The Final Boast
Jul 14th, 2014 by 'holic
“I will stand accused of donning my rose tinteds when I tell you I have grabbed the 13/2 available for Jogi Low’s boys.”
Nobody likes a smartarse, right? I wrote that before a ball had been kicked in anger. What is so wrong about saying “I told you so”? Guilty, your honour.
The squad comprising three FA Cup winners and some fairly decent ballast triumphed over Argentina to become the first European nation to win the World Cup on South American soil. The Final, like the tournament before it, got mixed reviews. I am firmly in the camp that enjoyed the game from first to last. Two teams committed to trading attacks whilst retaining a defensive shape made for an engrossing show. I use the word carefully, wary of typing entertaining, for not all were.
I’ll be the first to admit I had more than a passing interest in the outcome. A small punt pre-tournament at the odds above was supplemented by another at 13/5 on the eve of the semi-final against Brazil. My belief was tested in the early stages, and when Kroos freed Higuain with an awful misplaced header Argentina should have had the advantage. When the same player found the net from an offside position it was clear that Germany would not be dominating in the way they had the semi-final against the hosts.
They were disrupted by the loss of Khedira in the pre-match warm-up, then by the loss of his replacement, Kramer, to concussion. Cue the movement of Mesut Ozil to centre stage, playmaker supreme, and with the benefit of the outstanding Schweinsteiger to ride shotgun for him. Schurrle, on for Kramer, brought the best out of Argentine ‘keeper Romero before Howedes, preferred to Mertesacker, thundered a header against the post. So it was goal-less at half-time, but not a 0-0 in nature, if that makes sense.
The second-half started as the first had. Messi found himself in with a chance to cement his legacy but the question marks remain after he screwed his effort wide of the far post. It is hard to say if he loooked more embarrassed at that moment, or at the end of the match when he was presented with the player of the tournament award. At the other end the industrious Ozil teed up Kroos but the man bound for Real Madrid sidefooted wide. Extra-time it was, and I started to regret not backing both sides to win on penalties, as I had for Argentina’s semi-final triumph over the Dutch.
When the veteran Klose had departed the contest in the final minutes I was surprised not to see Lukas Podolski sent on. Instead Gotze got the call and eased my disappointment for the Arsenal man with the superb finish that secured the World Cup and a gazillion bets. There remained time enough for Messi to head over the bar and repeat the feat from the final free-kick.
Per Mertesacker came on for club colleague Ozil in the final minute. Reports coming out of the German camp tell of an inspirational speech made by the BFG to his team-mates before the kick-off. That says a great deal about him. He must have been disappointed at not being selected, but showed true leadership qualities. Arsene, the armband for this man please.
So that was it for the tournament. I missed the best of it in the group stages by all accounts, although Belgium v USA, and the German semi-final and final were unmissable. Germany were the stand-out team (I told you so, neer!) but not in the way of the Brazilian teams of 1958-70. But for wayward Argentine finishing it might have been very different. There was little between the two sides who brought the curtain down on Brazil ’14.
As I am still typing left-handed that is it for me too for tonight. It will be good to get back to commenting on all things Arsenal, although next week may be a bare one as I am heading to Devon for a week of rest and recovery on Sunday. If any ‘holics are going to Boreham Wood on Saturday and fancy sharing your day with us I would be happy to publish that as a guest post. Let me know.
Have a great week, all.
131 Responses to “The Final Boast”
1st?happy days well done to the Germans well deserved.
Wot?
More World Cup?
No Emirates Cup preview then?????
Speaking of BFG, that man has some serious moves 😀 https://twitter.com/Gunner_Updates/status/488744891116052480/photo/1
Nice one ‘H, and congrats on the win.
Hope the hand is on the mend.
Shoulder, not hand TaBS.
Don’t ask…
I’m building up to the Dubaibury Cup, Dr z 😉
Nice one Eandy 🙂
First again Gars? I dunno 🙂
Not bad for a one-handed report 😉
Get well soon.
Excellent account guvnor and here’s wishes for a relaxing, refreshing and better health-inducing week out. 🙂
Best not to spend all your money in the same place though. 🙂
Nice bit of left-handed writing, Holic, and the letters don’t even slope the wrong way.
With all that stuff about bad shoulders and Germans I’m surprised you didn’t title the piece –
“Axilla the Hun”. 😉
Enjoy your holiday. 😉
nice, guv. glad you’re on the mend, i guess you won’t be playing cricket any time soon (even if the weather is fine…but since you can raise pints with your left, i’d suggest seats in the shade).
i had germany-argie in the finals, but thought argies would nick it. alas. but good for our troika, and good for my many german friends. they’re still up in the rafters, i don’t expect them to deflate for a few days/weeks.
Thanks all. No playing cricket, or cycling, or golf etc. for four weeks. Holidaying with torso covered up. Good job I am not really a surfer or triathlete 😉
Chees ‘holic!
*presses the like button*
Shoulder? Did you run into Suarez at the Tollie?
As a fellow shoulder sufferer you have my sympathies Holic. I hope it knits together well.
Nice summing up of the tournament in your inimitable style. I have said far too much about the disappointment I felt over a tournament that bored me increasingly as it progressed. I am so surprised that people have enjoyed it but delighted for them. I must have forgotten what good football is. Henceforth I will never discuss it again as I am clearly in a minority!
Interesting that the Khedira story seems to have been an attempt by a Catalan journal to snipe at Real Madrid. I’d love us to do all the business we need this week and then forget about transfers and make the bar a little more interesting than it has been as transfer frenzy built recently. Who said Guff and Waffle!?
I have been at a dinner tonight flanked by a Citeh and United supporter. Both commented that they see Arsenal as a very serious contender next year. They were nicely juiced as they said it but I sense a new respect for an Arsenal ready to bring the best talent to the split – and able to do so. I don’t really give a shit what others think other than I think they really believe we mean business this season. Good to know
As always, Lots of enjoyable and varied opinions and posts from many gooners on here. Thoroughly enjoying stuff all round.
With all the World Cup stuff now over, I truly hope that arsene and Ivan are interested in Khedira or equal.
That would be a great transfer window for arsenal and provide that important balance to our squad for the season.
Also I am very pleased to see arsenes positive comments about Gideon zelalem.
Lots to look forward too as an arsenal fan.
A deftly sinister piece, ‘Holic. Hope the shoulder is mending nicely. You found the right description for the WC, engrossing more than entertaining.
Hope the shoulder’s mending nicely, Hols.
But another holiday?!!
My, but yuze guys across the pond have more holidays than a few. I wonder if my firm would transfer a poor, but loyal, attorney to the Londinium office?
Nah, I reckon not.
Well punted Holic… My pre-tournament coins on Spain didn’t run too well :/
Alexis Sanchez available online at 20/1 for Premier League top scorer… Ozil 18/1 for player of the year… I like the chances of our front-two.
Forward
Didn’t everyone pick Germany to win, ‘holic? All three of my predictions (before the event) made the semis, but my prediction (before the event) of an all Europe final between Germany and Holland foundered in a penalty shootout. Maybe next time you Oranjes…
Thank you Pangloss for your kind words in the previous drinks, but no need to worry about me apropos Herr Özil. Initially, when I dared criticise MO8’s Arsenal form, I was inundated with stats ‘proving’ how superior a player he is. Yet, when I disagreed with Dr F about his WC contribution, and quoted WC stats showing he was way down the list of Germans in all meaningful measures I get told that stats don’t mean a thing. I can’t win. But I’m not about to pick up my ball and go home. It just amuses me that arguments can change so easily.
For the record I have never once said he was a bad player, I have always acknowledged he is highly skilled. I just believe that his contribution to Arsenal’s 2013-4 season has been grossly exaggerated by some, and similarly his performance at the WC. But mostly my frustration with him stems from the fact he was a luxury we didn’t need. Our problem in recent years hasn’t been creating scoring chances, it’s been converting more of those that have gone begging. Last year we managed to do that early on with Rambo and Theo stepping up … until the injuries kicked in again.
I’m still hopeful Özil will prove me wrong, but his attitude will have to change before he can be what I would call an Arsenal ‘type’. Yes he’s good, but there’s so much more he could be. And that’s what frustrates me most. That and the pass he gets for what are often indifferent performances in key matches.
Öskar
I am much more excited about Sanchez joining us than I ever was about Özil. Sanchez is a real workhorse, a sort of super-skilled Romford Pele, and should be a real dynamo. He and Rambo are going to tear some defences apart.
Öskar
The internet in many ways is a wonderful thing but when it comes to football it can be utterly confusing. Most fans watch NewsNow to see information about the club. NewsNow publishes news feeds as it gets them and they are a jumble of four days old news sitting alongside ‘ fresh’ stories , regurgitated stuff from other sites and sometimes weblogs of varying quality from the supreme one( obvious) and a number of other high quality blogs to some awful sites like Le Grove. So trying to discern what is going on is very difficult. Khedira is a case in point. A Catalan paper trying to foment discord at Real prints a critical story linking Khedira to us. It is immediately picked up by the British press and other Spanish papers who link it back to the British reaction and bingo a story is born which has virtually no legs. A single journo with a weak track record for Arsenal given he spends his life reporting on them then suggests he is too expensive and everything is off before it began. In the great scheme of things it matters not a jot but I think supporters would like more reliable news on their club than we get. This is an exciting week for Gooners but it could be so much clearer.
Morning all,
We kidnapped the editor of BT sports last night
Enjoy:
http://youtu.be/h5h5YxxyjsQ
Fine summary Holic. Get well soon. Restorative Ardbeg on the bar.
Tabs (from previous),
I accept all the points you make about Klinsmann. But its rare a thing to see a man with a similar positivity and philosophy as to what we have with Wenger.
Holic,
A succinct single shouldered synopsis…! Hope all is better soon.
Correct me if I am wrong. But isn’t Jack allowed to smoke and drink alcohol on the off season?
I am sure he is allowed to do as he bloody well pleases, as long as it is not illegal.
Am I the only one who can see a photo of Man Shitty’s Hart trying to deep throat Jack. Isn’t that more of a headline?
Or is the issue that Jack previously stated that he did not smoke?
Nothing to see here for me. Press trying to pray on the vulnerable again.
Blogs with a nice tongue-in-cheek look at the transfer rumours today.
Me – I’m still missing those Sebastien Frey rumours. Doesn’t seem like a proper summer without them.
Why is it so quiet? Because it’s on, I tells yer!
Arsene working a sneaky one behind the media’s backs.
So all of you on Twitter get twiddling and twittering – tell the world. “Hurriyet Daily News reports that Arsenal are lining up a deal for Bursaspor’s Sebatien Frey to replace Lukasz Fabianski.”
Go on – just do it.
Make my day.
PS. Get well soon Guv’nor. Have you tried Bowen? http://www.bowen-therapy.co/Bowen/btpa-find-therapist.asp
Fixed my back in no time – frozen shoulders a speciality.
But if you do it, make sure you can spell Sebastien.
Oskar @24 – like that analogy a lot. Good shit.
GT – he wasn’t even holding a cigarette, in the one i saw he had a puff on someone else’s. The fact he is hanging out with Joe Hart and a bunch of chavs in Vegas is a bot of a worry though :/
TTG – impossible to know for sure what is going on, but you can get a decent idea. Way I see it, stories usually fall in to 3 groups: made up by journo’s, like Sp**s draxler for 17mil, or a bin bag protest; club’s or agents posturing, like ManU giving it the big un for the second straight summer with this ADM and Vidal chatter, or players angling for new contracts; the small minority of genuine bits of info. Sadly, doesn’t appear to be much, if any of the latter around regarding us at present. Khedira still looks pretty sketchy. Then again, we often do our best business when no one is looking 🙂
I still think/hope/ask Dennis that ADM is a goer. Interesting piece on Gunnerblog today, says that Sanchez is our main sriker now, but with the option to get him and giroud playing together at times. Would mean we could accommodate another winger.
Forward
On the WC stuff from last thread, for me it was a very, very enjoyable tournament. One that was marked more by good team play than individual quality though. As AW said, shame too many south american smet too soon. Chile and Colombia stand out sides, with Sanchez, Hames, Cuadrado, Robben the few who really sparkled in attack.
Lots of very good team performances though, typified by the final. USA, Algeria, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Holland and the finalists all stood out, to me, for their collective work. It was good to see, if a bit lacking in the panache that Wenger watchers are accustomed to.
Roll on Russia. Arsenal to win 3 league titles and a champions league or two before we get there though. You heard it here first.
UTA
‘H – Ah apologies, hope the shoulder problems ease soon.
Joe – Aye, completely agree. Klinsmann is a class act.
Good day all 🙂
Holic, Remember your ROM exercises (as prescribed of course 😉 )
Now Sir, so glad you went for ‘engrossing’ over ‘entertaining’ game.
But I’m dearly trying to separate the two! 🙂
Ok you nutters, quit messing with my barstool! I have it adjusted to just the right height (so I can prop my elbows on the bar) 😉
Zico (from previous post) Oh don’t you fret, just like to tease ya 🙂
German Efficiency leaves rest of the world’s industry behind. The Germans were the best team in the tournament and so it proved.
The only team who matched them and actually out played them were Ghana in that 2-2 draw, they were the ones who made the Germans struggle.
Khedira could be off and that aint a catastrophe as some may sound it to be. His weekly wages apparently is 200k and i dont think so he is that good for us to pay him so much.
Bender or Schneiderlin and i am totally fine with it.
Debuchy and Ospina likely to be the next unveiling and that does signal the primary needs being covered.
THAT free kick USA took against Belgium. You remember the one. Involved 3 or 4 players. Was a thing of beauty 🙂
Argentina made Germany struggle too. Just my opinion. 🙂
Oskar @ 23: “Yet, when I disagreed with Dr F about his WC contribution, and quoted WC stats showing he was way down the list of Germans in all meaningful measures I get told that stats don’t mean a thing. I can’t win. But I’m not about to pick up my ball and go home. It just amuses me that arguments can change so easily.”
Come on mon ami, that is a bit disingenuous and not expected from your otherwise praiseworthy sincere self. Myself and a few others had clearly mentioned that the stats about ‘pass completion rate’ is generally not a very good indicator of the quality of the creative players, because they are the ones to attempt the through balls and high risk passes, but in terms of the ‘chances created’ or ‘assist’ stats — which were the ones originally used to highlight Ozil’s understated excellence anyway — he is among the top players in the WC.
El Puno @ 33: I am with you that by the time the next WC happens we would be one of the best clubs in the then recent form. I expect a treble coming soon. 🙂
a fine write up
.
*high-fives ‘holic*
.
🙂
couldn’t resist
big man
😉
Smilin’ 🙂
Much needed big man, cheers.
Interested to see how many we loan out this year. We won’t go all chav on it and send a whole team to Belgium, but got a few who could impress in the Prem if sent away. Guess some might stay til jam for the kiddies squad cup, but sonogo, Gnarby, Jenkinson, the Panther all look ready. Wonder if zelalem will go to, Jack went very young to Bolton. Akpom and Olson maybe? Exciting times, always fun to see the kid progress.
Forward
Cheers ‘holic.
I loved the whole tournament, don’t think I can summarise it as well as tabs in the previous bar, so I won’t even try, suffice to say, it exceeded all my expectations.
I watched the final in Germany, was awesome, time permitting I will post a report sometime later.
El Puno @ 44: Good post. You are right that more would go out on loan at the Jan window depending on how the season progresses and if sudden emergency needs in the first team squad (hopefully not) and after the early stages of teh League Cup are over.
These are my guesses for loans/promotions:
Zelalem — No loan. Too precocious and too precious. To stay in and learn from the best and get the odd appearance in League Cup & FA Cup. In a season or two, to beef up and be integrated in the first team.
Sanogo, Bellerin — Loans to PL clubs. Or one of the better Championship teams.
Akpom, Olsson, Eisfield — Loans to Championship teams. Eisfield is the odd one, he may just want to leave and join some mid-table Bundesliga side (the way Fran Merida got impatient). He looks a very accomplished goal scorer and dead-ball specialist, but little more. Maybe grind of the Championship would make him take the extra step.
Gnabry — No loan. Stay in to remind Theo and Ox that they cannot take anything for granted and make good contributions especially in the cups. Looks ready. However would expect some injuries.
Hayden, Pleguezuelo — One of them to stay in with the reserves and be the 4th choice CB, the other one to go out on loan to League One or Championship.
Ryo — Go out on loan to a PL club, if injury is healed, or maybe even back to Feynoord. As feared, fitness has become the key issue for him and hopefully things will improve on that front.
Campbell — If impresses in the pre-season then stays in the first team, otherwise sold. I hope he gets a chance in the English set-up, I think the directness of his style would go well here. Maybe contract renewal (one year left) and a loan to PL club (Everton?).
Got to love Poldi:)
http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/15/lukas-podolski-really-wants-germany-team-mate-sami-khedira-to-join-him-at-arsenal-4799526/?
Thanks for that link Nathan, since it led me to this gem
http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/15/this-video-of-per-mertesacker-dancing-during-world-cup-celebrations-will-make-your-day-4798957/
Per really is Travolta incarnate 😀
I see the preternaturally stupid and boring Michael Owen has claimed that despite the excellent Sanchez signing and the sale of Suarez and there being six weeks to the end of the transfer window Arsenal will not finish in the top four. How on earth can you make a judgement now?
Then I heard it was a BT Sport promotion on Talk Sport. Given the two special features on Arsenal thrashings and now this I suspect Arsenal ought to be looking for a new media partner. Apparently a large number of Arsenal fans have stopped their subscriptions .
Dr.F- nice post on potential loans. I think you are right on the money. It is interesting to see the Egyptian Fathi come in on trial as we sign two other right backs . This doesn’t look good for Bellerin and Jenkinson who presumably will be loaned out. I think every Arsenal fan would feel a great sadness if the Corporal was sold.
One other player who ,if he stays fit is thought very highly of is Toral who joined from Barcelona with Bellerin. Wenger likes to promote Barca graduates because it makes it easier to sign the next generation from La Masia if they get promoted early at Arsenal.
Heh, Eandy, Per-osaurus has some fine moves! I love all the Weltmeisters in the Arsenal team to bits!
I’ve seen Toral a few times on the box TTG, looks a real player.
As for MO, he should stick to what he’s good at. Being injured and blowing gee gees.
Preternaturally stupid and boring? They’ll probably hire him next to be on TV over here in the States then. 😉
H2H
I agree Re Owen. Why on earth someone feels he has something to offer as a pundit defeats me. Saying who is going to win the League now is like trying to do a long range weather forecast without the data. But then again if he had the data he wouldn’t be any better.
Sadly after last season all the LFC twats like Thompson, Carragher etc are building up the prospects for a team who have just lost their best player and deriding Arsenal just because Sanchez preferred to come to us.
I also feel that we shouldn’t lend Campbell or anybody else to Everton. They’ve borrowed very well and it artificially inflates their ability to compete. They are an enemy we shouldn’t help
More on the stupid punditry front, where the statute of limitations is apparently four years.
http://soccerlens.com/liverpool-legend-admits-wrong-criticise-arsenal-star/145978/?
*despairs*
have walked about
12 miles today
and
like Dee Dee
(god’s genius)
i am
fffggf shites
.
where was i?
Forest Hills
.
RAMONES!!!!!!!!!
.
all gone
.
great big lump of my life gone
.
gone
.
been a gooner 70s
ramones fan same
.
Dr Z
oul punks 🙁
Forest Hills.
http://www.subwaynut.com/lirr/foresthills/foresthills1.jpg
One of the coolest train stations on this side of the Atlantic, as I recall from my year living there about 24 years ago. Done much traveling since then tho’
You wait for the trains up at the top and walk up those stairs to get to the trains that go away from New York City toward Long Island. Just in case it’s of interest of course. 🙂
TTG@49: Thanks. Yes, I missed Toral and another erstwhile La Masia trainee, Iggy Miquel. Iggy many had high hopes for, but with an underwhelming loan spell last season he might be sold, hometown club Espanyol is already interested it seems. I won’t mind seeing him get a chance as the 4th CB , and not out on the left back position. He looked classy as a CB couple of seasons back.
Toral having missed much of the last season due to injuries I guess he would go through a full season of reserves, at least wait on his fitness until January for a potential loan move.
I think you make a great point about not strengthening Everton too much by loaning our own players. However I think Martinez is a good manager of young players and the tutelage may be worth it. If not, what do you think about loans to Sunderland under Gus Poyet who also focuses on technical aspects?
G’night all
.
gonna put on Luke Kelly
to steady and land
my nonsense
.
The Night Visiting Song
.
beautiful song
greatest singer
.
cba — My condolences.
I am not a Ramones fan, not even a punk fan (go easy on me, please 🙂 ), but they were a highly influential band and even many of my generation (growing up in late eighties and nineties) took to them.
The music lives. As always.
Echoing Dr. Faustus re the Ramones. They played too loud for my delicate ears but they caught the spirit of the time and their music speaks to me more than much of what came later. Here’s a good ‘un.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGgfHZ02I2k
Wake wake up cba! a thing of beauty from Luke.
8ball
they didn’t catch
the spirit of the time
they invented the time
.
no johnny ramone downstrokes
no punk
.
no dee dee songs
no punk
.
no joey
ALL HAIL
no punk
.
no tommy
no ramones
R.I.P. Tommy Ramone
Garsguns
you knows it
🙂
the world needs Wynonie Harris
.
e. presley
king of r ‘n’r
my ‘r’$
.
All she wants to do is rock!!!
DrF@46 – good summary of potential loanees or arsenal keepers and I agree with most and the suggested destinations except;
Miguel I don’t think has too much too offer. Too slow and average.
I think arsene has a high opinion of Gideon zelalem and he may get more of a go and quicker integration then your post above suggests.
Gnabry definately a big go to compete with ox and theo this season (injury permitting)and shame to see Ryo plagued with injuries as so many before him.
dr. f
thanks
(i think)
for yer condolences
.
why you offered them
i know not
.
record buyer me
not
relative
.
though i felt like i knew them
every album
most singles
roarin’ gigs
.
cunts go an’ die on you!
I’ll pay your Luke Kelly, cba, and raise you Dominic Behan … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy2xz1Zuzbs … or even his brother, although he sounds too sober in this to be truly Brendan … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7red9Rw4450
Öskar
bt8b & Forest Hills: Best NYC station is Smith St & 9th on the G. Highest station on the Subway. Staggering views over that pit of pestilence that is the Gowanus Canal to the Statue of Liberty. And plenty of time to enjoy the view because the G never comes.
Dr F: One thing about loans is to ensure that our loanees get regular playing time. The point is to get them experience. Too often, it seems, they are not starting or getting a lot of playing time.
As for your list,
Zelalem — No loan. Agree.
Sanogo, Bellerin One of Sanogo or Campbell will go out on loan in January. Bellerin will stay if the Corporal is loaned out. Otherwise he may go to a club that will help him work on the defensive side of his game
Akpom, Olsson, Eisfield — Agreed. Loans to Championship teams likely, but only for one or two of them, otherwise the U-21s will be left short of midfielders.
Gnabry — No loan. Agree.
Hayden, Pleguezuelo — Both to stay, at least to January. Agree. Last chance for Miquel, however. Toral to stay to get fit and show his worth in the U-21s.
Ryo — Time running out for him. Needs an injury free run but most likely of the lot to be sold.
Campbell — He or Sanogo warms the bench this season. The other goes out on loan.
“Myself and a few others had clearly mentioned that the stats about ‘pass completion rate’ is generally not a very good indicator of the quality of the creative players” Dr F (#40)
—————————————————————————–
I’m sure you did, Dr F, and your opinions are always well respected by me. But it wasn’t you I was referring to, rather to others going back to late last year when I first expressed doubts about the value of our German maestro and was held to ridicule by many waving stats in my face.
My use of stats this time was intended ironically. I’m sorry I didn’t make it clear enough.
Öskar
Campbell should be loaned out, or sold while he still has a bit of WC aura. Yes, he ran Uruguay ragged, scoring one and assisting one, but his latter performances were disappointing, suggesting less a budding Suarez than another Chamakh … early promise, but found out by opposition.
If we’re to get an out and out striker we need a more proven one.
Öskar
Oskar – we bought a proven Sanchez. The list of strikers who scored more as the World Cup progressed is short. Messi and muller both struggled past the group stage, it’s hardly a barometer.
DrF – nice work. Bellerin and Akpom my two favourite youth players, so I’ll be watching their progress especially, but a lot of good talent coming through. Arsene usually so astute planning 2/3 seasons ahead, so some of these will surely have been earmarked.
Having just seen pictures of the uniforms for the Scotland team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,i am pretty certain both Zico and BTM may well decide to become Honorary Poms for the duration of the Competition.!!
I can only assume the people who designed them,and the Nob heads who approved them,were either drunk or drugged,or both.!!
They are truly the pits.
cba,
I feel your pain. Very sad. 🙁
Clive, I feel yours too. 🙂
Marca writes that we’ve agreed on a fee with Madrid. Now for the personal terms. This year looks to be quite something.
Zico
Cannot say any of the thrash and bash mobs did anything for me.
Growing up,The Big O towered above them all for me.
As KD Lang put it so well,Roy Orbison didn’t sing songs,he sang Epics.
cba knows.
Huge loss. It’s Alive on heavy rotation this week, and this – from their later period, one of my favourite songs of all time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxS9g_li8_k&sns=em
@ 79
Anyone would think we were trying to build on last seasons success
😉
Good morning all.
Could it be? Is Arsene-Claus really going to get little Mesut a second early Xmas pressie?
Fantastic if it works out.
UTA!
Sanchez is a real footballer El Puno, Campbell is a maybe striker. Just my opinion, but I don’t think he’s the real deal. I don’t view Sanchez as a striker, by the way. He’s a winger with roving tendencies. Nothing wrong with that, I’d rather have attacking wingers/midfielders than second-rate strikers.
AW … please now give me Marco Reus or Lucas Moura.
Öskar
Okay I have read the rumours surrounding the fees which Sami Khedira has requested and before tax it comes to £140,840
As I understand it, this is the same amount we are paying Ozil and Sanchez.
So in my crazy little mind, I don’t see the hold up!
Press garb! Prolly to start a bidding war!
= Nothing to see here!
Doesn’t matter if Wilshere smokes or injects pure nicotine into his veins, because if Khedira comes and we don’t sell anyone (and everybody remains fit – lol) he ain’t going to play much anyway.
Ramsey, Arteta, Flamini, Khedira, Cazorla, Ozil, Rosicky, Ox, Theo.
Now a couple of those are more like wide forwards and three are defensive players, three are getting on a bit… but you can only fit so many into the side. Where does Jack fit in?
This makes me think there may be more to the Cazorla to Atletico rumour than just talk.
Zico
when i die
i’m sure that
over the noise of international supermodels
in black veils weeping inconsolably
the mourning hoards will be saying
“Finally he’s shut up about the Ramones and the Arsenal”
.
Clive
not mutually exclusive
The Big O
an absolute hero of mine
.
N7
oh yes!
its alive
an exercise in how to do it
and
couldn’t agree more about
Bonzo goes to Bitburg
one of their very best
.
.
.
.
now
get the effin’ season started
COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!
Cynic @ #86
I think you’re right. Jack has a lot to prove this season. Hopefully he’ll rise to the challenge. His raw talent and commitment are not in doubt based on what I see him do on the pitch.
I would suggest that The Flame is the most expendable of our midfield options. Just a personal opinion.
Goonertown.
Don’t forget employer’s NIC and tax on the salary. Somewhere between £175K & £200K as a real cost to The Arsenal.
TS –
Good to see you back.
Yes, I did 20% on the first 30 and 40% on the rest. With NI, brings it to £159,149.2.
I just based it on his rumoured demands before and after tax!
In my opinion, what’s another £9,000 between mates? Seeing as he’s going to get to work with his! 🙂
The Flame is going out? I agree with that, unless Arteta ends up sold. I think Theo might be in a dodgy position too, for all his chatter about him and Sanchez on the flanks.
Reckon we’re going to see Ozil playing more of a free role, less wide, especially if Khedira does come and that would again restrict Wilshere’s opportunities
Would Khedira, Ramsey, Ozil be a solid enough unit if he sticks to 4-3-3 and has Sanchez, Theo (or whoever) and Giroud up top or would he chuck Arteta in there, drop the Theo (or whoever) role and go 4-4-2 with Sanchez up front? Argh.
/Football manager chat
I do Believe Sanchez will play striker sooner or later. He is definitely good enough and more than capable. I believe he will be as good as Suarez if he gets the right supply and i am sure he will get that in plenty.
khedira hotting up now and i dont mean it because of his ultra hot girl friend pics, mou apparently called him up to convince him to come to chelshit and all that crap. It would be wonderful if he says 2 words to mou and comes here.
I think we are set for the season if we do get the ones we are supposedly doing so. Debuchy. Ospina and Khedira means we are ready for the season. throw in a Remy for good measure and boy oh boy this will be an awesome season.
Jenkinson, Eisfield and Sanogo to go on loan. Campbell as well to an premier league club like say swansea or Westham maybe. He can come back in jan when we need more bodies as we will be in more competitions than one hopefully.
lastly, worrying signs for Jack, no not about smoking but his playing chances. He has lost out on the first 11, now he is going back in the pecking order. The lad is class but will it suffice????
We love you Poulter, we do!
New Arsenal vid here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bD2Oe1GJWM
NBN I have to take your word for it never having been to Smith & 9th but I did find a picture of the view. Agree though about the legend of the “train that never comes” as it was often considered in the papers for discontinuing the G line altogether. Usually I would see the headlines about it across the aisle in the subway (as I was riding a faster line). 🙂
http://nycsubway.org.s3.amazonaws.com/images/icon/title_ny_smith_9th.jpg
Another subway line with a great view of Manhattan is the 7, the train you take from Manhattan to go to the current site of the U.S. Open tennis or a Mets baseball game.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfiSb3skXLo/U1HMuy4gdyI/AAAAAAAAb_Q/_ma12cWC3U0/s1600/7-train-420.jpg
Dr.F
Yes Poyet would be a good mentor as oddly would Harry Redknapp who did much more for Townsend at QPR than anyone else including him has done for him at Tottenham! I would also not mind Southampton or Swanseafor him.
I see the Marca story has ignited our dreams again! Transfers are an internet game of Chinese whispers. His agent has obviously leaked his demands( or a journos has guessed! ) and the story has spread to every outlet reporting on it.Basically they cut and paste the first story If we can sign Ozil and Sanchez we can sign this guy unless he is being a complete prat. In which case he may destroy his own position.
Interesting to hear TalkSport transfer expert rubbish Khedira to Arsenal yesterday– no interest from Arsenal- and their Spanosh expert build up the story today. Our lads have been on their bikes around Europe this summer and no mistake.
TTG
I need to have words with you about Michael Owen.
I am really surprised that a man of your seniority and intelligence would even read something that that idiot is supposed to have said,let alone discuss it in the bar.
For your sins you can write a vertical poem,the merits of which can be assessed by the King Of Vertical poets himself.
Cheers
A very disappointed Sweeper
Seeing as Arsenal will be playing in the New Jersey suburbs of NYC on the 26th of this month maybe a shot of the Manhattan skyline as seen from the commuter train to New Jersey is more in order. Not sure if this is the exact view as seen by Thierry Henry when he goes to the arena in Harrison, N.J., though as I am not familiar with that train.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3891/14377370816_a44d1e4cfa.jpg
Ttg
please allow me
to take Clive’s punishment
for you.
I’ll borrow a line
from a mate of mine,
and just to be clear
H2H was here –
and “we’ll” write the poem
for you.
It goes –
“Michael Owen
should stick to blowin’
gee-gees.”
Nuff said, I think.
😉
Clive
I am sad and blue
Cos I’ve disappointed you.
Someone showed me the mail
So I couldn’t fail
To read it.
Owen is a whinging Bore
Who from now on a I will ignore!
Thanks also Trev
Wondeful stuff from Ozil, a hero on and off the pitch:
http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=6158
Oskar @84 – will certainly be interesting to see where Sanchez ends up playing for us. Certainly space for another attacker as well 😉
#FreeReus
Ok, ttg, and Clive ?
Let’s step up in class here.
A Shakespeare style vertical poem om Michael Owen, employing the iambic pentameter.
Ok, I’m at lunch and bored with transfer prattle. 😉
Good luck, sir(s). 😉
I would urge everyone to read the article linked to @100.
Given the role sport was able to play in highlighting apartheid and increasing international condemnation that eventually led to human rights for all in South Africa it is more than just a gesture.
For anyone interested, this is a fine, fine book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Punishment-Gaza-Gideon-Levy/dp/1844676013/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405518017&sr=8-1&keywords=the+punishment+of+gaza
One of the most harrowing things you will ever read.
Forward
Ok, I’m done !
“Michael Owen thought he could commentate
But-in practising did not participate.
Never learned when to speak or when to wait
And fuck me! does his voice just fucking grate!”
(Ok, so forget the ‘step up in class bit’ !) 😉
There once was a cunt from the ‘pool,
Who looked like he’d stepped out of school,
Then he went to Madrid,
And basically hid,
Til he starred on TV as a tool.
Just to take it down a notch or two Trev 😉
Perfect iambic pentameter award for Tabs. 🙂
Or is that the Edward Lear award?
105 seems to fall into the general category of Anapestic Trimeter and Dimeter such as this example:
There was | a young la | -dy from York
Who had | a great fond | -ness for pork.
She ate | it all day
And ne | -ver could play
‘Cause her hand | would not put | down her fork.
More details at: http://www2.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/meter.html
I fear that my budding career as a poet (and don’t I know it) will have to wait a little longer for lift off after that effort 8Ball 😉
I, a mere copyist, Tabs. For true originality study thyself. 😉
Heh 8Ball, I was referring to my dismal effort not the one you posted, which was rather good I thought 🙂
Speaking of twisting Ozil stats to meet your narrative…
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jul/16/chelsea-players-ran-most-world-cup
“Mesut Özil is sure to be a worry for Arsène Wenger. The record signing was already showing signs of fatigue in the second half of last season, finding it increasingly difficult to make an impact, and while he had a solid tournament he has not had a rest. Covering 73.2km as he played in all of Germany’s matches Özil will have little if any time to have the break that seemed so needed during last season’s run-in.”
There you go then:
Mesut Ozil doesn’t run enough – worry for Wenger.
Mesut Ozil runs too much – worry for Wenger.
When the press work out how much running is jussssst right for Mesut, they should let the club know.
Anyways, with Walcott running down one wing and Sanchez running down the other the collective impression for defenders could be more speed than they’ve ever seen before. A little bit the impression like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RnI0Cu1LcA
Re: the stats in that Guardian article linked to by N7 above. West Ham and Burnley should have no problem finishing first and second then. 🙂
Good to see Diaby back in training. I’ll back him for man of the match every game the month he is fit and clean up. NAP
UTA
bt8B: the view in the opposite direction, towards the water, is even more spectacular. There is a picture on this page, though it is a long shot that doesn’t really do it justice.
http://forgotten-ny.com/2004/06/crazy-train-some-of-the-more-unusual-subway-stations/
Train from Penn station in New York to Newark Penn Station, where you change for the Red Bull stadium in Harrison, would still be underground at the point from which your picture of Lower Manhattan was taken. TH lives in the Nolita district of downtown NYC, but somewhat doubt he takes the train to games, though 🙂
What’s the difference between Iambic Pentameter and a Limerick?
Answer- don’t give a stuff this is the heart of creativity in Michael Owen knocking.
There was a young Scouser called Owen,
From whom the goals used to be flowing
He has hated the Arse
And was bruised by the grass
So he spends his life at BT crowing
I think Clive will disapprove of the attention we are giving the little arsewipe but hubs of creativity are like that.
Has anyone seen Debuchy? It struck me I preferred the deal Newcastle got with Janmaat than our one with their lad.
Good idea, Tabs. 😉
I just needed a challenge other than work that didn’t involve transfer tittle tattle.
would that
i were
if i was
what i am
3 parts drunk
4 parts ham
.
.
.
.
as Young Mr Grace would say “You’ve all done very well”
.
🙂
Haha Ttg 🙂
You knows it Trev 😉
One final one …
A scouser named Michael not Mick,
Whose gravestone did read ‘What a prick!’
Rode over a bunny
And acted the cunny
And now it says ‘Cunt not just dick’.
Howdy Cba 🙂
The PATH train also gets one to Red Bull Arena from New York and there are stations in Jersey City and in Hoboken (from which one has a view of river) so one of those spots may be from where the shot was taken. The PATH goes straight to Red Bull Arena at the Harrison stop and as NBN says, you’re underground much of the way but at a certain point, I forget where, you go topside.
I’d heard TH lives in SoHo (the New York SoHo, that is), but its been a while, personally speaking. But I guess it depends how technical one wants to be. Either way — I doubt The King rides the PATH to work!!!
Incidentally, the platform in Harrison has room for about 400 or 500 people – totally convenient when the stadium’s 25,000 leave at the same time after a match….
And big props to ttg for the limerick.
Strong work!
Howdy tabs
long time no
errrrr
Howdy
Only just stopped laughing at the thought of cows applying their nail varnish cba 😉
Eating some more humble pie to ease pain of being iambic pentameterless.
when they get together
and
braid each others udders
now there’s a sight and a quarter
Oh well at least I’m good at despising Michael Owen and his ilk.
Hey holics, any news on the Bender transfer? Never seems to get any track from the meedja. Nothing like the ‘news’ of the Khedira transfer which seems to be constant
Ah, Smith and Ninth Ned. 🙂
Was being totally renovated when I was there last year. Will be back in September to see the outcome.
Hope to see some of you NY Gooners in the Blind Pig.
My interweb oracle tells me it will be Villa away.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>