For Once, We Are Mauled In Milan
Feb 15th, 2012 by 'holic
Mixed feelings abound.
Regular readers of this blog and my tweets will know I have other things on my mind tonight. That doesn’t mean I am not feeling some of the things that lots of you are experiencing. The one pot I have never seen the club lift is gone for another year, possibly longer. You cannot put into words the desire I have to see us lift it.
Hand on heart, I thought both sets of supporters were worried about what may happen tonight, and not without reason. For fifteen minutes the sides exchanged attacks, and had the first goal gone the other way then I suspect the game may have also. However, it was the hosts who took advantage of some slack marking to seize the initiative. I have to admit that once the first had gone in Ibrahimovic took the game over. He has never been a favourite of mine but his performance tonight was immense.
Strangely though I am more worried about the injury to Koscielny tonight than the mauling that makes the second-leg a dead rubber. For a while tonight he seemed to be all that stood between us and an Old Trafford style going over. There will be a few people having a sleepless night tonight until we can get a diagnosis on the most improved central defender in the Premiership this season. Losing both he and Mertesacker on cabbage patches in the space of four days would be decidedly cruel, and have massive implications for the remaining games.
If you are looking for positives other than Koscielny, well I thought Oxlade-Chamberlain again hinted at some special times to come when he came on. He may not have been ultimately productive, but his willingness to take on defenders at this level put the performance of one or two of his colleagues into perspective. His is a talent for the future. Tonight is a time for holding up your hands and acknowledging a Milan side who capitalised on grabbing the early advantage, and who played very well thereafter.
This time last year we beat Barcelona 2-1. Seventeen matches remained of our season. Four were won. This season we can only play another seventeen matches if we get past Sunderland in the FA Cup on Saturday. When people talk of the end of an era, this is what it feels like, but it is not irrecoverable. There are twelve weeks left. We don’t face fixture congestion. For twelve weeks the best players we can muster should be putting their heart and soul into salvaging something from both the FA Cup and the Premier League.
Is that too much to ask?
408 Responses to “For Once, We Are Mauled In Milan”
Bollox
Agree holic – all the top sides have won this trophy at least once, and we despertely need this one in the cabinet but sadly it looks like the wait will be even longer
oooya
Wenger’s turned invincibles into incompetents. Time for a change.
Holic – Good luck to the management tomorrow.
And based on seasons past – yes it is too much to ask for. Definitely too much.
We won 4 out of 17 last season and we were better. How many are we gonna win this year?
It all depends on Saturday IMO. A loss there and it goes downhill, a win and the meltdown would be a bit delayed but unfortunately IMO, still inevitable.
Best wishes for the management, ‘Holic.
“holic, what makes this soooo disappointing is that you’re absolutely right about BOTH sides looking shaky early on. which is why the Ox AND Coquelin should have started, with the Coq on instead of Gibbs, who appears to me to be terminally callow, and on this occasion scared witless to boot. At least Coquelin and the Ox would have pumped some zest into the beginning and possibly put Milan on the back foot!!!
Did anybody really think we could win this competition this season? With this squad?
Getting beaten by Milan only hastened the inevitable. Honestly, I’d be delighted if we fielded a Carling Cup side for the return leg. I can’t imagine the scoreline being any worse, and we’d get a chance to rest our so-called “first-team” players for the push for the new ultimate goal of Arsenal Football Club: Fourth place!
The false hope of the last 3 games has gone and so it should as we have no real quality. Gibbs was awful Ramsey Rosicky and Theo are not even squad players!!
Sagna and TV looked like they have taken a bung!!
I don’t know where this goes from here?? Wenger has to go but won’t
Seriously see 3 years of same
Holic,
All the best for yours tomorrow,
it was a very shamful performance. I honestly thought we would nick a goal. the worst a loss of 2-1 but to lose in the manner we lost is simply unforgivable. The reality is we don’t have good players and something need to be done. i would be very surprised if Wenger doesn’t sign at least top 4 players in the summer.
You would think Berkamp said this after the game but no he said it prior the game and got it absolutely spot on.
Bergkamp said:
βI feel there are a lot of similar players R there at the moment,β Ramsey Rosicky Arteta come to mind
βIt needs to be more diverse”
“You need a few strong characters who can get the team going, in training as well as matches.
“You also need a few players who can make a difference in terms of scoring goals. I donβt feel there are enough of them.”
Again Johan Djouru shows what a talentless poor player he is. This guy should go back to Switzerland now.He is horrible. Aron Ramsey should at best be used as a sub. Our keeper was terrible and Vermelen like a little girl around Zlatan played with him like a toy. Walcott ? Has he lost his speed ?If he has then he needs to look for a job If this is not a wake up call to loose like that against a totally average Milan for Wenger and his awful board and chairman then they can stick it where the sun dont shine
Holic, Posted this previously for The Management, an Irish Blessing. Just for her. ‘May you always find blue skies above your head, shamrocks beneath your feet, laughter and joy aplenty, and kindness from all you meet’.
Snir
agree with your previous response from last drinks.
But surely we cannot implode again like we did last season.??
Zico
point taken re ‘Professionals”
re Guiness,i was thinking of something a whole lot stronger than that,
but being an Optimist,i am already over tonights game.
So the moment has passed,
We put the Utd 8-2 defeat behind us fairly quickly,let’s hope we do the same about tonight.
Why we performed so poorly is a question many of us would like to know the answer too,we put absolutely no pressure on Milan in the attacking 3rd of the field,Why not.??
How can our players turn in such an abject display.??
I must admit it baffles me.
Texts on my phone,up to 56 and counting.
Going to be a long night.!!
Cheers
The Sweeper
No ‘holic, it is NOT too much to ask for a huge improvement on the run in we had last season. Certainly in terms of the effort we put in.
Change is long overdue. Bring in Bergkamp before the damage becomes irreversible.
Nurse ABB, she is waiting for a good result tomorrow so she can send you a thank you card. We are prepared for it not going to plan though, just in case.
The Right Speereet. I would give them a rollocking and send them back in the second leg to restore some pride or all would face the sack in the summer. I thought it was spineless performance and they need to be told that they we were shit.It does not matter if we don’t go through its a matter of pride and they need to restore it.
3 matches on 2 terrible pitches in 7 days. The FA and UEFA should sort this out. Player’s careers can be ended, and it was actually cheating tonight.
We still would have lost though.
Hope all goes well Holic.
8ball. It’s not too much to ask for, but you won’t get it.
Clive – I was saying the same last season.
I mean, we now have collapsed in 07-08, 08-09 (albeit we started horribly but dithered throughout the season), 09-10 and 10-11.
What’s there to suggest it won’t happen in 11-12?
It ‘s high time we get de spirit of boiling zeel to be positive our bench ar furks up .think well dis year b4 u go back empty mr winger
If we have the kind of implosion we had last season then that truly will be the end of the Wenger era. There will be no way forward for him despite all his past achievements. He has to stiffen this lot’s spines.
We will see what Bergkamp has to offer tomorrow against United, he is part of Ajax stuff. But i would not mind having him in the coaching set up
Holic, best wishes for tomorrow.
All the best to the management for tomorrow!
Arteta and kos and rvp can hold their head high. The
ox cameo showed his bright future!
Milan were amazing but all four goals were
from our own mistakes and incompetence…
Let’s move on and concentrate on the league! If we beat
Sunderland with rvp probably rested and kos injured it will
be a massive result!!!
Cmon u gooners!
Holic, Please, please tell her not to be concerned with that. A good nights sleep is what is needed for both of you. The good Lord will take care of the rest.
‘Holic, best wishes for the missus.
Any analysis of the game tonight will be a waste of time and energy. We were shit and we need to play better, that’s all there is to it.
See you tomorrow.
Missed updates but thought with the management, fingers crossed. Now we can focus on league but Kos injury a worry indeed.
Apart from that Mugabe media lockout here I think. Expect some silky reactions. Ibrahimocunt was good tonight but still a on several occasions.
Hope we can get 4th by what is it that we lose centre backs as we’re getting fullbacks back. Upwards now. Let’s get 4 th. I’ll take a Chamakh hat trick on Saturday for the cup.
An what ilars said, really, for the game
Surely no-one is actually surprised by what happened tonight?
If we have a few ‘good’ games, then sure as sure is, we will have a game or two where an unrecognisable Arsenal will turn out.
Tonight was no different.
No answers to being closed down by Milan.
No returning of the favour in closing them down, standing off and inviting them on.
Sideways passing a la Denilson, right across the Midfield.
Theo not on the pitch (although no decent service either has to be said).
No drive or passion like we saw just a few days ago at S’Land.
But having said that, I thought Milan had some great fortune tonight for all of their goals.
1st, poor kick out by shez, straight to them, ex-yid takes it well i’d agree.
2nd started from an offside.
3rd a slip from TV5
4th a joke of a pen
And their goalie actually made two top class saves from RVP
Probably the most disappointing thing is seeing these players not having any drive or self belief. AW said at the end of last season, virtually all the squad wanted out. I don’t think that deep down feeling has gone away at times.
The big question, once again, is whose fault is that then?
Oh and silky was silly above
with this lot i think it is to much to ask,they dont care half em,rvp is planning his exit stragedy as i type this,its after matches like this i always wonder what would have happened if we stayed at highbury,we didnt really need to move did we,we spent more while at highbury than we do now,with better players than we have now,whats going on? its a joke,wenger has become a joke,the players are a joke,the board is a joke,roll on saturday,im putting 20euro on sunderland to win,,i want some of my money back!!
Holic,
as stated earlier on Twitter, thoughts are with you and Management for tomorrow – best wishes from The Kingdom.
Man of Fife, et al, thank you.
Attempts at kip will be interesting tonight;-)
What on earth can I write for Talking Heads tomorrow?
“For twelve weeks the best players we can muster should be putting their heart and soul into salvaging something from both the FA Cup and the Premier League.
Is that too much to ask?”
It’s certainly not too much to ask, especially for supporters paying the highest season ticket prices in Europe. But if they can’t put their ‘heart and soul’ into a glamour game in the San Siro, do you really think they’ll do it at home?
That was the most disappointing aspect for me – the lack of fight and desire. The players didn’t really look like they believed in themselves. They ambled around, jockeying Milan without getting stuck in or pressing them, while our passing lacked purpose and conviction.
I wonder if anybody except van Persie got their shirt sweaty tonight. A disgraceful effort. What a way to reward the 5,000 travelling Gooners who spent hundreds to cheer them on.
Where on the Road to Nowhere would be my choice π That was talking heads wasn’t it π
Mark Spark. I agree their goals were had a bit of goad fortune and a good finishing too. This is why playing away is hard, the home team get the decisions. We played like the home team leaving far too much space for them to expoit. a typical away game is to stay tight deny them sapce and hit the on the brake, but sadly we did neither. it was just awful in every deparemnet.
That was seriously, seriously shit. Worse than Old Trafford – at least then we had half a team out and reinforcements on the way.
I don’t mind us getting beat, but there was just no fight.
Never mind Van Persie, I’m starting to wonder if Song and Walcott aren’t mentally halfway out the door, because their “performances” tonight were straight out of the sammy nasri early 2011 playbook.
Sort them out for fuck’s sake Arsene. If players don’t want to scrap for the shirt then bomb them out and start Coquelin, who at least looks like he wants it.
Finally, that pitch was a disgrace and champs league games should be played on proper surfaces. No excuse for our lads though. They could have played on an ice rink and at least shown some bollocks.
We weren’t ripped apart by a great side tonight, just snuffed out by a good, well organized, professional outfit that never let us get started, and then picked us apart ruthlessly whenever we made a mistake. As wedroppedalittlein2ndhalf says their goals were good fortune and good finishing. But they did get four of them and we got none.
‘Holic: best wishes for the Management tomorrow. Thoughts of all in the bar with you both.
Guys, Messi gave it his all yesterday, didn’t score till near the end of the game. He just doesn’t give up no matter what. Just 5’7 and 147 pounds, but a giant of a man in my book. Kos and Per, sending you both some sunshine your way, oh how you both will be missed.
Well, in the end I missed the entire game, grappling with dish on the garden fork in the dark and strong, cold wind at the head of this Pyrenean valley.
Sounds like I had a better time than any of you.
Just discovered the score when about to log on to Arsenal Player.
I haven’t seen anything of the game so cannot comment, other than to say that this kind of defeat, in this kind of game, has become a habit and now seems inevitable.
Too often, when it really counts, we are delivered a performance that lets down the fans, and lets down the club.
I caught the second half of the Barcelona game last night, played between two teams who gave their all.
If Barca players, with all their reputations and ability, can work like dogs to close down the opposition and win the ball, then why can’t, or won’t, ours ?
Too often we are left with the feeling that we could have done so much more. That is what hurts more than the result.
I have no real right to comment as I haven’t seen the game.
The trouble is, I doubt that I really need to.
I saw it last season, and the season before, and the season before . . . . . . .
Arsenal is now incapable of winning against any top side English or abroad,look at the stats over the last 5 seasons in Pl and Cl bar the 2-1 against Barca, it is horrible reading.
Same as it ever was
‘Holic, very best wishes to you both tomorrow.
Trev:
*If Barca players, with all their reputations and ability, can work like dogs to close down the opposition and win the ball, then why canβt, or wonβt, ours ?*
Because they have PRIDE and also because the manager would not allow anything less !
‘holic, the very best of luck for tomorrow.
‘Holic
Just to say best wishes for Management tomorrow. There are things in life far more important than football.
To all the D+G BBB trolls that have and will unfortunately find their way on here tonight: Perleeez, go and follow another team.
Night all!
Holic
re getting much kip tonight,
I know what you are going through.
When my Daughter had a routine check up a couple of years ago,’something’ showed up on her scan,there was also a question mark over her blood test,which when it came back, indicated something which was not right,the consensus from her Docs was that it was Cancer related,
That was on a Friday night,and that w/end was the longest w/end of my life.
I couldn’t sleep or eat,i was just beside myself.
Thankfully the follow up tests and results were clear,and have been ever since.
But i will never forget the terror i went through.
Best wishes for tomorrow for your Good Lady,
regards
Clive
Having read the criticisms here of some individual players and the manager, my problem is this –
Why do we have reserves at Arsenal ?
OK, we have had some terrible luck with injuries this season, again, especially, this time around, to our full backs.
When young Yennaris has come into the side he has done a terrific job. He is pacy, aggressive, able and clearly eager to win.
Exactly the same could be said for Coquelin, who started life at Arsenal as a right back, in the youth team, even though he is latterly more of a midfielder.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin – don’t forget is a Β£12million reserve – has also done brilliantly when brought into the side.
So why have we played, whenever fit, Djourou at right back, when he is a centre back (albeit one who would rather play in midfield) ?
Thomas Vermaelen has been played out of position at left back, and judging by tonight’s criticism, has now struggled to adapt positionally back at centre back against one of Europe’s top sides.
Why was Aaron Ramsey playing as a winger tonight when we have a Β£12million reserve waiting, quite literally, in the wings.
We have a list of reserves that we know the manager does not have the confidence to even put on the bench, let alone the pitch.
This constant playing of people out of position might just get us past some of the weakest teams in the Premier League.
It has not, and will not work against either England’s or Europe’s best.
Simply not good enough Arsenal.
And I don’t need to watch any more games to know that.
And they know that I have already paid to.
Glad I missed the game, not so glad I’m working a night shift tonight. My mate went to Milan, spent a lot of money as well. I feel very sorry for him and the rest of the away fans. It’s a shame this team can’t replicate the same enthusiasm and determination shown by our away support. My the way, my mate said the police were extremely heavy handed and reports of unrest are wide of the mark.
Indeed, ‘Hols…
sending out positive thoughts for your missus from across the pond.
Hey Geoff @45 – guess what, I already knew that π
totally weak opinion. arsenal were and are terrible. you have praise for koscielny (in my eyes our best player this year minus rvp) was diabolical? what were you watching?
You’re not an Arsenal fan for keeping faith in this current regime, you are a Wenger fan and fan of where the club is currently at.
I am an Arsenal fan, I was here long before Wenger and I will be after. Arsenal have been here long before me and will be after. I am a loyal fan because I support Arsenal, and a loyal fan wants the best for his club. The best a fan can do for his club now is attempt to end this failing regime where we clearly have been getting worse and worse, season upon season for the last 7 or 8 years.
If you want to continue to support lack of ambition, not spending any money on good players and increasing season ticket prices and fleecing fans year after year then go ahead and do that, except don’t call yourself an Arsenal fan, call yourself an admirer of good business
Long term reader of the blog and the drinks … rarely write anything. Would just like to say congrats on a fine blog holic. Always measured and never really reactionary (one little slip up after the bolton game!). Good luck tomorrow.
I don’t understand how anyone can retain faith in Wenger. Even my wife sometimes watches our matches and asks why we never ever buy decent defenders and players that score goals!
I just don’t know how to answer her.. That our manager is too stubborn, deluded and out of touch usually suffices.
Nice write up holic. Bit too much usage of the word “should.” Lots of things should happen. As I have said, never be scared to ask the question “why?”
I took the advise of fellow holics and hit the delete button the moment I walked in. No way I can put myself through all of that. I have just watched the highlights. Now I always try and refrain from making too many judgement calls having only seen an abridged version of the match. All I can say is that I echo what has already been posted. Quite frankly I am somewhat shocked at what I have seen. I do not ever remember seeing Tommy V play so bad. For their second he is the one possibly playing Ibrahimovic on side. He then jogs back and is not even near to being close enough to Robhinio. One of many uncharacteristic errors.
The 2nd half started with The announcement that TH had replaced Theo. My reaction was simply this. Was Theo playing? The rest, bar the odd glimmer was tedious.
We have had a beating. Quite frankly it could have been worse. What should have been a night to remember at the Grove in a few weeks is a damp squib. Before then we have 2 more must win games. I fear for the side that we take to Sunderland at the weekend. I have this awful feeling that it will be similar to a Carling Cup team. Then, the derby. I hate to say it but anything less than 2 wins and I dread to think what will happen.
Tonight was not even close to being good enough. You all know my views. I will neither dwell on them or repeat them.
Holic, all the very best. I endured a “scare” with my 8 year old son back end of last year. It is not a nice place to be so I know how you feel. My thoughts are with you both.
Time to Change – I’m very curious.
Who would you hire as manager?
(bear in mind he too won’t be able to spend like City and Chelsea and a lot of our players [RvP and Song specifically] feel a great debt to AW and therefore play for him)
Time to Change- It is not so much about spending huge sums. just the selection and tactics on the night were poor. I would have started Ox instead of Rosicky I would have pluged the holes in defence and try catching them on the break.It is not genious it waht every team does away from home . a lnil -nil or a loss of 1-0 is not a bad result. There is no point in pretending that you have a top breed stallion, If you have a donkey just ride it like a donkey and you’ ll get where you want . This team is not good enough to go to Milan and pretend they are superior to them. First is to admit we are inferior and play a different game, That what small teams do when they play us at the Emirtaes. We are no Barcelona and it is about time we start playing different tactics according to the level of the opposition we play on the day.
The most frightening thing is this. Apart from Wilshere and possibly Flipper, that was arguably our strongest line up. Now I accept that Gibbs is more than short of games but that does not stop that being a worrying thought.
Thanks ‘holic for the match report and best wishes for positive results with the management’s medical situation. Now is the time we need players to step up and provide the spark we did not see tonight. Any takers, other than Trev and Steve T?
Holic,
For the important things in life: we’re thinking of you and your good lady, Holic. We’ll send all of our positive energy we can muster to ensure things go well.
For everything else: there’s Arsenal – or not, as the case may be?
Just home. Just watched the tape. Just read Holic’s post, but please forgive me, didn’t have the stamina for the drinks.
I thought:
– Our performance really plumbed the depths
– Against a very ordinary Milan side
– Who we managed to look somewhat more than adequate
– Who I don’t think have scored four goals for some time?
– Our midfield was non-existent!
– Rosicky’s hi-risk “creativity” was woeful. His pass completion rate 0%?
– Our defending was the (proverbial) pits
– The team let themselves, the manager and “us fans” down very badly.
– We missed the BFG more than I imagined we would
– Theo Walcott may never make it at Arsenal. I’m sad to say.
BUT
To quote our resident wide-man; this affliction is “unconditional” and I’ll be back for more v Sunderland on Saturday.
Life’s a pitch.
Here`s what i believe our strongest eleven is:
Wojchiec, Sagna, Per, Kos, Santos, Wilshere, Arteta, Arshavin, Chamberlein, VP, Flipper.
Ramsey as an alternative to Arshavin, and Benayoun or Theo for Chamberlein.
Today we were missing 5 of those players, while 2 others featured for just 1/3 of the match.
First and foremost Holic,
Many thanks for the report and I sincerely hope all goes well tomorrow.
As for the match:
Tonight I saw players wearing the jersey who didnβt care.
And I saw some who are just not good enough to play for this club at any level.
One thing to be beaten, that can happen. Quite another to not bother your bollox to make an effort that the jersey merits, let alone put in a shift for the travelling fans.
We were beaten by an older team who unlike us, displayed some semblance of professionalism, by doing the simple things we failed to do like closing down players and taking their chances.
If this performance was by a team of any other manager β heβd probably be sacked. It was that poor.
Our midfield is not good enough. We have no creativity. Rosicky is past it. Ramsey is young, but just not good enough yet. Arteta, for all the plaudits and stats that back up his presence, in my eyes spends more time going sideways or backwards. Really good players go forward and push the team on.
In defence, this season we have had a new centre half (PM), another CH back from injury (TV), a new left back (Santos) and a new GK. Thatβs 4 new players in the back 5. Tonight Gibbs played at left back, despite great performances in recent times from Coq and Yennaris. And then we started with Kos and Vermy and ended with JD and Songβ¦! When you donβt have consistent personnel, you donβt get defensive discipline. The constant chopping and changing isnβt all down to injuries.
I’ve said enough about Theo in the past, his performances these days sadly speak for themselves.
No defensive discipline, no closing down space, no leadership, wrong formation, wrong attitude, sub standard quality and depth. And thatβs not an exaggeration.
But there are positives:
1. We no longer have to worry about a competition, that really, if weβre being completely honest with ourselves, is Barcaβs to loose. I think in 100 years time, your childrens children will be talking about Lionel Messi and this Barca team β they really are that good. We can concentrate on what we can win. We might not be able to beat Milan, but we can beat Sunderland. We can win the FA Cup. We can qualify for next years CL. We can buy some time to put this right.
2. While everything I write seems like a critique of Wenger, its important to look at the wider picture. Organic club, wonderful football, competitive team, new stadium, young team that almost broke through, unfortunate departures, emergence of petro dollarsβ¦β¦β¦..β¦β¦yes we seem to have slipped down the European & National hierarchy but a few points of note:
a. Manu are a shadow of their former selves. And theyβre up to their bollox in debt.
b. Chelski are in serious decline.
c. Liverpool have declined, despite 100m expenditure in matchstick men by King Kenny.
d. Rangers are the latest club in administrationβ¦..
My conclusion: While tonight was poor, weβre not as bad off as we think. Wenger has made some serious mistakes. But heβs got a lot right as well.
Thereβs a lot to play for yet. Lets not in any way contribute to making this season, as shambolic as the capitulation of the last one.
Try to keep the faith.
Damn. So this is what getting shafted feels like.
Contrary to what they say, getting done by Italians is not at all romantic…
Holic, good luck tomorrow with the management. Shaft will be saying some prayers.
Yup, it is too much to ask. It’s too much because the squad lacks the talent, desire, and work ethic to achieve what’s up for grabs.
Other than the money of the Champions League (which we don’t spend anyway because we have stadium debt etc.. or because Wenger is simply stubborn), what use is coming in fourth anyway? It’s not like we ever threaten in Europe with the exception of one season.
We lost to Milan not because we were “poor on the night”, but because they have more talent than us, are more experienced than us, and are constructed to win now, not in an unforeseen date in the future.
Also, Walcott is not worth of an Arsenal shirt. If anyone disagrees with that, they are mental.
What faith? Haven’t we prayed enough at the altar of St.Wenger to know he’s not the high priest he once was; his body language slumped pathetically in his seat tonight said it all. No f… leadership what so ever! F…French surrender monkey.
Now a poor judge of talent and no motivator he.
So if I understand you we are OK and we should wait for the other PL teams above us to simply fade away!!!!
Wenger, his style and the Board that indulges him week out week in should go.
PATHETIC!!!!
The reason Theo will never make it at top level football is that he needs people to make him have a good game i.e pass him into space, notice his incuts, provide an overlap to isolate him.
Both Gervinho and Ox don’t NEED that. Of course it would help them and make it easier on them but as opposed to Theo, they can run at defenders with the ball at feet and don’t need to run into space, something which requires others to notice the run and make a pass.
Just think of how many times Theo got the ball facing the defender and either lost the ball or passed it backwards.
Now think of how many times Gervinho/Ox got the ball and beat their man?
A player can not rely on others to make him a have a good game. At least not at this level. That’s the cost of playing out wide. You gotta know how to beat your man. If he was a striker up front, he would be OK relying on others for him, but when the team is relying on you to create from the wing and you can’t do that without the help of others, then we have a problem.
My understanding was Copernicus was a mathematician, an astronomer, a physician, classics scholar, translator and an artist to boot.
I didn’t realise he was a tit as well…!
Bravo Joe!
Bravo π
BMBD.
Joe – We’re not as bad as we think we are, but we will be if we
1) Crash out of the cup on Saturday.
2) Leading to our customary February meltdown.
3) Leading to us missing out on CL next season.
3) Leading to RvP (and maybe Song) being sold.
4) Leading to lack of attraction to the big stars (no good wages paid at Arsenal and no CL football)
5) Leading to “waiting on the potential of the youth” (Afobe et al) which basically means dithering in mid table for years…
Or in other words –
Becoming Liverpool (and this isn’t a dig at Liverpool or an attempt to be funny or something).
Good positive stuff, Joe.
Chill, Snir. The sun will come up tomorrow.
BtM – I wish I could, but I’m sick of tired of telling myself that “this season we won’t collapse, there is mental strength in the team. We won games we wouldn’t have won the season before.” and then we collapse in an even worse way.
It once was a frustration, it is now just a ridiculous expectation.
Ho hum. Another distressing evening’s ‘entertainment’ in front of the tellybox.
It was one of those games where everyone seemed to be running through treacle, most noticeably in midfield. Ramsey, in particular, is just *so* slow across the ground, it’s painful to watch. No change of pace whatsoever. How much we can put this down to his injury, I don’t know. Arteta, similarly, was ponderous tonight, while Song was listless and lethargic. When your midfield is so lacking in dynamism you really are lost both offensively and defensively.
The lack of energy in midfield meant there was rarely pressure on the pass, leaving our train wreck of a defence hopelessly exposed, whilst in attack nobody joined in or ran beyond Robin at any point. The Milan defence was so comfortable because they knew nobody was making late runs into the box, our midfield even in possession was content to play in front of Milan’s back line.
One seemingly endless exchange of two yard passes between Ramsey and Sagna on the right touchline encapsulated our hapless approach. This excruciating bout of ‘after you Claude’ finally ended with a hopelessly aimless cross hitting the first defender (again). It was truly an insipid performance.
Some weeks ago a gooner friend of mine, at the end of his emotional tether, began taking out ‘Arsenal insurance’, as he calls it. He backed Swansea at half time in our game down there, backed United, backed Sunderland, and backed Milan (ahead at half time and full time). His avowed hope on all these occasions, he assures me, was to happily lose his money (or his insurance premiums, as he calls them) as a price for his emotional wellbeing. Alas he is currently sitting on a healthy profit. His behaviour initially attracted the extreme disapproval of fellow gooners. His consistent response has been to merely state that while he pays car insurance premiums; it doesn’t mean he wants the car to crash, simply that if it does he is compensated. He is currently hoping that he will not be in receipt of further payouts after the forthcoming games against Sunderland and S**rs, but after tonight’s debacle would you bet against him receiving further ’emotional compensation’ in the coming weeks?
Not sure I would.
Tonight’s results, and the predictable gnashing of teeth flowing therefrom, put in mind of a humorous experience…
– About 15 years ago, I found myself on a dinner cruise on the Delaware River. As I sat at the bar with a good friend named Gooch and had the following exchange:
Lonestar: Damn, Gooch, there are some fine ass broads on this here boat, right?
Gooch: No doubt. Plenty of righteous shorties, for sure. Look at that fool over there.
– For the next couple of drinks, Gooch and I watch this knucklehead flit from chic to chic, asking, and in turn being denied, a dance:
Lonestar: That’s a damn shame. No need to rush it.
Gooch (shaking his head): For sure, I mean where are the broads gonna go? We’re on a f*king boat.
My advice to the true supporters (not the BBB), just swallow the loss. Why over analyze it? We support the Arsenal; so where are we gonna go? In for a pence, in for a pound, no? The same problems faced by Wenger now will be faced by any replacement.
If RvP goes, he goes. We can’t buy anyone till the summer. If we finish 4th, we finish 4th…if not, oh well. If Song stays, fine; if not, whatever.
No supporter can force out the board, Ivan, IPA, or Wenger. It’s not worth wasting the calories discussing it. Just watch the next few games and be pleasantly surprised if we see some quality football.
Any other approach, from a supporter, is foolish.
We’re on a f*king boat fellas, where are we gonna go?
BMBD
For the first time, I looked at our team sheet (post game) in the ITV1 CL Extra Time Highlights Show and asked myself, ‘Who are these guys?’ Emotionally wrecked for today, its only hitting me now in bed.
Regardless of my complaining above, I’m echoing the positives sentiments and vibes toward you and the Management ‘Holic, I hope & pray all is well with her.
LG – I missed you… Haven’t talked since that damned day…
Hit me up bro.
‘holic, best of luck to you both tomorrow.
i’ve been lurking, but work has taken me by the lapels and is giving me a good slapabout right now, so posts are few and far between. but at the least i’ll be thinking about you both.
as for arsenal, well, meh. we’ll know were this team is *really* at by a week sunday.
lg, that’s damn straight.
Lonestar, a dinner “cruise” on the Delaware conjures up a magical picture for anyone who has never actually seen the Delaware, or fallen into that fine body of water and luckily survived the stomach pump that ensued, for that matter.
Did I ever tell you about my days as a riverboat gambler on the Ballachullsh Ferry?
I DIDN’T? Well, now where do I start and how much time do we have………..
No doubt, Scruz.
Snir, good to see you back amongst the living. π I’ll get at you. Work has me by the “short-hairs” right now.
BMBD.
BtM @ 80.
LMAO. You are too funny. You definitely have seen the Delaware. Your recollection was the main reason I spent my time below deck at the bar and not on deck soaking in the “view.”
However, I hear that Gov. Christie has done a fair bit of cleaning on the DE.
Riverboat Gambler, eh… I used to run moonshine along the Appalachian Trail – I’m sure we could swap some tall tales. π
BMBD.
Holic- Ive missed something. I guess your good lady is undergoing some sort of medical procedure tomorrow. PLease wish her all the luck in the world. And thank you for all the wonderful years of first class blogging!
Best Wishes from New Zealand!
Holic very best wishes for you both tomorrow.
I didn’t catch the game so can’t comment on the performance, but a 4-0 scoreline is a humiliating spanking.
Judging from the comments in the bar it was yet another piss poor performance.
Let’s judge Wenger at season’s end (not forgetting the previous 6!). It may be premature but I don’t see any sign of progress, more the reverse.
What I really hope is that we don’t see a repeat of the fiasco during the transfer window of last Summer, or that will be another season down the toilet.
I wonder how many seasons are needed to pass by without success before the board has the bottle to make the necessary changes.
Holic, best wishes tomorrow.
Just watched the match via delay on the DVR. What’s done is done, let’s now see what these boys have for the weekend. I’m really interested to see how we are going to react to this loss.
I’m so frustrated with this squad that I cannot even comment on the 90 minutes of steaming poo I have just witnessed.
Definately need to win the CL to shut the critics of our club up,Poor performence on and off the pitch,AW questionable midfeild choices,and sitting pie faced on the side line dont do it for me,At least the man has come out with no excuses and rightfully so……………………Bring on sunderland and its pot holes.
Ahh, moonshine….nothing burns more than moonshine going where the sun don’t shine you ask me
First of all, ‘holic, best wishes to the management.
Everything has been said already. Worst European night ever. (Well, may be apart from the champions league final when it was a different kind of pain)
Joe @ 63 & 66: Nice one mate. You said the things I find myself saying on here after evenings like we just had in Milan. Thanks for saving me the trouble – I won’t repeat…
Shit happens. We’ve all had days like the team had. Days when nothing goes our way. People keep saying: “well its not the loss, its the fact that they didn’t try”….but they did try. The fact though is that this was just one of those days. Sometimes you just know when things are not going to go your way – for no particular reason.
My issue is our tactics (or lack thereof): We always try to play the same way regardless of what the reality we are encountering. So we go one down (to a very good goal indeed) which had the effect of boosting the confidence of our opponents. What do we do? We carry on as if were the ones that scored! No consolidation. No tightening up. No pressing. No defending as a team. At the point at which we went down we needed to slow things down and stop the other side from playing…we lost the game in the first 15-minutes! Milan had the measure of us and we played right into their hands..
I disagree with those that say that this is a bad Milan side..Bollox! They are top of Seria A and have some wonderful players with loads of experience who have won everything in the game. We need a tactical injection. I am in favour of Denis returning. If we can’t attract Pep then Le Boss is still our best option. But we need a radical change in out coaching set up.
Finally I pray that we will not implode again this year. This set back can not possibly be compared to the loss to Birmingham last year. That game we should have won – this we were lucky to get away with just conceding four! Last year the team went into shock…this year I hope that they just get angry! Angry at themselves..
Joe said it well @ 63: We need to settle on a team now and stick to that team. The constant chopping & changing – even tho some have been forced – must be disorientating for the players. Out game for the most part depends on anticipation. Players have to know what certain other players will do. Where they will be. This cannot happen if you are playing with different players every week.
Saturday is now THE key fixture of this season!!! We must not lose that game!! If we do then I fear the worse..
All those that say it was one of those days,do find yourselves repeating that more and more lol,you have to laugh but for me this was a very good milan side,and could do no wrong,but i actually did not see us getting a result,i was always hopeing but that is all i now do HOPE.
Holic Best wishes for you and family tomorow.
Lonestar: Fuck yea..agree
When the 100 comes up I’ll be fast asleep. 1:32 AM Jamaica time and I am off to bed. Nighty Night Holics..
Holic
Best of luck today.
Priorities.
Really hope all goes well today ‘holic. All the best.
For the past 35 years I’ve been living Arsenal down here in South Africa, and never, not once have I been more disappionted in my team than last night. Not even the Manure debacle comes close.
Why, you should ask? Well where do we begin? Lets start with AW, I have the utmost respect for the man as he is the one that really put us on the football map worldwide. But alas even I, shit for brains, dutchman, living in Africa can see that there is nothing and I mean nothing exceptional or special to any player currently donning the Arsenal shirt with the exception of RVP and the Ox. Whether these players are underperforming because of his lack of coaching skills or inability to really motivate them, or his general lack of strategic planning, I’m still trying to work out – but suffice it to say that I’m smelling a skunk!!!
Moving on to the players. Not one of them in any game thus far this season has been able to grasp the idea that in order for you to get the ball you must put your opponents under pressure. When the opposing side has possession our whole midfield would backtrak and wait behind the halfway line – hoping that RVP can put some pressure on any of their defenders so they can miscue a pass and the ball can magically land at the feet of one of our players. They all seem unfit and not able to keep up with the pace of the game.
On attack we would pass the ball between our back four behind the halfway line for ages as if the possession stats at the end of the game is more important than the actual scoreline. When we do actually attack we have degenerated from a one touch, move into space unit which bedazzeled our opponents, to a long kick – hope we hit something on the other side wasters of possession. This all was again evident in last nights game. Then I ask again, how is it possible that I in my ignorance can see the blatant degeneration and AW can’t?
Moving on to management. Stan the arseFuck man Kroenke and all his arselick buddies must realise that football is a business. For all AW and mangement’s calls of good governance they are missing a crucial point. Although I and all of you out there will never leave our first love new blood is needed to grow a business. The youth of today is the future of Arsenal. They are the ones that will carry the banner long after we’re gone, but the youth of today does’nt want to be associated with a losing cause. They do not like to be ridiculed week after week concerning the choices they make especially when it comes to football. In order to attract them you have to cater to their needs. They want to see action, goals, heroes, commitment, dedication, silverware and an undying spirit for the game itself and success. All of which lacking from the Arsenal setup the last 4 years. I already find it difficult to convice my 2 sons to watch an Arsenal game with me as they say it is boring and we never win!!! Over the last 4 years Kroenke and co was responsible for millions of youths turning their backs on Arsenal because of his and AW decision to run with a business model that caters for the past and not the future. We’re all losing big time!!!!!
Lastly to all the diehard fans out there that will now criticise me for doubting AW, Stan and the players. I love my team and I have a right to criticise when I see my pearls being thrown to the pigs.
Reality is finally setting in, that this Arsenal team is a poor reflection of an era, it has no backbone it lurches from one game to another. And relies on the abilities of one player, who sadly will be gone next year.
Piers Morgan may have started to sound as if he has ring of truth about his tweets
My very very best wishes for you both today.
I woke up as a Gooner living in Northern Italy feeling a bit sorry for myself, but having got up to date at the bar, have now got everything into perspective.
“Un abbraccio”, as they would say in these parts, “alla direzione”
Sid
It’s all gone quiet….
And then he strikes like a serpent in heat!
Holic: All the best to you and the management. “Faith moves mountains”.
NBN: I was the one debating with you about our beloved Goalkeeper’s weak kicking. that often put the team under pressure and resulting in goals being conceded. Kudos to you for coming to terms with this in the previous drinks.
Joe: Respect for your postings.
Didn’t see any fight in the lads. Very woeful performance by the team. TV5’s worst performance in an Arsenal shirt yet.
Let’s win on Saturday.
Holic – missed the detail on your missus, so hope all goes well today
Last night was a real low, and having watched AW speaking before the match and promising an attacking side, when I saw the team it did not make sense up front
After the 1st half horror, Theo was replaced by Titi – but when the was no cohesion between midfield and forwards, this was not the most obvious way of building an attack . The midfield was being swamped IMO
When Ox came on – much too late- he showed the impetus otherwise lacking, but too little too late
Finally, this a.m I see AW damning the team , but taking no blame himself
Another collapse this February is clearly on the cards
TV5 was rather shit, wasn’t he?!
Hey ho.
The sun is still shining. On me and Trev, at least! π
Holic,this’ my first comment on your blog. just in to wish you all the best today. like somebody said,there are more important things than a football game.
Nicely in, snake man CoR!!
Good post @ 63 Joe.
I am not going to start castigating individuals, I’ll leave that to others.
We’ve all seen the game and we will all have our opinions on who did what and in which areas we are weak. However, that was a very, very poor team performance. We looked tense, nervous, unsure of ourselves and our team mates, lacking in shape and without any tactical plan. Numerous times we all just charged after the ball like a lot of over enthusiastic school boys which left Milan players in acres of space.
Once again we were over run in midfield and the only decent possession we had was in our own half as we passed cross field and backwards. Once again we showed that we don’t have players capable of running at the opposition (with one notable exception) or of running into space to create opportunities and pull the opposition players out of position – doing to them what they did to us.
Defensively we were awful. I thought Kos had a good game – yes he was all over the place, but he had to be.
I just don’t know what got into the players tonight, the team just fell apart. Arsene Wenger must be gutted and I truly feel sorry for him, he believes in this team and this club and has been let down again, but strange substitution at half time, perhaps it just shows how desperate he felt if he really thought that TH was the answer – although he did create that chance for Robin. The half time substitution I expected was Ramsey for the Ox and move Rosicky into the centre – there’s no way Rosicky is a wide man.
Where do we go from here? Is AW still the man? We do have several decent looking young players and I have mentioned them before but isn’t that a significant part of our problem? Too often we expect too much of our young players and however talented they may be they need experience around them to help them to mature to their very best, and experienced, top quality, variety is what is lacking from this side at the moment. The players are too much of a muchness. We know that AW likes a certain type of player and perhaps there aren’t enough of the other type?
The season isn’t over and there is still plenty to play for, I just hope that the team isn’t too deeply scarred by the events of last night and we can get through to the next round of the FA Cup – I have my doubts about the CL next year especially if the BFG & Kos are out for a while.
On a personal level ‘holic best wishes and I hope it is all good news from the medics. There are things more important than football.
TV5 was rather shit, wasnβt he?!
There is the little boy who saw the Emperors nakedness. That is the reason we are desperate to get good news on Koscielny today.
Some say we have had terrible bad luck with injurys. It has very little to do with luck. Its the coaching and mostly the strength coaching that is wrong at Arsenal. We need to hire serious people there that know what they are doing. What is Johan Djourou doing in an Arsenal shirt on the field ??????. This guy makes critical mistakes everytime he steps on the court or he gets silly injurys. We need players with balls,desire and guts to play in big games. Ramsey and Walcot are at the best bench players . If the Hill Wood and his clan dont come up with money soon to buy real players we will be in the middle of the pack with Everton and Fulham and maybe 20-30.000 people showing up for games. We all know Persie will leave this summer. What baby doll will Wenger bring in to ease our pain ?????. If Wenger stays he needs to change his coaching staff so he gets fresh ideas in his stubborn old head. Szczesny also needs a rest . He has been making to many errors lately and he also needs to shut his silly mouth from time to time because he has proved me nothing yet. I still think we need a serious goalkeeper
@107…. The fabled Catalan knows! π
Having said that Dr C we have two dedicated midfielders who should be plugging the gaps between the central defenders.
Where the fuck were they last night?
Good piece about the media by Tony Attwood over at Untold Arsenal this morning.
Holic
Oh, absolutely. TV5 was by no means the only one. But he was one of the less expected.
You dig? π
D L Ltd – Emergency Response Unit
A call came in late last night from North Italy. Β Whilst rumours of a complete derailment proved wide of the mark, there was no escaping that this was a serious Class 1 event : Β
List of casualties to date :Β
Dr Borda Disorder – sober
Professor Edwin Storey Β – potential lost iPhone and/or deactivated Twitter account
Dr Spin – dispute over services ordered
Dr T – missing, last seen weilding rusty fork (perhaps his only medical instrument?)
Dr C – sunstroke
Wolfgang Smallballs – Jimmy Choos confiscated and marched off in jackboots
SAFAN, Copernicus, Time to change etc – missing a pair
Danish – Danish
Gin Gan Geuli – onset of depression and cloudy balls
The Sweeper – taken to drink (not technically a casualty)
Dr Feelgood – lost diary (substantial finders fee on offer)
All leave is cancelled until the HT can be serviced and pressed into active service on Wearside, Saturday.
Patron BtM kindly reminds all, the sun will rise. Β U Reds.
Up the Arse.
Morning Holics, I went to the match last night as only a 4.5 hour drive last night and no use picking the bones out of that one. Away support amazing and still singing at 4-0 down a few wanted to leave but were not allowed so had to endure the beating with the rest of us.
A few boos for certain players names when read out I expect you know who and the spend some fucking money sung at the end also. Normally we can point to reasons for a good pasting however I can’t defend that perfomance last night.
That fantastic support invested lots of their hard earned cash and spare time to support the team and even though nobody likes to lose I’m sure most would hold their hands up and say we were beaten by the better team if we put in 100% effort.
However those who went and who go every week were really badly let down last night, if we lose for gods sake go down fighting for the badge on your shirt, not as meekily as that pathetic performance last night.
Play like that in the NL Derby and the LWC’s will tear us a new one.
I haven’t read thenprevious drinks or even your post yet Holic, but I just thought I should lend some words of Solace to any disappointed Gooners out there.
As hard as it may feel, I think we should learn from our position this time last year where we were robbed ( I mean out played) at camp Nou and returned to get burnt by an under strengthen but determined Man U team away in the FA.
I know some of you like to make corrections regarding the specific dates things occurrd etc, but my point is we found ourselves understrenghted, panicky and feeling sorry for ourselves. Sometimes these feelings cannot be helped no matter how hard we try. But we really must galvanise and re-focus on the FA cup and finishing in the top four.
We are a couple more key injuries away from Becoming more exposed and a world class player short within the spine if the team from winning the prem and the Champs league, but until we lose RVP and need to really bring in a few players to push to win the bug trophies thus summer, I think we do need to really put everything we have in to beating Sunderland on Sat and take it game by game from there.
Ok have to run now but catch you guys a little later!
Lonestar @ 75, wish my 76 was just before your 75, not just after it.
That’s a level of life that I haven’t ven begun to experience yet π
*Surveys wreckage*
*Begins task of compiling damage report*
*Realises HT must be serviceable by Saturday morning latest*
*Resists urge to weep, dips into CMC for ‘medicinal purposes only’*
*Throws himself into his work*
*Wonders how Dr.Feelgood will attract ticket sales for Wearside excursion?*
*Checks inventory on Smallballs’ secret J.Choo stash*
*Keeps Twitter off and wonders where he threw his iPhone last night*
*Checks chains on SAFAN, Copernicus, Time to change, etc. Request Carlos K to stand guard, PARS set to ‘toast’*
*Affixes new, patented neck-brace which forces chin into pointing 45 degrees upwards*
*Keeps calm, carries on*
π
Dr F, Prof.
Heh! π
Troopers…..
The Quackery is coming to terms with last night’s influx. Trouble is Mr T and myself are in the Catalunyan mountains. Top level beer meeting.
All enquiries to Nurse Wolfie please…
Yes come on Gunners, we still have FA cup and 4th place trophy in
EPL. CL was always going to be tough ask with the limited resources we have but the manner of exit is embarassing. The question is what team will Wenger field in the FA cup? Last time Sunderland were fatigued by their mid-week match but they will not be easy this time around on 18 Feb.
Holic ,
All the very best to you and Mrs H today .
I can see the spuds thrashing us in two weeks
Zico
it will be very interesting to see if anyone but the true diehards and the mentally unhinged turn up on Sat morning for the HT trip North.
I fear last night’s torture might have been the last straw for many
Gooners.
There’s only so much pain a man can take.
The prospect of another long long journey home if we get turned over
by Sunderland,could require some serious medicinal intake,and I’m not sure the HT has the supplies to cope.
Particularly after the horrendous events of last night in Milan where virtually all the HT supplies,both medicinal and otherwise were consumed on the journey home.
With only around 48hrs until Saturday’s early departure,the HT Management could have a Public Relations disaster on their hands if they don’t get it right.
I have persuaded April April to accompany me up North,this will help in 2 ways,on the journey up,April’s attentions will help keep my mind off the prospect of another debilitating defeat,and on the way back down she can console me if we lose,or help me celebrate if by some fluke we manage to win.
Please note,April will not be available for any other recreational activities under any circumstances.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Morning Tabs
Have you started on The Redbreast yet.??
Tiggeronfire
Spuds thrashing us? These are just your worst fears and nothing else. It is not easy to thrash Arsenal or any EPL team at home. Last night the team was clueless, did not know what hit them, the opposition was unpredictable and classy.
I expect Arsenal to bounce back. The only thing that can stop a recovery is if Arsene gives up or if the experienced players lose motivation. We need to have an imposing player in the midfield, Rosicky and Arteta are experienced but not commanding types. Ramsey still has a long way to go and Song is inconsistent. I am hopeful though if Wenger does let this defeat hurt the team too much. Against Spuds, Wenger needs to get his strategy right.
Tigger
No chance son,
The prospect of that lot winning 2 years in a row at our place,and the attendant grief the fans will serve up to the players if they let that happen,will be enough to see us over the line.
It may not be pretty,but that won’t matter if the result is in our favor.
Good Report Holic .
Deliberately stayed out of the Bar last night , but have to say that the back-drinking was not as traumatic as it might have been .
Not much to add to the excellent contributions already made by all the regulars . I thought Ned’s analysis of where it went wrong in the last drinks was spot on .
Joe @63 – Absolutely first class post . Agreed with every word .
Dr Z @113 excellent π
Not too many come out with any credit last night .
Arsene’s team selection looked a strange one from the off and so it proved .That said , he was hugely let down by his players .
Rosicky’s inclusion was presumably to give Gibbs greater cover down our left flank . Why then did Tomas see fit to go wandering infield at will ? In the event , Gibbs got far less protection than he would have done had the Ox played .
TV5 was very poor , Sagna off the pace , Walcott a hindrance to everything we were trying to do , Ramsey invisible , and the midfield three one-dimensional and stagnant . We stood off Ibrahimovic and he ran riot . Now I understand the need to keep your distance from an individual who looks like the bastard love child of Max Wall and a sewer rat , but we took the idea to extremes . Wish Kos had clocked him before he went off injured . How punchable is that face ? Good player he may be , but he is also unquestionably a cheating cunt .
Right , that’s it , enough bitching from me . Time to draw a line , this team was never going to win The Champs League anyway . Time for the players to stand up and react to all the criticism , dig out a result at Sunderland , and then tonk the Spuds .
Testing times , but as a very wise Holic said to me by text last night , onwards and upwards mes braves .
Onwards and Upwards ‘Holics , inch by fucking inch .
Morning Clive ,
I’m a couple of hundred pages in . Have to say I’m not normally one for crime thrillers but am thoroughly absorbed .
Really enjoying it , thanks for the recommendation .
Cheers .
Clive @123 heh π
Will Tiffany October be available ? and if she is can I book her for the trip to Sunderland ?
In need of cheering up !
Yours expectantly ,
Tabs .
Morning Tabs – i’ll read your report in a moment, as i still haven’t brought myself to watch any “highlights”.
Think i’ll just take your word for whatever happened and not waste the sunshine here.
Zico/Dr F, Prof, Catalan/Mr C – hehs and cheers fellas π
Windows Update just lost my long reply to GoonerTerry @89 to his suggestion that my, hopefully constructive, criticism is pointless, and then goes on to criticise the team for exactly all the same things.
More on that later, if I can be bothered to re-type it all.
Tabs
‘Onwards and Upwards Holics,inch by fucking inch’.
Well my meagre inches are being taken care of by April on Saturday.!!
I have sent a text to Tiff and told her i have a tortured Soul that needs his pain eased on a long journey this w/end.
She has texted back asking what services might be required,and on your behalf i suggested it might have to be ‘The Full English’.
I am awaiting her reply.
Re the RedBreast,i knew you wouldn’t be disappointed,
The next book in the series is Devil’s Star,followed by Nemesis.
All feature the same Detective.
Cheers
Clive
Heh Clive – but the Full French always beats the Full English for me π
Who are the books by ? Just looking for a decent read.
Morning Trev
I think Windows Update has done you a big favor,
Having an exchange of long posts with GT could be debilitating for all concerned.
Look on the Bright side,you didn’t have to sit through the ‘live’ viewing last night.
Think yourself fucking lucky.!!
Trev
Jo Nesbo is the Author,absolutely brilliant.
He is Norwegian and lives in Oslo.
His books feature a Detective called Harry Hole,and he has written several books featuring HH.
The first is The Redbreast,which Tabs is reading,followed by the 2 books mentioned in previous post.
Look him up on Google for a full list of the books in the series.
You will not be disappointed.
Cheers
Clive
Trev
I can promise you if you ever got the chance to experience April’s
Full English,you would never want any other variety ever again.!!
Trev
that should be Tiffany’s full English of course.!!
Morning Trev , the books are by Jo Nesbo .
Clive – Tiff to the rescue . I knew I could rely on that girl ! π
As I understand it the Full English is everything The Full French offers , with the added bonus that you get a bit of Black Pudding at the end to replenish your energy levels .
Clive, Tabs –
thanks very much. Have just picked up The Snowman by Jo Nesbo, as you will know, as I was looking for a good follow up to the Stieg Larsson trilogy.
I will be happy to avail myself of Tiffany’s English whenever she can fit me in.
Today, it is French in the sun for me.
Fuck me. The worst performance in years. As many have said already, if you aren’t a match for them technically, you have to make up for it in effort and determination. We showed so little technical ability for and Arsenal team it was sad to see, but worse than that was the level of workrate and pride that they showed.
Joe’s comments are bang on, and we all know we will be Gooners for life, but nights like last night really frustrate. Wenger made some bad decisions – not playing Ox, bringing Henry on at HT, not playing Le Coq, not getting the players to up their tempo massively in the 2nd half, not being on the touchline barking orders and showing some passion. These were mistakes on the night, and coupled with the terrible pitch, the unfortunate loss of our best player after 44 minutes and Milan’s superior quality in attack and defence (:(), we had no chance. You could see it from the first minute. My girlfriend, who’s a hippy with no football knowledge, could see this. Playing at that tempo and with that lack of cutting edge was always going to see us get punished.
TV5, Arteta, Rosicky, Ramsey, Song, Sagna all played their worst games in an Arsenal shirt to date. For them all to have such poor games at once makes me think there was a huge psychological issue going on, and that is very worrying. Wenger has a big old task on his hands getting the team back and firing for Saturday. Let’s hope him and RvP are up to it…
I apologise – This is one of the most negative posts i’ve ever written, but it reflects one of the worst Arsenal performances i have seen since visiting sites such as this beauty.
Anyway, onwards and upwards, let’s smash em oop norf on Saturday.
Nice post Geo .
Clive @ 123
The mentally unhinged? Well, thank you.
The badge is worn with pride. 8)
Geo
Why dont you leave the decision whom to play and whom not to on the manager. No matter what the manager does, there are going to be moaners! Why did you not play Ox or Coq, why him and not him etc etc.
Are you telling that manager is not good enough? I mean if Arsene is paid a small fortune, this is his headache, isn’t it!
First and foremost quality is in short supply in this team, we have a lot of youth and exhuberance but no discipline.
And then Arsene has been getting his decisions wrong a lot this year, he probably is out of depth now. You can suggest whatever we want to, in the end it is the manager’s call because buck stops at him.
takeabowson
I dont agree with Geo, see above!
Afternoon Holics
Firstly let me wish Holic and his lady good news today. I will never forget a similar experience some 8 years ago ,when sadly we were given the worst possible prognosis.
I feel too deflated to post in detail.I can’t find a single positive thing to say about last night ,apart from the fantastic support the team received from the travelling fans.
We need to move on and quickly but another cruel blow, with Kos being a victim of another poor pitch, has left the back four exposed yet again.
Heaven knows what side AW will put out on Saturday.There will be lots of tired legs and minds from last night, they all looked as though they were running through treacle on that pitch and TS of Light’s surface is unlikely to be any better.I expect O’Neil to take full advantage of our present malaise. Quite frankly I am expecting the worst and hoping for the best.
Perhaps a good lunch will cheer me up!
As always COYRs
Dhruv
If you have ever read any of my posts in the past you will see that I am always positive and always respectful of Wenger’s decisions. However, last night it seemed to me that he got a few things wrong, which i stated above. Of course I am not saying I should be the one making the decisions, that’s just ridiculous. But Wenger gets things wrong from time to time, and you can’t say that wasn’t the case last night. I know the players let him down, but i also think he made some errors, both tactically, motivationally (not a word i know!), and in choice of personnel – in my opinion (!).
To be honest I’m not really sure what your point is… You don’t agree with me, and have a go because i felt Wenger made a couple of mistakes, then you go on to say: “And then Arsene has been getting his decisions wrong a lot this year, he probably is out of depth now. You can suggest whatever we want to, in the end it is the managerβs call because buck stops at him.”
?
Delia
Need to be positive. The team needs freshning up and Sunderland wont be tired like last time.
Dhruv ,
Like Geo , I have no idea of the point you are trying to make .
For the record , my view is that as AW is a human being , he makes mistakes . To deny that he does , when the man so readily admits to making them himself , is frankly ridiculous .
That said , my belief is that he makes fewer than most , and I hope he continues . To suggest he is “out of his depth” given his longevity in the role and the success he has enjoyed , is palpably wide of the mark .
Geo
I am sorry to confuse you. I am also disgusted and not happy with Wenger’s decisions but this selection business is little complicated and is best left to the manager. Board has to be decisive now if Arsenal’s interest is suffering because of manager’s bad decisions, enuf is enuf.
I am sorry again bro.
Just read back at my earlier post. The fucking predictables and grammaticals were fucking shocking!
Right I’m off again for now!
Haven’t read the new drinks yet. Can one of you post an inspirational card for the Management here at Holic’s bar. Something cheery and light hearted for her to read. Maybe make her chuckle, too.
takeabowson
Fans speculating about players best positions is all short-term escapism.
This is Wenger’s team, he has bought them, and he knows who can do what. And Wenger is aware of the right permutation for a certain type of situation.
If Wenger is not delivering it with his team on consistent basis and Geo also agrees that we have had too many bad results this season then questions need to be asked about Wenger’s plan.
On a day when the team performed badly, fans need to look at things seriously. Speculation just gives false optimism. Although the best we cant do is ask Board if they are happy with the state of affairs.
It may happen to the likes of Yawnited and the Spuds, but THE Arsenal do NOT get smashed or thrashed at home.
The Optimists Committee has asked me to recommend all members to listen to this track until the doom and gloom has passed:
Edit…Terry, you left a personal email addy as the link!
Dhruv – “Geo also agrees that we have had too many bad results this season then questions need to be asked about Wengerβs plan.”
Um, I don’t remember saying that… I actually questioned some of the decisions of last night’s lineup etc, certainly not questioning Wenger’s plan. I would also never use the word ‘disgusted’ to describe Wenger or his decisions (‘disappointed’ maybe). I am confident he is the right man to be taking us further in the future, but as far as the overall plan goes, I just think we need a quality player or 2 in the summer (and to try our hardest to keep RvP). Then I think next year will be much less stressful than this one!
You just happen to have taken notice of my extremely rare negative post, and the negative points from it, but I do not often feel as bad as I did in the wake of last night’s performance. My expectation levels have dropped this year, but I was very optimistic about last night, until 1 minute of the match had been played… This probably explains my reaction this morning.
Holic – I echo many others’ sentiments – good luck today. All the best.
Well said tabs @ 147
@ 153 – Damn that edit! I was gonna spam the shit out of you… lucky escape me-laddy-o π
From what I can see, Dhruv appears to be arguing with himself.
Not dis-similar to what the mad Kanadian used to do π
zico – I thought I’d missed something.. Thanks for making me feel sane again!
My presence usually makes people feel sane, Geo. π
Then it seems that you are wasted in exile! Thank fuck for internet communication eh? π
Trev: I am sorry that we were deprived of what I am sure would have been a thought provoking comment from you mate (now we have to settle for Clive’s subtle, tasteful and sensitive treats)…but seriously I never thought that we were having a debate. And I don’t remember ever suggesting that anything you have ever said was pointless! I am certain that even when I have disagreed with you and have shown respect to your opinion. ~ In any case are you suggesting that because I happen to disagree with you at a certain point I can’t agree with you later if I change my mind?…I am sure that is not what you mean…
Like everybody else I was simply saying what was in my heart last night. I love this team and when I love something (anything) I try always to think of it in a loving way…as I am sure you do…so we have no need to quarrel mate (whatever it was that you took issue to)..
I will continue – as always – to respect your views and will retain the right to agree / or disagree with you in future..
I am actually feeling much better already – even tho I hardly slept last night . But I hope that the team can put this behind them in time for the game at Sunderland on Saturday..
π
Wasted in exile, but of course!!
P.S. Sorry Clive I couldn’t help myself! (0;…I am actually happy for you that YOU seem to enjoy that stuff…but I prefer penetration and so the hand it too dry and too shallow for me…but carry on if doing (and or talking about it) is what makes you happy…ops sorry again…my bad…
* grabs sunscreen and heads out to the veranda with the iPad *
haha!! π
We were so slow and dithery, no plan b etc. etc. midfield was MIA. That we were hoping on a 34 year old legend and 18 year old prospect to make something happen says a lot. The team don’t seam to have the mental or physical capacity to cope with the big games and when things get tough. Something isn’t right, how we change it i don’t know. Probably the most frustrating team ever.
Holic: I don’t know what happened before but I should have pasted this link from Annie – The sun will come out tomorrow… http://youtu.be/7i1RjfAmVtg
Days like today, I have no idea what I’d do without this place. It’s proper tin hats weather out there.
Obviously, last night was shit. Worst performance of the season in one of the biggest games.
If I’m honest, I share Snir’s concerns that we’re about to plunge into another late-season implosion. I don’t think you produce a showing like that, with so many players sub-par, without something being pretty fucking rotten in Denmark.
I have no idea what the next few weeks hold for us. I know we’ll all be cacking it on Saturday, and probably again the following weekend. I know that this squad have the raw ability to bring us back a cup and 4th spot. I know they also have the mental fragility to absolutely go to bits.
I would hope that if anyone hasn’t rated the BFG thus far, they took a long, hard look at us without him last night. His calmness and know-how were much missed as we sank into the mire. Get well soon big man, Kos too.
Anyway, what I wanted to say is this: even if the worst comes to pass, even if we crash out on Saturday, get beat the following Sunday and finish 8th, we’ll still be the Arsenal. Life will go on, day will follow night and we’ll be back again in September, ready to go again.
My honest view is that if anyone wants to leave this summer, they should be allowed to go. I have a strong suspicion that a few of the lads are already mentally elsewhere, and I don’t think it does the squad any good to have people in there who want out. Flog the want-aways and start again. Build around the big Pole (who had a shocker last night, but is still a future Gunners legend), Kos, Coquelin, Jackie-boy, the Ox, Gervinho, etc. It’s been said a million times, but I would prefer to get humped and put up a fight than lose a narrow one in which we made no effort (obv last night was the worst of both worlds). A bit of fight goes a long way in the hearts of the fans.
I also think someone said something vaguely nice (or at least not scathingly awful) about Piers Morgan last night.
Let’s be fucking clear lads – he and his sort need a clip round the ear. It’s not supporting a club if you quite clearly can’t wait to tell the whole world how sh!t the team, manager and groundsman are after every defeat. It’s just hedging your bets – win and you can pretend to be a fan. Lose and you get to head online and strut around telling everyone how right you are, and how anyone who disagrees that the manager should be shot just doesn’t love the club as much as you. The man is an oxygen thief, and the same goes for those two muppets over at that other blog where the pond dwellers meet up every morning to compare their impotent rage.
Good to have got all that off my chest. Here’s to a decent result on Sunday, onwards and upwards.
COYRRR
Cheer up, all. When we turn the Milan game around around at the Emirates, we shall make history by becoming the first team to come back from a 4-0 drubbing in the first leg of a CL game.
Just hoping against hope…
From the heart post, N7, well done.
The Scene – Happy Train MkII – various……
Dr Feelgood and Professor Storey pick their way through the wreckage. Β Discarded Bubble Wrap suits are strewn as far as the eye can see, amidst broken glasses and shattered television screens. Various doors are hanging from their hinges at crooked angles. Β Edwin tuts disapprovingly as he moves from one disaster to the next. Β Feelgood beside him wears a look of stoic defiance.
Edwin : “This will take ages to put right. Β We are not just talking about a minor tweak here and there….this is going to require a complete re-think.”
Feelgood : Β “Thinking is what I do best Edwin, as you know….”
Edwin (grimaces): Β “One of the things we need to look at is the make up of the front-line team. Β I mean have we got the right people in the right positions? Β Are we playing to our strengths? Are we the best we can be?”
Feelgood : “No, we’re not. Β And the buck stops here. Β With you.”
Edwin : “Me?”
Feelgood : “Yip. Β I told you, I’ve been thinking. Β And I think YOU should be in charge. Β Give the wailing masses what they want – change. Β They can have a new man in charge, and they can put their petty black scarves back in the drawer, and watch as the Pheasant rises from the cinders…..”
Edwin : Β “Phoenix, Dr F, …..the ashes.”
Feelgood : “Let’s leave the cricket till the summer, Edwin…..”
*Coat hastily removed and disappears from bar*
Dr Z
whimsical……. π
My mate, who’s a spurs fan, reckons that spurs are
practically royalty.
“Why?” I asked.
“Well look at some of our players over the years, Kevin PRINCE-Boateng, Ledley KING!” He replied.
“Oh yeah, and that Aaron Lennon..” I added.
“Whats he got to do with it?” He asked.
“Well he’s a right fucking queen, isn’t he?”
N7 @ 167 – great post.
My hope is that most of them want be here and fight for the shirt next year, although RvP’s patience is going to be tested if we have another performance like that this season. But the young players who have it all still to prove, and the others that loved the club (a la Mert, Gerv etc) before even joining, should be the back bone for seasons to come. The squad will need some augmentations though, through a couple of nifty transfer dealings, hopefully ones that are slightly more ambitious than we’ve seen during the last few transfer windows…
NBN – here’s hoping!
On a serious note, I’ve been seeing all over the Arsenal blogosphere that “RVP is surely gone” yadayada. I also noticed that most of the people saying it were the ones who were going “he’s always injured, sell him” …Not sure if anyone in here was saying that but do all football fans share the same sense of fickleness? (Is that even a word? Gotta stop drinking while posting drinks)
As I mentioned in an earlier post I didn’t catch the game, here’s West Upper Jrs take on it…
Yes, it was really embarrassingly bad. Our only credible performers were Koscielny in the first half before he got injured (Vermaelen had a complete nightmare) and RvP in the second. Oxlade should clearly have started as one of our few form players but Walcott’s “experience” – of disappeaing in complete anonymity presumably – won the day.
I would happily get rid of Walcott, Rosicky & Djourou who are worthless (as well as the other expensive deadwood; Arshavin, Park, Chamakh, Diaby, Almunia, Fabianski etc). Ramsey was terrible again and I think Coquelin would have been a much better bet, and helped out Song defensively.
We knew we had no chance of winning it, of course, but our utter mediocrity was exposed ruthlessly. Clueless and toothless in attack, nervous and weak in defence, ponderous and pedestrian in the middle. Without Henry to supply some goal threat and by far our best defender in Koscielny I think the next few games could be interesting…
I’m not going to the home leg as it’s now a dead rubber. Doubt you will be able to sell the tickets anyway.
West Upper (again) – I usually denote my unused seats to charity but I’m not sure that would be kind in this case…
N7 meant to say – what a great description :
….where the pond dwellers meet up every morning to compare their importent rage…
feck apple, where did that “r” come from?? π³
CoR – I’ve had many-a ‘debate’ about exactly that on another blog, and it seems that many arsenal fans share this fickleness, probably even more than most. And btw fickleness is a word! π
2003-2010 “RvP = perma-crock, sell the fucker. How many chances are we gonna give him?”
2010-Present “RvP = our saviour, what are we gonna do when he leaves?! I know, sack Wenger.”
Will Diaby be the next one? π
Zico – “where did that βrβ come from??”
What you mean on the word ‘rage’? π
NO Dr Zee please stay! You are the only one making me laugh today..
Change is good but surely putting Edwin in charge is a step in the wrong direction. Feelgood needs to re-think this plan…One of the many valid concerns regarding the Happy Train’s management is that the bean counters have had far too much influence over the direction and tactical plans …we need to go back to the swashbuckling tactics of the old “indestructibles” and put those ‘Pheasant-pluckers’ back in their holes..(0;
You know what GT, I would be raging with you if I could only find my “R”s…..
AH, GT, you beat me to the “pheasant plucker” phrase… !!
There is no doubt that the Prof is the brains behind the organisation, but does he want to be the “front man”??
Over such concerns I lie awake at night…! π
CoR @ 73: Queen indeed…and she shaves pretty patterns on her eyebrows …
Read today that Ibrahimovic was on trial at the Arsenal…Le Boss thought that he was an arrogant tosspot! No wonder he always plays his best game against us..
Can anyone list the World Class we have had on trial as kids and then let go? I can think of 4…now I am starting to make myself unhappy again …
* cup of Blue Mountain coffee might perk me up – any one for a cuppa? *
“See, after a while, it all gets mixed up in your head, and you can’t remember whether life’s shit because Arsenal are shit or the other way around.”
I love that movie.
N7 @167 – Great Post .
“even if the worst comes to pass, even if we crash out on Saturday, get beat the following Sunday and finish 8th, weβll still be the Arsenal. Life will go on, day will follow night and weβll be back again in September, ready to go again.”
Wise words indeed .
There is still , however , much to look forward to , even in the short term . This team still has it within them to take something from this season.
We are , to an extent , on the edge of a precipice , and that is a frightening place to be . Yet , the bones of a good side are there . We are financially sound at a time when the Revenue will be making the heart of more than one Premiership Chairman beat that little bit faster . We have a good nucleus of young and talented players who even in this age of teenage multi-millionaires appear to have developed a feeling for the Club , and we have a manager who is still a cut above the rest .
A bit of judicious pruning in the summer and a couple of signings to make RVP sit up , and all may yet be well .
As for Penis Morgan and our two friends at Le Grove , unless they are within touching distance and you happen to have an electric cattle prod to hand , I think they are best ignored .
Dr Z @170 – usual excellence π
GT @ 166 Props for you mate. @ 89 Agree with you about this Milan side, they are very formidable. You hit the nail on the head about our lads having to play out of position, but what choice did AW have (injuries)? Remember when we played City…we lost but it didn’t feel that way. Why? Because they played their hearts out and then some. You know Frimpong was quoted a while back that he read several blogs. Wouldn’t be surprised if he read this one, andI’m sure others on the team do as well. My message to this team is simple, ‘Do your very best lads, wear your colors with pride, and have some fun while your’re at it’. Remember, there is always tomorrow!
Dr Zee: you left your “r” in “impo ‘r’ tent” – glad to be of help (0;
So my feeling in my waters must of just been a water infection and nothing more as it was painful to watch even from behind the sofa throught two fingers over the one eye.
Lost for words, a season defining game that could of lifted the club as well as the players and fans is left in tatters. I too share the worry about what is starting to seem like the regular Arsenal end of season disaster.
Its not regular but somehow feels that way. “Its Febuary quick look iceberg” what iceberg ? Very very loud bang ! That fucking iceberg !
I can easily forgive the score, I can forgive AW for not having a plan B. However I can not forgive the lack of drive and determination from the players. I feel for the wonderful supporters who once again have shelled vast amounts of money only to watch a team throw in the towel before the second round bell had even chimed. Its just not fair on them !
AW loves the term fighting spirit, were was that ? If they gave thier all and lost 4-0 then I am fine with that no problem just beaten by the better team end of and it happens.
If I was privileged enough to have played last night I would have no problem appoligizing to the fans for such a poor performance as they deserve it. Harsh ? maybe, deserved deffiantly !
Here`s to bouncing striaght back over the weekend against the black cats.
Gooner til I die !
Well Zico I was wrapping up and I thought I should reply to your comment.
I am arguing with those shrill moaners (not you Geo, as you explained it) who think they know better than the manager and then go to the stadium booing some of the players who they think should not play.
Let the manager do his damn job. And if the results are not up to the mark at the end of the season, you have the right to ask for answers because you are paying top money to the club.
I dont think Wenger has performed his role well this year from buying enough quality to employing correct tactics but let him do his team selection and substitutions. Rest is your wish chum.
Fair enough Dhruv.
I think though there are plenty of people who ask questions about team selection/positions etc who go to games and don’t boo. I’m one of them and I think Arsene got a few things wrong last night.
In fact, you will find very few of us in here who go to the stadium (or not) would ever boo ANY player that wears the shirt – but then that has been debated ad infinitum.
Questioning tactics, team selection, Ivan’s choice of lunch venue, it’s all up for grabs as far as I’m concerned. We don’t have to wait till the end of the season for that, and it doesn’t turn us into doomers either.
Have a guinness and chill. 8)
Well put@190, zico.
tabs@185, good stuff. I have been thinking along the same lines for a while, we are not that far away from something really good – and maybe that is why we feel so frustrated.
N7@167: spot on re: Morgan. What a tosser.
Ok so ‘people’ often say to me “GoonerTerry how come you are always so optimistic about the Arsenal? Its kinda fucking irritating!” And my sage response is always “cause I try to manage my own expectations darling” (admittedly its usually my 12-year old daughter asking)…
Managing expectations: Yes. After the start that we made to this season actually joint 4th ahead of the Chav$ seems wonderful to me…the comeback against Sunderland last weekend still makes me happy…I never really thought that we’d win the CL – any hope of that went when the draw was made…all I was thinking then was that I wanted to avoid Barca…then WHAM!! Milan!! and I thought ah well….I will just keep my own council with regards to my feelings on this one I said..
What are my feelings on ‘this’?: Well I believe (or hope to be more accurate) that this year is significantly different from last year in the following ways:
1. Last year we went for everything (not the first year either)..but after the Carling Cup disaster and the loss to Barca at Camp Nou confidence plummeted….and it was a tiny miracle that we went on to hang on to 4th..
2. This year’s terrible start can’t have instilled any hope in Le Boss – or any of the players for that matter – that we could have sustained a similar broad attack on all fronts. Then with the various injuries to our fullbacks (the fulcrum of our trusted tactic of moving the ball forwards from the back and keeping it wide) If there were any expectations more than damage limitation in the team or management then they are madder than me and Dr Feelgood…and surely that’s not possible..
3. As TABs has said, 4th place (and as Holic keeps reminding us: 3rd would be preferable given that the Euro’s will bound to take its toll on our players and an early qualifying round would be the last thing we need with a close-season tour to Asia & Nigeria added to boot!) FUCK!!…the point is that qualifying for the CL again would be sensational given all that’s at stake!
4. So its the F.A. Cup for any chance of redemption. For the same reasons as last year’s League Cup final its the only thing that will stop the rot; stop the debilitating and irritating narrative ..you know the…”and Arsenal has not won a trophy for [blank] years” narrative.
I have managed to manage my expectations despite my natural tendencies to be overly optimistic about all things Arsenal. We WILL come out of this…we will be OK…this team will make us all proud of them this season…if not you can all throw rotten eggs at me come the end of the season (0;
GT, you have managed to manage your expectations but have you worked out how to manage Management?
There is at least one keen enthusiast this side of the pond that is interested in taking your Course π
GoonerTerry –
you can disagree or agree with me whenever, and in whatever order, you like. I know you are an old time genuine Gooner and very positive in outlook as, usually, am I.
Your comment of “people say ‘well it’s not the loss, it’s the fact they didn’t try’ “, struck me as dismissive of those “people”, and I guess I was one of them, due to my comment that we so often come away from terrible results “knowing that we could have done so much more, and that hurts more than the result”.
Firstly, you then said “but they did try . . .”
You then went straight on to say that after conceding last night the team “didn’t consolidate, didn’t tighten up, didn’t press, didn’t defend as a team”.
Sounds to me like they didn’t try that much then ?
My point really is that I have sat in the stadium many times in the last few seasons, from where I can see ALL of the pitch ALL of the time, and had the impression that many are not trying enough.
That is where, and only where, you can really see what a player is doing for the entirety of a game.
Far too often, when we have been behind, players have not run around to look for the ball at throw-ins, moved into space to receive a simple pass, got forward to support an attack, or HURRIED back to defend properly.
That is why I say we often could have done so much more.
It has happened too often. It is not good enough.
The criticism is not abusive or unjustified, and does not deserve to be dismissed as the work of “people” who don’t know what they are talking about.
There is a beer on the bar for you – but only if you agree with me ;),
DR Zee: I am probably the wrong person. The last 20-years in senior management means that I am as deluded as all other senior managers worldwide. You would have to ask my subordinates how they have managed to ‘manage’ me for so long (0;
Zico /Feelgood – fine work, again.
Lopes forward to self-assist – at least I’m trying ! π
GT – Management is a Holicism and not what you seem to think it is.
Unless you’re a girl π
Cheers Trev, hope you’re enjoying your hols mate (Gunners result excepted).
Whips in a vicious in-swinging corner……
Ave ‘it!!!
Runs and plants a huge kiss on Zico’s, er, forehead, then points at him as he runs into the corner to celebrate with GoonerTerry.
All is forgiven, all brothers in arms again.
Magnificent assist zico. Cheers, I’ll share my bonus with you, next time we meet up.
Top news item on Arsenal.com today ?
Gunnersaurus Half Term Fun Day !!! Ffs !
Oh, and they have given Rosicky MoM vs AC Milan. Mmmm !
Mr C runs to congratulate Mr T!
And Talkinh Heads!
Fuckin apple predictive text.
Beautiful finish in it’s simplicity, Mr T!
Trev: I see the situation now. Thanks for taking the time to get back to me..Sorry mate, my comments were in no way responding to anything that you said. In fact I thought that your comments were very measured and I agreed with them for the most part..
I don’t do “dismissive”…well not on here anyway…and I normally reserve the term for the likes of Le Grove et al…so please don’t think that anything I said was meant for you. My term ‘people’ is just the way I speak..I got it from one of my ex-colleagues at The Nature Conservancy who used to drive everyone crazy by referring to all of us as “you people”…I took to wearing it as a badge of honour…
I have told you already that I envy you guys that can be at the Emirates week in, week out. I live vicariously through you guys…I depend on your reports and insights about games..what more can I say?
I am not, however, sorry I accused you of being a grudge bearer after that infamous self-assisting incident…but I fully understand after the same thing unwittingly happened to me the other day…
Cheers Mr C, it was richly deserved π
We need to start giving advanced thought to plans for the HT Mk III – we have very important positions to protect here.
Looks like many want to see the permanently crocked shipped out, so we have to find new ways to look busy.
Management is normally the answer. We have to convince Feelgood and TES that we need a whole raft of new nurses in The Quackery. Swedish blondes, French brunettes, April April and Tiffany October could be brought under our auspices. That should give us something to manage, what ?
Talking of auspices, my ‘orse pisses far too much. Any ideas old chap ?
Trev @ 202 I thought you were taking the piss there, but its actually true…
Dr Zee: of THAT Management…well sorry. can’t help you there…perhaps sitting down with Roxette while she’s watching one of her Cooking shows will show her that you really care…I dunno it might work (0;
Trev: Nice goal mate. I knew you had it in you. I am glad that we stuck with you through thick & thin (0;
Thank you Lars, I thought so. Hope TR7 was watching π
GT – no problem, enjoy that pint.
West Upper / Trev: The Arsenal is just cultivating the next generation – just in case you lot don’t work out (0;
Trev, TR7 would probably stand a better chance of scoring if we placed goals at the corner flags π
Trev: Its FFF tomorrow! Lets have a right old punch up..f*ck all this civility BS ..what do you say?
GT @ 212 Its the Rosicky MOM that leaves me gob smacked. I did work out the purpose of the other one but thanks for making sure I understood it anyway….
You lot disagree with each other in a way that makes me a very proud old cunt.
Ah teamwork.
Excellent finish Trev, and a win bonus too?
As long as I don’t have to eat it with your rusty fork. π
Mr T
Stop sneakily giving half your beer to your ‘orse… that should dry him up a tad!
High level (we’re in the mountains after all) meeting tomorrow to consider tactics to secure employment for Mark III.
Bring a French brunette, I’ll bring a chica bonita…
All for it GT.
I’ll be skiing tomorrow, all being well, but you lot can go right at it for all I f*cking care. π
Will do Mr C – free after lunch!
Excellent idea about the ‘orse.
Arsene said in his interview ‘we had to chase the game’ (after conceding) but I think that was at the heart of the loss. A bad pitch, a midfield looking shaky and defenders either coming back or being rearranged yet again should have been the signal that chasing the game wasn’t the best approach. Am I wrong in thinking if that we had tried to play possession football and drop to 2 holding midfielders we might have come away with a 0-1 or even a 1-1 and then still have much to play for in the second leg.
Starting the match with no width and letting simple passes slice us open time and time again surely should have called for a tactical reshuffle with the 11 who were on the pitch.
It’s the day after and I’m still trying to figure it out…..this team isn’t a great Arsenal side but we’re better than a 0-4 in Europe too. I never thought we’d win the CL but as Arseblogger said today going out to AC Milan is no shame as long as we give a good account of ourselves.
Time for a big win at the weekend, or even a scrappy 1-0.
Sad but not writing off this season just yet…
Finally, I vote Song plays central defender for the rest of the season….please….
“secure employment” ???
Should I be concerned ? Do I no longer have the right credentials for the role ? Does my bum look big in this ?
Ominous dark days indeed .
My Kingdom , my kingdom , my kingdom for a horse (non-pissing) .
Nurse Wolfie, your presence is assumed, and your future ensured.
The only change in your circumstances will be that Mr C and I will carry out all full (not ‘awful’) examinations of new nurse applicants.
OK class I will now be handing you over to Mr. Holic to supervise the next session. And remember no matter how he refers to himself you are not allowed to call him an ‘old cunt’…do I make myself CLEAR??
Good see you chaps later for a late drink…those that are still standing that is (0;
GT – what not even on FFF ?
Mr T @223 – Phew !!
Got my Speeoes in a twist for a moment there .
Now, now Trev don’t make the Guv have to punish you..
Nice one Tim. Glad I stuck around to read your post…I feel the same )0;
Excellent post-match analysis by Zonal Marking, http://bit.ly/xqAzIT, as others in the bar have noted. For me, these two paragraphs are the money points:
Milan certainly played well, but their performance was more about maximum efficiency than great skill. They actually only managed five shots on target in the game, and there were rarely slick passing moves or periods of utter dominance from them. They were just brilliantly ruthless when they went forward … Arsenal were weak, and Milan were brutal.
This is a genuinely shocking result for Arsenal. In terms of style, Milan seemed the ideal side for them to face, because of their vulnerability to pace and width, but Arsenal didnβt show either of those features here. Itβs staggering that Arsenal didnβt go wide more readily, and difficult to explain.
Wolfie @ 222 (you double Nelson, you)
Yes it does. Look big.
You cut me to the core Dr Z π
Ned, is it that staggering?
Apart from the wide areas of the pitch looking like a cross between Kempton Park and Normandy beach, the only “wide” player we had was Walcott who was at his least intimidating, (at least until the Ox came on) – nobody else in the team is comfortable playing out wide and continually turn inside. (It doesn’t help when you’re full backs are not able to help much in terms of width either).
Part of our problem (imo) for a few seasons now is Arsene asking players to play in positions they are not suited to, and not always through necessity.
Not my most coherent above, sorry
….”the only wide player we had (at least until the Ox came on)….. and
…”nobody else in the team is comfortable playing out wide and they continually turn inside (e.g. Ramsay, Rosicky. Indeed even Walcott prefers to come inside than hit the byline).
My point was that zonal marking said “It’s staggering Arsenal didn’t go wide more readily” but I don’t think it was/is staggering given the players we have played in wide positions, this season and before.
I suppose where they (Zonal Marking) are bang on the money is that the one player we expect to give us pace and width was in hiding pretty much until he got substituted.
I, like a few, wonder whether Theo will ever make it at Arsenal.
Quick thanks to all and an update. Four hours later herself is back on the ward and Doc says op a success.
Drinking here π
I find criticism of Walcott rather harsh. He provided most assists to RVP this season. I think the expectation is way to high. he is not Henry he is a good player and thats about it and fans need to accept it. Is he a bad player? Absolutely not. He is better than the likes of Lennon, Milner and others but he is not world class and i think that is not going to change. his crossing has improved and his speed is still an asset to have in certain games, the OX is the real deal but Walcott is not a bad option to have in the team. Its up to the manager to use with wisely
GH good news! Hope she has a speedy recovery.
Excellent news Holic.
Have one on me and a whole barrell on the Feelgood Executive (erm, sorry Professor Storey Executive) Team.
Holic
great news my friend.
all the best for the future.
cheers
clive
Feelgood
in view of your update on the battered state of the HT,
If said train is unavailable for Saturday,may i recommend my good friend Thomas The Tank Engine,and his mates,James,Rosie,Fred and Bob,between them they should be able to get the diehards there and back in one piece on Saturday.
cheers
The Sweeper.
Thanks for the update βholic β great news. Here’s to a speedy recovery.
Zico @ 232
Only a Few,??
I think you will find there is a fucking Multitude asking that question.!!
Sweeper, so you were the Fat Controller back in the day?
Between the bike sheds in Hendon and your excursions up Kings Cross with April and Tiff, you have indeed led a rich and varied life.
For what it’s worth, I’m sure Professor Edwin will have the HT ready and raring to go come Saturday.
Holic: That’s great news! I continue to send positive vibes for Managements quick recovery..
Holic, Now things are looking up, thanks for sharing with us.
Apparently there were some sort of competitive sporting activities or other going on over the past 24 hours. Who knew? Scores and match reports below.
Fridge Disunited 0:5 Snowy Unacademicals
An evening of intense drinking saw an in form Snowy Unacademicals repeatedly unlock a sloppy Fridge defence. In what many beforehand regarded as a foregone conclusion, the Unacademicals took all 3 points, and 5 cans of Guinness over the 90 minutes.
Unathletico Duvet 1:0 Feline Casuals
A fierce battle of wills between two evenly matched sides saw a tense second half standoff, Duvet eventually seeing off the Felines with a late bedtime volley that literally cleared the pitch, and saw the hosts bag all three points and some kip. An unsuccessful evening for the visitors, facing relegation to the Catbasket League.
Needforalieinafter Wednesday 3:7 Unsporting Catalarmclock
Despite valiant attempts by the home side, clearly eyeing a 3:0 shut out after the first 45 minutes, Wednesday folded in spectacular fashion in the second half. A 7am breakfast silenced the Unsporting visitors, who took all 3 points, from all 3 catbowls, in what is becoming an all too frequent result at the Stadium of Sleep.
Yours, in denial, Snowy
*fingers in ears, shouting βlalalalala Iβm not listeningβ at any attempt to speak of any other sporting activity*
π
heh, Top Man Snowy π
Them fridges are slow and have no imagination.
The chants of “Snowy, Snowy, Snowy, Snowy” rings out around the stadium…
Snowy, Nurse Wolfie is a expert in denial, perhaps he can be of some assistance to you.
‘Holic, very pleased for you. Good news.
zico – there can be only one substitute if the HT is still out of service on Saturday – it has to be The Flying Scotsman π
Heh. *scuttles back off for an early night. Man flu descending*
Snowy –
“Feline Casuals” – is this your attire or a reference to your pets ?
If it is the former you can expect huge interest from Wolfgang. If it is the latter you may still get huge interest from Wolfgang. π
Top man, anyway.
Great news Holic.
‘night all.
Heh Trev,
It takes more than a few broken bits of glass to derail the Happy Train.
Saturday is another day.
Onwards and upwards, inch by fucking inch, as the tabsmeister has it.
I remember when Arsenal fielded the first all black professional football team in European football; For some strange reason Wenger has completely changed this policy of buying strong African players to now buying only slow weak European players and this is the key reason why we now get bullied off the park by top teams. With the exception of the Ox, Vermalen, Kos, RVP and Sagna, Wengers gone and replaced strong quick black players like Vieira, Kolo, Eboue, Lauren, Ady, Henry, Sol, Gilberto, Nasri and Clichy with a bunch gutless pussies.
Take a look at Man Cityβs starting line up tonight De Jong, Lescott, Yaya, Clichy, Nasri, Kompany and Balotelli says it all really doesnβt it.
Iβm not saying we need an all black team obviously the 2 best players in world football right now are white so that would be a stupid argument. Iβm saying to be a top team you need a mixture of both strong, quick and technical players. Wenger for whatever reason has forgotten his original ephos and that for me has been his biggist problem.
Good news ‘Holic. I toast you both with a fine Arran. Here’s to a speedy recovery.
Re: Snowy @244: Excellent write-ups. π
Re: ‘holic @233: Mazel tov to the missus and happy Guinness to you. π
Holic , that’s great news . All the best and hope Mrs H is home soon .
Snowy – heh π π
228North Bank Ned on 16 Feb 2012 at 7:15 pm228
Itβs staggering that Arsenal didnβt go wide more readily, and difficult to explain
Did you see that pitch? Any analyist would have told the Milan coach our success has been via wings to RVP, predominantly a la Walcott.
Knowing that Theo is ‘temperamental’ to say the least a recently laid cabbage patch seems to me a masterstroke of management
‘Holic: delighted to hear the good news about the Management. Best wishes and hopes for a continued and speedy recovery.
ABB @247 – I’m not an expert in denial , no way !!! π
Trev @250 – Quite right ,I have a huge interest in both bed attire and pets .
In regard to the former I generally go for the heated curlers and shortie nightie look , but this can be adapted to a more risque appearance (heeled slippers) when that lovely Barry Davies pops round for his bed-time horlicks .
As for pets , I enjoy the company of reptiles .
zico , GT, 8ball and tabs – π
Nurse abb β I shall take your word for it and seek his assistance π
But Trev β I shall leave Mr Smallballs to comment as to his thoughts on that one π
Did I mention Iβm off to a place called Sunnerlint on Saturday? For a singing competition with my, errrm, Glee club. Yes, thatβs it.
I was at the venue last weekend too, for a rehearsal β some sort of field the local Pony Club use for gymkhanas, I think. Well thatβs what it looked like anyway.
I must say I do like this competitive singing thing of a weekend. You know the organisers are so generous they even get some young chaps to run around chasing what I believe is known in technical terms as a βfootballβ to provide a diversion for us as we sing. Most kind of them.
Anyway, must get some practice in. These songs donβt sing themselves you know, and my Glee club are unbeaten this season at away venues, so we have a certain amount of pride riding on this one:
Lalala la la lalaa…(shit)
Lalala la la laa…(Tottnum)
Lalaβ¦(thatβs awright)
Lalalalaaaa lalalalaaaa lalalalaaaa lalalalaaaaβ¦
Lalalalaaaa lalalalaaaa lala lalala lalaaaaβ¦
Like it? I think itβs going to be massive on Saturday. Now, what was it she wore again?
π
*still mainly in denial, as if that were in any doubt*
I see a lot of Jo Nesbo around but I never follow up on it, The Millennium Trilogy had everything you could want in a trilogy for me, but when I found out that there was a 4th manuscript that’s in a legal battle between the late Stieg Larsson’s girlfriend, and the publishers, I lost the desire for the Crime Thriller.
Is Jo Nesbo the author to spark my interest in the Crime Thriller Genre tabs, Clive & Trev?
N7 Gooner @ 167, Very Bloody Well Said Mate π
Dr F @ 170, never thought I’d see the day.
Zico @ 177/178, I’d get that Apple Device Checked for Le Grove programming mate… π
ARSENAL1971 @ 188, excellent summary with a great end message π
GT @ 192, sage words my friend.
Zico/Trev @ 199/200, golden stuff lads, its beautiful, its dynamite, its the best combo since Street Fighter!
Trev @ 208, French Brunettes eh…? π
‘Holic @ 216, aww, bless your heart π
And great news @ 233!
Well in Snowy!
Dear (Temporary) Diary
Another Feelgood masterplan is underway.
Edwin is the new me. So they think.
But really, I’m the new me.
Gotta run, Roxette Is singing “what shall we o ith the drunken sailor?” again.
Nurse Wolfie @260 – Reptiles? Are you, in fact, Selma Bouvier?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recurring_characters_in_The_Simpsons#Jub-Jub
π
Zico
unfortunately i was not intelligent enough to be the Controller,
i was only the poor Stoker on the footplate feeding the fires.!!
Trev,
re Jo Nesbo,
would suggest you start with the first book,The RedBreast,as the storyline regarding Harry Hole is woven throughout all the books that follow.
Cheers
The sweeper.
Tabs
Tiff has come back to me with a few questions that i have to ask you,before she will commit to being your ‘Travelling ‘ Companion on the HT on saturday.
Can you please answer the following,
1,Have you ever been Institutionalised.??
2,Have you had any Surgical enhancements.??
3,Are you Physically handicapped in any way.??
4,Are you Circumcised or Full Cover.??
5,Are you an Alcoholic as opposed to a Goonerholic.??
6,Do you have False Teeth.??
7,Do you suffer from a fear of Flying.??
If you could reply ASAP,it would be appreciated.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Snowy – Certainly not !! Although Selma is something of a role model when it comes to smoking and , as you point out , pet choice , her fashion sense is sadly lacking – centre parting ???? pink earrings ????
blue flat shoes ????
She can’t compete with my unique catwalk look which I like to think is an exciting and innovative cross between Mark Spitz and Cruella de Vil .
Clive , will have those answers in a jiffy .
Holic, great news. Have a large one of whatever you like on my tab!
Right Clive , here we go …
1. Not really , although I did suffer the misfortune of having to attend School in my formative years . I like to think , however , that I have overcome this bleak start to life , and now consider myself something of a “freebird” .
2. Not really necessary . I did consider buttock enlargement for a brief period in the eighties but gave up the idea when I joined the “size isn’t everything” Party .
3. Yes . I never got past the basic forward roll in PE training . A cartwheel is quite beyond me . This inability has held me back in so many ways .
4. I am flexible in this regard .
5. Only at Weekends , although I would like to drink more in the week as I find it stops me from jogging .
6. No , although I have had my wisdom teeth removed . I would of course accede to any request of Tiffany’s as to nipping , biting and chewing .
7. Plane , No . Balloons and Gliders , Yes .
I look forward to your earliest reply ,
Yours expectantly ,
Tabs .
Clive,
I will heed your advice re RedBreast and attempt to suppress my discomfort at trying to familiarise myself with a new hero whose name is much too close to Hairy Hole for my liking.
These had better be damn good stories !
It’s the slopes for me tomorrow so an earlyish night is in order.
Wind – quieten your enthusiasm for my French Brunettes please. They are very beautiful, but prefer a degree of mature sophistication π
‘Night all. Nightcaps and Lars’ wallet are on the bar.
Clive / Tabs –
quite mad! Big hehs, I’ll leave you to it, π
Hope tomorrow brings great news for the management:) things are coming to a head with regards to this present team. You’ve been around a few years like me, the board didn’t back george graham in the latter days of his tenure, wonder if wenger is getting the same treatment?
Tabs
I have passed on your replies to Tiffany,but she is rather concerned about your flippant answer to question 4.
Either you ARE or you AREN’T.
Depending on your response,will determine whether Tiff has to bring an extra piece of equipment with her.
Please confirm
Cheers
The Pimp,
oops sorry,!!
The Sweeper.
Good news and best wishes holic
Sweeper ,
What is this equipment you speak of ?
Tabs
Delayed response, Clive??
Tabs
I have no idea what equipment Tiff will need to bring with her,
It all depends on your answer to question 4.
Please reply,so i can pass on to Tiffany.
Trev @ 271, heh! Enthusiasm quietened, but not turned down completely π
Great news `Holic! Best wishes for a prompt recovery.
That’s good news, ‘Hols. Our best to your better half.
Did somebody say “extra equipment”? It sounds like it could be something from the Spanish Inquisition. Not sure if that’s absolutely a negative thing in this case, mind you. π
Trev: Enjoy the mad dash down the hill…a nice steaming glass of mull wine will taste so good when you come back off the slopes..
First off, great news Holic. All the best to the management again from me.
I donβt think Walcottβs the finished product yet I must say. I DO think he will make it if he keeps his head on though.
I think we underestimated exactly how much the system change and players leaving/absences has affected players like Chamakh, Arshavin and Walcott. Chamakh linked quite well with Nasri and Wilshere behind him. Arshavin linked well with Bendtner and Chamakh. In terms of goalscoring Walcott benefitted significantly from Fabregas through balls. Added to that, Walcott is still only 22. He is nowhere near his peak yet! Heβll be hitting his peak over the next few years I think. Ian Wright was now getting recognized at his age so I think we need to remember that every player has a different timeframe for growth.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has different attributes and looks impressive right now but he could very well go off the boil in the future. And then what? The same fans who booed Arsene for taking him off the other day will be clamouring for him to be sold and threatening him on Twitter, Iβm sure. I think Theo is on the verge of becoming consistent but itβll take a lot of hard work. Would be a shame to see him leave and improve with some other team.
Interesting that a player who divides opinion so much in the Gooner camp is always a player that other teams make the most preparations for. Surely that pitch was deliberately churned up to counter Theo (and Oxlade I would imagine) running up the wing?
By the way, has a game ever been postponed/abandoned if they realize a pitch has been deliberately messed up?
I hope that didn’t sound too ranty, because I didn’t write it in that tone π
Ciders for everyone!
UTA
That was in reference to zico and wedroppedalittle’s comments at 231 and 234 btw
I agree CoR @ 285, that pitch looks a bit too manufactured to me, a Milan player even replaced the turf ffs.
Dodgy indeed. But I sadly can’t answer your question, I guess if the pitch is deemed fit to play on by the referee (who might of been in someone’ pocket mind you) its (not so fair) play on.
I won’t use the condition of the field as an excuse for that woeful performance. However, I think there is entirely too much money in football and too much at stake now for professional players to be playing on the pitches that we’ve played our last 2 games on. In fact, I think it’s disgraceful and if these teams are doing it for tactical reasons then I think it’s a cowardly act.. –
My intention was not to make excuses for the recent bad performance Impeccable1, but a bad pitch is a bad pitch. Professionals need to get on with it of course but it makes a huge difference to play and is extremely dangerous. We just lost TWO players because of those pitches.
CoR: By no means did I suggest that you were using it as an excuse. If you look at my comment closely, you’ll see that we are both saying the same thing. Cheers CoR!
I think no attention should be paid to the pitch whatsoever. Champions adapt and get on with it, no matter the conditions. For centuries generals had looked for the “pitch” that highlighted their strengths and negated their opponents’ strengths. Sports are the same way. For years, Denver Broncos and Nuggets have benefitted from playing at altitude. The New York Giants were notorious for opening the loading gates at their old stadium to produce eddies and currents to negate their opponents’ passing and kicking games.
That’s the advantage of home field, and there is no shame in maximizing it.
If you can only win games on manicured pitches, against teams who will “allow” you to play by not parking the bus, whilst only wearing a particular strip (no, not ever wearing the yellow strip – heaven forbid), and only when Jupiter is eclipsing Mars…
I just hate the allowances being made for abject performances, leadership, and, yes, coaching.
But, hey, as I have said before, why get angry? π
BMBD.
As I said previously, if clubs like Sunderland and AC Milan are preparing these cow patches for tactical reasons, I think this ploy is utterly disgraceful and cowardly. These pitches are extremely dangerous and shouldn’t be allowed. Additionally, it’s not a good look for the sport as these games are being broadcasted worldwide. As a matter of fact,I live in The States, however, I’d often change the channel if I saw a MLS game being played on an American Football field. I refuse to watch such thing as you cannot expect people to take you seriously when playing on these types of pitches.
Impeccable – Do you see a difference in setting up your team to negate the other team’s strength (for instance, by parking the bus and playing anti-football) and setting up your pitch to negate the other team’s strength?
I don’t.
To quote Herm Edwards, “You play to WIN the game.”
BMBD.
The field is definitely not the primary reason we lost in Milan and it’s not the reason why we won at Sunderland. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that these were bad and dangerous pitches.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-Arsene-Wenger-swore-at-players-and-never-seen-so-angry-in-crisis-meeting-after-Milan-massacre-article866290.html
Finally!
The sugarcoating everything for these “mentally strong” players didn’t work, at least something else is being tried.
LG – just texted ya bro
Small chuckle to be found here, you late-night debaters you π
http://www.theda.co.uk/2012/02/johan-djourou-to-try-an-admin-role.html#more-4035
Hey LG, I think it’s one thing to set up a plan to negate another team’s play but is that really how the game was designed to be played?
If it is they say, “We can’t play them so let’s mess up the field so they injure themselves,” that’s not a gameplan that’s just underhand tactics.
Lonestar: I understand your perspective but the issue of the field is a bit different from parking the bus in my opinion. Parking the bus (as annoying as it is) can be considered to be a tactical ploy and if a team chooses to do that and win, well, kudos to them. On the contrary, I think the playing surface should be of a certain standard at this level and thus, these cow patches shouldn’t be used as tactical ploys as they are extremely dangerous for all the players involved.
LG: I’m not from the school of win at all cost in sports.
I think it is a dangerous concept for sports. Get in!
Goal
My first goal after all these years. Sorry for the self assist but couldn’t resist as I’m a dribbler by nature. Ha!
I will concede the point that the pitches can injure if they are uneven or recently sod, but don’t both teams bear equal risk of injury?
It’s not as if Milan or Sunderland sheltered their top player while exposing only exposing our players and their reserves to danger.
Indeed, don’t we keep a well manicured pitch and even water the field prior to the kick in order to facilitate our passing game. I don’t think you can have it both ways.
Yes, I want a safe pitch, and an aesthetically pleasing pitch, but if another team is willing to manipulate the pitch to negate our strengths, I don’t think it is cowardly. Rather, it is prudent and effective.
Perhaps we should do more of that at the Ems? Maybe we could intall bear traps in the opposing third? π
BMBD.
That’s a yellow, Impeccable… π
Laters…
BMBD!
Impeccable1 gets a yellow for self-assisting!
I’d say you ARE from the school of “whatever it takes to win” my friend π
I think I’m gonna go watch Fever Pitch to better my mood.
It always works.
Cheers CoR and Lonestar! Lol!
All my fellow holics were hesitant to receive the ball, so I thought I’d just go on a Messi-esque dribble and kick it into the roof of the net.
“I have never been able to answer the question, “Why does this matter to me so much?” That’s just the way it’s always been. Ever since I can remember. You get older, your life changes, your friends change, your house changes, family members start dying, your kids start morphing into miniature people β¦ and yet, one thing never changes for anyone who truly cares about sports. See, there’s no feeling quite like watching your team blowing a big game. It’s devastating. It’s paralyzing. It’s the only feeling that a 6-year-old, a 42-year-old and a 64-year-old can share exactly. You never get over it. You never stop thinking about the three or four plays that could have swung the game. It becomes something of a sports tattoo. You live with it forever, and then you die.”
A paragraph that always makes me cry.
@305 – it worked.
13 days till London.
I love you Arsenal.
That was quick! I loved the book but not sure about the movie, maybe I need to watch it again. Having a hard time getting the DVD to work on my Betamax though…
Cannons, you have Betamax?
Lock your doors π
Impeccable1@300: You’ve got to improve your kicking and distribution. π
Think back to some of the pitches in the old First Division. Made the San Siro look like a billiard table.
There is nothing new in doctoring the pitches. When Cloughie managed Derby County he used to get the fire brigade to douse the Baseball Ground ahead of home European Cup games. Perhaps it was from him that O’Neill got the idea.
Despite the current climate here, a good number of the Greek lads from Arsenal Hellas made the trip from Athens to Milan. Will be interesting to hear their views at the club tomorrow. Meantime re comments above on the Milan pitch, dont seem to recall Ibra having too much trouble opening the afterburners down the line and away from Bacs for the second goal.
Top Man Snowy, great work on the denial front π
CoR@284: interesting thoughts, Ramsey is a good example of how people can turn on a player. I have to say I doubt Theo will develop too much more, though, but he can still be an asset and if he signs a new contract at a reasonable wage I’d be perfectly ok with that.
Snir@308: when you get to London, don’t forget to try Nando’s π
Right, this “work” thingie calls for my attention again…
Morning ‘Holic & ‘Holics,
First and most importantly fantastic news ‘Holic re: Management. Now wishing for a supersonic recovery.
Snowy – Fully endorse the spectacular denial method employed yesterday to help the day pass with the minimum amount of weeping and/or teeth gnashing. The Prof chose to throw himself into his work and set about prepping the HT for the trip to ‘Sunnerlint’ (heh!) but I’m with you and am giving due consideration to joining my own local Glee Club Terrace Choir in support of the premiere league of pony gymkhanas. On the downside, they frown on scarf waving but on the plus side they thoroughly approve of crops and silly trousers. What’s that you say? *removes fingers from ears*
PS: Good luck to The Feline Casuals and ‘boooooo!’ to The Unsporting Catalarmclocks. Are they ‘forrin’?
Right
Holic, you old cunt
Snir, with your fucking magic balls.
Trev, with you incontinent horse and glamming it up down the slopes
CoR, with your “oooo look at me, I can speak Japanese”.
Lonestar, with your perverted Llama fetish.
Clive, with your perma wankathon
Zico and BtM, you Hebridian barbarians
TS, with your fucking twitter frenzy
TaBS, with your dodgy cross dressing alter ego.
Steve T, you wide bastard. Still fit into your Harrington do you? Didn’t think so.
Snowy. Good man? Who the fuck says so?
Wind. Wind? More like Fart.
GT…. you smug bastard lazing around in Jamaica. We know you’re a London boy really.
ABB with your bloody Elton John obsession. Here’s a clue – he’s not for you!
8ball …. still harbouring a Na$ri craving, no doubt
And all the rest of you sods, Happy Fackin’ Feisty Friday!
*kiss to lovely Delia and Norfolk Dumpling* π
…. and you, Lars. You Scandi f*cker.
#FFF#
…and Ollie. Can’t believe I forgot you. You can fuck off too.
#FFF#
Catalan – you fackin’ tax exile spine doctor!
Just to make up for my FFF rant…
Here’s a present to you all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzqm6zsawlc&feature=youtu.be
Zico
Got a problem wiv that? Ave ya??
#FFF#
Mister,
You’ve obviously got Senora Catalan at your side since you’re feeling SO brave.
Watch out for me and my mates descending upon you – we’re the guys with the blue paint on our face π
and wearing skirts presumably Dr Z ? π
Heh, no, naked!
If that doesn’t scare them nothing will. π
π
The Gooner Ladyboy Massive , in other words π
Whatever, tabs, it’s kept him quiet.
My guess is he’s gone into the Witness Protection Programme.
Feelgood Freedom Fighters Rool!
Clive @278 π
Well , all I can say is that Tiff is very thorough in her preparation .
The reason I asked what “instrument” she will be bringing was that I was concerned it might be a small pen-knife or a pair of nail scissors !
That should give you the information you require .
Yours Unadultered
Tabs .
Clearly our resident quack is running scared Dr Z .
I was going to tell him to fuck off , it being FFF an’ all , but I now see there is no need π
Just biding my time, Zico, just biding my time!
Got to say, those guys must have had some balls (though perhaps not for long) going into battle naked! Can’t say it would have been my first thought.
“Oh look, lots of heavily armoured Romans with sharp swords. Right, kit off then.” π
Sharp swords?
Pah, only a scratch.
A pretty balanced article from one of the less stupid journalists out there …
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9087456/Arsene-Wenger-deserves-one-final-summer-to-rebuild-Arsenals-squad-after-the-humiliation-in-Milan.html
Mr C @329 π
Fair article, thanks TaBS.
Interesting that most of the meedja are not (yet) calling for him to be kicked out. Unlike our fans.
@316: Thanks Catalan! Already drunk here as it’s nighttime and I don’t waste time on a FFF. Have some of my wine from my bottle which just says wine…
Mr C @333
Very very few who either are in the game now or who have been in the game at some point , slate him .
I would say the knockers are essentially limited to
1. Le Grove and their fundamentally stupid readers .
2. Old school xenophobic journos .
3. Ex players who in the absence of any discernable intelligence have to make a name for themselves in the media in other ways – Savage , Collymore , Brazil , etc
4. Old school managers who can’t hope to compete with him on any level , other than abuse – Pulis , Alladyce , McCleish
In the spirit of the day…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zjhlZhAov0
#FFF#
CoR
Heh! I do hope that there are beer bottles that just says “beer” too!
Simple. To the point. What more do you need to know?! π
Top News Holic, Glad all went well,
Nah…the beer bottles just say “HURRY UP AND CHUG ME” π
Good read by Mr. Keown here. Would love to see him in the coaching set-up sometime in the future. Shouting at the team on the sidelines to keep them alert…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2102310/Martin-Keown-Arsenal-confused-passive-desperate-leader.html
Dr.C @ #316
F*ck off back to Catalunya…. no Putney…. no Catalunya. Whatever, just f*ck off!
π
#FFF
Re: Dr. C @316: Quack Quack. Does that mean anything to you? π
Internal memo : Delirious Locomotives Limited
From : Dr Feelgood
To : Professor T E Storey
________________________________________________________
Edwin,
I have left the keys to my desk (emptied of all but a few keepsakes, which you can smoke/ingest in times of stress) on the Boardroom table.
Enjoy your new toy. Enjoy the attractions of running a Modern Transport Experience. Enjoy the ministrations of Britt, she’s a keeper.
I may drop you a postcard once I get settled into my new environment.
And remember, if any of those gutless trolls manage to get on board, violence IS the answer.
My retainer can be sent to the same sort code and account number “as usual”.
PS – watch out for those mad medics, I think they are already planning mischief and mayhem.
“Maybe the system is something Wenger could consider tinkering with. Perhaps Arsenal should go back to a 4-4-1-1 and have Van Persie playing off someone with real pace at the top of the pitch who can hold the ball up”. Martin Keown
Ah, these good old days of Ade.
TS, 8ball…. heh! π
TS, you forgot Bournemouth!
*a remote mountain top eeyrie. Mr C is shown into a plush boardroom with stunning vistas over the valley below. He is carrying a slim attache case marked “plans”.
There are two occupants already in the room but, as he enters, the French brunette sways past him to join La Chica Bonita in the anteroom.
She gives an appreciative smile at his well honed body and softly closes the door behind her.
Mr T swivels slowly in his leather executive chair and takes a sip of his half of beer. *
Mr T: Do come in Mr C, I’ve been expecting you.
To be continued…
Sounds like the real action is in the other room with the girls!
@ 344 – Just fixin that for you π
“….with real pace at the top of the pitch who can hold the ball up”
but was too lazy to attempt to stay onside as the ball was played forward
Far too petite for you, Shaft!
Damn….I’m afraid of boney chicks because I’m afraid I start a fire with their pubic bones….
Shaft
I think you are incorrigible (but I don’t know what that means)
I’m sorry but the mere mention of a female makes my moustache tremble π
Re: The Quackery Ultimatum. Quite a good start. I’m left in eager anticipation for episode 2. π
8ball
Complete this statement….
“Damned with ……..” !! π
I rather hope it could be a collective project. I have no doubt my non-professional colleague has a few ideas…..
Mr C – Heh excellent π but when did the Quackery Supremacy occur ?
I am just wondering if Mr T has got one of Top Man Snowy’s cats in his lap?
“Mr Shaft, my name is Mr Ernst Stavro T…”
Snir&LG @ 294/295, great links, the both of you π
One of the more rubbish comments on the former link is from a ‘Arsenal1971’, hoping its not our one.
Impeccable1 @ 300 and before, all I can do is ‘tut’ π
Snir, please listen to Lars @ 314 and visit a Nando’s! Amazing Portuguese Chicken Restaurant, I’ve been twice in a week exactly π Courtesy of the legendary 9 times stamped ‘Been to Nando’s card. Someone here knows what I’m getting on at π
Mr C @ 316/317/318, Hahahaha! π
tabs&MrC @ 331/340, again, great links π
TS/bt8b @ 341/342, heh!
BtM @ 344, the same Ade that would play for a club who readily insulted his family, then insult Arsenal Fans on Twitter with terrible barbs. His goals don’t mean shit to me anymore, just a Merc with Β£.Β£ for eyes…
Mr C @ 346, looks interesting, will have to keep an eye out on that situation.
I have to concur Shaft @ 349 π
tabs @ 355, I’d like to know as well π
Catalan, Your bed awaits you at the Quackery, and Zico is your rommie. Nurse Wolfie is a bit flummoxed about this, but is willing to take both you numbnuts on at the same time. BTW, how could you forget Ollie! I rely on his weather reports to track gobal warming, don’t you know.
Well FFF! ‘Global’. SNAFU!
I’m a Romulan?
I’ve had my suspicions for some time Dr Z π
So the stories about Old Mother Feelgood were true…..
I think I may need to go to the pub to reflect on this new found knowledge……
I thought Zico was me homey?
TaBS – The Quacks have had their Identity issues, but their Ulimate aim is, I suspect, Supremacy.
Mahoney?
So I’m an Irish Romulan?
Severe identity crisis alert.
Does explain the predilection for Guinness, mind.
Bring on the preview, Holic – this is getting to biographical. π
*too*
Mr C – Ah , all clear now π
Dr Z – I smell a film franchise with that back-story π
Afternoon Holics
Just caught up with this week’s Arsecast and recommend Phillippe Auclair’s contribution.
So we’ve lost the Mert for the rest of the season. Hope Miquel gets a chance with Le Coq on Saturday.
As always COYRs
Delia, You’re right, Miquel has been better than Djourou in recent games, and that was playing out of position. Then again, against Milan, Djourou and Vermaelen both seemed to be having a hangover from playing out of position so long themselves.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/feb/17/arsenal-per-mertesacker-injury-arsene-wenger
Gutted for Poor Per.
Delia – moved to pastures new?
I agree, Miquel has looked good in the last few months. I thought he would need a couple of years longer to toughen up and get a bit more defensive guile to his name, but he looked more solid and more assured in every outing until TV5 returned. Very promising indeed.
And agree with bt8bbgfg (slips of the tongue eh π ) about TV5. It was plain to see that he was slightly less in tune than before, having moved back from LB. Doubt it’ll take him long to shake off the out-of-position cobwebs though.
I wonder how Le Coq will play back in the middle of the park after so long at FB? Again, might take a game or two to get that central position awareness back…
I would love to see more of Yennaris too, I thought he has looked great every time he’s been called upon, most notably against Manure at the Emirates.
*slips off*
Preview will be a late one. Driven to Reading to collect management, but they are keeping her in for another night. Didn’t bring the iPad which would have meant I could have done it here. Never mind, Guinness and curry tonight then π
Guinness – so will it be a four, five, six or seven-pint preview, then? π
On the plus side, you do get a nice easy trip up and down the M4 on a Friday afternoon… Oh. π
Regards to the management, hope she’s progressing well. One more night in is a hassle but better safe and all that…
A late one?
Oh well, it will give me time to unravel this increasingly complex family tree.
A 6 pinter at least for me.
It’s POETS day Holics, —————————–> TO THE PUB!!
Hopefully a gallon, Lars.
Yes Catalan, the M4 on a Friday evening. Deep joy π
Dr.C @ #345
Bouwnmuff? F*ckin’ Bouwnmuff? That tax evadin’, baggy faced, kaaant Twitchy Redknapp aand ‘is dogs live there don’t vey? Faaak orf back to Brigh’on, Bouwnmuff.
#FFF
Lars @ #356
Aaand, vis is a family blog so verw’ll be no stroking pussy eiver. Filfy kaaant.
#FFF
π
Delia @ 367, I agree, just followed him on Twitter. He was excellent on his last time on the Arsecast as well π
Hoping all going well with the management, ‘Holic.
Take care on that drive – I do hate that motorway.
Looking forward to being cheered by your silver key strokes later.
‘holic @233, glad to hear it. a toast to you both, to your continued health and long lives.
Oooh I am feeling so peaceful today…I good night sleep has worked wonders…A little brunch…a little refreshment later and I am ready for some serious back-drinking…yum can’t wait…(0;
Back in just over an hour, not too bad for a Friday. Feeling guilty as the management has another long night in hospital and I am once again attempting to re-route the Liffy.
Catalan: I thought that this was FFF! You call that an insult…try this little clip for some ideas: http://youtu.be/ZDFN84kgc5E
Impeccane1: You fucking cheating Jamaican! You tried to do that the other day you bum and I had to barge you off the ball to save your ass…next time its a red my friend…ask Trev how we treat cheaters on here mate…
Dr Zee: Knowing those Romans they probably got an erection watching those naked Jocks running towards them – I wonder if that’s where the term Jock Strap come from? Hmmm
* grabs coat and ducks out of the ensuing melee *
All of you bloody self-assisters can talk indeed!
You left me so traumatised at one point, I had to take a 2 day sabbatical from the bar!
Funniest moment at an England Scotland game at Wembley. Tartan Army raise banner ‘Bannockburn 1314’. Some brave Anglo yells out ‘Even fucking Norway have beaten us since then’. Got out barely alive that day, and I am half sweaty.
Hol’s –
Classic!
Remember the Alamo….
BMBD!
Holics – Important.
Who’s planning to be at Anfield and against Newcastle at home?
Snir –
I’ll be there… wait, no I won’t. π
Have fun, boss.
BMBD.
Barman @ 385
The way I heard it, when you saw the banner you said
“Remember it? I started it!” π
Hehe
Geo-370
I never miss Andrew’s Friday Podcast nor indeed Alan Davis Tuesday Club, which I find the best comedy routine of the week. However, you gentlemen keep me smiling when the Arsenal world is falling down around us.
Geo-370
I never miss Andrew’s Friday Podcast nor indeed Alan Davis Tuesday Club, which I find the best comedy routine of the week. However, you gentlemen keep me smiling even when the Arsenal world is falling down around us.
See you at the Tollie Sunday week?
As always COYRs
Delia –
I second your taste in podcasts. The Tuesday Club is appointment listening for sure.
Take heart, the Arsenal World is not falling down aound us… we just have to “keep calm and carry on” (you Brits could always turn a phrase) π
Things will – eventually – be ok.
BMBD.
Mertesacker is a big loss. I am still thinking that in an ideal world — i.e. one where everybody is fit and available — he and Kos are our best CB pairing. Perhaps TV5 should play as a DM. A midfield of him, Song and Arteta up top would be interesting.
Keep calm and carry on.
Keep calm and carry on.
Keep calm and carry on…
How the f*ck are we supposed to win ANYHING when our players keep dropping like flies?
Wait, that’s right…keep calm and carry on.
BMBD.
What if we have a great performance tomorrow? Is anybody going to say it can’t happen??
As bad a game as TV had the other night, Ned, I still think he is the best centre back at the club.
And a natural captain assuming we don’t keep the current incumbent.
That’s not to say that we won’t miss Mertesacker, btw.
LG@395: the team needs the second poster in the series (KC&CO was the third).
Your Courage,
Your Cheerfulness,
Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory
You have to speculate to accumulate…
BMBD.
Fire!
BMBD
Zico: but who would you pair him with? Hard to keep Kos out of the team, but they just don’t seem complementary.
Yellow for you for the self-assist, LG.
NBN –
We definitely could use the second poster in the series. Some cheerfulness would do everyone some good.
I must appeal the yellow for self-assisting however. My initial shot caromed off the post, and I simply tapped it in. π³
BMBD.
Ned,
“Kos and TV can’t play together” – that seems to be a popular view being propogated of late, but I am not sure its based on anything substantial. The first time I saw them together against Liverpool they were pretty impressive until Kos went off injured.
Centre backs need time to forge a partnership. Koscielny has been our player of the season (RvP excepted) and I think with a string of games they could learn to play together.
I think an experiment with some rigorous drilling of all back four a la George Graham would take care of this idea that they can’t play together.
Just my humble op….
Above my pay grade to rule on the @400, LG. One for the hubris goals commitee.
They are both left-sided, covering rather than marking CBs, quick, good positionally (Kos more so then TV5), but not particularly tall for CBs. I am not saying they can’t play together, or couldn’t learn to, I am just saying they are similar players. Both could be Bobby Moore to the BFG’s Jack Charlton. I am also with you on the need to establish an established pairing, which ever two of the three it is. Nothing like playing the same back four week in, week out to bed in a defence.
Ned – its all happening next door
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