Proud Guns Go Down Fighting
Mar 13th, 2013 by 'holic
An hour before kick-off I was scraping the egg off my face having been sucked in by the rumours sweeping Twitter of Arsenal going with a rotated side in a critical Champions League fixture. If only someone had outed Neil Ashton as the source I would have known what utter bollocks it was. Sorry Arsene, we should have trusted you to play your best available side on such a night.
And what a night. Unless you are a Malaga or Porto fan I am guessing you will know exactly what happened in the Allianz Arena. Arsene had spoken before the game of the importance of the early goal, and when Theo Walcott put one on a plate for Olivier Giroud after just three minutes the scene was set for a dramatic evening.
With the recalled Lukasz Fabianski dealing comfortably with the few efforts allowed by Arsenal’s best back four the possibility of an astonishing comeback was kept alive. As the match drew to a conclusion we were denied a crucial second goal by an erroneous offside flag against Theo, Olivier’s inability to set up Santi Cazorla in the box, and Gervinho toe-poking one agonisingly wide after a superb turn under pressure.
When Laurent Koscielny’s header finally brought us level on aggregate I was dreaming not just of the greatest comeback I could have recalled, but also the small matter of a very tidy profit should the third goal arrive. The consolation of a three figure payout just for the win seemed scant consolation as the final whistle blew, but I hope a number of you followed one of the rare successes for the ‘holic pound this season. 17/2 was a value price for a side of our quality I thought.
So once more we have shown our ability to beat anybody on our day. That makes some of the less gritty performances all the more puzzling. For now though I trust we will apply ourselves in similar fashion for the ten equally crucial games that remain. The neighbours showed at the weekend that their customary end of season wobble is yet again a real possibility. Chelsea have fixtures piling up ahead of them, and are being managed by a man who provokes a very negative atmosphere at their matches. One last concerted effort and we might yet pull something from the ashes of this campaign.
The final word tonight rightly rested with the outstanding Carl Jenkinson, queried about the surprising and little known fact that we have now gone eight years without a trophy by the tedious oaf that is Geoff Shreeves. “I don’t wanna talk about that tonight.”
Corporal, I salute you.
230 Responses to “Proud Guns Go Down Fighting”
Top 4
Didn’t expect a thing from this game but still I felt gutted at the end, Milan last year and Bayern tonight. Great fighting spirit shown by the boys, proud to see it. Now please please get that 4th as our goal and St. Totteringham Day as a bonus
COYG !
Thanks for that Guv. I salute him too.
4 Tops
UTA!
Corporal Jenks gets another stripe for slapping that weasel down with the aplomb of a seasoned debater. Officer material that boy. First choice RB for me now. Future captain.
I missed the whole thing
Only saw the second half but still pleasantly surprised.
If only we could stop giving good teams two goals of a start….. π
You have taped it though, neighbour? π
I was well proud of Keninson’s performance, on the pitch and with that weasley Shreeves mic stuck under his nose…. I am dying to say future captain, but probs best not to… π
I do hope all those slating the manager for resting players he didnt actually rest will do the decent thing….. Hahahahahahaha! Who am I kidding?
bath beat me to it… π
A drink for all the lads and traveling support. You all did us proud.
Lets kick on from here.
Proud to be a Gunner
Let’s keep that same back 5 now please, about time LK gets a run out.
Well done lads…..tip top performance. As for the meejah tosses….
Up The Arse!!!
Copy-paste from previous drinks as I am slow as Denilson.
Mixed feelings here, as expected.
Glad for the win, proud of the team, but what matters is that we are out of the CL.
I was back-drinking this 20 minutes, and agree that
Kos needs to play every game.
Jenks will be legend at Arsenal. Corporal, I salute you too.
Fabianski is more than decent backup to Szsezny, better shot stopper, better positioning, better crosses, only lacks presence.
Gibbs is one of our most important players.
Gervais will be one of our most important players, if he gets out support.
Walcott was invisible.
Funny that no one mentions Ramsey. He tried and never hides and all that, but every time the ball is in his feet I do not expect him to come with solution which benefits our team. As a matter of fact, I think that he does not expect that either. He either looses the ball, makes wrong pass, or passes safe or back to the keeper.
I could’t be more happy when he and Walcott were subbed, although that was 10 minutes to late. Our game changed instantly and if there were 5-10 minutes and non stupid referee we would have scored the third.
Anyway, good result to build on. Proud of being a gooner tonight.
A day off from work due to a runny nose and cold allowed me to catch our UCL game for the first time this season. I was just hoping we went down with a fight, so 2-0 and a gritty performance was very pleasing. Although after the second goal went in, I started thinking, is this really going to happen .. which made Arteta’s wasted freekick and subsequent unnecessary fouls maddening from one of our experienced players.
If we keep that defensive shape and the spirit up for the remaining 10 games, I certainly think we can still get the 4th or even 3rd this year. A lot to play for still.
Can’t wait for Swansea on Saturday now.
Cheers everyone.
[I have been reading the blog for years now although don’t post. Great site].
Norris,
I was one who jumped on AW if it was true we were not fielding our best. That did not happen, so I was wrong. I got no problem saying it. His choices tonight were spot on. Fair play for going for it, I think that is all most of us were asking for. I said we needed something major to go our way for the team and supporters to find the joy in the game again. I hope this will do that for the rest of the season.
I’d only read here that AW was going to play a weakened side. Never realised it was “info” gleamed from twatter. π³
Like Chippy said on previous drinks, I’ll get on them when I feel that they’re not doing all they can do, so it’s only fair for me to applaud them when they give it their all. *standing ovation*
i hope the stupid PLASTIC boo boays will back the team now and stop agreeing with the press who tried to scupper Arsenal with fakse roumers.
LETS ALL GET BEHIND THE TEAM AND WENGER
COME ON U GOONERS
Holic
What did you think of the ref? π
15 Lurky.
The game changed because Bayern were tiring.
After a game and team performance like that I think it would be best to focus on the positives that we can take into the final games.
H2H
It was also on daily mail this arvo
Everyone knows there is no PLASTIC here. We just place it on Lars’ tab. π
OK Arthur, cheers for that.
THe Daily Fail, as trustworthy as Twitter #newslogan
Heh @23. aka the man behind the many monikers.
Excellent Mr.Barman. You captured my thoughts and observations perfectly.
Best team on the night, best back 4 (possibly 5???) we have, best defensive performance for ages.
The BBC, being the unbiased and superlative bunch that they are, have even listed the stats of the last eight Arsenal seasons to press home the hardly known fact that we may have gone a while without lifting something silvery. A plague on all their houses.
I’m a very proud Gooner tonight.
Swansea, watch the f*uck out!
COYG.
Cheers H2H
8)
I’m worse than a train full of Andys
Hope the away Holics are tying a well deserved one on.
A stein of the finest brew for everyone here. Cheers
ts, we haven’t won a trophy for that long? oh.
lovely game tonight by the boys in purple and black.
True Storey – if we can win on Saturday, an added bonus will be the press will temporarily abandon their ‘Arsenal in crisis’ shtick to resume ‘Chelsea in crisis’ or ‘Arry for England’ as we enter the interlull.
Hi Holic and holics (welcome to Gooner in dc). Beaming with pride, Holic. I also bought into the rumours … shame on me. I too am a bit wistful of what could have been. Anyways, onwards and upwards. Tis the Arsenal way. π
H2H, I agree, and one of the positives is that after the substitutions of some players we started to actually- play. And be more concrete. We should all benefit from that fact.
Well played Arsenal I’m still buzzing from this win I know we didn’t progress but we beat those diving cheats π
Time to turn our attention to the league now and get that 4th or 3rd spot!
Bring on Swansea now!
Pride restored.
I was pleased to see TR play the whole game, even though he was clearly lacking match fitness. If only heβd been given more chances in recent months β¦ eh, Arsene?? Hopefully heβll be sufficiently up to speed now to fill in successfully for Jack for however long Jackβs β3 weeksβ proves to be.
Well played Fab, you can keep the jersey for Saturday.
Ridiculous ref. Apparently he believes tackling should be illegal.
What might have beenβ¦ π
Oskar
(c/p from previous drinks where I was last to post, as usual)
Charlie, it will never happen.
Scruz, I know, it had escaped my attention too.
However, courtesy of the oracle that is the @ArsenalGent I can link you to a fine piece from David Hytner of The Guardian:
http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/13/bayern-munich-champions-league-match-report
Finally, someone brave enough to write a piece on an Arsenal performance for what it was plain and simple. I’ll raise a large glass to that kind of reporting.
Arthur, I think the game was too big for the referee, but Bayern made it difficult for him. He wasn’t a major contributor to our defeat over two legs…
Well I will be the first to admit that before kick off I was a tad apprehensive about this match. We have not been playing that well and the way Bayern played at the Grove meant that a hiding was a genuine possibility. What we were treated to was a performance full of what has arguably been missing for some time now.
The early goal clearly was not in the script and put Bayern on the back foot. It was almost as if we had realised that and continued to press. What was impressive was the way be defended as a unit in restricting Bayern to 30 yard pot shots. I like many feared the worst when I saw Fabianski on the team sheet. In the first half he was a virtual spectator.
The second saw much of the same and how things might have been different if we had got the second 10 minutes earlier. In the end it was just not enough.
All in all we can take a lot of plus points from today. We have beaten one of the best sides in Europe on their own dung heap. They know that have been in a game. The defence looked totally different to the shell shocked unit that took the field at the shit hole. We were organised and balanced. When Fab was called into action he stood firm. The Jenk was magnificent tonight. He has Arsenal in his veins. Bar from laying the interviewer out he dealt with the stupid question really well. His facial expression answered the question for him.
The one negative for me was how we seemed to struggle to keep the ball. We worked so hard to win the ball but gave it away too cheaply at times. That ended up in lack of further chances that could have just taken us into dreamland.
We depart the competition with our heads held high. Sadly this tie was lost 3 weeks ago, not by those who gave their all tonight. I guess that is the most frustrating thing of all. If that was the first leg the talk would be of having one foot in the quarters. Consistently inconsistent was the phrase used some months ago. Sadly that has ended our involvement in this seasonβs competition.
Final word about the ref. One of the worst I have seen. How did that game warrant 9 yellow cards? How did we manage to get 6 of them???? Clearly a man out of hos depth.
Letβs hope we can carry this on to the weekend and beyond.
Great write up holic.
At the hotel, happy, proud and gutted at the same time. A very wierd state of mind, I must say. Enjoying a quiet beer now, will be back at the bar tomorrow with a full report when I’ve got a proper keyboard to type on and not just the iPad. Now for a quick back-drink and then off to sleep!
H’ I agree with everything you wrote. I believe this win will get us to the top 4.
NorCal – my point about Gibbs wasn’t about Nacho but about TV at LB in the first leg.
All goals came from his side and a lack of LB hurt us badly.
I really liked our defensive shape. It seems like we’ve reverted to the system we employed early in the season. With Theo’s pace, we’ll be able to hurt Swansea on Saturday.
Magnicient support Lars. TTF were loud and proud tonight, as they always are.
I bought the rumours – read in this very bar, seen in the press and heard on radio. Ironically, I hadn’t seen Twatter.
I didn’t slate the manager, however, and I do stand by what I wrote about the state of our squad.
I also said we needed “old Arsenal” to turn up tonight and they certainly did that.
Several other Holics kept my nerves in check in the drinks, but gradually so did the team as they put in possibly the display of the season.
Such a shame that we threw the tie away in the home leg where, admittedly, we were beaten by a very impressive team. We never pressed them or defended with such discipline during the home leg either though.
A superb performance tonight now needs to be replicated over the last ten league games,
The players will hopefully be asking themselves, and each other, how we have allowed the season to become so fraught when they are capable of performances like tonight’s.
Jenks played, as ever, with enormous heart, on the pitch and in his interview with a shit stirring inquisitor afterwards. For me, the first choice right back now.
Fabianski also deserves special mention as he returned a different looking keeper and character tonight.
Every member of that team gave their all tonight – with one possible exception who shall be allowed to remain nameless – and nobody can ask for more than that.
Ten more of those please, and we’ll be fine.
Lars, Ollie, Austrian and TTF, trust you had a good night. Did us proud.
Holic
I don’t blame the ref one bit apart from that offside that was never offside. He had a clumsy game and didn’t let the teams play. I know I called him names but he deserved it at the time π
I think none of us expected us to go through it almost worked, brings back the game last season against Milan I suppose. As Steve T wrote above we lost it three weeks ago. We should have never allowed them to give us a hiding at home like that. Feels almost like a perfect end to the day so close yet so far, but I’m still a very proud Gooner and I’m certainly enjoying the moment.
π
I sure hope Jenkinson was one of the five we signed to contract extensions earlier this year. Not one to let get away to the big clubs of Europe, who would have been watching his outstanding performance against Bayern. Koscielny was not one of the five, I know, and he should be given a contract extension as well. He easily has the most potential of our best three central defenders.
8ball,
I think Kos signed a new deal last year.
A much needed mighty fine performance. And it’s a mighty, mighty peculiar season this one…to now hunting down the sc*m
Oh and Jenks for pope – if it’s not too late already.
Can’t be too late AL – he’s only 21. π
Snir,
I know your comparison and comment about Gibbs did not include Nacho. I was just pointing out that he is a proper left back and between the 2 we may be in good hands for the future, each pushing the other.
true Trev – then he’s probably already tucked up in bed.
I’ve no idea what time the pope goes to bed. π
8ball,
Kos signed a new contract last year and Jenks was one if the “British five” this year.
Gibbs and Jenks gives us youth and motors on the wings and may both turn out to be stars, but we need depth everywhere and we need the ability to rotate to avoid the injuries we always end up with.
Nacho was a good addition for the left but if we don’t keep Sagna then we will need another fullback this summer.
Don’t tell me “the sky is the limit” when there are footprints on the moon.
I wouldn’t want to pontificate on that one meself
If we just beat them, away from home, 0-2, why is it that we are not advancing to the Quarterfinals?
Are we not our own worst enemy? Year after year? Why cannot we simply believe in ourselves? That in an of itself would have brought much silverware if only so!!!
Good joy tonight Arsenal. I’m proud of you!!!
Cheers,
mec
Bayern are almost unbeatable anywhere this season.
We beat them 2-0 on their own ground with a weakened team.
Amazing! Let’s hope they win it. Then we have a real cause for pride.
Lets hope we can reproduce this spirit for the rest of the season. 4th nay 3rd place may await….again.
Could Chelsea or Tottenham beat Bayern 2-0 on their own ground?
Fucking proud of the boys. Best game of the season , along with Reading Carling Cup.
Today I sleep proud.
Like many others I have been mystified by AW’s infrequent selections of TR7 this season. What a player. Similarly, Kos has not been selected anywhere near as often as he deserves. What a player. Both have been rested enough. Now let’s see where they can take us in the last few games.
Wanna see Giroud slam a few more into the top of the net during our stretch run. We’ve been holding it in now let’s let it all out. Swansea, a very good side, are the focus now and they will be gunning for us so let’s be gunning for them. How about another Giroud early goal?
Did anybody notice our new system in defense??
It’s great.
This might sound far fetched but I wouldn’t be surprised if the idea came from Neville’s analysis of the NLD on Monday Night Football.
We pressed high and forced Bayern back on countless occasions forcing Dante, Lahm, and Van Buyten to hoof it or pass back to Neuer for him to kick it upfield.
Once the BM players bypassed our midfield (unfortunately, they won most of the knock downs), our back four RETREATED as a whole and denied Bayern any space behind which restricted them to shots from distance only.
Neville did talk about how we should retreat when our Midfield gets bypassed and not push up like we did in the NLD.
If we play this system as well as we played it today, we will significantly improve our defensive record without hindering our scoring record as the forwards still press high up and try to win possession closer to goal.
This is how we should play. Especially against Swansea who have quick wingers and that Michu fella.
Somebody needs to tell these players that they should play FOR the cannon, not LIKE a cannon (Performing only when their asses are on fire)
But proud of the team, taught those Germans (who made arrogant statements like “We didn’t think it would be this easy” after the first leg) a jolly good lesson
Flawless review holic sir…. as always…. I make sure I read it before n after every game … of all the stuff I read on blogs this is the one I can’t stop reading…..:-) Chose this day to add a drink, coz I am so proud to be a gunner today… So very proud… I have always believed “even if u lose fighting, fight in such a way that even the winner respects u & is proud of fighting u”…. n our gooners did that today…
Not much to add to the review…. Salute to the corporal π n to the back four who made us believe that our goal was made of gold & there lives depended on it.
Bayern showed tremendous composure n calmness after the 1st goal, although they had a good cushion but even then it was very matured reaction from them
Also i think they were frightened of us π , I cldn’t believe, they were playing for time for almost more than 30mins,
I always wondered why Bayern haven’t won a champions league, but today I think I can say that its probably bcoz they don’t have the heart of the footballer , what our Gooners showed them today…. may b they can learn :-0
Special mention Robben, it was sinful to go down on challenges that were feather touches in such a high intensity game, i wonder he’ll bury himself in the ground if he faces a challenge by a stoke player π :-)… n that atrocious dive in the end wen he was playing for time…(really pissed)….
But all in all a great game.. Loved Arsenal (not the attacking side of us that much but the defence made us proud)… way 2 go….
Missed Jack “talismanic” wishere… for the boss I think missing pieces are a holding midfielder and a clinical striker with pace…
Cheers!!!!! guys….
so long !!!!!! π
Great game! Never been this proud of going out of the CL.
….and when you look at the game you have many regrets for our first game
No shit, Sherlock.
Let’s not kid ourselves – last night’s defensive display was the exception, not the rule. We have been giving teams two goals of a start on a fairly frequent basis, Arsene.
Show me 10 clean sheets for the rest of the season and then talk….
Great point Zico.
The big difference for me was we binned the “high-line, offside strategy”. Per is used to playing a deeper role and rely’s on his reading of the game to compensate for his lack of pace. By playing deeper, Ramsey/Arteta’s lack of pace isn’t exposed as much either.
While we neglected to retain a lot of possession in midfield and didn’t really create that much up front, it shows that it doesn’t matter so much if you get the defence set correctly. Then you can beat any team in the world as opposed to our usual propensity in loosing to any team when the reverse applies.
It all goes out the window for me though if we don’t bring the same attitude to Swansea who have proved to be very difficult opponents this season.
It’s the morning after, and I feel gutted. Utterly, absolutely, gutted. We showed what we were capable of, defended resolutely, restricted the German champions-elect to long-range efforts and hopeful punts out of defence, and made them look very Stoke-esque. On the night, we were superior, superb. The problem is that over the course of the tie, we were our own worst enemy.
I do not want to focus on any negatives, but I cannot help saying that if we produced that performance at home, we would be in the hat for the next round now. In the end, we failed to do so, and we are now faced with the very real prospect of not making it back to the Champions League next year and having no St. Totteringham’s day for the first time in the Wenger era.
All that being said, hats off to the Corporal who was magnificent again last night. The Bayern break in which he chased down and stole the ball off Robben was just one of many fine moments he had in an overall brilliant performance. Many questioned Wenger for signing an unknown kid from Charlton when he joined, but you cannot fault his commitment, desire, and (dare I say it) quality. For those who slate Wenger for being unable to buy/coach defenders, Jenkinson is a right slap in the face. I believe the time has come for Corporal Jenkinson to get promoted to Sergeant, and if he keeps this up, we shall have to send him off to Officer Candidate School. There’s a future General in that lad.
Another special mention must go to Bosscielny, another who arrived as an unknown defender from a lower league team, and has set about proving himself as arguably our best defender. I love the Verminator with all my heart, but Bosscielny is, for me, our first choice CB. His style dovetails more neatly with the BFG’s than Verm’s, and hopefully, being shown that the armband is no shield against being dropped will be the kick up the arse that TV5 needs to up his game and get back to his best.
Finally, a word for our very own Flappyhandski. I admit that upon hearing he had been selected and Sir Chesney had been left behind in London, I threw my arms skyward and declared that the Boss had thrown the game. Boy, did he prove me wrong! He didn’t produce a series of spectacular saves, apart from the one-on-one with Robben, but he was solid all through, and dealt with everything that came his way with calm assurance. I know he wants to leave and we will probably have to find a new keeper in the summer, but I hope that he can get some game time between now and the end of the season and that will convince him to change his mind. People easily forget that before that unfortunate shoulder injury, Flappy was blossoming into a fine player and improving with every appearance. He was dealing better with the high balls into the box and showing his shot-stopping ability. I remember after a game with Wolves in which he made save after save and claimed cross after cross, Mick McCarthy wryly remarked that he’d been misinformed Arsenal had a duff keeper.
I hope we can take all the positives from this game, our organisation, determination and our obvious quality, and go on the run of wins we need to claim that top four spot. For the first time in years, we don’t have a key player agitating for a move away and we can add some real quality to the squad. I fully expect us to mount a title challenge next season, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we do over the rest of the season and I expect we shall go into the new season with optimism and some real hope.
Whew! A stein of your finest Bavarian brew, Guv’nor. I’m parched.
Who can’t be happy with last night’s performance? I’ll admit it now, Fabianski has proved me wrong (I said he’s worth a minimum of 1 easy goal for Bayern). Shame about the ref and if it hadn’t been a UEFA competition, who knows? He may not have been a corrupt, shit-stabbing cheat!
However.
One swallow doth not a summer make. I’m proud of the boys for what they did but my enthusiasm is severely curbed by the many brainless performances that have gone before – and I’m not just talking this season.
They’re still on report today, and even if they make 4th, they remain on report.
UTA
Morning All
Just basking in reflected glory today.
Forgot that both Ollie and Austrian were also at the match yesterday so an equal ‘magnificent support’ for you two fellas too to match my previous comment to Lars.
You all did us proud.
Bring on those Swans. Let’s prove to the world again that we deserve to be competing at Europe’s top table. I’d keep the side exactly as it was last night but I’m not Arsene so what do I know?
Surprised that the splendiferousness of last night’s victory has not brought out a lesser spotted BtM to poetically sing our praises.
UTA!
PS: Rev. AL @ #52 -> HEH!
Carl Jenkinson – mime artist.
Or is it just me?
MrBure,
That is one great post.
CG, sensible note of caution too.
Good to see Koscielny last night looking along the line and calling Gibbs into position. Playing that much deeper actually gives them time to do all that instead of always turning and running back in chaos.
We MUST now take that game to Swansea.
Hey TS, let’s mute those Swans in fact. π
Morning All
Have been out of the loop recently with a debilitating dose of the flu but last night’s performance cheered me up and has given us hope for the run-in.
It seems those responsible for organising some form of defensive system have not wasted their time on the training ground during the lull.To come away from Munich with a clean sheet was no mean feat ,considering the mauling they gave us at the Ems. Is it likely that we can maintain that discipline at the back against our PL foes and avoid the calamitous individual errors we have been guilty of all season?
The back five did have their moments last night but the whole team put in the sort of shift that gave them some cover and hopefully confidence for Saturday and beyond.
Had our passing and close control been better and had the officials been up to even PL standard, then we might have pulled off a remarkable victory. Saturday’s line up will be very interesting, I fear Arsene will make changes but hopefully not to the defence, who deserve another outing.
As always COYRs
Trev
Mute them, clip there wings, keep them pen-ned in whatever…..
Lets hope we just score more than they do.
it’s high time we took a liberty at their place π
Ta TS
Excellent wee bit of footyage from last night. Sadly unable to spot either Lars, Ollie or Bergkamp The Chinaman so far…
http://youtu.be/2ulcWuQs9xc
Pardon – “any of”, of course
Up The Arse!
Forgive my cynicism re Fabianski but I’ll start to believe he’s actually a better keeper if he can put in 8 out of 10 decent performances between now and May.
Actually, the same goes for the defence too.
Afternoon drinkers of goon’.
58 Snir.
Good points. I didn’t see what G’Nev had to say about us, but last night that system worked. I wouldn’t say it was new though, because I believe it was the same way we started the season, but abandoned because it interfered with our forward play. (I guess)
You could see yesterday that we had difficulty keeping any kind of poccession. This was because our team was more spread out then usual, high forward line, deep back line, meaning midfield gets stretched. Couple this with playing against one of the best off ball pressing teams in the world and it was always going to be difficult to gain any kind of momentum.
To make the highline defence work you need a back four in perfect sync, plus a speedy CB to counter fast wingers or attackers if the offside trap is sprung, the perfect example of when this goes wrong was against the dispicables, two balls through the dithering back line, two goals against. Last night when we stayed deep there was no way through and behalf from a one on one with Robben, which Fabianski did extreamly well to keep out, we kept that deep line well.
Speaking of our keeper, he did very well, but let’s not get too excited, he was offered the protection that Woj could only dream of. There was a “Flappy moment” in the second half when he let a simple enough looking cross go straight under him and fly invitingly across the goal area, luckily there was no German there at the time to complete what would of been a simple tap in. But I’m not going to be churlish, because fairs fair and he kept us in it with a string of good stops and any competition for the keeper position can only be a good thing.
We’ve used the system and it worked, I just hope we stick with it for the next ten games. No goals against means no losses and we’re not going to come up against many teams with the technical ability and pressing discipline of Bayern, so we still should be able to create chances, the key is to be cynical with those you create. It may also mean a time on the sidelines for our current captain, I don’t see this as a bad thing because his form has suffered over the last few months, maybe it was the added pressure of the aarmband, but whatever the reason, I think AW needs to do us all a favour and stick with the Mertesielny Axis.
H2H
Couldn’t agree more. We need to be more cynical in front of goal! π
Get well soon the real king Kenny – best LB i ever saw play for The Arse (including that one)
This is what it says re our boy in the Islington Gazette
http://bit.ly/ZCa2Uy
Fine post ‘H, cheers for that.
Great drink from MrBure. Pretty much agree with all you had to say.
Proud to be a Gooner and all that jazz, but I’m still gutted. Pre-game I genuinely thought that, long shot though it was, the tie was not over. When the pre-match rumours of wholesale rotation were shown to be merely some wanky shit-stirring from those who continually disgrace the name of Journalism, those positive thoughts crystallised into real hope, and it’s the fucking hope that kills you isn’t it.
This sense of impending glory was not empty bragadaccio or gallows humour in the face of adversity. Worthless betting slips in my back pocket backing 4-2, 3-0 and 4-1 to the Arsenal are testament to the fact I was prepared to back my faulty logic with some sheckles. Well you’ve got to believe ain’t yer, otherwise, what’s the point?
Reasons for optimism? We are, as a Club, always best with our backs against the wall. The present side, whilst having many glaring issues, are not as bad as they have been painted in some quarters, and can match anyone on their day. I also thought that whilst Bayern are undoubtedly a good side, some of the praise for their performance at the Emirates was wildly over the top. They are not the World-beaters that they have been painted as and I don’t think they’ll win it. Barca and Madrid will both find them out.
Our first goal had me dreaming and proclaiming loudly to anyone who wanted to listen that I was going to win a “fucking fortune”. Thereafter I thought AW got the tactical side of the game spot on. Nick a goal, keep a clean sheet, and see what happens in the latter stages Anfield ’89 stylee.
To that end I thought our defensive work was admirable. Been saying all season that Kos/Bfg are our best CB pairing. I hope that they now get 10 games together free of injury and suspension to prove it. Both full backs were superb. What a difference from the first leg to have proper full backs down both flanks.
Fabianski proved me, and I’m guessing many others, utterly wrong with his performance. He did everything that was asked of him with a calm assurance and looked far from the rabbit caught in the headlights that he has often resembled in the past. One note of caution however amongst the inevitable calls for his retention. Arsene has often said that Fabianski is the best keeper at the Club but lacks the necessary belief, a belief which his fellow Pole and competitor for the shirt has in spades. I can’t help feeling that a game like last night where very little is expected of the team and where the pressure is essentially off, suited Fabianski down to the ground. Can he bring the same sort of relaxed confidence to the game at Swansea when the pressure is ratcheted up to maximum? I don’t know, but I guess we’ll find out.
Such a shame that the second goal only arrived with 5 minutes to go. Can’t help musing, like SteveT, that had we got one just 10 minutes earlier we might all be singing a very different tune today and I would be flush with cash.Ze Germans were truly rattled when that second went in and my belief at that point was truly off the scale that the miracle was on. Our waste of a couple of set-pieces in the last 5 minutes was criminal. Get it in the bloody mixer Mikel!
Might the substitutions have been made earlier? We looked more dangerous when Ox and Gervinho entered the fray but ultimately it’s all ifs buts and maybes.
So ultimately all for nothing then? Not if the team can take that collective work rate and desire into the last 10 games it won’t be. Only time will tell as to whether they can do it. I had thought that the great win up at Sunderland might be a season changer. It proved a false dawn. Let’s hope that last night’s win has more far-reaching consequences.
As for glorious failure, I’m sick of it I’m afraid. I made two predictions last night. One that we would go through, and two that I would get truly wankered at the Pub as a result. Only got one out of two right and now my head hurts. Bollocks.
Close but no cigar.
PS Arjen Robben is still a dreadful cunt.
Heh Cam’
I know it sounds obvious, but maybe that’s because it is.
Maybe we didn’t have the best pocession rate last night, nor did we even resmble a team that controlled the game, but the stats (yeah, I know) will tell you that we had 3 (on target) attempts on goal.
The scoreline tells us that we have 2 goals, that’s a 66% conversion rate, that’s the kind of stats we need.
Indeed AL – get well soon Kenny Sansom. Fantastic player. Best LB we’ve had in my time in my opinion.
I cannot quite clearly recollect last night, I may have to watch it again. Proud Gooners in Munich singing the loudest. Love our away support.
Woah, get well soon KS.
Definetly one of our best way back when.
==
Good stuff Tabs, shame about the sheckles, I’m sure Wolfie could of used a new pair of JC’s for the spring, ah well. π
re the subs, I don’t think the timing of them would have made a great deal of difference, in fact I believe they were perfectly timed. They were a calculated risk and not a desperate last throw of the dice. You could see that Bayern were running out of steam, happy even to sit back, that is why taking off Aaron wasn’t as big of a risk as it would of been say 10 minutes earlier.
I think TW has taken some pretty unfair criticism from some quarters, he might not of been able to stamp his authority on the game, but he did a hell of a lot of running, it’s not his fault that he wasn’t supplied. Gerv did well in his cameo as did Ox.
Whoa. The interview comment by Jenks is epic!
Heh H2H, Wolfie will just have to make do! π
And agree with you on the subs. Always a difficult balancing act as to when you choose to throw off the shackles and go for it.
H2H-
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/gary-neville-dissects-tottenham-2-arsenal-1-with-yet-more-brilliant-analysis/
This is what he said. Pay attention to what he says at 7:45 and 8:30.
As opposed to earlier in the season, we were able to create and isolate Theo in attacking areas. Earlier, we would win possession in our own half and would have a problem to create.
This hybrid system worked a treat and unfortunately Rosicky didn’t have the best passing day because he certainly could have taken advantage.
If we play this system from here on out we’ll definitely get top 4.
Thanks for that Snir, but I can’t listen to it here (no sound on the labtop in the bar) I’ll keep it for another time.
Hi everyone! Delia, feel better soon. Ette, tickled pink to see you here π Now @ 60 Indian Arse said something quite remarkable. My dear chap, your comments about Bayern playing Stoke…well gave me a right chuckle. Under what circumstance could this ever happen…;) MrBure, nice work! Watched the vid of Corporal Jenks, ah now there is a man of character. Anyway,last night confirmed we weren’t wrong about our Lads, they ARE capable of beating anyone, when they have their collective act together. Arsene believed in them, even when they didn’t believe in themselves. Says a lot about the man.
What a performance that was! My blood was boiling at the end. I too thought Arteta lost his composure right at the end with the set piece and unnecessary fouling.
One good ball in the box and they were there to be taken!
Anyway, there’s always next year!
Oh and the away support. Fan-fucking-tastic!
Set out from snowy Austria at 7.30 yesterday morning on the 330 klick trip to Munich with the thought in my mind that last time I did this was to Milan last season with a supposedly better team than this season ahem so I was not overly confident to say the least as I’m sure others were not either.
Having reached my free park and ride station for the S-Bahn in plenty of time I mingled in with all the other commuters and made my way to meet the guy for my ticket at the hauptbahnhof. I had already heard the bad news that Jack and Poldi were out and Fab was in goal and have to admit I feared for what would happen.
Upon arrival I was greeted by my ticket holder in a wheelchair who informed me I was on his ticket and would be his guide for the day, not in the terms and conditions I thought but hey ho, beggars can’t be choosers. It turned out he was a great guy struck down 10 years ago with some form of muscle wasting disease but he did say he would rather be in his chair than on my legs, which I thought was a strange comment to make. But after he ran me ragged all day in his Ferrari of an electric wheelchair I began to understand his comments.
Anyway another meeting to get a ticket for my mad Scottish mate who was arriving later, enabled me to make contact with another quality gooner and numbers exchanged for in the future, how The Arsenal brings people together from all backgrounds is amazing.
So word reached me that Lars was in the famous Hofbrauhaus and we made our way there to meet and what a cracking boozer that is, absolutely huge and rocking with Gooners comfortably out numbering the BFG’s.
Made contact with Lars and his girlfriend and pleasantries were exchanged, Lars sorry I couldn’t stay upstairs longer but as you know I was on wheelchair duty! The atmousphere bullt up nicely the Bayern fans and the German Oompa band drowned out by the travelling gooners Stein’s overflowing with delicious beer. plenty of banter between the rival supporters and not one spot of bother if only the same could be said of Italy Udinese excluded.
My mad Scottish mate turned up and after a swift Stein we made our way to the ground and god how did that wheelchair come in handy. The way was cleared to the train all we needed was the red carpet, beer was deposited in various cubby holes along with a wee bottle of brandy to warm the cockles.
We have all seen the game and I hope we see the same conviction from the team in the games ahead but gutting to find out Theo was onside later, so near but yet so far. The away fans sung their hearts out and did this great club and the players the justice we deserve. Even coming out of the ground all you could here was “I’m Arsenal till I die” probably around the same time Jenks made Shreeves look a tit.
Finally got back this afternoon through a bit of a blizzard with no voice left, much to the managements delight and I must admit I did give Mr Robben he of the Gareth Bale school of diving a lot of stick and I blame him for sounding like Bonnie Tyler at present.
Through all the problems this season we still have by “far the greatest team the world has ever seen” along with the greatest fans. Auf Wiedersehen
Top report AG, cheers.
Great stuff Austrian.
No probs H2H cheers
Cheers Tabs
Top man Austrian!
I must admit, my warped sense of humour had me chuckling at “wee bottle of brandy”, given the transportation and its owner etc. but as I’m in a hole now, I’ll stop digging.
Anyway, your chaperoning of a a guy without the proper use of his legs will help to ensure your fast-track entrance into the pearly gates. In the meantime, can you please donate the good karma that you would have built up to the boys in red and white? I’d quite like us to qualify for the CL next year.
Drinks of your choice on the bar for your. How about a famous Dr.C Auntie Beechams slammer?
Top of the shop Austrian, ta.
Anyway, your chaperoning of a a guy without the proper use of his legs will help to ensure your fast-track entrance into the pearly gates
It’s a big help at Disneyland too.
Sorry.
Heh H2H! You speak the truth.
Dinks it upfield, desperately looking for that third goal…..
Asssiissssst……….
Gooool
*High 5’s*
Dammit ..Ryo with ankle surgery ..poor lad…speedy recovery to him so he can make progress with us! oh and hi everyone, still buzzing from yesterday.
I know we did not get through but how could I be fan of our club to not enjoy the fact that we beaten one of the top european sides on their ground. And mark my words, there wont be any side winning in Allianz arena 2:0 for quite some while from now:)
Fantastic report from top gooner Austrian. Thoroughly enjoyed that, mate π
As for glorious failure, I’m sick of it I’m afraid.
Precisely.
Last night’s victory will only prove symbolic if it puts us on a run of victories between now and the end of the campaign and on which we can build a proper challenge next season – otherwise all it proves is that we got a result against the odds, when the pressure of expectation was absent.
We are the Arsenal, we should be not be content to feed on the scraps of pyrrhic victories.
Indeed Dr Z.
Before kick off I really didnt see this coming and will take any abuse aimed my way for doubting our determination to have a real go !
My 14 year old son said to me we got this, we will win ! I said he may be taking illeagal subsutances to think that way as our defending of late has been a shambles.
I will join the egg on face brigade with pleasure as it was a fantastic display that left BM shooting from as far out as possible and injuring many of there own fans in the W row to row Z as it hit them square in the face, which caused the outstanding stand in pole just watching.
The stats show BM had a 101 shoots to our 4 yet ours did count for somthing.
Well done Arsenal ! Well Done !
Tiny Tots without Bale are 2 down in Milan. Not that I am watching them, of course.
Great story, Austrian.
Glad you and Lars hooked up. His wallet is a thing of awesomeness.
Anybody see BtM?
Before I forget. Any ‘holics I can vouch for interested in a season ticket in Block 19, East Stand, for the final four home games? It is being offered at cost which I am guessing is around Β£170 and includes Man Utd, obviously a grade A game.
Drop me a mail to gooner(remove this)@goonerholic.com
Great stuff Austrian – enjoyed that.
And Tabs back there somewhere too.
Not that I’m “watching” either but its now 3-3 at the San Siro.
all even. OT maybe. Dont s*ds play on the weekend? he he he …
Hate to admit it but I’m a fan of Antonio Cassano.
And an OG by none other than Gallas!
Sorry. 3-0. All even agg at 3-3.
man, i hate that time change here in the states.
I’m a blithering idiot for like 10 days solid.
Extra time for the Totts. π
Hope they go all the way to the final on extra time and then well and truly tonked π
One man team ? Surely not ! π
Signed: one very sad bastard. π
Not that I am watching, but without Bale they are relegation side.
Barndoor just scored.
Hate to see them win but do want them to have to play all the extra games.
Cheers Trev.
I have to disagree with your 115 though.
I want them out, out, out.
And dead.
Preferably dead π
ooohhhhhhh 4-1 COME ON INTER!!!!
Just want them to get knackered and then suffer the ultimate mental blow in a final. Hehehe
See, a few injuries like that one (sigurdsson)
Adebayor kicking his oppo in anger. Never, ever learn. Thick twat.
Good to see tho’. π
See Tabs, Spuds lying all over the pitch totally tuckered. π
Another reason to hate the away goals rule!
Heh Trev π
Would still have preferred to see ’em lose though. Wouldn’t have stopped laughing for weeks.
Don’t think away goals should count double in ET. Massive advantage for the away side.
Evening folks.
‘sup Ollie!!!
How was the trip mate?
Hey Ollie !
Very long, H2H.
Who said the Germans were punctual.
Between France and Germany, out of 4 trains, not one was on time! π
Great atmosphere, so close yet so far.
Shame the ref was such a cunt though, and I still can’t believe how there was only 3 minutes of added time.
Hypotheticla, but I’m sure there’d have been more if we’d scored a 3rd in normal time.
But hey-ho. Now we need to kick on and keep the same spirit, especially defensively.
And if that mean dropping the captain or even Szczesny, so be it.
Arjen Robben – what a thundercunt of a twat.
But we’ll get back to that later.
Tuesday morning. Taxi booked for 8, with a view to allow for slow-moving traffic getting to the motorway. We estimate that we’ll be at the airport at about 9. What we hadn’t taken into account, however, was being driven by a cabbie who thought he was Lewis Hamilton. Pedal to the metal, moving from lane to lane and generally driving like a maniac he gets us to the airport in less than half an hour.
The flight down to Munich via Berlin was rather less dramatic, and we (me, my girlfriend and about eight other Swedes) arrived pretty much on time. We took the S-bahn into town, and alighted at Haubtbanhof, about two hundred yards away from our hotel. We started walking along the street and looked around us and found that there were more or less only three kinds of establishments along this street: cheap hotels, dodgy casinos and strip joints. We started to wonder where the hell we were, but when we turned around a corner we found ourselves on a more normal street. Our hotel turned out to be very nice and well worth the money. All of a sudden we saw that the Bayern Munich team coach was parked right across the street and we quickly concluded that they must have come to pick Ribery up from one of the strip clubs.
Anyway, off out for beer. Hofbrauhaus was the beer hall of choice, and the beer soon flowed quite nicely. A slightly delayed Ollie turned up, and more beer flowed. The songs started echoeing around the large hall. There were Gooners everywhere, and the staff didn’t mind – until we started singing “We’ve got a big fucking German”, which they quite obviously misunderstood entirely and they threatened to throw people out if we sang it again.
The next one to turn up was BtM, but we barely had time to say hello before the Swedish delegation decided it was time to move on to some other place so we could keep an eye on the Champions League games, and after seeing Galatasaray knock Schalke out we started singing “Eeeeeemanuel Eboue”, and to our surprise almost the entire pub joined in! This place was of course also full of Gooners. By this point we were all not just three sheets to the wind, it was probably more like five sheets so it was time to hit the sack.
Wednesday morning. A slight *boilk* going on despite a healthy dose of magical rehydration tables. We aim for the breakfast buffet and I hit the bacon tray and load up my plate and get eating. That worked wonders, and the boilk quickly subsided.
A couple of uneventful hours (and a nice stroll through central Munich) later we move towards Hofbrauhaus again to meet up with the others. We get there and upon walking through the doors we hear the songs bouncing from wall to wall. The poor old German oompah-band sat in the middle of the hall looks rather miserable because no one gives a shit about them. A few minutes later I get a text from Austrian Gooner who has just arrived, and we manage to find each other and say hello and chat for a bit about the upcoming game. Always nice to put a face to a name in the bar, and especially so when the face turns out to belong to a gentleman like Austrian. Next time I’ll buy you a beer!
Me and Anna then decide to go for a pizza. We find a place just around the corner, and just as we had sat down, in walks none other than BtM. He sits down at the table next to us, and it turns out he was in the same hotel as Gazidis and had talked to him, although not about selling shirts in South-East Asia!
Pizza eaten me and Anna decide to start heading for the stadium. We get there via the tube, and I had heard that the stadium was in the middle of nowhere and that was true. There is pretty much nothing nearby other than a big-arse parking garage.
We climb the stairs up to our seats just below the clouds. We watch the warm-up, and then the game starts and we immediately show that we have not come here to be steamrollered. A brilliant passage of play ends with the away section going rather crazy. Come on, we can fucking do this!
Arjen Robben starts cunting about and falling to the floor at the slightest touch. The home crowd is silent, but the away section sings on. Carl Jenkinson is earning his stripes very, very well. Fabianski surprises me in a very positive way by being confident, composed and showing presence in the penalty area. Has he used the time out for mental training?
The boys in hideous away shirts soldier on, but time is ticking down. The ref quite clearly got a call from Michel Platini at half-time because he starts giving Bayern the benefit of every doubt and Arsenal yellow cards at every opportunity. Arjen Robben keeps on being a cunt and knocks the ball one way and runs 90 degrees to the other way to make contact with the BFG who of course is given a yellow by the obliging ref.
Gervinho comes on and plays well. He gets very close to getting the second, but we would have to wait until well after 80 minutes. Laurent Koscialny scores from our first corner and we have real hope! Just one more goal and I start thinking about the mayhem that will ensue if we get the third goal.
But alas, it was not to be. The final whistle goes and I am happy and gutted at the same time. We came so close but still failed – but we did so showing that we CAN play some footie and we can give the best teams a proper fight. If only we didn’t persist in playing like headless chickens just as often…
We walk slowly towards the tube, and after some Wembley-ish queing we board a train and even get seats. Next to me is a VERY drunk Norwegian chap who, about ten seconds after the train had left the tube station, proceeds to vomit… inside his own jacket. Yuck.
I stand up, and all of a sudden I see a familiar face. It is BtM who has once again managed to find himself in the same place as me! 68.000 people at the game, tube trains running one after the other and he manages to board the same train in the same carriage! He claims he has installed a tracking device on my phone and I see no reason to doubt him.
The rest of the night was rather uneventful, we retreated to the hotel and I enjoyed a bottle of beer from the minibar. Today was all about getting home, and I am now back home with memories of a very nice couple of days. Pride is at least to a degree restored, let us now hope we can build on this starting on Saturday.
Drinks for anyone who is still reading! π
Heh, I see Austrian also noticed the oompah-band being outsung π
cheers, lars. that’s indeed a mighty wallet. great story. and austrian above, and ollie, thanks for being in such good voice and perpetually pleasant form. sounds like a great time out was had by all (except, perhaps, for that norwegian guy, yeesh).
Indeed Ollie, indeed.
====
Top report Lars.
there were more or less only three kinds of establishments along this street: cheap hotels, dodgy casinos and strip joints.
My kind of town. π
Heh, H2H!
I enjoyed a bottle of beer from the mini bar
The mystical wallet in all its’ glory π
Top report, Larra.
PS – the planets are moving into the same orbit for us and Norwich at home – will e-mail you later on that one.
Great news on the Norwich game, zico!
The mini bar was actually very cheap, and most importantly it was flat-rate which is something I have never seen before. Take one item and it was β¬4.95, or drink/eat everything in it and it was still β¬4.95!
Pizza ate you and Anna?
That Italian prat!
Many thanks for all the kind replies, too many to mention a great day out and some great chat and banter.
Lars I ended up feeling sorry for the Oompa band but have to admit they forged on defiantly. Next time maybe they can play in tune to “We hate Tottenham and we hate Tottenham” We should send the lyrics to The Hofbrauhaus in advance
Sorry for not bothering with writing reports. I read them though π
I’ll just mention a funny incident though.
I was just in a bar and somehow the conversation turned to twitter and in the middle of it I managed to mention that John Cross is a fucking cunt.
And guess who was at the next table, heard me and decided to wave his press badge at me?
Seriously fucking bizarre. If you think bumping into BtM is a coincidence, what are the odds of completely randomly calling some journalist a cunt and him happening to be sitting at the next table, eh?
Good idea, Austrian! And to be really nice to them, we could perhaps also come up with a song to the tune of whatever “oomp-oomp-oomp-oomp-oomp” song they try to play? π
NorCal: yeah, and then the son of a bitch stole our tickets and left for the stadium!
Sorry not to have met you, Austrian!
Lars,
Heh. Try marrying one. π
tabs’ influence on the Daily Heil seems to be receding :
Textbook News Cycle
Mediawatch was quite surprised when Arsenal’s starting line-up for the victory in Munich was announced on Wednesday evening. With the exception of the dropped/rested Wojciech Szczesny, it was more or less as strong a team as Arsene Wenger could have selected.
So why were we surprised? Well, largely because the press on Wednesday morning had insisted that Wenger would pick a shadow side, all-but throwing the game with the big match against Swansea looming at the weekend.
While most of the papers were at it, The Daily Mail were of course at the bullsh*t forefront, and of course stopping to have a good old stir in the good name of web hits along the way.
Matt Barlow wrote that the team selection ‘exposes Wenger to accusations of lost ambition’, while Neil Ashton wrote, under the headline ‘Gunners give in! Wenger risks fans’ fury by resting Walcott and Cazorla against Bayern to focus on securing top-four spot’ that Wenger ‘faces a furious backlash from supporters as he prepares to surrender Arsenal’s Champions League dream against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night’.
In addition, headlines on the Mail site included ‘It’s a disgrace! Fans join Lineker in condemning Wenger’s ‘joke’ decision to rest key players for crunch Munich clash’, as well as ‘As Arsenal fans abandon Munich plans, Galatasaray supporters attempt to DIG their way into ground to watch their team train’ and ‘I cancelled my flight to Munich…Wenger is doing a disservice to those who have travelled’ (a piece by a disgruntled Arsenal fan).
It’s the classic newspaper one-two – present guesses and speculation as fact = first news cycle, the furious reaction from Irked of Islington based on those guesses and speculation = second news cycle.
Textbook.
Seriously, what a bunch of fucking media cunts.
Great reports Lars and Austrian, I enjoyed every bit. Ollie, can we have your own report too, mate? Thanks in advance.
You away fans made us all proud and you all deserve every bit of the praises coming your way.
I think Lars has met more ‘Holics in person than Holic himself. It must be the gravitational pull of that enormous wallet. It has now become the stuff of legends.
Recap Lars;
we quickly concluded that they must have come to pick Ribery up from one of the strip clubs.
π
Heh, just saw Ollie’s 136, don’t worry about the report mate, calling John Cross a cunt in his presence, even if it was not intentional, will do just fine for me.
Heh Ollie brilliant! π Poor old Mr Cross!
And indeed @140. The cunts never listen to me π
Fantastic read Lars.
Top work fellas. Very jealous here.
Magnificent Lars, just magnificent. π
Great stuff Lars.
Fun trip and so nearly the right result.
Hmmmm. My immediate reaction (posted earlier #33) was one of pride … that we had won against the odds, not conceded, and come close to performing a miracle. But on further reflection…
For most of the game (after the early goal) I was waiting, waiting, waiting … for some of the brilliance we know our team is capable of … the breakaway, the beautiful through ball and the well-placed finishing touch … the kind of stuff produced in ten second-half minutes against WH. It never happened.
In fact for most of the time I kept thinking we were Bayern and they us, and not just because I hate it when we don’t play in red because every time a player in red gets the ball I think it’s us and have to readjust! No, the way Bayern played reminded me of how we play when, apparently, we think we just have to show up to win. The slack passing, rubbish shooting and pedestrian way we so often get into, and cannot get out of until it’s too late. Had Bayern lost I know exactly how they would have felt.
My point is this was not the Bayern we faced in London. They were playing WITHOUT Schweinsteiger, Boateng and Ribery, and WITH way too much confidence that the tie had already been decided. No wonder we looked so good (but not that good). I would caution taking the result as anything more than a degree of restored pride. We played okay, but let’s not go overboard.
Oskar
here in Oz, had misfortune to watch ESPN soccerpass last night
Not one word of praise for Arsenal.
only how bad bayern were etc etc etc
if it had been sp*rs what hero;s they would have been
my fault for watching, why do i put myself through it
lets go for 7 wins
Oskar,
I don’t think most here are getting carried away. Just glad we showed up and put in a performance.
Bayern has only lost 3 times all year and have not been held scoreless at home in…..forever.
WITHOUT Wilshere , Poldi, Sagna. At Bayern. WITH low confidence but nothing to lose but a fight for pride. Just saying.
Cheers
What NorCal said.
Sad that we have to watch CL games on ESPN here in NZ too, sydneyred. They irritate the shite out of me. They seem to think football is some kind of music video which requires cutting away to the crowd, the managers, the rain, the pigeon sitting on the sidelines … anything at all to keep the action coming and to avoid us seeing too much football. Not content with that they also feel the need to plaster a huge banner over the action at regular intervals regardless the score box in the corner of the screen already has this information. I assume this banner is for near totally blind viewers since I can think of no other purpose it could serve.
And let’s not forget that other box they insist on supering over the action telling us the scores in other CL games played simultaneously. This makes avoiding seeing the score in a game you want to watch later impossible of course.
Another of ESPN’s favourite irritations is not to tell us who is on the bench until three-quarters of the way through the game. Presumably they don’t think this information relevant until it’s time for substitutions to be made.
And don’t get me started on the commentators. Okay, you have! The only thing I need a commentator to tell me is who has the ball, or who was responsible for that beautiful pass or piece of trickery. Even on a 50″ plasma it’s not always clear who our players are, let alone opposition players I have never seen before … so if only they would stick to that I’d be happy. I do not need to be told what I can see by idiots who seem to think a radio commentary essential for TV viewers.
The greatest change I’d like to see in sports broadcasting generally is the introduction of an optional atmos channel which broadcasts only the pictures and crowd noise, allowing me to watch the action undisturbed by the public wanking of so-called experts.* The closest any TV station came to that was when Jim Laker was commentating on test cricket many years ago. Jim was the most minimalist of commentators, and much appreciated by me at least.
Oskar
* I’ll exempt the excellent Jon Champion, Steve Banyard and Paul Walsh from this general criticism (none of them ESPN of course)
Okay NorCal and H2H, I agree we played well. But to an extent we were allowed to by a somewhat disinterested, somewhat lacklustre Bayern. We’ll have to play at least as well, if not better, against EPL opposition who will be taking games much more seriously than Bayern yesterday.
Just saying. Have a drink on me.
Oskar
I should add that NorCal and H2H are not the people I was seeking to caution. Both are far too well informed to need such advice from me. I was concerned that some of the comments in this drinks session are a bit OTT … suggesting the form we displayed in Germany was better than it really was.
Oskar
I couldn’t ask more of the team. Scored 2 goals at the home of “unbeaten” team without conceding any. Made the imminent German champion and regular CL finalist wasting time 10 minutes before the stoppage time. That’s our best team performance in Europe since we beat Barca at home.
And don’t believe the press that said this was a victory for Bayern over two legs. The fact is we were tied with them. We scored three goals and they did too. 3-3 is the final aggregate and we didn’t qualify to the next round because of UEFA stupid rule, not due to the lack of team performance and goals.
So no regret here. The team have done the best. We just need to keep this performance for the next 10 games. And I’m sure they would. The boss believed in them when many fans didn’t and they did deliver. That faith will bring them to the finish line with a happy ending.
Victoria Concordia Crescit. Not a cliche.
Watched the match again. On second viewing some of the refereeing decisions just look bizarre and the offside against Theo is totally inexplicable (unless the linesman has a very severe case of astigmatism).
Anyway, the performance looked less impressive. Or rather very unfamiliar as for the most part we were rather ordinary with the ball, and it was of course the deep defensive set-up and a really disciplined, tenacious and technically sound defensive performance. Koscielny’s performance looks actually better in the second viewing. The calmness, the positional sense, the ability to not only clear but spring an attack. Some of our best defensive performances against the top teams in last few years had Koscielny involved and IMHO he is our best CB in current form.
And a couple of recovery runs from Jenks look almost physically implausible, a great athlete in making.
Arteta and Ramsey are getting a lot of deserved credit for the work-rate and the defensive shield, but there was too much tentativeness and lack of quick decision making as well.
Given our wild inconsistency in the attacking play, I am sure Arsene would choose the conservative route for the final push: building upon deeper defense.He can be pragmatic when really pushed — for example in the 08-09 season when Villa was giving us a scare and we lost Cesc. We went defensively solid with a very conservative holding midfield set-up, if I remember correctly and except for that mad match at Liverpool and I think a tonking by Chelsea didn’t concede too many. But there were a few 0-0s as well, similar to the 0-0s with which this season started and the challenge would be even if we play defensively deep and conservative midfield set-up how to force the attacking play. That is where I think TR7 — with his pressing and accelerating — and Ox — with his direct runs — can make key contributions.
Cheers Oskar. No worries. A drink for you, sir.
Morning all, Ollie no problem see you next time. Cheers
Sydneyred & Oskar,
I can only watch ESPN games with the sound muted these days. Not having to listen to the commentary actually makes for a much more relaxing viewing experience.
As for Press Pass – pathetic. They’re all plastic Mancs apart from Stevie Nicholl who still hasn’t got over Anfield 89. Marcotti is just an idiot – only Sid Lowe or Raf Honigstein stop you killing the tv.
UTA.
Lars@137 π
Wow. Sunshine. Still cold here, mind.
Thankfully Britain looks a little warmer.
Wears an expression like someone slid a cold finger up his arse. I used to be impressed by him once, then I actually listened to what he was saying for once!
Dr. Faustus – spot on regarding refs, I have mentioned few times during the match that mr. Kralovec just got three match ban from refreeing in czech league (which is MUCH MUCH slower and lower level in overall than champions league) for making two huge mistakes.
Given the fact that his linesmen were czech and slovak, I am actually not surprised the refreeing performance turned out like it did in overall, they are not ready for refreeing game of this pace. Which of course is not an excuse for them as they shouldnt be even selected by UEFA as officials.
Lars, detector shows you’re still at home. Time to put Anna down and get off to work! Great few days.
BtM sorry to have missed you and your legendary wallet, hope to catch up next time
Larra – Epic diary, much appreciated although the Norwegian barf story was perhaps a tad too much detail.
Have you applied for your restraining order yet against a stalking BtM?
BtM – Did you give Ivan the full elevator pitch? Have you secured a role inside the marble halls yet?
Cheers for the kind words all!
Anybody know how to uninstall this thing called “The BtM Tracking App” on iPhones? π
BtM vs Ivan
Ollie vs John Cross.
Any other random meetings in Munich? π
Blimey it’s quiet. Are you all still digesting Beer and Pork?
Ollie got no voice left which is affecting my fingers also.
Good morning all.
Lars
Uninstalling the app is easy. It’s the implanted radio device that might require a surgeon’s expertise.
Are there any doctors in the house?
Afternoon.
Cheers Oscar….
Not so sure about the well informed bit, the words well and in are usually followed by <ebriated when it comes to describing me. π
Doc Faus’.
We did give the ball away far too often, it was the space inbetween the lines that we are not used to due to the deep defending that was giving us trouble. I still think we should stick with it though, it may not be the free flowing passing game that we love, but if it gets us the required results then so be it.
Eandy.
I find it hard to believe that an organisation like Uefa would employ an inept ref for such an important game……….. Hang on…!! π
Lars.
Remove any fillings you may have, the teeth, that’s where they get ya, Also check jacket buttons, items such as pens, watches combes……………
Dear God, I hope he hasn’t tampered with THE wallet. π
Robben you owe me new vocal cords you diving twat
Lars, no need to think about surgery.
It’s a Scottish App – ask it for a drink. π
Heh @177
The old Tic-Tac-Toe solution (from Wargames) App unable to compute, logic failure and self destruct mode iniatiated,
Good job Double o Treven. π
Could the Daily Fail be anymore cunty?
Story today that Woj and TV are being kicked out of the club, probably because they were benched on Wednesday. I’m not going to link it because that’s what they want. #Wankers
Gervinho to muck up the Swans?
Santi to muck them up AND make them quack like a duck??
How many possibilities are there???
Boarding. On my way to London again
Pleasant trip, Ollie.
Direct connection to Swansea, Ollie?
Trying to interpret AW’s use of the English language. Is this same as saying Fabianski has gone mental?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-lukasz-has-had-a-mental-transformation-
π
Heh Trev, I’ll try that π
Have a good trip, Ollie.
Afternoon all,
Plenty of hehs up there.
H2H – The Mirror carried the same story. These tabloid journos are just stealing a living.
8Ball – Heh π Normally I’d put AW’s words down to an attempt to bolster a less than confident player, but in this instance, there really did appear to be a marked difference in his whole demeanour which cannot all be put down to his excellent performance. He’s earned the chance to do it all again at Swansea.
Still think Sches is the better long-term bet, but he certainly needs the competition. With only the hapless Mannone on the bench, he’s had no-one pushing him for the shirt all season.
‘sup tabs.
Mirror are cunts too, eh? Whoda thought it. π
The Goalie Situation;
A very hard one to guage this, the keeper position is unlike any other in the team. If a keeper is kept busy throughout a game and makes a few good saves then his confidence will grow, but it’s about more then just that.
If you look at keepers from teams in the lower places in the division then these usually have pretty good stats. Using the FFL as an example, a few weeks ago Brad Guzan (A Villa) let in three goals, but due to making a large number of saves, had a larger point total then a keeper (Joe Hart) that kept a clean sheet.
A keeper that’s constantly under pressure will inevitably make more saves, but the best keepers, let’s say someone like v d Sar, only had to make one to be great. We all know that Woj and Fab can make great saves, I don’t think it is so much of a confidence issue as a concentration issue. The top teams don’t let their opponanents create too many chances, so for long spells the keeper is merely a spectator, the ones that can do bugger all for 89 minutes and then make that telling save in the last seconds are the true greats
In the past maybe Fab’ lacked confidence, but that’s something Woj’ could never be accused of, so it has to be more then that. Focus and concentration is what it takes and that’s why, I feel, our keepers sometimes come up short.
Just seen the following on Twitter
In 1920 Hitler and the National Socialists held their first meeting in the Festsaal, the Festival Room, on the third floor of the HofbrΓ€uhaus
Lars I thought one of those Oompa band players looked familiar π
H2H, fully agree about our goalkeepers not yet have graduated to the category where they can be trusted with great concentration which is the hallmark of the best. For a good goalkeeper — someone like Szczesny with agility, reflex, confidence — a string of fine saves when under pressure is actually easier to pull off than thwarting chance in a sudden counter attack after spending half an hour without touching the ball. The goal Szczesny conceded against Villa was a great example, he would not have conceded that if the goal was under constant threat, as he had shown just a few weeks back against Sunderland.
The mental discipline for that concentration comes with experience. As much as I was impressed by Fabianski’s performance I don’t think he also quite has that. Before he got injured Fabianski was actually playing very well but still quite prone to the unsure and the bizarre.
Eandy, your clarification of the referee being deemed too slow for the Czech league explains the series of very strange decisions.
Aren’t the match officials supposed to have some periodic physical and decision making tests etc.? Or am I just imagining such requirements? π
H2H,
Good points about the keeper requirements.
Sometimes it just comes down to how well they can handle the pressure too.
Richard Wright arrived at Highbury much vaunted as the next great England goalkeeper. At Ipswich he had looked assured and certainly didn’t lack talent.
At Arsenal he just seemed to turn into a nervous wreck and was never able to fulfill that potential.
Weight of expectation and making mistakes in front of much bigger crowds can have a serious effect on some.
I have to say I thought Fabianski was another of those but he did look a very different prospect on Wednesday.
Doc Faus.
The Villa game is indeed the perfect example when compared against the Sunderland game. Excellent call.
What we also need to take into consideration is that Fab was afforded a great deal more protection due to the deeper lying back line. I think that AW’s biggest choice of the weekend will be whether to keep Wednesday’s CB pairing or restore TV to the line up and ofcourse whether to keep the deep defensive tactics or revert to the highline. I’d prefer he stuck with the Kos-Per pairing and keep the tactics displayed in Munich, in which case the keeper selection is not as important, but, if push came to shove I’d chose Woj.
Hey H2H,
Good stuff from you and Faustus on the goalkeeping. To back up your points, Almunia always had his best games when we were under the cosh – Barca and Manure away spring to mind. He was always far less convincing when he had less to do.
I was surprised to read this morning that Fabianski is now 27. I didn’t think he was that old. Not exactly old for a Keeper but no spring chicken either. Make or break time. I think he’ll be given the next few games to see if there is any credence to this “new mental strength” that he is supposed to have acquired. Pass the test and he has a real shot at starting next season as No.1, or at the very least challenging for it. Fail, and he will be out the door in the Summer.
As for Schez, he strikes me as someone who needs to be pushed. When you have as much natural confidence as he does it’s important to be kept on your toes, or it spills over into complacency. This is a complete guess but he’s always struck me as someone who will respond better to a kick up the arse rather than an arm around the shoulder. I hope his “rest” provides that kick. Arteta’s comments were revealing in that they appeared to be supportive of Fabianski keeping the jersey.
Fairly intrigued about all these “we’re in for a keeper” stories that don’t seem to go away. Personally I think that there are needs in the team more pressing than the No.1 jersey, but if we do go and buy a keeper in the summer (whisper it quietly but I do like the Stoke goalie), then I think Schez’s continuing education would be better served by a loan spell rather than our bench. Very difficult to go back to the bench, after you’ve seemingly established yourself as the No.1. Especially for a goalkeeper whose opportunities will be few and far between if the first choice is doing the business.
Where’s Mart Poom when you need him?
Bringing in a new keeper would mostv likely see Fab go bye byes. Woj is still extreamly young in keepers terms, but as you say, would he settle for playing second fiddle after being top dog for a season?
The Euros probably took more out of him then he would care to admit. Making an error for a goal, then being sent off and not recalled to the starting line up must of been tough, add to that the intensity of being under the spotlight as a member of the host nation and it is a testomony to his confidence that he has managed to come back at all.
By all means give him “a rest”, but I still feel he is the better keeper. It’s up to Fab’ to prove me wrong.
On the ‘keeper debate.
I think Fabianski is a better shot-stopper and has better concentration while Chez is better at coming for crosses and making point blank saves. Maybe we should switch them based on the opposition.
Morning
Safe travels Ollie
Interesting that the 2 German and 2 Spanish teams avoided each other in the Quarters. It’s not rigged is it?
Fabianski earned another start. Szczceny has been hanging out with theo too much, consistent in patches.
I think a good defensive performance with Theo getting the thru balls he needs should get us the points tomorrow.
Talking of Arsenal goalies … Stuart Taylor.
Age 32.
Career Earnings : Serious wedge
Career Apps : 80 (including 38 on loan).
Nice work if you can get it!
Heh, indeed tabs.
We’ve had our fair share of Duffers…
George Woods anybody!?
Hoof
We’re quite a combo H2H. Our form is red hot in this session.
Crap keepers? Geoff Barnett.
Well in TS!!
H2H, George Woods finest moment was when he bared his arse at the Shelf the day we got beat 5-0 at The Lane.
I remember not being too bothered at the time as we had the FA Cup Semi against the Mancs the next week. Bigger fish to fry and all that, we all thought we were going back to Wembley. Bloody Norman Whiteside!
As for Georgie boy, he was a bird-watcher wasn’t he. Sadly, the fact that the game had kicked off only very rarely seemed to stop George from pursuing his chosen hobby. Liability.
The preview may be a messy ramble. Today’s each way yankee yielded 2 winners, a 2nd and a 3rd. Happy days.
Tabs,
that will be ‘Bloody 17 year old Norman Whiteside’, to give him his full name.
it is as much a given as ‘Scott-ee Parker’, or
‘Arsenal, who haven’t won a trophy for 8 seasons’.
Did you realise that, by the way ? π
“each way yankee” Holic ?
That’s no way to talk about NorCal ! π
Heh Trev π
You’re right, Right up there with “the ever-sprightly Giggs, HOW does he do it?”
Eight years eh? Had no idea! π
Well played ‘Holic.
I think for Woj to be dropped there is something seriously afoot. You don’t just drop a GK, especially for one game. So I think Fabianski will start at Swansea as too will Kos.
Tabs makes a great point in comparing the age of Fabianski 27 to young Woj. Experience in GK is just hugely important and while young Woj has done remarkably to scale the heights from being youth keeper to now being the No 1 keeper – that does not mean he has yet a lot to learn. With Seaman, Jennings, Jens – you had a serious personalities organising the defence and of course, they were all hugely experienced keepers. The question is whether Woj will respect Wengers decisions being so young, or will he think he knows it all as is and be impetuous. It will also be interesting to see how the defence responds to Fab.
I’ve a friend who used to be a keeper at a pretty high level over here as a youth and he used to say that there’s an old saying in Goalkeeping that goes along the lines of “Mind the easy shots, and the net will take care of the tough shots”. Take Almunia V Barca at the Ems. First half he gives a magnificent display of shot stopping – and then in the second half he comes 40 yards off his line only to be lobbed by Ibra. A poor decision – one he didn’t have to make and one which he will always be remembered for despite having an otherwise great game. While spectacular saves are great to watch, I’ve always thought that the really good keepers never needed to be spectacular, just safe and organised.
Nice thoughts H2H on the defence and the high line – agree completely.
The problem for Fabianski, at 27, is that he has acquired the age whilst getting hardly any experience, as form and injuries have meant long periods out of the side.
Well in Holic π
At least I’m lucky……..if you know where to rub!!
8)
Not sure where the extra “l” came from.
Well thats True of course Trev and I don’t for a second mean to imply that Fab is up there with Seaman & co, but obviously Wenger has taken a stance on this for one reason or other. I found it surprising that he even commented publicly on the matter.
I filled my boots at Cheltenham yesterday so i may also be slightly awry today. Lots of sensible comments about keepers . I think Wenger hasn’t done a good job in sorting this beginning with the preference for Peyton rather than Seaman as coach. This is not my opinion as much as that of a former goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach. I thought the answer was Shay Given a few years ago and I still think it might be Ches but he needs experienced back-up and although Flappy did well on Wednesday he has that nickname for a reason.Trev makes a good point about his bad luck with injuries. A Friedel or Schwarzer-type waiting in the wings would have eased the pressure on Ches and enabled him to learn from an old trouper.
But things have been worse. If you thought George wood was bad you would have hated Furnell, McLelland and Malcolm Webster–not many remember him but he played in 1970. I’m still trying to forget
The ‘holic pound wouldn’t be badly placed in predicting that Szczesny and Vermaelen will be back in the team come kickoff at Swansea. But I will not believe in Fabianski’s “mental transformation” until I see that he can convey as much calm confidence to the rest of the players as Szczesny is able to do on a regular basis.
Ttg /Holic,
That last time I ever went gambling was in Dublin on Paddies day some years ago. I don’t know much about racing but I always put a few pound away each year for a little splurge on Cheltenham because its probably the only racing festival where all the horses are genuinely trying to win if you get my drift. And while alcohol plays a big part in most Dublin weekends, on Paddies day, it plays an even bigger part!
So my bet for the meeting was a 50 pound double. The first horse ran in the opening race on day one and came in at 8/1. So I had a nice wedge on the second horse which was running on Paddies day in the last race of the evening and as I had taken the price earlier in the week – I got longer odds at 60/1.
So by 5pm, after copious amounts of the black stuff, we are in yet another crowded pub off Grafton st. The race starts, and my horse, No 4, is at the back of the field. I am standing at the bar calmly watching the race unfold with two friends. No 4 begins to make progress moving from the back of field up towards the front. I am less calm and begin to shuffle. Then he joins the leading pack – and I am positively fidgeting. By the time the pack reach the final straight, No 4 just takes off and is galloping 4,5,6 lengths clear. At this stage, I am jumping ecstatically up and down roaring at the TV. My buddy “Mac” has informed the rest of the bar of the situation and he is also jumping up and down. Everyone is roaring at the TV. The horse romps home by 8 lengths…!!! Mac has “announced” to the barman that drinks for the house are on me! There are people that I have never seen in my entire life slapping my back, shaking my hands in joyous drunken congratulations. Total strangers have theirs arms around me as the famous Jackie Charlton chant gets its rendition and the crowd sways and sings “Championees…..championees….Ole, Ole, Ole……..”
The horse & jockey enter the winning enclosure to rapturous applause and not to be left out, my own melee being to applaud and whistle as well. By now of course, someone has straightened the horse’s lapel beneath its saddle. On seeing this, I turn to Mac amidst the crowd of well-wishers and biting my lip I lean over and whisper into his ear “It’s number fucking fourteen Mac, not number four”! Mac, being the good friend that he was, starts bursting his arse laughing and after he manages to control his convulsions, with tears in his eyes he whispers back “We’ll you better shut the fuck up, because there’s nothing you can do now”!
I pay for the round.
Glasses are raised as my health (like my wallet) is toasted..!
Have a drink on me this time, Joe.
Haha, brilliant story Joe. π
I feel your pain!
Massive Heh @216, sorry mate.
ttg, Shay Given was never the answer to our goalkeeping issues. He was a shot stopper and was always pretty useless at catching crosses.
Trev: while Fabianski has got to the age of 27 without playing too much, that can still give him experience. Not in terms of minutes on the pitch, but maturing as a person is of course also important. I am speaking hypothetically here of course, but it wouldn’t be the first time a player has a few months out in his late twenties and comes back with a changed mentality. Time will tell, but at least his performance on Wednesday was a good start.
Heh@Joe!
Joe,
Great story! I think I may have been in the same hostelry in the past. I love Cheltenham. It has such a great atmosphere and the Guinness tastes as good as it does in Dublin and you don’t often say tha about Guinness over here.
And I won a few bob! Happy days indeed!
Lars,
I think Wenger was talked out of going for Given because Bob Wilson had exactly he same view of Given. Having said that I see very few goalies who take crosses safely nowadays and Szczesny certainly doesn’t commend his area emphatically. Wenger did bid for Reina but after being knocked back didn’t seem to think anyone else would do. He’s like that.
Lars,
Your spot on about Shay Given. And may I say that at 6ft 1″ he was also regarded as being on the small side for a top class keeper.
And you’ve also explained Fabianski reasoning much better than my poor attempt. To continue with the equine flavour, sometimes the experience of getting knocked off the horse, dusting yourself off and getting back up again is a positive in itself!
Hey Joe! There’s nothing like good friends. Not sure if Mac fits the bill of course. π
Thanks for sharing Joe, great tale.
Heh Joe, a good tail, in the mane.
Joe @216, superb. π
I’m sure it was an Amy Lawrence article I read where she recalled seeing Peyton play for Ireland against England at Wembley in 19whatever it was.
She remembered being impressed by his shot stopping, and far less impressed with his communication skills and decision making in coming and claiming crosses.
Seems that he has made several of ours in his own image.
Coming to claim crosses is something that has almost disappeared from the repertoire of the modern keeper, and I heard Bob Wilson saying recently that the tendency of keepers to punch, rather than catch, long shots is due to the amount and lateness of movement in the air of the modern ball.
I’m not sure if that last paragraph says anything particularly about our own keepers, but it does suggest that plenty of experience becomes even more important.
Trev.
due to the amount and lateness of movement in the air of the modern ball.
Good point, it can’t help much that they change the balls every few years. This season, if you watch some of the free kicks in slow motion you can see the ball change from left to right and back in a single shot… treacherous.
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