The Importance Of An Arsenal Win On Saturday
Feb 4th, 2014 by 'holic
So on Saturday lunchtime we are off to Anfield for what has traditionally been one of the big fixtures of the season, and one that would appear to have become a barometer of our title winning credentials in modern times. Indeed in all thirteen successful campaigns we have won at Anfield no fewer than nine times.
Surely the most famous meeting of the clubs came on 26th May, 1989 when we secured the 2-0 win we needed to lift the championship trophy with the famous “It’s up for grabs now” Michael Thomas goal in the final moments of a long season.
George Graham’s Arsenal secured the title again two years later, and again beat the defending champions in front of their own supporters with Paul Merson scoring the only goal of the game.
I should gloss over 1998 when with the title already secured a weakened side took a four goal beating. I would argue that this was the exception that proves the rule. Ten days later the Gunners sealed their second double by beating Newcastle United at Wembley.
Fast forward to our third double season, and in 2001/2 the Gunners, reduced to ten men by the first-half dismissal of Giovanni van Bronckhorst took a two goal lead through Thierry Henry (from the penalty spot) and Freddie Ljungberg. Although Litmanen pulled one back we weathered the late storm to earn a significant three points. That day remains fresh in the minds of many as a significant one for our season.
The 2004 invincibles won by the same score despite falling behind to Kewell’s opener. The equaliser arrived courtesy of Hyypia’s own goal and a Robert Pires special from fully twenty-five yards sealed another key victory.
You can probably predict now that this weekend’s ‘holic pound will be wagered on another win on the road. Once again we make the journey with the title a possibility. Once again to beat an improving Liverpool would send out a very strong message.
Let it be, as four of Liverpool’s most famous sons once sang.
172 Responses to “The Importance Of An Arsenal Win On Saturday”
Let’s stay TOP OF THE SHOP!!
Thanks ‘H. Some lovely memories up there. Tough tough game.
Go on Arsenal, Please please me.
As great as Per and Kos have been, stopping Suarez and Sturridge at Anfield is going to be a big ask. If we win, I will for the first time, dare to start dreaming of the title.
Nice one ‘h;lic.
As a kid, behalf from the NLD, this was the big one. L’pool were the best team of the era, I can’t remember us winning too many against them outside of Highbury. I’ll never forget the 87 League Cup final though, one nil down, two one up from a brace from Charlie, that’s the way we won the cup, after an eight year drought (sound familiar?). It was probably the spring plank to futher success’.
Saturday could indeed be the same.
Make my weekend, Gunners, pleaseeeeeee.
COYG!
not wishing to take the gloss of your ’89’ win or anything but it is worth bearing in mind that our team had not trained since the Hillsboro tragedy needing to instead attend 2 funerals a day off the back of a cup final which went into extra time and a tuesday night game against a hammers team fighting to stay up (all this with the FA saying they`d “bend over backwards” to help us) which amounted to 3 games in 6 days as I recall – but you did get a very generous ovation off a full house which stayed back to clap you round on a lap of honour – not many would have done that I believe given our disapointment.
re Saturday, we may not be the push-overs you played at the Emirates and I for one cant wait for what should be a cracker
Almost all of that is true and acknowledged scouse. You hit West Ham for six though. If they had put up any sort of a fight and held you to five then 1-0 would have done us ๐
Full marks to the many scousers who did stay to applaud us that night. Always appreciated.
Let it be, indeed. Have no doubt that after traveling up the long and winding road, we can work it out.
Top ten moptop tunes for the scousers this weekend:
10. “I’m Down”
9. “Fixing A Hole”
8. “Nowhere Man”
7. “Misery”
6. “Help!”
5. “A Hard Day’s Night”
4. “Chains” (Chains! Koscielny’s got me locked up in chains…”)
3. “I Should Have Known Better”
2. “I’ll Cry Instead”
…..
1. “I’m A Loser”
From me to you:
Go won Gunners
Nice blog H, benchmark indeed.
Good one H.
Should be a cracking game,Pool will come out at 100 miles an hr,and we will have to weather the storm and make sure we don’t concede an early goal to give them the momentum.
Red Scouse,
I have been impressed with your lot on a few occasions this season,
I am iterested in your thoughts on how Rodgers will set the team up for Saturday.
Given your defensive weaknesses,will he add an extra body in midfield
and sacrifice something up front,or will he throw caution to the wind and go for the throat from the off,as i predict above.??
Cheers
The Sweeper
If owens was as good then as he thinks he was- now…he might be credible…but he never was a serious thinker
Last minute goal for Shefield Utd against a truly woeful Fulham.
goonersince54 – I dont think we will deviate from the 4-3-3 we have gone with at home for most of the season – as you rightly point out we are very fragile at the back and so will try to do what we do best (at home mostly anyway) which is outscore our opponents. you have impressed me with your defensive strength the season lad and mertersacker is like the ghost of tony adams! – a win for you will put you in a strong position for the title but you do have some tough fixtures coming up and it will be interesting to see where you are come march – for our part, a win would take us away from the others and will have some dreaming of third spot(until we go to fulham and forget to put a shift in at least) its a crazy season so far so who knows….
Great preview ‘H. Beginning of a long build-up?
I haven’t managed to work out whether I think we’ll win anything this season, but I’m certainly enjoying it a hell of a lot more than most of the past few. How many on here said all they wanted was for us to give it a real go? Well, I’m hanged if I can tell the difference between what we’ve done this season and giving it a real go.
Bring on Liverpool, bring ’em all on.
It’s on
COYG
We have had some great results up there in recent years. We played them off the park last year in one of Diaby’s greatest games. We had the double cup success. 3-1 in the FA Cup and then four goal Julio Baptista, we had the Arshavin winner, the Van Persie double , the four goal Arshavin thriller when we still didn’t win and the game when Cole and Koscielny were sent off and Reyna threw one in. In other words it’s been a good recent ground for us although they are very dangerous this season and we must defend well. I hope Arteta plays as well as he played in the 2-0 win in November.
If we did win it would start to frighten a lot of people and we would have a five point lead. I think we can do it
Chewers ‘holic.
Always whispering words of wisdom to us.
6 & 13 ‘scouse:
I have no doubts that ‘pool will play all out attack on Saturday.
It will be a real Helter Skelter of an afternoon for us Day Trippers but I guess we can Carry That Weight of expectations with us.
Is it Friday ?
Nice recollections, Holic.
A win up there, and it would feel like this thing is really on.
That win in 2001/2 was very special because of a. Atrocious refereeing display by Paul Durkin. It was completely inconsistent and the decision go send of GVB was ridiculous . When Ljungberg scored I knew we would win the title that season
Big performance in store? Nothing less will do but i have a feeling we will show them why we are table toppers.
Make that I’ve got a feeling. ๐
20 Beatles songs to be going on with.
Ask Me Why I Feel Fine Like Dreamers Do. Because I Want To Tell You it may be A Hard Day’s Night but Do You Want To Know A Secret? I’ve Got A Feeling We Can Work It Out.
Don’t Let Me Down Boys. Please Please Me and I will Twist And Shout Free As A Bird Here There And Everywhere Across The Universe!
With Love From Me To You.
รskar (I’ll Be Back)
PS, I Love You
The End
Matches against Liverpool are always good because the focus is just on football and there seems to be a mutual respect between the two clubs. I was born around the tail end of their dominant period so I don’t have much recollection of it. I do remember hearing my uncles say they like them because they play attractive football though.
I think meeting them twice on the pitch in the League and the Cup may not be ideal but I think Arsenal could probably nick a result at Anfield. I have this naggin feeling that we could falter against them in the FA Cup though…
One thing that’s for sure, whether we win or lose this match, we won’t get credit in the media.
Win, and it’s “It was only Liverpool”
Lose, and it’s “We were right all along”
Ah well, better not to worry and just cheer on our Yellow Submarine when we head down to Strawberry Anfield, eh?
I have a problem. Suarez is my fantasy football captain and has almost single-handed dragged my team from 20th in Happy Train League to currently 5th. What should I do?
Wait, he’s not going to score on Saturday so I can leave him out altogether! Problem solved. ๐
รskar
Great post Holic … Thank you. I’m going for 2-1 to the Arsenal. I can’t quite bring myself to call a clean sheet even though we handled them quite comfortably at home. Mrs. Arsegonian likes Brendan Rogers from the ” Being Liverpool. ” show. Should make for some fun times in the Arsegonian household especially with a 4:45am kickoff. One of us is an early riser, one isn’t ๐
Welcome redscouse … Now get lost ๐
OtD. Not sure I would admit that in public about Suarez being the captain of your fantasy team. If I wanted to avoid ridicule and scorn, that is. ๐
Must be a 6:45am kickoff here then. I’d better start getting the coffee pot ready to brew some of my strongest stuff. ๐
our players need to believe in their heads that they are better than the opposition and they deserve to win the title.
there’s a resilience in this side that was lost for a long time. if we can relax and step up our game we will win it at a canter.
i also feel the players knowing the tough schedule are playing within themselves.
Unleash the cavalry boys!
62-63 was the first season I remember Liverpool in the top division. Newly promoted under Shankly, and I think we only took one point out of four off them in the league. Citeh and Orient got relegated that year. Fulham, then missing Johnny Haynes because of his car accident, was the southernmost team in the top flight, with the Chavs where they belong, in the Second Division. Lots of games cancelled around the turn of the year because of the snow and cold. No undersoil heating at Highbury in those days. Seems an age ago. Probably because it was.
Haha 8ball. I was one of those hoping AW would sign Suarez remember, and unlike Arsenal my Wellington Booters had no problem signing him up. The captaincy came later when it was clear he was scoring way more points than my first choice รzilla. I drew the line at spuds in my fantasy (not that any would have been good enough) and RvP, but I don’t enter competitions without wanting to win.
This is the first time I’ve played fantasy football and it took a while to figure out HOW to win, Unfortunately I’m now stuck behind four others who clearly already knew!
Meanwhile, back in the real world, I can see Saturday’s game going the same way as the reverse fixture, yet another 2-0 to us. And no doubt with the usual amount of angst in the last half hour. ๐
รskar
NBN – I love it when you old geezers pull out a gem of Arsenal history! ๐
62-63 was a couple of years before my time, so I have nothing to add!
OTD – For some, albeit perverse, reason I’m beginning to enjoy the “Arsenal Angst”.
Living in Seattle I was forced to watch that other form of “football” among people who actually cared (I was just at the party for the free booze and food!). But with the game over at the half, even the fanatics wandered off with only a periodic glance at the telly to talk about cars, birds, and Thai food. With Arsenal I often get 90 minutes of angst but I’m finding it is better than than stress and/or tedium of work, home, world, etc.
So I’m 1-nil to the Arse! With a 87 minute samurai header from super-sub Bendtner!
Cheers holic! Some good memories there. Went to the 4-0 in 1998. Did we give a fuck? No – just sang ‘He comes from Senegal’ all night, as the great man waved to us from the touchline before coming on for a trot around as a late sub, from memory.
62-63, it certainly was an age ago. Back in those days almost every game kicked off at 3.00 on a Saturday. One of the exceptions was Coventry City who used to start at 3.15 with the effect – possibly intentional – that fans leaving Highfield Road knew the results elsewhere.
FA Cup replays would take place on the Tuesday or Wednesday evening following the original game and there were no penalties. The first match was played over 90 minutes, and any replay had a half hour of extra time. Still level after 120 minutes of replay? Play another replay the following week, with extra time if necessary. Still level? Have another go, and so on. As far as I recall, there were unplayed 3rd round matches – never mind undecided – by the time the 5th round draw took place.
Lest I get carried away by nostalgia, we should also remember that back in those good (?) old days, there was only one domestic match that was televised live – the FA Cup Final.
It was shown by all (i.e. both) the TV companies (no satellite or cable back then), who devoted the whole morning to building up the atmosphere – live pictures of the players’ coaches leaving their hotels. Cup final-themed versions of popular quiz programmes, pitting fans of the two clubs against each other. Oh yes, Jose, television was halfway back to the 19th century too.
Time to turn my thoughts to the future, and the next match.
COYG
Damn. Carried away above. The last sentence should include the phrase “television was rubbish”. Pesky missing words.
Morning Pangloss … Great stuff above
Interesting stuff coming out at Swansea. Player delegations going upstairs to complain about lack of training and discipline. Put me in the ” no thanks ” column when Laudrup gets mentioned as an Arsene replacement.
Evening all – it has been an interesting ride over the last few years being an arsenal supporter.
I get as nervous as shite when we play the crap sides but I don’t feel as nervous when we play the big teams or the decent sides.
In fact the better the side the less nervous i feel.
There is no better motivator in life or football than when those around you write you off (even when leading the comp).
I feel a very solid win lead by santi and ozil.
The very best rise in the very big moments and santi and ozil are the very best when they are at their peak.
Especially mesut who will make the difference to our run home as he has that extra bit of special class that only very few in life ever achieve.
Good blog from arseblog today about the media etc.
Commiserations to all in London today with the tube strike. Glad to be out of all that, even though Londoners have themselves to blame voting for Boris the Berk (imho).
Then again, ‘holic’s website host has been on a go-slow for the last week in my experience.
A preview preview ‘h. This has all the hallmarks of an exciting match. I’m sure we will be under the cosh for some of the game but will eventually come out of it with a draw.
Nice for some of the history between the 2 clubs to be recalled. Apart from the NLD, in the 60s, 70s & 80s, the scousers were always the team to beat. I think it was in 65 when we controversially lost 1-0 to them in the 3rd round match at Highbury. The only goal coming from a dash down the wing by the fast Peter Thomson (no not Phil Thompson) with the ball marginally running out of play before he crossed it into the box fir them to score. It was a bad tempered game (nothing unusual between these teams) and the most memorable moment for the gooners when our diminutive CF Joe Baker, tussled with their giant CB Big Ron Yeats and floored him with a single punch. Needless to say they both enjoyed an early bath.
Ned, that winter of early 63 was a record breaker. If I recall properly, it snowed on New Year’s Eve and didn’t thaw until late feb, and that’s in Norf Lunnen.
Pangloss, back yonder as you recall, FA Cup final day was an all day affair – lots of beer stocked up beforehand. It didn’t matter which teams had got through to the final, it was the only club game live on tv at that time. Don’t forget the All Star “Wrestling” hosted by Kent Walton was the pre game tv entertainment.
Ah….Yesterday. ๐
We will take ALL 3 points at Anfield and also for the rest of February, including BM on the CL.
Then Ramsey & Diaby will be back for the Man-City & Chelsea games next month — FERVENTLY hope
THEN WE WILL AUTHENTICATE OUR TITLE CREDENTIALS BY BEATING THEM BOTH & THEN SHUT-UP THOSE (Media) DOUBTERS
And as the Boss said, then it “would be ingrained in their brains”, this time that we are INDEED THE CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN
Remember these words, ALL you Happy, smiley GUNNERS!!!!
COYG!!!
I remember my first Liverpool game at Highbury 61/62 ?, the pitch was barely playable, standing water everywhere. It was a fantastic 0-0, the best I have ever seen or likely to see. Those were the days!
Upon reflection, we grabbed 4 points off of the scousers last season. So anything less than another 4 this season, would be a step back for us. A draw or more is on the offing this saturday morning and the full 3 is a strong likelihood if we can:
*Daub the source of the threat (Gerrard, Couthinho and Sterling)
*Leave the SAS to Per and Kos
*Nick a couple of goals on the break
Then it will be job done and on to the next one.
However, anything less than a win could see us move to 3rd.
3rd? No bloody way! ๐
One of the two names above (Micky Thomas) that makes a scousers blood boil brighter than their home strip.
The other: Andrey Arshavin ๐
I love it! ๐
Good stuff from Uply and Pangloss especially back there.
Oskar taking over the puns – is this a Revolution ? Ob-la-di hell ! ๐
Uply – on your wrestling theme, I found this shot of some of Wolfie’s older relatives –
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wrestling+the+royal+brothers&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#biv=i%7C47%3Bd%7CkLz-VUXbYGhKWM%3A
๐
Afternoon all.
Good stuff from our patrons of an older vintage, fine memories.
And not sure what these two are doing –
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=jackie+pallo&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#biv=i%7C45%3Bd%7Cv8OV4RfNKUMVrM%3A
๐
Common gunz lets suprise anfield wit a 1-3 win@dreaming for trophies…………So help us God
Tough game, weather the early storm and we have a winner. SAS and Coutinho will start of as a team in hurry and hence i think we need to tell our full backs to stay back and not bomb forward too much, atleast not in the first half.
Remember when we won 2-0 last time there, poldi and santi scoring and diaby having a belter of a game owning the midfield, the first half had pool attacking in hordes and we defending resolutely, more of the same please.
Big game means big players need to step up, time for the magician to unleash his magic wand and caste a spell across anfield, Santi you can do the same please.
Game as ever will be decided by the midfield and worry is ox, positionally he may come unstuck specially when defending which may give the likes of gerrard and coutinho space.
Sterling and Suarez diving theatrics needs to be watched yet if its nil nil end of first half, our class will come through to win the game.
1-2 to the Gunners
Uply@41 – I thought it started snowing on Boxing Day 1962, but I was too young then to be sure now.
COYG
I think you mean this Trev;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y36lEzxMTs
I just watched it, hilarious.
I remember watching it every Saturday on World of Sport, albeit a few years later. Big daddy and Giant Haystacks being the ones I remember. Didn’t remember it looking so fake though. ๐
Cheers Trev….coincidentally, Highbury had it’s very own wrestling star of that era, Jackie Pallo ( real name Gutteridge, cousin of the boxing commentator Reg). If Wolfie had been around at that time, a certain Adrian Street would have been his stylist!
Goonertown, Michael Thomas was later sold by our erstwhile club to the scousers and enjoyed a successful career with them – don’t think there is any animosity from the scousers towards him at all. He was following in the footsteps of Geoff Strong and Ray Kennedy before him who enjoyed stellar careers at both clubs – see the Guv’nors previous trips down memory lane for full info.
Talking of MT, it’s a nice photo of “that goal” with none other than a certain A.Hansen someway behind the action – that’s where he got to understand about bad defending ๐
What a great piece from the writer! thank you!!!
When i see those bunch of incompetent idiots,the so called “football analysts and experts”,”pundits”,i feel how poorly managed are the main stream medias and how poorly is the public served.
The wider public have to demand this type of pieces that are very original and supported by facts,emotion and logical development of ideas.The main stream medias like sky sports and BT have to start inviting individual bloggers and fans of different clubs in the premier league and champions league pre,mid and after match discussions rather than sticking to the so called “pundits” who are vomiting their rotten,ill fated and unbalanced views.
As we have seen in the first encounter between Arsenal and liverpool in the emirates, our excellent defensive unit and the goal keeper silenced them. Our midfielders and strikers are much better and effective in working together.Liverpool dropped more points with other teams and as far as we are on our best,we will get our three points with a lovely performance.
Come on you gunnerssssss
Re: dkgooner @40. Thanks for the explanation of the reason why Goonerholic has been on go-slow for the last week. Sympathy for the tube strike must account for it. No doubt it has been slow though. ๐
Uply – Yeah, I didn’t know about Micky Thomas moving to the reds until the other day!
My local Scousers still hate speaking about Anfield 89! They are quite patriotic in that way!
“They think it’s all overโฆ it is now!
Trev & H2H, you beat me to it re Jackie Pallo. Those wrestling bouts were more fixed than a Soviet politburo election. All that violence and not a drop of tomato ketchup. ๐
cant wait for sat luncheon. go go gunners
Uply-well remembered about that famous tie and THE punch. I thought it was the fifth round though
I’ll drink to that, Maestro. Top blogging again.
COYG!
@49.
Dear Mr Trev,
That is actually a photo of Lynn the bouncer asking me to leave the Tollie at closing time last Sunday.
Yours grapple-fanningly
Wolfgang Smallballs.
True Storey
Where have you been for such a long time?
You missed thee old transfer deadline day excitement ๐
Test, test.
TTG – you are even better rembered – ( as normal), it was indeed the 5th round. Terrific atmosphere ending in disappointment – a normal feature in those “good” old days.
Bergkamp linked to swansea job.. very interesting!
Wouldn’t read too much into that BB. There was a shitload of other names on that list too.
Bergkamp and de Boer are on the verge of a historic fourth title in a row here in the Lowlands.
Vinay @ 51: Despite Ox’s superlative performance against Palace, he may not start or may not start in that box-to-box position exactly due to the reason you suggested: lack of defensive experience. The game plan should be around controlling the midfield through craft as well as by overloading in numbers to cut off the supply line to their strikers. And then choose right moments to press forward when Liverpool tries to build slowly from the back — their build-up play can be slow and ponderous until the ball gets to Coutinho-Suarez-Sturridge.
My starting line-up would be:
Szcz
Sagna – Per- Kos – Gibbo/Monreal
Arteta – TR7- Ozil
Santi – Giroud – Poldi
TR7’s defensive strength — tackling as well as positional sense — and one of the better long passes make him a good fit for the box-to-box role, and while pressing he can quickly move up and Ozil to drop in as cover.
Their RB/RW can be really weak and positionally poor, and there will be chances created for Poldi to exploit early. Gibbo gets my nod over Monreal for this match as he is just a bit faster (even though Monreal is technically better) and is better suited to a pressing-at-right-moments-otherwise-counter-attacking game which is what we should play. I expect our players to allow ‘Pool lot of meaningless possession in their own half.
If things are not working out well Ox to come in place of Poldi, Santi to move to left and Ox play as a RW.
“Is there anybody there?”
One knock for yes…
Delia @ 43,
64-65 was the 0-0 draw.the same season as the infamous Peterborough cup defeat.
Pool weren’t in the top flight until 62-63,The Old fella took me to Anfield for the away game that season,which we lost 2-1,but the home supporters were a great lot and we ended up in a local Pub after the match and Dad and his mates enjoyed a few drinks with them,none of which they were allowed to pay for.!!
Needless to say Dad and friends reciprocated when the Pool fans came to Highbury for the return game which was a 2-2 draw,with goals from Billy McCullough and Johnny MacLeod.
Interestingly we were never able to beat Liverpool in any competition from the year they were promoted,until the 67-68 season when we beat them 2-0 at Highbury.
That game will always remain famous for the best headed own goal you will ever see.
A certain Tony Hateley,Pool centre forward,back defending an Arsenal corner,rocketed an unstoppable header past his own keeper.!!
Jon Sammels added a 2nd,to complete our first win against them in 6 seasons.
Uply and other Oldies,
Re Feb 64 Cuptie,
Sweeper Dad and I,were standing right by the dugout when that big lump Ron Yeats went right through the back of Little Joe and could have done some serious damage.
Joe jumped up in a great rage and as Yeats was trying to get up,Joe flattened him with as good a right hook as you will ever see.
Joe didn’t even wait for the Ref,he just walked straight off down the tunnel.
The funniest thing was when they eventually revived the odious Yeats,his face was a picture when the Ref sent him off as well.!!
Cheers
The Sweeper
Keep the noise down ! ๐
Looks like Holic has got the flood water out of his server. ๐
Cross posting again, Pangloss. Caught out by the first one in ages.
Tut, tut Trev :-/
Evening all. Not the fault of the server. There are fuckwits out there who fuck things up for any number of sites. Keep calm, and thanks for persisting.
Evening H
‘ Keep Calm ‘
Isn’t that what Captain Mainwaring told his Home Guard every time there was a collective meltdown among the Troops.??
Careful, Trev, or Wolfie will get excited by the thought of cross-posters.
Clive, now is the time to trot out one of the other posters in the Keep Calm series: “Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory”.
Indeed Ned,Indeed.
We will need all that and more for our next 2 games.
Don’t get me started with nostalgia, I have probably the longest memory of anyone here. Jackie Pallo was a great showman, as was his contemporary Dazzler Mick McManus, back in the day when wrestling was … well, pretty much as believable as it is today. But the greatest true wrestler of that time was George Kidd. Standing just 5’6” and usually giving away half a stone to his opponents he nonetheless held the world lightweight title, undefeated, for 26 years until he was well into his 50s. Opponents found it almost impossible to get a hold on him, until George left a hand or arm apparently unprotected, which the opponent would gratefully, but foolishly, grab on to, only for George to turn him inside out and straight into a submission hold. For pure wrestling genius, enjoy this from very late in his career … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_1BrLgLmwc
รskar
Uplympian@41. It was on Boxing Day that it first snowed heavily in London, as Pangloss, too, recalls. Must have snowed for a couple of days solid. Then there was a blizzard at the end of the month. We built an igloo in the street that lasted well into January, possibly February. But at least the pea-soupers were done by then. Otherwise that winter would have been a real killer. Here’s a BBC report:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/09/04/bigfreeze63_feature.shtml
and a Pathe News reel:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/freeze-up-all-round
Wrap up warm before looking at them.
True, Clive. True.
One Arsenal nostalgic moment I remember was a bit of a humiliation for us … the great Len Shackleton of Sunderland, in the late 50s (I think), dribbling the ball into our penalty area, stopping and putting his foot on the ball while pretending to comb his hair and check the time on an imaginary watch, before booting it into our net.
Another moment of sheer genius (although I didn’t see it) was when he took a penalty, starting his run-up somewhere near the halfway line, roaring up at top speed to fire it in, the keeper dived to save, only Shack hadn’t actually kicked the ball. At which point he turned his back to the goal and back-heeled it in.
I don’t think that would be a legal penalty today, but I’m sure he would have found some equally funny way to score one. Shack was the original Clown Prince of Football – Paul Gascoigne, Rodney Marsh and Spike Milligan rolled into one!
รskar
Testing
Problem seems to be fixed. I came here via the RSS feed on my site and it loaded quickly then the comments posted right away
I see a tough game on sat but I also see gooners coming out top but for the trophy: still dreaming
I hear ya gunnerB
*waves* *drinks*
What? Catalan too? It’s like a reunion in here mate ๐
Morning GT ๐
๐
Catalan is like a new poster. ๐
My brother-in-law is a matchday steward at the Grove, they’ve been advised that the club is monitoring the situation re next Wednesday’s game vs Man Utd due to impending tube strike. Can’t see them wanting to reschedule such a big game though, especially with the tough and congested fixture list upcoming.
๐ @ 91
Nice memories Clive.
Tony Hatley, came from a real footballing family, many of my generation would remember his son Mark.
Unfortunatly Tony passed away earlier this week. R.I.P.
Catalan!
Good to see you back ๐
*waves to Dr C.
Heh @ Trev.
Tube strike boogie?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2552563/Arsenal-want-three-world-class-players-summer-transfer-window-including-Edin-Dzeko-Diego-Costa-Lukasz-Pisczek.html#ixzz2sUdC0WsX
This time next year Rodders………………. ๐
Chips one over the parked Reliant….
Booya!!
Thanks NBN
Runs with arms out. Finger waves to team mates, then slides across the pitch on knees!
๐
H2H@98 – I haven’t read your link, as I don’t read the Daily Fail unless I absolutely can’t avoid it. Does the article quote anyone at Arsenal as stating an intention to sign three world class players?
If so, they must be mad.
If not, and I am pretty confident that no-one will have said that, then we can look forward to regular reminders, throughout the summer, that we are supposed to be signing three worldies, and where are they. Even better we’ll have people complaining that we’ve “only” signed two.
Never mind Only Fools, welcome to the world of cheap, click-hungry journalism.
COYG
Lovely jubbly, Goonertown.
Well in GT.
Assist 8/10
Goal 8/10
Celebration 2/10
About spot on there Pangloss, three worldies it is from a list of the latest must have accessoires.
I thought it lightly amusing and totaly typical of the garbage being printed. But it will get the hard of thinking excited though, hence the Del boy quote.
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well in G’town.
Thanks H, Trev & H2H !!
L.A.N.P ๐
Panlgoss I don’t score many goals ๐
GT, you’re breaking my heart. Goal 9/10.
Happy?
๐
Sorry if I became a little excited earlier, H2H.
I whiled away a few minutes earlier today trying to find the source of the infamous “New signings within 48 hours” quote from the summer. The closest I could find was something dated, from memory, 7 June that referred to Gazidis’ speech to the AST of the previous day. The problem was that according to the AST site, their meeting with IG was on June 10.
Around the time I discovered that, I either lost the will to live or decided to get on with some work. (Spot the difference.)
No probs Pangloss.
I feel exactly the same about The Daily Fail. ๐
; Nice one Pangloss!
Well in GT. ๐
Pangloss. – i’m trying to imagine how one “absolutely could not avoid” reading the Daily Mail.
Short of being tied down in a very unnecessary position and threatened with the more unseemly parts of Wolfie’s anatomy, I’m struggling. ๐
Ned & Pangloss….thanks for the correction on the start date of the big freeze…my memory is not snow good as it used to be ๐
That article in the Daily Fail….they couldn’t make it up….oh they did!
Trev…being threatened with the more unseemly parts of Wolfie’s anatomy…I just hope no one of a weak disposition is reading this ๐
And a belated congrats on the score GT, though I’m sure the Tabs glory position which followed will be disallowed by the dubious goals committee – Pangloss will give a ruling here.
For me nostalgia has to be the Pires goal there, yes that goal, that beauty that is unforgettable in living memory, ya even the 4-2 we won there when Henry and Viera destroyed them, god those were the days.
I hope its that kind of a night when Arsenal play with freedom and totally outclass Pool, we have the talent and usually at anfield its an open game, come on you mighty Gunners, win this and on wednesday and then lets see who has the nerve to say anything about us.
P.S. Suarez dont come begging to join us in the summer if we win, you had the chance, you dint take it.
I hope its that kind of a night when Arsenal play with freedom and totally outclass Pool…….
Wouldn’t that make it an awfully long game seeing that it’s 12:45 kick off. ๐
H2H, the game starts ends at 8 p.m. in India ๐
ends i mean, heh
Trev@112, I’m inclined to agree that it’s hard to imagine circumstances in which one “absolutely couldn’t avoid” reading the Fail. However, that doesn’t excuse you for planting a rather disturbing image in my mind. Do you happen to know whether Wolfie may be fended off by reading said, err, organ? (If you do, there’s no need to tell us how you know.)
Uply@113 I am truly unworthy to rule on behalf of the Dubious Goals Committee. My esteemed colleague, Mr t’Holland has enunciated the basic principles recently, one of which, as I recall, is that the drinker should be making a clear attempt to, err, score. In the circumstances, I fear Mr Town’s contribution at 101 is unlikely to be looked upon favourably by the Committee.
Kick-off time-36 hours or so…
COYG
I see that there has been widespread disparagement of the Daily Fail… that venerable organ founded by Lord Northcliffe and a beacon of the war years. …Good it is a complete load of crap, very anti- Arsenal and perpetrator of ridiculous stories about football that it never seems to be called to account for.
Last week the tubby Martin Samuel who is usually worth a read started to lash out against Man Yoo, Liverpool and us because we tried to stop Manchester City driving a London bus through FFP closely followed by the Chavs from the Bus Stop in West London. He claimed we were ‘ jealous’ and that we wanted to protect ourselves from being caught by other illegitimate footballing regimes fuelled by illicit oil revenues , the proceeds of crime or the outcome of widespread money- laundering. Added to this the Daily Fail has been following a friend of mine for well over a year . He was caught mildly playing away and since then his children and wife have been regularly door stepped by Fail reporters claiming that it is in the public interest to reveal details of his trysts ( there are none and that was the only occasion) as he is a well- known figure . His wife’s health has been adversely affected and his children frightened to go to school. Almost every element of the Fail’s reporting is obnoxious and prurient and I wouldn’t believe them if they said tomorrow was Friday. So I agree it would be folly to give any credence to their story which will undoubtedly be utter bollocks.
Also remember the goal the late Tony Hateley scored at the North Bank that Clive referred to . It was an absolute hoot but was never captured for posterity by the TV companies I think.
It was the only time I can remember a football crowd convulsed in laughter for nigh on a minute. Poor old Hateley went beet root red and waited for the ground to swallow him up.he was probably the first guy to congratulate Sammels when he scored at the end.
The Fail has been topped today by the Independent today who have a headline alleging that Arsene is looking to bring Cashley back into the fold – the last words of the piece then accept that was has gone before is a load of codswollop. I presume the idea is to get people to click on the link and then hopefully spot an ad on the page that interests them and click on that, and the Indie makes 0.001p.
Oh Brave New World.
The transfer stuff is amusingly parodied by arseblog here (if you haven’t seen it yet):
http://news.arseblog.com/2014/02/sky-wont-leave-wenger-alone-about-transfers/
There may yet be a glimmer of hope for FFP it seems.
None less than Bayern Munich, our financially fair playing opponents in the Champions League, are making representations to UEFA to try to get the bizarre spending of the oil, crime and dodgy money funded clubs curtailed.
The result of all the bizarre spending is, of course, that the aforementioned clubs collect actual players like boys used to collect panini cards.
Does anyone know – laziness prevents me from checking – exactly how many foreigners of the non-home grown variety Man City or Chelsea have, and how many are, therefore, omitted from their Premier League squads ?
I can almost hear the papers rustling at Castle Ned – his monks will never resist a challenge like that.
Should FFP actually get implemented, it should not only drive transfer fees down, but there might be a few more top-top players available too. To have the European Champions clamouring for it will not do it’s chances any harm though.
Talking of Pundits.,
I always like a laugh by reading Mark Lawrenson’s PL predicitions each week on the BBC football online blog.
He’s surpassed himself today,naturally he has tipped us to lose 2-1 at Anfield,but in the next breath he says that we then have to go to
Old Trafford on Wed night, and will need to pick up points there.!!
Comical.!!
Lawrenson is just a scruffy old tosser.
That’s my considered opinion. ๐
A very learned opinion indeed Trev. He forms part of the scouse mafia of pundits and “journalists” on the beeb. As Pangloss regularly points out, the standard of reporting on the beeb is in rapid decline. Nuffink to do with relocating oop north of course ๐
Uply. – it will continue to deteriorate until it reaches Scotland, at which point it will get even worse. ๐
Lawrenson makes banal and profoundly unfunny comments which pass for wit on the circuit for the comically handicapped. He was a superb player but betrays so little knowledge of the game that one wonders why they bother to ask him.
Martin Keown,not a scintilla of bias showing, is emerging as a significantly better pundit. He was also a very good player who liked a tackle ( as they say) and he has the significant advantage over Lawro of possessing a brain and a knowledge of football. He has us down to win 7-0 at Anfield and also knows where the game with United is.
United who ? ๐
Keown is saying 7-0? I wish.
For me it’s another 2-0 win. 2-nil is the new 1-nil Arsenal! ๐
รskar
I see we are up to 1st in the physioroom injury league, with 8 injured players.
Dot.com says that Arteta is ok.
Vermaelen is listed with a calf/shin injury, and return date of Feb 8th.
Jack Wilshere with foot/ankle injury, also with return date of Feb 8th.
Liverpool, btw, are 6th with 5 out injured until at least Feb 16th, including Leiva, Johnson and Agger.
So, 2-1 for me, Oskar. To us, of course.
Top of both leagues, huh Trev? So proud!
รskar
Tippling whisky please barman, and a few timely injuries to our upcoming oppo. Many thanks. ๐
Thanks guys. Here’s to another century. Cheers! ๐
Trev: Is this is what you were looking for? These are the start of season squads registered for the Premier League:
Player (Home Grown)
Chelsea
25 (5)
Cech (No)
Schurrle (No)
Luiz (No)
Schwarzer (No)
De Bruyne (No)
Mata Garcia (No)
Ivanovic (No)
Azpilicueta (No)
Ramires (No)
Oscar (No)
Mikel (No)
Torres (No)
Ba (No)
Hazard (No)
Essien (No)
Willian (No)
Eto’o (No)
Terry (Yes)
Cole (Yes)
Lampard(Yes)
Cahill (Yes)
Bertrand (Yes)
Manchester City
25 (9)
Aguero (No)
Boyata (Yes)
Clichy (Yes)
Demichelis (No)
Dzeko (No)
Fernando (No)
Fernandez (No)
Hart (Yes)
Silva (No)
Jovetic (No)
Kolarov (No)
Kompany (No)
Lescott (Yes)
Milner (Yes)
Nasri (No)
Navas (No)
Negredo (No)
Pantilimon (No)
Richards (Yes)
Rodwell (Yes)
Tchuimeni (Yes)
Toure (No)
Wright (Yes)
Zabaleta (No)
Ah, the joys of a fully functioning Goonerholic. ๐
Trev: On second thoughts, I think this is what you were asking:
Player (Home Grown)
Chelsea
Squad
Cech (No)
Ivanovic (No)
Cole (Yes)
Luiz (No)
Ramires (No)
Lampard (Yes)
Torres (No)
Mikel (No)
Schรผrrle (No)
Salah (No)
van Ginkel (No)
Ba (No)
Matic (No)
Willian (No)
Schwarzer (No)
Cahill (Yes)
Terry (Yes)
Hutchinson (Yes)
Azpilicueta (No)
Hilรกrio (No)
Baker (Yes)
Colkett (Yes)
Etoโo (No)
Kalas (No)
Under 21 players:
Oscar (No)
Hazard (No)
Kakuta (No)
Blackman (Yes)
Akรฉ (No)
Manchester City
Squad
Hart (Yes)
Richards (Yes)
Kompany (NO)
Zabaleta (No)
Lescott (Yes)
Milner (Yes)
Nasri (No)
Negredo (No)
Dzeko (No)
Kolarov (No)
Javi Garcia (No)
Navas (No)
Agรผero (No)
Silva (No)
Clichy (Yes)
Fernandinho (No)
Demichelis (No)
Wright (Yes)
Pantilimon (No)
Jovetic (No)
Boyata (Yes)
Tourรฉ (No)
Under 21 players
Rodwell (Yes)
Nastasic (No)
Nimely (No)
Lopes (Yes)
Heh… Read an article abt the race for 4th place yesterday… Was like wtf why they not talking abt arsenal… Then remembered we’re aspiring to greater things this term ๐
Lukbus Podolski;
http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/06/tube-strike-what-tube-strike-arsenals-lukas-podolski-subs-the-underground-for-the-drivers-seat-of-a-london-bus-4294015/
Ned. – great work, thankyou. I knew you couldn’t resist. ๐
I was wondering how many players Citeh and the Chavs had kicking their heels on match days ‘cos there is no room in the squads.
Surprising that Citeh have that many players who qualify as homegrown.
Chelsea are going to have to do some homegrown recruiting once Cashley, Fat Frank and Terry are squeezed out.
We, on the other hand, assuming they all stay, will have as a minimum Szczesny, Jenks, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, The Ox, Walcott, Gnabry, plus numerous loanees like Akpom, Bellerin, Toral, Eisfeld etc. etc. etc.
And, of course, a “war chest” of several hundred million with which to add lots more Ozils and Draxlers.
Cushty ! ๐
H2H – nice link.
Easy to see why Eboue had to go with a nutter like Podolski coming in. Imagine trying to control a group with those two in it. ๐
brilliant interview with OG http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10624478/Arsenals-Olivier-Giroud-tells-his-predecessor-Alan-Smith-how-he-wants-to-be-remembered-at-the-Emirates.html
He has his limitations, but he is so hard to dislike.
I’ve got lots of home grown. ๐
Randy
Thanks for this. The squad now is full of very positive outgoing characters who are nevertheless very professional . Poldi is a nutter but he’s our nutter but we have Ches, BFG, Arteta, The Flamster, the Ox, HFB, Wilshere , and TR7 who are all potential captains. Added to this good pros like Sagna, Gibbs, Kos, Monreal, Ozil Santi , Theo and Ramsey make up a decent group of lads with a sensible attitude. TGSTEL may be a bad apple but even he may be affected positively by the group ethos.
Eandy
Apologies for giving you a naughty name. It was my iPad not me!
Hahaha its all fine ttg,
iPad knows!:D
Eandy
Talking of Liking Giroud, he could be our new Ljungberg.
He was apparently asked by a female fan, as to how he always manages to stay in good physical condition. He stated that it’s down to his hair dryer!
How cool is that?
๐
Hahahaha yeah.
For his own sake hopefully it will not reach the Ljungberg level of popular after he did that photoshoot.
I remember Freddie complaining that after that he just could not go anywhere without having to deal with female fans getting all touchy/feely ๐
Heh ! Change of name for Randy รndy. ๐
Poor old Freddie – I know exactly how he feels. ๐
Have you ever seen a rat help a captain leave a sinking ship?
http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/bf3jllciuaa_grh.jpg
Heh Trev.
H2H. Photoshop wizard. ๐
H2H – superb picture. ๐
Check out Mertesackers interview with the Guardian.
I’m calling my next child “Per”…!
Might history repeat itself?
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/270390/Gloom-for-Brendan-Rodgers-as-Arsenal-win-at-Anfield
Poldi and Santi hoping so I would think.
Joe. Mertesacker’s interview indeed is excellent, and lucky the away fans who get to go to the games with his brother.
H2H
Heh! Excellent.;)
Looks like a four pint preview tonight. Later ๐
Feb 22nd the unveiling of the ” God”‘s statue outside the emirates, the man who defined greatness, the man who made me so proud and hysterical, the man who for me atleast was the greatest player ever to play for our beloved club, the magician, the man who walks on water, the Iceman, yes Dennis Bergkamp statue set to be unveiled, goose bumps, tears and oh so much pride, love you dennis we really do.
Down Wolfie. Let the nice man recover from surgery.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26023930
Cheers lads, although I can’t take credit for that photoshop work, I found it while trawling the web.
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Taking it wasy tonight then guv’. ๐
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8Ball. I always said that Ribbery was a pain in the arse.
No word how he sustained the apparent pudendal damage.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9154990/champions-league-bayern-munich-winger-franck-ribery-doubtful-for-arsenal-clash
Must consult Dr. T et al. for an “informed” opinion. ๐
*easy
Muckraking isn’t always as easy as that one, H2H. ๐
Ribery operating on his arse?
Well, shit happens…
He’s definetly going to be the butt of a few jokes.
Bum surgery for Ribery ?
Always piles on the agony. ๐
Oh, pudendal damage ? Load of bollocks. ๐
Biggest risk is that they’ll accidentally operate on the wrong end ๐
Deadline Day Transfer: Wenger tried to improve the spine of his team only to get some bad news.
For Franc, injury rears its ugly head.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I am so grateful for this post and thanks such a whole lot for sharing it with us.