Now that it has happened it really is surprising that people find it so, erm, surprising.
No more that grin, that cocky swagger. The way he body-swerved through the crowds time and again to deliver the goods. Visiting the Grove to see him consistently do what he was paid for became one of the highlights of each winter fortnight.
Now, it is disheartening to think I will have to once again strike up a relationship with another of the hired hands that have drifted in and out of Arsenal Football Club down the years. Why, I ask myself. He won’t stay long. They never do. Richer rewards are on offer elsewhere.
That doesn’t make it any easier tonight though.
I’m going to miss that cheeky little sod who used to keep back a chicken balti pie for me just outside Block 32.
698 Responses to “He’s Gone”
First to say f*** off. Don’t let the door hit you etc etc
Fuck him. Wanker.
good. let’s focus on saturday. vermaelen for captain.
(Fuck that Dutch Bloke)
BMBD.
Well written ‘holic. This is good business if the funds are reinvested well in the squad. Assuming we get good money for the Balti pie server. I’d like to think Wenger wouldn’t have sactioned the move unless there was already one or two purchases lined up.
Yep.. I miss Bendtner too.. Sad day for Arsenal.
From the last bar…
Abb –
Not sure what the issue is/was, but you are welcome to send me a note via secured channels…just ask the Guv for the “sort code.”
I hope you stick around.
Arteta for Captain.
BMBD.
I think that is the general concensus, Esso. Can’t waste any more energy on the turncoats. Want to get behind the new boys. They look the part, and hopefully we have the folding to buy another one or two now.
Never rated the brittle, disloyal and treacherous Robin van Puraestrings anyway …
arteta, lhonestar? not a bad choice, but i’d like to see it built from the back, and vermaelen has those eyes he can bug at the refs if they get out of hand. all arteta can do is bat *his* eyes…though the refs might always wonder why the lego hair is never out of place, and be distracted…
Atleast now I dont have to sacrifice goats during international friendlies hoping that RcP’s glass ankles dont get shattered.
fuck him.
We move in another direction. Forward.
Look what your wonderful manager is doing to you,pissing up and down your back.
I feel sick
I have a feeling akin to being kicked in the guts right now. Sure, I knew it was coming, yet somehow and some way I didn’t want it to be true. Excuse my being melodramatic but as a fan I am still that way. A fan. I still believe, I am still here for no other reason than I love this wonderful club like it was a family member. Right now it feels as if that family member has been mugged by a person that claimed to be my best friend…, and that hurts.
So long you traitor, I hope the tainted gold makes up for the fact that you broke our hearts. Stay away from the mirror, you won’t like what you see staring back at you!
Adios amigo! Now let’s win the league!
Let’s be honest here, if RVP was our first sale of the season and Wenger then went out and bought Podolski and Giroud after that, we’d be pretty pleased. But if we can get even more with that cash then win, win, win.
Fingers crossed he breaks his leg
This is straight down the line… before last season would you have taken £24m for Van Persie and the answer is yes…. If Song goes for £15 even better, Why both good players but not irreplaceable.. Podolski and Giroud now for Song.
I think we need to re-invest this potential £40m and will reap the benefits.
Nicely put Holic. A pint of “fuck the cunt” for me, whatever you’re having, and one for Mr C ,who I am assured will be along shortly.
Fuck ‘im.
Not worth any emotion at all.
I actually hate him more than stapleton. classless.
JUDAS !!
As if the cocky prick had the balls to demand the armband when he came on against Koln. Cunt. Fucking backstabbing cunt!
on a plus note, £24m to spend on….daniel di rossi?
Lets hope he wins the same kind of medals as Stapleton did at United. Very few and only domestic cups.
On TF1, AW has confirmed he won’t be reinvesting – we’ve already got his replacements. My only worry is the adaptation period for Poldi and Monsieur Pretty.
i thought in the end i’d be angry about it but i knew he’d be off the moment he decided to burn all his bridges with his press statement. maybe we are in for loriente. to be honest what really makes me angry are the rumours about alex song over on arsenal news review. wenger has his flaws, and we all know what they are, but he always defends his players despite the fact that they have continually let him and us down over these last 7 years. they then go on to stab him in the back. to be honest i have never been so ambivalent about the start of a football season. it’s probably the backlash of seeing so many athletes who have actually achieved something through hard work and dedication behave with such humility and grace come win or lose. i’m sure the feeling will pass around 2pm on saturday.
Great business I know that sounds stupid but we get Giroud and Podolski for what they are paying for him and the wages we are paying them both will be no higher either. I hope we can shift NB, AA, MC, SS, JSP which means we will have made a profit. If we can then bring Sahin and 1 other in the squad will be stronger.
Ungrateful money grabbing piece of shit – to think that you wore the number 10, it was way too good for you. We’ll never mention you again and may your coach turn into a fkin pumpkin cinderella. If this doesn’t motivate the team to put 110% in this season, out of pure spite, then i don’t know what will.
If he went there and won nothing, i may just jizz in my pants every day for the rest of my life at the sheer justice of it, especially if we made it a double whammy and won something. I hope city dominate them from today like we have dominated sp*rs over the years, and that he finishes his career trophyless and a failure at united, to the point where they don’t even give him a cushy ambassador role after he retires.
One thing is for sure, it will put the rivalry back on the map.
@ danish gooner, your only contribution is to have a pop at WEnger, you fackin’ mug. Grow up and get behind your team, idiot. All you ever do is slag WEnger but what would you have done? Nothing, because you’re just another frustrated litte internet bitch troll; if you’re planning a bin bag protest for SAturday like last season’s, hurry up and spread the word amongst your brothers and sisters as it’ll save me trip to MAkro’s on SUnday. That’s only if you’re a seson ticket holde and not an internt typing TItan, you rarseclart.
All right whats all the fuss about? Whats happened?
I’m truly disgusted, I hate him more than Adebayor nd Nasri. I hope u break Mr glass. Scezny,Sagna,gibbs,vermalen,koscielny,Sahin,Arteta,carzola,podolski,wallcot,giroud. We might win somethng
Apparently the Song deal is done too. Well that’s the books balanced then. Maybe a free to come in and that’s your lot.
King’s Head Saturday and we are off and running again.
i hope he gets injured and never plays again and fergie sees his 24 mil flush down the toilet
So do we go with our current strike force or do we build?
Poldi, Giroud, Gerv, Theo, Chamakh, Theo, Shava are our options for front 3 positions for next season. I still think there is room for 1 more out and out striker..
I was hoping we would get Hernandez as part of the deal..but unfortunately no.. So ti simply has to be Clint Dempsey..
Of course one could dream about Llorente.. but not happening.
Oh shit I counted Theo twice.. Hes that good.
Dutch bloke is gorn
RVP = RIP
This was the killer
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/418765_10151128006019113_805266982_n.jpg
Long time reader / rare poster. Been reading your musings with great interest all summer, Holic . Wisdom a plenty, along with all the drinkers at the bar. Cheers for a clever post above. Again.
I just want to add WHEWW!!!am I glad that’s over. Like passing kidney stone… a 24m kidney stone. Barkeep, i beg you … Irish whiskey! Better make it a triple … that left a mark. Glad its gone tho.
Now, FLUSH the toilet … onto bigger and better things. Armband to Vermalen!!
One for the house on my tab as well and here’s to a 4-nil dickstomping of Sunderland.
http://poznaninmypants.com/2012/08/14/the-poldi-a-new-unit-of-currency/
This is the way to look at it, I think.
And well said, Swedish Gooner!
Goodbye glass ankles. 18 months wasn’t much for an 8 year relationship.
Only Taggart’s need to put one over his neighbours and desperation for a short term fix can explain the price we allegedly got for him.
We have 3 major additions to the squad that make us significantly stronger than last season even allowing for the defection of that low class clog-wearing cunt.
I look forward to cheering on the players who want to bring the Premiership trophy to THE ARSENAL.
I urge you all to get the name Dr Feelgood on the back of your replica strips. He will never let you down.
With him, what you see is what you get. (For a fee). 8) 8)
Fancy Danish turning up on this day, of all days. 🙄
RVP in ManUTD.
Sounds like a B horror movie that nobody wants to watch.
No class, dutch boy, no class.
I’m strategically placed several buckets around me because I’m ready for 48 hours long vomiting, non-stop.
Maybe I should call Guinnes people and earned a few bob.
@ sajit
numerically, six strikers is enough for two positions, don’t you think?
When I heard of nasir”s transfer to shitty, mehn! I felt betrayed….but RVP???? after all those seasons of long term injuries, boy! This is sooooo HEART BREAKING!
Words can not describe how little I give a damn!
Didn’t see there was a new blog as I was still posting on yesterday’s!
43 drinks already?
They best hope thwy got a good medical team – oh well at least Fletcher will have some company
Now that it has happened it really is surprising that people find it so, erm, surprising.
Bang on, as always, ‘holic!
hehehe hahahahaha really!!! A player thats had one good season, will be reaching the grand old age of 30 next season, has had more injuries than diaby, has just made us £22mil and will cost the manks £220K a week!!! SAF you have lost the plot!!! Lets not be unhappy? Lets remember last season, thank RVP for getting us into Europe and get on with this season.
RVP I hope you have a great season and don’t injure yourself celebrating!
Does anyone have concrete information about Song?
What’s the worry?
Man Utd have got a new Dutchman?
They’ve also still got Johnny Evans 😉
Well I don’t know if all the anger is real or just “man-grief” but I am not angry. I am just very sad. I am with @J above: I love RvP and I can’t just turn that into saying anything bad about him at this time [unless of course he disses the club afterwards ala Na$ri] but I would love to know the real reason that he suddenly decided to leave after such a wonderful season last year … or was that determination he showed last season his parting gift to us?
I hope that he will be happy up there in Manchester – can’t wish him luck though, but I don’t wish him ill either….
As for the people wishing him injury: you disgust me! This kind of hate for a person you don’t even know; one who have brought us so much joy in the past is just too much to stomach for me…. I love this club and football is an all-consuming passion for me but its still only a game and hate does not have a place in it at all…
🙁
‘holic 8
concensus?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOoh. I am surmising your finger just slipped on the keyboard….
He sells who He wants, Arsene Wenger, He sells who He wants.
GT @ 50 – just a series of small niggling injuries will do fine 😉
Worried that he’ll fail the medical?
Fair play to the Manc on Twitter for this gem…
Seán O’Sullivan @OSullivanMUFC
Nobody should be afraid about van Persie passing a medical. It is clinically impossible to fail a United medical. #Hargreaves #Saha #Owen
@ GoonerTerry
“if he disses the club”?
What do you call what he put on his website? I don’t carry on loving people who show no respect or love for me. I have been disinvesting emotionally ever since he put off his contract discussions.
…and you can have that one, Ollie. I can’t be arsed 😉
Unexpected in a way that he would go to Utd, but then again every player has their price.Still cannot believe we are getting 24 million for a player who has only had 18 months of consistency and good health and only 12months to run on his contract.
I thank him for the last 18 months and he can kindly f*ck off to that shithole where he’ll never be more than a turncoat merc!!
Have reservations that we will in fact sign anyone else but with the strengthening that has been done thus far is encouraging and in spite of the deserter I am optimistic for the new season!
Agree with Fun @55, he’s already dissed the Club.
GT, I agree with you on the hate thing, but RVP has brought all the abuse on himself.
Well. That’s that. Theo, here’s your chance to play through the middle at times. I think that poldi and giroud together will score more than Van Pussy this year. They will work for the team.
I would like to see 2 more signings for the money but I fear Arsene is already polishing up his ” we will buy quality if we see it, and it just wasn’t there” speech ready.
Attack looks ok. We will create chances and now have 2 proven finishers instead of one. But I would like to see a proven defender and if Song leaves then I want Sahin.
Is abb really gone??? This is far more distressing than rvp. Please tell me it’s a joke. Come back, abb, please.
At least we might score from the odd free kick now and again.
We are now a small club selling RVP to Man Utd. Imagine Man Utd selling Rooney to Arsenal, Fergie would say over my dead body. We give them Van Persie, they give us Silvestre. We are a laughing stock. Wenger out, sack the board.
If RVP would drop dead tomorrow, I wouldnt feel sad one bit.
Just hope we manage to get a few more quality signings before the window closes..
Don’t care that he left. Incensed that Arsenal sold him to United.
Potentially better courses of action:
1. Selling to any club that’s not Man U, Chelsea, or City. We get the cash, he gets to move, no rivals strengthened.
2. Keeping him for the year
2(a). He plays hard, we get the benefit of his expertise.
2(B). He sulks, we bench him for a year and then he can’t command as high wages come next summer because who trusts a 30-year-old crock who has just sat out for a year. We get to feel happy and he gets shafted for sulking.
Even selling him to City would have been better because it would have exacerbated their FFP problems and resulted in absurd striker selection problems (Tevez, Kun, Balotelli, RVP plus the guys they’re trying to get rid of).
Appalled at Arsenal management, and after such a good summer of recruitment too.
Robin Van Judas! Don’t let the door hit you behind.
And Van Persie was proved right what he said about the direction of the club, the Arsene knows crowd are going to get an almighty slap this season.
I think we’ve sold a fancy pants and gained two warriors who are going to worry defenses like Drog, plus a midfielder who looks better than Nasri and with a better temperament. I think the squad has improved. RVP was never a warrior like Titi… Always been a fussy player. Let Utd. Have him !
Just got back home now after having spent most of the day since lunch-time in the car. With about an hour still to drive, news came over the radio about RvP. I wasn’t angry at all, I just could not believe Robin could be that stupid. I just shook my head in disbelief.
Will I hate him? No. Not at all. I pity him much more than anything. He could have become a legend, but he has allowed himself to be so badly advised that he has now pissed all over his own legacy and will only be remembered as a mercenary.
He’s gone, I’m not going to waste any energy on hating him.
Now time to do some quick back-drinking.
heh, cheers, ‘holic!
A drink for you, if the neighbours are not doing their ‘duty’ tonight 😉
Arteta was more important to us last season than RvP. Having Cazorla is more important than signing a seventh striker.
So ManUre have signed old Glass Ankles.
They finally have their new Placenta Forward.
As a sports physio, I can’t wish injury on someone. However, a total loss of form and failure to adapt to his new team will do nicely.
Just having to share every day with Sir Purple-Nose and the Fat Granny Shagger has to be bad enough for anyone ? 😉
At least we sold RvP to a club with no midfield, cut off his food supply and the goals will die like they did in the Euro’s.
Looks like “Song and Theo ” will be heading the same way because they too are both asking for wages that will not sit well within the business model.
Makes me so proud the be a Arsenal supporter, for a time there I was worried we could have ended-up in the RED over this summer’s transfer dealings, but NO the boys in suites have managed to pull it out of the bag again, we can all sleep easy in our beds again tonight “three cheers for the suites everybody”…..
EIE: I’d very much like to be given £24m too.
We didn’t give him away, the cunt wanted to fuck off, he’s got his wish, we’ve got the money, which is a fair deal.
@ Josef
The option of selling him to another club was not open to us. He only wanted to go to United. The choice was between keeping him or selling him to United.
Evening all!
Nice one ‘holic and might I suggest that we abbreviate the recent hired hand’s sobriquet to BPS? It’s redolent of our former employee but distant enough not to be absolutely associated with the Dutch turncoat. And speaking of whom, hope it all goes t*ts up and twelve months from now we’re all laughing at you and and your spurious reasons for leaving the greatest club in the world.
Fergie’s last splash!?
Up the arse!
We’ll sell Song and yet again make a profit, Arsene Wenger Bank Manager not Football Manager…time to go Wenger, we know you earn a cut of the transfer fees!
Great business AFC and more inept debt piled on by Sir A F-word’s ego onto the Manure coffers! Sweet as a nut!
Glad he’s fecked off at last, arrogant cunt! Please sort out Song & Theo before Sunderland too and replace if there’s any disloyalty or wavering commitment whatsoever! COYBG
Nurse Wolfie @481,
Do you really need to ask, big boy?! 😉
Same quote from mr arseblogger from Dublin 7 afte the same post from Lee:
I am only interested in players who want to play for Arsenal
What about the boys in twin-rooms Lee? Or single rooms. You just cant blame everything on the boys in suites.
This place is being invaded too now?
Wishing you all goodbye.
With a round of drink and specials from the CMC for ALL.
Wenger @63 –
Go and watch some Olympic highlights and try to get sport in your life in some kind of perspective.
A stupid, stupid comment. Whatever be has done in football, he has a wife and two young children.
Do you seriously think they deserve to lose their husband and father over a football transfer ?
Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim Chim cheroo
Who needs van persie
When we’ve got Giroud?
Fuck off greedy dutch wanker.
Arsene, good business but please ensure it is all reinvested and wisely.
Up the Gunners.
Chill out everyone…
There is no way that he will match the performances of the last campaign. We have sold at the top of the market.
This may very well be seen as an excellent piece of business for us at the end of next season.
The key now is to invest the proceeds to further strengthen the squad with two more quality additions.
@ 71Trev
“So ManUre have signed old Glass Ankles.
They finally have their new Placenta Forward.”
ha ha – just got it!
same response too:
Yep me too Ollie but do you think all our best players have/had the wrong attitude?
Agree with the above drinkers.
RVP had one great season and showed flashes of briliance every so often. Let Utd. have him then. We’ll see how good Utd’s physios are!
Arsenal, a laughing stock? Sure, I guess … if your audience is a pack of 15 years olds who play a lot of …. football manager. (Right, you see what I did there. Play a lot of … . )
FunGunner excellent point.
Hadn’t seen the response, haven’t been back to the old blog;)
I’ll be cautious and say ‘not all of them, of course!’. 🙂 Bye.
If we had sold Walcott & Song to Man Utd I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid and thought it was funny, but not RVP, it will be devastating to see him in a Man Utd shirt and will ruin all those good memories…oh well….I’m off to bed…put a right dampner on Saturday’s game now.
How would we feel if the boot was on the other foot and Wenger invested over £50 million on a 29 year old.
He would be slated from the Sun to Talk shite.
too many fans believing the media.
You CANNOT dictate to players since the Bosman rule, end of.
Once again, I can tell everybody right now – AW has already said he will NOT be replacing RvP, he has done so in the purchase of Giroud and Podolski.
Personally, I am cool with that.
Well said sir. Another of the deadwood leaves. Here’s to building a team of actual winners
When you lose a big player to a rival it feels a bit like ( and this strains the memory) your girlfriend went off with someone else.Youd see them together and feel jealousy,hate and sometimes relief( if you had another bird lined up!) but the overriding emotion was curiosity – ” What’s he got that I haven’t?”
So what have United got that we haven’t?
I guess they have a better chance of winning trophies than we have.And if that’s true RVP has been true to that comment on he website. We expect everyone who plays for us to be Tony Adams and they are really Samir Nasri.
I don’t agree with the poster that we wont reinvest.We need another striker.Gervinho and Theo won’t be able to play there all the time they have a hole in their arse.I also hope Song leaves.If Myles is right ( and he’s usually wrong- months ago he said RVP was definitely staying)Song is utterly ungrateful.Wenger persevered with him and improved him and he’s thrown that loyalty back in Wenger’s face.I was at Fulham that December night and rarely has anyone played worse for this club. I suspect we will have fee haggling after all it is Barca and he has three years left on his contract. My guess would be Sahin or M’Vila but Capoue is I understand better than both. Up front we might see Mirallas or let’s hope Llorente although I have always thought Defoe would score. Lot of goals playing for us.But he’s their only striker. The other surprise packet might be Bent.I thought Giroud looked quality and competing itch a regular goal scorer might be worth doing. And Villa are a selling club….just like us.
Can’t wait to hear the latest crap from Peter Hill- Wood in the Star
Zico who else is there to blame they devise n stick to the working business model that costs us our best players every year….
Fu*k u and fu*k united if we don’t get mvila I aint gona be happy don’t kno why peeps were suprised maybe its coz he has gone to one of our biggest rivals fuck off rvp loud and clear I hope u get plagued with injuries mudda fu*ker and ur dads a lyin piece of sh*t
Zico @ 80
Well done Sir. That made me chuckle…
@ thundertinygooner
“I don’t agree with the poster that we wont reinvest.We need another striker.”
I am reporting what *Wenger* said tonight on TF1.
Six strikers for two spots. Surely that is enough?
Eloquently put @95!!!
I’m off ’til we only have people deliberately being stupid in here again.
wow, that was a quick ton…reinvest!
Arsenaldna- post 27. The funniest and most succinct quote
I’ve ever “cum” accross on a blog:
“If he went there and won nothing, i may just jizz in my pants every day for the rest of my life at the sheer justice of it,”
Genius sir.
‘holic @54,
Heh! 🙂
OK all, as you can see I am being a little more liberal than usual in what goes here tonight.
Understand the anger and disappointment completely.
Just make sure it doesn’t turn personal. Deal?
And nurse, if you are reading this I hope you see everybody else asking you to stay 😉
Fun. He said we would not sell Cesc, Nasri or RVP? I would take that with a pinch of salt.
I also agree with those above that the money needs to be reinvested. I would also hope that targets are already identified.
Dang, the bar’s buzzin tonight! Ton already?! Scruzzzz-ripper!
Better keep someone down in the cellar till closing to change over those kegs! Another round of the goodstuff for the regulars Barkeep and buck-fast or alco-pops for “Homer’s” 15 yr old crashes! Buuurrpp!
Steve T, I wish I had your confidence I just can’t get passed the suites knowing they had lost RVP @ the start of the summer before the spending spree started, + AW’s quote that we are already covered in that position.
whoops! that was a fine mistake. a won ton mistake in duck sauce, i imagine.
homer, have some redbreast on my tab, which is miniscule compared to lars’. fungunner, glassy placenta ankles indeed. zico, i think it’ll be the 1mx2mx2m sleeping cubes that are missing out, too.
feeling strangely, if seriously, releived this is all over. now, if there’s really fire to song’s smoke (not pik), he can fuck off too. all for the shirt!!
arrrsenal, arrrsenal fc., we’re by far the greatest club the world has ever seeeen…
Lee,
Well how about the boys in Reception? Or the foyer?
How about the boys who found that, far from getting a suite, there was no room at the inn? How about blaming it on those suiteless feckers?
@ 104 Steve T
What people on here think we should do is neither here nor there – you don’t make the decisions. I’ve just relayed to you what he says will happen. He will do what *he* thinks best.
Either swedish Gooner @ 28 has some Jamaican friends or he/she’s a Yaardie in disguise …
🙂
Zico,
None of them come out of this looking good, but the facts are the game has changed “Tony Adams” has retired other clubs have noticed this but we are still paying 1970’s wages, but selling @ 2020 ticket prices to the customers!!!
Zico (or Pico as my iPad wants to call you..)
It’s the 1,2 and 3 suites that really are to blame.
They are SOFA up their own arses!
“Let’s go
Let’s go
Let’s just call a whip off
A drink before the kick off
Get in the mood for Saturday’s game
Five to three they zip on
The lads have got the strip on
We’re gonna thrash you ain’t that a shame
We’ll beat ya defeat ya
We’re ready to roll
Stop your fancy fooling ’round and give us a goal
We’ll chase ya then race ya
You can’t catch a cold
Stop your fancy footwork now and give us a goal!”
Heh Wasp,
that’s suite. 😉
Lee – I blame the boys in boots. They are the ones who break your heart.
@ 107 scruz
ha ha
@ Steve T
Fun. He said we would not sell Cesc, Nasri or RVP? I would take that with a pinch of salt.
He didn’t say that he wouldn’t sell those players. He said he didn’t want to, or that he would fight to keep them, or that he expected them to stay. The time he said categorically that we wouldn’t sell was in summer 2010, and we didn’t sell Cesc. He knows that he can’t dictate to a player who is seriously unsettled or who has a year to run on his contract.
The other day I posted Steve Stammers’ explanation – if a player is unsettled, he will sell them, but only if his high valuation is met. It was.
Sorry I hate to jump in, as I don’t want to argue here in the bar. I still need to numb the pain from that kidney stone. (it seemed at the time the size of a bowling ball. but on closer inspection, looks smaller than a marble. maybe a pea. or a pee. no matter, still more sweat than it was worth). A red breast it is, thank you sir.
But the club hardly pays 1970s wages. And club supporters are hardly like “customers,” which suggests dispassionate, merely objective conumers of fungible goods. Thats an intellectually dishonest argument.
Hmmm..yet again…positive news – only regulars attend..negative news ..or supernegative news (as in now regarding RvP) lot of new faces..since I am drunk I am going to use stronger language…for bloody fucking sake…cant you newcomers write fucking something when things are looking good for us? Whats up with this urge to be all doomsaying when something wrong happens about Arsenal? Where were you when we signed Poldi, Giroud and Santi?..Yet when RvP goes off, tons of you pop up going all “Wenger out!” “we are fucked” “I hope that cunt dies”. Shame on YOU! Why cant you be just more positive?
RvP was long gone, it was just a matter of for how much and where. I am also sad that he chose ManU, since that really shows that he thinks that Arsenal is not a team where he can win something rather than pure desire for more money likey if he went to City. Also like GT, I cant bring myself to wish him injury or something like that. Fair enough..hes gone, he pretty much tarnished the image he made in last season where he was one of the BEST FUCKING CAPTAINS we had in years…lets not forget that. Yes..that makes his move even more painful but I just cant get the pure hatred I can feel from many of the posts. So from me..good luck Robin, shame you are gone but The Arsenal will prevail even without you.
Also ..if Song goes I think Arsene will reconsider putting so much faith in players anymore (which probably means Diaby will be gone for good after his next injury).
The boys in leather chaps and stetsons. They’re the ones you’ve got to watch out for.
Lee – I bet Pat Rice would have loved some of our 70’s wages.
I will put this out there. Do people think RVP has 4 good years left in him? He was our best player last year and scored some very good goals, but I would wager that he will not reach such heights again. He was therefore expendable at the right price. The fact that only one club was willing to pay the price just shows me that all the other clubs felt the same.
He is a risk going forward. He was for us and he will be for Manure. If he got his 200+ a week that he was asking then I don’t begrudge him and I am thrilled we got 24 million. By my count I think van pussy made us 59 million pounds in the last year ( 35 for CL qualification and 24 for taking his risk to Manure).
I thought getting £24 mill for a 29 yr old with a year left on his contract was positive news.
Also be wary of the boys in cravats…..and them fellas with braces and stripey shirts…
We don’t pay 70’s wages…. we have £1 coins nowadays.
Personally I never trust anyone with a top hat and spats.
Nurse Abb, I do not give a sh.t about that gray old Dutch who left us, but we will do anything to prevent you do the same. Players come and go, supporters stay lifelong.
Please, put a pen to a new contract.
That’s exactly what I was aiming for:
Intellectually dishonest argument… “If I knew what that meant” I knew my poor school attendance would catch-up with me @ some point…..
FunG @115 – nice work.
Eandy – i’m not sure how much ManUre was RvP’s choice. In the end, there didn’t seem to be any other takers.
For all the disappointment at the players we have lost in the last three or four years, they had actually won us nothing.
Yes, we had been close, but either physical, mental or experience issues intervened to collapse our challenge every time.
We have a bigger, stronger, more mature squad now. If we have rid ourselves of the selfish and uncommitted elements from the squad now, so much the better.
I can’t wait to get behind those who want to be here. They just might turn out to be the best of the lot.
A top hat, spats and a monocle! In a suite.
We got the best deal we could in the circumstances folks,time to move on.
Now then, there’s cricket to be played tomorrow – I was just going to send KP a text to wish him luck….. oh. 😯
Cheers all around. Looking forward to the weekend. Finally we get some Arsenal football. Best to the management and the regulars.
Trev. @ 127
“I can’t wait to get behind those who want to be here. They just might turn out to be the best of the lot”.
Amen Reverend Trev.
Do you preach here often?
All the time Wasp. 😉
FunG @ 118 –
I regularly wear a stetson…
BMBD
Oh Dennis, the bar is being invaded by the daft and trolls. People wishing death on others. I’m out until the civilized, regular holics return. Wow!!
Trev
Well there’s a few non-believers in the house tonight so get the fucking robes on ASAP!
What Trev said@127.
Glad it’s all over tbh,can’t turn down them dollars for a man of his age good business,still looking forward with our new signings.I’d hope to see Theo sign a new deal,he will get a couple of chances this year up top.
Also I join to all of those that hopes that abb will reconsider. You always brought positive bright light among us, with irresistible sense for liking even “blacklisted” players. This bar needs you nurse, much more than Arsenal needs RvP or any other player who thinks hes better off somewhere else:)
Maybe this has been already…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuvRg4OBk7Q
but look at Kos and his gestures towards RIP and his cheap useless tricks. Something like
Meh… you are to old to play with us, go and bore some other kids like
rooney, let us play, you’re annoying.
@ 127 Trev
Hear, hear. We’re one of the top clubs *in the world*, our style of football is famous and we have a huge and growing fanbase. If players have to be bribed to stay with us, then we don’t need them. As for trophies, it’s their job to win trophies for the club, not the club’s job to win trophies for them.
@ 128 Lonestar Gooner
Before I respond to you, what does BMBD mean?
Sorry, that should have read:
@ 132 Lonestar Gooner
Before I respond to you, what does BMBD mean?
FunG – “BMBD” Barcelona must be destroyed.
I thought you knew that already? 😉
Still not sure why you’re suspicious of us cowboys…
BMBD.
BMBD means Bad Mouthed By Deed, Bad Mouthed by Deckchair.
Or something.
Of course this makes him a prick…outdoing Stapleton to that end. Do I think he was going to repeat last season ever again? Of course not…mark my words.
Good bit of cash if we’re prepared to spend it. I do feel for Wenger but I think he knows football circa 2012 is nothing like it was even a decade ago. Fuck loyalty or expecting it – let’s get nothing but players who want to wear the shirt.
We can do something special this season. I’m sure of it. I won’t wish RvP injuries but I think his form for the last 10 games of last season and the Euros should be a sufficient blight.
At least he won’t put in a Nasri vs Liverpool last season shift.
I am actually getting over it already ..
Thank you Trev – you understand mate …
Dapper DanC where have you been?
🙂 🙂 🙂 for all the funny stuff from the usual patients – form a line please
What all the regulars have said with cherries on top.
Dr Z – Incorrigible! 🙂
Eandy@117 You are quite judicious for a drunk mate:)
Reading **** one has to wonder if this new liberalism is paying off Holic ?
🙂
AW and Gazidis played this well. They must have realised early in the summer that RvP wasn’t going to extend his contract, well before that statement. They got Podolski and Giroud lined up as replacements in good time. That made any RvP threat to walk less potent. No need for panic buying (at over-a-barrel prices) to replace him, plus the luxury of being able to hold out for top dollar for him if he did go. £24 million for a 29-year old with a patchy fitness record and one-year left on his contract is decent business, how distasteful the circumstances. Last season, he played all 38 league games. It was the first in which he hasn’t missed at least 10 league matches. In terms of minutes on the pitch, last season accounted for a quarter of all his EPL playing time over the eight seasons of his career with us. Hopefully, we ran him into the ground, and that he doesn’t discover Giggs-like secrets of longevity at Old Trafford. The sweetest reward of all for AW and IG would be for us to pip the Mancs for the title this season, on goal difference.
As a 9 year old, Stapleton broke my heart. This is has just made me fuckin angry, and also even more distanced from football.
I am angry at the RVP, I’m angry at the club for selling a player to a rival and I’m angry that just when we look like we have a competitive squad, we throw it away.
We didn’t have to sell. no way would a guy so injury prone go into a season without financial security. If he played and didn’t try, he wouldnt score goals and thus wouldn’t land a contract somewhere else.. We should’ve called his bluff.
I’ve never wished an injury on anyone, but would love to see the horse placenta at work again in the next few weeks.
If the song rumours are true, then whats the fuckin point anymore? sell our best striker and playmaker. fuckin joke. we all know we won’t sign anyone else.
the club yet again is a fuckin laughing stock in the press and media.
just imagine if we don’t score on saturday. we’ll get slaughtered
just completely lost faith with players, football and the direction of the club.
@ Lonestar Gooner
aha – thanks for the explanation.
Just kidding about the stetsons.
****
“Team harmony matters more than one player’s talent.” – said about Kevin Pietersen.
-how
+however
Haven’t had this much fun in here since last October’s interlull, tabs.
There’s something about these angst-filled nights that brings out the best in some of our guests.
I love them, bless their cotton socks.
🙂
By the way, who’s Daniel Gradi?
Thank fuck that’s over.
The mong is about to be an ex, TaBS.
Zico @142 –
Tsk, tsk…shame on you for mockery (say what you will; you KNOW the mantra worked last season 😛 )
No worries, FunG…I’m a joker (not really a joker, joker – Mr. Law Enforcement)
JHLF – give me a break, man. Song… a playmaker…Song? This is the same Song (see what I did there?) who repeatedly gave away unneccessary free kicks? Sure he had 6 assists last season, but how many teams did he fail to cover properly. If he stays, great. But he hardly was the lynchpin of our team last year (or the years prior). If we can unload him for 15 – 20mil, sell him! By the way, where have you been for lo these many months? Just saying like…
Tomorrow, all the riff raff will be gone, ad we can get back to usual operations in the bar (*Edwin OUT*)
BMBD
lol @143. did you just take fat and orange’s talking points, mix them in with a bit of leg rash faerie dust, and come up with that oh-so-original screed? hilarious.
Interesting – from the website, the page breakign the news about RvP has over 2,500 “likes”. The one about Kos’s new contract has about 650.
Make of that what you will, as the football commentators say.
ok, not at tim’s 143, but the one ‘holic dispensed with…
– teams
+ times
Times which led to goals by the way.
BMBD
@ 158 scruzgooner
ha ha ha!
And on that belly laugh, I bid you good night.
You may as well delete my 154 too Holic since it was aimed at the boor that you have since bounced out!
Right to the end I was hoping he’d stay, but now he’s gone, fuck him. Bring on the next heart breaking mercenary…
Bob Marley – “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively”
I think we know what music Robin doesn’t listen to.
Come on you reds…a new season awaits
lol, funG, you magic mushroom you. glad you got a laugh out of it 🙂
holic, as z says you can kill my 158, too. not that you have anything better to do (he says, hoping the high latitude of the West keeps the sun high enough at this hour that the guv is enjoying the kindness of the neighbors, rather than being chained to the kill switch…).
*pops into the bar to see if the hysterics have untangled their knickers yet*
No? I’ll be off to bed then and come back tomorrow.
lars, be sure and keep your tab where it’s been, there’s a good fellow. the hystericals need their shots.
He ended his career with us with that statement, he was clearly tapped up by Viera and terms had been agreed with City. He and his advisors thought the statement would enable them to conclude the deal. However they miscalculated and the reaction from the club, the fans and even the media surprised them and perhaps the owners of City reconsidered their position and backed off.
Ferguson spotted an opportunity to get one over City and was willing to pay a premium over the true market rate to ensure they did not get rvp.
The outcome for:
City- their fans will be devastated after their chanting ” van persie is ours, your just a feeder club, van persie is ours”. To lose out to United will be damaging to their club on several levels.
United- they have paid a premium for a player to obtain a psychological advantage over City. This is possibly more important to Fergie than the number of games he plays.
Arsenal-a great outcome considering rvp’s conduct. It should galvanise our players to prove him wrong, it should get our fans behind the team to prove him wrong and we receive substantial funds to reinvest in the squad.
About time, though not happy he went to man u, but i will take the money and hopefully get one more player. Lets go gunners!!!!!!
http://youtu.be/upvZdVK913I
Here is Lonestar in his Stetson if anyone wants a laugh..
😎
Greetings sir.
Sad?
Yes. Sorry to see such a quality player leave to a competitor
Deal to manure?
Good business on the face of it
Frustrated?
Yes, that we can’t hold our best players. Not blaming the club, it’s just a reality of the age of greedymoneywhoreitis .
Next step?
1. Club to buy some more layers.
2. The ‘holic barman to supply me with a nice pint o’ plain (or ten).
Henceforth he shall be known as Robin Van Payslip
The club is a ‘laughing stock’ in the eyes of the press and media? Good, I could compost my lawn (of I had a lawn) with the amount of crap the press spew out, so they’re welcome to talk as much nonsense as they like.
At the end of the day, he had a great year and a half run. Can’t deny that, he was great. But you have to look at what he did over the last 6 or 7 years. I think is average number of PL appearances was around 20 matches out of 38, if that. It was very, very good business on our part. We relied on him all of those years and his injury record was a big part of us falling short on a number of occasions….so he has to look in the mirror when he goes on and on about us not winning anything. Cesc’s PL appearances was almost the same if not slightly better. If they don’t want to be here and they start on average only 20-25 PL matches, they have to go in my view.
Really hope we didn’t have to sell to meet the expenses of our incoming players. Hope we can ensure one more quality signing before the end of the month.
I’m numb to the lack of loyalty in this day and age so this really doesn’t bother me all that much although I wish he was out of the PL.
GT @ 171 – heh!
Unfortuantely, I’ve had a few moments like that in real life.
BMBD
Some details on the cunt’s transfer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19179833
Good wk Holic 🙂 and cheers for amending mine.
Snir, some of that looks romanticised to me (or planted by DD).
Is David Ornstein privy to all these….private dealings?
Doubt it.
I doubt it. No more than when he pretended to exclusively tell us that an extension of the contract had been agreed.
There is a bit of shit-stirring in that article that will encourage a few cunts….
“It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla – to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract. But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday’s friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans. ”
From the BBC. Very interesting if it is true. One big fuck off pill for RVP. Perhaps AW had just about had enough of this bollocks as well.
Sending him on for the last 20 minutes together with Chamackh was a pretty clear message.
bmgedo@175
RvP’s league appearances vs Cesc’s:
Season: RvP — Cesc
2011-12: 38 — x
2010-11: 25 — 25
2009-10: 16 — 27
2008-09: 28 — 22
2007-08: 15 — 32
2006-07: 22 — 38
2005-06: 24 — 35
2004-05: 26 — 33
RvP:
Average=24.25 games a season (22.3 games a season if 2011-12 is excluded)
Cesc:
Average = 30.3 games a season
aj, welcome. Hope to see you soon so I can buy you that plain.
Danish, grow a pair…
Danish. Why do you never explain your comments? It’s easy to spout abuse all the time but I never see any alternative views from you? Just moaning.
So come on, man up. What would you have done/do????????
Steve T.. I dearly hope that is true.
But he could have just sat out his contract and cost us his fee plus wages and done a Flamini.
I get the same feeling Ollie, that few cunts will crucify Wenger. But, if the things in the article are true I love Wenger even more.
Apparently…
It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla – to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract.
Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday’s friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans.
Imagine, the short monologue scene from the motion picture “The Dark Knight rises”.
Main roles
The Dark Knight- played by Wenger 🙂
Two Faced- played by RVP
So, Robin, you like your new teammates? You do, don’t you?
Shame that they are your ex teammates. Off you go, not in my plans this year. Thank you and fuck you.
I don’t care that the douchebag went to United. I’ll just laugh harder when the Mancs crash out of the UCL group stage again this season. What’s important is Arsene uses these funds wisely. I say get rid of Song too along with the usual ” dead wood ” suspects, building up about 50M and reinvest in the squad. My choices are a legit #1 GK that can push Szczesny, a versatile defender that can slot in anywhere along the back four, and a true DM.
What I find interesting about this whole transfer is the fact purple nose has been prepared to pay £24m for a player with all the well documented issues but called the transfer mkt crazy when he was priced out of a 19yr old whose deemed the best winger in Brazil.
Van Pussy surely can’t have any resale value and with wages over the life of his contract its a sizeable outlay. It smells to me like a bit of panic. I think purple nose knew that if he waited until the end of the season Shitty could out do them on wages and for the sake of Manure’s ‘good name’ they couldn’t allow that to happen hence the bid.
To be honest I remember another striker they signed on the back of a shit hot season from a team in north London a few years ago. Don’t think that quite worked out as they expected and I’m pretty sure the fans of that north London club still chuckle about how much they sold that player for.
We play a different brand of football from the mancs and it will be interesting to see how van pussy adapts. Or indeed purple nose. He sometimes buys players he doesnt quite know what to do with. Like buying a jamie oliver book, watching the 30mins programme and still the food tasting like shit. If there is a god please let van pussy go the way of Veron and Borat.
We’ve seen better players than him leave the club and managed so don’t think we should be that disturbed. I think what I’ve read about Steve Bould’s contribution to the team is far more encouraging than the loss of any want away players.
Whisper it, but i think we could be there abouts with 5 games to go this season. I really do. All this despite my reservations about the board. But hey, we all want the same things right?
Glory to The Arsenal.
I am more annoyed at the way he has gone. All of that bollocks when we know it is all money. I feel sorry for AW has he has stuck by him through some very tough times. But 24 million for a plastic 29 year old is great business. I just do not like the idea of strengthening our rivals each season. I would also like to get through a close season without a drama of this nature each time. For me it is starting to get a tad tedious.
Right, now for his replacement……… Robin Van Pursestrings is history.
Holic please dont ban me .. but this is some serious allegations that David Ornstein has made.
It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla – to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract.
Past transfer dealings
Transfers between Arsenal and Man Utd are rare – Viv Anderson was the last to make the move, in 1987, although Mikael Silvestre did go in the other direction in 2008.
But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday’s friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans.
—
If that is true then Arsenal board and Wenger can do one… If RvP wanted to stay and we sold him.. there there is NO FUCKIN EXCUSE .
Hope David Ornstein is talking bullshit but he is normally very reliable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19179833
Berbatov was the Leagues top scorer in his first season at Utd… just saying..
tbh I think we should have had him in on this deal.
steve t, i love this part that follows yours quoted: “Formal discussions between Arsenal and United began immediately, with Gazidis and United chief executive David Gill agreeing a fee of £22.5m on Tuesday, only for it to be vetoed by Wenger as he held out for £25m.
On Wednesday morning, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson called Wenger to offer £23m and Wenger quoted him £24m.”
he gets the price he wants, does mr. wenger. unless they win fuck all, which will make us all happy with £22.5m. no one can ever say he sucks at negotiating.
Goodbye RVP – I wish you no ill, neither do I wish you well – you no longer are of consequence . Your comments disrespected the club, you are now history & no longer in my thoughts. My emotions and support are for those who remain at our great club.
Sajit, read rvp’s statement again. After that he had no future with the club without an abject apology which was never likely.
sajit, robin burned that “stay with the club” bridge on july 4.
he should have listened to his parents when they said “be careful what you ask for, you might get it.”
Hmm rather a lot of backdrinking to do after a Wednesday evening out.
GT@50: Allow me to buy you at least a couple of drinks. I nominate you for the “thinking clearly again quickly after a disappointment”.
zico@80: Class! 🙂
Nurse abb – reconsider, I beg you. I need someone to guid me through the five stages (or was it seven). See, I haven’t mentioned van Persie’s departure (bugger; I just did) – I must be in denial after all.
I expect those calling for the £24m to be re-invested in this window to be disappointed. If it is, expect to see more of those “last-minute trolley dash” comments again. Let’s forget all about Arteta, Mertesacker, Santos and Benayoun on loan, eh? Just focus on Park.
It’s been said before – Arsène Knows.
And finally, don’t expect any announcements that ole Red Nose has worked out why Arsenal were behaving like that a week ago. An increase of 67% on the fee, Alex, that’s why.
COYG ICDDR
clips it from midfield towards one of arsenal’s forwards…
“Arsenal are hamstrung by weak sponsorship deals that were struck when they were desperate to generate revenue to fund the stadium move from Highbury and by the vast salaries they are committed to for players who are not required but not shiftable. It is frustrating but it is reality…………. The truth is that Arsenal have expected this day for more than two months. The only issue was when, where and how much. Fans are not programmed to think that way. Directors and beancounters are” Amy Lawrence, The Guardian.
This little paragraph sums all our difficulties up in a nutshell. While I obviously disagree with some in relation to the Deins, the really substantive problems we have are outlined by Amy. While we will miss RVP, we got a good deal. We need to trim the fat and get rid of those who don’t want to be here or won’t sign contracts. (Song, Walcott).
As for re-investing, the conversation I had with Steve T two nights ago seems to have been confirmed by FunG’s links to AW statements on TF1.
If Song goes, I think we will buy another DCM. When Squillaci goes we might sign another CB who can cover at FB (ala van der Wiel).
There is now immediate pressure on the midfield and new players to step up. But hey, that’s life..!
NBN, Trev: Great contributions!
Sajit… You dump you girlfriend, she has found a better guy.. you want her back..
Too late she’s moved on..
You know, I always felt that had he not kicked that ball away at Camp Nou we would have been champions of Europe. That is what i will remember him for, unfortunate as it may seem.
But there is hardly any need to waste time on negativity when there is so much to be positive about.
And there is the little matter of actual football resuming in about 72 hours! (hush, hush).
funny, joe, i wonder if the wage structure non-restructuring is why both theo and song’s names are being put into the fire, in hopes that the smoke is white…though i doubt it, at this point, for either of them. that said, i could suddenly see oaths of fidelity and some extensions being signed right quick like (“oh, crap, they got rid of rvp, i’d better get on the bus or i could be gone too…”).
I think it is good money. I am sure we would have loved to see him on the bench but we all know we can not turn down that sort of dosh. I just want to see it all reinvested.
Sajit. If that is true then I guess it tells us that even AW had had enough of it all. No one man is bigger than the club. Perhaps Van Pursestrings may think twice about opening his gob next time?
I would have liked him to stay, the old RVP we all loved. The post statement RVP for 24M is an amazing piece of business. He will sign for 4 years then leave on a free to MLS or China etc. If Arsene got squeezed and only netted half that, I would have been disappointed. But, 24M can buy virtually anybody he is looking at. Plus, Giroud is so dreamy 😉
Wise words uply@196. A drink awaits you on the bar.
Scruz. Agree totally…
oxon, you’ll get hair on your palms like that…
steve t, i really hope that’s the case (with the twain, though i am chuffed you agree with me, of course :)). contrary to what i’d considered back in early july, it actually sends a great message to the wantaways…ask and you shall receive, damn quick.
play for the shirt.
Scruz@206: Details please!
uply@196, oxon?
Joe, you are doing a great job for your sponsors, fair play 😉
Oh, like that. D’oh, that should be uply@193. Thanks for pointing that out scruz.
one of my skills, oxon…belaboring the obvious 😀
@Andy
How exactly did Arsenal find a better girlfriend/?
Also Ive told many times there was no nneed for any apology. If he kicked in the goals (which he will now do for fucking Man fucking Utd) that would have been apology enough.
@Steve
My question to you is – then when does this ever stop.. I agree no one is bigger than the club but Utd bent rules to keep Rooney.. while we have seen Hleb,Flamini,Cesc,Nasri,RvP and now Song most probably all leave.. for some reason or the other.
Are we ever going to make a statement of intent? We almost did this summer but now we are back to square one.
To everyone saying its a great piece of business..when Man Utd lift the 20th title, I doubt Fergie will be worrying about that.
Another damning thing si the fact that we never actually offered RvP a new contract.. How can you expect him to sign without first offering him anything..
Right mess we are , I say.
Don’t agree about the ” back to square one ” comment. WAY too much reliance on RVP last season. A more collective system will be better for the Arsenal.
sajit, we’re not back to square 1. we’re well advanced past where we were at the end of the season, no matter what. and if all those here *want* to be here, we’re even further than that. losing rvp isn’t exactly positive, but if it’s true that wenger was willing to let him go just like that, even if he wanted to stay, wenger felt his staying would be more of a step back than a step forward.
as for mancs raising the title, i doubt it will be fergie raising it. my guess is he’s gone before van pursey’s contract is up…and there’s a new kid on the block they can’t beat up…
Sajit, Giroud +Podolski (for the same price as RvP) fed by Santi is turning me on. 🙂
Sajit, for fucks sake. We were offering him the chance to extend his contract for the last two years. He chose not to. The aces were in his hand. Stop selectively reading shit and taking it as gospel.
The employee has gone.
Come on Poldi, Ollie, and Santi, who wanted to sign and play for us, not the cunts who didn’t.
Cheers Oxon….like you had an evening out and a lot of back drinking to catch up on. My bed calls…nite all.
Sajit. I am as pissed off as you that we have these unnecessary public dramas each year. But RVP is hung to earn 220k a week. We can’t compete with that, end of. If after all Arsenal have done for him he still wants to fuck off then there’s the door. The only way to half stop it is to sort out the contract negotiations a lot earlier.
sajit, we didn’t offer him a contract…huh, maybe that’s because ig and wenger wanted to see what *robin’s* view of the club’s direction was before offering him a last contract that was sure to break the wage structure? their meeting before the euros told them they didn’t want to offer him what they thought, and the july 4 broadside pushed them into not wanting to offer him anything at all. just as likely, right?
Just popped back.
@ GoonerTerry
Funny clip. I’d forgotten that scene!
(By the way, ‘holic, I am not an impostor, I’m using a different email address.)
oooh, 222, pretty.
‘holic….have a night cap of your choice on the tab (Lars of course)…..peace will be restored by dawn. 🙂
Just another day in the rich history of the greatest club on earth.
cheers all.
Guv’nor@219: Not vented it all in the previous post, eh? Breathe deeply and let it all go. I guess when you say “I know what, I’ll run a really successful Arsenal blog”, they don’t tell you about all the bollocks you have to read in the comments. Here’s hoping you don’t think this is part of said bollocks.
Just read the article FG linked to at 37. Interesting article. Interesting graphic at the bottom showing the number of players who played ten matches in a season but not in the preceding and/or following season. I found the chart hard to read, but I’d like to see similar figures/charts for other teams – Manyoo, Chel$ski, Manciti, Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern. NBN – are you reading this? Do you have the raw data or could you point me to it?
That’s about it from me. Pour yourself a drink barman and one for all the other regulars who are still about. I’m awa tae ma bed. Night all.
COYG ICDDR
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/robin-van-persie-transfer-manchester-1263074
Javier Hernandez is apparently unhappy. could be media bs.. But if thats true.. I would take him without second thoughts..
Clinical finisher..
Not back to square one. Far from. If you look at the signings, I would say Poldi is better than Nasri and not a cunt. Santi can fill in very well for cecs. And giroud, he may not be the same as Robin but he looks bigger and stronger and will provide more years than robin could have. If these three gel we have a very solid attack. Add theo or gerv or AOC for pace and it will be scary.
I’m not sure what the problem is here. Supporting 11 guys that want to be at the club is better than supporting 10 who do. If anybody wants to watch a video game team with every player on 220k a week, then they should fuck off to Man Shitty. That’s not our club. I’m a rather new supporter ( 6 years ) and Arsenal haven’t won a thing since I started following European football. I was born in Chicago and my baseball team ( White Sox ) didn’t win a championship for 88 years. Luckily I saw one in 2005. My grandfather lived his entire life never seeing a title. BTW, I say ” our ” because I threw down my first Arsenal membership fee last weekend … SO THERE … 😉
norcal, let’s play pretend: say robin had stayed, but crocked himself at the next interlull. out for four months, then back in mid-february, only to be out of form through the end of march.
we would miss him almost as much as we will with him gone, but all of what you say in 229 still holds true in either case. waaaay ahead of where we would have been without poldi, giraud, and santi. and now with another £22.5m, we might even get in another who will further take away the sting.
Well it looks like nothing’s changed after all. Our best players are leaving, books are being balanced, and we’re going to miss out on one of the most promising young midfielders of our generation (Sahin) to Liverpool (!) because Wenger et al just can’t be arsed to put in a shift!
Joe: Of course its a matter of opinion but when Amy says:
“Arsenal are hamstrung by weak sponsorship deals that were struck when they were desperate to generate revenue to fund the stadium move from Highbury …”
.. another person might have said the very smart Danny Fitsman saw that accepting 100 M up front from Emirates Airlines was far better than borrowing money at the extortionate interest rates that prevailed at the time. Remember that Europe was in the mother of all banking crises and the bottom fell out of the property market shortly afterwards … history will validate our club for building a new stadium when we did – and at the cost we did. IMO it was perhaps the single best bit of business the Arsenal ever did … well apart from selling Anelka for 23.5 M to real Madrid..
🙂
yeah, i’ll bet ol’arsene’s diving off dein’s yacht about now, eh charlie?
gt, that was a good piece of business, heh…remind me how it worked out for nicholas?
Charlie. Are you being serious? You are having a go because a player might go on loan for a year to Liverpool??????
Positive spin – but couldn’t this result in Podolski or Giroud (or both) thinking “blimey – I’m now the main striker at this great club” – extra pressure yes…but loads of extra motivation
In the last 2 or 3 seasons alone we’ve missed out on Xabi Alonso, Van der Vaart, and Mata when they were there for the taking. I just don’t want to see Sahin go the same way. Especially with Song looking likely to leave, and Wilshere renewing his lease of the medical room.
Steve T @ 221:
“But RVP is hung to earn 220k a week. We can’t compete with that, end of.”
I’m not so sure about that. I really think that if we were more careful in how we skewed the wages things might well be different.
I feel Arsene did not want too much of a gap between what players were paid (ie more equitable) and as a consequence, top players like RVP were underpaid (in comparison to market conditions), whereas lessor/younger players (bendtner, Denilson) were actually overpaid and this has proven to be the case I feel that had been borne out in the transfer market.
In relation to RVP, the question is would you pay RVP 200k per week, at 29 (where 28 is generally accepted as being your athletic peak), with his injury record, having just scored 30 goals last season?
Is it an objective risk worth taking?
Let me put it another way. When Thierry re-signed after the 2006 CL final (after a truly wonderful season in 2005/6), he collected a big signing-on fee and a top class wage. At the time TH14 was 29 yrs old. My “personal sponsor”, Mr Dein, confirmed at the time, that the club had turned down offers of £50m from Real Madrid..!
TH14 spent the following season injured. He left in June 2007 for a fraction of the transfer fee. Would Barcelona consider the time he spent with them a success..? I don’t think so, Thierry cost them a fortune!
I feel that if RVP was 25, that Wenger might well have made an exception and re-structued the wages. And I think, that we will see change on that front in the coming years. In fact, I think we’re seeing it already in how the transfer policy has changed this year and how we’re being very careful in entering into contracts with players, who have alot to prove as yet (Theo)!
Joe. You really think we should pay one player 220k a week? That is a recipe for financial meltdown. How many others would then demand financial parity?
GT,
The person who was responsible for the commerical deals at the time was Keith Edelman. Keith Edelman was fired!
The basic premise of any commercial contract, is that there should always be some form of get-out clause, in case market conditions change. Guess what was absent in the commercial deals we struck….?
I refer you to listen to the Alex Flynn flynn’s podcast on that site, (that shall not be “groaned”). He contests that we concede multi-millions to Manu and Liverpool each year! He contends, that our commercial revenue, for being the primary club in London, is in fact, only one third of the commercial revenue taken by Bayern Munich..!
I think we’re “hanging in there” until we can change this, but it will have a huge impact on our revenue’s, which are static, by comparison to other clubs. Look at MANU, they’re up to their tonsils in debt, but their brand turnover is so much higher than ours.
NBN:
Thanks for the actual PL appearances info. I was a little off with the numbers but I can’t see us winning when our best are only appearing in 2/3rds of the PL matches. Sure there are one-offs (RVP last year) but I just don’t think he is reliable going forward. BTW, I was really referring to Cesc in his last few years at the club…should have clarified that
We’ll be great on Saturday. COYR.
Steve,
No I don’t Steve. I’m not saying that. But what I am saying is that I don’t think the gap could necessarily be as big as it is if we were smarter in how we skewed the rest of the wage bill and maximised the upcoming commercial deals due to expire in 2013/14.
I don’t think the club could ever compete with the Petrodollars, but this is Manu. And Manu have obviously changed their strategy when they paid Rooney that type of money to prevent him going to Citeh. But Rooney was 23 or so at the time.!
Last year Wenger put 40m on the table for Mario Goetze..! Its not beyond the bounds of possibility. I just think they consciously decided not to do that with RVP given his age and injury record. There’s a difference!
Steve T: Unless I have completely mis-read Joe @ 239 then the answer to your question is NO!
OK Joe I see you got there first… next time I will refresh before jumping to your defence..
🙂
Well said GT @233 …….
It did get a very brief mention earlier today, but Fabrice Muamba was forced to retire from football on doctor’s orders – announced this morning.
I think it was Ollie who mentioned it in the bar at the same time I heard it on radio.
Good luck and best wishes to Muamba.
Wenger @63 – great day to make your comment, eh ?
Joe. It’s business. Players are loyal to a pound note. Nothing more, nothing less. I think we have made some poor decisions in recent years but the fact is that players hold all the aces. I got bored with these greedy fuckers years ago. I renew my season ticket every year. Why? Because I want to. If someone on 100k a week would rather be somewhere else then there’s the door. Please close it on the way out. I for one really hope that rvp was told he was not in AW’s plans anymore and I hope he gets torn a new arsehole when he returns to the grove.
Glad it is over. Always want this saga to end before Saturday.
Though I find it hard to hate someone I love so much lasy 12 months. May need time to heal.
Our problem is we pay too low wages to our top players. Footballer has a short professional life.. so I can understand RVP’s decision. But he infuriates our fans by say we do not have the ambitions… He is a part of the these 7 drought years.
If Song is to go, please do it before Saturday.
After last year, I believe we will not be affected by deflection of RVP.
COYR !!
Sorry GT,
I think the numbering changed mid-post due to some posts being removed etc.
In relation to the point you make about the property development, if my memory serves me correctly, the club actually took the very courageous move of doing the development directly themselves by contracting developers, rather than sell the land en-block to a developer. This way, they excluded the middleman and stood to earn so much more. This, I felt at the time, was the right call and demonstrated the breath of the clubs vision and ambition. Of course, the market collapsed mid-stream and the club were left holding an asset declining in value. Luckily, they still came out of the property deal quids-up but not nearly with the same profit levels they originally envisaged.
Steve T –
if those BBC stories are true about the AW to RvP comments, it would certainly explain his very brief and wobbly performance against Koln.
Good, I say. Far from certain, for me, that he will fit with the Granny Shagger. Here’s hoping.
Rotten Van Pigsty deserves the Chronic Glass Ankle inside that Golden Boot. How can any Arsenal fan accept that a predatory agent/advisor, Darren Damien Dein, has made a meal of removing 3 out of Arsenal’s last 4 captains? For shame! This club is both serially betrayed and a serial betrayer of its traditions. They used to include to never sell to Manure. There is no longer a supposed high ground with this version of AFC. Heartsick.
I’m glad he told RvP to fuck off (if it’s true). He deserved it.
Ladies and Gents,
I leave you with a toast to an ex-friend, Harvey Pee.
Thank you, and G’night.
Steve @ 247,
Couldn’t agree with you more.
But I still harbor some hope that some of that Olympic spirit will rub off some of the younger players coming up the ranks.
I would hate to think, for example, that Jack Wilshire could ever countenance acting like RVP did and sell himself cheaply like that!
Joe I won’t argue with you on the deals but as they say “hindsight is 20/20” – all those deals [Liverpool’s & Chelsea’s] were struck after ours. But I maintain that 100M up front “free” money is great business in anyone’s money and if it stopped there Keith would have a job perhaps to this day. The kit deal was his undoing. That and going toe-to-toe with Arsene Wenger on several other issues – perhaps Holic can remind us of what those issues it were, but I remember his days were numbered after that …
🙂
If there is any substance to the you-are-no-longer-in-my-plans report on the BBC, my guess is that AW was using the German training camp to satisfy himself that his new signings were going to fit together as he hoped to play whatever new system he is fashioning for the team this season. That, self-evidently, is not one built around RvP as a lone striker volleying home Hollywood passes from Song. I wonder if it will be some new mutation of 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 which will bring back some lf the pace and power of the Invincibles. I also suspect that RvP would anyway have started being groomed for a role in the hole such as Denis Bergkampesque played in his later years. Cazorla will now take up that position. AW must have been comfortable enough with what he saw to let Miyaichi go on loan knowing RvP was probably out the door, possibly to be followed by Chamakh, Bendtner and another striker we are rumored to have but who no one ever seems to have seen, Park. Apart from Podolski and Giroud, that leaves just Gervinho and Walcott as recognized strikers, plus the Ox, who seems to pencilled in for central mid despite being listed in the squad as a striker. I thus suspect that at least one of the so-called deadwood brigade won’t be going anywhere unless there is another secret signing being kept under wraps. AW saying RvP won’t be replaced should be taken with a grain of salt. He may be ‘irreplaceable’ but that isn’t to say another striker won’t be coming in.
Will RvP prosper in Manchester? While he is still high in the arc of his career he is past its zenith. As his Euro 2012 performances for Holland showed he needs service to score. Will he get it from that Man U team given the way Fergie has them playing? A lot falls on Shrek to be provider. He seems most effective in that role with a poacher striker such as Hernandez, which is not RvP’s MO. Young Welbeck must be feeling pretty pissed off, too.
GT @144,
Howya goin’ man?! Jamaican and Carribean sprinting: Booyaka! 😎
Been takin’ a wee break from the perennial, deluded, off-season, employee bullshit at AFC awaiting sanity from Le Prof et al to kick in before the new off! You’d think our club’s successes or failures are dependant on a few petulant and egotistical individuals?! Ungrateful cunts! It’s an 11 man (or woman) team-game for feck’s sake! No one’s bigger than the sum of our playing-staff parts! Furthermore, those “parts” should be “consistent and reliable” and haven’t been letting us down year-on-year over the past 7! I now feel we’re on the right track again with that! 🙂
Arsene has been the only indispensable employee over the past decade and a half, and he still remains so! I only pray that Bouldy can reach that mantle sooner rather than later too wrt our defensive re-solidification!
If Le Prof’s post-match conversation with RVP is indeed true about him not being part of his plans, then I whole-heatedly support him with that decision! “Team unity and commitment” to our club’s model are what are required and not petulant, deluded, exorbitant wage-seeking prima Donnas who think they are the sole-centre of the footballing universe in a “team-game”!
NBN1 @ 188,
Agree! Sir A F-Word has panic bought massively, yet again, in an early attempt to lead the mind games with his Oily neighbours! Can he be so sure that they will truly be their direct rivals again this season?! I really do wonder and actually believe that they will not! Financial Fair Play anyone?!
He is my most hated footballer.
The only wish I have is to somehow be in London on 27/4/13.
I wanna let him know how I feel about him.
Wanker.
The bbc version fits exactly with the way rvp looked on sunday. Like he was just hit with the realization that he forced the move, and had been wavering.
That is, i’m not sure that Manure will be as strong as they apparently think they are going to be!
Snir @249,
If he’s still fit that is!
I mean 259!
Santi scored for Spain tonight. Hope he is not too jet lagged for Saturday. Rip Van Tinkle can go carry shreks hair gel in Manchester. He might need to start coloring his hair again too.
OK I feel that this needs to be said:
1). SAF is no mug despite what we Gooners like to believe..
2). No other manager [with the possible exception of Fat Sam] has a better record of getting better value out of 30 something year old players…
3). RvP may just be a late developer [physicality-wise] and the past injury-free 18-months were just a prelude to the rest of his career rather than the postscript we are all praying for
4). RvP is taking a risk yes, but he must be certain he can deliver goals for United or risk becoming a laughing stock in world football
5). Finally, I hope that he will enjoy finishing behind us for the rest of his career..
😎
GT,
All valid points. But it is a risk for man U not RVP. He will get his money regardless. It is a risk Arsenal don’t want to make. We as a club have never been one to give big contracts to 30+ year olds and as has been said ad nauseum, rvp’s injury record says we shouldn’t start with him.
It is frustrating to see the departures but I feel we are stronger as a team now than last year and other than Chelsea maybe our direct rivals are not that much better. I don’t think RVP will replicate his form of last year. Maybe he will but 7amkickoff had a nice piece looking at the golden boot winners in the PL and the average goals scored the year after was like -9. With his age, the system, the competition I think maybe 15 goals would be tops for him. I’ll take the 23 million and move on.
Great points GoonerTerry..
While I totally agree that Fergie is a mug, this could be his way of making a statement of intent after missing out on Moura and Hazard
and a clutch of other youngsters not wanting to extend terms with them.
Excellent to see that the move that was bound to happen did take place before the real business starts and there are no uncertainties. Players come and they leave — for lure of more money, perceived better chance of winning trophies, even simply a desire to prove oneself at multiple clubs or leagues — and that would always be the case. As long as we are not allowing transfer shenanigans of any single player to blackmail, dictate or distract us, I see no problem. Wish RVP a very ordinary type of performance in the remainder of his club career, but beyond that wish his and his family the best, just as I would (most) other human beings. 🙂
Forget loyalty, I don’t think we should even expect critical intelligence or honest self-awareness from footballers with an odd exception here and there. And even from most managers. The extraordinary loyalty and intelligence shown by Arsene to Arsenal blinds us to the fact that how rare that actually is in Football.
Hopefully whatever doubts remain about Song and Theo would quickly be settled either way. And if they are to leave proper replacements are brought in. I am sure Song and Theo both have genuine well-wishers who can explain the stark reality: on their own they are not yet that good, they play for a system and a manager that are more forgiving to the various weak points of their games for their positions than they would find almost anywhere. However, Ryo being sent out for a season long loan and Ox being groomed for the middle of the pitch probably indicate that selling Theo may not be in the plans. Hard to ‘guess’ about Song (even taking into account Arsene’s clarification) …the Sunderland line-up may be a better indication unless something more concrete happens by then.
Nigel Tufnel @ 260 — forgive my curiosity, are you related to Phil the England off spinner? He is an Arsenal fan if I remember correctly … 🙂
Holic and Holics, From the bottom of my heart, I’m so very sorry. If you all didn’t mean so very much to me, I wouldn’t have taken it so personally. In retrospect, I’ve been selfish. Here you all had just wished me luck and then followed with congrats on me passing my exam…and how do I repay you, ingrate that I am, I give you an earful. Truly humbled by all of you, being so gracious. I would be ever so happy to be with you all, as we embrace the up coming season with hope. One final thought. When I read the news about Robin, it sunk in that I had no where to turn, no one to commiserate with. Never did I feel so alone. God bless you all.
shame on you… wenger, ivan
get the hell away from AFC… stan
i guess i was wrong. he was never Mr Arsenal despite all the words he spoke.
not shedding a tear he’s going now. not even if he’s going to manure. it was a just a piece of business which needed to be done and was done at the right price.
just sad that when are we going to actually have a true Mr Arsenal? when are we going to have a true proper legend who retires in the red-white shirt?
not since TA4… and all his buddies.
oh, how i miss the good old days…
Nurse abb: I hope that means you are back with us. We would really miss your inimitable charisma if you were to leave. Welcome back my dear!
My fellow holics were more concerned about you leaving than Van Judas.
@271arsenalsy
Think you need to take the rose tinted 20/20 hindsight specs off mate. Players are players (or employees as the guv’nor refers to them), they’re not fans or supporters like us. Been following Arsenal since 1969 and I can only remember one 1-club man in that period, and thats TA as you mention above (might well be wrong, if so someone will correct me, but I wont be that wrong, for sure). Even Spider fucked off to Leeds at the end and look what a cunt he turned out to be after retirement! I’m sure some have a genuine affection for the club like Henry, some return to work for the club like Chippy and Charlie, and some leave magnificect memories in their wake. But at the end of the day, they’re players and they come and go.
These days stadiums come and go, iconic club badges are desecrated and traditional club colours are turned into purple abominations in the name of commerce and marketing. But you know what I have n’t quite given it up yet. And do you know why? Because of Arsenal people, real Arsenal people. The sort of people I’ll see again at some stage this season in the Tollie, the Pins or wherever. I’ll have a pint (or seven), a chat about stuff and then get down to the serious business of dreaming about winning the league again, and shouting me bollox off in support of the team as well as goading any away fans within earshot. Because that is genuinely what its all about. Luckily for me there’s still enough people left like that at the Arsenal, because the day there aint, I’ll be off for good.
GT @ 265,
I agree with you about Sir A F-Word not being a mug wrt playing-staff management but he too has been making desperate mistakes on that front in recents months; he arguably threw the title away to the Oily Mercs last season when it should have done and dusted!
However, when it comes to watching the purse strings at Manure and bowing down to certain player’s crazy wage demands (i.e. Rooney), he has weakened considerably in that over the years whilst Arsene just continues to harden his stance; something that I am extremely proud of I can tell you! I agree with NorCalArsenal, the risk of his purchase is all on Manure and not on Sir A F-Word himself! For me, if he was going to fork out that kind of transfer fee and wages for a premium player, Wesley Schneider would probably have been a more competent purchase in their still-aged creative midfield! But I don’t give a feck; thanks for the loot you mugs!
I think it’s a great piece of business for us. But we need to buy another striker, Giroud and Podolski are not enough up front
Some young talent who is willing to fight for his place?
But Fergie might be thinking the same – Grannyshagger and pursetrings up front? Scary prospect
But, fuck him
Abbs @269,
Welcome back lovely! RVP’s departure, finally, and your mutual return; I’ll take that swap-deal in any transfer window! 😀
Your retraction is so warming! If only certain millionaire sportsmen, and their advisors, were so ready to admit when they have made an honest mistake; the footballing world would be a nicer place! Let Arsene & Arsenal Football Club’s fight for justice now continue in earnest as we have our second and “professional” Nurse back in the Quackery! And yes Wolfie, you alone are not enough to handle all of the Docs on here even with those delectable cookie morsels that we gobble down every now and then! 😉
Just back drank the whole bar.
What a drama. In the end Nurse ABB is still with us. Couldn’t be happier. 🙂
As for the other “news”, I join Holic in being perplexed that anyone (not necessarily here) is surprised by this news. I am, though, amazed that some are blaming Wenger or Arsenal.
It’s of his doing. If AW truly told him to do one, then perfect. Sounds like Song will be next. Good, if the stories about his behavior are true.
Let’s see how the dice roll…
Nurse abb@269. Welcome back; I hope this was more than a flying visit. I was hoping things would work out differently, but if you need help dealing with any feelings of loss, I’m here to help.
Most on here know my thoughts on the way Arsenal have acted or should i say been un active over the last few windows but i cannot slate them on the VP issue –
Yes us selling him to them Cunts is like getting kicked in the bollocks by a 15 hand stallion high on a cocktail of speed and coke but He wanted United and we got a shit load more wonga than originally offered, Still hurts like fuck and i think our chances of finishing above them have been deal a massive blow – But if the money is re invested and it must be re invested this window, some good may well come of it, If its not re invested and we are done for the summer then its open season 🙂
Did i mention it hurts like Fuck 🙂
Esso@273, typed in a few more one-club men and then checked up on wikipedia – well, if you can’t believe them, who can you believe?
David O’Leary: Played 12 games for Leeds United after leaving Highbury.
Steve Bould: Started at Stoke City (Shock! Horror!) and played more than half as many matches there as at Arsenal. Went on to play 21 times for Sunderland after finishing at Arsenal. (Also had a loan spell at Torquay while at Stoke)
Pat Rice: (I was pretty confident about Pat) Played more than 100 matches for Watford after his nearly 400 appearances for the Arsenal.
Returning to the 1970-1971 double-winning defence, Frank McLintock made his name at Leicester City before playing more than 300 games for Arsenal and went on to play more than 100 times for QPR; Peter Simpson tried his luck in North America after finishing at Arsenal as well as a couple of loan spells in his early days. Peter Storey had a few games for Fulham.
Moving forwards on the pitch, even George Armstrong had a few games for Leicester city and Stockport County. However, Sammy Nelson was another one-club man.
Just goes to show what a rare example Tony Admas is, and how unusual one club players always have been.
And so to work…
COYG ICDDR
Van who? Dead to me. All shirts in the bin already.
Anyway, are we allowed to have City players in our FFL team?
In fact, Holic which teams are we not allowed to pick from (besides the obvious manure and LWCs)?
Right, we’re officially allowed to boo him now, so: BOOOOOOOOO!!!
As soon as his statement came out that was literally the end of romance in football for me. Loyalty doesn’t exist, noone plays for the shirt, what a grade A, steam-powered, ocean-going, cast iron c*nt!
“He is excited at the prospect of playing with Wayne Rooney” according to the Guardian. Previously one of my favourite players has joined my most hated. You just made the list, you (to quote some genius way back in the drinks) “clog-wearing c*nt.”
OK no more airtime for turncoats Holics. Focus on Saturday, come on you Gooners!
welcome back, abb. glad to see you on board, you have more stones than our ex-dutchmong ever showed. a half bottle of Rioja is on the bar for you, courtesy of the usual.
Yay, Abb’s back!
Esso, top post @ 273.
And 100% what Mr C said at 277.
2 sleeps!!
nicely done, oxon. that’s why there is a statue of the man outside the grove…
All I know is that regardless of what happens with individual players, Arsenal is my club. For life.
welcome to the morning crew, Irish coffee for all who wish. off to bed here in hahafornia…
As soon as his statement came out that was literally the end of romance in football for me. Loyalty doesn’t exist
Felt the same way for years mate cannot bring myself to connect in anyway to 99% of footballers these days, Some exceptions out there but most are Grade A cunts and dont even get me started on agents,
The game we grew up loving has been replaced by an ego driven cash generating cess pit of cheats and wrong uns – Never has it been shown up more than in the past few weeks when we had the privilage of watching proper sportsmen and women working their bollocks of for no more than a medal,
The games in major danger of eating itself and it cannot come soon enough,
Sorry Oxon, I remember Sammy went to Brighton when he left us.
I am obviously not going to backdrink.
I however stumbled upon abb’s post.
Welcome back, and a drink of your choice.
When he found himself in times of trouble, Arsene Wenger came to him, speaking words of wisdom. RVP
And in his hour of darkness, 6 months on the sidelines fucked- he signed a good new contract. RVP
RIP RVP RIP RVP. Now he’s just another Manc cunt. RVP. RIP RVP RIP RVP. Went there for the “ambition”. RVP
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are proud to announce the entry of Pure GT Quackers to the HT You Ropey League.
Pure. Because we are not tainted
GT. a nod to our heritage
Quakers. Because we have evolved.
You may commence shaking in your boots. When you see the strip.
🙂
Morning all,
abb – Glad you re-signed. No apology necessary. As others have pointed out, supporters are for life, players will always come and go. PS: We took the liberty of refurbishing your seat at the bar whilst you were away, hope you like it 🙂
A few Storey tuppences on the current state of affairs:
1) We’ve done our shopping early and what great purchases they are. Our forward options now have quality in depth.
2) There’s a fair chance we’ll now buy one or two more before the end of the month. Hopefully, we’ll be focussing on the defence this time.
3) Our major sale has been done and dusted before the season starts. £24M for a supremely talented but brittle 29 year old. Good, not great, business for all the other reasons discussed ad nauseam.
The die is cast people. RVP effectively said goodbye after the WBA match. IMO, we have responded to that very well. I realise we may yet be saying ‘cheerio’ to two more decent players but I’m confident that Le Boss has a master plan with replacement targets locked and loaded.
In summary, I believe we go into this season if FAR better shape than last and we have the capability to come out all guns blazing. We have a ready made capi in Tommy V and I also believe Poldi and Santi will light-up the Premiere League.
Much to be positive about. It’s all a question oy perspective I guess.
COYRRRs!
It’s funny waking up this morning and fully digesting what has take place. I think it is very much now up to the club to show its own intent. I have no problem with plays leaving if they don’t want to be there. It just disappoints me when we seem content to strengthen our rivals.
The signings we have made so far have been impressive. I think we all agree on that. It has also shown that we have learnt loads from the shambles of last season. But we have been constantly told that the signings were additions to the squad, not replacements. This is why for me the money needs to be reinvested before the deadline.
I hope that the club, knowing this day was coming have already identified those they want in to replace rvp. A top quality replacement I think sends out a powerful message and shows a real intent.
Esso@273
Oxon Gooner@280
didn’t actually mean ‘one-club’ as the criteria for being a legend. my reference to TA was actually more inclined to a retiring Captain.
i don’t mind players having played another club before turning to the right side or playing in the dark lanes after serving us. I was just hoping (truly, literally) to find another iconic player whom the mere mention of his name brings out image of our club (or the other way).
how are we going to engage and keep our younger (definitely more impatient generation) fans?
yes, i am being absolutely romantic and still thinking this is an ideal world. perhaps, thats why i am still here like you are? i really wish my son can find someone to relate / have memories of a true hero in red-white as he grows…
I understand that the clogger had to go. But to sell him to Old Red Nose and those damn red Manc bastards? Jesus Christ. Oh, the humanity! That’s like a kick in the groin after being spat in the face 🙁
I could have lived with him going any other place. Just another reason to despise ManUre.
Poxy phone spellchecker.
Some brilliant posts up there:
Esso, Trev, NBN, Joe, Oxon and others were exceptional and demonstrate to me a key reason why we’re such a big club…. it’s down to our support.
I’ll re-post this link from yesterday in the hope that a certain former employee has renewed his income protection insurance:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/jim-white/united-stock-slumps-thanks-glazers-122107463.html
I wonder what the odds are on Manure doing a Rangers this year? Couldn’t happen, could it? Adding another £200K+ p/w player to their payroll is just what they need to balance their books…
Welcome back abb!! Lobs it into the box…
Bangggggggggg
It’s the old classic one two. What a fantastic ball played in.
Well in StevieT….who needs Rvp?
Team work Up. No one man makes a team.
Esso, magnificent post mate @273
Great to have you back Nursie.
I am sad, thought not surprised, to see lot of us wishing evils on RVP.
If Arsenal FC is to be a classy club as we always talk about, we should wish him well. We can make football a gentlemen game.
If RVP score 40 goal next season and MANU still surrender the title to us by 10 points..would it be a sweeter revenge ?
Right better do a backdrink. Couldn’t be arsed last night when all the numnuts were in.
@ #306 V.wise and ditto.
Hope he ends up being as loved there as Sylvester was with us…
Guvnor@289: I bow to your memory. Wikipedia shows a line for Brighton in his history, but no appearences. Perhaps we need a papal ruling on what constitutes a one-club man. (Perhaps not.) Personally, I blame wikipedia.
COYG ICDDR
TS knows at 293.
Flurry of posts? Well in Steve T….
Except the self-assist disqualifies you.
A HK Gooner@305. I’ll settle for that.
Thanks for pointing me towards Esso’s 273, arsenalsy.
Brought a tear to my eye, it did.
Hang on, did I dream the self-assist? :s
I take it all back, congrats, Steve T, and I shall be the one to polish your boots (not lick…) before the next game.
thank you for your services mr rvp… wish you a competent career … the only way to get back at him is to win a trophy… lets do that then… and please do not sell song mr wenger…
So ..after reading at morning sports paper here on full double page “Captain has abandoned the ship” which just pretty much described how the deal was supposedly done and then listed other “big” summer transfers, it really made me laugh to read the bbc thing about Arsene taking RvP aside and telling him that he is going to be sold.
I really hope that was the last nail in to the coffin in the brain RvP has to have right now. Reading back I also start to incline to the fact that he didnt want to end up in ManU but it just turned out like that and I am sure he is going to think “what in the hells fuck I am doing here” once SAF gives him one of his notorious “hairdryer” kind of talk. Only then he will realize how classy manager Arsene is and what kind of dick move he did by publicly slating him and club.
Also want to apologize for my drunk outburst yesterday here but there is few things I hate more than doomsayers who are only vocal when times are supposedly bad.
ROLL ON SATURDAY ALREADY!
I am very excited for the new season. We have bought early and bought well to reinforce our ranks and with last year’s recruits (Big Fucking German and Arteta) bedding in well to our play and they are nice blokes all around who actually wanted to play for us (BFG famously supports Arsenal and cites Tony Adams as his hero)…it seemed like we are moving ahead, starting to shake off the shackles that have been binding our transfer policy.
We have a group of players who are formed in part by Gooners:
Carl Jenkinson, Jack Wilshere, Frimpong, Mertesacker, Chamakh…
…and RVP. Robin Van Persie, the man pictured in a classic Arsenal kit replica when he was a boy.
He was a good Captain. Did well off the pitch to improve team spirit, did well on pitch to lead by example.
Let me repeat. We bought early and we bought well. Any notion of us lacking ambition has been put soundly to bed this summer, we bought experienced internationals in Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla. We brought in a very well rounded striker in Giroud who is highly confident after an incredible season in France.
The statement put out by RVP on his website was a knife in all Gooners’ backs. The fans’ backs, the players’ backs and worst of all, Arsene Wenger’s back.
And most of us have already prepared for this day, deep down inside, that he’ll leave. And leave he did.
But I for one did not expect him to go to Manchester United, of all places.
I’m not disappointed, nor am I sad that we are losing our captain or a talented player to a bitter rival. We have already brought in good and proven players to take his place.
No, I’m just angry because it seemed like he was one of us. When he scored all those goals last season, we roared that little bit louder in celebration because we are celebrating a goal WE scored. A goal that one of US scored. Just like how we celebrated when Henry scored against Leeds, that great man is one of us, when he scored it felt like we were there, as a fan on the pitch.
No, Robin, you’re not one of us. Don’t ever claim to be a Gunner like you did at the end of last season. Nasri may be a cunt, but he never claimed to be a Gunner nor Gooner.
See you when we face your new club, Robbing.
Oh shit. Now that I’ve read Esso’s 273…
Looking a little foolish in my last comment. Oops.
Liam Brady
Charlie Nicholas
Tony Adams
Paul merson
Rocky (RIP)
Ian wright
Dennis
Patrick vieira
Thierry
Cesc
Robin Van Persie
At 44 I feel I am now too old to be emotionally attached to another player. RVP was the last one, and that relationship started 8 years ago.
Certainly none of the current players have my heart like those did. Maybe Jack, but I trust I now old and wise enough to resist.
Like others here, I shall continue to only have one love – AFC.
As I have previously mentioned, I shall take out a 9 month rolling contract on those I like. Starting Saturday. Exclusively my option on whether to renew or not at the end if those 9 months.
In return, said players will get my unquestioning support. Until the end of May.
Steve-O,
Any notion of us lacking ambition has been put soundly to bed this summer, we bought experienced internationals in Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla. We brought in a very well rounded striker in Giroud who is highly confident after an incredible season in France.
Will agree with the above if the VP money is re invested otherwise its been a case of us yet again losing the previous seasons best performer for no other reason than book balancing, If selling your captain and best player to a direct rival is ambition we are fooked 🙂 Ambition would now be to go out and sign a player like Jovetic – That would send a message of intent.
I would love it (yes, in a Kevin Keegan-esque mentalist way…) if we could land 1 more big fuck off signing.
Someone like a Cavani just to give the bird to the Media, RVP and any other fuckers out there revelling in our pain.
Mr C
I will offer you a five year contract.
You know the perks.
Condition – you mustget Dr Feelgood on the back of your replica strip. 8)
Chippy, well, Le Boss has mentioned that he is still in the market, so we’ll see. But I’m quite happy with Podolski and Giroud. Not too sure about Jovetic, to be honest, never really watched him so I can’t comment 🙂
Perhaps an investment in the defensive midfield area will suffice?
That brings the unrealistic thought but if Song goes to Barca, I would love if David Villa was part of the deal, now that would be signing of intent. Otherwise I hope he stays and we buy MVilla for the funds we got for RvP and someone like Given as backup goalie.
Or Affelay that is.
@ 318 Chippy
“Will agree with the above if the VP money is re invested otherwise its been a case of us yet again losing the previous seasons best performer for no other reason than book balancing,”
That’s not the case – we lost him because he wanted to go. We might not have bought BOTH Giroud and Podolski if RvP had re-signed in May, but having bought them, we’d have kept all three if RvP had re-signed even at this late stage.
@ 265 Trev
Good points. I don’t expect him to have the kind of injury problems he had with us unless he gets unlucky with a bad tackle. In fact I think overall he’ll do very well because he is a top, top player. But we will be just fine without him. Arteta and Santi Cazorla, is all I’m saying.
@ 227 Oxon Gooner
This morning, I feel even more in tune with that article. You’ve just got to take the emotion out of it and believe in the squad.
Can’t see Song going, I have to say. Maybe next summer, if his head has been turned?
People ‘revelling in our pain’ have missed the earlier bits of the Transfer window…
Last summer was painful, this one looks rather OK to me.
(of course, it’s the hope that kills me, roll on Saturday!)
Phew, still in the middle of back-drinking and have lots still to catch up on so I need a beer to keep me going. Barman, a pint of whatever you recommend please!
Cheers, now back to back-drinking…
I’ve chatted to some of the Man U guys i know – seems they’re about as thrilled at this deal as we were with Sylvestre…
The real winners are the Man U medical team. Think of all the overtime they’re going to clock up treating van persie
Steve-o,
Im not overly fussed in what positions we strengthen – Personally id love a DM and Another Forward but Wengers far more knowlegable than me when it comes to players and formations all i ask is we re invest and re invest in Quality, A big name signing would be great tho the club are crying out for a Marque signing a big name that makes people sit up and take notice.
Fun,
I may not have typed that how it was meant – If Arsenal dont spend that money received Selling Vp was Book Balancing there is no other way of dressing it up – If they were not worried about that they would have made him see out the final year, As i say i can understand the sale as long as the money is spent, As for Song the smoke signals seem to indicate hes gone to – Not to fussed either way on him i have to say, To me hes neither a DM or an Am id much rather replace with an out and out DM.
DrC@317. I feel your pain. We all feel your pain.
Only in my darkest moments however, do I wish never again to form an emotional attachment to a player. It’s part of being a fan and I really don’t want to give that up. I suspect that you don’t either.
Seek solace in drink – there’s one waiting for you.
COYG ICDDR
abb, welcome back!
It seems the hysterics left the bar late last night and then some proper debating took place instead – too many great posts to mention but catching up on them all was well worth it.
Thought of many things I wanted to say while back-drinking but have now forgotten them all, which probably means those things weren’t that important to begin with 🙂
Pints all round!
Lars….your last sentence was the most important thing to say….on your tab of course.
Hysterics are almost over and normal service at the bar will be resumed.
Onwards & upwards !!
Red nose I want to buy rvp
Glazers can’t afford it
Red nose I want to buy rvp ffs
Glazers ok we will con a few investors and raise a few quid on NYSE
Up to there neck in debt and desperate in my opinion just trying to match city
Sold better players and survived
We are The Arsenal and fuck the classless other cunts
Cheers Lars! I’ll have a P of G later with you 🙂
Lars,
Unlike TS, I’ll stick to Guinness.
Never liked the taste of that Proctor of Gamble stuff 😉
330 Oxon Gooner says it best: Seek solace in drink
I’m just done with work and about to head to the bar to have a few pints with the founder of Arsenal Singapore. Now that’s an Arsenal man I’ll trust.
Have a good one Gooners. Just 2 more days till our beloved Arsenal plays again.
I had just landed in San Francisco, California after a 24-hour long journey (flight+transit) from Indonesia. Apparently during the 24 hours I spent reading FourFourTwo, sleeping, watching Iron Man 2 for the third time, eating, etc, so many things have happened in the Arsenal universe.
Our (ex) captain is gone to the Red Slums. Long live the Captain!
Muamba announced his retirement. All the best Fabrice!!
Nurse abb, I have no idea what happened, but glad you’re still here at the end of the day! 🙂
And we still have a home game to look forward to this weekend. Looks like more than enough has been said about that Dutch bloke. I wish him and his family a good life away from Arsenal. But, as I do to any Man U player, I wish him hell on the pitch.
Home game against Sunderland. Three points. Lukas on the scoresheet. A new captain to wear our armband, and hopefully do us proud. My glass is half full. Let’s cheer our players with all we’ve got this season, starting against Sunderland. Robi… who? Rob… Robben? Wait, no…
All the heartache and anguish that Dutch bloke caused us will be gone the moment we score again. Good riddance, Rob whatever your name is.
About the only thing that interests me now about this situation is when Vermaelen will be announced as captain
I miss Almunia 🙁
Good to see you here Steve-o, and the rest of you regulars. It was a long night last night 🙁
Captain?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arteta-things-will-be-different-this-time
Short of players to be fond of, Mr.C? 🙂
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/08/08/why-pass-master-santi-cazorla-is-destined-to-be-a-big-success-at-arsenal/
If a Spaniard who can turn down approaches from the Madrid mob does exists, then he must be of substance.
Played ‘holic – i like the sound of that pie.
A four year stretch in Strangeways: stuck sharing a cell with a psychotic fat bloke (who was only recently given a full-head transplant in an attempt to make him happier, i hear); an aged Mr. Mackay type dishing out the semi-sober bollockings AND having to eat his scram opposite the grinning appetite-killing ugly mug of Mad Carlos “the even greedier” in one of the two bearable prison cantinas they’ve got up there – he didn’t deserve that. Ah fuckit – yeah he did.
I genuinely hope for his sake though that his Mrs. (and his mum and dad) get over their apparent disappointment at the unfortunate choices he’s made recently, and that they’re still waiting for him on the outside when he’s served his time.
Ultimately it’s a harsh sentence that i don’t think any of us here was genuinely expecting, and i know that some argue that it was bigger, nastier sorts that made him do the things he did – but if you can’t do the time etc. (Though of course we’re all entitled to make the odd mistake – and it’s a while, i think, since i’ve come across one odder.)
Still, I reckon if he keeps his head down and p’raps makes his presence felt in the hospital wing as per (in the manner Dr. F suggested before) and repays his debt to society (by helping to prevent the double-dealing Glazers from repaying theirs) then all is not lost.
Up The Arse…
Derrick@337: Well put. I think we all jjoin you in welcoming abb’s return. Oh yeah, I agree about the Dutch bloke, whossname
Abroad Perspective@340: Excellent thoughts.
A pint of the drink of your choice on the bar for each of you. I might join you when I finish work.
Gaaaaad what’s wrong with me today? AP@342, obviously(!)
COYG ICDDR
@Abroad Perspective,
Heh! Nice post! 😀
Excellent @ #342! 🙂
Welcome back Nurse Abb. Really …….. ! 😉
Loads of good work threaded amongst the nutters.
Esso – raw and on the money, as per.
Cheers TS – off to read your link now on that broke mob from the place where it never stops raining. Enjoy RvP. 🙂
Ollie,
That shirt that is causing you problems? Worry no more for I have the solution.
Never let it be said that I shirk my domestic duties 😉
http://walex.tumblr.com/post/29505194811/how-to-remove-felt-lettering-from-epl-shirts
New day .. New beginnings.. Can we have some football please…
Backdrinking done, and like Lars too much good stuff to mention by name.
Glad to see the ne’er-do-wells have moved on to spout their bile elsewhere, though in a sneaky way I do quite admire Danish. Always here when he smells blood, always inarticulate, always poisonous, always always wrong, and yet strangely unbowed. You have to admire (sort of) that kind of perseverance when he has no brains, friends or understanding to call upon.
What a post Esso @ 273! Lost for words
350? Raises his bat to the pavilion, confirms that he is quite happy at Lords, that it is his spiritual home, and that he would no more consider moving to Old Trafford than take guard on a sticky wicket in Malaysia during the rainy season.
Hi everyone, Again, thanks so much (means more then you’ll ever know). Before I went all crazy on you, I wanted to post something for Silly Second Yellow, who had made an apology in the last round of drinks. Silly, this is for you, I hope it helps. “Fall seven times, stand up eight”. Japanese Proverb
Esso @ 273
69 – It was a great year to start following the Arsenal!
Why do all the doomers and trolls descend when there is a chance to be negative? Why can’t they just stay at Le Groan? Surely they don’t come here every day and then only post when there is some doom to preach. Zico – no one makes me belly laugh like you do – a shame the trolls probably don’t get your humour. Welcome back Abb. Drinks all round Guv’nor.
In less than 48 hours we’ll all (or most of us anyway) be in full pint-downing mode down various pubs where we’ll once again unite with exactly the kind of people that Esso so beatifully described@273.
And I wouldn’t trade that for all the trophies in the world.
Lars knows. 😉
Lars, very well said, let’s just look forward to the weekend and seeing Poldi, Giroud, Santi and chums in action.
Let’s just remember we support the ARSENAL, the badge – not the mercenaries who run around wearing the shirt.
Now who isn’t positively salivating at the thought of a 2-0 away win to get the season up and running? How about Santi and Poldi with the assists, and 2 ‘smasher ponies’ scored by Giroud?
But we’re at home? 🙁
Lars pays. 😉
I was worried when I saw Wolfgang posted the link @348, but it seems kosher.
Cheers!
Someone was bound to want to do the same thing.
IMHO a DM is absolutely the key move to make. AS is just not suited to the role and if we can get good money for him – fine, so long as we have someone lined up. I wanted Scott Parker to at least fill in for a while but he seems to be in decline. Anyone agree with me ? who are the candidates – I don’t watch much continental football.
I see a great performance on Saturday.
Lars 355, I’ll, er, drink to that.
George Armstrong @ 354
I’m glad I make your belly laugh.
When I do this, I usually blame one of the dogs. 😐
Still drinking…had to come up and take a breather. Hey George (that’s my dad’s name) thanks. Some really well thought out offerings by the regulars and others. And some much needed comic relief as well! Also a bit of day dreaming by one of the lads (Eandy, David Villa!) I’m hoping to give a little something back to ALL you Holics (newbies and shy posters as well) very soon. It’s a surprise and I’m really quite excited. That’s all I can say about that for now!
Zico, My mistake, we are indeed at home…dunno why I had it down wrong in my head, I’m usually perfect in almost every respect 😀
Glad you confirmed Camberwell – I would’ve looked kinda silly waiting underneath that umbrella being stood up by the “man” in Speedos.
As for being wrong in the head……move on, nothing to see here…
For anyone who is worried –
If, in her mood of party celebration, Nurse Abb does manage to give anyone “a little something back”, The Quackery has been freshly stocked with all the necessary antibiotics.
Now Wolfie, if you wouldn’t mind administering my pre-emptive innoculation ……
Wolfie, you can be such a bastard sometimes …….
Football is a cruel mistress.
At 5 years old I knew exactly what I wanted to be. Not for me a cowboy or a train driver. Nor even, as was fashionable at the time, did I want to be part of the Apollo Crew, (though I did have a Spaceman’s suit).
Nope, I wanted to play for Arsenal. I couldn’t wait to grow some Ray Kennedy sideburns, put on a red shirt and stick the ball in the net whilst my adoring masses stood in the North Bank chanting my name and just kind of worshipping me.
By 10 I knew I would never make it or come anywhere close to realising that dream, and whichever way you look at it that’s pretty young to have your ambitions shattered. Nowhere near good enough. Sure I had spent hours over the park with the old man trapping, shielding, dribbling, shooting. Sure, I was reasonably quick (came third in my class race at end of term, beaten by Debbie Thomas), sure I could control the ball pretty instantaneously, see a pass, and beat a man, but by 10 I knew that there were kids who were just better than me at all these things. Faster, stronger, better.
My point? I am one of millions, literally millions, of people who dreamed that dream but were never good enough. So so few have that combination of talent, application and luck to make it. And of that tiny percentage an even smaller (we’re talking infinitesimal here) go on to play for a Club of the stature of Arsenal.
And of that tiny group of people there is an even smaller subset (think gnats chuff and divide by two), who become a legend of Arsenal.
We can all argue about what constitutes a Club Legend. Legend has become an overused word, its common usage only serving to devalue its currency, but even with a generous eye I would guess there have been no more than 20 in the 42 years since I first fell in love with Highbury. 20 men. Not many.
RVP had the chance to join the elite of the elite, a band of men who are followed by adoration, admiration and love wherever they go. It follows them into their dotage long after their wondrous deeds on the pitch have begun to fade from the minds eye and it remains a constant sustenance for whatever life’s capriciousness might throw at them.
Instead, he threw it all away. My overriding emotion today is therefore sadness. Sadness for us because we have lost a terrific player and sadness for him because he has lost that chance to live in the heart of others. Is it a tragedy? No, I refuse to use that word in a football context unless we’re talking Bradford, Hillsborough Heysel et al, but as Blogs said this morning, it is a huge huge shame.
Sure I’ll scream at him along with everybody else when Man Utd come visiting, but I won’t really mean it. Whilst the expletives pour forth from my mouth, my brain will only be thinking “Oh Robin, you silly boy”. For no matter what he might go on to achieve at Utd, and no matter how bloated his bank balance becomes, he will never be loved or regarded in the same way as he was here, as a talisman,as a leader, as a legend.
And the real sadness is that he knows it. Notwithstanding the claims of many Arsenal fans, his move was not all about the money. He is an intelligent, articulate and probably nice young man. Legacy matters to him and he knows that he has blown it.
If anyone has had the stomach to see RVP holding his new curtain shirt next to a beaming alcoholic cunt, they will see that his expression is not one of joy, excitement or even anticipation. They will see that his is an expression of joylessness, embarrassment, tension, guilt and no little shame. It is the look of a man who is saying “How on earth did it all come to this?” and that is as “tragic” a plight of the modern footballer,barring injury/ illness etc , that I have seen.
Robin Van Persie, the man who looked immortality in the eye and said No thanks.
*Applauds most generously*
I might just buy you a shot on Saturday for that.
That’s what I was after Dr Z. Sod immortality, show me the way to the shots 🙂
As if you need directions……
Well, here we go at the start of another new season.
The pitch is freshly mown, the seats have all been polished, the prices for refreshments have all been increased, and the captain of the club has left.
So, we must be ready to start.
Speaking of the captain, it is true that Arsene said he did not want Robin van Persie to leave at any price. But £24 million is not just ‘any’ old price. Too good to turn down, I’m afraid chaps.
But don’t worry. This will be the last time we lose a captain we do not want to go. For the.coming season we will be nominating ‘joint’ captains, in preparartion for the inevitable departure next summer, and duties will be shared between Arshavin, Squilacci, Bendtner, Park and Chamakh, with Denilson acting as consultant, when required.
If that doesn’t get rid of them, nothing will.
Visitors to the Diamond Club will notice that I have renamed my box this year, to “THE BUNKER”.
Well, can’t be too careful, with the number of Germans around here creeping ever upwards.
If any of you are passing, do drop in and share a sausage with Lady Nina and myself.
So it remains only for me to get spruced up ready for Saturday’s game. I made the mistake, at lunch yesterday, of asking Gazidis if we had made any late signings.
In telling me, with a mouthful of crusty roll, that we had signed “Thanti Cathorla”, the bugger showered me with crumbs that it is going to take most of tomorrow to remove from my velvet jacket.
Just thought I ought to let “you guys” know what was going on.
Toodle-pip, Up the Arse !
Yeah, he was third.
And yet it’s the one and only time he came last 😉
Ha! Too true.
Exhausting back drinking, team. Some excellent drinks posted.
As others have noted, Fergie is no mug, even in his dotage. He was pipped for the title on goal difference last season (with arguably one of his weakest squads) and has bought a proven Premiership goal-scorer. There is simple logic to that. If it wins him the title, it will be cheap compared with what City has shelled out to buy theirs.
Looked at another way, if the ManU share prices rises by 15%, or $2 a share, the gain in value would cover the four-year cost for RvP.
We now have to cut our coat from the cloth we have. I, for one, think we’ll be cutting a dash this season. It will be a new look for sure. One thing AW is good at is fashioning a system around the players he has as much as he fashions the players to fit a system. There is going to be more power and pace than tika-taka this season. Bring it on.
Whoops my 374 was aimed at 371.
Debbie !!!!!! Good to see you after all this time. Any chance of catching you this time? 😉
PHW 🙂 🙂
Tabs @368,
What can I say maestro; the most brilliant post that I’ve read in months! Spot on to a letter and full stop! 🙂
Bring on the next legend; whoever and whenever that may be! COYBG!
You can catch me – but what will I catch?
Anything other than a good time and I’ll be racing to the newspapers….
Great post Tabs.
And another sadness is that such was the nature of his leaving that I don’t really even feel that sad.
Everything we thought he stood for turned out to be a lie.
Angry ? Yes.
Insulted ? Yes.
Sad ? Meh !
What Tabs just said. The long one. And the one about shots! 🙂
Dr F @320. It’s not really about career fulfillment. It’s more about the drugs. 😉
Oxon
Re heroes. You’re probably right. *sigh*
A whole bottle of Rioja for Tabs please, Barkeep!
Breaking News:
Robin van Persie’s house burned down this morning.
Police suspect Arsene. (audio joke really. 🙁 )
Heh Cheers Dan, and thanks for the bottle!
Cheers DrC, Trev.
Trev I think i am sad not in spite of the shenanigans but partly because of them.
Trev @383 🙂
Well now, it seems I missed quite a party in here last night. A full on fucktard invastion, no less.
Fortunately, I swerved most of the RVP fuss as I was away with work, in Cologne no less, having my ear bent by a band of rabid FC Koln fans about how a certain Lukas Podolski walks on water and will score us goals by the hatful.
This has rather left me with the impression that (a) RVP leaving is far, far from the end of the world; and (b) Podolski showed that there’s a proper way to leave the club you love – he’s still a hero there.
Even before the trip, I was fairly sanguine about the departing skipper. As early as Xmas I’d begun to express the view that, while there might be clubs who can afford to pay a 29 year old with glass ankles 150k a week, Arsenal is not amongst that group. The money we have received for RVP is top class (surely a record for a player of his age) and, provided it is sensibly reinvested, I believe we will come out on top here.
With regards to that reinvestment – I am hoping it is not a coincidence that the board finally decided to open formal negotiations with Utd only a day or two after Llorente announced he does not plan to sign a new contract and became the subject of a bid from Juve. I suspect he’s ours for a fee of £16-17m, and he’s an acquisition that would leave our front line looking extremely frightening.
The imminent departure of Song actually gives me greater cause for concern than the beclogged striker. Clumsy and inconsistent as he is, Song has the potential to be a World Class player if we can get his head right. I would assume that if he leaves we will see one or both of M’Vila and Sahin arriving quick smart.
That’s about it from me. No personal abuse for Van Persie (although I will, of course, join in the boos when he returns – Man Utd indeed), just a sense that this may well all turn out for the best and that I’m genuinely excited about watching the new Arsenal next term.
Another season of improvement from Kos. A refocused (I hope) Woj. Tommy V as skipper. More from Arteta. Further game time for the already impressive Coquelin. The majestic Cazorla – absolutely buzzing about seeing what he can do. The Ox (who seems set to fairly explode this term). A second season for 5head, who I reckon may just produce the goods after a proper rest this summer. The impressive German on the left flank. A fully fit Diaby. The return of Jack. And, of course, the handsome devil who will be playing up top. All causes for huge optimism.
Best of all, we are now very close to having seen off all those disloyal miscreants who don’t really care to wear the shirt. There was always a question mark over Robin for me last season – there’s something not quite right about a club captain who appears to be running down his contract and comes out with statements like “whatever happens this summer, I’ll always be a Gooner”. He should look at how Kos handled his new contract and feel ashamed.
Are we good enough to win the title? At the time of writing, probably not. But (personally) I’d settle for a good, stable season with no backroom intrigue, players developing their game/completing their rehabilitation, a top four place ahead of the LWCs and a long overdue cup win (FA please, if you’re reading Monsieur Wenger).
A little under forty eight hours til kick off. Time to get behind the team. Fuck those who aren’t with us any more, they’re irrelevant. Get the scarf out, bang the shirt on and off we go.
See you all down at the stadium on Saturday.
COYG
PS – Did I mention that the LWCs are in an absolute shambles? One centre forward, best player off for a fraction of their original asking price, half the midfield out for the opener and a 12 year old in the managerial hotseat. All is as it should be.
TS – good link to the ManUre shares thingy.
Apparantly they had to get special permission to use a set of accounts, to support the share offer, that were a year older than is normal too.
That was to make it more attractive than it would otherwise have been.
Looks good N7 – have to read properly later.
PS – Did I mention that the LWCs are in an absolute shambles? One centre forward, best player off for a fraction of their original asking price, half the midfield out for the opener and a 12 year old in the managerial hotseat. All is as it should be.
Haha you can always count on that lot to raise your spirits 🙂 Jaeger Bombs all round Squire !!
Great post again, tabs.
Jägermeister is dangerous, if that’s the shots you’re having.
Mr T @ 367 Hey! Watch it fella! Good thing I imbibed on the drinks offered by Ollie and the gang…any way, phase 1 of the ‘surprise’ is complete (so thrilled!). btw Trev, you out did yourself @ 383!
Ollie,
Nah its good for you 😉 – Till the morning at least !
heh Trev 383. You should have recorded yourself on youtube and posted the link then.
The noises are that Song is a horrible disruption around the dressing room and that AW has had enough of it.
If it’s like that, then get rid.
Bring in someone and we’re good, but do not rely on Coquelin.
Tabs @ 368 When you write something so beautiful like that, makes me think you should publish your thoughts on Arsenal, sometime (if you haven’t already). Don’t know how you do it, tapping into your emotions and expressing them so truly.
Right now that the employee has been constructivley dismissed, sat cannot come quick enough, as I’m in the mood for a Sunderland slap around.
Oh and Song if you’re reading this, urry up and piss off as well if you’re going.
I’ll have another two for the price of one please Arsene
An M’Villa and Sahin anyone?
Tabs @ 368 brilliant post. I’m surprised you remember the long full name of that Dutch bloke. Heh.. Remember the Dutch bloke was always a little problemmatic. Alpha male attitude and all that. Yet we all thought last season that he finally became a man at Arsenal.
I may not fully remember his name, yet I will always remember the game against Blackburn when he unselfishly, in the last minute of the game, made a run to the right to provide TH14 with a PL goal. Here I thought this bloke knew what it all meant for us, the fans, for Thierry himself, and for the Football Club. What class. And how about a certain post match interview where he kept praising underfire Theo, even remarking that Theo will score 20 goals a season. I thought this man had it to become an Arsenal legend.
But as events after July 4th unfolded, slowly and painfully, it became tangible that this bloke we idolised really hadn’t grown that much. His wife loved him, even after how he wronged her, and he had 2 kids that clinged on to him. In fact his hair has turned a shade of grey. But deep down he is still the same problemmatic Dutch bloke that joined us 8 years ago. As the infamous banner at the Emirates states, “Class is permanent”. True to this, Rob’s classless nature has finally been revealed.
Did he knew, 4 days ago during the game against Cologne, that he was going to Man U very soon? Wasn’t it what he wanted all along, to move away from the Arsenal? And yet there he was, coming on to replace Poldi with the captain’s armband firmly in place. Rob, you ungrateful Dutch bloke. How could you? We had almost mistaken you as a legend. Turns out you’re just a confused person. You may have donned our jersey, and heavens forbid our captaincy. But your new mate Giggs can still show you a thing or two about loyalty. Here’s goodbye, Rob. I will miss the captain who once filled me with pride. I will miss that person. But I know that he exists no more. It was all a facade. I will not miss you, Rob, nor will I remember your name.
SSN are saying we have hijacked Liverpool’s deal for Sahin.
Last time we did such a thing (Park), he rotted on the bench LOL !!! 🙂
Snir is back in full ‘Transfer Window’ mode, hooray! 😉
*casual assist attempt*
Snir, Inbox, please.
If barceloanus writes a 20m check for Alex Song, will it bounce? Is that even good legal tender anywhere outside Espana? Shouldn’t we take it in gold or GBP or greenbacks instead?
A nurse scores.
I’m only the dealer….. 8)
Booooooommmmm!
Hey Zico! Ollie, merci be coup (hope spelling is accurate!) for the assist. Drinks for all on the bar, that includes you Homer, what you wrote is very funny.
Well, you certainly were ‘in the box’ for that goal, well played abb!
Abb- I didn’t get anything.
(beaucoup)
Feck! Well in Nursie! Better shake off this per-season rust before the weekend!
Abbs @404,
Thanks lovely! 🙂
Snir, now come on oracle of transfers! Is Song feckin’ off and if so why is Sahin now definitely going to the red scallies? I thought he wanted CL football?! Is M’Villa now a no show at the Ems? Whatever happened to Biglia and where are all of these Capoue rumours coming from? Come on; stimulate me! Not you Wolfie!
Snir, sorry, will do again (sigh) Ollie (double sigh)! Thanks DanC. What a day it’s been!
Biglia is shit.
Capoue is awesome. I really hope we sign him. I wouldn’t object to us signing a certain Marouane Fallaini who I think is terrific.
Sahin is under huge pressure from Mourinho to sign for Liverpool, and since he does want to have a future at RM, he doesn’t want to fall out with Mourinho.
But it seems like we haven’t given up on him yet.
I don’t think M’Vila is on the cards, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him land at Spurs in the end.
Been reading out of order…Peter Hill Wood, Chap, who ever you are, too many chuckles, thanks for that! Derrick, may I commend you on mentioning Giggs. He’s our enemy when he is on the pitch, but otherwise I admire his loyalty (and the little red haired rascal as well).
Cheers Ollie. You know the score. Jaegermeister, vodka, Scotch, it all goes down the same way 😉
Cheers Abb for your very kind words. Top tip, I use raw onions to “tap into my emotions”. Works every time, but be careful, the keyboard gets very wet! 😉
Cheers Derrick, and right back at yer for your @396.
Snir, Ha! Are you admitting that I was right yesterday to question the Sahin to Liverpool story given that it was still not official? What was the word you used? “Petty” I think! 🙂
Please don’t go off on one Snir. I’m only joshing in a (hopefully) affectionate way. You scare me when you’re angry! 🙂
Well in Nursie.
Homer – they should pay us in flesh and blood, preferably, Iniesta’s . He’d make a tidy little replacement for the mad-haired one.
DanC @409 Spoilsport!
Your welcome Tabs. And I like raw onions, truly my day. Now off to the ‘beauty’ salon…boy oh boy am I afraid.
RvP doesn’t automatically make Manure a winner. They’re not nearly as good as they used to be. 24million might soon be seen as good a deal as the 26mil? for Adebayor was. I’d like to see it used though. I don’t want the money to find it’s way into Hill-Wood & Co’s deep pockets – they’ve got very short arms!!
I’ll follow you Nurse Abb. My roots clearly need doing. DanC doesn’t want to play with me anymore!
Nurse abb,
Mr Giggs, loyalty? Ask his brother. 😉
Wolfe @414,
Oh ok, go on then! :-/
Snir,
As far as I’m concerned, I just want us to get a long-term, competent, primarily defensively-minded CM who will protect the back four as his main task – we have enough creation now! Song for me is not that player any longer and if we can offload, brilliant! Sahin for me isn’t either as we don’t need another side’s Loanees to blood for them!
I’d stump for Capoue (ideal from what I’ve seen in French footy and on YouTube – strong, energetic and much more mobile. Also just as flexible and can cover central defence if need be). If Song goes, M’Villa will come instead of heading to those LWCs. I’d be happy with that too. Fellaini, not a bad shout but not mobile enough for me – just as cumbersome as Song! Besides, can’t see Moyes parting with him for chips!
The goalkeeping situation still concerns and I’d try to get Given from Villa as an able back- up. Have always liked his understated quality and attitude. No prima-donna in him!
Great post tabs, brilliantly written
Wolfie @417,
With those roots done, how can I resist!
Zico @418,
Heh! 🙂
Oh Dan, you’re such a smooth talker, you old devil you.
How can a pretty girl resist?
Cheers Harsha.
Capoue seems to be emerging as the fans (well Snir’s) favourite to take the Song role, and I’m happy to trust him. Has a good eye for a player.
Talking of Snir, where is he? I want my @413 answering before Sahin’s move to Liverpool IS made official 🙂
Zico: I would just like to inform you, that you had me rolling on the floor with your constant use of “suite” yesterday. The troll was so ignorant that he didn’t even realize what you were referring to. Epic comic relief!
Lest we forget, there is still some loyalty in football and, most important of all, at Arsenal. He’s called Arsene Wenger.
@Wolfie and all,
Feck! What’ve I got myself into?! Help!!!
tabs @365 – Absolutely brilliant. I tried to articulate the same feeling I had about the Spanish bloke throwing away his chance to become a legend, but with him it was more understandable wanting to go home.
N7 @ 385 – Also brilliant. The point should be hammered home that Manure offered 15m for RvP and AW didn’t budge off his asking price until Red Nose completely caved to his demands. Meanwhile the LWC’s were demanding 40m for Modric and settled for about half of that.
Hats off to you gentlemen. Already in mid-season form.
Evening Holics
Firstly if you have not already done so, I urge you to read today’s Arseblog, a great piece from Andrew.
I’ve no tears for Robin, they were all shed a long time ago for Messrs Herd, Stapleton and Brady( David Herd was a particular hero of mine in my youth). I am now focussed on the new boys and THIS season and am going to buy a Podolski shirt on Saturday.
I too suspect RVP was looking for a move to Spain but Manure were very much the only choice left open to him, so life in the North may well not live up to his expectations, especially if they were Madrid or Barcelona!
Let’s hope Arsene finds us that illusive DMF, in the Gilberto mould and spends the cash wisely .
Gooner Kevin and I intend to drop into the Tollie after our shopping.
As always COYRs
Evening Holics
Firstly if you have not already done so, I urge you to read today’s Arseblog, a great piece from Andrew.
I’ve no tears for Robin, they were all shed a long time ago for Messrs Herd, Stapleton and Brady( David Herd was a particular hero of mine in my youth). I am now focussed on the new boys and THIS season and am going to buy a Podolski shirt on Saturday.
I too suspect RVP was looking for a move to Spain but Manure were very much the only choice left open to him, so life in the North may well not live up to his expectations, especially if they were Madrid or Barcelona!
Let’s hope Arsene finds us that illusive DMF, in the Gilberto mould and spends the cash wisely .
Gooner Kevin and I intend to drop into the Tollie after our shopping.
As always COYRs
Sorry about the double click!
I know, why don’t we sell Wenger to hotspurms?
Go on IG, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO
Sorry Tabs, I was in class.
Let’s just say I hope you’re right and Sahin won’t go to LFC but it’s still looking like he will.
As for Song, this is from Jamie Sanderson, who is very reliable.
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/908799-arsenal-to-meet-with-alex-song-this-week-to-discuss-his-future
Basically a chance to commit with a new contract. Commit or fuck off.
Seems like TW will be signing a 4 year contract and that JW is Arsenal’s new #10!
If The-o is committing, that is EXCELLENT news.
I notice the former employee back on our website. WTF Pravda?
tabs@368 and N7@385 – great posts!
I think deep inside RVP will be broken hearted, he’ll wake up in the morning and after a couple of seconds, like a train smashing you in the face he will realise what he’s done and his heart will sink.
He’ll wonder how he got carried along with it all (with his agent constantly nudging him in the back), and when he sits in the dressing room surrounded by Rooney, ferdinand, that twat Nani and all the other cunts, then he’ll look at the old red nosed whiskey drinking, tennants super guzzling cunt giving the team talk, and he’ll wonder how it all came to this… He’ll try to justify it by looking at his bank balance, but do you know what…that wont make him feel any better…
Oh, and if it is true that Theo is about to sign a contract extension that would make me happy.
Noises about Bartley to Swansea on loan.
Angel Rangel could go the opposite way.
I thought “team Walcott” broke off talks with the club because he was demanding £100,000 grand a week ???
Please tell me thats not where the RVP £24 million is going…
Cheers Bearded, Cheers Lars.
N7 – Great post and apologies for not mentioning it earlier.
Snir, yep agree with you. Sahin “looking like” he’ll go to Liverpool. 🙂
As for Song, Jamie Sanderson might be reliable (I have no idea), but The Metro isn’t. It’s just a rag given out free for Tube travellers.
Either way, whether he stays or goes, I hope they just get on with it.
Evening all.
This could be a passing visit as I have got a double helping of Montezumas revenge today, and I may away to my pit early in an effort to put the cap back on.
Having planted that delightful image in your minds can I just say a very public thanks to ABB for a very generous gift to us all. More details to follow next week.
Play nicely.
Whew!
Just finished back-drinking. Lots of quality, lots of poignancy, lots of hilarity, lots of foolishness.
Is Song gone yet? ABB, you’re piquing my interest with your surprises…
Roll on Saturday. Arsene is Legend.
BMBD
Gosh Holic, Feel better soon! Phase 2 completed. Thank you, Sir.
Snir @411,
Biglia may be “shit” in your eyes but Le Boss seems to rate him!
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/7996600/
Wrt Song, agree with Tabs @440, the metro is “shit”! You get what you pay for; Feck-all!
If true, great news about Theo! Are you watching you glass-ankled, clog-wearing Judas! That’s what a true Gooner-Gunner’s all about!
Take it easy ‘holic. Big day Saturday.
That’s what I am worried about, Esso.
Good man Snowy, if you are reading this. What is your connection with Tony Russell?
Found him on Twitter last night. Used to work with him forty years ago, and you came up as a common contact in another place, I suspect professionally related?
All the Best Holic.
As for Abb’s present, curiouser and curiouser! 🙂
Guvnor @441,
Better out than in in such cases! Plenty of Diarolyte, fruit juices and bananas the tonic!
Intrigued by this Abb gift?! Hmmmm……Curiouser and curiouser……
Stern warning to Dapper DanC@444. That’s no way to talk about Biglia or anyone when the Guv’s crook.
a must read on all around the transfer – today’s Guardian Fiver (daily newsletter ) covers all we have been going through, including Piers Moron and red nose
Sorry I’m not sure if I’m allowed to cut/paste it here
You were in class?
Sometimes I forget you aree not dedicated to football full time, Snir.
Although, hang on. Class? In the middle of August? :s
hmm; looks like my last refresh was some time ago
*drinks back*
‘Hols –
Texas cure for Montezuma’s Revenge:
2 bananas
1 liter of Sprite (or 7-up)
Now this “remedy” WILL make you pray to the porcelain goddess, but you will feel loads better afterwards.
Hope you recover quickly.
Nurse – I respectfully request more details on this surprise. The last “surprise” I received… well, best not put in print… the Management might have access to a keystroke trojan (that reads odd, but I’m leaving it in )
BMBD.
Tabs – I agree about the Metro but JS has good sources at Arsenal. Always did.
Dapper – I saw that earlier and while I don’t rate him, I trust Arsene. He probably sees something in him that I’m having a hard time seeing.
http://mapy.atari8.info/l-o/montezuma.gif
Loved that game, ‘holic.
Never heard the other use until today. Thanks…..
Get well soon, see you on Saturday, hopefully in better shape!
LG – this Texas cure raises too many questions as to what is done with each ingredient by who and to who (substitute whom wherever you like)
Yeah, we started yesterday of all days. The semester ends in December so that people can celebrate Christmas.
I don’t celebrate Christmas but I sure will take the vacation 😉
N7 – your 385 was as good as it looked.
Enjoyable stuff from all the regulars.
Nurse ABB @412 – i’m afraid Peter Hill-Wood is me.
Kind of like the old chap, you see. 😉
Back from a pleasant and winning afternoon bowling. Lots of great drinks by the usual suspects…too many to mention.
Like Deliah, David Herd going to Manure was my first sense of loss and betrayal. Subsequent hard hitting departures now just receive a shrug of the shoulders of what may have been. Here we are some 50 years since then..David Herd is just a name but The Arsenal is still the greatest team the world has ever seen and so it will be into the infitessimal future.
‘holic speedy recovery for the season’s opener.
Nurse abb….whatever your present is, it’s a wonderful distraction to get us over the departure of a recent employee.
JS now, Snir? I am hoping that doesn’t stand for Jamie Sanderson….
I shall not say it again, but apart from stealing things that are already in the open, what does he do?
Oh I’ve just said it again.
That cure sounds good, Lonestar!
Cheers, Snir 457, didn’t know you had these kerrrazy time tables!
Don Ox @449,
Heh! I now consider myself well and truly told! 😎
@kylebartley22: Swansea medical complete.
Holic @441 – “pit early tonight”
You’ll be up and running in the morning, on the loose, as it were.
Sorry. It must really in-convenience you. 😉
Oxon 449 calling the Guvnor a crook seems severe.;-)
Trev@465: Maybe, with the Guv indisposed, you’ll be called upon to blog in loo
Anyone else browned off with all these Montezuma’s Revenge puns?
I am really down in the dumps, Trev 😉
Oho! ‘holic giving Oxon some competition for No 2 punster
Anybody got a cork?
Hey Uply , you all are my presents. Trev @ 458 Really? Never knew. Hard enough for me to keep track of all the Andy Gorhams. Miss Clive’s characters, boy could he spin a tale. Lonestar @ 453 (well, well)! Snir, by then you’ll need the break (if you survive the transfer window deadline). Always great fun watching the final night on the tele. The fans from the different clubs misbehaving, the reporters trying to keep a straight face in front of the camera. It’s all good.
white rice, potatoes, bananas
I have been very quiet lately.
Has anybody seen the other me?
‘holic’s got the runs, but I think Andy Goram’s done a runner.
Fish, bananas, old pyjamas. Mutton, beef and trout.
Oh Ollie…Hey and Andy Gorham too, well at least one of them. The cure for the Hershey’s squirts (sorry all) is starchy foods, no alcohol either.
Damn you Boris Becker,raising our hopes like that i really thought you knew something we didnt,will never take you seriously again;and whats with that terrible dress sense,stripey suits with a stripey shirt??
With regards to the “application” of the Texas cure…
(1) Eat the bananas.
(2) Drink the soda.
(3) Go immediately to the loo. (Actually, you should probably drink the soda whilst in said loo. You won’t have much time.)
Any delay might cause a sticky situation, savvy?
BMBD
Hershey squirts… 😆
I love it!
BMBD
I’m seeing double…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4vn-XLr6ic
Although really, you need the whole thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2VTR86_iOM
‘Basingstoke in Westphalia’….still makes me laugh heartily.
That will be the whisky, Andy G 😉
Lonestar, soda, very good (ginger ale might help). Now to watch the videos, FREE ENTERTAINMENT people, what more could you ask for!
Oxon, Holic hehs. 🙂
Down in the dumps Holic ? You must be going round the bend. 😉
Ollie@481. Thank you, I wondered where the quote came from, or indeed whether the string of nouns was more than the incoherent ramblings of one going through the second stage of grief.
Stop right there Oxon, this is getting silly.
He’s a Wiley Coyote that Trev!
Always plopping prolonged puns in this favoured watering hole!
*flushes at the compliment from Trev*
Can we keep pulling this chain of puns?
Begs for a big chance to bag the 500 with a bog pun before bugging out. (A right pain in the vowels.)
Shit puns must be flushed.
So, if you want a red name, do you need to log on?
Do you have a website, Ollie 😉
Ollie, That’s just the kind of stuff Dr Feelgood is up to on the HT. OMG, can you picture Zico skating…flapping his arms up and down. Boy I’m in trouble now. Green eyes and all.
Time to don the Smoking jacket and hit the hay early chapess and chapells. A round for all that remain and a quick wee single dram of your finest pour moi please Barkeep! A tad chilly outdoors this evening and the cravat may not suffice before one reaches one’s chauffeur in the Silver Ghost!
Salut, Colonic experts and one hopes that thee has a plugged slumber Guvnor!
Ollie – where’s the yellow card when you need it? You’re clogging the system with all this pushing and straining to 500.
Ha! (sorry, ‘Holic)
BMBD
I hope that too, Dan. I hope that too…
I agree, (at least I`d like to believe), with those who think that Manure were not his preferred destination and that he had painted himself into a corner. He was gone long ago and at least Arsene realised this and got in more than adequate replacements. In the end it was a good piece of business, and was down to the fact that old red hooter wants another major trophy before he goes, and is into short-termism now.
It looks like there will be be at least one, possibly two important signings before the end of the month, and I`m confident we will do rather better than some people are predicting.
I`m now braced for another torrent of selling club comments when Alex Song goes. I must confess I hadn`t realised what an absolute world-beater we had on our hands. Here is a player with three years on his contract, who had expressed no desire to leave, and yet is apparently going. Could it be that Barca are the ones making the mistake?
So, who is to be enthroned for the coveted half-millennium? More of a prolonged splash than a ping, methinks.
*farts*
Scat… I mean, Ping.
BMBD
A good cure is a whiskey & harpic….it sends you clean round the bend
😉
‘holic, I knew the answer full well, but I had to place ‘log’.
(hopes someone else will have followed through at 500 first)
Now then, biscuitbum. (Timely suffix, by the way.)
We can’t claim that selling the Dutch bloke for lots with a year is good business and then say that anyone buying a nominally defensive midfielder three years before his contract expires is necessarily making a mistake.
Can we?
COYG ICDDR
Well played, Lonestar.
Turdific.
Anyway, enough smelly puns, it’s goodnight from me.
Fair amount of lurking going on there. Well in Lonestar, shame about the drink.
Night all.
COYG ICDDR
Well in LG for the demi-mille.
Is ‘holics affliction a sign that we will finish turd again thic coming season?
Please gentlemen, family viewing, and all that. Back to the usual high standard please 😉
I fear these Puns are becoming a bit of a strain.
Ollie, those Monty Python clips are hilarious.
That’s me gone. Need to sleep, perchance to dream…
G’night all.
You can learn a lot from scat Lonestar, well in! My fav, is the old standby, ‘He who smelt it, dealt it’.
Cheers, all.
Sorry for taking things to a new low. I’ll return to the usual high-editorial standards on the ‘morrow.
(*whisper it…don’t look now, but I’m predicting a March 2nd St. Totteringham’s Day. You heard it here first.*)
BMBD
Holic is going to go through these puns systernatically and delete all the ones that don’t pass mustard 😉
Sorry Guvnor – that was a Freudian slip. that’s right, Sigmoid Freud ! 😉
Goodnite you guys. Uply, ‘finish turd’, good one. You’re feeling mighty chipper this evening (smiles).
G’night Nurse 😉
Hey Trev . I’m not going to bed just yet, gonna be Cinderella just a little longer…
*Skating and flapping hands*
Because I can. 8)
Just had quick look did not see any comments this evening re young “Bartley” looks like he’s being moved-on to Swansea,
Shames if you ask me think this boy could have turn-out to be a decent defender for us?
I must be over backdrinking. Posted this by mistake on the previous drinks. Still an oddball image to find on Bloomberg’s web site, though.
http://www.bloomberg.com/image/ilp7RFOmnNcI.jpg
Oh Zico, I believe you can!
Ned, That’s a jewel.
Lee, I might be wrong, but I think someone mentioned him, somewhere in all the wonderful drinks.
Lee, see Snir @ 464.
Apologies if this has been posted already. I think TV had the same reaction every fan did. A bit of shock even if you have expected it for a while. He recovers well though and gets that steely eyed look going as the interview progresses.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/the-moment-thomas-vermaelen-found-out-robin-van-persie-left-arsenal-for-manchester-united/
Biscuitbum, Why indeed would Barca need Song. Their B team is loaded with talent as well. Gerard Deulofeu is one to watch. Reminds me just a little of our Jack.
Bearded, Gonna watch it now.
G’Nite Nurse…keep the late nighters in check 🙂
Bearded, That was tough to watch. TV captain, it fits.
Nite Uply, haven’t turned into a pumpkin yet, so I’ll carry on a little longer and take it all in. And thanks, mate.
Ok, I finally understand why Ollie mentioned ‘old’ pajamas…might just be time for a bit of a lie down. Before I go, once again thank you everyone…felt like a princess today. BUT I don’t expect this on a regular basis. ‘Heys’ and wickedly placed insults will do me just fine (beaming).
BBC reporting that Bartley has joined Swansea. Fee was £1 million. Three year contract.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19291500
abb – Yep tough to watch. The look on his face brought back the feeling I had when I first heard the news.
Can understand why Bartley would move on. He was well down the CB pecking order, despite being well-regarded within the club and added to the first team squad this season. But at 21 he will feel he needs to be playing regular first-team football. If it was a question of losing him or Miquel, I would prefer to keep the Spaniard.
BG@524: Interesting that TV had that reaction on Wednesday, when RvP had been told the previous Sunday that he was being sold. Shame RvP hadn’t kept his trap shut earlier in the summer.
Delia and Fungunner, There’s a bottle of Champaigne, two elegant crystal glasses, and two long stemmed roses, waiting for you at the bar. Cheers. And Fun, your kind words meant the world to me, more than you’ll ever know.
Bearded, just watched it. Agree with you that he recovered his steely glare but wasn’t comfortable with the way he fiddled with his ear as he said “we’ll be fine”. I’m no body language expert but isn’t that meant to signify that your words are at odds with your thoughts.
Ned @519 Great image. 🙂
NBN – Re: Bartley. That is surprising I thought it would be a loan. Completely agree with you though in terms of having to pick. From what I have seen of the two I would rather keep Miquel.
Re: RVP’s trap. A bit surprising that if RvP and TV were good friends you think he wouldn’t be so surprised, but maybe they weren’t that close, expecially if RvP already knew last Sunday.
tabs – Good spot. I am hoping the steel just gets stronger the longer he has to process what RvP did.
@ Ollie
Monty Python clip – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
***
Thanks for the champers, abb – I take it mine is the red rose? I imagine Delia as a white rose kind of lady. Glad if I helped to bring you back! Quite a relief. After all, who else would sell the attractive points of hyenas to me? Eh???? (Not that you succeeded in getting me to like them but full respect for trying.)
BG@537, there is also Martin Angha coming along behind. Though only 17, he is a highly rated prospect. Some shrewd judges have him penciled in as a 1st XI CB within five years.
Bearded, Tabs, good observations. I looked at it again, he actually flinched. Oh Robin. What have you done.
Hey Fun, make that rose any color you desire. Ah, the hyena story…good memories. And more to come (smiling).
Now I wanted to take a nap (my brain said it was vital to do so) but my heart had other plans. How can I possibly sleep without saying first a little extra thank you to Posticker and Impec1, really looking forward to chatting with you both, mean it. Esso, thanks mate and I hope all is going ok for you. TS, you’re a bit of a legend, very sweet of you as well. Lurky Oliva, boy do we have a bit of history! Thanks so much. Eandy, you are just a pure joy to read, your love of the game is infectious and we both have TR in common, as well. I won’t forget your kindness fellas.
Hi all,
I’m glad the saga is over without unnecessary drama like last year. Just proves there’s only one No.10 Dutch legend at the club. We have been sensible in buying good replacements, and I for one am excited and looking forward to the season. It looks optimistic. COYG!
PS: Maybe Arsene should stop making players in their last year of contract captains.
I like this. I like this a lot.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/kickingandscreaming/id/4?cc=5901
He only forgot to mention Cashley.
(disregard the way he ends the column, not everyone likes that, some do, some don’t, you decide for yourself, but the rest of the column is golden)
Guys, I posted this last season to lift the spirits up.
I’m repeating the gesture.
Everything will be fine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXAZJ28s1rU
Snir, thanks for the original post and now the repost of the Danny Graft video. We watch it regularly in our household. Even my 5 year old sings it. ( I tell myself he can’t understand the profanity because of the accent). Anyway, we all sing Arsenal Bloody Arsenal. Gooner til I die.
Saturday can’t come soon enough.
NorCal – My pleasure.
Just to make sure, are you a new holic? Or someone that changed his/her moniker?
And Robin can “jog on”.
I still feel we are better than last year even without him. Like our shirts said last year “forward”.
I’ve been reading for a few years but have not posted regularly. So I guess more of a new holic.
Always like the banta and content on here. A sensible group with each their quirks but always entertaining.
Cool… Welcome man(?)
I’m extremely bullish towards our chances this year.
The thing I find as the funniest is that most papers were predicting a good season for us and already took it as a team without that Dutch bloke, and now that he’s actually left, everyone is predicting a shit season where we’d struggle to get a top 4 spot.
If only they really were “experts.”
What is van-pursie but a pin in a hay stack of players nurtured and introduced to the world by arsenal.In all probability none of us started following our beloved club because of this man so there is no point letting him live rent free in our hearts. I am absolutely stoked for this season, I am proud of our manager,proud of our community of classy supporters,proud that even in a nooky little pub in the heart of Tempe,we shout ourselves hoarse at 7am each weekend. Another season,another ungrateful little tit leaves, my shiny new away jersey is here and I cannot be more pumped.
Hi fellas. Probably everyone knows the 3 sticking points for Bendy’s departure, but in case you didn’t here they are. 1) Must be allowed to travel to London, to spend time with his son 2) Must compete in CL play 3)Must be guaranteed plenty of playing time. He was also quoted as saying, (paraphrasing here) that money is not all that important to him. Now I’m not a fan of his, but his requests do not seem over the top, to me. His odd behaviour is however (over the top).
abb- inbox.
Yes Sir!
Snir, thanks for the welcome. This bar has always seemed open no matter where you call home. As the moniker says I am in nowhere Northern California. But love the arsenal world community. Hope to get to a live match this year. LWC’ s over thanksgiving looks the best option for my family or if the CL tie is a home game the following Tuesday. Anyway. Thanks again for the welcome. Unfortunately I only add to the large number of health care professionals that frequent this joint. Do you think the new medical facility at the colony needs my help? Ha
NorCal – I’ll take aything that helps Jack recover. What a brilliant player he is. I know there is a tendency to over-hype an injured player, but he truly is world class.
This is interesting… Villas Boas claiming they aren’t look for a midfielder “with defensive characteristics.” They are now looking for a more “creative player.”
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/tottenham-leave-rennes-midfielder-mvila-arsenal-3453541?utm_source=main_feed
Snir – Thanks for the You Tube clip @ 544. That’s one worth saving.
Now, this is hilarious 🙂
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/08/16/3310267/the-secret-diary-of-robin-van-persie-aged-29-and-a-bit
24 hours.
One more relentless spin of the earth on its axis, and we’re there.
Show time.
Around this time last year, (the day before our first home game of last season) I was gently easing myself toward temporary lodging in South Kensington, in preparation for a night on the lash with a long-lost friend, which itself was an appetiser for my trip to The Tollington the following day. The thieving Scousers were first up at The Grove.
Then, the dressing room had been turned upside down by the wantaway Nasri, whilst simultaneously, Arsenal were in the midst of losing a rearguard action with young master Fabregas and his Catalonian DNA, both on the verge of scuttling back home, but not before, (allegedly), he had disrespected his mentor (a trend being set?) and us all, by refusing to pull on the famous shirt. I know that Cesc has undergone a bit of a rehabilitation in some people’s eyes lately, but the fact is, he sulked and he left, and at a price that took the piss.
So, if nothing else, last Summer should have prepared me for this. I should’ve been half-expecting to hear Sonny and Cher everytime the radio alarm erupted each morning. I should’ve known. I should’ve gone underground. I should’ve listened. I should’ve boycotted Twitter, for clearly that is mass pyschosis in action.
In it’s own caricatured way, football mirrors the circle of life. Players come, players go. New for old. (I concede it was heartening that some players arrived before the season started this time!) Van Persie, Song, Walcott – stick-ons in the starting 11 just a few months ago and now…… blah blah blah. At this point, I could give a fuck. Time to turn away from social media mania, and prepare to feast on fact. Fact is, The Arsenal, the collective, kicking footballs about.
The team. Is all.
I just want to feel that sense of anticipation when I climb those stairs at the Clock End and look out on the sea of green. I yearn to see those cannon-crested shirts (and whoever is in them) lining up and surging toward the Makem’s goal.
I want to vicariously kick every ball, and analyse afterwards every good and bad thing that happened between kick-off and final whistle.I want to cast my eyes on a throng of familiar faces in the pub, and try, (only in the interests of research, you understand), the taste of that Guinness stuff.
I want to be there to witness Wolfie’s rendition of the Podolski Eurotrash anthem.
I want to see Holic’s smile as they decant the Glenfiddich.
I want to see a Snowman in Summer.
I want to congregate in the church of Reverend Al (I’ll give the baptism lark a miss this time, if that’s all right, your Holiness?).
I want to see Ollie’s bad influence in action.
I want to see Trev, and The Prof and Steve T and Esso and maybe even some CFPB.
I want to board that Happy Train. And I want to tell everyone, “I’m back”.
I want to do all of these things.
And I’m going to.
Tomorrow.
Ok – Serious thought here.
How about going back to 2 box to box midfielders that control the middle of the park?
When you think about, Gilberto was never a true classic DM. He was always a bit more than that. He was much more of an Arteta than a De Jong.
And PV was no holding midfielder.
Plus, we had times when Gio played at CM, or Edu. Both not a De Jong player for sure!
We could definitely go back to that with Arteta and another CM player who could be Diaby or Jack, with Cazorla in front.
I know what you’re thinking – A bit lightweight for the big teams, I thought the same, but no other team plays with a true DM apart from Chelsea and he’s shit (Mikel) as Essien has lost his place in the past two seasons (even after coming back from his injury problems).
United – Carrick, Anderson/Fletcher/Scholes
City – Barry, Yaya
Chelsea play with Mikel, Lampard and Mata in the midfield three, hardly defensive combatants.
We could make it work, we already have in the past.
Chelsea –
Scratch that last Chelsea from the end of the post 🙂
Didn’t mention Liverpool, Tottenham, et al because there really is no need. They’re shit.
For all the other teams, it would certainly be fine, we would need to defend less as we’d have the ball more than 55% of the time (at least).
Here’s hoping the verminator is keown to ManUres (new)Ruud…
Pat Rice LEGEND, van persie shit…!
If You Don’t Want To Be HERE…LEAVE!
fuck off
Jog on
Whatever…Alexfrander Song, do you here me?
I had not caught up on drinks before my post…
Zico @ 558 brought a tear to my eye… One day… One day!
Thank you
Zico – You aren’t serious most of the time, but when you are, it’s beautiful 🙂
So jealous of y’all.
Zico ‘fraid I wont be there mate, but plenty of other good people will be. Have a great day out mate, I know you will.
Cc Dr F, Prof TS
NorCal
Please submit CV to Mr T, c/o The Quackery. He’s the orgsnised one.
In particular we would be interested to know what you feel you could specifically bring to the team.
Eg. Dapper DanC has marvelous connections with tweed garment and cravat suppliers. Not to mention a guide to every pub in Oxford.
Nurse Wolfie brings us…well, I’m not sure. But she’s indispensable.
Nurse ABB cools are fevered brows.
Carlos. Comes with nurse Wolfie.
Yours in anticipation.
Zico
Beautiful writing.
A Guinness on the bar to start you off…
Nine hours sleep, thank you God.
Sadly the bug remains. This is getting serious now. I may be late to the Tollie tomorrow chaps and chapesses 🙁
…and great piece zico. 😉
Patient Holic
Please report to The Quackery. I have left a large cork and instructions with Nurse Wolfie. 🙂
So I’ve heard we’ve sold someone since last I was here. Great! We need to balance the books. Don’t want to end up as Portsmouth playing just teenagers + the 35 year old player manager and just having to subs on the bench.
All aboard the HT! Tomorrow we’re off!
zico@558: show time indeed! I am getting really excited, almost can’t believe it’s just a day away. A bit more than 24 hours to go before the first beer of the day…
Holic, hope the bug clears off before tomorrow.
Snir
Good point about midfield. Flamini also was box to box.
Potentially all of Jack, ramsey, rosicky, Diaby, Arteta, le coq and Frimpong could fulfill those roles.
The problem, as ever, is fitness
Barton to Marseille?
Hahahaha. Someone told me last week they were after Spahic.
I hope they get both, they’ll finish with 9 men every 4 games….
Too much to back drink.
any key posts?
Sorry to hear, ‘holic.
On the bright side, the loo’s in the Tollie aren’t what they were 2 seasons ago, thankfully 😉
I have now read zico’s marvellous post. Cheers, Dr Z.
I haven’t read all the previous 572 replies but I imagine they are on the continuum from ‘RvP is a treacherous disloyal c**t and I hope he suffers a cruel fate’ to ‘it’s a great piece of business for Arsenal’.
Football the sport is a game you play with your friends in the park on a Sunday.
Football the business is not for the sentimental or faint-hearted.
Remember how Arsenal treated Pires when he hit 30 and was negotiating a new contract.
Remember how Thierry Henry screwed Arsenal out of a huge amount of cash when he signed on for his last season. It had a destabilising effect but he left with his reputation intact and a statue.
RvP gave us one exceptional season and those who witnessed the Norwich game could understand why he might want to leave and trade in the possiblity of Arsenal legend status for doubling his wages and a greater chance of silverware.
Finally, I read David Ornstein’s article on the BBC website. How does he manage to be the first journalist to break Arsenal news and he is invariably correct. Does anyone have any independent verification of his story that he was considering staying but Wenger told him before the Cologne game that he was being sold?
Or the Ben Winston story (apparently from Tony Adams) that RvP sent a letter of concern a year ago about the way the team was coached and his going ‘nuclear’ on his website coincided with the appointments of Terry Burton, Neil Banfield and Steve Bould?
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/spanish-football-official-lashes-out-at-arsenal-and-english-over-
You have got to be kidding me. I want him gone too, but this is just hilarious.
Zico hits the season in top form. 😉
Mr C. 🙂
You may be late Holic, or maybe quite early ? Depends how much of a dash you make !
Take care and see you tomorrow.
I’d like to apologise for the toilet humour last night. Most of the puns were just crap. Sorry.
COYG ICDDR
Theo and Santi to be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Kos and Ox are out.
@Arsenal: Wenger on Song rumours and possible new signings: ‘Both could happen… but my focus is on the Sunderland game’ http://t.co/GSf1QSWy
Song’s off then. AW never says a transfer out of the club could happen.
Wenger saying that Song might leave. Guessing it’s going to happen then.
@Arsenal: Wenger on Sahin: ‘He is one of the players we are following’ http://t.co/GSf1QSWy
Hmmm
Arteta vice captain
And he`s gone !
They have all gone !
Henery, Pires, Viera, Cesc and now RVP gone !
GONE !
*And yet the club still remains*
WOW !
Right, I’m off!
See some of you tomorrow, bring on the new season!
We are the Arsenal!
Hey everyone! What’s the craic?
Anyone notice that the “Arsenal First Team Twitter Feed” on Pravda is now the “Andre Santos Twitter Feed”? What an attention seeking gay[sic]! 😆
Who’s up for a pint of the black stuff with me?
Seems not everything that Wenger says is premeditated. I notice they`ve removed the bit about Song in the conference digest once Snir and all the newspapers after him picked it up.
Zico 558. Great piece…you should give the team talk in the dressing room before each game.
SNIR thanks for all your snippets & feeds….interesting all of them in one way or another.
Snir@577: I saw that quote elsewhere on the web and thought it was a parody – but it seems it wasn’t. Incredibly stupid and arrogant, he really does believe that all should bow before Barca and Real.
So, this time tomorrow…
I could be in the Tollie loo 🙁
Morning Gooners & Goonerettes,
‘holic still dripping I see?! Sorry guvnor! Just clench it up!
TV new leader on the pitch with MA his deputy; can’t complain about that! Now get rid of the other non-committed fecker that’s clearly leaving and bring on the new season! I’m quivering with excitement already in anticipation! Feckin’ A!
Wilshere 10.
Cazorla 19.
Podolski 9.
Park 30.
“It’s an honour to sign for Manchester United. I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers.”
What an utter toss-pot! No class or dignity whatsoever! He’s now officially a cunt to rival John Terry, Joey Barton, et al!
I don’t like to wish ill of anyone but in this case, I’ll make an exception in footballing terms!
What number is Giroud Snir?
We should have given Santi a better number than 19 …
In Arsenal, he was nineteen
In Arsenal, he was nineteen
In Arsenal, he was nineteen
In Arsenal, he was nineteen
N-n-n-n-nineteen
I’ll tell you another cunt as well. Martin Hardy for the utter phish he wrote in the Indy today. Must be a LWC. Not buying that rag anymore, what with him and that other LWC midget bellend Wallace who writes for them, its just too much. Back to the Grauniad for me.
He is not worth a fucking minute of you time guys !! Look forward
Lobs one into the box looking for the lurkers…
DHL logo suits him with the way he behaved on his webste sorry peeps but he looks like a complete pillock!
Bang! Did you see that you Bow-legged Judas cunt! That’s what you call commitment! Last word on the matter! Bring on Sat 3pm!
Congrats on double Sparta ATG.
See our Guvnor and an ex employee have both ended up at Old Toilet
😉
Thanks Uplympian 🙂
Guinness please Canons. good man.
Dr Z @558 Heh, brilliant! Loosening up the vocal chords in readiness 😉
Abb @551 – Methinks Billy The Prince of Denmark will have to settle for 2 of those 3 demands. He will only play Champs League if he’s willing to play in a “lesser” league.
Snir @559 Agreed, but then you knew that already. 😉
Hope you feel better soon Holic.
Damn! Well in ATG!
Dan – ex employees are no longer of any interest…my energies are focused on those who are wearing the shirt. Onwards & Upwards. 🙂
‘holic 591. *i’ll be in the Tollie loo*
If the holic pounds comes in *you’ll be in the lolly too*
Hope you make a quick recovery tomorrow.
@Uply,
Spot on, and as my earlier post stated, that’s it!!!
To all you nice people up there, you’re too, too kind.
Esso, later this season then.
Thanks for the Guinness Dr C
*Puts on lab coat*
Sorry to hear about your continuing bout of Gastric thingummy ‘Holic – hope it doesn’t see you benched tomorrow. 😉
‘Holic: hope you are back to matchday fitness pronto.
Zico@558: a rousing anthem we can all get behind.
Snir@559: you and AW may be thinking along the same lines. My guess is our shape this season will look more like that of the Invincibles than of teams of more recent years.
Snir@593: notice also that Lansbury has been returned to the Reserves. Bartley remains listed as a first-teamer despite reports of his sale to Swansea.
A last-day-of-preseason-at-last round for all in the bar…
Speedoes pressed, drinking boots polished, vocal chords warmed up,and an Arsenal victory on the morrow.
I am skipping, Ladies and Gents, literally fuckin’ skipping!
Ferguson on Wenger proving a tough negotiator: “He could win a poker school in Govan, him … They’ve got a good price”
Overpaying are we?
Heh Snir,
He (Old red) will be vomiting.
It’s hard not to wish it all to end in tears…..
Ned @ 611 – I’m happy for everyone to get behind me apart from Wolfie. Especially if he’s already started skipping 😉
Uply @608 – ‘he’ll be in he lolly too’. 🙂
Hey Tabs – can’t wait mate !
Zico @614. – 🙂
Ned –
I know you will appreciate the excitement far more expressed this way:
It is 24 hours, 6 minutes, 53 seconds to kick off !!!!! 😉
Snir. – good work all round as your favourite time of year approaches. 😉
Wilshere on wearing the No.10
“I feel proud to wear it now after some real club legends have worn it, such as Dennis Bergkamp.”
Exquisite put-down.
His insults are as good as his passing.
Zico – must explain that ‘ned’ comment of mine for you –
One. More. Sleep. !!! 😉
I love Jack Wilshere – he’s gonna stay for EVER !!!
Zico 614. I would also think Lars should not be behind you…hen should be in front sorting out the tab 😉
Have a good trip dahn souf.
Right off to do my messages with the trouble and strife ( bit of Jockney for you Zico to help you acclimatise to the foreign tongue. No not yours Wolfie. ) 😉
tabs @ 616: I was thinking the same. 🙂
I wonder at a human level the price a certain type of ambition — bordering on greed — pays. All these youngsters were rather inspired and motivated by the erstwhile captain.
Hopefully the new number 10 is back on the field soon. Arteta-Jack-Cazorla -Rosicky-Diaby-Ramsey-Coquelin … even if Song leaves and we get no replacement (which I doubt) that is looking to be a quality midfield with back-up options.
Zico, You have put us all in the proper mood, we needed that! Good day everyone. Holic, yogurt with active/live cultures, otherwise no dairy. Tabs @ 605 two out of three not bad (didn’t Meatloaf sing something along those lines). At least with Bendy, he never pretended to be a fan. Just a mediocre hired gun. Dr C @ 565 I shall try my very best to do just that! And I’m so happy for Jack, he will will the # 10 proudly. I’m a little surprised Ned, Snir, or you others haven’t picked our starting 11 yet, esp. since AOC and KOS are ruled out.
We need a monster season from Abou Diaby. That would transform our midfield throughout.
“he will wear the # 10 proudly”. oh dear.
Plus Jack back of course.
Trev – Haha, there you go, “falling in love again,ain’t nothing I can do”
🙂
Faustus- You may well be right. Our midfield certainly looks strong but so much depends on Fitness. Pretty sure we’ll strengthen if Song decides he needs a Spanish Barber. Sahin and A.n.Other perhaps.
Sir Sches
Jenks, Per, TV5, Gibbs
Diaby, Cazorla, Arteta.
Theo, Poldi, Gerv.
There you go Abb. :wink;
Giroud on, on the 65 min mark.
@622,
Totally agree! He’s an unbelievable weapon, when fully fit! IMHO, there’s no other player in European football quite like him! Unstoppable when fully fit and playing regularly!
Tabs you work fast (and your line up looks like it makes more sense then mine) The big surprise is your omission of Giroud. Got him on mine.
Tabs @626,
Can’t argue much with that line up! Bring it on already! 😀
Chesney
Jenks Merts TV Gibbs
Song Arteta
Walcott Diaby Gerv
Podolski
+ Ramsey Giroud Fabianski AOC Coquelin Djourou Santos
Assuming Santi jetlagged, Giroud not quite ready to start. Gibbs over Santos is a hunch, not a preference.
I’ll go with that Tabs, except I think he may start Cazorla on the bench due to his trip back from Puerto Rica, in which case I can’t choose between Ramsey and The Ox.
Probably AW would go with Ramsey for safety’s sake.
There you are Abb – my first ever attempt at guessing an AW team.
And probably the last. Might try the Lottery instead !
To start that is (Giroud). Hi Dan C. I prefer not to even mention injuries when talking about Diaby, but boy he is one cool player.
DanC @627 – bet Holic would like to be doing anything regularly. 😉
Ok, Ok, we should do this every week. Fun your back four looks like mine. Trev, good point about Santi, forgot about that.
tabs @ 626 — Cazorla may not be fit or ready after the mid-week international. Ox too is injured for Saturday. So we may see Coquelin or Song instead in the starting line-up.
It would be interesting to see the bench. Whether Arshavin and Chamakh are in. Chamakh now is most likely to stay this season.
In London.
Having read some RvCunt quotes, what a little scrote!
Utter cunt, he hid it very well…
Now this is just for Fun! Fun have you noticed how Pato has beefed up (I have)…Well it is Friday!
Esso 597, I read that and was incensed indeed, though he sounded more like a Red Manc Cunt.
Massive Tosser either way.
I wish they still had the Grauniad in the Eurostar lounge.
Times, Daily Wail and Indie only, totally fucking doomed.
I see Ollie is in good form and so is Trev @ 633.
Whch comment number has your line-up, abb?
Forgot about AOC being injured as well. Substitute AA on bench, then.
Fun, I didn’t post it, but I totally forgot about Song…guess with all the buzz of him leaving, is why.
@ abb
Aha.
I haven’t seen the new Pato, will check him out. TV and Monsieur Pretty (Giroud) are currently filling my field of vision.
Not a big fan of curly hair anyway. Though Vela was quite sweet. That was the smile, really, though.
Dan, heh, Bring it on indeed!
Abb- thought about Giroud but given that he played internationally in the week and that Flipper has had a very good pre-season, I think AW might go for Flipper, and use Giroud from the bench when we’re already four up and there are some tired legs out there.
Dr Faustus – Knew Ox was injured, not in my team. I think that injury is partly the reason AW will gamble on Cazorla tomorrow, even if its only for the first hour. Bibwatch this morning apparently indicates that Cazorla was in the First XI 🙂
Fun, can’t see Song being used given that Arsene more or less said he was on his way this morning.
Trev Knows! (apart from the Cazorla bit that is) 😉
He said a decision had not been made about Song. Crunch (ugh, silly word) talks next week. I think if he’s fit he’ll use him.
Afternoon Blogbuds.
Been ridiculously busy due to nice weather and holiday season so there’s been a good ton plus drinks that I won’t have time to catch up on, so apologies if my opinions have already been posted by an other.
Well, it’s over, this summers biggest and most tedious transfer saga is done and no one can really be surprised that he’s gone. Not after the arson job he and his
bunch of pyromanic scumbucketsmanagement team done on the bridges to the club and the heart of it’s fans when releasing that infamous statement. What does surprise me is, where he will end up, you can’t tell me that Old Toilet was his prefered destination when said statement was aired, I just can’t believe that. I think this a move so that he can save face and he and his team made the biggest miscalculation of a market since Thursday the 24th of October 1929 when Richard B. Moneybags McRich decided to take all his lolly and invest in the up and comming new world market on the NYSE. Oooops.Due to time restrictions I haven’t read too much on the whole deal, however from what I have glanced at I’m most in agreement with what Tim Stillman had to say over on Arseblog, although (to half inch his methaphore) my train went straight to acceptance then continued via Fuckhiminthejaxxyville on to it’s final destination of We’rebetteroffwithoutcuntslikethatshire.
So, he sold his soul to the Red Devils, but apart from financially, it’s not about the money, you guys (yeah right) will he really be that much better off, let’s check the ballastics;
Arsenal improved on their league standing last year, 4th to 3rd even though by many acconts we haad our worst season in recent memory, IOU did not. they dropped from top of the tree down to second.
They didn’t do much of note in the domestic cups, but to be fair neither did we.
In the CL we were defeated in the first knockout round wheras they failed to get out of, what seamed on paper, a pretty lightweight group.
We have failed to keep hold of some of our so called prize assets however this has not undermined our ability to compete, although it obviously has impeaded us some what, yet we are now a squad that has been strenghtened a great deal. We live within our means and will start to reap the rewads of our prudency in the not too distant future. We have one of the best stadia and one of the greatest managers in the PL. We finished above all our city rivals for the first time in a while.
United on the other hand are a club in decline, they have an ageing squad, Giggs and Scholes have not been replaced and they are horribly in debt. The share thingy didn’t bring up anywhere near as much money as they projected and most of it will end up being used to pay RvP well into his thirtys. Fergiscum will go down as the greatest PL manager of an era (and rightly so) however I feel he’s lost the plot a bit, Rooney is the new big kahuna round OT nowadays. There’s no way that the old Fergy would of put up with the transfer shenanigens of the pubic hair replacement one, he would of fucked him the fuck out. Another example of him not being the sharpest pencil in the box anymore was his bemoaning of other teams paying around 30mill for a player, a trend he started (alsheimers?). Laughable was the way he bemoaned how Arsenal made the Dutch blokes transfer difficult (dementia?)
The rise to prominance of the noisy neighbours must be a constant thorn in his side and probably keeps him up at night (insomnia?) Not only is he not top dog in the land, his team are not even the best in their city and the spending power and ability to attract which almost any player they want must have him shaking in his boots (parkinsons?)
United have also brought in new additions over the last few windows, but most haven’t met expectations, their defence is not what it was and there’s no guarentee that Vidic will reach his previous levels. Ironically scoring goals is not their problem, will RvP end up being the new Berbatov or (sniggers) Owen? Their midfield is where they needed strengthening and it remains to be seen how the new boy will stand up to the PL especially when the other players start ripping him about his bondage pornstar girlfriend.
All in all, I think he’s made the wrong choice, I’d like to wish him well but as I’m a vindictive little git I hope he rots up there in that shithole, he made his bed and I’ll piss on it.
Up the Arse!!!
Tabs@612: exclusive! picture discovered of you in training for mixed doubles…
http://www.edupics.com/skipping-rope-t11867.jpg
Zico@614: always a wise precaution with Wolfie.
Trev@615: 🙂
&@617: never complain, never explain.
abb@621: have to agree with tabs@626 with the exception of Ramsey or the Ox starting in place of Cazorla, who will be given a short run off the bench. Ditto Giroud.
Pre-season fixture has commenced. zico 1 Guinness 0, after 9 minutes….
I’m out the door, Jackie O sunglasses in hand! Fun, umm, I knew about your thing for Giroud (chuckling)! Tabs, I had Gervais and him in mine! Ned, H2H, I’ll be back to read yours, promise! Oh and hi Dr Faustus. Now I must go…
Almost holiday time, and the seal has held for seven hours. One more sleep and it’s Tollie time 😀
H/t to FG. Also, forgot the Ox was out injured. So:
Woj
Corp. Jenks, BFG, TV5, Gibbs
Diaby, Arteta.
Theo, Ramsey, Gervaise.
Lu-lu-lu
Cazorla, Giroud, Fabianski, Santos, Djourou & the Coq on the bench
I note that Song is to have a late fitness test for a “knock” that he has picked up. Outcome will probably depend on the state of his sale negotiations.
Theo also due for a late fitness test, apparently. With the Ox out, if Theo doesn’t play, Giroud could get the start with Gervaise and Podolski playing wide and Chamakh on the bench.
It seems Song have left Arsenal according to the reliable @AFCADMEN (https://twitter.com/AFCAMDEN/status/236484009662746624)
Also, no Song in today’s training pics. http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-training-17/08/12
Gov@651: more info than we need! But glad you are on the mend.
OK. I guess no Song in my line-up, then!
Isn’t it ironic given the depth of our squad how many are unvailable for one reason or another?
I sometimes think 40 players woukdn’t be enough….
Woukdn’t?
zico 1 Guinness 1, coming up to half time…..
Ned @648 🙂
Fun @646 – No. He said it “can happen”. Strong words for AW, and if the rumours of the training ground bust up are true, who can blame him. Didn’t use those words about Fab, Nasri or even Rvp prior to their departures.
Indian @653 has got it right.
Song’s gone!
Well, he can fuck the fuck off too.
Ah, I see you’ve already seen the light Fun! Apologies for repeating.
Out with the old, in with the new! (Apart from me , of course). 😉
@ tabs
He actually said both “It can happen” and “That decision has not been made.”
Academic now.
What are the rumours about a training-ground bust up – with Wenger? Or another player?
Afternoon H2H, good to have you back 🙂
Nice post. I’ll get the BM’s in, on Lars of course!
Abbs @632,
Howdy! 🙂
Trev @633,
Heh! Phhrrrrrrttt! Excuse me! Another gust passes by!
Song’s off.
Any other player wanna play hardball? Cos they can fuck off too.
I like ruthless Arsene.
And one other thing.
No more Darren Dein!!!!!! Get in!!!
Too right Snir.
The Dein dynasty should end for good.
New rules :
Potential signing : Your agent is D squared? Goodbye.
Existing player : You are now going to be represented by D squared? Well tell Mr Dein to find you a new club. You’re gone.
From here on in, tail loses to dog in wagging session.
zico 2 Guinness 1 – 25 minutes to go. 8)
Cheers Tabs sir.
I was in Alkmaar yesterday getting some stuff for my impending vacation. Wolfie will be pleased to hear that I got me a brand new pair of Speedos from the new collection. The rest of the world will be relieved to hear it’s not one of those bananahamock jobs, but a bermuda style trunk. 😉
Indeed Snir, ban the cunt from the premises now.
Fun, I accept that, but it was clear from what Arsene said that he was off. What he said was unprecedented re a player still at this Club, whichever way it is dressed up.
Training Ground bust up? Just the usual. Song acting the Billy big Bollocks, Arsene took him to task, and Song reacted.
Whether it’s true, your guess as good as mine, but clearly something has gone on recently.
Right, out for a bit. Toodle pip all.
Top Man H2H ! 🙂
Heh sneaks in to claim post 666.
How apt, says Rox. 👿
@ tabs 668
It just didn’t sound imminent. I have no emotional energy left to be shocked with after all we’ve been through this summer. But wasn’t aware that Song acting the BBB was a usual thing for him.
At least it has been done quickly. Anyone know what the fee is?
Fun
I believe twelve pieces of silver has been mooted.
£17m says the Twits….
@ 672 H2H
ba-zing!
£15-£20m, closer to £20m, says this AFCAMDEN bloke.
And Sahin being worked on.
@ zico
Thanks – I was so impatient I looked it up!
Arsene has said in his Arsenal player interview that if Song goes he’ll definitely sign a DM.
If Song goes, I’ll always blame that do of his.
All up, up, uppity!
Give us the 18mil for him, and AW will sign a crackerjack or two.
Can’t wait to meet those barca-beggers in the CL. I think Poldi or Frimmy might scare them literally to tears!
Snir,
don’t forget to dampen down every 15 minutes, but this is your time. 😉
Gave my tuppenceworth on Song yesterday.
Strong but too slow at times, clumsy in the tackle, awareness not good enough.
Too much attitude.
£18 million ? Thank goodness Barca never learn. 😉
And Arthur Guinness, with that blonde head of his, gets a last minute equalizer……
zico 2 Guinness 2 FT
zico told Sky Sports “It feels like a defeat…..” and then handed the “Man” of the Match champagne to the Green Eyed barmaid…..
Zico
In such circumstances I always go to penalties…..
Five more shots guarenteed. ;P
H2H 😀
Thought it was a relevant observation — at some point of time or other in their respective Arsenal career Cesc, Samir, Robin and Song all have talked about the influence of Arsene as a true father figure in their lives. And of course they were not talking about just the inspiration and guidance bit, but also the forgiveness and tolerance…
Arsene of the last few years have been quite tolerant towards his young proteges in the hope of building a team of equals. He may have always known that in the long run — especially given the overall ‘climate’ of the top tier football — that it was but an Utopia, but he may have been imaginative enough to have believed in the possibilities of that ambition.
Evidently that strategy is being jettisoned now for a more pragmatic approach, and that is of course the best course of action for the club, and we all are excited … but what an extraordinary achievement for the club it would have been if we could have pulled off a PL championship or two in the last few years or a CL.
“Nothing succeeds like failure but failure is no success at all” … 🙂
My missus (who hardly watches football) saw me looking at Robin Van Judas’ picture holding his United shirt and posing with Old Red Nose this morning. She then shook her head, walked off and remarked:
“Footballers are highly paid whores; they just go to the highest bidder. No sense of loyalty”.
I guess she recognized Van Judas as our former captain.I just had to laugh because she was unaware of the whole saga with Van Judas as I haven’t said anything to her about the situation. I find it so apt that people who aren’t even remotely interested in the sport can see footballers for whom they are.
Food for thought…….
Does any anyone knows if the scummiest agent on earth is linked to any player at Arsenal?
I’m talking about Darren Dein of course. Adebayor, Cesc, Clichy, RvP and Song’s agent who’s systematically been prostituting every one of his Arsenal players.
I’m not a violent person but I would really have to restrain myself not to Zidane him if we were to meet….
Now I know how AW feels – – my FFL team has 1 out and 4 doubtful for tomorrow
Am I the only one who is thrilled by Song leaving? Like the guy but he is not irreplaceable. Moreover, his attitude stinks. We saw the advantage of having 11 players who want to play for Arsenal last season.
All the big egos out of the door and we have a good tightly knit set of players.
LJW (paraphrasing)
“To get the numbrr 10 shirt is a real honour, to follow in the traditionof Arsenal legrnds like Denis Bergkamp….”
TOPPER.
Isn’t it nice supporting a TEAM again? It seems as though, for the past ten years we’ve been following a club that fielded one player with a supporting cast of ten. “Oh, no, Patrick/Thierry/Cesc is out with a knock for a few weeks. How will we survive?” (Ok, maybe a bit of a stretch for the first, but I distinctly remember a match a few years back – 2003? – when Vieira had been out for a spell and in his first match back, the team all appeared to think, “Patrick’s back”, we’ll be all right, played like a proverbial drain and lost, or maybe scrambled an unconvincing draw.)
Compare and contrast with the current feeling – van Persie goes to Manyoo “Fuck him, and the horse he rode into town on”; Song on his way to Barça “Meh”; Jack out for more than a season “Blimey, thank God we’ve got a sane manager in Arsène who won’t overplay him when he gets back”.
Bring it on. I can’t wait. Sadly I’ll only able to join you at the Tollie in spirit.
COYG ICDDR
Revealed : Van Persie’s True Motivation.
http://newsthump.com/2012/08/16/piers-morgans-pledge-to-throw-himself-off-pier-was-main-motivation-for-move-reveals-van-persie/
eagerly awaiting the game tomorrow. as has been said so eloquently by so many here, it’s about the team, it’s about the badge, it’s about the love that doesn’t end because some greedy fucks go away.
it’ll be up at 6:30 for the 7 am kickoff, into flannels and fuzzy slippers, make the irish coffee in the arsenal mug, and set the dvr for record in hopes of an epic game for the interlulls to come. unfortunately it’s ian dumbhead and maccaroooon for the comedy team, which means endless “rvp/song sales kill the arsenal” lines while simultaneously big-upping sunderland’s own new glass ankle as the best thing since sliced bologna. that’s the sound off, then.
i, of course, will be mentally sipping along with those at the tollie, those at the game, and those around this arsenal world who feel the love unchangeable while watching our new boys bed in and develop as a cohesive, close-knit team under our new capitain tv5.
up the arse!
tabs, this has me laughing seriously out loud: “I think if we sell Thomas Vermaelen and Alex Song we could also wipe out Spandau Ballet once and for all.” thanks for that, it’s been a busy 36 hours…
btw, guv, i hope you get a lot of standing time tomorrow…
The stupid Yankee starting XI:
Woj ” Jazzy” Schezy
Jenks—–BFG ——-Captain Verm—— Gibbs
Le Coq———– Arteta
Santi
Theo. Gerv
Poldi
Santi to start but if looks sluggish Rambo to come on in 75 minute
If theo or gerv look off then Beefcake to come in up top and poldi to shift out left especially if need a goal in last 15 minutes
Thanks for the link@691 tabs. I hadn’t come across NewsThump before; their football coverage is exemplary, I particularly liked this article.
COYG ICDDR
Heh Tabs.
Talk about every cloud havin a siilver lining
697 drinks on a post about the bloke who serves the pies.
Strange world 😉 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Evening chums
Dr.z @ #558 – That was quite poetic. I’m sure you’ll get most of what you want tomorrow.
Please dont forget the three points and a hatful of goals too from our new boys.
Enjoy everyone. The mood is feisty and defiant. I do not believe this team is going to take any prisoners tomorrow.
UTA!