The Chairman An Easy Target And The Stone Is Decided
Sep 4th, 2012 by 'holic
Ah, the international break. We have to fill it. Someone at the Standard thought it would be a wheeze for Mihir ‘Lilywhite’ Bose to have an audience with the Arsenal chairman, Peter Hill-Wood.
I have to say I would be fascinated to hear the other participant’s version of the cosy little chat. Bose has a history articles of sniping at Arsenal, and particularly in relation to the construction and aftermath of Ashburton Grove. He barely hides his allegiance to the little club in Middlesex. Google his work in years past for the Telegraph and the BBC if you want to make your eyes bleed.
It takes him only until the second paragraph to bring up the fact that his interviewee is an Old Etonian, and I am indebted to the former chartered accountant for pointing out that “Arsenal have not won the title since 2004, or any trophy for seven years.” Oh please let Peter have pointed out that it must hurt Bose having moved from Bombay, as it was, to England in 1969, to have only seen Arsenal win the title at the Lane, and twice at that.
Determined to cover old ground Bose uses the fact that David Dein preferred a move to Wembley rather than across the road as a tool on which to hang his perception of the response, “his tone appeared to suggest that Dein is now a pariah at the Emirates.” His tone we were not party to, but certainly his words did not inform the author of that ‘fact’. That of course sets up the opportunity to introduce Usmanov into the plot.
All things considered the piece “appeared to suggest” to me that Bose was attempting to shoot fish in a barrel, picking an easy target to gently ridicule, knowing he would find a willing and unthinking audience for his particular way of discussing all things red.
Not the most gracious of guests, I know some of you will agree.
The Stone Competition Winner
So you all know arsabeatbarca has bought us a stone on the North Bank Terrace, and we invited entries to come up with the inscription to go on it.
I have to say the entries were outstanding, and some very humbling. However the stone is about us, and this place, and not me. I therefore cannot deny one entry zapped me right between the eyes.
Thank you Trev for the perfect inscription.
Goonerholics
Virtual Bar
249 Responses to “The Chairman An Easy Target And The Stone Is Decided”
First. Congrats Trev
Drink!
Well done Trev.
Trev, that was a brilliant inscription! Congrats, mate – very, very well deserved!
Holic, let me chip in on that half-pint as well π
way to go, trev! a half-pint on its way…
I was going to put it on your tab anyway, Lars π
Hey Trev,
You’re going to be steamboats -best give your ticket to someone who will be able to remember the game! π
and thanks abb, a bottle of cuba’s finest dark rum for you, to go along with that pitcher of cold tropical fruit juice. and an umbrella, if you like.
Well done Trev.
Thanks Nurse ABB.
What hath ‘Holic wraught?
BMBD.
Well deserved, Trev. π
Excellent suggestion Trev – but it doesn’t rhyme mate.
Nice lines about Bose v PHW. I think the latter probably won the bout, Holic.
Back on topic – I don’t really pay much attention to what Mr PHW says at the best of times – I pay even less attention to Mr Bombay Potatoes.
Glad he was there to inform us of that 7 year itch though – original and informative. π
So, what’s the next competition and how many pints are awarded to the winner?
Holic: ah, of course π
Once more also a thank you to abb for the gift of the stone. I am really looking forward to seeing it in place!
And on that note, I am off to Bedfordshire. Nighty night, all.
lol@bath, that’s true, and he did a better job with haiku than i ever could, syllable count be damned.
Nice one Trev; so very apt! Well done indeed!
Thanks again for that lovely gesture Nursie!
I <3 PHW
Like retirement, the interlull has hit me bang and Im totally unprepared.
From getting up and checking tweets on who we had signed to have absolutely fuck all to do till next weekend.
Aarghh.. Help holics!
Beautiful Trev. Really encompasses what this wonderful place means to us all. One last time, my thanks to all that entered. Holic, mission accomplished (thanks).
Arsenal Player is your friend, Sajit.
Wow! Thanks Holic and, of course, the Nurse.
It’s a real honour to have my words engraved on that stone.
Words inspired by all the true Gooners who turn up in this bar, and sincerely meant.
Thanks again.
File this in “Well you should have looked BEFORE you leapt”:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1151157/barcelona's-cesc-fabregas-fed-up-with-being-subbed-for?cc=5901
Tosser.
BMBD.
And thanks again abb for the generous gift that immortalises this wonderful community in stone.
Hi fellas, I don’t deserve too much credit here, as there was much work done by the barkeep behind the scenes. I will join everyone in a glass of ice tea (with lemon, please), Cheers to all.
Thanks Holic. Yep, also I theres a NextGen game sometime coming I think..
@Lonestar
Well, we do have first buy back option for him.. Could still do with him – but after he apologizes first.
lonestar, check out my first @417 in the last drinks…inspired by that article.
abb, you sure you don’t want some long island in your iced tea? you deserve it.
There is more to be grateful to the nurse for as well, but I’ll save that for another day π
The article also contained a dig at Gazidis’ ‘reported’ salary. (Reported by whom?) There was no reason to bring that up except to create some strife.
Oh and as an occasional reader only, Congratulations to all the Goonerholics for the North Bank inscription.
Hey Scruz, sounds lovely but I’m off to work soon.
Congratulations Trev…a most excellent piece of prose worthy of abb’s most generous gift.
Bose lasted about as long as sports editor at the bbc as one of his team’s managers at the little dump of a ground somewhere in Middlesex.
A most strange fact is PHW, an Old Etonian, always has his “exclusives” with the Daily Star…”a newspaper?” that is probably aimed at the intellectual level of Stoke City supporters. They must still have the negatives from a previous “business” trip to Thailand π
Heh, Trev, hearty congratulations. Very well deserved, a great inscription.
And some pretty tasty poetry from yourself and Scruz in the last Bar.
Wise words Holic on PHW and Bose. Bose is a wanker, end of. God knows what PHW was doing giving him an interview in the first place though.Bose was never likely to be a receptive audience.
Well Shard, welcome. We look forward to seeing you around here again. Now to get ready, nite all. Congratulations Trev!
Many thanks to all for the kind words.
Hope it does everyone justice.
Thanks Abb. A really fantastic gift.
abb, be well in your work, then. the order will be at the bar for you when you get done, just ask…
cheers, tabs. i always enjoy that sort of thing.
trev, it’s wonderful. well done.
Sounds like a car crash interview- Bose the Spud and PHW for once not cosied up to by the sun.
I may be an old fart but it seemed to me years ago that national and major regional newspaper reporters were very objective in their reporting. Now it seems ok to unleash the most biased and subjective reporters loose to pursue obviously skewed agendas.Bose has a very clear anti- Arsenal agenda just like the Daily Mail and our friend Adrian Durham…ooh sorry I was talking about journalists not gobshites.
PHW is another old fart but he is our old fart and we manage very well in spite of the fact he is Chairman.Lets hope he never finds out what’s going on.
Perfection, Trev. Sums it all up so succinctly.
Sorry I meant the Star.Can never tell toilet paper apart.
Thundertiny, I resemble that last remark !
Steve Bould has shown his influence on Arsenals new defence play.
This is why Fergie needs an update on Arsenals new defence plan. Apparently Silvestre has asked Wenger if he could train with Arsenal as he would like to get fit and play again in England.
My theory is:
Silvestre is a spy. Why does he not train with Manu?.
Beckham (Ex-Manu) trained with Arsenal and was filmed later on cheering and jumping with Joy when Manu beat Arsenal!
Like Beckham before him (learning Arsenal’s old system), it’s a way for information to get back to Fergie about Arsenal’s “new defence” system.
When will Wenger ever learn, these players support Manu not Arsenal. You wouldn’t let fergie take notes from the stand so why would you be stupid enough to let their life long player/supporter (reporter) know your training routeens and game plans! STUPID STUPID STUPID.
If an ex-Arsenal player like Henry asked to train with Manu, Fergie would tell him to “F-Off”.
Congrats Trev!
Well deserved!
Good write-up on PHW vs LWT too, ‘holic.
arsabeatbarca,
Thank you. I’ll drop in from time to time.
Lol.. Reading far too many conspiracy theory stories Prof Dave.
Prof: Dave
Maybe RVP was sent as a spy too. And we got ManU to pay us, and his wages at that. You never know with the wily Wenger π
Thanks abb too.
And ‘holic, you are such a tease….
Trev, congrats. Have you ever tried haiku?
Prof: Dave @38 – I reckon those are reasonable points. Can’t imagine Sylvestre would have become a Gooner as a result of his mercifully brief affiliation with us. And I wouldn’t put it past Taggart to pull a stunt like that.
Trev 31: ‘Justice for the Goonerholics’ would have been too Scouse π
I dont know if you guys remember the Arsenal -2-1 win against ManU..(Nasri brace)/.
Sylvestre seemed to genuinely happy when we scored the goals. Check out the goal celebrations.
#JustSaying
Besides what is there to spy about Arsneal’s defense.. We are hardly unknowns for SAF. Besides its just not just against Utd that we shipped in goals.
Cant believe Im trying to reason with this theory..
No lurky, just stupid rhymes.
Liked scruz’s explanation of haiku though.
Sajit @47 – you are responding somewhat seriously!
You are just as likely to be right. Especially as Taggart’s management style probably alienates at least as many players as it generates life-long acolytes.
yea :-/ , should have realized it was a comment made in jest.
Fergie see’s nothing wrong in sending his “scouts” to the opposition unanounced.
Fergie see’s nothing wrong in getting his side to kick Reyers.
Fergie see’s nothing wrong in tapping up players.
Fergie see’s nothing wrong in offering the referee a glass of wine after the game and getting to know his family and “how’s the kids” blar blar blar etc..
Fergie see’s nothing wrong in sweetening the FA up by oferring to play promotional games for them abroad and dining with the FA at private functions etc..
I don’t want to get into enharnsment drugs-so I will say no more.
But fergie would never send a spy- oh no!
If it’s feasable and easy-(and with Wenger it is), then it will happen.
Easy with a capital E
Busness is Busness.
Why not?
Great post, ‘holic. I’ve read the interview and there’s absolutely nothing embarrassing or stupid in it except the obvious bias and agenda of the “interviewer”.
Super inscription. Well done, the Trevsome one.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh. The Interlull. The sooner FIFA bring in an internationals-only season, after the proper season, the better.
@ Prof Dave
Fergie *sees*. It’s a verb.
@ FunG –
And here I thought Prof: Dave was referring to Sir Purplenose as if he were the Holy See…
BMBD
Trev
Couldn’t have put it better myself.Standout winner for me.
Anyone else on here that thinks like me,that Aaron Ramsey is going to find it very difficult to get any first team game time this season.
He is already behind Arteta/Diaby/Cazorla,with Wilshere still to return,that puts 4 in front of him,with the Ox wanting to play through the middle as well,i cannot see him playing much except when injuries occur.
I think FA Cup/Carling Cup and subs bench might be his lot this season.
Still if it’s good enough for Cesc,
[Cow and Bull,Greener Grass anyone ??]to sit on the bench at Barca ,then it ‘s good enough for Ramsey.
Any thoughts.??
Cheers
The Sweeper
@ Lonestar Gooner
ha-ha
@ Don’t be a knob head.
It’s a blogg, like texing or emails. Spelling or grammer doesn’t matter!
It’s a form of coversation.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say to your mates at the local pub that toffee nose reply.
Or even to your boss who writes you a quick memo, that’s if you have a job!
Please look up the grammer on the rest of the bloggs above you and make some new freinds-Knob head!
Not sure why we’re getting exercised about the PHW interview. It’s nonsense. It’s by Mihir Bose. I know we’re only just into an interlull, but sheesh!
I reckon we can spend the next ten days basking in the post-Anfield glow and working ourselves into a frenzy at the prospect of OG following in the footsteps of giants and opening his account with a hat-trick against Southampton.
That way we won’t encourage any misguided souls into reading any nonsense written by Mr Bose. I must say, however, that the thought of PHW commiserating with his plight of only ever seeing the Arsenal win the title at the Middlesex club’s home ground is one that will send me to sleep with a smile on my face. Nice image guv’nor.
Congratulations Trev. Nite all.
COYG ICDDR
I wish there was a way to “like” comments. Brilliant stuff Lonestar π
Oy Dave. Behave.
Many people regard correct use of English as a common courtesy. further, if you write stuff that can be misunderstood, it will be.
FunG, my vote goes your way.
COYG ICDDR
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/kits/136122/andres-iniesta-announced-as-albacete-balompies-201213-shirt-sponsor.html
Wow classy footballers still exist. Respect.
Iniesta is the only Barca player I like and admire.
@Lonestargooner & @Fungunner
And here I thought Prof: Dave was referring to Sir Purplenose as if he were the Holy Seeβ¦
You missed that grammer check knob heads- it’s “he was” not “he were”
He, she,it, I- WAS
They, you, we – WERE
Ha Ha ha – what a bunch of knob heads pretending to be clever!
Ha Ha Ha
Is Prof: Dave the fallen angel of the Interlull?
Iniesta a real gentleman as well as a gentleman farmer/winemaker? Sorry to say such positive things about “one of them” Lonestar … π
Splendid Trev. Brevity is genius. Perfect wording. Congrats and fully deserved.
BTW, I really don’t approve of profs giving other profs a bad name in here π
Thanks for the support, Oxon Gooner.
@ Prof Dave
Calm down.
“as if he were” is good English, actually – it’s the conditional form of the verb. “As if he was” is also acceptable.
The rules of grammar in English are not as strict as in some other languages, and people don’t normally pick on every little mistake, but “see’s” instead of “sees” is particularly egregious, I feel. It wasn’t like it was a typo – it was repeated over and over again in your comment.
My, my, my we do have a live one here…a veritable firecracker this one.
So as to not raise anyone else’s hackles, to you my dear professor, I will just say touchΓ© (although I am pretty certain there is a gramatical rule justifying my usage).
Enjoy your drinks ol’ chum.
Now then, cheers Sajit π
BMBD
Weldone trevis pardon my English π
FunGunner at 66.
Spot on. Thanks for reaching back into your Strunk and White edition to tease out the explanation. It’s been a long day at work so I couldn’t be arsed to prove things to our dear professor. What with simple minds and all that.
8ball – if you continue to say (or repeat) nice things about Farca, I’ll have to start watching you more closely π
BMBD
@behind and eat ball
No-
I am just curious why a so called Arsenal support would critize another Arsenal supporter when he was coating off another team!
Also what’s worst is the knob heads that agree with him!
And regarding the grammer- are they for real! (ref:53,54&62)
You’re not real gooners are you?
Asv well as pretending to be cleaver are they pretending to be gooners?
@70, real gooners have to use bad grammar?
oh.
apparently they don’t have to know how to type, though.
Manners. Thanks again to nurse abb for the spectacular gift. Would a Stone’s Ginger Wine be an apt drink to toast you abb?
@ Prof Dave
Hardly a “coating off”, was it? But we shouldn’t have giggled.
Have a pint of something on me.
“criticising”, not “coating off”.
Anyhoo….
To be fair, I think he must be Prof who taught Rooney grammar.
That’s right Prof: Dave. No real Gooners here.
Also nobody here that abuses others.
Tata.
sajit, me just wanterd ta get with their programm.
i also wanted to find out what it was like to be cleaver.
Let it go please gentlemen.
Let’s talk Arsenal, or the weather, or the price of fish.
Don’t be tempted to get into any more name-calling.
Thanks.
The ‘HolicHook has been deployed!
Thank you Maestro, drink? Silly question? π
A little malt to aid my evening’s rest, thank you master.
My apologies ‘Holic.
As per usual, I was at the root of the trouble…
*where’s that naughty step?* I’ll gladly go, but only if FunG comes and sits with me for a spell. π
BMBD
… coming right up….
8ball –
I must say, having read that article, that was a stand-up thing Iniesta has done for his hometown club (and not for the first time). It almost makes him human in my mind. Almost.
Seriously though, more athletes, executives, entertainers, and lottery winners should do this kind of thing. Charity truly begins at home.
BMBD
If you’re going to take up residence on the norty step Lonestar, pls be aware that Edwin collects rent by the hour π
fish? ok, i can see you’ve haddock enough of that i know it’s that kind of plaice, i won’t rise to that bait anymore. i think i’ll have salmon that whisky please, barkeep.
Holic
I did talk Arsenal @ 55,but to no avail it seems.
5yr olds being silly since my post.
Where’s BTM/Tabs/Zico/Trev/Steve et al whe you need them.
and as for iniesta, good for him. between the shirt sponsor and the investment, he’s kept his dna team alive. maybe he’ll go play there soon and cesc will get a game…;)
Fun,
I have always liked Andres and have to say I still like cesc.
Don’t like many others of the farca. ( sorry lonestar).
And professor D. All in fun around here. Take a slow deep breath.
interesting points holic. Just how much does fish cost these days???
The Sweeper
I reckon Ramsey is likley to get a decent amount of playing time this season if only to supplement those who get injured. Nice problem to have though. Will Jack be moving further forward (post recovery) with his new #10 shirt? One less player for Ramsey to compete with?
Alright Sweeper,
Your question re Ramsey echoed some thoughts I had here just after we had bought Cazorla and were strongly rumoured to be bringing in Sahin. I couldn’t see where Aaron would get a game.
The failure to land Sahin and subsequent sale of Song has however opened the door a little for him, but he’s still going to find it tough to force his way in. Rosicky can also be added to the mix.
Conversely, I have a strong belief that Aaron will enjoy a better season this time round. A year on from his recovery, he looks physically stronger, more confident, and I felt he did a good job on Sunday when he came on.
With everyone fit he’ll find it tough but given the heavy schedule, and the usual loss of form/suspensions coupled with the at best questionable fitness of Jack/Rosicky/Diaby, I still reckon he’ll probably get enough games to keep him happy at this stage of his career.
Tabs et al,
I agree that Rambo will get some playing time. Not as much as last year and it may be more in cup competitions but I see ( or sees/see’s ) him getting plenty of time. Without the pressure of every game and being fresh, I also think he will have more of an impact. He looked good on Sunday and showed a little burst and awareness that was missing at times last year. I also feel that he gets in some great scoring positions and may benefit as an impact sub. Young Gun Eisfield gets in those same positions and is scoring his opportunities. It will come.
Careful, NorCal…it might be you instead of FunG who joins me on the norty step. π
Ramses 2.0 will have a fantastic season. Limited playing time or not.
BMBD
i’d think aaron will flourish in the arteta role, maaaaybe in the diaby role, not so much the santi role. if those three are our first choice (until jack returns, replacing…who? now, there’s a discussion to be had, i’d love to be a fly on the wall of the wenger’s inner sanctum), then aaron can be the first off the bench, or first choice in a cup game (not the cl, though).
his creativity isn’t up to par with jack and santi, but he has a way with the ball that could keep him on par with arteta…his engine puts him in with diaby, though his goalscoring just isn’t there, yet.
once tr7 is back, and praying no one gets injured, our midfield is replete. so much so i could see tr7 playing backup to poldi on the left, even with arshavin waiting to play that position…kind of like yossi was used last season.
Sweeper. Ramsey was disappointing last season and will have to improve to make any significant impact on our midfield this season, but he will get his opportunities and seeing as how in the past he has played very well for us and scored big goals, he will have every chance of grabbing those opportunities and moving up in the pecking order. He at the very least can play a key substitute’s role and fill in for the other three midfielders if they get injured. (Did somebody say Diaby? Maybe that was just something in my head.)
Morning lads! Hope you’re having a good one.
I think last season Ramsey was trying to hard because it seemed like he was trying to prove his worth.
I think once he (as well as Giroud) relax and play their game we’ll see some magic.
Pint of the black stuff please?
Intercepts wayward Stevie G pass. Plays the ball to CoR in the Cazorla-engine room…
BMBD
Back out to the Mercedes motoring German…….
Ping.
BMBD.
Great assist, NorCal. Cheers.
It helps to lurk. π
BMBD
No problem. Good finish sir. And no lurking Jamaican on D?
Ruthless finisher, that Lonestar. Maybe the rest of us will have to come up with something snappier than “Ping” or be consigned to the trash heap of discarded finishers …
Very nice, Trev. Congratulations. Your words summarised our “little” community (not so little says the barman) VERY well.
The thing that I have enjoyed most most is finding that the virtual people are, in fact, very real people who are GREAT fun to be with. When the virtual bar becomes a physical bar, it is a real pleasure to …….well, have Holic buy me a wee yin, Zico buy me a pint (with my money – how did he manage that?) and TABS buy me a haddock (now that’s still to happen, but it’s going to be the haddockest haddock that I’ve ever haddocked when it does!).
Thanks for the cameraderie and the laughs, Holics-all, Peter Hill-Wood, Lady Nina. I am in your debt (but not sufficiently to buy my own haddock).
I find every aspect of this man fascinating
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSWnNRrtfw0&feature=g-vrec
He’s absolute class.
Thanks for posting this, Snir.
BMBD
I don’t know if you’ve seen this before.
But anybody who has a problem with our self-sustaining model, should watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFV_3yG6xvU&feature=relmfu
Well deserved winner Trev.
Receives the pass from Lonestar and blasts it towards goal…
Wait, what?
My ability to lurk has been supplanted by work….
Anyway, I forgot to say, “Congratulations Trev!”
Holic, any song competitions in the works?
We can mail you our terrible attempts and the winning song can then be spraypainted onto the cannons near the Armoury π
Also, I think with regards to play time for Ramsey, I also agree that he will most likely replace Arteta whenever he’s out and Rosicky will most likely replace Saint Santi until Jack returns to full fitness in other competitions.
BTM
your thoughts on Ramsey getting much playing time this season would be appreciated,particularly as you are a fan of his.
Snir@ 107
Cheers for that link mate, very interesting indeed!
Sensational stuff Snir. I also believe that the Asian gambling syndicates are also the big threat to football in the U.K.
Great post mate. Got me Scummers ticket in the post yesterday. Woopidoo!!!
Trev, brilliant – sums this place up perfectly
Thanks nurse abb once again
RE: Ramsey
I think he will be in Le Boss’ rotation. Don’t forget I’m still skeptical about Diaby’s fitness lasting for long (not his ability though) which would mean
Arteta – Ramsey – Cazorla axis
Let’s look at the midfield 3 combinations
Arteta-Diaby-Cazorla (first choice for now)
Arteta-Diaby-Jack (Tasty – May be jack could replace cazorla as a sub for a few games)
Arteta-Jack – Cazorla ( Jack in a deeper role which is my preference)
Arteta – Ramsey – Cazorla (Could work pretty well when Diaby needs to be rested/or he is injured)
Arteta-Diaby-Rosicky (This too, is not bad at all)
Notice Arteta is a permanent fixture in the above combinations.
Also, I don’t think Ramsey can play the Cazorla role that well
If Arteta needs to be rested, I would go with
Diaby-Jack-Cazorla or
Diaby-Rosicky-Cazorla or
Diaby-Rosicky-Jack
What worries me is that when Arteta is not there, we don’t have enough discipline in defensive midfield area
We could go with
Coq-Jack-Cazorla or
Coq-Diaby-Cazorla
For cup games
Frimmers-Coq-Ramsey
Coq-Ramsey-Arshavin? Discuss
Nonetheless I’m very excited for Rosicky’s and Jack’s return
Clive @ 87
Sorry, posted missing last night, engaged in a liquid-disappearing contest. (Clue, they had run out of orange juice). π
To your point on Ramsay, I think he is very much in AW’s plans and whether we like it or not, injuries are bound to play their part in our season and I expect Aaron to get game time one way or the other.
I hope we see him re-emerge as the player he was before he was attacked by the Uruk-Hai, and there were some enouraging signs on Sunday.
Finally, back to everyone getting stoned – Holic, I assume you will post a picture of the 2 squares for us far-flung Holics after they “get laid”?
Morning all,
Snir’s link @107 is blocked in the UK “for copyright reasons”. Is there any chance that one of you foreign chappies could post a précis?
Thanks in advance
COYG ICDDR
Oxon Gooner,
The link is to the Channel 4 Dispatches program, How to Buy a Football Club. I’m not sure, but I think you might be able to watch it on the Channel 4 website if you are in the UK.
snir, astonishing link @107 (105 fascinating too, for good reasons).
oxon, i don’t know that i can do it justice, but in short: a faux consortium (FC) “seeking to buy a football club or clubs” (the dispatch reporters) hook up with a finance/influence fund led by one joe sim, whose group includes bryan robson; this fund purports to be able to help the FC circumvent fa rules that limit groups to ownership of only one club.
robson shows himself to be particularly venal and cynical about the role of money and ex-mancs players in english football, while joe pushes his relationship with chewy mcpurplenose as a way to entice the FC to engage in the purchase of two clubs, one of which ends up being sheffield united.
FC pulls out, but not before getting it mostly on tape, including some damning, illegal statements and documents that are put to lord triesman (whose jaw muscles were working overtime) and then fa president greg clarke, both of whom were less than pleased to say they could probably have got away with it.
you know how it sometimes feels like there is a conspiracy of ex-chewy players “working” for him? it’s clearly shown here just how it might be working: loan deals, quid pro quo, and managerial relationships that go beyond a glass of red wine after the game.
others will chime in on what I missed, for sure.
scruzgooner has summed it up very well. I haven’t seen it for a while but it is recommended viewing. The program came out last year and most of the mainstream media was completely silent on it and the possible implications, except to discredit it. Bryan Robson retains his role as global ambassador for ManU I think. Oh and Joe Sim was also the owner of the Manchester United bar franchise in Singapore (or wherever the program was shot)
morning all!
Is anyone else as disgusted as me seeing 7 or 8 clubs buying players for 30-40 mill each. football has died. absolutely loved it when psg after all the millions they spent lose out to montpellier.
ok we bought their best striker which means they might not repeat it.
how i would love it if all the moneybag teams finished trophyless. and hopefully put an end to this spending madness.
unbelievable that mancini having improved his team by spending 50mill plus is crying about players he could not get.
I remember that Dispatches documentary too – I made the same connections about SCP’s influence. That is an example of good journalism.
Some of the stuff we read or hear about Arsenal, on the other hand…! Journalists wonder why people don’t trust them, but the take on this PHW interview exemplifies their dishonesty.
Hill-Wood says explicitly that we cannot compete *financially* but meeja reports PHW says “we can’t compete” – totally different implication.
John Cross interprets this (below) as saying that the board are “comfortable” with not winning a trophy. Again, not what is said at all.
“It is not a worry to the board that we havenβt won a trophy since 2005,β he said. βIt would be lovely to win but itβs not that easy. Liverpool havenβt won the title for 20-odd years. Weβre very ambitious and want to win but, if you donβt have billions of petro-dollars to throw around, youβre going to have to do it some other way.”
ie – we’re not panicking and we’re trying to win – our way, the right way.
Plus a fabricated story doing the rounds, that we tried to sign Cabaye twice during the window and failed, because however much we offered wasn’t enough. They actually admit in the body of the story that although Pardew says some clubs tried to sign him, they don’t know which clubs they were! Arsenal made enquiries, is all that happened, btw – we enquire about a lot of players without going on to make bids for them.
Grrr. I know I shouldn’t get wound up but some of the reporting is shocking.
Sports journalism is all slanted to help move newspapers these days.
Just read blogs and forget about the agenda-driven media, you’ll be more relaxed π
To be fair Cannons there are good as well as bad out there. Journos and blogs. Some blogs have an agenda too.
@ 104
zico buy me a pint with my money (how did he manage that)?
Easy, when you’re a Scotsman on the make π
@ 123 Andy Goram
Dead right.
***
See you later. Must get some work done!
As a priority- Trev had the clincher, congrats man.
@Abb, modest, but u still deserve credit,,,
@fungunner and dave…goonerholics, virtual bar, real friends…its gotta mean something…u guys chill the heck out,
@sweeper, ramsey has never been my favorite, but he is Wenger’s, God knows wenger has looked for a spot for him in the team, at one time he was our left winger. So yes, he will play, intermittent appearances only, the lads ahead of him in the pecking order are midfield-gods!
Snir – great links, thanks.
Repeated thank-yous for all the kind words, to the “late comers”.
The real thanks though are to Abb for her fantastic gift.
Lady Nina loves a late comer.
Played Trev, Nurse, ‘h.
Still basking
Up The Arse!
Peter Hill-Wood @128. And you say this because? π
Anyone notice that this type face makes “late corner” (LATE COMER) look exactly like “late comer” (LATE CORNER) or am I in need of a new prescription for my glasses?
It does indeed, but they are not at all the same thing.
That much even I know.
They do both generate about the same amount of excitement in Lady Nina’s box though.
@Behindthe8ball, come to think of it, i checked and double checked….and you are right
book that optician’s appointment ASAP!
Peter Hill-Wood @132. Very modest of you to say it but I can assure you that Shaft would never admit to such a thing. π
Kenyanconnection. Am I seeing double now, and are you an optician by chance?
Can’t help u there man, mine is just a case of good eyes…i know many doctors in this bar that can recommend a friend or two, and others that can make you blind as a bat are in here too!
Dear Trev
Very very well deserved – when I first read your offering a week or so ago I couldn’t see how it could be bettered. So I didn’t try! π
And thanks to ABB. Very many thanks.
Now then, Mr T and Nurse ABB, if you could stop messing around, we’ve got some patients waiting in The Quackery.
I’ve left NorCal in charge for a while, but not sure his qualifications are quite what our patients are used to…. π
Prof Dave, and for everyone else’s benefit, can I just set the record straight once and for all?
“As if he were” is just as correct as “as if he was”. In fact, the more traditional grammarians will remind us that the former utterance was once the only utterance.
That’s that cleared up.
Also muchas felicitaciones to Trev for the inscription. Concise, punchy, to the point!
Hey mr C. Now that mentioned it, hav Norcal free up his schedule for me…arsenal doesnt play in a week…i can afford afew blackouts.
“I can afford a few blackouts…”
What’s afford got to do with it? π
@dr, ever missed a game because of a blackout doc? Find out u missed Diaby playing the best arsenal fans have ever seen him play….so yes, we dont play in a week, i can afford a few blackout!
I’m getting a good feeling about Jacks return.
I’ve noticed the changes to the coaching staff over the last 12-18 months, Inc: positions created.
Whether we’re ahead or behind the top clubs with regards to our internal personell structure, one thing is for sure, our longterm absentees over the past said period have all virtually walked back in to the squad. Therefore it will be useful to have Jack return to the team.
Anyone who bothers to read what I say, will remember my reaction to Chelsea nicking Eden Hazard. It went along these lines…
…yeah but we’ve still got Jack to come back.
Whether you see Jack as a deep lying player or more creative, you could be in conflict with your own reasoning on this matter.
So for the record, I hail Jacks imminent return and say…
Keep it Goonerish guys! π
…by the way, I’m not keen on the Interlulls!! π
FunG @121 –
On the money again.
The media slant against Arsenal baffles me.
A club that tries to do things the right way, and safeguard it’s future, despite criticism and frustration from some sections of it’s own fanbase, should surely be applauded.
Or would the ‘meeja tosspots’ prefer another top club to invite in a sugar daddy and buy every trophy in sight.
You would think that real, healthy competitions would benefit the media, and they would therefore want more of it.
The only thing I can put their anti-Arsenal bias down to, is that they probably don’t enjoy as cosy a relationship with Arsene Wenger as they would with, say, Harry Yappyapp.
That and the fact that he is simply not a ‘good old English boy’ like ‘Arry, Big Fat Sam, Dirty Mark Hughes, or an old rogue like Chewy McPurplenose.
And no, I did not accidently forget the ‘sir’ π
Mr C,
Who is it that requires our services so urgently?
Must be bloody desparate !
So, Trev. Deliberate non-use of a title? I hope all goes well for you, but I must say I have doubts. :sinisterSmileyThingy:
Kenyanconnnection. Just a word to the wise. When Dr Disorder speaks in italics, you must look for the hidden meaning. Sometimes it can be difficult to find, in a Herculean sort of way, but at the bottom you should assume there is something there. π
For those who had any doubt about Bolt being the wrong sort…. :
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/8053764/Usain-Bolt
Ollie,
It’s appalling to see a fellow Jamaican supporting Utd!
Absolutely disgusting and despicable!
I am appalled and annoyed at the same time!
Bolty is definitely in line for a banishing!
An so say all ah we! π
Seeing as Ferguson placed a few bets on Bolt’s performance at the Olympics, I was wondering if betting on the Olympics results is quite as widespread a thing in Britain as betting on the “more traditional” professional sports?
Other than that I have no comment other than scum is as scum supports.
@147….thanks for the tip, getting right to it! Ask u this though, which is the safer bet, dr C, mr T or the renowned Norcal incase of the days it doesnt go right with the arsenal
Kenyan it’s funny you mention it as I was just thinking Mr C’s decision to leave the Quackery in charge of NorCal could be a bit premature considering he is new and the interlull could lead to some quite serious complications, desperation even …
Mr T
Kenyan seems to be keen to try some of the “renowned” NorCal’s efforts.
Renowned?? The self medicating, self prescribing intern may need to be taken down a peg or two.
I propose we let Kenyan suffer at the whim of his pad, but film all of NorCal’s activities in case we need a little “leverage” in the face of any future hostile takeover action.
8ball
Don’t worry, the real Quacks are here to see to the regulars as usual. As you say, the Interlull does require some special medicine to help pass the time, and Dr Z assures me that we have a shipload of the stuff coming in tout de suite.
Some body help. The place has run riot. The “patients” have dispatched the guards. My stash has been thoroughly consumed. There is a small bonfire where my desk once stood. The test animals seemed to have been freed from their PETA approved habitats. This closet I have secluded myself to is dark and without proper ventilation. (is that urine I smell?)
Would someone please ring up the good doctors C and T and see if they are available for the interlull? I seem to be taking it up me. ( whatever that means).
Sincerely,
“Dr” NorCal.
Oh, and has anyone seen my wife?
Test animals??
Ah, The Spuds supporters that wonder in here occasionally. Right ho…. I’ll call Carlos, you give yourself a Rabies shot.
Your wife? I’d ask Dr F…
That explains why the animals were always doing the chicken dance and muttering something about “cock and balls” and ” is AVB fired yet?”
Mr C,
I’m afraid I will need a more detailed description than “wife”.
Eye colour goes a long way, especially if they’re green. Real blondes also preferred. Sainsbury experience optional.
Interlull?
Showtime, I call it.
Afternoon all
Something to chuckle at and relieve the interlull tedium:
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/910862-juventus-tell-nicklas-bendtner-youre-too-fat-to-wear-the-shirt
Showtime?
Feck me. And yes I think something already did!
I just hope it wasn’t a spud. I will never respect another potato.
Ah yes, the wife……… Green eyes, dark brown hair and an Italian from New York attitude. You will know her when you see here.
Right now, time for a stiff upper lip ( and drink).
Time to come out of this closet ( down Wolfie)
The Quackery is back in your very capable hands.
Me, I am off to the proper hospital for some testing and vaccinations.
They have one for ” spud flu” don’t they? I can’t stand this pervasive feeling of self doubt and inferiority that comes with it. The rash on my …..never mind.
I can work with green eyes, and dark brown hair.
It’s what we at the Feelgood Foundation call thinking outside of the locks…..
You are a remarkably self-sacrificing chap, Dr F! π
@ TS: The fat cunt Bendtner appears to be the cow in the Sweeper’s photo with his head stuck in the fence and those Juve boys are lining up to let him have it!
π―
I had a little sympathy for Nik earlier coz I thought he was unfairly treated in favor of Chamakh… but this is just plain ridiculous.
Hope we never see him again.
Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, while I reap the reward of recording the game, which I will now proceed to watch. I’ll let you know if we won. π
First, Norcal @154. That’s the spirit. π
Re: Mr C @153. And a good thing too. π
Feelgood, Mr C, GT. π
he was unfairly treated in favor of Chamakhβ¦
HUH?
I take it that everyone (especially abb π ) is happy that despite bizarre rumours today, Del Piero is not going to Liverpool?
NorCal @154 – “has anyone seen my wife ?”
Ah, er, Dr Norcal, if ever a question were – no really – superfluous, this has to be it. Poor chap. They’re always the last to know, aren’t they ?
From what I have heard, many people have been seeing your wife for some time now.
With the likes of Feelgood, Kickemhard and Dr Disorder constantly lurking, and Shaft well, it’s all in the name buddy, I’m surprised you ever let the woman out of your sight.
Mr C and I have our very own special standards of behaviour and are, naturally, beyond reproach.
I note that you appear to make a distinction between your wife and the ‘test animals’.
Have you made this difference explicitly clear to Feelgood, I wonder.
Just saying.
Ollie,
Nik played better than Chamakh towards end of 2010-11 and during the pre-season of the 2011-12 season but he got loaned out instead of Chamakh.
‘he got loaned out’.
Well he didn’t want to play for us, that’s what I was mostly referring to.
sajit, iirc tgstel was a bit of a locker room problem by then. i believe he was sent to sunderland because there was no other way to get him away from the club. excepting the shisha incident, chamakh has been a model citizen, for all his lack of, uh, cutting edge on the football pitch.
Dear Quakery Quacks,
Do be careful what you do with said ” wife”.
She is a good sport and all and does enjoy a rollicking good time. However, she was not just a visitor on the day she went missing if you catch my drift. Just be very careful not to catch her “drift”. It is, shall we say, the gift that keeps giving.
Carry on.
Oh and she answers to the name of Ivana Kutemoff….a Russian grandfather it seems.
I’ve completely missed how this started, NorCal, but there’s enough in this post for me to ‘heh’ it.
Ollie, I too am quite lost as to how this all began.
I checked into work at the Quackery this morning as per my routine and well…….it has been some day to say the least.
I believe the interlull is to blame
Latest images, direct from the Quackery:
http://www.tangent-games.com/images/q_cover.jpg
I think that’s Norcal with the crown on his belly.
8 ball,
Nope. That’s Ivana!
Heh Norcal. π
My second viewing of the game is complete, and I come away with the conviction that “purposeful” is the word to describe the performances of our midfield three, each of them knowing his defined role and bringing great purpose to do no more and no less than that role. Diaby, Cazorla and Arteta brought that conviction to the pitch and they executed their roles magnificently. The back four also seem more comfortable with their defined roles than they did last season, and between Podolski, Cazorla and Arteta we have a great deal of experience at the highest levels of the game even if their experience was not gained as Arsenal players. That is a strength since it gives us different points of view to draw on. We easily could have conceded but our collective strength pulled us through several hard places. Come on Arsenal v. Southampton!!
Just finished watching Cazorla vs Liverpoo Video
http://football-talk.co.uk/68022/video-highlights-of-santi-cazorlas-goal-scoring-display-vs-liverpool/?
I am amazed with his first touch, awareness, speed of feet and speed of thinking. Spraying passes all over the pitch, long, short, clever dribbling, accurate shooting, has even one or two aerial duels won.
Natural born footballer.
The interesting part is that Fab usually had to lift his head up, take a look, find his target player and then fire a long diagonal pass. Cazorla actually, does that faster. Check that at the and of the video with the diagonal pass to Giroud.
Looks like he has always been here playing for us. What a pleasure to watch him at Arsenal.
Good Evening all. What an education this latest set of drinks has been! And will prove to be…when I’m off tomorrow I will check out every link posted. Holic, I’ll follow your advice and google Mr Bose. He seems to be one heck of a lazy journalist, rehashing old stuff. Ollie, so glad you bring up Del Piero. I want to say I’m sorry to all you Aussie Gunners if I offended you when I said ‘what a waste’ for him to play there. Total ignorance, on my part. Talk about being lazy, I don’t even follow their games and I took a cheap shot. Delighted The Sweeper brought up our Aaron. Harsha @ 114 Good work there. Tabs, agree with you also about him. His spell with Team GB looked very promising. Drinks on the bar for all….and Delia, hope all is ok. Looking forward to your match report on Liverpool. Good nite everyone.
The cool confidence Mertesacker brings to the side, as well as his Bundesliga and international experience, should not have been overlooked either. π³
Awesome programme on SS1 now on the Sky Cycle Team’s preparation for the Tour de France. 1 of 5. Repeated tomorrow am at 9am for those with Sky Plus and episode 2 tomorrow. 30 mins gone on episode 1.
I know it’s not Arsenal but it shows the winning mentality and team ethic that we need to regain.
Trev @ 144
Re the media bias,
I find it baffling myself,indeed it takes me back to my time with the
Golders Green Ramblers,and the vitriolic press reports we used to receive from the Golders Green Times.
They had the cheek to say that we were the dirtiest team that they had ever had the misfortune to cover in the Sunday league,and indeed that we were a team full of criminals.!!
Which i thought was a bit unfair,because i distinctly remember a period during the 68/69 seasons when we didn’t have a sgl criminal in the team.
Mind you, that was only because by a quirk of fate,they were all serving a stretch at her Majesty’s pleasure in the Scrubs and
the Ville.!!
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Heh, reminds me of when I was playing for the Arsenal Supporters Club at Mill Hill on Sunday mornings, Sweeper. Our best midfielder may or may not have made it each week as he was what may be termed ‘an habitual offender’ π
Golders Green Times. Heh!
Sweeper Heh!
Oh, flat battery. Laters then.
Brief thought – Per Mertesweeper ? π
Holic my friend
I remember playing a Cup semi final against Mill Hill with the Ramblers,late 60’s.
Unfortunately your mob walked off at half time and forfeited,said we were too violent and they feared for their safety.!!
Mind you i think it was more to do with the fact that they only had 9 fit players left at half time,due to a few ‘unfortunate’ collisions off the ball.
Those were the days.!!
In fact i was told in confidence that the Wimbledon strategy when they played in the top league many years later,was taken from our method of play.!!
You will remember one violent match at Plough Lane back in the day when Bouldy had his head split open very early on from a stray elbow,and a couple of other Arsenal boys were nearly crippled.
Vinny was at his violent best that day.
Some of the tackles,you coul feel the collisions on the terraces.
They were a very intimidating bunch.
Hello Sweeper.
It’s always a pleasure to be asked to comment, particularly on the young Welsh wizard, the exceptional Aaron Aragorn Ramsey, future captain of The Arsenal.
I think that for the sake of context, its important to remember:
1. The extent of the “coup” and excitement associated with winning the signature of the best young prospect of his generation, ahead of the likes of Manure
2. The form, impact and energy he was displaying immediately prior to the moment that Shawcross’ scythe severed the tibia and fibula of his right leg, condemning him (and Arsenal) agonizingly to a full year of absence from the game.
I can only imagine the agony of the physical and mental climb through rehab to full fitness. I think I can conceive of the doubts associated with the return to the game. I can comprehend the pain of rebuilding the stamina required to perform and the huge frustration of sharpness and skills lost during a redundant year in a career already too short in the base.
So, I was not surprised that :
– He didnβt explode out of the infirmary on his return.
– He appeared to have lost pace and staying power.
But I WAS very surprised by his apparent lack of fear in putting his damaged leg in danger (he neber shirked a challenge).
And, frankly, I was very disappointed by the doubters who, apparently unaware or disrespectful of circumstance criticized his play to the point of calling for his exit from the club.
Arsene said on his arrival βHe lacks a little bit the technical side of the gameβ, referring of-course to a skill-set developed in Welsh high school football and the proving grounds of Cardiff FC (hardly the Nou Camp or London Colney).
So then finally to your question.
β’ I think Arseneβs primary request of Aaron will be that he continues to develop the technical side of his game, learning βon the jobβ and the training pitch from Santi, Arteta and Diaby.
β’ I expect Arsene to rotate a rich vein of MF talent to keep everyone sharp and out of the red zone. This will see Aaron start fairly often against lesser teams and feature as holding- sub in bigger games.
β’ Heβll feature just behind the front two in MF when he starts, with latitude to add width and pace now that his stamina and speed have recovered.
β’ I think weβll see βfour teamsβ this season. One each for BPL, CL, FA and League Cup. Aaron has the fortitude and game for the domestic cups and will start in both, captaining the League Cup team to build his leadership talents.
β’ I think heβll score more goals for Arsenal this season than ever before. This by virtue of a less hurried approach and through taking on tired legs late in games.
With Sczez, Jack, Gibbs and The Ox, Aaron is the foundation on which the club’s future will be built. His personal qualities transcend those of the others and, while Jack will be the star of the fututre, Aaron will be the anchor, the rock of stability, the Captain who picks up more silverware than any Arsenal captain before him.
And, Clive. From the doubters. Gimme Shelter and come out Street Fighting, Man.
BTM, and the rest.
I don’t know if you guys remember, but AR was magnificent before his injury in the Diaby/Denilson role in our system.
He used to play in a midfield three with Cesc, and Song. It was 09-10, therefore Song really was a DM, and Cesc was an AM, almost on the edge of the box.
Ramsey was in between (that was also Diaby’s great season- with the afro!), and he was excellent at that position, having a bit more space and time on the ball.
Last season, he played on the edge of the area, and I think he started struggling when he got too tired to make quick decisions and didn’t have time on the ball.
I think he should play in the Diaby role, when Diaby is unavailable, and not in Cazorla’s role.
Thoughts?
Snir,
I remember these pre-injury days very well. At this point in his development Aaron is more of a box to box mid-fielder than the skillful, speedy provider that is Cazorla. While he can play from box to box and is an effective defender, his effectiveness increases the closer he gets to our opponents goal. He has a very powerful shot from distance (just needs more “calm” to use it to full effect). But at the same time, he has a goal scorers instinct close in and the vision to assist in tight circumstances.
I think the future role provides the more interesting question. I can see a time, say four years from now when Aaron, Jack, Ox and Coquelin will be the core four at the heart of the team. Eisfeld, Aneke and Frimpong will be close then too I think.
In which position each features will depend on the extent to which they have overcome the “he is lacking a little bit the technical qualities” situation. All four, even Jack have considerable room for growth and improvement. That’s an exciting thought for us and a scary proposition for those who seek to get between us and silverware.
@190: GREAT post BtM.
While recent events has me loathe to predict who will actually be with us in the near future I can see your predictions coming true. But maybe it’s because I’m a glass half-full kind of guy 8)
@185: Sweeper, your team sounds like they would’ve given even dirty Leeds a run for their money! I wonder how they would’ve fared against my old team, Bare Foot United? Despite our lack of boots, we never shied away from a tackle. With no boots on, our tackling speed was tripled you see. Leading many clubs to shy away from playing us…
Scoring goals was a problem though, seeing as we played with coconuts, toe-pokes were out of the question, and side-foot shots ended with the coconut rolling out of play, so most games ended 0-0…
NorCal, sweetie……..I’ve been a bad girl.
Oi, Ivana, there’s only space for one hussy in this bar!
*hic*
Didn’t get the intonation of Kutemoff until now…. π
@107: Snir, I watched that documentary last night. It was appalling to see the level of corruption on display. If it really is that easy to pick up a club, surely many more clubs will be going out of business in the future after the owners sell up and leave? Does anyone know what happened to Bryan Robson after that show was broadcast?
Thinking we need a little more direct play at this point, lofts a high ball toward Giroud or whoever can get their head on it …
*CoR tries to get his head on it but it sails over like a balloon*
Whoops was that me?
Well in young lady. Now back to your room and no more wandering about. The children will miss you if you continue cavorting with those professionals down at the Quackery.
Mr T, Mr C, Dr F et al……
Please excuse the misses. She is a bit free in here association. I’ll keep her under wraps for here on out.
holics,
Sorry for the breech of security at the Quackery. I will only provide “assistance” from here on out only when requested by the good custodians.
The interlull has already had a devastating consequence to our family.
Well in Ivana. A right old firecracker you seem to be. π
“Too fat to play in Serie A.” Bendtner’s already doubling up on the pasta, apparently. Since Juventus are not happy to have him maybe we should try hawking him to Spurs, the only club that doubles up on their pasta as a matter of club policy. π
Here’s the link to the article:
http://tinyurl.com/8mgb48k
Interesting interview with Song, particularly what he says about missing Song:
http://gossip.ladyarse.com/2012/09/05/sagna-interview-van-persie-i-expected-song-leaving-will-hurt/
The interview is with Sagna, of course. Time for me to sign off and catch up on a few winks.
Just in case anyone’s wondering about the nitty-gritty of the FFP regulations.
http://swissramble.blogspot.jp/
I hope it hasn’t been posted before by Holic! π
Trev, somewhat belatedly, but congrats on the text for the stone. Perfectly put.
Clive: Ever come up against the Wilesden team that played in the Camden Youth League? As violent off the pitch as on. Then there were the Assassins of Montevideo, modeled on a blend of 1966 Argentina and Uruguay? Brought a particularly South American elbow to a game, not to mention their own martial music.
Morning All
Heh! @ Goonerterry @ #162, nice analogy for TFSTEL π
Clive & ‘Holic – North-West London rules. What boozer did you frequent when playing in Mill Hill?
Wel in Ivana
baff 184, I’m guessing they won’t make one about their preparations for the Vuelta π
BTM,
many thnks for your cogent and comprehensive evaluation of young Ramsey and your thoughts about his progress and place in the pecking order at our esteemed Club.
Your sentiments don’t entirely tally with mine,but overall we seem to be thinking along similar lines,as indeed are the majority of the folks on here that took the time to put in their ‘ 2 Pennorth ‘.
NBN,never played in a Youth league myself,so never came across the Willesden crew,and the mob from S.AM didn’t cross my path either.
TS,re Pubs,we would have visited many of them from Edgeware right through to Belsize Park along that Northern line of train stations.
Along with Mill Hill and Highgate in Cup ties.
I was already on the Orange juice by then,after my near death experience with alcohol when i was 15.
But we always had a great time,win/lose or draw.
In fact we did the double 3 years in a row in 67/8/9.
Most dismissals in the entire Sunday Comp and most penalties conceded.!!!
Red and white strands
the arsenal with matching bands
in this bar we so generously fund
up and up our beer brands
and watch
as we gun them where they stand
interlull poetry…takers?
So basically FFP is not going to be the leveller people thought it would be? How shocking.
Guardian article is titled ‘SAGNA QUESTIONS ARSENAL SALES’ – nice to see the press aren’t taking a break from sniping at us during the Interlull.
Sweeper @ 55,
I would agree with your contention that Ramsey will find it increasingly difficult to get game time, because I too think that he’s somewhat down the pecking order in the current midfield.
Since Wenger had arrived we’ve seen very talented midfield players come to the club. Many of these players have come as full blown talents even at such young ages (Cesc, Vieira).
Last years midfield consisted of primarily of the Song – Ramsey – Arteta trio. What was sacrificed last year IMO was the retention of possession. There was a shortfall in providing some protection to the back four which obviously contributed to amount of goals we conceded.
This season, Diaby is back and has been instantly installed in a linking role in midfield. Arteta is retained in a holding role (which while not his usual role, nevertheless tells us how talented and versatile he has been for us) and Cazorla was bought in to provide creative nous up front.
Therefore there’s been a 66% change to last years midfield. Is this a fluke..? I don’t think so.
The fact that we also tried to purchase Sahin on loan tells alot as well. Then of course Jack is on the cusp of coming back and Oxlade is finally been given the chance he so eminently deserves. Not to mention Coquelin who possess a wonderful blend of pace and tenacity.
So its a uphill battle for young Rambo, but given the injury he has had, his positive work ethic and of course his age – he is still an important member of the squad and he deserves more time to see what develops. He’s captain of the Welsh team to boot and you don’t seem him looking for a 100k per week…!!
8ball – frightening insight into The Quackery. Spookily accurate picture!
BtM, Snir, Clive –
Interesting work on Rambo. Love the ever present BtM optimism, much of it well founded – easy to forget just how well Rambo was doing before being assaulted by the bloke from Stoke.
BtM, a challenge for you.
Could you do a retrospective analysis for us, in the bar, pointing out just why Gus Ceasar should have captained Arsenal, and his country, for 10 years.
I know you can do it. π
The scene: The Olympique Marseille manager’s office.
OM Manager: ” now zen Jooey, ‘ere iz wat we want you to do for ze team. Nussing spessielle, just 10 games wizzout attacking your team mates, maiming any of ze opponents or turning ‘alf of ze referees in France against us.
Do you sink you can do zis ?”
Joey Barton: “I’ll try boss, but I want Β£250,000 per week, a new Ferrari, an iPhone for me Twatter account and sex with the Chairman’s daughter 3 times a day cos she’s a well fit sort, innit”.
OM Manager: ” Ahh Jooey, now you are just being ridiculous !”
Joey Barton: “Well, you started it !”
CoR@193: The Nigerian team that toured Britain in 1949 really did play without boots.
http://www.colonialfilm.org.uk/node/1444
Massive ‘heh’s at various tales of the past from the Sweeper! A softie like me wouldn’t have survived long playing against those Golden Green Ramblers π
Charlie@215: pretty much what I thougt as well. Can’t say I’m that bothered about what he replortedly said. And besides, he didn’t say he wanted to win things with Man City, he said he wanted to win things full stop.
I also fully understand if the club wants to wait and see how he’s recovered from his latest injury before committing to a new long-term deal. He is, after all, only a few months shy of 30 and full-backs generally don’t last very much longer than the age of 30-31 without starting to fade (just look, for example, at how much Evra has lost in the past two years or so and he is only two years older than Sagna). As good as he has been for us in the past five seasons, I’m not sure signing a five-year contract on high wages without knowing the physical status of the player would be such a great idea on the club’s part.
And π at Trev@218!
Golders Green surely, Lars?
Ollie, of course. All day I have kept misspelling words, that part of my brain just doesn’t seem to be switched on today π
Re: Lars @220. I also don’t think Sagna said anything that the rest of us haven’t said recently either, and the only way the doubts can be overcome is by focusing on the future and with positive results on the pitch. For Sagna to have been out injured during these last few months of course makes him not feel fully part of the changes that have gone on in the meantime but once he’s back in the team that can all be remedied.
Fantastic footage @219 Ned – never seen the ‘amlet so packed
Lars @223 –
That can be a sign that a migraine isn’t far away, π
Still waiting for us to get the right Champions League draw to make this song more appropriate. π
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9xIlHsbbBk
Trev, luckily I have never suffered from migraine attacks so let’s hope it’s not about to start now.
bt8, that song, as well as ‘Back in the USSR’ and all similar, doesn’t have much appeal…..
Juses, were dyd thys flicking hodake comm frim?
Ollie. Don’t you go for nostalgia? I would have posted “Je ne regrette rien” but I thought it would be a bit much … π
@219: NBN, great work finding that short film! Unbelievable tekkers on display there π
Good afternoon chaps and chapesses…
If no one else has linked it, there is an interesting article on Untold Arsenal today about potential FFP changes within the Premier League, not just in UEFA competitions…… ManU and Liverpool supporting it too.
heh Andy Goram. Not from the North Sea I guess?
Are we talking songs?
Was listening to the radio earlier and thought of Cesc:
You leave in the morning
WIth Everything you own in a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and Lonely face
Mother will never understand
why you had to leave
But the answers you seek
Will never be found at home
The love that you need
Will never be found at home
Answers on a postcard please….:)
Am I allowed to say Scottish boy, alternative lifestyle, Catalan? π
Btw,
“Answers on a postcard please”, must be on the bootleg version! π
zero tolerance time –
Mr Sagna, you have queries about the club’s policy/direction?
Take it up with the fence painter – don’t open your gob to people who have not the faintest interest in what might be for the benefit of Arsenal FC.
You don’t like them apples? You can go, like the non-winners before you, and take your haul of silverware with you. π
I accept that context, spin etc all play a part but when are these guys going to learn to just shut the fuck up?
Zico, as ever gets the 10 points!
Jimmy Sommerville. Odd little chap. Voice of an angel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD-lhWIiQxo
Yeah, I’m with you zico. We know there’s media spin, but it’s a bit annoying really.
Sagna : ‘yeah, some cunts have left, granted they were decent players, but we are a team, we are the Arsenal, fuck all the rest. If they don’t want to play for us, they’re free to bugger off and chase money (trophies?) elsewhere! Me I take responsibility and I want to win things with this team’.
I just wish some players (other than Frimpong? π ) would say that….
Mind you I’m pretty sure hypocrits like Nasri and Cunt van Cuntie have said that at some point. So well, er, whether you mean it or not, it’s still the decent thing to say while you are contracted to the club π
Yeah, whay Andy Goram said, whoever he is.
:rolleyes:
Glad to hear the Andys are with me.
Now all I need is the wristies. 8)
Its a vicious cycle at Arsenal. You cannot offer pay rises to players who have won diddly squat. This is going to indirectly the gooners who pay for their wages through subscriptions , matchday fees etc.
At the same time , you cannot keep ambitious , world class players at a trophyless club without offering them mega $$$ salaries.
We need a miracle and tons of luck to get out of this cycle. -_-
I dont have an issue with clubs contract negotiation policy but we need to get lucky somehow and have to somehow win something to break this cycle.
Previously, we could have gone 17 years without a trophy and still come back to win the PL but the game has changed since.
Today , if we are get into a rut, its much harder to get back into the game because of the money in the game and sugar daddies.
re 8ball @ 227
Guess where Santi Cazorla is going on the 11th September
got to go now I can hear The Pips
Giroud’s pulled out of the France game:
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/09/06/180129_giroud-forfait-contre-la-finlande.html
So, basically Sajit, we need the luck a certain other London side had last year in the CL!
washed. Tbilisi. Is that anywhere near Atlanta? π
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