon courage
Great post Trev
Snir – Ollie is the only pure team? Would you care to review my personnel? No spuds, chavs, mancs, scousers or munsters….
And my reward is a steady climb up the table after a frightening start… remind you of anyone??
4th place = the Pure Football Trophy!
Snir, Dr C.
We should break off and create our private League π
The Happiest Train (keep the bastards out) League.
Ollie
A bit like the G18 (or whatever)? Capital idea…. The Happiest Train (mini) League (NFC).
The Pure Fantasy (an oxymoron) Trophy to be awarded to the highest team with No Fuc*ing C8nts.
As for the Happy Train league, all I can say is that for me, the only way now is up…
Maybe I should start thinking about actually managing the team once in a while? π
Epic rant Trev!
I didn’t change my FPL team this week. Bugger!
I have even forgotten which cunts are there in my team π
Lars @ #190 – I’ve tried that team managerial stuff on the odd occassion but it only seems to send The Mighty Strollers further down the league. Meh! & pah!
Ollie @ #188 – Break-away league? Are you describing a runaway train? π
Dr.z/F @ #185 – Another great extract although Edwin is feeling rather miffed that you are now casting aspersions on his professional credentials. He insists that he is no ‘quack-pot scientist’ and was muttering something about people in glasshouses with projectiles π
https://bookings.arsenal.com/stones/northbankterrace/index.htm
Shouldn’t the Happy Train have a stone of it’s own? π
Storey, I figured I haven’t got very much to lose – can’t go any further down the league table anyway!
Lars, managing is over-rated. If even some bumbling old past-it French fool can get this shittiest of Arsenal teams win the odd game, it means anyone can.
Or so do some people seem to think ;P
The North Bank Terrace – Celebrating Loyal Support Since 1886
Heh, only Keith Dover can get a stone then π
And another heh at some of the examples :
ANNE SIMPSON
HIGHBURY GIRL
EMIRATES WOMAN
Pete Simpson, London
=> Emirates Woman? Jaysus. Especially when the stadium name changes….
Emirates Woman. Sounds like a sultana.
tabs time soon
Let’s try an assist.
*punts long ball forward*
Goal!
Definitely a one man blog…!
A hat trick!
*Thanks Sczezsny for the assist and a bit embarrassed we’ve become a hoof and run kinda team*
Ollie, not even Keith can get one. He’s only supported the club since 1887.
Yeah, I remembered that after I posted.
Although I thought that last season he was 1886 and they’d only recently changed that? Or did I dream it.
Raining at Shenley π
I suspect it’s not the only place where it rains.
We only had a light sprinkling on saturday morning, but it didn’t seem to favour slick passing play after all.
At least you saw a win! π
Yup a miserable weather day here in Herts…. although The Arsenal Stiffs are leading Fulham Stiffs 2-0 thanks to OzzyCup & Sanchez Watt π
That’s now a full time result BTW, with thanks to Young Guns…
What TS said.
-Young Guns
+.con π
(and yes I know, I did anticipate slightly, I thought the game was already over when I posted 205. I didn’t assume the barman would tweet during the game ;D)
Ah yes Ollie, forgot about the coverage on Pravda, cheers.
Stiffs games getting lots of coverage? Anyone would think we were in an interlull or something π
I forgot about that:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/player-tweets
Fascinating. I mean, I have no idea what Yossi is on about.
Cognac @ 186
I think ypu may have mis-understood the diaries of Dr F – please refer post # 185 with posts # 66, 68 and 71 although I do accept that diarist is lost in whose own surreal world for a large part of any given day…..
* the diarist*
whose = his
Feckin thumbs, feckin pretend keyboard, feckin Apple
Ollie, what do you mean? It’s just ordinary thank u tweets…
Yep. Not very edifying for us Snir when we don’t have what the thanks are for.
Also there were a couple in Hebrew, which most people (including me) cannot read π
Anyway, despite a couple of them being sometimes amusing, I have another policy which is not to follow players on twitter.
So having a look at that page didn’t convince me otherwise π
Good even all!
Fucking interlulls π
Well well, back in my local after an afternoon at Shenley, and guess which sneaky blogger was also there. A clue, his new tag line is it’s fuckIn’ sneaky.
Yoholic
Hellollie π
Evening ‘holic.
What’s the sneaky gossip then, or are you sneakily going to sneak it into a sneaky little post later?
π
Hopefully a sneaky post later snowy, but a sneaky friend may beat me to it π
So it was the right guess ;D
The sneak!
Look forward to it all later then maestro π
@163 Trev, you utter ledge.
Amazing rant about the red bully!
BTW, Wilshere just tweeted “Good news with my x-ray update you all later!”.
Evening All
Trev @163 – Fantastic post Sir . A wonderful summation of The Red Devil himself . My old mucker at the BBC who I have mentioned before , will , when asked , describe Monsieur Wenger as available , courteous and a Gentleman . Conversely , he will describe old Red Nose as non-approachable , the rudest man in Britain , and a total and utter c*nt . I should add that my mate does not have any club allegiance either way .
Dr Feelgood – More excellent stuff . π Smallballs is confined to bed , having sadly misunderstood a request from a neighbour to ” come and play with my rocket ” . Oh well .
Snir – haven’t looked at FFS this week , but would just like to remind you that The Speedo Massive are as pure as the driven snow , have been since day one , and to date , have never been out the Champs League places .
So put that in your pipe and smoke it π
‘holic, Thanks for your HT League rules classification up above. I was beginning to think that everybody was out to get me for a while there. π
Bloody Wolfgang !
Mr ‘Pure’ Snowballs.
What is Kompany doing on your bench? π
But yes, great first XI, well done!
Hello Ollie ,
When the definition of purity was being discussed in the summer , it was agreed by those that play the right way , that there would be no manure’s , no mugsmashers , no Pulis knobheads , no LWC’s and no Chavs .
No mention of City . Hey ho π
A drink Sir ?
Surely City would have been implicitly banned, anyone with half a honest mind (oh……) would have been wise to that ?
But yes to drink, tabs π
A. Diaby scores! (for Sedan, but they’re 4-2 down)
Excellent – time for Single Malt’s all round methinks π
As for Kompany , quite happy to sell him , he’s been a very average performer .
Ah the fantasy league,
haven’t made a transfer for about 6 or 7 weeks but I am happy to see that my pre-season goal of mid-table mediocrity is pretty much where my team is residing. Not bad considering 4 of my players either didn’t start or played less than 90 minutes at the weekend.
Oh and I’m in the pure camp unlike some of the shameless above. π
Evening Dr Z ,
Have you got any Shitty players ? π
Yes, but as explained when selected, Mr Silva is a nice man and is kind to old ladies.
At the moment, I don’t consider them (Man City) to be amongst the ranks of the scum. But if they keep winning I may have to revise that opinion.
Dear Dr Feelgood,
Mr and Mrs Dwarf asked me to pass on how delighted they/him/her were to be mentioned in dispatches,in your diary at 185.
They/him/her were humbled to think that you were going to investigate thoroughly the options available for their ‘special needs ‘
in the Healthy Carriage on the HT.
Being vertically challenged as T/h/h are,and having MPD as well,
they/him/her have led very confusing lives since T/h/h were able to walk.
So it is heartwarming to find someone prepared to go the extra mile for them.
T/h/h await your update with intense anticipation.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Dirty money, zico. Players come there only because of stupid salaries.
For me they’re on a par with Cuntski, moralbankruptcywise.
Clive/The Sweeper
Dr Feelgood left for Paris earlier today.
It is maybe just as well that your small travelling companion(s) have multiple personality disorder. As long as they/him/her don’t mind being addressed alternately as Grumpy/Sneezy and/or Bashful then you could be in business.
(It was decided that the use of the name “Doc” was a bad idea given the proliferation of Doctors to be found on board the Happy Train).
I will of course pass on further developments as they become known.
Sure I can’t tempt you with one of Mr tabs single malts?
Well if Ollie disapproves, then I will need to open my very own transfer window.
If only I could be arsed to remember to actually do it π
Tabs/Zico/Ollie
i have a confession to make re the Fantasy League.
When i first heard Holic raise the suject,and then put it into action,
I thought what a great idea,
So i spent many hrs poring over my favorite players,and it was a real task trying to get to a final eleven.
Having submitted my team named ‘ Dead But they won’t Lie Down” and looking forward eagerly to see how they stacked up against everyone else,i was shocked and confused to discover that the players everyone else was choosing were alive and kickin,whilst all mine were either Dead or in Nursing Homes.!!
I had completely misunderstood the meaning of Fantasy.!!
I was so embarrassed,i didn’t have the heart to submit another ‘living’
team,
So i just watch on from the sidelines,and wonder what might have been.
For those of you remotely interested in the Team i chose,see below
In Goal Jack Kelsey
Full Backs Laurie Scott/Wally Barnes
Right Half Alex Forbes,Centre Half Leslie Compton,Left Half Joe Mercer
Right Wing Freddie Cox,Inside Right,Jimmy Logie,
Centre forward Peter Goring,Inside Left Reg Lewis,
Outside Left Dennis Compton.
12th Man Doug Lishman.
Every one of them an Arsenal Man to his Bootlaces.
Cheers
A Befuddled Sweeper.
I find I take a very AW attitude to transfers , Dr Z , ie relaxed π
No Ronnie Rooke , Mr Sweeper ?
Zico @ 239
thnks for your insightful posting,i will pass on your comments to
Mr and Mrs D
Yes you can tempt me with one of Tab’s Sgl Malts,but i am afraid that temptation is as far as it goes.
A Freshly squeeezed home grown orangejuice would be appreciated.
Cheers
Tabs
Many many fine players had to miss out unfortunately,
RR being just one of them.
cheers
PS thnks for being so kind as to not take the piss out of me,for not understanding what Fantasy actually meant.
I’m sure there will be others eager to tell me what a complete Fuckwit i am.!!
Easy mistake to make Clive π
Just for the record I think your team would have walked it !
‘Holics,
I have to say that I’ve got nothing against Merc Citeh. If you have the bling, bling, why not flaunt it?
As I drift off to sleep, many times my final thoughts linger on the what ifs like, what if Blatter grew a pair of ‘nads and actually put some teeth into financial fair play?
Nah, that’ll never happen.
Citeh aren’t ruled by the “Prince of Darkness”, they aren’t funded by Gazprom dollars, they aren’t Spuds, and they sometimes WILL let you walk alone –
therefore I think they are, rightly, available for fantasy selection.
Sweeper, I think you confused fantasy with necromancy π
BMBD!
Clive, I think you’re idea was better. I wish to hell I had thought of it.
Have an orange juice – I’ll put it on Feelgood’s tab. (It will only be a tax dodge anyway).
Always happy to get The Sweeper an OJ (freshly squeezed). Dr Z , help yourself to the Single Malt .
Same goes for you Lonestar .
On the City question , I’m with Dr Z . They haven’t quite reached hate status , but they’re not far away . They are certainly morally bankrupt though , so am prepared to review on a week-by week basis .
Memo to Dr Feelgood
cc Prof TES .
Subject : Job Satisfaction .
I have some concerns and am rather hoping you will be able to allay them . When I took on this job , I was promised that I would be able to administer severe beatings on a regular basis , and satisfy my bloodlust daily . It goes without saying that this was the main attraction of the post .
Instead what do I find ? All the naysayers , the Dommers and the Gloomers have all run away at the first hint of a recovery . I am at a loss as to know what to do . Booting Smallballs up the Arse every now and then is really no substitute . Please advise .
*wanders off whistling “Ben”*
Heh Carlos
Never fear, I will pass on your plaintive request and ensure the Board give it the serious attention it deserves. I have a feeling that there may be a mutiny to quell in Catalonia.
And no, I’m not just getting in. Another day, another airport. π