A Useful Work Out, No More, No Less
Jul 15th, 2012 by 'holic
I was trying to remember the last time Arsenal played a game that could not be found on television (or a stream) ‘as live’. I seem to have a distant recall of a Carling Cup tie against a lower league club that was shown on the official club channel just after midnight, but other than that it is some years I would think. We take for granted the availability of our games ‘on demand’, so much so that the no-show of the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup became a bigger miss than it ought to have been, if you get my drift.
Arsenal Player has come to the rescue with a highlights package this afternoon (Sunday). By the time a very young Arsenal took the field to face Anderlecht the Belgian champions had already beaten the hosts 1-0. As it turns out a point would have given them the trophy, and early on they seemed to enjoy the bulk of the possession. Only an offside flag, clear though the infringement was, denied them the opening goal.
It was interesting to watch an Arsenal midfield of Henri Lansbury, Craig Eastmond, Nico Yennaris, and Thomas Eisfeld up against a much more experienced Anderlecht engine room. Playmaker Lucas Biglia stood out as the class act in such company. That was interesting given his being linked with Arsenal this summer, albeit the ‘leak’ seems to been from his end, always suspicious when two clubs are involved.
Gradually though Arsenal got more into the game, and conjured up the only goal eleven minutes from time. After Marouane Chamakh had been denied by an excellent Silvio Proto save Carl Jenkinson’s determination saw him burst clear down the right side and cross for Lansbury to apply a decent finish at the near post.
The midfielder remains something of an enigma. For his Carling Cup heroics at the Lane a couple of years back a lot of Arsenal supporters would like to see him succeed at the club, but when you consider who is ahead of him in the wide positions it is fair to conclude that a difficult decision is imminent. The key to his immediate future may lie in the fate of Theo Walcott.
So it was that Arsenal went into the final ‘third’ of the evening needing a point from the 45 minutes of open play against host club Southampton. Only Eastmond and Lansbury remained in the starting line-up as Andre Santos, Johan Djourou (as captain), a ‘bulked-up’ Francis Coquelin, and Gervinho were called up.
Once more Arsenal were slow to get going but warmed to the task as the evening progressed. Ward-Prowse and Puncheon missed the first opportunities before Lansbury was denied by a combination of Forecast and Stephens, and Gervinho cleared the bar with a rising drive. The Saints were ahead just after the half-hour mark when Rodriguez headed home a cross that could have been defended better.
Arsenal were level when Gervinho produced a remarkable dribble along the goal-line before cutting back into the box and finding the net with a tidy right foot drive across Forecast. It was just reward for he and Andre Santos had been our most potent attacking forces.
Although the point to clinch the trophy was secured a penalty shoot out was required to resolve the outcome of this particular match. The first nine spot-kicks found their target before Kyle Ebecilio failed and Southampton fans had something to cheer at last. It was great to see Ebicilio’s team-mates rush to him at the end. Admirable spirit in the camp.
Did we learn anything from the evening? To be fair I don’t think anybody would expect a first kick-about of the new season to tell us much. The two games we played were very much played in the spirit of practice matches. I don’t believe you can make judgements about some of our most precocious talent on the basis of what was in effect a pair of contrived friendlies. It will be interesting to see which of the younger players are involved as the pre-season preparation is turned up a notch next week in the Far East.
227 Responses to “A Useful Work Out, No More, No Less”
A first first?
Well done Ned π
3rd?now for a read
CL spot?
top five?
A bulked up Coq? Sit down, Wolfie. π
cheers, ‘holic. nice little summary. wondering what was interesting about the midfield four besides biglia’s obvious class in comparison? and i thought yennaris was primarily a right back?
heh@bt8b
A gentle workout and a bit of silver to show for it is all very well, but WHO won the toss?
So Coquelin has bulked up?
Muscle, or has he been on a Santos’ lunch?
z, is that the 2 gays a day lunch? wait, no, that’s wolfie’s…
Thank you, ‘Holic. I take this as a portent that we shall finish first in the Premiership this year.
Interesting that the phantom message on Friday about the Anderlecht score was right. Very odd! I would be very intrigued but for the fact that the Southampton score was wrong!
SCG@7: Yennaris is primarily a midfielder who has been pressed into first team service at right back, as has the Coq.
The perfect twilight zone, TTG.
cheers, ned. good to know. i thought that was the case with le coq.
Wolfie’s lunch is not something on which I would want to pass any speculative comment, scruz π
Sunday weirdness…. excellent! π
Wolf lunch cartoon seems to be in order.
http://www.offthemark.com/cartoons/2005-01-07.gif
Intresting tweets in the last 2 hours
https://mobile.twitter.com/UsmanovOfitsial
M’Villa deal has been “already done” so many times that I am not going to get carried away until its on .com π Also I see this just as an attempt from Usmanov to make himself more “likeable”, trying to communicate compared to “Silent Stan”. Wouldn’t be a bad thing should I not think that Mr. Usmanovs intentions are not crystal clear.
Fred.
For Alisher’s a jolly good fellow etc etc etc π
Methinks he doesn’t do a thing without a reason. If he let’s it out first then what does he gain?
Also not assuming it is true at all. Nowhere else is this “news” news.
Fred@21: that’s an interesting question assuming that account really is Usmanov or someone associated with him but if the account is indeed legit, then it will of course be used as a propaganda tool.
Usmanov has to be very careful in relation to keeping in favour withnArsenal fans and maintaining his credibilitybabout things Arsenal.To broadcast something completely erroneous would be very silly and completely unnecessary. On the other hand to reveal something like this underlines the fact he has very good contacts within the club.I’d be surprised were this not true.
this site hates me today…did any of my comments appear for you?
am I not allowed to type more than one line then?:O
this is odd, once I write something longer it just would not go through heh. Long story short, Mvilla deal was done so many times already that not going to believe until its official
The key thing is whether the site is official and I don’t know enough about how you might create a fake site to judge this although it would appear to be quite easy. In retrospect this seems extraordinary behaviour from Usmanov unless he is taking a new approach and becoming more confrontational in public.
One of the problems with new media is the tactics of impostors who play very immature games.I would be quite careful if I were purporting to be one of the richest men in the world. The downside could be quite horrendous in terms of legal action.
Hello Eandy,
Not a clue what was happening there. The spam filter took an instant dislike to your posts for some reason. I haven’t a clue why π
Hopefully it is resolved now…
…and no, that is not an official Usmanov account.
Good, ‘cos all I could see was a load of old russian babaoushkas.
Evening ‘Holic,
that’s some summary for a meaningless pre-friendly π
Hey everyone. Where to begin? Ah yes, the new post. Holic, if you consider that we beat Anderlecht by raiding our nursery (save Chamakh), not too shabby. Like to see us utilize them exclusively when we visit Boreham Wood FC on the 21st, just rely on these youngsters only. Must say though my heart went out to JD as he had his moment of glory lifting the cup. As for this business re Mvilla, if I don’t fall for it…seriously!
If Usmanov did actually start funding some players – not that I want or expect him to – would he instruct his friendly little rottweiler “Darren” to stop selling the buggers out of the club two years later ?
Are we the first English club to win the Markus Liebherr Trophy ?
Arsene Wenger’s magic
He wears the magic hat,
And when he saw the Markus Liebherr Trophy,
He said I fancy that !!!
Well, have to make the most of it….. π
Watched Sky Sports News for 4 hours last night.
There was absolutely no Arsenal news whatsoever, but Charlotte Jackson, phwooaaarrrrr π
I watched the tape delay of the Anderlecht game- it seemed an OK performance with no real stand outs. Sanchez Watt was lively and Eisfeld was decent, but I was disappointed with Chamakh. He had one good chance, but he was just bullied off the ball far too easily.
Martinez looks the real deal though.
Good evening nurse π
How’s our Trev? Well I hope…
Lovely post, ‘holic – just shows how starved of Gunnerliciousness we have been!
Haven’t seen Southampton match yet but Miquel stood out for me in the Anderlecht game.
AVB has been spouting on re his new job. “The structures that surround LWC are extremely good. There are competent people in and around the the football club. The club is driven towards success and everyone knows they must play a part in achieving that success. They are not looking for certain scapegoats………..”
Arsenal – managers since 1996. 1
LWC – managers since 1996. 15 Way to go Andre π
LWC can always be relied on for a good larrf.
Now Trev…(love saying that!). The ‘now’ part, in particular. Hey Fun, agree with you 100% about Miquel (and so does Barca). Hey Holic, read up on this Boreham place, seems it’s a bit of an English version of Hollywood! Quite fun reading…plus BFC prefers to be called The Wood (nickname). Their website is quite nice too, better funded then some in the premier league, it seems.
“Gervinho produced a remarkable dribble along the goal-line before cutting back into the box and finding the net with a tidy right foot drive across Forecast.”
He never saw it coming
boom-boom
ABB, as some one who has spent time in both Hollywood and Borehamwood (don’t ask; don’t even think about asking), I can assure you that Borehamwood is no Hollywood. There is a reason Simon Cowell exchanged the former for the latter.
We won a trophy. GTFI.
Not too bad, thanks ‘Holic.
You seem to be in fine fettle.
Abb – steady now. It always makes me nervous when women start saying “now” !! π
π
@6: heh π
How’s everyone doing this fine day?
@Sajit Re: foxsoccer2go in the last bar. I subscribed to them last season and really enjoyed their coverage of Arsenal games.
They stream almost 100% of our games either live or delayed in all competitions. Foxsoccer2go is an affiliate of the cable channel FoxSoccer TV here in the States, thus, their policy is to delay the coverage on the website, of any game that they are showing live on their cable channel. Thus, if they are showing an Arsenal game live @ 10 am ET on their cable channel, they would show it delayed on the website @ 11:59 pm ET.
However, if the Arsenal game is not being shown live on their cable channel, it would be live on their website (foxsoccer2go). This worked perfectly for me as I work on the weekends when the league games are being played live. I would just avoid the results and watch them “as live” on demand when I get home. Don’t have to worry about setting any DVR. I hope that helps!
Caught the highlights on .com’s Player, good stuff from our lads, Miquel had a few mistakes in the first game but his blocks were impeccable, loved Boateng’s last ditch tackle and Chamakh’s effort in the first game, Lansbury’s and Gervinho’s goals were great to see, but Gerve’s was a proper peach of a goal, hope to see him doing that in the league soon enough, Lansbury looked good throughout the day, nice to see a bit of the Eis and Djourjou’s smile when he lifted the trophy, hopefully the first of many in this upcoming season π
Cheers for post Mate. Truly laughable anyone thinks that is a true twitter account!
Well hi ho and all that bollox for the first time in over 2 years! Wish me luck you lovely drinking people you.
All the best, Esso.
Um just a quick question, its been two and half weeks since I sorted my (new) membership for this season and I have yet to receive anything by mail :S.
Anyone here with experience how long does it take to send this kind of stuff from UK to mainland?:) The shirt and anniversary watches took around week but this kind of worries me now hehe.
*sigh*
I had hoped that this summer was going to be easier than last. It all started so well, but now weΒ΄re being dragged in to the whole prolonged saga thing, both with incoming and outgoing (I know theyΒ΄re related)….
Bollocky fuck Monday. Pint please…. π
Dear Theo
Look over your shoulder; Ox and Henri. You are not indispensable. Sign or donΒ΄t. Up to you.
*Bored to death*
I see that Breaking Bad is back, with its season 5 premier
What Catalan said @ 54.
Cheers Harsha
Just us in the bar it seems. Care to join me for a pint?
Whoa! It was Dr Z!
Well, thatΒ΄s three of us. So whoΒ΄s round is it?
Yours!
So what’s the talk been about?
Bugger! This round is getting bigger…
Bored witless today.
Playing a little bit of champ manager in my head.
RVP and Theo out. M’Vila, Affellay and (just to wind up the LWCs) Berbatov in.
I wouldn’t consider that terrible business given who we’ve already signed this summer, and we’d probably make a few bob into the bargain as well.
Speaking personally, one good thing about the RvP situation is that it has cured me of falling for any of our players. I was initially drawn to Arsenal because of Henry, but since then my love affair with Arsenal has become more and more about the club rather than the players. At the end of the season, it stood at about 90% for the shirt, but Robin’s newly revealed feet of clay have booted me up to 99%. Plus we have suddenly seem to have so many good young ‘uns coming up – JW, Ramsey, AOC, Coquelin and about some exciting among the kids. Which is a long-winded way of saying I am also quite relaxed about Theo signing or not. Two months ago, the thought of him leaving would have really upset me. I think he’s a cracking player, all-round nice guy and hard worker, but if he doesn’t want to stay….meh.
It wouldn’t hurt to get in another couple of players, but if nobody else came in, I would be OK with that. I love the team attitude and the spirit, that’s our most precious commodity at the moment. With or without RvP, the quality is there. Walter of Untold Arsenal posted some stats about last season at the weekend – percentage of games won overall, 55%; percentage of games won when RvP was playing, 56%; percentage of games won when Mikel Arteta was playing, 69%. So thank god he’s fit!
N7
IΒ΄d take Affelay any day. BarΓ§a papers say they are looking for 5m β¬ fir him…. a steal.
FunG – look at the percentage of games won when Arteta did not play…..
Swift half for me Catalan, back to work in 5 – teach you to start a round this time of day.
And what you said @53 and 54.
I would hate to see Feo go to our direct competition, which must be prevented. I have almost no issue with him going out of PL if he wants to go though. I like him as a player, he has huge potential and this season proved that he can be really great asset but if he has no desire to stay and play for Arsenal, then sod it and have Ox playing there instead..or Ryo. Affelay for 5 mil would be brilliant buy.
@ 66
Barcelona are looking for 5M euros for Affelay from any club apart from Arsenal, who if interested will be dicked around as usual….
Fixed that for you. π
@ Trev
FunG β look at the percentage of games won when Arteta did not playβ¦..
Yeah – 1 out of 9! We really need him, or at least someone playing his role.
Just sent this to a mate, thought I’d share it here as well.
You know how I sometimes feel that the Guardian football writers have sort of got it in for Arsenal? Well, have a look at how they characterise 17 year old M’baye Niang, currently on trial with us:
Tuesday 10 July (Rumour Mill): βArsΓ¨ne Wenger has decided the root of Arsenal’s problems is the basic lack of skinny-legged French teenagers. Luckily help is at hand: the Caen striker M’baye Niang, 17, is currently on trial at the Emirates.β
Yep β Arsene is having a look at him, and heβs young. Must be sh!t, and skinny with it. But hold on! A few days later a couple of other
more Guardian-friendly clubs are also linked and look what happens:
Monday 16 July (Rumour Mill): βIn wonderkid news, Manchester City are ready to beat off competition from Arsenal and Tottenham for the signature of Caen’s 17-year-old striking sensation M’Baye Niang.β
Quite a big few days for Niang there. Being linked with City evidently took him from lightweight non-entity to wonderkid striking sensation.
Bunch of strokers.
@ zico/Catalan
So what we need is for Afellay to discover his Arsenal DNA, refuse to even feign interest in any other club, sulk and refuse to play for them. That should do it.
@ N7 gooner
You’ve got to laugh, haven’t you.
We`ve been linked with Affelay for a number of years, and indeed he did look very promising a few years ago. But this is the silly season when agents and football hacks try to cook up all sorts of stories. Walcott is about to be the subject of a Β£15m bid from Liverpool once they have offloaded Carroll, and it seems that everybody has remembered that Theo was a boyhood Liverpool fan, though why he should want to desert the CL for the Europa is anyones guess.
Frimpong in trouble over twitter row. So, what’s new?
heh N7 71. Spectacular.
@ Biscuitbum
If anyone doesn’t know how agents and newspapers work to create this nonsense, particularly at this time of year where football news is at a premium, there is an amusing feature on it in this month’s 442.
Approximate number of days in the close season: 90
Number of days in the close season when rumors are propagated: 90
Approximate number of days in the close season when substantial news is reported: 9
Approximate ratio of days with real / fake news: 1 / 10
Reason I stay interested all 90 days of the close season: ???????????????
Harsha,
If the tweet that I saw was genuine, he deserves to be in trouble.
Zero tolerance for the Y word.
When I get back from my brief holiday, maybe I’ll try watching the golf. If I remember from the last time I watched the open when it was played at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s there are some picturesque shots of railroad tracks adjoining fairways. Excitement guaranteed!!
Golf and Glenmorangie all wrapped up in one glorious package.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/promotions/9397451/win-tickets-golf-open-championship.html
The unwritten part of the article seems to suggest that the contest winner will be able to consume large quantities of Glenmorangie, but it doesn’t make clear who will pay. π
Zico @79. What you said.
BiscuitBum (there HAS to be a story behind that name) @74. Of course agents are touting for sales, but this one came more from the Barça propoganda rag; so more a case of them putting him in the shop window.
N7 – brilliant expose of Meedja
N7 @71 – laugh or cry ? You choose.
After Citeh have paid Β£30,000,000 for him and offered him Β£200,000 a week, Arsene will be accused of ‘snubbing him when he first wanted to come to England’.
By then the poor kid will be on loan at Rangers.
We should sign Forecast. Would come in handy on a rainy day
Is he a ‘keeper Uncle Charlie?
Probably better than our current shower. π
So Theo was waiting until after the Eoros to think about his situation, and to see how we finished.
Well, we ‘finished’ about two effing months ago in case nobody has told him, and as far as i know, even during the season, the players have around 22 hours PER DAY to think !
Here we have another ungrateful young man who cares nothing that Arsenal have looked after him through injury after injury since he arrived at the club as a four year old. Well, it seems like it to me !
By my instincts,his availability rate cannot be much over 50% – NBNed is brilliant at this kind of thing – and he now feels he might be better off elsewhere.
I know the Guvnor doesn’t like abuse in this bar, so I will limit my response to that to the following: Bag – Door – Help – Carry.
As employers of the young man, can Arsenal Football Club not refuse permission for his holidays to begin until he has finished thinking and made his bleeding mind up.
Or am I missing something here ?
Yes, Trev, it’s snow joke
@ zico
someone should definitely discipline EF for using offensive language on a public forum, and should educate him about the history of how that word came to be adopted by Tottnumb fans – Jews or Gentiles. (I’ve heard they were trying to reclaim the word which had been used abusively) but this doesn’t seem to me to be a Suarez- or Terry-type situation. It looks as if he was using the Y word as an equivalent of “gooner” – he called the guy “scum”, I believe. Also if he had no knowledge of whether or not the Tweeter was Jewish, can he be said to be using it in an anti-semitic way? He didn’t know one way or the other, so I don’t think anti-Semitic feelings prompted the use of it. Perhaps “scum” is the insult in his eyes.
I should of course make clear that I am aware that JT was cleared.
Uncle Charlie,
If you ask nicely NBNed may have some stats on him, which would be useful as a barometer of his current form.
Knowing Ned, you’ll be deluged in figures, but do ask nicely ‘cos he doesn’t respond to high pressure.
Beautiful crossfield diagonal to change the play…
@ 88
Education is obviously required, but don’t make excuses for him.
It’s piss poor whichever way you look at it.
He should remember who he is and who he represents.
NBN – You’d love this.
http://enbsports.blogspot.ca/2012/07/view-here-if-enjoyed-please-rt-and.html
Thanks Trev, I would certainly hail his arrival. I’m sure with the right tuition he can rain as our number 1. A no-wind situation for his current club
Re the Frimpong tweet –
A perfectly nice woman I was treating on Friday was telling me that her son is in the Tott’s academy and was chosen as a ball boy for last season.
When he ‘accidently’ delayed throwing the ball to an opposition player, the crowd close by began chanting “Y*ddo, Y*ddo” which she thought was very funny.
I would imagine Frimpong, on that basis, has no idea what the implications of his tweet might be ??
Trev,
So it’s ok because he’s dumb?
It’s all right for us to call them LWCs all day long (because they are). The Y word is off limits.
I expect better from our players.
Not alright at all. I thought I was agreeing with you that it is down to lack of education/awareness.
But that doesn’t make it ok.
Begins his warmup by jogging vigorously on the spot and waving his arms round in circles…
When a Spurs-related person tweets ‘come on you Y*ds’ (which they always do) then that seems to make it ok?
Gets on the pitch, charges through a static defence and buries the f*cker!
Nice century, me. Soaks up the adulation, pausing only to boot an errant squirrel off the Emirates turf.
yeah, deench got it wrong, there. education and a suitable apology from the young man.
theo? sign, and enjoy, or go elsewhere and see how long they put up with your inconsistency and injuries…
Trev, you NEVER agree with me, hence why I was confused π
Charlie, I expect nothing more from the pond life. That kind of emphasises my point.
Camberwell @ 101 – I hope you kicked him in the nuts. 8)
uncle, it is no less wrong, but no one expects more from an lwc.
well in, cg., but you’re nuts if you hurt the squirrel.
Monday it is then. Hi all. Esso, my thoughts are with you. Now, being (unofficial) historian of this here blog got me to doing some serious thinking. Yesterday, Spain’s U19’s claimed top prize (beating out Greece).2nd win in succession, 6th title in 11 years. Nothing to scoff at. Plus Spain winning Euros again. Now please turn your attention to Holic’s post from late April, entitled ‘Do Barca Defeats Change the Blue Print’. Spain’s national teams still have a firm grip on the international silverware (boring though it has become). As for Theo watch, no comment. Today Newcastle (why they want Andy back is beyond me) play Monaco, should be fun!
@ zico
I’m not making excuses. My first point was that he should be disciplined for using the word and educated as to why it’s offensive. But no-one needs to overreact. The point is how he meant it. It’s also used as a word for Spurs supporters which most of us know better than to use.
Camberwell, you can tell it’s pre-season, eh?
Nice goal, camberwell gooner, you supersub, you.
@ zico
It is somewhat ironic that you choose the example of LWCs as OK to use, when a lot of people would say that derogatory use of the word c**t is sexist. And if EF, a black man, had called the Spud a LWC, no doubt some would accuse him of being racist as well as sexist. I see this as a bad language issue, not a racism issue, is all I’m saying.
Anyway, I can see we’re not going to agree, so that’s me done. Pint?
zico, scruz – Hahahahahahaha quality
Afternoon ‘Holic & ‘Holics
Nice match reports ‘Holic, thanks. First trophy of the new season done and dusted then. Was half expecting you to turn up to the Oleg Luzhny 5s at Wembley yesterday. Not quite as fun as The Arseblog 5s but a good crack nonetheless with some top Gooners in attendance.
I had occassion to visit my gob doctor this morning. The finest Sp*rs dentist the world has ever seen. He’s had his fingers in more LWC cakeholes past and present than must be healthy for any human being.
He was in unusually feisty mood kicking-off with an early round of ‘one man team’ and ‘he leaves when he wants’. Laugh? I nearly….
I quickly turned his attention to the revolving door that surrounds the LWC managerial seat. ‘Holic’s ‘welcome’ to Andre Village-Idiot of a couple of posts back was cut and paste and dispatched by email when I returned to my office. Even my dentist couldn’t remember how many of the f*ckers had been in charge, whilst Arsene has gone quietly and majestically about his business, and he would have met most if not all of them. A grudging acceptance of Le Boss’ prowess and intelligence was given on departure. That’ll do for me.
Afternoon drinkypoos on the bar for those that want them.
So pre-season kicks off with a trophy again. Call me a Negative Nancy but I’m going to stick my jaded neck out say it’s the only one we’ll see this side of next May.
Oh and Theo? Just for the record: RVP you AIN’T. Get over yourself son.
Until proved otherwise, I’m going to assume that the Markus Liebear Cup is but the first of a glorious quintet of trophies which will be adorning our mantlepiece by the end of May 2013.
@CG
You’re a Negative Nancy
Wolfie is a positive Nancy
Ok – This is my opinion on the Y word.
The fact that Spurs fans are dumb and call themselves that does not need to matter.
First of all, it would be extremely ironic if Spurs really are gonna be bought by a family from Qatar.
As for that stupid nickname, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a feeling of belonging but that word is derogatory even if that’s what Spurs fans call themselves.
The word Yiddo is a term to describe Jews in a disrespectful way.
It is akin to say “You Jew!” as if to say that a Jew is a bad thing to be.
It is the same as using Jew as a verb, when people say “don’t try to Jew me!”
It’s about the same thing as two black people calling themselves niggas and then another person (who isn’t black) telling them they are niggas scum.
The fact that they call themselves niggas, doesn’t mean it isn’t racist when it comes from someone outside their group, regardless of what that person thought of the implications.
As a developed Gooner (i.e not someone who was born into Arsenal but someone who learned to love Arsenal), I can tell you I’ve thought long and hard (in my younger years) if I should truly support a team that has supporters ridiculing a team for its “Jewishness.”
There is nothing that stings me more, than the fact that I travel thousands of miles around the world, and pay thousands of Dollars to watch The Arsenal, only to hear “Yiddo, Yiddo, Yiddo” at the end of the “What do you think of Tottenham” song, regardless of the fact that nobody meant any harm to me. It still disturbs me to no end.
@ 109
I’m an agreeable sort, Guinness, since you’re asking. π
Heh @ 116 (not always) π
As the kids say, “LOL”
snir,
Hence my comment re zero tolerance. It’s bad enough some of our hard of thinking “fans” come out with that shit, never mind our players.
Anyway, I’m out of the debate – I have been bribed with Guinness by Camberwell. π
Actually the bribe was from FunGunner – apologies to both for mistaken identity.
Please note, I’ll accept a Guinness from ANYONE. 8)
Sid had a decomposing Nancy
*fetches coat*
Debate!? What debate? Do I need to get my nails out? π
*Boooo! TS!!!* π
There’s some mass debating going on GT – surprised you didn’t get here earlier π
Uncle Charlie, Snir, et al,
I hope regulars here would recognise that I do not make comments on the basis of anyone’s colour / creed, etc.
In case there was any misunderstanding of my Y word post @95, the intended message was “if even a perfectly nice woman finds that chant funny when sung in connection with her son, is it any wonder that Frimpong does not realise that it is wrong”.
I was not condoning it for a second. Hopefully that is now clear, especially to a mad Gooner like Snir, who knows I would never insult him.
Trev,
It was probably just me that got the wrong end of the stick re your post.
Anyway, I think the mass debate is over.
You never came too soon. π
z@127, i think that’s going to be his epitath.
snir, we’ve *just* been having that discussion with my son. we aren’t around many of the jewish faith here in santa cruz/felton, but i grew up going to temple, and being part of temple youth groups, with most of my best friends, from junior high through college. currently there’s a rage amongst the local 13-14 year old set to use “jew” in the perjorative. after hearing him uttering it once, i expressed not-so-mild upset and, once i’d explained it to him (in terms ranging from really anger and offense to understanding and compassion), told him i it was as bad as calling someone a ni**er. i also explained “yid” and “kike” fell into the same camp.
he was suitably chastened, as having his understanding from us as to the origins of ni**er enlarged by his us history teacher this last spring, he now actually stands up to anyone who uses that term (rather than simply saying nothing). hopefully he will do the same with these, and any race terms used to derogate.
Evening all.
I understand the need for the debate, but would be grateful if we didn’t use the Y word again once the next piece is penned (hopefully tomorrow evening).
For my two pennorth, I have long been persuaded by good people that it is hugely offensive to them. I suspect Young Frimpong has not been exposed to that opinion in his circle of friends.
He is guilty of no more than extreme ignorance, but that isn’t any sort of defence unless your name is Redknapp. I hope an apology will be forthcoming, not to the troll who he was goaded by, but to people who are offended and embarrassed by the use of the word.
Evening H.
One thing that puzzles me – aren’t all these well paid young men in the public eye not given media training by the club, particularly to avoid this type of thing?
Classic Redknapp line by Holic! π
My first thoughts precisely, Dr Z, but IΒ΄d imagine that the seeds of education are being sown on non too fertile a soil in some cases….
Very simple approach; donΒ΄t respond to trolls.
So is the debate over? Is it safe to put my nails away? π―
For now GT, but keep your hammer by your side.
And your nail polish. π―
@Impeccable1
Thanks for the info mate. That was very helpful.
zico@130: One thing that puzzles me β arenβt all these well paid young men in the public eye not given media training by the club, particularly to avoid this type of thing?
I’ve often wondered that myself. It shouldn’t be unknown to any Arsenal player that the Y word is off limits at all times.
I expect a public apology and a few lessons learned.
so, anyone have any ideas about who will sponsor the prem after barclay’s gets blown up in the LIBOR scandal?
Trev@86: Walcott has played in two out of every three of Arsenal’s league games since joining from Southampton. More than I would have thought, though the average is bumped up by only missing three games last season. Whether he showed up for the games he did appear in is a different matter.
His annual appearance percentages:
2006-07: 42%
2007-08: 66%
2008-09: 58%
2009-10: 61%
2010-11: 74%
2011-12: 92%
Career: 65%
I’ve counted only league games as Theo is often rested for cups. In fact he has played more often for England than he has in FA and beer cup games for us.
Games per goal makes interesting reading, too
2006-07: n/a
2007-08: 6.25
2008-09: 11.00
2009-10: 7.67
2010-11: 3.11
2011-12: 4.38
Career: 5.73
He has also played more often for England than he has scored league goals for Arsenal.
And that’s your Theo Thact Thile…
Glad you enjoyed the Guinness, zico.
@ NBN
Are they good numbers? How do Theo’s thigures compare to other players in comparable positions? (I saw what you did and I’m running with it.)
John Cross seems to think he’ll end up signing, but you have to wonder why he hasn’t done so thus far. I’ve now flipped again and I’ve discovered that actually I do care rather a lot whether he stays or goes, if only for reasons of squad stability.
I meant the games per goal, by the way.
SCG@136: Barclays annual revenue is $50 billion. They can take a lot of incoming.
Finally my vacation starts tomorrow, hello to the blue sea, hello to the blue sky.
Bye bye to my dusty city, bye bye to my ugly work, bye bye to the boring Arsenal rumours.
Twelve days of joy here I come! Beer, bikinis, beach, beer, blondes, barbecue, beer, brests. Did I mention beer? No internet, no football, no news, no transfers, no shit.
And while I am gone, here is the list of players I want to be signed.
– Dempsey (aren’t we hunting in USA) just realized he is available for 6mil
– Afelay- (just to keep somebody pleased) 6 mil
– Hoilett, or whatever his name is (because he is for free) – 0 mil
– That Capoue guy (strong black DM from the Ligue 1, irresistible) 5 mil.
Get rid of the…
Russian (to short… and to blond)
Dane (I hate the way he is chewing his gum)
Marocan (can’t shoot with that haircut, can’t shoot at all)
Corsican (well, just get rid of him)
Send the list to our manager for me, please. Show me some ambition!
See you in two weeks, holics, enjoy yourselves.
FG@138: this is quick and dirty. I’ve taken all the players the club currently lists as first team strikers, and done the same calculation of games per goal, but across their careers, not just Arsenal games. Loans, new signings, not playing (Park) etc. makes doing just our games meaningless. Apart from the Ox (68) and Vela (172) they have all played more than 200 matches. Good to see our new signings should improve our strike rate. Theo doesn’t look so hot in comparison.
van Persie 2.31
Giroud 2.32
Podolski 2.60
Park 3.25
Bendtner 3.55
Gervinho 3.75
Chamakh 4.14
Vela 4.78
The Ox 4.86
Walcott 5.17
Sorry all, Monday night was radio night…
arenβt all these well paid young men in the public eye not given media training by the club, particularly to avoid this type of thing?
I believe there is some education in such matters, but did you listen to everything you didn’t really understand at school? Some students are better than others in all institutions.
cheers, ned. that’s a lot of bullion. not like aig, i suppose.
Not sure I could give you an answer to that that wouldn’t be libelous, SCG.
Is he gone yet? Lets transfer Lurky to Tott’num while he’s on holidays – just for a laugh
π
GT: π
i don’t know where lurky is going to find bikinis, beach, or bbq in brest…
ned, no, don’t libel…
I remember when I first used the Y word. I saw it as returning banter on my old usual streaming site, innocent as I could be at that age of 15 or so π and my favourite mod on there did the online equivalent of pulling me aside and schooling me on the history of the word and why I shouldn’t use it even when the Sp*rs fans on the site started going beyond the usual idiocy and begin infusing racism etc into their insults, glad to say that the lesson stuck π
…but did you listen to everything you didn’t understand at school
Clearly not Holic and it’s a trait that followed me beyond school, starting with Roxette π
Yeah its an interesting one the ‘Y’ word. It was of course very prevalent in my hayday (circa 80 – 95 ish), and I cant deny I did n’t use it, especially in conversation with well known acquaitances, even some I would call mates. Have to admit I never felt completely confortable with it, and I really did used to hate the ditties sang with gusto by the North Bank about ‘Gassing the …..’ etc. Happy to say most of them were nicked off Chelsea anyway. And remember this was also a time, when I heard the whole North Bank (complete with many black faces whether they were joining in or not) doing the monkey chant; George Berry of Wolves being a very memorable case in point.
I think the tipping point point for me was when the term ‘Juden’ started being bandied about. I have jewish friends and have always been aware of the club’s history – we have more Jewish supporters than Tottenham, fundamentally because we’ve got more supporters than Tottenham. Period. As they will find to their acute cost, if they ever do get round to upgrading their shithole. Anyway I made a personal decision at that point not to use the ‘Y’ word anymore. I’ll sing ‘We hate Tottenham’ till the cows come home, but you wont find me finishing it off in the now accustomed way. God Bless who ever came up with Lily White Cunts as a sobriquet (Arseblogger ?) for them, as a suitable insulting replacement was needed.
Its simply beyond the pale to use the expression anymore. The fact they still refer to themselves as such, says a whole lot more about them than anyone else.
What’s the point of Tuesdays really? I mean, Mondays are dreadful. Wednesday is midweek. Thursday is almost weekend. Friday is “that’s it, enough of this, let’s go drink” day
Tuesdays should be removed from existence
Well I have never ever used that nasty word. Not ever! Never have, never will. No sir, not me. And any dirty scum who says otherwise is a dirty, rotten YETI … ops!!! Oh my, it seems as if I have broken the habit of a lifetime. Damn you cruel fate, now I am doomed to walk the Earth a lonely man without kit (not even that nice purplish one) or kin …
Oh God take me now … I no longer deserve to live among these wonderful people who have no sin …
π
Hey Esso, how was your first day at the new work place?
@ Harsha: My calendar agrees with you! After Tuesday it just says WTF ??
π
Harsha,
Tuesdays are for making arrangements …..as in see you next tuesday.
Tuesdays are for celebrating the fact that they are not Mondays.
Tuesdays are for Champions League and thus infinitely better than Thursdays.
Tuesdays are for getting rat-arsed on a school night.
Ruby Tuesday.
What’s not to like? 8)
Fine thanks Harsha. Ok office; nice, friendly welcoming team mates – and free coffee! Could have been a lot worse.
Don’t forget the Tuesday Club for copious amounts of drinking…and podcast listening these days π
Hey Esso, don’t forget on your first day to work as slowly as possible so that when deadlines are set you have plenty of leeway to get the job done and read goonerholic π
to=of
Sorry, that should be “and to read goonerholic”
*Puts down the glass of cider and picks up the Lonely Planet*
Dead?
‘Holic @ #129
Well put. Nails it for me. It is offensive, it is embarrassing. Nothing more, nothing less.
NBNed :
Brilliant work on the stats above, as usual.
Thanks for taking the time – very interesting reading.
Good fun article on meedja turn arounds on Untold Arsenal today
@ 165
I have a 98% conversion rate of drinks to hangover.
Even higher when internationals are taken into account.
If it’s stats you want…..
IΒ΄m going to take out a 9 month option on liking players, starting Sep 1st.
I reserve the Option to Review after 4 months.
Until Sep 1st I am neutral about everyone. But not The Arsenal. Or JT.
Heh
The gestation period of Catalan’s love lasts nine months.
Is a termination after 4 months therefore ethical?
Pitchforks at the ready…..and protest the lovetest π
The biggest mystery of the summer is what is keeping Snir quiet?
Has the Tranqulizer Option in the Quackery finally taken effect?
heh! Zico.
Sounds like the Barça DNA has had an effect on Miquel.
Tranquiliser = baseball bat. Seems to work.
@ 171
Have now caught up with the Twitter jibber-jabber on Miquel – disappointed if this is true and especially if we sell to them, but understandable if Bartely is given the nod before him.
The Spaniard looked more likely to me.
Bartley π³
@ NBN
Thanks for that, Statto.
van Persie 2.31
Giroud 2.32
Podolski 2.60
Park 3.25
That is interesting, for all sorts of reasons. Giroud and RvP virtually the same. Podolski not far behind. And Park fourth. Who’d a thunk it?
For what it’s worth, Bartley also seems able to play as a DM, which might be enough to push him up the pecking order. I did like what I saw of Miquel last season, though. But with Kos, TV4, the BFG and Djorou in front of them, vieing to be the fifth and sixth utility defender can’t be the most appealing role for ambitious young men.
Talking of DMs, any news of Frimpong’s comeback?
Just checked the Physio Room to answer my own question on Frimpong (back in September) to find that we are already leading the league in the number of players out with injuries.
http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
And I forgot Squillaci! How could I possibly have done that?
Interesting for the conspiracy theorists – look at the photos on the website today. There does seem to be a distinction between the senior players (white numbers) and the fringe ones (red).
Of note; Ryo has white.
New training pictures up on the official site. Is it just me or did the club photogropher go out of his way to take a lot of shots of RvP?Not because I think he is trying to show RvP is still an Arsenal player but just to mess with people so everyone can go crazy trying to convince themselves one way or another about his body language and what it means for his chances of staying.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/44126/arsenal-back-in-training-picture-special
Dr. Feelgood. Impressive stats @167. π
Looking at the training shots RVP is in serious need of a dose of Just for Men.
Good catch CG. Of course NB doesn’t have a number as TGSTEL doesn’t have time for numbers.
Anyone seen the pic of Lansbury smoking a huge stogie on the official site?
bearded, neither does chezza have a number, they must be making up a “special” #1 jersey for him.
Love the contrasting mien on tgstel and arshavin. nick looks like he should be sitting on a rubber doughnut.
link, cg?
@ 181
Roxette would beg to differ π
‘Afternoon
Have we all welcomed Jack Burton and bid a fond farewell to Carlos Vela?
Stewart Robson talking shite on talkshite radio.*
Arsene’s to blame apparently.
For everything.
Expect AW to be summoned to the Hague for war crimes any day.
* Yes, I know…..
Jack Burton?
He made Edward Scissorhands right?
His brother Tim did, Dr.z. π
I know he’s been with us before, but like Bouldy, could be a key signing.
http://www.realsociedad.com/document/view/spa/225/156400/carlos-vela-vuelve-a-casa
If Google Translate does not fool me, that is official comfirmation of Vela to Real Sociedad.
No Walcott in those pics. And wasn’t Lansbury wearing 14 at St. Mary’s?
steward robson was “relieved of his duties” with arsenal, yes? so his vitriol will be considerably more bilious than when he was en employ, no doubt.
congrats to vela, and qui est jack burton?
No scruz, he was every bit as bad when he was “on duty”.
Tosser.
Good point @185 scruz. Any bets of a confidence competition between Chezzer and TGSTEL? Just need to come up with the appropriate events.
It’s long past time to toss out the old lurkers and bring in the new. Just sayin’
scruz @ 194 is that confirmed? If so that is excellent.
Ah just in time to bang in the 200 – who’s gonna tee me up? π
GT. Does that have a whiff of yellow card or is it just my imagination????????? If not, well in old boy. π
Before you all start jumping up and down I plead “guilty as charged” and I will accept the same punishment as you gave Dr Zee, Lurky & that Argie bastard ..
π
Re: Vela link @192. That doesn’t sound like confirmation of anything beyond a renewed loan to me, but it is far from clear.
scruz – my bad, it’s Terry π³
ALANS?
8ball, I think it’s a bona fide sale this time. I wish him much success. He’ll (continue) to do well there. It’s good for all invovled in the deal.
GT – Blatant self assisting. A pair of boxing gloves for you to help cure your filthy habit.
Well I have received my ‘Purple Reign’ brochure today.7
Posted from Larsland, weirdly.
GT back to his self-assisting habit, I see.
I see Ibrahimocunt is officially a Qatari.
Now that the lurking excitement has excitement has subsided, what else is there to fixate on. A debate about GoonerTerry’s guilt in the self-assisting scandal seems a moot point what with his confession and all. Maybe a debate about appropriate punishment is in order. He clearly has been sloughing off in respect for the RULES, what with his Jamaican beach holidays and all. I would suggest death by rum but am afraid he would enjoy it too much. Inventive ideas needed here …
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7908246/Vertonghen-Eyes-Title
I see the Spuds have signed a comedian.
Hmm I have received an e-mail stating my eligibility to a Season ticket.
That’s a bit of a jump in the queue.
And I’m truly not sure what to do with this.
Fully expected to get Silver first.
Self assisting?
Would never have happened on Clive’s watch – he had April April and Tiffany October on hand (ahem) to ensure it was never required.
Ollie – buy the thing. Then let me borrow it!! π
Whoops. Looks like I put a bit too much excitement into drink 208 so to justify it in retrospect here’s a story about SZCZ’s old girlfriend. If I had a pole vaulter of a girlfriend though, I would have to think she’s a keeper. π
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4356509/Arsenal-ace-Wojciech-Szczesny-I-lost-my-trust-in-women.html
Congratulations bt8b.
What yellow card offence? π
Witchcraft at work up there!
Congrats 8 ball.
Serial offenders those Terrys…..
Bermuda Triangle strikes @200 ?!?
Someone finally found a fitting punishment for that outrageous self-assister GoonerTerry.
Disappearance ! π
Stand by for Abb rushing in to kiss him better now. Meh ! π
Of course it never happened to Diego, being so fleet of foot….. 8)
Go for it Ollie, go for it!
Stewart Robson? Who?
Heh, ‘holic 213, Bravo! π
Afternoon Holic & Holics. First of all thank you Holic for saving me from fighting all my friends – which of course I was fully prepared to do – since when I wrote my “who want’s to tee me up?” post we were at 196 – but the larger point is the zero tolerance I seem to attract from some quarters. When others (i.e. Dr Zee; Lurky Oliva etc) self-assist they are welcomed as conquering heroes (well slight exaggeration but still…) I believe I am treated differently because … well because..erm I don’t know why to be honest … I just am … and it makes me sad
π
And leading the Pitch-fork brigade is Trev & Zee … hmmm .. does anyone else see this as a conflict of interest?
π
220 Well GT, its a normal subliminal reaction that anyone named Terry is considered a lying, shit-faced, grass munching cunt. They have to put through the Feelgood clinic in order for their mindset to be re-set by patented treatment. A donation to the good Doctor c/o The Tollie would enable several trangressors to receive the necessary treatment. (or a large shipment of Jamaica’s finest may be accepted as an alternative). π
Here’s a round of “For he’s a jolly good fellow” for GoonerTerry. Lest that make you too happy though, GT, remember that the last time I suggested such a thing was for our friend Alisher so I’m not sure you will like the company you are in on that score. π
@ Uply: I know what you are saying – no one hates that cunt more than me – but I had the name first (since 1955) and I quite like it. You don’t suppose people will use “John Terry” or “Fulham Blue Cunt” when referring to him do you?
I am prepared to ship the Jamaican stuff to the Quackery – for the enjoyment of others – but I tried some Californian over the weekend and that stuff is much more potent and refined. Trouble is I don’t have access to more of that…
Didn’t we use to have a supplier of good Californian in the house? Where is he? Has he been ‘wiped’ out?
Evening all (trying to keep a straight face). Those pictures of our lads…together again (one last time for some), dagger to my heart. AA picture absolutely adorable. Ah, what must pappa Wenger be thinking. Theo, Robin please, please do the right thing, not for me or the fans, but for Arsene and the club.
GT – JTTTC will always be more infamous than your goodself and be first to peoples mind when the name comes up (plus it gives them an excuse to wash their mouth out with something strong to get rid of the bad taste).
Good Californian….trust it is better than Ernst Gallo Zinfandel π
Any bad feeling towards yourself has nothing to do you being in the
Carib Ian and us here in UK enduring our wettest summer in living memory….and for me that goes back a long way!
Enjoy your sundowner as we have to imbibe in something medicinal such as a whisky to keep the cold out π
Sorry Tel. You may be the first, but you won’t be the last π
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>