The Greatest Defender Never To Play For England?
Jan 9th, 2014 by 'holic
Seeing the FA Cup draw pitting us against Coventry got me thinking about meetings between the sides in the past. The first one I have memories of was I believe in the late sixties. The Sky Blues centre-forward, Neil Martin, a Scottish international, was put clean through behind the defence. As he bore down on Bob Wilson, however, Martin suddenly found himself without the ball, deftly removed by an astonishing tackle from behind by the chasing Peter Simpson.
Those who had watched ‘Stan’ (as in Laurel) struggle to establish himself as a utility player found a new respect for him as an out and out defender. The Norfolk lad had struggled to cement a place in the first team at Highbury, and following a fall-out with Billy Wright was even put on the transfer list in 1965. There were no takers at a reported £15,000. It is said he played in every outfield position for the Gunners, but it was only when Don Howe opted to change to a zonal marking defence that he formed the partnership with Frank Mclintock that would see silverware return to Arsenal after a seventeen year drought.
As a central defender Simpson was somewhat unusual in an era when most would whack anything that moved and got away with far more than would be allowed today. Although an imposing figure himself, Simpson preferred to nip in front of opponents to win the ball, and to play his way out of trouble with calm assurance. His midfield experience had made him a better passer of the ball than many of his peers. He was also a master of the sliding tackle.
A key member of the side that lifted the Fairs Cup in 1970, and the League and FA Cup double a year later, he was tipped by many for international honours. He was selected in the original party for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, only to be cut when the squad was finalised. He was unfortunate to be at the peak of his powers at the same time as Bobby Moore and Norman Hunter, although many considered he might have been a better choice than the Leeds hard man.
Those who attempted to explain his lack of recognition pointed to what was seen as a laid-back character, one that needed constant prompting and motivation from his skipper and defensive partner. When Mclintock left in 1973 his old pal found himself struggling to plug the gaps alongside some less gifted stoppers until guiding the young David O’Leary before Willie Young arrived at the club in 1977. A year later Simpson was released and moved to the United States to play for the New England Tea Men.
He totalled 370 first team appearances in his time at Highbury, and left many with a fund of warm memories of a gentle giant with a left foot bettered only by Liam Brady. Whilst George Armstrong will forever be thought the best footballer never to play for England by this old boy, Peter Simpson is undoubtedly my pick as the best defender never to represent his country.
He was that good.
238 Responses to “The Greatest Defender Never To Play For England?”
WOW!
UCL Spot. Now to read the post …
3rd is a bigger trophy?
Yes – Simmo
Simmo had the misfortune to be playing when Bobby Moore was captaining England. I always remember a discussion we had in the Blackstock before one game and one of my mates came up with the wonderful line that the main difference between the two players was that “Simmo’s not slow on the turn”.
Thanks for the retrospective, barkeep.
I hope the lads are resting up.
Win the next match.
BMBD
Re-writing match reports of 1970-71 it is apparent how the football journalists recognised how good he was. Not just good, but consistently good.
Excellent article, Holic. Thank you for the education.
This is why I love this blog. Some much history to be learned for someone who is a relatively new gooner. And to have someone who can so eloquently put that history on “paper” is a bonus.
Another beautifully written article from the Maestro!
Or maybe it was “Stan …” – don’t remember now – I always think of him as Simmo.
As soon as I Saw the headline I thought straight away – “Peter Simpson”. Spot on ‘holic.
An astonishing tackle from behind……..master of the sliding tackle
What’s all that then? 😉
Nice one H.
Lovely trip down memory lane, ‘Holic. Simpson was indeed unfortunate to have been a contemporary of Moore, who although slow was one of the greatest defenders ever. But they were similar sorts of player, whereas Hunter provided something different — and not just teethmarks in your lower limbs.
That he was Andy.
Evening all.
Going back to the last drinks, I usually try and find a stream with non-English commentary. I’m sure they’re all just as bad as the English ones but not being able to understand is a real bonus. That way, you get the atmosphere without the crap. The janlul.com stream is in Dutch and usually of good quality picture-wise.
Great piece ‘H. Like Andy Kelly, I said “Peter Simpson” the moment I read the title of the blog.
On the subject of foreign-language commentaries, I think you’d have to go a long way to better the Arabic commentary on the 2012 NLD. I came across it again a month or two back and it still sends tingles up my spine.
COYG
I usually go for russian ones dk – I understand pretty much half of the things they say and they steal in style (streams with quality 1500 kbps and upwards).
Nice post Guvnor. I remember watching Peter Simpson play back in the day. I thought he was a first class footballer back then. Hard to believe he never played for England,but, having said that, it was something of a golden age for the national team.
Other favourite players from that era include Eddie Kelly and Bob McNab. Did our number 9 of the period,John Radford ever earn an England cap?
He was a terror!
Ahh..another wonderful trip down memory lane for me ‘Holic. He was a laid back character who perfected the timing of the tackle to take the ball off the toes of a forward about to pull the trigger. Stan was Mr Reliable and gave top performances week in week out. He was a better defender / distributor of the ball than “bite yer legs” Hunter who unsurprisingly played for dirty Leeds. He should have received many international caps but to be awarded none was a huge travesty. Dirty Leeds were flavour of the month & therefore Hunter played the reserve no 6 to the legendary Bobby Moore.
Stan played in the era where players could be found mixing amongst the local populace and he could often be found after a match having a quite pint & a ciggie in the White Hart at Southgate – no private exclusive areas in those days. Certainly one of my favourite players of that era.
IF, two caps. The old man took me to see him play for England at Wembley.
Like David (last drinks), I’m also concerned about the CB situation. Being left in the position of having to play Sagna and TV5 because of injuries/suspension to the other two doesn’t fill me with joy.
The striker situation will be intriguing, both here in January and in the summer. I see Akpom has been loaned to Brentford but only for a month in the first instance, so it looks like AW might be waiting to see what happens in Jan before allowing him to go for longer.
I’m assuming now that NB will be released in May, but we’ll have Joel Campbell back from Greece. I know it’s not a particularly strong league but he scored again the other night and appears to be doing really well. Will still only be 22 when next season starts and he’ll have a World Cup Finals under his belt. He’s a different kind of player to Giroud and has been playing on the wing for Olympiakos, as Henry did for us in the beginning.
There seem to be some strong reports linking us with Draxler too – he’s also a winger who could maybe play through the middle as well as in midfield.
Fine retrospective on a class act, H. The fella stood out even on brief black and white highlights on BBC Scotland.
Pure class.
I’m more than a little worried by the cavalier attitude the Arsenal management team appear to display towards risk in general. I mean, they all travel to away matches on the same plane! You couldn’t make this stuff up.
What would happen if there were a meteor strike on Ashburton Grove on match day? I’ll tell you what. The whole bloody squad would be wiped out. Just like that! I bet you can’t get insurance against that kind of thing, and where would we find a replacement for Özil, Santi, Rambo, Jack etc etc even if we had any insurance.
Wise up guys, don’t allow more than two or three of the team within a couple of kilometres of each other; it’s just not worth it.
Factor in a few injuries and suspensions and the situation really worrying.
Night all.
COYG
Simpson was quite obviously way ahead of my time, but now I know a little more about him. Great stuff, H!
Pangloss@16, if you are talking about when we beat Tottenham 5-2 in 2012 you have to be a bit more specific and tell us which one of the two 5-2 beatings we gave them in that year that you are talking about 🙂
dkgooner: I haven’t seen Campbell play of course, but his stats aren’t that impressive. He’s playing for a team that averages more than three goals a game and yet he’s only (all numbers according to transfermarkt.co.uk, by the way) scored six goals in the league.
Just been reading Tim Stillman and realised that with all the focus on Theo’s injury I had completely forgotten about Ramsey – anyone know when he is expected back?
zico, both Aaron and Gibbs have a small chance of being back for Monday:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/team-news-who-s-fit-to-face-aston-villa
In other words, if not Monday they should be back for Fulham. As will you and I, come to think of it 🙂
heh, good news all round then 🙂
Lars and Zico up front on either side of HFB – now there’s a sight to make the Fulham defence quake and Wolfie drool. 🙂
Bath 28……if pints = points, Lars & Zico would be golden boot winners
( which they could then present to Wolfie post match ) 😉
Thanks ‘holic great piece about my all time favourite play ‘Super Stan’ Simpson, who according to Bob Wilson was ‘apart from Charlie George the most naturally gifted player at the club at the time’. I would actually have liked to see him play for longer in midfield ( he did play there for a few games in 71/72) because he was creative & also had a goal or two in him. He settled to be a utility defender until he found his permanent role at CB.
It was a game at Southampton at Christmas that I realised quite how good Stan was….playing RB he was trapped by the corner flag & did a manoeuvre Santi would be proud of the set up an attack.
He was, like Steve Bould, hugely underrated outside of Highbury but they were both our secrets, I suppose.
How on earth could Sir Alf take a journeyman like David Sadler to Mexico in 1970? In my opinion he was certainly a better club player than the rightly revered Bobby Moore…..shame he never had the chance at the higher level despite always putting in superb performance in all the Cup Finals he played in (didn’t see Anderlecht away).
Nice write up H
I cannot say i remember much about Stan from my youth.
I think he was on the periphery of the first team from around 63-64,playing a handful of games as reserve to John Snedden,and then for the next couple of seasons as back up for Terry Neil and Ian Ure.
Only after the 66 World cup did he become an ever present playing the majority of the 66-67 season along with the same 2 players.
Towards the end of the 60’s Stan was well established at No 6,with Ure and Neil both vying for the other central defenders spot.
Frank of course had played for a few seasons at the old fashioned
number 4 or right half,and it wasn’t until the 69-70 season when we won the Fairs Cup,that Frank played some games alongside Stan
as a central defender or old fashioned Number 5.
Fate played a hand at the beginning of the Double season,with both Stan and Charlie George out injured,Peter Storey spent the first half of the season filling in the old fashoined Number 8 spot,with Pat Rice establishing himself at right back and Eddie Kelly filling in at No 4.
Stan didn’t return from injury until late November and was then ever present through to the tumultuous finale at The Lane and Wembley.
But that double winning season was as good as it got for him,we lost the Cup final to Leeds in 71-72,got beat by Sunderland in the semi final,and were also pipped for the title by Liverpool in 72-73,and it was all down hill after that.
He played his last handful of first team games early in the 77-78 season and then faded from the scene.
As you point out Holic,and as Frank discusses in the excellent book 71 Guns,Stan was never a great believer in himself,full of insecurities,he had to be constantly cajoled and geed up to believe he was worthy of his place in the team.
I think this lack of self belief might also have been recognised by the England hierachy and may well have been one of the reasons he missed out on playing for his Country.
But suffice to say that Stan is up there in the Pantheon of Arsenal Legends that for 2 glorious seasons in th early 70’s returned some pride to a Club and it’s supporters who had been too long in the wilderness.
Cheers
The Sweeper
Great to see you again Flint, and Clive. Love your memories.
Always here ‘holic consistently wonderful read,but not so prolific on the keyboard at the moment. Couldn’t miss an opportunity to spout off about Stan though……
Good stuff, Guv. My Arsenal education just went up another notch!
Pangloss @23, haha, you cheeky bugger!
Lovely piece about one of my favourite players who I understand is not very well now. I think Gary Cahill has over 20 caps and yet Stan never gained one. Just like Geordie Armstrong he didn’t exist in an era when caps were strewn around like confetti. He had a wonderful left foot, tackled like a precision steamhammer and he had a phlegmatic temperament. Arsene wouldn’t have liked him as he was a 40 a day fag man!
Bob Wilson considered him to be too laid back but a wonderful player and when I met him (in a bar at Highbury,the week before his well-deserved testimonial) I thought him a modest and delightful man. Thanks for doing him justice Holic
Re: Pangloss. You in the insurance business? I had you listed in the directory as an Oxford academician. 😉
Nice post ‘h.
Love that, Holic, brilliantly written.
Peter Simpson was probably my favourite player in the first Arsenal team I got to watch regularly in the 69-70 season. He stood out for me as a calm and classy player, let alone as a defender, and I played as a schoolboy myself with a constant image of him as inspiration. No harm in dreaming, is there ?
Great to learn all of that pre 1969 information which I didn’t know at all.
The family of a mate of mine at school used to take in Arsenal apprentices and one such who arrived was a lad from Nottingham called Laurie Redmile. I used to go to London Colney a lot in those days to watch the youth team playing, and Redmile played as a centre back whose style and body shape were a strong reminder of Peter Simpson.
One or two of us hopefuls got the chance to play with a lot of the London apprentices, who used to play for fun after training sessions, and it was a surprise and a disappointment to me when Laurie failed to make it through the ranks – he seemed pretty damned good to me !
Thus, we were denied – but only in my unimportant opinion – a natural successor to Stan who, I agree, was the best defender never to play for England.
Stan and Frank McLintock were a brilliant, intelligent partnership at the back who, despite being far from the tallest, rarely lost out in an aerial battle. Frank would often make a run or jump which was perfectly timed to block or unsight an opponent, leaving Stan to claim the ball behind him.
Loved the pair of them.
Nice one, Clive. Enjoyed that too.
Sorry to hear Stan is not well. Do you know what’s wrong, ttg ?
Thanks Trev. Appreciate that.
Great stuff Holic. Enjoyed that. Thanks also to Clive and Flint. Great reads.
Holic
i have vauge memories of my dad taking me to wembley to see radfords first match…was it against romania?.
as a young lad he was a great player to watch,always seemed a bit slow, but then woosh!!!
Great post Holic. I don’t much about Peter Simpson so it was good that you posted this. Back in those days Arsenal players hardly got a call up for the England squad it seems….
Which incident specifically led to him being called “Stan” though?
Great memories ‘holic, Simmo is one of my all-time Arsenal favourites, right up there with the Romford Pele and little Joe Haverty.
But a bit unkind to measure him against Moore who is a legend of world football and candidate for an all-time world XI. regarding which mine, in 4-4-2, would be…
…………………………….Lev Yashin…………………………………….
Djalma Santos….Bobby Moore….Franz Beckenbaur….Paulo Maldini
Garrincha………Diego Maradona………Leo Messi………Johan Cruyff
………………………….Pele………Marco van Basten………………….
Öskar
dkgÖÖner … fantastic idea in #15 to find a non-English feed. I have long campaigned for an ‘atmos only’ option by broadcasters where I can watch the game without the inane commentary from so-called experts who merely tell me what I can already see, while avoiding things I would like to know.
I do NOT need to be told that so-and-so is attacking one side of the opposition in preference to the other most of the time, I can see that. Nor do I need to be told endlessly how many goals side X needs to qualify in a two-leg tie, I knew that before the game starts. What I WOULD like to know is who it was brought off that brilliant tackle, or executed that tricky dribble, which I have to assume the commentators don’t know either since they’re usually talking about something totally irrelevant. In fact, most of the time, ALL I want to know is WHO is on the ball since this is not always clear even while I watch in HD on a 50″ plasma. I can usually pick our players of course, but often have no idea who ‘their’ players are, except for the well-known ones.
It might also help if the commentators were actually at the game, unlike ESPN coverage which is delivered from a studio half a world away … meaning they can only see what I can see anyway. Just watch how long it takes them to say how many minutes extra have been added after the 90.
Rant over. 🙂
Öskar
OTD – Nice all time 11! The only thing I might look to add is Zidane who to me is one of the all time greats simply for his ability to take control of a match (well, I guess his skills are fairly decent…). Not sure where he would fit in though. I guess first off the bench!
The best non-English feed I’ve watched Arsenal was in Japanese. All the energy and enthusiasm of a Hispanic announcer but I had absolutely no clue was he was saying!
Oskar. Neil Young doesn’t even make the all time world XI??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ2uttzu6K8
Cheers Holic! And some quality drinks to go with a great piece as well.
Passing resemblance between Peter Simpson and Neil Young, or is it just the sideburns?
Hello Cannons, he was Stan after Stan Laurel, the quiet, shy partner to (Frank Mclintock’s) Oliver Hardy.
Morning Esso, thanks mate.
I discussed his health with Bob Wilson and he was a little reticent about giving details but I think it may be a dementia – based problem. Very sad .
He had been working as a soft drinks delivery driver I think. Imagine that in the context of some of today’s players!
Holic
As you can see from the reaction us old uns and some of the whippersnappers love to meander down Memory Lane. Thankyou for creating such a nice conduit for our memories and recollections.
In the FA Cup final of 1971 I remember him producing a brilliant overhead clearance from a cross which was one of the best bits of athletic defending I have ever seen. It was just part if what he did, very up flash but nevertheless brilliant. Top fella .
Thanks
Oskar
I love your team- but who is going to win the ball?
They might of course never lose it!
Jose Mourinho would leave out Messi and Maradona and bring in a John Obi Mikel and Claude Makalele.
On a serious note Moore and Beckenbauer had absolutely no pace. I saw Mick Channon pulverise Beckenbauer at Wembley in 1975 and the Kaiser had to rugby tackle him( no sending- off). I would only play one of them with a quicker defender like Baresi or Maldini in the centre with Roberto Carlos at left back
I’ll have a crack at an all time XI (in trendy 4-2-3-1)
Schmeichel
Carlos Alberto
Der Kaiser
Baresi
Maldini
Cruyff
Zidane
Messi
Maradona
Ronaldinho
The real Ronaldo
The Italians could do the defending. Everyone else will take care of getting the goals.
I know Pele should be in there, but – frankly – he’s before my time and I cannot believe that he was more destructive, or better suited to a lone striker role, than peak Ronaldo, before he stopped caring and got fat.
Likewise, there have been better players than Ronaldinho, but very few that I’ve enjoyed watching more.
TTG – Sad to hear the Peter Simpson is ill. Sadder to hear that there’s still such a stigma attached to dementia that we can assume it was the illness in question “That Dare Not Speak Its Name”.
Just a quick rant at this ime of the morning.
COYG
A great read as per usual, ‘Holic. I remember coming here for the first time five or so seasons ago, and down the years since I’ve always enjoyed these blog posts the most, you being the loom weaving together Arsenals history for me. So thank you. And do continue.
So:
Oxlade back in action yesterday against Fulham, and the reports say he did really well during his 45 minutes on the pitch, narrowingly missing the goal a few times and being quite involved. That is a bonus. The best thing is him getting some game time. Eisfeld scoring the winner.
No Zelalem in the match day squad means I’m not quiet sure where the rumours of him possibly starting against Spurs came from, or did he get injured again?
@52: N7, you said “Ronaldo, before he stopped caring and got fat,” but that’s completely wrong I think.
In addition to undergoing multiple career-saving knee surgeries where he was out of action for many months and unable to exercise, he was suffering with hypothyroidism, which caused his excessive weightgain.
Despite that, he was still tearing up defences in Brazil when he played for Corinthians.
As far as I can tell, he never stopped caring about the game. Maybe you could accuse Ronaldinho of that but not El Fenomeno.
@49: Thanks holic!
CoR @ 55
Perhaps unfair, but the rumours I’ve heard about some of his behaviour during the latter years at Madrid suggest his love of the game had at least diminished, and his professionalism with it.
I agree about Ronaldinho. God only knows what he might have done if he’d had a single minded focus on the game.
Two of my favourite players of all time.
Mine too actually! I think Ronaldo might be my all-time favourite player followed by either Ronaldinho, Bergkamp or Henry 😀
That’s a great list, and very similar to mind. All players capable of taking the breath away.
I think it’s hard for people to appreciate now exactly how terrifying Ronaldo really was in his prime. If there’s ever been a complete centre forward, he was it.
Actually, I do remember that the period where he was performing the best was during his first marriage but after his divorce, his performance seemed to drop. Could’ve been depression as well as injuries while at Real?
Holic,
What a wonderful read. Before my time I’m afraid but it was most educational. Its great to see those experiences being passed on to some of the younger drinkers here. I’m very grateful for that and y’know I expect that baton will pass through more generations in future judging from the superb collection of people on the site.
N7,
The Loic Remy link might make some sense if there’s latitude in his loan deal to facilitate a move elsewhere. He would provide pace which would go some ways towards making up for what we’ve lost with Theo, he can play on the wing and provide cover as a back up striker also.
Before my time as a Gooner, Holic, so I learned a lot! Some great builds from our global correspondents too.
Sounds like there’s a healthy head of steam building up amongst Holics for the Fulham game. I may have to reconsider my options (only problem is a Burns Supper in Fife on Friday night – so it would need to be an early flight, with a headache, with Dr Z). I went to the away game at the Cottage this season. Got soaked, but based on that one, I think we can expect a very comfortable home win – but I get ahead of myself 🙂
Hmm..from Arsénes remarks it looks that Tomas is close to signing the new contract, which is pretty much best news of this day so far. Now reach the agreement with Bacary 🙂
I spotted that too, Eandy, goodnews.
Eändy
I also just read that with delight 🙂
Further I was reading that, according to some online newspapers, Morata is going nowhere but we have triggered thy clause on Martinez.
Also happy with that if true. IF!
On another sheet, what is going on with our ladies? Looks like a lot are leaving this season.
How much is the relase clause Datsyuk?
I believe its close to 30 mil for 27 years old striker who is banging them in for fun in Portugese league…well lets say that I am not persuaded enough from what I have seen of him that he is worth that sort of money.
But then again, we live in the age of Lamelas, Fernandinhos etc and if Arséne thinks he is worth the money…he knows best in the end.
Afternoon all,
Jackson Martinez is actually being looked upon as a long term deal whereas it is believed that we are in for a short-term solution at present.
However, AW is not ruling out good long term options, although there is said to be more availability on a long term deals during the summer.
Another issue is of course the fact that Remy is already on loan to Newcastle. That contract could be complicated, on a temporary basis.
Goonertown,
from what I have read on Remy situation, QPR are stating that they would like Newcastle to cough up money for him to make deal permanent (in the range of 15m). Which is quite a lot for short term solution.
If we are going after Martinez and will pay somewhere around 30m for him, it would definitely be as long term option..then again there is that nagging feeling that for that sort of money there might be better options available in summer.
I can only imagine Remy deal happening if we somehow got the price down to around 12m or so I suppose.
Absolutely praying the rumoured news about Rosicky signing an extension is true.
Now; please, please, please, please stop fucking about and get Bacary signed up as well!
Here’s my all-time XI. More an XI than a team; not overly well balanced with five no 10s and no defensive midfielders. It would line up in the revolutionary 4-0-5-1 formation. Not a team for Stoke on a wet Wednesday night, but would be banging in goals for fun everywhere else.
Yashin
Cafu
Moore
Beckenbauer
Maldini
Cruyff
Zidane
Maradona
Pele
Messi
di Stefano
Subs: Banks, Carlos Alberto, Baresi, Garrincha, Best, Puskas, Rondaldo.
Joe @ 62
No matter how fast he is, he won’t be able to sprint out of Wormwood Scrubs. 😉
BtM – the age of the train (on the way down – flying back) 😎
Fine piece ‘H about a very fine player. Great memories too from Flint and the Sweeper amongst others.
That Stan didn’t play for England and Jeff Blockley did demonstrates that idiotic management of the national side is not just limited to more recent times.
Simpson was my father’s favourite of that era, and not just because of his cultured play. He also did a bit of work for him and described him as a very nice man.
His comeback from injury in the Double year coincided with my introduction to Highbury life, when he played for the reserves for a couple of months before dislodging John Roberts and re-establishing himself in the first team. His comeback game was only my second ever game (a 0-2 home defeat by Swansea reserves) and as an established first-teamer I was told to keep my eye on him. Can’t tell you anything about his performance that day – apparently I was more interested in counting the floodlights and watching the trains go by above the Clock End in those days!
Very sad to learn from Frank McLintock a while back of his struggle with illness. Frank spoke of him with great affection, and said that though he was often a bag of nerves and used to puff anxiously on a cigarette whilst extolling the capabilities of whoever the opposing centre forwards were in the changing room beforehand, he was a man transformed once he stepped out onto the pitch. Calm, assured and dependable, Frank described him as the ‘perfect partner’.
He will always be a part of the Arsenal story given the integral role he played in the Fairs Cup win and the subsequent Double.
Agree Simpson was an excellent partner for Frank McLintock. That 1971 shirt,no poncy stripes or busy patterns, no manufacturer’s logo, no sponsor’s name all over it and just a simple, classic cannon facing left – classy.
Well, I can’t see how “look, Tomas Rosicky will stay here at the end of the season” can be interpreted in any other way than him having signed (or at least agreed to sign) a new contract. Good news if so, he should have two more seasons to give.
Great piece again, maestro, and some fine drinks from those of an earlier vintage then myself.
Must admit, I can’t recall any defining moments from Mr Simpson, I do remember that the couple that took me loved him. I must of seen him play as I attended games from 76, 77 and 78 although I didn’t start going regularly (every home game) untill mid way through the 77-78 season. The CB pairing I remember best would be the Big Willie-Spider axis.
Heh @ tabs, I probably spent a lot of my early games doing things other then watching the action on the field. I’d like to report that I grew out of it, but I’m afraid I can’t. I think my girlfriend has said that I had the attention span of a six year old, or something like that, I wasn’t really listening. 😉
Heh H2H, know the feeling 🙂
At TABS
I remember Bob McNab speaking about how the team would be ready to go out and take the field but Peter would be puking in the toilet bowl just wracked with nervous tension. One more puff was always needed. And as you said once he passed the white line he was good to go. My dad would go on and on about how the team could do with some more Peter Simpsons and less flash hair and trouser types. I think he was referring to Marinello as opposed to Charlie who would at least perform.
Hello Tar Heel. That sounds about right. Don’t think Stan was the type to appear on Top of the Pops a la Marinello 🙂
Friday, beer o clock……
First round’s on me!!
I’m in! 🙂
Afternoon all,
A very enjoyable back knird.
I heard the release clause for Martinez is €32 million. An absolute beast in the air by all accounts, and otherwise a penalty box finisher but not one for defending or intricate link up play. Could this be a Plan B ? 😉
It will be interesting to see if AW does make a big move in January. The trouble with waiting ’til the summer is that deals will become very protracted with a World Cup going on and the truly “top draw” players could see their prices soaring again, should they put in some top draw performances.
€32,000,000 though, hot on the heels of £42,000,000 for Ozil ?
Come on Arsene, SAVE SOME FCUKING MONEY !!! 😉
Lovely post especially reminding us newcomers to the cause about the greatness that came before our times.
I don’t get all this ‘whispers’ about dementia. It is a disease, like any other, and even if at this day and age we cannot handle human suffering with compassion and dignity then shame on us.
And if TTG@50 is right about such a long serving Arsenal hero having to earn his keep in advanced age as a delivery driver is true, I think that is a shame on the club.
Eandy @ 64: Spotted that too…and I believe sometimes around last season Arsene had stated that he would love to see TR7 end his career with us. This is not something Wenger says lightly or that often or about that many players. I think TR7 is the perfect Arsene Wenger player: technical, mobile, good work and team ethic, and most importantly intelligent and balanced.
Heh @H2H. 🙂
These history posts, and the resulting comments, really illustrate just how much affection the older players are remembered with, especially those from the 70-71 Double era – never forgetting Rocky, of course.
The spirit of the current squad could generate similar warmth but there will probably be a lack of heroes between 2006 and 2012 for Holicgrandson to write about.
Have you got that book deal done yet, Holic.
Very valid point about the World Cup Trev, which will mean nothing will happen until its all finished. Its not as if anything ever happens anyway until the final two weeks – which prompts another thought, apart from Wenger wishing that there was no transfer market in January, the summer transfer window should really be curtailed to two weeks if for no other reason to prevent all the media bullshit people have to endure.
Forget about global warming, you really have to wonder what the world is coming to when you can’t buy a decent striker in January for 30m…! What a farcical circus Fifa has created in times when people starve and can’t get basic medical provisions.
The best way to handle transfer windows is to ignore them.
It’s known as the Arsene Wenger approach.
Among all the transfer speculations I wonder how much of fund the club is preparing for the summer as we will need to strengthen in quite a few key areas in next season.
a. A new GK — cannot see Fabianski staying any longer as he is approaching the peak years of a GK’s career and he is not going to be number 1 in Arsenal but is good enough to be a number 1 GK in many PL clubs, and even if Viviano then joins us permanently (which I doubt) and becomes #2 we’ll need someone else as the 3rd choice, Martinez being very young.
b. A CD — We now have only three, with Sagna as the fourth alternative. If TV5 continues to find himself as the #3 in the order he may also want to leave at the end of the season, which is natural. Unless we bring Djourou or Iggy back — based on all reports they both are having average seasons in their temporary clubs — we will need a cover there. Maybe a reliable, experienced, versatile (can also play RB) player who won’t mind being the 3rd or fourth choice.
c. A defensive minded midfielder — Arteta has started to show signs of his age and for all great qualities of Flamini our team would be improved so much more by someone who can sit deep, screen and tackle, switch plays by accurate passing etc., but also quickly come forward with ball on his feet.
d. And if we don’t get Sagna signed, a new RB to give Carl guidance and competition. Bellerin should probably spend a season or so loaned to a PL club.
Joe @ 86: Why only blame Fifa for top level football’s disconnect with the financial realities of the world? Uefa, and in case of England FA, share as much blame, so are many clubs and their owners…
I absolutely idolized Stan when I was growing up watching Arsenal every week. Agreat and uderrated player who was also a gentleman too. I remember one inconsequential incident after a 0-0 draw at a muddy Goodison that I attended. At the end of the game Stan went over to shake Howard Kendall’s hand and took the time to wipe his muddy hand on a dry spot on his shirt mnemonic before shaking his hand. It’s minor I know but it just stuck in my mind as the act of a gent. That was and I’m sure still is Stan.
Some good points there, Doc F, especially as the strongest rumour so far concerns Draxler who covers none of the positions you mention. You also don’t mention the extra striker we require to make the squad look more solid. Walcott is good but he’s not a back-up for Giroud and he seems to pick up a lot of niggles and now a major injury which could be career threatening, despite all the positive statements. Some would argue that we need someone better than Giroud.
Defensive midfielder – as argued before, we need someone with strength, pace and technique – à la Paddy. I think I’d go for another German rather than someone from a lesser league like Carvalho.
Interesting to note our game against Man Utd next month might be postponed now, as it falls on the day of a planned Tube strike.
And it would be nice to hear a Rosicky-like statement about Bac. I’m sure it’s only a money question – his heart is at Arsenal.
dkg @ 91: I think some posters — Lurky? Eandy? — had mentioned earlier that Draxler’s preferred position is #9 and maybe that is what Arsene is aiming for as well…
About the DM, I agree…doesn’t have to be as classical and complete a DM as Paddy was, but someone with that ability to tackle and dispossess intelligently and then drive the attack forward with a burst of pace down the middle with ball on his feet.
holic, thanks for a great post. not having been around in those years, it’s a warm feeling to learn about such a stellar player for the arsenal.
did you know plastic melts in high heat?
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/relegationzone/id/1600?cc=5901
otd@44, if you show me how to start a campaign to get announcing like this, i’ll be there with bells on.
if there is one thing i HATE about listening to games here in the states it’s the endless drivel from ill-informed, biased commentators. i too go for the arab or spanish channels, though the dutch is pretty good too. atmosphere only would be magnificent, but that’ll never happen except in mistakes, barring some sort of donation from a hugely wealthy individual, or something 🙂
Dr F @ 94
I think the stuff about Draxler being a number 9 is Twitter wishful thinking. As I understand it, he currently plays on the left wing and sees himself as a number 10.
The whispers linking him with a move to Arsenal seem to be growing stronger and stronger. I think he looks an absolutely superb prospect, and would be delighted to have him, although I do wonder where he’d fit into the squad, given the other options we have – between Ozil in situ, Cazorla, Wilshere and the Ox, not to mention the emerging Crowley and Zelalem, the competition for that number 10 spot would be pretty heated.
One for Le Prof to sort out.
Afternoon all, I figured it was almost safe to return! I remember attending Peter Simpson’s testimonial on 9th October 1977-can’t recall why it was played on a Saturday though? I’ve got the programme here in front of me and there’s an article by Bob Wilson where he sings Peters praises and states that he was better than Hunter. It’s clear that Bob was a huge fan of Peter and that they were good mates. Arsenals team is shown as Rimmer, Storey,Radford, Matthews, O’Leary, Simpson, Ball, Brady, MacDonald, Stapleton and Armstrong. I shall spare you the Spurs line-up.
I remember it being a full-blooded game with both teams treating it
as a proper game. Spurs triumphed 2-1, although we failed to carry that good form into our next match, a 10 goal thriller at the Baseball Ground. We got 2 of ’em…
N7 @ 97: Little I saw of Draxler I too saw him playing playmaker-winger-goalscorer a la Reus…was just repeating what others reported.
I guess Zelalem (2-3 years?), and more so Crowley (4-5 years?), still have a bit of a distance to go before being considered for the first team, by which time TR7 and may be even Santi will call curtains to their Arsenal career. Too far to look ahead … 🙂
Given the way our attacking midfield and wingers exchange positions — even our old-school wingers like Theo, Poldi and Serge participate in build-ups — I don’t think we have a pivotal number 10 position allocated per person in game, but rather it becomes an organizational unit shared by and rotated between multiple players. Nominally speaking I can see Draxler (if he joins us) as the left ‘winger’, as much as Ox as the right ‘winger’ in near future. Or rather the left-sided and right-sided midfielders both capable of scoring.
Shoots
Well in N7
Are you available for Monday?
Good thinking Dr F @ 99, and cheers for the assist.
dkg – Arsene has my number, and knows that the little boy inside me thinks only of Arsenal.
And now after all our drivel, arseblog reports that we’ve had a bid turned down for a French left-winger playing in Spain.
Ah well, AW’s been our manger now for a good number of years – guess he’s learned something in that time, despite rumours to the contrary.
manger=manager of course
Re my earlier remarks about Stan and his reduced circumstances I think he dropped out of the game and into ordinary life immediately post his career. He was definitely a soft- drinks delivery driver because I remember reading a follow-up column of old players which appeared in the programme many years ago. That was the lot of most old stars of that and previous eras. I saw Jimmy Logie selling papers on the steps of Eros.
Re his problems with a form of dementia I think there is an understandable wish on behalf of the old Double team to protect old team- mates. There is very much still an all for one and one for all spirit among those lads and while any remain there always will be.Bob was hoping to protect him from the possibility of intrusive reporting exposing his straitened circumstances.
Nevertheless I think Pangloss raises an important point about our reluctance to see any form of mental illness as a bona fide illness. Very sad but I won’t go on about it because memories of Stan should be happy ones. I’ve never heard a bad word said about him from old team- mates or the fans of his era and I particularly enjoyed Tabs’ comments.
Interestingly I remember he made his debut at wing- half against Chelsea at Highbury. We lost 4-2 ( they were our bogey side then at Highbury) and if I recall Bobby Tambling who Stan was marking scored all four! He improved very significantly from there and while his versatility allowed him to play in many positions he was best in the centre where as Tabs says he formed a brilliant partnership with McLintock.
dk – have to say I know nothing of that guy but from what I have reading he has been excellent in past 12 months and pretty much best young player in La Liga outside top three teams.
French winger/forward, not established name, bags of talent..has Arsenal signing all over it to be honest…Sociedad asking 30 mil tho.
Might turn out to be good signing if done, last time Arsene bought “not that known” guys from Spain it turned out pretty well eh?:P
Eden Hazard has reportedly announced to a teammate that he is leaving for PSG next summer. He is the one Mourinho has been starting ahead of Juan Mata. Will Mata be next out the door?
Dave
Just consulted the oracle it was actually1976, crowd of 19,456. Saturday free because of the dreaded interlull, although I don’t remember them being quite as annoying then.
Tottenham used to win most of the friendlies & they were generally proper games.
At that time the relationship between AFC & TH was fierce rivalry with a lot of serious banter but opposing fans could stand together quite peacefully even though passionately supporting their side. When that turned to hatred, I don’t know, probably late ’70s/ early ’80s, but it is very regrettable & such “friendlies” are unlikely to take place today.
Nice one Dave.
In his latest article, Kike Marin says that Arsenal asked about Diego Costa, but the player himself said NO.
http://vozpopuli.com/deportes/37025-diego-costa-dice-no-al-arsenal-y-wenger-solo-quiere-a-morata-cedido
Good news.
I never quite understood why anyone would of thought that Diego Costa (fortune) would of wanted to leave Athletico in January. Through in the CL, doing well in La Liga, plus his desire to play for his adopted country in the WC being held in his country of birth.
To move now, to a new league, would make no sense at all.
ttg, thanks for the kind word. I’m glad you mention Arsenal losing 4-2 to Chelsea, which I think was my first game at Highbury. I don’t remember much about the game apart from my brother shouting “Come on George” every time Eastham touched the ball. He was quite embarrassed to be reminded of that many years later, but I’ve no idea why. What year was that? I reckon some time around 1962.
COYG
dk.
Dutch commentry is generaly quite good. Not an abudence of useless drivel and they are pro football, so mostly pro Arsenal.
I am sure that when Sky first started broadcasting live games with the ‘red button’, one option was crowd noise only – which was bliss. Another option was two fans, one from each team, commentating which was usually excruciating but occasionally extremely funny. Sadly the former doesn’t seem to be an option now.
H2H surely Dutch commentary would sound like the waiting room at the Chest Clinic? 🙂
You’re thinking of Flemish, Bath. 😉
Pangloss,
Funny the things we remember isn’t it? My first game was at Highbury in 1961 and after a tussle between Alan Skirton and Jimmy Armfield the ball bounced straight into my Dad’s face!
I looked up the date of the match and Stan debuted in 1964. Looking at the run of results we had against Chelsea at home it really was a catalogue of woe.
Have just been browsing the Arsenal website,and was stunned to see the under 18 Academy side is bottom of their league with only 1 win and 9pts from 15 games.!!
This is most un Arsenal like and i must admit,i cannot remember us ever being in that position before in previous years.
I know it is all about education and not results at this level,but still i find it strange that we are rooted to the bottom of the table,and i cannot believe the Club hierachy would be too happy about it.
Any thoughts anyone.??
cheers
The Sweeper
Mr Sweeper.
I think I read somewhere that this is a new batch of youngsters, all the good players have gone up a level.
Very well recollected post Holic, as many others have alluded to, this is vital, irreplaceable knowledge to those who were either not alive and/or not following the Arsenal at that time. Long may you craft these types of history posts 🙂
Clive, I guess there are plenty of reasons, but it is obvious that the club puts their attention more to the under 21’s. The aim is to promote the best young players to the u-21, maybe in order to have a better squad for the u-21 CL or to put the best players growing together on the pitch.
For example Crowley, Zelalem, Apkom are the core of the u-21’s but are not over 18 years old. At the beginning of the season Crowley was playing for the u-18, then he was badly injured. Just as he returned to regular football couple of weeks ago, he was promoted to the u-21.
Next year Puma kit
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BdpdzIyIMAAODXF.jpg:large
George Bird’s excellent website is full of useful information on the Arsenal u18s who seem to be going through a difficult period. With the Next Gen tournament there appears to be more emphasis being placed on the older age group or even putting the youngsters into the older group ASAP- eg Zelalem, Crowley.
The coach at this level Carl Laraman is not highly rated by many observers and is under pressure. Until we get a new Head of Academy- Dennis Bergkamp anyone?- and a more stable coaching set- up it may be difficult to get the production line working as smoothly as it has in the past.
TTG, I am not sure we play Next Gen this year as we’ve shifted to wealthier UEFA Youth League.
http://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/photos/photo.html#2038675
Flint @ 109, spot on. I remember going to both of big Pats testimonials and both were full on games with a proper atmosphere. The rivalry and banter is great, hate it when it goes over that line.
Flint @ 109, spot on. I remember going to both of big Pats testimonials and both were full on games with a proper atmosphere. The rivalry and banter is great, hate it when it goes over that line. Agree we probably won’t play in a friendly any time soon.
Commentators of late seem to be ever more determined to batter our ears non-stop.
The co-commentator is now a fixture in practically every sport, and is employed to fill in any pause for breath taken by the main man. My brief experiment with BT Sport was a nightmare of constant wittering in high pitched Scouse accents, with the speaker sounding like he was going through the later stages of throwing up.
As the late, great Wimbledon tennis commentator Dan Maskell used to say, “if you can’t add to what people can see for themselves, then don’t say anything at all.”
Did you see that, Chris Twaddle ? Not even to explain how to spell “pelan(t)ee”. 😉
Don’t you mean Phlegmish, H2H, at the Chest Clinic?
Öskar
Loved the Neil Young, 8ball, a great live performer. here’s one back at ya … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-nPsrX05Rk
I’ve no idea what persuaded him to pick our national album, but it’s the best version I know.
Öskar
Trev … if Martinez is all you say then he would be ideal in my book. We have needed a fox-in-the-box, Jimmy Greaves-type for years. I suspect AW may have shied away from an out and out penalty box finisher after being bitten by Jeffers, with Chamakh the closest since (and bitten again).
Öskar
That was the one, OtD.
Trev: speaking of Wimbledon commentators, the chap doing the commentary from that tournament in the 70’s and 80’s for the Swedish equivalent of the BBC was famous for most of the time saying very little. In fact, he later admitted that he sometimes turned off the microphone, left the commentators box and went to the bar to get a drink if the game was a dull one!
Lars … you remind me of my fav TV commentator, Jim Laker, who was the same with cricket. Whereas others believed they just had to keep talking and couldn’t stop with their irrelevancies, Laker would say the bare minimum. It seemed really odd watching proceedings in near silence, but Laker always had some analyst or other to spoil it.
I am talking TV commentary of course, the great days of radio commentary with Brian Johnston, John Arlott, E W Swanton etc, we may sadly never hear their like again.
Öskar
Nice piece of fruit cake for Oskar. 😉
Strange isn’t it how probably the greatest ever commentary on the scoring of a goal was ” One – Nil “, David Coleman, nuff said.
…and the greatest moment in cricket commentary, by Brian Johnston of course, was the quite unintentional … “The batsman’s Holding, the bowler’s Willey”.
Öskar
Lurky – you are quite correct but they are effectively the same competition. It’s just as you suggest that more money is at stake. I think the format is much the same.
Happy Birthday Holic!
And many more of them son.
And if there’s any bother….
Sorted!
Defensive mid. Whatever happened to frimpong?
Hes in the squad now and he played the other night with The Ox, Corporal jenks, eisfield and others. U-21 i think.
Hes good on the ball, physical and seems to have a big engine. It appears tho that AW isnt convinced. Or maybe is bringing him on slowly? Dunno.
The few first team games (fa cup and carling cup) thst he got he looked quite good.
Agree with [whomever said it above] that the flamster and arteta – as much as i like them both and as big a job they’ve done lately -wont last forever.
The 70/71 season was the one during which I became a fan as a six year old. The names of that entire squad resonate with me. Charlie George and Frank McLintock were my absolute heroes but I always thought Peter Simpson was hugely underrated. He also comes across as unbelievably humble and almost apologetic about his abilities. Thank you ‘holic for bringing into focus what a wonderful servant and gifted player he was for us at a momentous point in our history.
Happy Birthday ‘holic!
Have a great one!
happy birthday, holic! May your pint of Guinness never run dry today.
Happy Birthday, Guv! Enjoy
Happy Birthday, ‘Holic.
32, right?
Happy Birthday Guvnor
Digressing back onto Cricket commentators (should that be regressing?) Jim Laker had a tendency not to pronounce the ‘g’ at the end of words. One summer, there was a Bowls world championship going on at the same time as the Test series, which in those far-away, halcyon days, was sharing live coverage with the cricket. Laker’s commentaries were regularly interrupted as he handed viewers over to the Bowls in Sussex with “and now we’re goin’ over to the bowlin’ at Worthin'”. As ttg said earlier, it’s funny the things we remember.
COYG
….. yeh Oscar closely followed by a much awaited …Lilley c Willey b Dilley!!
Cricket commentary is so much better than football because of the nature of the game & those that played it. It gives time for humour & currently very recent experience giving a genuine understanding of it.
With football all I want to know is who has got the ball & not the non stop generally biased & negative opinions often unrelated to what is happening on the pitch. Then we have the pundits added to it all. Either failed managers or didn’t even try thinking the game is the same as it was 10-20-30 years ago, mostly slagging off the likes of AW every week. The fact that Gary Neville stands head & shoulders above anyone else in this field speaks for itself.
Give me Kenneth Wolstenholme…” and it’s Haynes with space”, any day.
Thank you all. Going to have a fizzy one.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Happy Birthday, Holic.
Many happies.
And may the boys put the icing on the cake on Monday.
Happy Birthday, Holic!!!
My second post is up if anybody is interested. Matt from aston villa life provided the probable Villa lineup. I’ve already been told on twitter I have a ways to go before I reach Holics level. Lol thanks Cent …
oops it’s 4am … http://www.arsegonian.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday, Holic, and many happy returns. 😉
Arsegonian,
“Holics level”. – makes a change ! 😉
Bath,
No doubt the boys will be happy to put the icing on the cake on Monday, but Health and Safety might want a word about that many candles. 😉
Happy birthday ‘H. Wishing you a lovely day.
Thanks all. Really lucky to have you lot around, especially right now.
Take care, H. Sounds like all may not be well.
Watching today’s matches; so far:
Chelsea comfortable winners at Hull; Hull played for 0-0 draw all the way, and never remotely threatened .
Through first half of Spuds Palace; Spuds are utter dross. Playing high line again, and the speedy Chamakh and Jerome are giving them fits. (You read that right; Spuds defense make those two look like Navas and Aguero….). Palace should be up 0-1 on a PK, but Puncheon hits the kick 30 yards wide into Row Z.
BJ: only seen the penalty from the Spurs game (it took about five seconds for it to appear on Twitter) and it was absolutley fucking awful. It may well be one of the five worst I’ve ever seen, and it’s not like he can blame slipping like Beckham did in a World Cup or whatever it was when he launched the ball into orbit, it was just an utterly shit attempt.
I just saw on twitter that it is holic’s birthday. Have a good one holic!
cheers
Hope you are having a terrific birthday ‘Holic. Cheers!
Happy Birthday Holic! 🙂
Harsha. Why is this important information confined to Twitter? 😉
Happy birthday ‘holic! 🙂
Happy Birthday ‘Holic!
Homer @ 139: The interesting thing is how Frimpong is always hanging around the first team this season, not a single series of practice session photos appear without him. Whether that involvement means something more than preparing him for a loan or more likely sell the people closer to the club will know…
He was okay the few times he had appeared for the first team before he was sent out to Wolves and got injured. Nowhere close to ready and I think a sustained loan spell or two would be the only way to convince.
Coquelin had looked closer to the finished article, and I was surprised to see him leave on loan but with Flamini joining in that made sense. His team Freiburg is having an awful season and I don’t think he is doing that well based on summary reports, and also being played out of position at left wing or something like that. Doesn’t look like at this stage has a potential Arsenal career, but may be brought back and given another chance to prove in PL, at Arsenal or loaned out.
Happy Birthday ‘holic hope you are being spoilt!!!
Watching the highlights of the U-21 match against Fulham…evidently Kris Olsson is under the spell of super Tom and has decided to copy not only the TR7’s game but also his hairstyle and demeanor and hand gestures. 🙂 The age of having heroes before the cynicism and delusions set in… Olsson doesn’t get talked about as much as the eye catching Zelalem etc. but he may also have a future, versatile and technically strong.
I have heard many have already given verdict on how Eisfield doesn’t quite look the part, and every time I saw him he tends to disappear for some durations in a match, but his positioning in the final third, his finishing and his final pass are quite excellent for someone in his age group. Hopefully someone whose blossoming in red and white we will have the pleasure to witness.
All the results today have gone as expected so let’s hope something unexpected happens tomorrow.
Monday is a foregone conclusion.
Thanks for that Dr. F.
Well put.
Regarding the U21s highlights, the interview with Alex at the end is interesting, him coming across as a very level-headed young man.
I also thought Afobe was looking sharp in the little that we saw. He’s still only 20 – given our striker problems, don’t quite understand why he isn’t getting on the bench. I know he hasn’t exactly shone during his loan spells but maybe he’ll get a chance against Coventry?
Having just read the excellent Jeorge Bird’s match report on the U21s Fulham game on his arsenalyouth blog, I think we have to take the word “highlights” on the AFC site with a very large pinch of salt. Shame really – it would be very interesting to have some longer highlights of the youngsters to watch.
Holic
Congratulations and many happy returns. January is a famous month for Gooner birthdays. Hope you get a belated present from the lads on Monday.
My day was made today. I was on a train coming back from London with a few LWCs on it. They were congratulating themselves on overcoming the might of Palace today. Then once said ” but we can’t beat them can we? ,that’s the one that really matters”. I’m just guessing the ” them “was us!
Interesting to see Ntep has tweeted a photo of a Eurostar ticket to Londonthus evening. Two Ex Auxerre strikers would be too much to hope for!
Ntep – what’s his injury record look like?
Soory, but Auxerre – the question has to be asked.
Answering my own question, transfermarkt.com says he has played 28 games in all this season.
28! From Auxerre.
Mush be shome mishtake.
Dk- what’s wrong with Diaby and Sanogo then!? Oh yes…….And Sagna has only broken his leg twice! Still it’s nice to have a feeder club
Cheers again, you lot.
You are the best.
Hope alls well H.
Happy B-Day.
Happy birthday Holic
Congratulations on your birthday, ‘holic, may it be marked with a big win tomorrow.
If, unlike myself, you’re not yet at an age when birthdays seem to come at worryingly diminishing intervals you may be interested in … http://www.dayofbirth.co.uk/ … where you can determine your age in days, or even down to hours if you’re so inclined.
Öskar
Apparently Abou has had another setback, poor sod. http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/10/arsene-wenger-confirms-abou-diaby-is-far-away-from-making-arsenal-return-4257465/
Öskar
Am I hearing this right?
Eduardo Da Silva wants to return to Arsenal and has been in London recently to hold talks?
OMG!
Has had three seasons playing with a top side and his goal ratio has been roughly 1 in 2. Plus he has the experience required. My only question would be, how would adapt to the 4-3-3 system currently in use? He was very good playing 4-4-2 for us.
Am I missing something here?
Eduardo wants out of Shaktar and would cost peanuts. Another Flamini-type resurrection who would fit in quickly. Could be a useful stopgap if we can’t land a Costa or equivalent.
Öskar
It seems RvP has suffered a similar injury to that which kept him out of Arsenal’s side for more than three months in 2007/8. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2537430/Robin-van-Persie-action-six-weeks-thigh-injury.html#ixzz2q4KsdHvC
Oh dear, how sad, never mind!
Öskar
Oskar if memory serves most of RVP’s injuries while at Arsenal kept him out for quite a bit longer than three months only, but I’ll take your word for it.
Oh yes. Happy bday and many happy returns to the barman.
You old goat!
Still the best bar around – despite the patrons =).
And i bate to admit it. But i love eduardo.
Fox in the box!
Quite right 8 ball but comforting, in a way, to hear Manure are getting some of the other side of him. They were lucky to get his best in his first season with them, we had to wait eight years.
Öskar
Many happy returns Holic! Hope it’s been, or is currently, one to remember (sorry my verb tenses are all over the place, in fact they’re far from ‘perfect’ – just that I’m still lounging around in Colombia, not that I’m trying to remind all other Holics that I’m still on holiday, far from it…and since you ask, the weather was about 26C with a light breeze in Santander where I went on a mini road trip the other day!!!)
Yeah I heard the weather was utter shite in Blighty too…
About to watch the recording of Atletico Madrid v. Barcelona. Just read about the game so I know the 0-0 score but judging by the adverts on the shirts you would think it was an international between Azerbaijan (Madrid) and Qatar (Barcelona). Should the winner play Malaysia (Cardiff)?
Actually, that is Qatar Airways for Barcelona putting them in the same category as “Fly Emirates” I suppose …
Cheers everyone. And happy birthday, ‘holic. Many many happy returns. Trust the Gunners will carve up Villa Monday in your honor.
It’s been a while since the Arsenal played, no? Pffffffff
Just watched some highlights of Antoine Griezmann, the French winger Arsene just bid 15 mil for. Looks a very cheeky little player. Age 22, a left wing who can supposedly lead the line as well. Speedy, bags of confidence, and a remarkably deft little finisher. The quality and variety of his goals was impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DREekwKrFMc
Hard to read the boss’s mind at this (or any) juncture. Even if we landed a player like Griezemann (and I’d be pleased if we did) he inevitably take a while to adapt to his new surroundings. Hard to assume he’d help us immediately. Whatever, we’ll see.
Honestly a part of me is just pleased to see Wenger make an (apparently) serious offer in January. Real Sociedad supposedly value him at 30 mil, so Arsene may just be playing games, but 15 mil for an unproven 22 year old seems fairly serious.
GL based on various reports I think that Griezmann will end up at PSG in the summer or as soon as this winter if they decide to sell Lavezzi.
I agree with you, he is a fine player, but I think that Arsene’s waiting game will not give required product in his case. We had a chance to sign him in the summer for less money, around 10 mil. if I remember correctly, the only condition was to give up on Vela’s clause, which Arsenal refused to do.
At the moment he costs much more than we want to pay and the only way Arsenal are going to sign him is to pay way over the odds, which is highly unlikely to happen.
Add to that the case of Draxler who plays in the same position and who according to papers in Germany is already a done deal in the summer, it is safe to say that Griezmann to Arsenal will not happen.
Belated Birthday Wishes Maestro, all the best.
I do hope we check out the terms of Draxler’s contract before we start offering £40+1 again!
Cannot afford to lose another talent of this calibre.
A lot of tumbleweed around for a match day?
Sorry Goonertown, but don’t fall for that tabloidesque nonsense.
If there ever was a legally binding release clause set at any offer in excess of £40,000,000, then £40,000,001 is the logical offer to make. Clause activated – end of story.
If you finish up in an auction, that is the time to raise your bid.
Why, as a business, would you offer a competitor £5,000,000 on top of the selling price when there was no need to. We are talking about a base price of FORTY MILLION pounds – not some cut price bargain.
Happy birthday, ‘Holic. A year wiser and a year younger, I trust.
It’s not an Arsenal matchday, Pangloss, that reduces the attendance.
Lays it on a plate for………
ME !!!! Ta ! 😉
Well in Trev.
Well in, Trev! And good work @196.
Well in, Trev.
re: Commentators. Peter Jones in radio and Brian Moore on TV were the gold standards.
Thank you, gentlemen, much obliged. 😉
Absolutely, Ned, and thanks. Long time since I scored on a Sunday morning. 😉
Fair point, H2H. Well in Trev, and congratulations on (we can hope) finally nailing all the “we should have offer £45M/£48M, it’s only £5mill/8mill, whatever” bollocks. About bloody time too!
COYG
What Trev said about the tabloidesque nonsense
It really is a load of shit, it’s bad enough when there’s no transfer window open, but when it is, it’s just drivel.
If you look at some of the websites, one page will tell you we are linked with player x, with a link on that very page to a story telling us why we wont get him.
Pure bollox.
:), Trev. Form is temporary. Class is permanent.
Chateau Nouveux equalise………
Not.
Ruled out, bad decision.
happy belated birthday ‘holic.
watching the newcastle/man city game, and newcastle have been denied a goal, with the lino citing obstruction by the newcastle players. some seasons ago we had a goal like that against us but it was given. piss poor/inconsistent FA officials
Live, I thought it was a bad call.
Now I’ve seen the replay I think it was a terrible call.
Not only that but the game was threatening to boil over…..,..
Lots of reds for Citeh please.
The lino does not raise the flag. Jones looks to the lino, not being certain himself. Jones then disappears out of shot so I don’t know if he initially gave the goal but he can be seen turning to walk away from the goal – i.e. he is probably just about to give it.
What made them change their decisions? Well, I’ll leave that up to the reader to decide…
There’s far too much money sloshing around certain parts of the Premiership for 50:50 calls to be left to the judgement of relatively poorly paid officials. There will be many incorruptible officials – if not most, but to claim universal incorruptibility is naive. All the grey areas in decision making should be removed by technology. That old ‘human element in the game’ argument is an anachronism in this era of obscenely wealthy owners with questionable morals.
damaged ACL nasri?? take that you cunt!!
How did Yang-Mbiwa stay on the pitch for that kick on Nasri? I don’t care who he kicked, that is not acceptable.
Not a red, in my book. Poor challenge. Definite yellow.
Plus the ref knows he cannot anger the Geordies any more and leave town alive.
Happy belated birthday, Holic.
BMBD
SC gooner, as much as I hate Nasri, I don’t wan’t this kind of injury to any player.
Except Hazard, lying little cunt is basically Chelsea on his own.
And RVP.
Rooney, too.
Ok, the whole Chelsea squad, Maureen not included so he can be still in charge when they finish 14th.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says Samir Nasri has suffered a suspected medial ligament injury and will be assessed on Monday.
From BBC.
The BBC injured Nasri? How? Why? Why not sooner?
I wonder where the shit City defense and their poor away form talk, has gone?
Pressure’s on us now.. seems all the top 6 have won this week!
Shawcross goal and an assist, great day at the office so far!
Heh Lars.
Dirty Orcs not giving up without a fight though, 2-2
Stoke level before halftime? Didn’t see that happening
Thanks again for your good wishes. Off to listen to the presser before putting up a preview of tomorrow’s game.
You will be delighted to hear TaBS is reporting on the game itself.
liverpoo’s defense is, well, shit. if they don’t have suarez, they’re doa as a team.
PL referees as bad as they were this past decade, this year are absolute disgrace.
Another non-existent penalty for Liverpool.
Delight tinged with sadness, ‘Holic@226, that you won’t be.
Isn’t it annoying when players you dislike play well? Whoever taught Suarez to score goals and told him it’s not illegal to pass the ball to a player in a shirt that looks the same as the one he’s wearing needs a good hiding. It was much better when he needed a million shots per goal scored and tried to do everything himself.
Pressure very much on us for tomorrow after todays result, disallowed goal in Chateau Noveau and non-penalty for Liverpool makes for another shambolic display by some refrees.
The results went as predicted tho in the end, but as long as we focus and win our own games, we should be fine. Bring on Villa!
Wasn’t the ref at the Stoke-‘Pool game the same one as gave the two pens for Villa first game of the season and got rested for a week?
Lars
Annoying? It’s a nightmare
The away form of the proper candidates for the title is steadily improving. It’s getting tighter now but we should be plenty good enough to beat Villa tomorrow. We want revenge for that ref- ruined debacle on the opening day.
We have a run of games that really could see us push on very positively but the pressure mounts now. That’s why goalscorers are very handy to have and why I hope given Theo’s problems we recruit one.
That’s why zi am surprised spurs have let Defoe go. Neither Adebayor or Soldado can be relied on. Other than from the spot!
Eändy
I hope our team can handle the pressure. If we want to win anything this year pressure will be our second name until May 🙂
Bring em on! Game by game COYG!
Lars.
He seems to have forgotten how to nibble on defenders too, most annoying indeed.
@230 Lars,
that is little harsh on Suarez. He was a great player last year too, second best goalscorer in the PL behind RvP with 6-7 games less then the Dutchman. He was great at Ajax too and he is always playing well for Uruguay.
I am not sure who started this campaign million-shots-per-goal-ratio against him, I guess it was 7amkickoff on his site, the guy who so enjoys using stats instead of watching players play football.
The stats are useful but they are like youtube videos, their only purpose is to quickly learn something about someone.
Will the stats tell me if Ozil is a good signing? If you look at them, he is not near worth 42 mil. but we all know that he is, right?
What stats is Arsene using when looking at Draxler. This season he has 28 apps. and only 5 goals and 6 assists, but Arsene is prepared to pay 40 mil for him. 40 mill for potential 10 goals and 12 assists in a season?
But Draxler is going to be great, no doubt about it.
Having watched couple of Schalke games this and last season I don’t need no stats to tell me that. His movement with and without the ball, engine, shooting, dribbling, playing intelligence, passing are evident.
My point, it was evident that Suarez is a great player the first moment I saw him play and no stats are gonna tell me otherwise.
And no, I don;t think that anybody taught him how to hit the target and assist more, I guess he was intelligent enough to realize by himself where he could improve his game.
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