Nacho Prevents Dip From Leaving A Sour Taste
Sep 26th, 2013 by 'holic
Sorry about that title. It had to be done.
That was quite the evening, wasn’t it. I can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear so suffice it to say the game was largely painful viewing. That’s not intended harshly. Arsenal’s starting eleven was necessarily a mix of players who will only have been at close quarters in training before. There was some good experience in the shape of Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal, and Mikel Arteta. The youthful additions gave the game a typical ‘Arsenal in the League Cup’ feel.
The opening half was something of a nervy affair. Half chances were traded, but the best fell the way of the more experienced hosts, and the pick was a Reid effort off the crossbar. The second period would open more brightly, with Thomas Eisfeld offering a glimpse of what was to come from a Carl Jenkinson cross. We survived a scare when Lukasz Fabianski dealt with a Mulumbu effort before grabbing the lead. Serge Gnabry, always lively, intercepted a loose ball and fed Nicklas Bendtner. The returning Dane picked out the run of Eisfeld and we were ahead.
For nine minutes the prospect of a third consecutive ‘holic pound success survived. Slack defending from a corner allowed Berahino to head home a Long chip unchallenged. There was an air of inevitability about the game going through extra-time and into penalties. So it proved.
Now the youngsters had helped to get us to this point. I was somewhat surprised that Gnabry, Kris Olsson, and Chuba Akpom were entrusted with the second, third and fourth penalties in the shoot-out. After Bendtner had netted the former was denied and we were a goal adrift, but credit to him for stepping up, and to the two lads who followed and turned the game on it’s head. That left Nacho Monreal the responsibility of earning us a home tie with Chelsea in the next round. The Spaniard obliged.
Now I don’t know about you, but I found myself absolutely delighted as the last penalty hit the target. That was surprising given the failure of what had gone before in holding the attention. Arsene gambled this squad would get us through, and by the skin of our teeth we did. Some promising young players got the opportunity to experience a competitive first team fixture, and some of the tackles from both sides demonstrated that competitiveness. Hopefully they will face future opportunities with greater confidence.
Chelsea, however, might just require us to have a few more experienced heads available if the COCup is to be a realistic target.
196 Responses to “Nacho Prevents Dip From Leaving A Sour Taste”
OUTSTANDING job, young guns. well in on the writing, holic. certainly a cause for celebrating both the win and the experience gained thereby.
Good write-up, boss.
Happy with the win…disappointed in drawing Gasprom FC…woried about Per doing 120 mins today.
Travelling support was IMMENSE (I could feel them through my dodgy stream)! Win the next match.
BMBD
Work day in the morning Holic for you. Well done, Sir. Can’t remember when I have been more eager to see a game. The beauty of cup matches! Truly can’t wait.
Great report, ‘holic and I got the same surprised feeling after stopping reading the drinks at 88 minutes of the second half, leaving to pick up my daughter from school, sitting with her during guitar practice and sending her out to play on the trampoline before checking arsenal.com to see the final score which to my surprise read West Brom 2 Arsenal 1. I left to ponder that but not being able to believe it, returned a few seconds later to see the score was now West Brom 3 Arsenal 2 and there were penalties ongoing. So to my great surprise I was able to follow the last two penalty kicks and Senyor Macho Nacho brought us home. All hail the mighty Arsenal COCup team and bring on the Russkies.
A win is a win is a win. And having not seen the game, that is all I can say.
What happened to my final ascender above?
Great win, didn’t watch the game but a win is a win yep
Sincerely had my heart in my mouth for most of the game. ‘The momentum is simply with us’. Big up to the kids, Jenks proved 2 be the beast we needed. Nice one Guv’. Wenger should pls save us the madness associated with BN52 or is it now BN23? Smh!
Well in, Guv. Nicely summarised.
Lurky @364 from the last drinks, agreed. I was just apprehensive of taking one because I don’t think he handles pressure well and he obviously missed the Pelanty that threw us out of this same tournament last season.
Oh! And how would I forget the ‘small’ tireless & skillful legs of the Japanesse machine? T’was a joy to watch him do the tricks. He was also great defensively. In fact bar Bendy, t’was a nice game.
Cheers, ‘holic.
Good write up ‘h.
Very pleased with the result for the Youngsters and it’ll do them a world of good in their development.
Corporal Jenks is one hell of an athlete and I’ve got to say that Arsene’s discovered another true gem! Apkom looked right impressive too when he came on and I was equally impressed with Ryo and Serge; all three not afraid to run with the ball and track back! I think the summer transfer clearout of the “not quite good enough” youngsters was success!
Bendtner still chewing gum whilst sporting a pony-tail and hillbilly facial hair! Fake-ass style with still no substance! Comfortable pen though but of course, that’s the least you should expect from the “best striker in the world!” COYBG! That’s now eleven in a row away from home! Let’s make it 12 at North Wales over the weekend! Sweet as a feckin’ nut!
Holic, why didn’t you go with a title like this for an extra helping of drama (and alliteration) 😉
Macho Monreal on the Mark as Arsenal Mob Moves Mountains
I wasn’t able to see the match but followed the action in the drinks. Just saw short highlights on my footylight Iphone app. Looks like I actually do have to make that Bendtner photoshop after all 8)
Bring on the Swansea!
Alco-pops all round barkeep!
DanC, I am not British but having travelled over there would like to be the first to tell you Swansea is in South Wales. Nice spot it is too. 🙂
Seems like the barkeep has been tidying up the bar in #4…heh! Well done.
We simply have to find (and raze) the hovel that these trolls keep emerging from.
BMBD
Yellow card, 8ball, for pedantry 😉
BMBD
Just so you know, I’m still up and very thirsty, so keep em coming, holics! DanC nice to see you here. SanAntonio, love the River Walk, beautiful city.
@ 20, Come on, man…really?
BMBD
Trying to get to The Hawthorns on a school night seemed like a good idea at the time. As I waited to collect my two after their respective school days I was beginning to wonder if it was actually doable. I need not have worried. Both are now a dab hand at having to get changed in a car. Both are excited. Previous recent away trips have involved an overnight hotel stay and a 12 goal thriller at Reading. Expectation levels are running high.
Having made several journeys to the midlands in recent years I was pleasantly surprised to arrive in decent time, and without the road works and delays that have blighted many a previous trip. Entering the ground we were greeted with the vocal Arsenal faithful. Can I ask a question? Is it just me or is anyone else pissed off with the “she said no Robin” song that for some reason fans feel is a necessary addition to the repertoire? The fact that it relates to a fictitious rape allegation form 8/9 years ago just seems pathetic to me. The fact that our fans deem it necessary to effectively trivialise such a serious criminal act I find totally bewildering and really in poor taste.
The team news is announced and the fact that Fabianski was announced in goal I found totally astonishing. If he is really the number two that what the hell does that say about Viviano? You also have to wonder why we have bothered to get a keeper in on loan who is only good enough to be the third choice? Especially when in many quarters there were calls that the current number 1 could have been improved? I really did not understand that.
The first half was a real mixture as was to be expected. It was plain to see that there was a lack of cohesion which again was only to be expected. Some nice touches mixed in with some wayward passing set the tone. In a committed affair I thought that Hayden could have walked for what looked like a crude challenge.
The second half was again committed but was not bursting with quality. The touch from NB23 for Eisfeld was one moment to lighten up the Hawthorns. The finish was calm and composed and right in front of the travelling faithful. The Baggies equaliser looked like sloppy defending to me although I yet to see it again.
To be honest, extra time was the last thing I wanted. I knew that we would sadly not be able to stay to the end. Not on a school night. Not at least if I wished to keep my genitalia intact. “We can watch one half and then we will have to hit the road” I announced. Two disappointed faces looked up at me before in almost unison both announced, “can we stay longer if we just tell mum the traffic was bad on the way home?” I mean, what is a man to do?
We stayed until there was about 4 minutes remaining, regrettably that was about as late as I dare leave it. The travelling support had again been magnificent and my two had had a ball. We rushed to the car to try and get the final seconds and the inevitable penalty shoot out on the radio. A bit of pre match planning meant that both were handed their pj’s and on went the radio. There was an air of tension as we negotiated out way back to the M1, especially after the Baggies had gone 3-1 up. The rest is history. Suffice to say that when Nacho struck the winning penalty there was a loud roar from the back seat followed by a 9 and 13 year old singing “who are you, who are you.”
There was then time to reflect on the journey home as both then crashed out in the back. With the side selected this was never going to be a fluid and slick performance. It is at time like this you expect senior players to step up to the plate. I must say that I was disappointed with Tommy V. I thought the BFG was again excellent and The Jenk had an excellent game. One cross was truly out of the top drawer. Of the youngsters on display I was impressed on the whole with their attitude and spirit. Akpom and Bellerin made telling contributions when they came on. Seeing Bendtner again also brought a new experience for me. I do not ever remember a player taking to the field in an Arsenal shirt with both a beard and a bun. It was also good to see young players have the balls to step up and be counted at the shoot out.
I must say the one real disappointment for me was Ryo Miyaichi. He was someone who I expected a lot more of this evening. His loan spells have seen him play at this level on several occasions. Tonight I thought he was poor. His runs were ineffective and too many passes went astray. What I found particularly frustrating was the lethargy displayed at times. On several occasions when West Brom were going forward he just jogged back, making no attempt to offer support to either full back. His decision making all night was not good. I know that many believe that he has the ability to make it at this level. I hope that this evening is just a blip or he could end up as the Japanese Gervinho.
Journey home complete. Both kids slept in the car and on arrival homemade the smooth transition to their beds. The morning could be interesting. I will deal with that as and when. All in all it was a great fun trip and a great result. My opinion is that you have to make the most of these days. This isn’t a rehearsal. You have to grab it with both hands and go for it. My two have had a ball.
Time for a quick night cap and to contemplate The Chavs in the next round.
Bring it on.
Sweet dreams boys and girls.
BT8B, of course you’re correct; was a typo!
Howdy Abbs, good to see you too! Long time, hope all’s going hunky dory your way?! Pip! Pip! Off to bed now! Ciao till a’morn! 😎
Oh my goodness Lonestar! and 8ball, too. Feisty, I like that 😉
Nite DanC!
Now to read Steve T!
Didn’t see the game here in central Vietnam. Thanks for the summary H and scanned the previous drinks for a flavour of the experience. Thanks all.
A win is a win. Pleased TGSTEL had the assist and scored his pen. There is a reasonably talented player in there if the ego would shrink.
COYRs
Hi there ABB… one of those comments was an imposter. I’ll let you guess which. Andy Goram up to his usual hijinx…
BMBD
Great read Steve.!
Hi iBath (our occidental tourist 😉 ) Steve T, You out did yourself with this one. Top quality report. You and your kids are truly blessed to have each other.
Ok Lonestar! 🙂
Excellent post as usual Steve. I hope the management doesn’t stop by for drink, else your “bad traffic” story will be toast 😉
Good on you, my man.
BMBD
Well holics, I leave you with this happy thought. Our very own Andre Santos scored tonite! First Gervinho, now him. Our kids are growing up and we are so very proud! 🙂 Good nite and sleep tight.
Fantastic to see Bendtner back for the Arsenal.
Not being sarcastic.
@arsabeatbarca, thanks lovely city indeed. Just moved down here three months ago and am loving it. Weather is still hot as hell even at this time of the year. Good jobs by the young guns am loving it!!!!!!!!!
Ok, caught me out! Hi Sajit and Sag. Now I’m really off to bed!
Absolutely brilliant writeup Steve T.
Great write up as usual Holic. I didn’t get to see the match so I won’t act like I can make an insightful comment. Upward and Onward
@23 Steve T … Outstanding post
Lonestar. Yellow card noted. Pedantic tendency corrected. DanC apologized to. Everybody said goodnight to, including NB23 who apparently has replaced AA23 in that number. That’s at least four boxes checked.
LOL 8ball.
Have a nightcap of your choice on my tab. Good to see you back Sajit. I agree with you re: Bendtner. I hope he can turn things around.
BMBD
“Sorry about that title. It had to be done.” (‘holic)
So you should be, that was dead cheesy.
Perhaps Nacho should change Monreal to Manchego?
No coverage of the game whatsoever in NZ, not even the score!
Öskar
Brilliant, Steve T. Thanks for sharing. Your kids sound lovely, and you’re a great pops for giving them such a memorable time. Cheers to you!
Cheers H! Hopefully have a few of the injured back for a bigger squad before we play the small cunts from Fulham. Only saw it on a dodgy stream but have to say passing was poor overall (understandably maybe) and Ryo’s passing was absolutely fucking atrocious on occasion. Still, a win’s a win and other than the obvious fact, that I like to see Arsenal win every game they play, I really would n’t have given a flying fuck if we’d departed the competition.
Afternoon from Bangkok,
I wasn’t able to see the match as I had morning responsibilities, so I suppose it’s easier for me to say “fantastic job boys!” as it sounds like the result was better than the process.
From what I can gather however, the young guns didn’t hide, and they hung in there until the end under pressure—that’s extremely positive for me.
I feel criticisms of the youngsters’ skill may be valid, but best executed with a large measure of restraint. They will learn a great deal from this experience, and the bond that has been gained from winning this match together will serve them well in the future.
Go On The Arsenal!
Morning all,
That was a roller coaster ride.
Have a great day.
@ 8ball, 🙂
Steve T. Take a bow, dad.
Good to see the young gunz get through. It may have been too much asking them to do it within the 90, but at the end of the night, the extra quality shone through.
btw – It’s good to now see so-called gooners finally digging out and dusting down their afc shirts and showing them off out here of late. Let’s just hope they also invest in the same way we have over the last 8 years. Shiny new Ozils don’t come cheap, you know.
🙂
Jeez TGSEL, only the ball should hit the post like that! Had me thinking the cameo was over before it even began!
N Ramsey seriously needs to share the secret recipe with TV5
Morning all,
Holic, you won’t be surprised to hear I love the title. 😉
No use getting stressed about poorer footballing performances like that one – it’s inevitable with such cobbled together sides.
No, we’ll just have to try ‘n chill ‘arder. 😉
can we stay longer if we just tell mum the traffic was bad on the way home?
Massive heh! 🙂
Not a vintage performance by any means last night but as many of you have already said, that wasn’t to be expected either from a team like the one we had out last night. But we got through, and every player expected to start on Saturday bar Mertesacker and Gnabry got the opportunity to put their feet up and rest their legs. It may not have been pretty but who gives a flying eff? Not me, that’s for sure.
On a rather more annoying note it seems my attempt to upgrade my iPhone to iOS7 (forced upon me by my employer for “security reasons”) has bricked my phone. iTunes really is a piece of garbage.
Steve T,
good post.
Well, it seems I got the phone working in the end. Guess it will take a few days to get used to the new graphical design.
Steve T,
Kids conspiring against mum to watch The Arsenal.
Well taught, sir ! 🙂
Top report from Steve T – hope Mrs T doesn´t drink in this bar!! 🙂
Great posts from ‘Holic and Steve T. Hope abb isn’t too disappointed when she sees the game !
Great work, yet again, Steve T.
Nicely put Holic!
Wondefull Steve T!
I see a lot of myself way back in the past as reading about your boys 🙂
Oh boy, my grammar and spelling is in the gutter 🙁
Need to practise more!
Lars. I heard tell of another soul who spent an infuriatingly frustrating day yesterday updating to iOS something or other. It seems sometimes like the only unfrustrated ones are those who try to live in the technologically neolithic days. You can count me in, of course, except for reading Goonerholic and a few such sundries. 😉
I see we have to play West Brom again soon. I hope we didn’t make them too mad. At least we can tell them the players who beat them aren’t even in the match day squad the next time. 🙂
You are worrying me about the ios7 upgrade. I am doing it tonight 🙁
‘Holic, was the rollercoaster ride referring to the game…or cleaning up the drinks? 😉
On the tech note, the management had no problems with her ios7 upgrade.
BMBD
Nice one ‘holic.
It was indeed a disjointed performance, but to be fair, West Brom didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory either and they had a more familiar look about them then we did. The fact that the beeb highlights consisted of about 30 seconds of the 120mins and the entire penalty shoot out tells you all you would ever really need to know.
Steve T’s excellent on the spot report pretty much covers it all, I was definetly watching the same game, albeit via, a not too shabby, stream. I was impressed by some of the link up play down the right, Jenks linking up well with the young guns. I also thought Hayden was lucky to stay on, plus Bendy was fortunate to escape sanction for trying to take out the ball boys, his only shot on target…….I kid, I kid……..Or do I? For the rest of the game, I thought the ref handled it well, there were quite a few wayward challenges going in, but all in all the ref used common sense to keep 11 v 11 on the pitch.
Back to Steve T’s post and his question about that song;
I agree mate, and I’ve had this discussion here before, I think it demeans us all. During the alledged incident we all defended him tooth and nail and chastised others who sang it, exactly the way we bemoan those who sing that horrid song over our manager, so for us to sing it now is petty and degrading.
A lot of mates had quite a bit of bovva with that new upgrade to ios7.
I dumped my iphone quite a while back and switched to Galaxy, I’m now on the sIV 4G version and am happy with it.
I share your point of view H2H.
Just reading that line makes me feel uncomfortable, and thinking about that now some of our own fans feel the need to sing it makes me even feel ashamed.
Holic: I think what caused my problem was that I had too little memory left on the phone, I had to revert it to factory settings, install iOS7 and then initialise it from the backup I made before attempting the upgrade. It now seems to be working fine but whoever authorized the graphical interface needs to be given a stern talking-to. It’s simply bloody awful, in my opinion.
It does look a bit childish, doesn’t it Lars.
Top quality as usual on the report, ‘holic. Our observations:
a) Had an Arabic commentator on the stream we caught. Couldn’t understand a word, but had a Gooner bias — ecstatic on Eisfeld goal, rueful on equalizer, Nacho Nacho at end.
b) AW had his A game on in postgame presser:
on deciding the penalty takers…
(mostly rely on) players who had not played for two hours and they were fresh, everybody else had cramps so you take in the end what’s left and they coped well with it.
on a big ask for young players to take penalties…
Yes but sometimes technically it’s not the most difficult, it’s more about dealing with the pressure
c) Albion keeper dove to his right EVERY time! Gnabry just unlucky he went that way; Bendy’s and Olsson’s PKs not very convincing, but in the correct direction. And Flappy only guessed correctly on the last missed PK.
Which leads to the question: Wouldn’t it be better for the keeper to stay more stationary and pick up on the down the middle (hard or Panenka) kicks, and weaker to the side kicks, rather than committing?
It’s all a lottery Bay’, the keeper tries to read the player and then commits. He’d look a bigger fool just standing still when the ball flies in the corner then he would by commiting himself and then seeing the ball go down the middle,
All the real pressure is on the taker anyway, not the keeper.
Afternoon All,
Thanks for the report ‘H. I can’t add anything as I only listened to it on the Radio last night and I don’t think the incisive commentary of Phil “orange bellend” Brown qualifies me to say anything other than that Mr Brown was clearly desperate for us to lose.
I managed to listen in a fairly relaxed state all the way through, resigned as I was to us going out, so I was a bit surprised when I found myself doing a manic victory jig of delight when Nacho banged home the winner 🙂
Winning breeds winning and all that, so it all looks very rosy from where I’m sat. Good to hear a couple of the young lads, Bellerin and Akpom, getting good reviews and kudos to them and Gnabry and Ollsen for having the balls to step up and take pen.
What the fuck is going on with the Prince of Denmark’s barnet? Give the lad a pep talk Arsene.
Great match report Steve.
Just finished watching the match on Arseplayer. What effort by everyone! Great to see. Despite the many mistakes I think the players will have benefited from that level of exposure. Let’s hope they continue to grow from strength to strength.
Anyhoo, what do you think of my Bendtner photoshop?? 8)
https://twitter.com/Jetlifari/status/383246959277928449/photo/1
Also found a great presentation about Ollie G and his goal scoring technique….
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24223029
What the fuck is going on with the Prince of Denmark’s barnet?
It looks like someone took a hairy dump on his head.
🙂
Really think Bendtner needs to dye his hair black to get the full samurai effect. It could be photoshopped quite easily too. 🙂
Hey all. Cor, wish you lived near me, I would commission you to design some tee shirts for me. You are seriously talented. 🙂 Chris @ 55, Here in the States, the Under 21’s games aren’t broadcasted, so just being able to see the youngsters weave their magic, will be a real treat for me. 😉 SanAntonioGooner (can I call you SAG ?), yes it sure gets hot there, but Texas is a state of extremes, and not just the weather (cheerleading!) 🙂
so I was a bit surprised when I found myself doing a manic victory jig of delight when Nacho banged home the winner
Heh, I did exactly the same! To be honest, with the benefit of hindsight (no, not that kind of hindsight, Wolfie!) I think I had braced myself so much for what I thought was quite likely to be a loss that I had convinced myself I wasn’t that bothered by the outcome but my reaction to the winning goal betrayed my real feelings.
CöR: you should have made his hair and beard black for that added feeling of authenticity 🙂
Ah, I see 8ball had already said the same about Bendy…
Lars, Great minds think alike.
Or something like that. 🙂
Haha, alright Mr Official Bad Influencer. 😉
Exactly what you said. Not bothered, until we won, and then I found I was very bothered! 🙂
Santi’s interview, quite a good read. http://talksport.com/football/exclusive-interview-santi-cazorla-arsenals-magic-man-13092661799
@lonestar
did you get the practice email? just wanted to see if it helped in some small way.
Cent 81…that’s a lovely interview with Santi that you have shared with us. If abb has a look, recommend she approaches picture 3 cautiously as it appears Santi is sporting a huge willy warmer on the outside of his black shorts! Obviously not one borrowed from Wolfie 😉
Ohhhh, Uply! It was like an optical illusion 😉 How you doing son ?
@82 Cheers, Matt!
I thought I responded, but I might have mistakenly left you off. Thank you (and PAGooner) very much for your examples. I have already implemented some of them.
My daughter’s U-5 team is coed, but plays against all boys teams. Last Saturday they won 5-4 with Baby Lady Gooner scoring all five goals. She doesn’t need much motivation 😉
Thanks again, mate, and please forgive my lack of prompt feedback.
CoR – you are fantabulously talented. If I were a twitterer, I’d follow you.
BMBD
Hi abb, keeping well and keeping myself out of mischief, befitting a man of my age – thanks for asking. Glad to see my beloved “arse” is back to where they belong, the future is bright – it is red & white ( or yellow & blue when it suits). Trust you (and him indoors) are also in good order.
Cheers, Uply, glad you liked it.
Why is it that every time the meejia mention who is top of the league, they suddenly now say we are joint top with spuds when if it was any other team they’d be on their own at the summit! So goal difference doesnt count any more??? 🙂
Evening chums,
A fine selection of ‘holics in this evening.
Watch that Lars though 😉
Kroenke finally speaks in an interview in tomorrow’s Independent.
“Ozil is just the start”.
“Wenger stays”.
Sounds good to me Stanley, tell me more…
Evening all. Many thanks again for all of your kind words. It was a great trip and great fun. Both kids have been knackered today. But both have soldiered well and neither has moaned.
My apologies Holic, I meant to compliment you on your post and title but as time drifted on it totally slipped my mind. An excellent write up.
Norris,
Wouldn’t it be absolutely great if we won the league from the Spuds by one goal of goal difference. They’d find out just how much it counts then.
Sky Sports News have been running stats all this week like, ” Spurs have had the fifth highest number of shots in Europe”, to name but one.
Funny how they’ve only scored one goal in the league in open play then, and that was in the 94th minute against Cardiff.
Sign up that Baby Lady Gooner. She sounds a live one!
Good evening folks. Uply, a little mischief is not only allowed, but encouraged 😉 As for me, have had Cher’s ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ running in my head all day . Most annoying 🙂
“When your past calls, don’t answer, it has nothing new to say.”
Trev; Ha! Wouldnt it just!
We must be such a fly in the ointment, what with us being above AVB’s Bollokticos! 🙂
Top stuff Lonestar. As many as the spuds have scored all season.
Holic,
You might remember that on Sunday I was convinced that Chavski had loaned out another striker – other than just Lukaku to Everton – but couldn’t think who it was, so we decided they had only loaned out the one.
They have, of course, also loaned Moses to Liverpool. Crafty work to loan good strikers to Everton and Liverpool, hoping they would take points from us and, probably, Sp*rs, while refusing to loan Ba to ourselves.
Seems wrong that one club can spend so much money and acquire so many players that they can then manipulate the league in this way. Seems even more odd that the strikers they have loaned out both appear to be better than the ones they have kept.
Personally, I don’t think that any club should be allowed to loan players to other clubs in it’s own division. Far too open to corruption.
Trev, but they won’t loan a player to their rivals. Kind of tells you what they think of Liverpool????
Bang !
Moses and Lukaku certainly better than what they have. Maureen has lost it.
Steve T,
Indeed. They are helping their ” not so direct rivals” to screw things up for their “nearest rivals”.
Can’t be right in a totally fair league ?
Good one Cent! Now Norris, been thinking about your (valid) observation. Try reading what managers and their players say about us, right before we play them. A truer representation of where we stand. 😉
Its our own fault for not signing Mesut after Ba…
I agree with you Trev. I don’t think you should be able to loan players to other clubs in the same division. It’s all very bizarre.
Cheers Nurse.
On the loan, debate; I think Arsene once suggested that the FA/League make a rule that will stop the loan of players over the age of 21, we all know that’s too sensible a proposition for the authorities to adapt it into law.
Well in, Trev!
Gatorade, anyone ? Hey, sorry. Just being silly. 😉 Cent, think he did @106.
Interesting Trev. I do remember the conversation.
What do you mean, that’s surprising 😉
Cheers Cent, clinical and uncelebrated it was. 😉
My favourite was Man City paying 5 mm a year of Adebayor’s salary for him to play for the Sp*ds – simply f*ing unbelievable.
Yep, the loan system has allowed clubs to stockpile players and in the chavs and Man Citeh’s cases, specifically to prevent other team’s strengthening… Plauer’s shouldnt be loaned out unless they are kids and need experience…
Interesting stuff Trev @98. Never thought of it that way. Always was puzzled by Chelsea’s choices in the striker department this summer. Eto’o, Ba and Torres? No thanks… I can see farming out Lukaku, but not when those are my options. Whatever.
So apparently 23 is the number for under-achieving, overpaid, overweight washouts content to just keep collecting wages while doing fuck all for their employers.
Indeed goonsterham,
But Bendtner is so good at it, I think we should retire the shirt once he is finished with it. 😉
Looks like I didn’t miss much quality football by missing the game, but still, happy days with the qualification.
Might be a different kettel of fish with the bus stop, even at home, but bring’em on.
Lovely weather in Ottawa, maybe a touch colder than in Europe though.
Actually, all irony aside, I’m with those who are happy to see Bendtner back and I wish him a good year, for his own sake as well as the collective whole. His attitude seemed good last night, apart from the dodgy ball boy incident. Worked hard and seemed genuinely happy to be back and to contribute. This is certainly his swansong for Arsenal, and if he can keep his head right and do a job for us it would help take away some (though not all) of the sour taste he’ll inevitably leave.
Where’s cba
again today,
we’re all here moaning
’bout clubs loaning
strikers out
and who it harms,
while cba tours
local farms,
get in here man
and have a prattle
about your favourite
dogs and cattle 😉
Hahaha, Trev 117. I’m sure CBA will be proud of that.
Any video of the dodgy ballboy incident, Goonsterham? Like you I really am on Bendtner’s side if he can help us and it would be a great story if he can contribute significantly.
A boing boing Baggies ballboy incident ?
Pray tell ….
Can someone help 8 ball out? My antique iPod touch and a shitty coffeeshop Internet aren’t optimal for web searches.
Basically he was called offside and took out his frustration by thumping the ball towards 2 hapless ball boys, maybe 25 yards away…could’ve easily been carded, got away with just a talking to. Looked conciliatory and immediately apologized to the ball boys. A pretty punky thing to do, but it wasn’t of Hazardian proportions.
So, Bendy batters boing boing Baggies ballboys by banging ball belligerently at their bonces.
Or something …….
I say if he bangs in a few goals for us the away ballboys can be fair game. 😉
That was it exactly, Trev.
You can see the incident on the 2nd half video on arsenalplayer.
He was frustrated and kicked the ball against the hoardings where there were some ballboys in camouflage. I didn’t even see them until he started apologizing to be fair!
So maybe:
Blind Bendtner Bellows and Belligerantly Bangs Balls against Baggie Ball Boys
😉
Yeah I’d have to see it again to determine Level of Intent. I’m happy to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially since he was so quick to apologize.
As an aside, I’m not as opposed to his new lumberjack look as some others on this board. I always liked a footballer with a beard. Certainly it’s several steps up from the Chamakh anyways.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/revealed-inside-arsenal-bid-buy-2307128
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenals-stan-kroenke-targets-title-2307063
Stan has been saying the right things.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenals-stan-kroenke-desperate-arsene-2307086
Here is the third part of the interview.
Interesting links, Cent.
Cheers, Trev.
Enjoyed those Cent. Don’t recall Stan being that chatty. Nice to hear something from the top.
Cheers
‘holic I approve the Nacho Dip title unreservedly.
CoR You edge Trev in the Bendtner headline sweepstakes, but surely you could have found space for Billy in there somewhere amongst the B’s?
Trying to say Billy in there somewhere amongst the B’s but if this one doesn’t turn out the way I meant it I’m quitting while I can.
Alright then, another go 😉
Blind Bully Bendtner Bellows Before Belligerently Banging Big Balls By Bemused Baggie Ball Boy Billy
Surely I get a Guinness for that attempt there like?
As Carragher would say, “CoR’s the best alliterator in the world like, but we know that don’t we tho?” 8)
Cheers 8ball and Steve.
Work caused me to cancel BLG’s practice today. I received a call at work from said 4 y/o who was none too pleased with my decision.
I don’t think I’ll cancel anymore practices. I’d rather face my boss than her.
Great drinks tonight all.
BMBD
Quite the man you are CoR. 🙂
15 Guinnesses on the bar for you, one for each consecultively alliterated word. It makes sense too. Not sure how you knew the ballboy’s name was Billy though. Oh, I forgot. I said so. 😉
Not sure I would like it if my boss told the international media that I had “gone mental”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24282533
Holic@89: am I the new Ollie in terms of bad influence? 🙂
Chag Sameach to all Jews in the bar…!!!
I am so fucking drunk.
Lars your bad influence is bettered by your good affluence (wallet).
MNB beats you though with his bad verbal effluence. 😉
I’m picking my coat up on the way out.
We were all set to dump TGSTEL at Palace’s training ground but I’m glad we forgot the sack which is still in the boot of my car. I thought he did well considering all but looking at our bench, especially the inclusion of Park it does suggest there is a bit of Serendipity in Wenger’s planning.
If only we could get all our players fit together!
Back on the right side of the pond, I have but two regrets:
1. I did not acquire copyright on the term The Feelgood Factor
2. I did not complete the contract on Jimmy Choo.
So Lars is the new Ollie? What else did I miss?
Good to see you back z. Lars did indeed lead me astray last week, but his influence on TaBS is even ‘badder’ 🙂
I shouldn’t be the one to break the news but I suspect that tabs does not need any influencing.
In fact, forget suspect, I know! 8)
Oshkosh B’Josh to all Snirs in the bar. Jewish or not.
If only I were drunk at the moment…
BMBD
Super to be through to the next round. A few thoughts: having to play big Per really does show up the lack of defensive options – I can’t believe there is not a CB who plays for the under 21 side that could not have partnered TV5. Great to see Bendtner get a big hand from the away end – I was a huge fan up to 2011 but then his antics since then have left a lot to be desired. I now wish the home support will back him like the fans did on Wednesday because the reception he got on Sunday was mixed and that is not going to help the reintegration process going forward.
Wenger talks a good game with these youngsters – if he really things Eisfeld has something of the Pires about him then why not integrate him with the EPL squad – the boy until Wednesday had not been seen since the win at Reading last year. I think the lad is going to be a great player, so he now needs to be given a proper platform to prove it over the season. Hayden seems impressive to, but what prospect Akpom is going to be.
Listening to the match on the radio, I was at a loss as to why so many youngsters were taking the penalities as nerves could easily have got the better of them; I know the rational that Wenger projected afterwards, which is valid of course, I just hope that both TV5 and big Per requested to take pens, as senior pros, if not then I would regard that as extremely poor.
Well, It’s Friday. Happy Holiday to Snir and who ever else is observing (sorry, don’t know which particular holiday it is!). Dr Z welcome to your side of the pond 😉 LoneStar, you don’t say much, but you do have a way about you, sir. 🙂 David, as far as the PK’s went, Chuba talked about being prepared, ahead of the game. He probably was eager to take one. Cent, as for Stan speaking out, the timing is suspect. He waited to see if Wenger could land Ozil. He could have smoothed the waters for AW and IG, if he had spoken out during the latter part of the summer. And Theo out for up to 5 weeks!
Afternoon all.
The loan debate is an interesting one, we ourselves have benifited from loaning players out, albeit young ones to gain experience, but we also had Yossi in, who’s not so young, who helped us seal a CL place two terms ago. So I don’t really think we are in any position to say that it’s not right for players to be loaned out to teams in the same division.
However, I do think that there needs to be different rules and guidelines for loans, for example , as many have mooted, an age limit. There should also be a fee involved, I think it’s unfair that a minted club pays way over the odds for a player and then farms them out. Look at Scott Sinclair from Wednesday’s game. A few years ago he’s doing a decent job for Swansea, he then rots on the bench for a year at Middle Eastlands, only now to be playing at the Hawthorns, that just doesn’t seem right.
I also believe that they should limit a player to one loan per division, look at Lukaku, he goes to the Chavs, gets loaned to WBA, does a very good job, only to be moved out to Everton the following year, again, this doesn’t seem right. He’s obviously a player who can cut it in the PL, if you haven’t got room for him in your squad, then sell him.
The one thing that has to change is the big clubs supplementing the wages while the players are on loan, this is a totaly ridiculous thing to allow and true competition distortion. Case in point (as also mentioned above) Adebuymore to the Spuds, completly ridiculous that a team not only get a player which they couldn’t afford (transfer), but they get him subsidesed too…… Again, that just doesn’t seem right.
Ofcourse, I expect nothing to change.
H2H, Personally not bothered by any of that. It is what it is. A game of footie chess. To be blunt, if we didn’t have this on going injury crisis to worry about … I do believe we can beat ANYONE on the planet! Now good news for stateside holics; Saturday’s game is on NBC. Very Twitterish of me, but I’m listening to Coldplay’s ‘Let’s Talk’ at the moment 😉
H2H, why are we not in a position to say that? The way I see it we don’t really have much choice but to play along with it and use it to our advantage as long as it is legal because everyone else will.
Here’s the Stateside kissing roundup as well as an update on St. Louis Rams results or lack thereof. No comment necessary on the kissing other than to say the participants seem to have found it tasty. 🙂
But Kroenke may be paying too much attention to Arsenal the way the Rams seem to be making out these days.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/yahoo-sports-minute/diana-taurasi-kisses-seimone-augustus-during-wnba-playoff-083617750.html?vp=1
Lars.
Chamakh, Bendtner, Wilshere, Myachi, all loaned to clubs in the PL. Benyahoon to us from PL club.
Funny how an article containing two of my least favourite subjects (Manure and Maureen) managed to raise a smile;
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/26/jose-mourinho-cried-manchester-united
Up @83 – You’re right, far too big for me, though my top of the range fur-lined centrally heated Speedoes do obviate the need for anything quite so passe as a willy warmer.
Dr Z – A contract on Jimmy Choo? What a dreadful thought. What would you have me wear if Jimmy wasn’t around to give me such elegance?
Afternoon All,
Dr Z – Welcome back Dr Z. Pretty sure it was you that was the bad influence on all those other occasions 🙂
Trev/Lars/H2H – Top stuff on the loan situation. Couldn’t agree more. Personally I would limit all loans to U-23s.
Trev – Top ditty in the cba stylee. I join you in hoping he’s back soon.
‘H @143 – Haha, quite right! 🙂
Yo TaBS et al, including a soon to be hungover Snir 😉
First Guinness for five days is a memory
Second about to join it in history …
Haha enjoy ‘H 🙂
And indeed a happy celebration to Snir.
Evening all,
Cheers Tabs.
H2H, just because we took advantage of the rules and did it doesn’t mean we can’t criticise the rules, or want them changed.
Abb, you should care about that stuff.
How can it be right that a player can be playing for one club while being paid by another club in the same division.
“‘Ere, don’t try too hard next week son”, or
“Make sure you wind up Koscielny – get him sent off, even if you’re red carded yourself”,
And other little conversations that could never possibly happen, of course! Or, ………..
November 23rd. The Scummers at home. Gonna be massive.
“Scummers” on Nov 23, Esso? Are you a Pompey fan in disguise?
No. That’s their name. And that’s it.
Get in! I captained my Local Government(where I’m serving) Community Development Service team to a 3-1 victory this evening. We were 1-goal down at half-time and so had to dig deep to get anything out of the game, we did just that and in the end our mental strength and quality saw us through to a 3-1 victory. We have the bragging rights and I now have a sprained ankle(I gave as good as I got) but it’s all good, the taste of victory covers all that. Hopefully our boys can do something similar tomorrow (without the injury, of course) and make it a perfect weekend. Up The Arse!
Is that Pires in the Swansea training pics on the dot.con?
PaGooner @131, glad you enjoyed it.
Oh, yes. Have no fear, Le Bob is here.
Bobby Pires-absolute legend. Welcome back!
Trev, Just finished reading the League’s rules/regs section 6. And the pros/cons of these loans discussed in one piece. Seems fair to me. In terms of loans, Arsenal is not a feeder club. As the piece points out, the larger clubs benefit from such transactions. Arsenal is a large club. Suspect the scenario you (whimsically) described, unfolds weekly in some form or another, on pitches everywhere.
Abb. Despite your reading of the regs, it sounds like you are saying “So what?” But when Benayoun was playing for us it seemed strange to have a Chelsea player scoring game winning goals for Arsenal, an uneasy feeling of being played like a puppet. I’d rather be the puppet master than the puppet, but the best of all solutions is not to have either. And that’s a solution that the authorities in all their wisdom could provide if they were inclined.
Mesut Ozil has created more chances (10) in two Premier League games than any Manchester United player has done all season.
Just in case you didn’t know.
Hi 8ball. No, what I mean is that it all washes out in the end. Loaning out experienced players (older) who don’t make the first 11, gives them a chance to play regularly. So, as Martha Stuart would say “It’s a good thing”. 🙂 Rather the League ‘tackle’ diving and poor inconsistent refereeing, to be honest.
Saw that H2H, remarkable, isn’t it.
It is indeed Nursie, it is indeed,
Hey there you! 😉 Swansea manager talking up our midfield big time!!!!
Have I been unspammed yet?
I see, that’s my earlier post gone then.
You’ve lost your berry too, 😉
Ha ha good one H2H. Sorry Cent! 🙁
Haha, you’re not even up to date, mate, I was a celebrity(Cent’ebrity) for a few days.
Apparently one can become so popular they start been addressed by only one of their names, you know like Dennis, Arsene, Plato, Aristotle and obviously Cent. 😀
thanks Nurse.
cent, with all the ‘s there’s at least fiddy of ya…
steve t, your post at 20 above shows great width 🙂 you’re a good dad, with very lucky children.
le bob looks like he’s telling mesut “it’s all in the feet”, or maybe “we run on our feet like little fingers caressing the grass”:
http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/1000×768/sep_13/zp_181800419SM013_Arsenal_Trai_7218.jpg
Looking at 178, I still can’t believe Ozil is an Arsenal boy.
I kinda agree with our fair Nurse ABB (one should always support nurses, but I digress), I’d much rather the FA deal with dodgy referees than worry about the player loan scheme. Them that’s got shall get…and all that.
Happy Friday all.
BMBD
8ball – that Taurasi kiss was kinda hot…I’m not quite sure why I think that, but there you go.
BMBD
Scruz, I’m more than half a Dollar, Fiddy has nothing on me.
lol @181…you certainly are, cent, you certainly are 🙂
Pires to Ozil: Que tal los calamares fritos?
Lonestar. We’re in agreement then. 😉
Is ‘holic still waiting for team news? 😉
Abb: Diving and poor inconsistent refereeing. Didn’t the Premier League decide to keep those to assist Man Utd when they really need it most? 🙂
Forgot to give my greetings to Snir, but if you were drunk a few hours ago I imagine you are under the table now. 🙂
Will Arsenal have a chance against Swansea if ‘holic doesn’t publish his preview before kickoff? Just wondering, and I’ll have another beer. 😉
Laudrup seems a quality manager.
I think were looking at a tight match tomorrow. Hell figure out a way to theart us and take advantage of the injury situation.
Michu had our number last season. And i reckon he’ll score again.
Nevertheless:
2-1 to the good guys.
I likes me some OG. Well, not in THAT way. I see you over there Wolfie!
Am saying for a goal and another layoff this time to the mighty Mesut
Cheers all.
Its late in the UK. Sonim probably speaking to meself.
But i was happy to see bendtner do well.
Hes a bit of a fool. But an honest fool.
And he scored some crucial goals there for a few years. Love to see him shut his yap, work hard and become half the player he thinks he is. Wed have a real gem in that case.
But … That up-do tho … Wheewwww!!
Homer Nick B. has a fellow Dane in Swansea manager Laudrup, who I hope has become so distracted by Bendtner’s midweek performance that he is spending every last minute devising a way to stop his countryman. 😉
I see the game about the same as you. It should be a very interesting one to watch and I hope we can come out on top.
There is no doubt Bendtner has talent, Homer. If he had only a smidgin of the talent he thinks he does he’d still be a pretty good striker. But he is one of those impatient young players who think they own the world and who just go off the rails too early and too frequently. He has to decide if he wants to sort himself out, ’cause he will only have a wasted future to look back on if he doesn’t.
I thank you gents for the feedback.
Hes young tho right? If hes got the talent, hes just got to get his head straight. But, ironically, thats the hard part. RVP was brilliant – that c@nt- but no mentor. B23 needs a good role model and to get fit!
Interesting times. I thought his comments reports on arsenal.com were interesting. Either way gonna be a whale of a season!
Jameson is on the bar for you both!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>