Goonerholic: Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Drink, Arsenal

Jose Antonio Reyes

Jun 2nd, 2019 by 'holic

It’s the first non-football Sunday evening of the close season. It’s always a bit of a downer and it rounds off an emotional weekend for us all. This isn’t about me, me, me. It’s about us, us, us. So with a keyboard and a very large glass of Laphroaig Select in front of me let me vent our anguish and hope that it helps.

The breaking news yesterday morning of the death of Jose Antonio Reyes in a tragic automotive accident obviously impacted many in ways we had not expected. At various stages of the day I know it hit many of us. I should have known better than to open the video of him and his little daughters when he returned from China in the local pub just before teatime.

Those extending their sympathies to his friends and family read like an invincibles who’s who, and demonstrated the affection that his peers felt for him. For example, Thierry Henry.

“I’m devastated to hear the sad news about José Antonio Reyes. Wonderful player, superb team mate and exceptional human being.”

Probably the fullest appreciation came from one who Jose Antonio took under his wing arriving as a sixteen year old from Barcelona.

“A humble guy who always had a smile on his face, great footballer and great person. I could not wake up today in a worse way. I will never forget when you and your family welcomed me at your home in my first Christmas in England when I was alone and was 16 years old. I will never forget our tennis football matches in the gym before and after workouts. Our connection in the field was also special, since it was always easy to find yourself between the lines so you could make the difference.

I always say that you have been one of the greatest talents in football and I know that I am not wrong. 2 days ago I was talking about you in an interview, it might be a sign, who knows, to remember you, my great friend. I will never forget you, we will never forget you. Always in our hearts. Rest in peace Jose Antonio Reyes. Love you very much. Cesc”

There were also acknowledgements posted by Lauren, Sol Campbell, Ray Parlour, Robert Pires, Kanu, Rami Shaaban, Freddie Ljungberg, Gary and Colin Lewin, Stuart Macfarlane, and, of course, one Arsene Wenger on Bein Sports. I’m sorry if I missed any others.

As with most of you Jose Antonio introduced himself to us at Highbury with a brace against Chelsea in the FA Cup, and oh, that first, a screamer into the top left corner. In the North Bank, well everywhere in the ground, we went nuts. “We’ve got ourselves a player!”. He would go on to net 5 goals in 21 appearances as the invincibles wrote their name in history.

The true recognition of his value to that team came at Old Trafford in the infamous match 50 in our unbeaten run. I’m not sure that rotational fouling was a recognised term then, but it is certainly what United perpetrated upon the player seen as the biggest danger to them. Rooney, Scholes, and the cowardly Neville brothers committed ‘challenges’ on him that day that Mike Riley either turned a blind eye to, or eventually produced a token yellow card. They effectively kicked him out of English football.

It wasn’t immediate. Jose Antonio scored 12 goals in 45 appearances in that second season and satisfyingly ended up an FA Cup winner at Cardiff against, fittingly, Manchester United. The following season he was an integral part of our run to the Champions League Final and made another 44 appearances for the club. He was at the forefront of Arsene Wenger’s thinking at a time when we had Ljungberg and Pires. There is no higher compliment.

Home sickness is a thing, and Jose Antonio felt it increasingly during his time in London. Reluctant to sell a prized asset, we agreed a loan deal for him. This was no ordinary loan. The talented winger/forward found himself at Real Madrid for a year as we hoped he would agree to come back. It wouldn’t happen. A year on he was an Atletico player where he won the Europa League twice.

In his later career he returned to Sevilla where, under Unai Emery, he won three more Europa League winners medals. As a full Spanish international he scored 4 goals in 21 appearances, but his life and career was never about statistics. It was about a talent who brought pleasure to all fortunate enough to see him play. It was about the player who had to be ‘reduced’ to try and stop The Arsenal from dominating matches.

Here’s hoping that his young family are able to relatively quickly grasp the esteem in which he was held by fellow footballers and supporters of his various clubs alike. I haven’t a clue how to finish this other than to say that we would sign the 2004 Reyes tomorrow. We need someone with his gifts.

RIP Jose Antonio.

Posted in comment | 216 Drinks

216 Responses to “Jose Antonio Reyes”

on 02 Jun 2019 at 10:01 pm1Cynic

Lovely blog, H.

I adored the fella. It says a lot that when we had Henry, Bergkamp and co in the team, JAR was the player I loved to watch and the one I was most disappointed to see being left out. I still remember seeing him wandering about on the pitch before the CL Final in 2006, looking absolutely heartbroken at being left out.

Blogs wrote an excellent piece today as well.

I’m glad he had a chance to come “home” for that legends game, albeit as part of the management. There was a rumour going around last summer that Reyes had been earmarked by Emery to join the coaching staff. How I wish it had come true..

RIP
on 02 Jun 2019 at 10:06 pm2Goonerholic

Thanks Cynic. You know what that means to me.

I made the point, he was principally a winger when we had Freddie and Bobby. Up front we had Thierry and Dennis. How did he get games?

Because he was fuckin’ excellent, to borrow a term from Blogs.
on 02 Jun 2019 at 10:11 pm3iBtM

Very nice, Holic. Thank you.
on 02 Jun 2019 at 10:13 pm4TTG

A lovely, touching tribute Holic. I was so thrilled and surprised when we signed Reyes as I thought we had no money. He had great ability but as you say has problems adapting to life in chilly North London. He won’t be forgotten by Gooners who remember our own
on 02 Jun 2019 at 10:15 pm5Goonerholic

Thank you both. It really is much appreciated.
on 02 Jun 2019 at 11:18 pm6can't be arsed

solid job ‘holic
fuckin shite thing to happen

.

god rest him
on 02 Jun 2019 at 11:25 pm7Goonerholic

Thanks cba.

It means a lot. I wish we could have kept him, but understood why it was never going to happen.
on 02 Jun 2019 at 11:29 pm8PK

Yesterday was very devastating. Two regrets here. One, to lose someone at such an age is very sad especially for his young family. Two, that we never got to see him reach his peak at the Arsenal. Those ‘foulers’ who effectively made sure he never enjoyed life at Arsenal by making his life hell remind me of the idiot who destroyed Eduardo’s career as well as that Shawcross (yes, that Stoke rugby-15 player) tackle that almost ended Ramsey’s career as well.
Anyhow, even as far flung as I may be, I really pray for his family to bear the loss with courage. RIP JAR!
on 02 Jun 2019 at 11:36 pm9Mark Earle

Amazing Dave, close to tears. Thank you so much.
The Arsenal Family is a truly wonderful thing and it hurts to lose one.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 12:32 am10Goonersince54

Sad news indeed H
A good footballer who never really settled in London for various reasons,and didn’t do himself any favors with his thoughtless radio interview, that put him offside with his fellow players and many supporters,me included.
I do hope that reports out of Spain that Jose was apparently doing 120mph in a 70 zone and lost control of the car, are unfounded.
Because if true,he has cost himself not only his own life,but that of a young cousin,and left another cousin with serious injuries,devastating the whole Reyes family.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 12:43 am11can't be arsed

clive
you on treacle stout ?
on 03 Jun 2019 at 12:54 am12can't be arsed

there’s 200 bottles out sitting
small bit of fizz for to gain
150 old dark treacle

50 just malty
which ive dipped in to
.
.
dunno where i’m going with this
except
howdy
on 03 Jun 2019 at 1:31 am13Goonersince54

howdy cba,
I’m a teetotaller my friend,though that does not lead to me admonishing others for partaking.
Nothing wrong with enjoying a tipple.
It’s those that cannot control their drinking that i despise,having seen first hand over the years,the damage it has done to those on the pointy end of their egregious excess.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 1:53 am14can't be arsed

point-y end taken fella

.
no offense meant
and
i hope none taken
.
.
UP THE RAMBLERS !
ya hard buncha darlins
on 03 Jun 2019 at 1:57 am15can't be arsed

i bet you all did did yer nails though
yeah

?
on 03 Jun 2019 at 2:11 am16can't be arsed

i didn’t mean that

i meant ye did each other’s nails

sorry again
.
.
i spend manys an evening
watching the moooooooooooooooooooooo ers
plaiting their udders
as they paint each other’s hooves
on 03 Jun 2019 at 7:41 am17Steve T

Lovely tribute H. Very well written.

I got the sad news as I was on the train to Twickenham on Saturday. The initial high spirits were immediately extinguished with feelings of both shock and sadness.

The game at Old Trafford resulted in the subsequent tunnel bust up at Highbury some months later. I enjoyed hearing how Paddy had terrified Gary Neville when reminding him of where he was, what was expected and the likely consequences should he fail to meet those standards. Such was the togetherness of that squad.

Jose was a wonderful player and like you, I would have loved to have seen more of him in an Arsenal shirt. A sad and tragic loss. My thoughts go out to his family. RIP Jose.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 10:29 am18Doom&gloom

JAR a wonderful player.will always remember that disgrace of a refereeing performance from Mike Riley.i maintain to this day that match was fixed against us.Absolutely shameful.Reyes took the brunt of it.They,Manure knew what a threat he was.never quite the same after it.A wonderful tribute from both holic & cesc.RIP.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 10:44 am19Dorset Mick

Beautiful tribute, ‘Holic.

So sad.

We haven’t many in the current squad that even belong on the same pitch as Jose.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 7:14 pm20Goonerholic

Thank you very much for the kind words all. You are all stars.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 7:27 pm21scruzgooner

‘holic, thank you for that. he was so good in the time we had with him in red, and always smiling. yeah, he made a mistake with the interview, but it never bothered me, except it meant he left early.

i hope his family recovers, and that they ultimately remember him as the good person he was.

i remember that manure game when he got kicked so hard…i was so angry they were beating him up and riley did nothing. bastard. the comparison with eduardo (both before and after he had his leg shattered) is apt (another really great player, great guy, etc.).

also, as others have said, many thanks to you for hanging in there this year, and for writing your always clear, always on the sleeve prose about our beloved arsenal. here’s a not-so-wee dram to your health, let’s have some glenfarclas 105, then.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 7:32 pm22Cynic

Lichtsteiner is definitely leaving. Announced it himself.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 8:44 pm23Dexter

Not Gunner lie, I shed a few tears reading this fine report and a few subsequent articles about the tragic death of a player who I feel was allowed to be kicked and assaulted out of the British game.

Its almost as if this horrendous news has reaffirmed the stpudity of Brexi and thet fact our country is in the process of leaving its nearest and should be dearest.

Whatever your political hue, as a Gooner you should be a Europhile. At the very fucking least.
on 03 Jun 2019 at 8:59 pm24North Bank Ned

Touching tribute, ‘Holic.

Reyes was taken from us, and from life too soon. RIP.
on 04 Jun 2019 at 1:07 am25OsakaMatt

Best of luck to Licht.
I wasn’t that keen when he
joined but I thought he mostly
did ok as a back up RB. Not so
good at LB, Centre Back, Wing
Back or playing twice in a week
but that was hardly unexpected
and no reason for some of the
unfair stick he got.
So Cech,Licht, Aaron, Danny and
Suarez so far, nothing unexpected
there either.
on 04 Jun 2019 at 2:19 am26North Bank Ned

I see West Ham has released Nasri and sold Lucas Perez, both late of this parish.
on 04 Jun 2019 at 4:26 am27OsakaMatt

Caroll, Nasri and Perez was
about 70 or 80 millions worth
in their day. Gone for 2m.

A few people thought we should
persevere with Perez as I recall.
Still, the best of luck to him back
in Spain.
on 04 Jun 2019 at 7:55 am28OsakaMatt

We could get Adrian for free
as back-up keeper.
He isn’t very good but better
than Emi I think.
on 04 Jun 2019 at 10:19 am29Dexter

I always Lichtsteiner looked solid whenever I saw him play for Juventus. Then again their defence has been pretty stable for years. He’s a decent pro, good luck to him.

If the owners stick to their guns and refuse to actually invest in their cash cow then Emery and co are going to have work wonders or the club is likely to have a pretty mediocre season again. If that’s the case then I cant see Emery sticking around beyond next season.

It will also mean to 4 is the sole goal, that or we will have to sell our best players.

I read that a couple of Chinese clubs are after Auba. If they offered £150m then I’m sure Stan would bite their hands off!
on 04 Jun 2019 at 12:58 pm30Jose Antonio Reyes – Arsenal FC News

[…] Original article: https://goonerholic.com/2019/06/jose-antonio-reyes/ […]
on 04 Jun 2019 at 6:07 pm31bt8

Why would Federer bat Wawrinka? Was he employing a cricket strategy?

https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/live/2019/06/04/roland-garros-2019-en-direct-roger-federer-stan-wawrinka-pour-une-place-en-demi-finale_5471263_3242.html
on 04 Jun 2019 at 6:56 pm32Dexter

Daniel Sturridge is available on a free…

He’s a decent player, when fit.
on 04 Jun 2019 at 7:53 pm33Cynic

He’d want a big wage and he’d never be fit. Even a pay as you play deal would be a waste of time, as he’d take up a valuable squad place. We may as well register the treatment table and save some cash.
on 05 Jun 2019 at 12:43 am34North Bank Ned

Would a row of treatment tables concede fewer goals than our defence?
on 05 Jun 2019 at 12:55 am35can't be arsed

bad back four
on 05 Jun 2019 at 1:02 am36bt8

3 treatment tables or 4?
on 05 Jun 2019 at 1:44 am37North Bank Ned

They wouldn’t take it lying down.
on 05 Jun 2019 at 1:47 am38North Bank Ned

We’d have to play the three, bt8b, with a couple of wingback armchairs.
on 05 Jun 2019 at 2:36 am39bt8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5MzLuqepFs
on 05 Jun 2019 at 2:37 am40bt8

🙂
on 05 Jun 2019 at 7:47 am41Dexter

Umtiti is another crock were linked with…

Looks like well need another addition to the flat pack back four.
on 05 Jun 2019 at 8:22 am42can't be arsed

medical centre half
on 05 Jun 2019 at 9:31 am43Dexter

Midfield general anaesthetic!
on 05 Jun 2019 at 1:35 pm44bt8

Docs in the box
on 05 Jun 2019 at 3:50 pm45OsakaMatt

Seems Ericsen wants to leave
the Spuds for a bigger club.
Brentford or QPR then.
on 05 Jun 2019 at 4:04 pm46Bathgooner

Lovely & moving tribute, H. A special player. We only briefly glimpsed his true talents. Taken far too soon. Thanks, H.
on 05 Jun 2019 at 7:46 pm47Goonerholic

I thank you, young Bath. As ever, you are a scholar and a gentleman.
on 05 Jun 2019 at 10:12 pm48can't be arsed

oooooohaaaaaaahhhhh
urrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhhh
eeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
.
.
.

trump
on 05 Jun 2019 at 10:14 pm49can't be arsed

has he gone yet
has he gone yet
has he gone yet
on 05 Jun 2019 at 10:24 pm50can't be arsed

.
.
.

a round the world assault course
on 05 Jun 2019 at 10:27 pm51can't be arsed

is it ?
coarse it is
.
dozey dangerous count
on 05 Jun 2019 at 11:19 pm52can't be arsed

.
portugal anyone ?
on 05 Jun 2019 at 11:26 pm53can't be arsed

.
.

long shorts beer bellys
no surrender !

.
the donald fits
plus
he’s bright orange
on 05 Jun 2019 at 11:46 pm54can't be arsed

.
.
i of course jest
if it wasn’t for the brave actions
of matching burberry wearing lardasses
outside pubs various europe wide
singing no surrender

the peace process here never woulda made it
.
.
no surrender indeed
on 05 Jun 2019 at 11:58 pm55can't be arsed

.
.
.

*invade bar*

*mouthiest one clears throat*

“Dirty Murphy’s , I am honoured and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child.”

“47 lager tops please love “
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:25 am56can't be arsed fan

.
.
.
underrated drink 55

.
superb
.
.

I think you have a glittering future right behind you
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:29 am57can't be arsed

.
.
.
aw come on
come on
random person
i’m really not that wonderful
.
.

come on
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:32 am58can't be arsed

57 is what happens
when 55 goes for a piss

isnt it ciaran ?

isn’t it ?????
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:37 am59can't be arsed

cunt just dismissed susannah hoffs
cos she wasn’t Debbie Harry
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:40 am60can't be arsed

i pay for these fuckers why
he’s nearly 40

just to annoy me they exist
that and my cock in their mother
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:43 am61can't be arsed

.
.
mind you
at least he fucked off early
and didn’t come back every farts end
with incomprehensible children
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:53 am62can't be arsed

only got Scottish incomprehensibility here

i long for the day
a miniature granada screeches to a halt
outside here

and a Faaackin Grandson is pushed out
and declares here his Manor
afore he gets vertical
on 06 Jun 2019 at 1:08 am63can't be arsed

and
as the miniature granada tears off
he’ll faaaackin FAAAAAAACKIN

“On my loife , you cunts , i’ll faackin …..!”

.
.
.

“allo Grandad ……… any faaackin rusks ? “
on 06 Jun 2019 at 1:15 am64can't be arsed

.
.
(some of my phonetic spelling might be under par)

I wouldn’t know cos golf is for girls – and big ones at that
on 06 Jun 2019 at 1:42 am65can't be arsed

.
.
.
wrong pitch
.
anyone wanna give us a job ?
i’m elderly
can write stuff

.
being perfectly serious
message here
or ‘holic
i’m sure he’ll be glad
to pass me on
like a kidney stone
.
.
want to come out of retirement

paying jobs only
on 06 Jun 2019 at 1:53 am66can't be arsed

.
.
.
yup
stop stealing my jokes
PAY ME

i’ll write you more
when wallet says yes
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:06 am67can't be arsed

newspapers
.
gimme something to review
and it’ll stay reviewed
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:15 am68can't be arsed

etc etc and so on
.
.
sweet mother have ye read some reviews of stuff in the papers . Excruciating .

These people got paid though

Depressing

“SQWAWK SQWAWK d you remember that time “
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:21 am69can't be arsed

and
don’t get me bastardin started
on the music press
.
.
inability to join the dots
beyond the big dots screaming

.
.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:27 am70can't be arsed

so
if that’s the kinda bollocks you’d like
ive loads
just loads
and
in many ways my dear people
wasn’t our Lord loaded too
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:27 am71can't be arsed

.
corny shit like that ?
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:28 am72can't be arsed

nuh
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:32 am73can't be arsed

.
.
enough of this nonsense
thunder T have ye any jobs going ?
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:34 am74can't be arsed

anyone ?

Donegal ?
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:45 am75can't be arsed

i am being
one bastardin hundred percent
serious here

i need to make some money

.
(sorry Dave )

any offers ?
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:53 am76can't be arsed

back corner me house crumbling
on 06 Jun 2019 at 2:58 am77can't be arsed

.
.
snooty informed tv reviews a specialty
on 06 Jun 2019 at 3:14 am78can't be arsed

help a gooner out fellas
(used to have a dog with puppy dog eyes but he died at 17 so fuck off
on 06 Jun 2019 at 3:20 am79can't be arsed

crufts reviews out then ?
apart from the fact
it’s a shithole loada nonsense rewarding dog breeding health abuses with rosettes and elderly lesbians .
on 06 Jun 2019 at 3:26 am80can't be arsed

but
that’s not just me saying that
that’s the internet
on 06 Jun 2019 at 3:31 am81can't be arsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28zwgfsLjQw
on 06 Jun 2019 at 3:38 am82can't be arsed

or
god rest Joey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei2wuyP-XPE&app=desktop
on 06 Jun 2019 at 3:55 am83can't be arsed

music and football
my 60s 70s
went to that London 80s
loved it
apart from the natives
“Oi oi saveloy”

what does that even mean ?
weirdo

“Vowelsandconsonantsalljumbleduplikethebadpeopleingreenwhousedtopointgunsatyou”

i met a few nice people there
young firebrand s by the name of
thatcher and tebbit

loved me
loved my accent
loved life

we drifted apart though
on 06 Jun 2019 at 4:06 am84can't be arsed

*clicks Cuban heels*

1976
punk ?
English ?
no
Ramones ?
YES
https://vimeo.com/169652882
The Damned wee bit after seein em
YES YES YES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch6DSOZT9wc
on 06 Jun 2019 at 4:43 am85can't be arsed

people
and
by people
i mean arseholes
reinvent history

RAMONES first album ROARED

nothing like it before
but plenty like it since
on 06 Jun 2019 at 4:50 am86can't be arsed

professional GOOONAH john lydon
wrote some all time classics

but
they’re pub rock
compared to Ramones
jeez
Dr Feelgood were scarier than them
on 06 Jun 2019 at 4:54 am87can't be arsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLX6guaT8ZE

.
.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 4:59 am88can't be arsed

but
is she scarier than all of us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY8bdQRpmGU
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:05 am89can't be arsed

no
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:07 am90can't be arsed

am i ?
.
well…. yes
i’ll not lie
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:13 am91can't be arsed

“Aw jasus , what’s yer next song ?”

well it was gonna be joyous
but according to the current
internet manifesto i am neither
hither nor yon
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:19 am92can't be arsed

so in that regard

please stop listening to the bullying

a man who transitions to a woman
is exactly that

a woman who stayed put
somehow has started to need to defend herself
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:25 am93can't be arsed

i was born a man
but after decades
of liver searching
i still am

and
a very handsome one
at that

albeit with limited alcohol processing power
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:29 am94can't be arsed

people are scared not to be as “right on”
as someone stepping out of
his mark iv cortina would be
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:40 am95can't be arsed

cos
if your brain is saying
you are talking to someone
you believe to be a fella
but
you’re being told that person
wants to be referred to as she

it’s completely exhausting for the mind
to contradict your eyeballs
so what you say to that person is bullshit lite
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:48 am96can't be arsed

it seems perfectly normal to me
but it seems people are ending up
in court over it

Seems bizarre

Woman have fought for ages for a straight down the middle slice of the pie

Why shouldn’t they protect it
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:57 am97can't be arsed

I dunno ?
on 06 Jun 2019 at 6:00 am98can't be arsed

but
to anyone reading
don’t just accept a narrative about whatever , cos you are scared to challenge it
on 06 Jun 2019 at 6:01 am99can't be arsed

liars abound
on 06 Jun 2019 at 6:07 am100can't be arsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WyR4AqRweY
on 06 Jun 2019 at 6:26 am101can't be arsed

bound
on 06 Jun 2019 at 6:27 am102can't be arsed

bound
and rebound
on 06 Jun 2019 at 8:10 am103OsakaMatt

congrats on a fine waffle to the
ton cba.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 8:16 am104OsakaMatt

In other news it seems an
announcement from Kos
is imminent.
I’ll miss him if he goes, I
don’t think he was a great
captain but I liked his honesty
and he was a world class
CB for 2-3 seasons.
Just my opinion as I know
some differ. And of course
they are fully entitled to
be wrong.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 8:22 am105OsakaMatt

I liked the report that Xhaka
was “extremely annoyed “
about the Ropey League final.
Those weren’t the words I
used Granit 🙂
But, yes me too.
Now, off you go to Inter please.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 11:32 am106can't be arsed

why thank you osaka M
or may i call you o

waffling isn’t something comes naturally to me
it’s something i have to work hard at
and indeed im the richer for that toil

picture the scene …

… a cold winters night … nineteen and sixty …
a full moon in the sky …ellipsis everywhere…
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:03 pm107can't be arsed

.
mother Arsed
wedged noisily in the birthing trough
on 06 Jun 2019 at 12:34 pm108OsakaMatt

Indeed what’s an ellipsis or
two between…

though I’m trying not to picture
the scene in 107
on 06 Jun 2019 at 5:43 pm109TTG

CBA
I’m hiding out in Portugal from English detritus. Sadly there is lots of it about.
No jobs from me fella I’m winding down and chilling out.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 7:04 pm110Goonerholic

Sorry to read that TTG. I was hoping they would behave themselves today. They’re not England fans, they’re far right scum looking to terrorise the ‘foreigners’.

Stay safe mate.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 7:18 pm111can't be arsed

no worries m’lud
whilst i appreciate i have positives
the negatives kick the cunt outta them

so

.
.

it’s the life of a high class gigolo
.
AGAIN

.
for me
on 06 Jun 2019 at 7:23 pm112can't be arsed

far right scum looking to terrorise the ‘foreigners’.

?
.

sounds familiar
on 06 Jun 2019 at 8:23 pm113Goonerholic

It’s important to remember cba that they are a minority who do not represent England, or Britain, or any part thereof.
on 06 Jun 2019 at 8:46 pm114Dexter

So, it looks like the kids are all (red and) white next season…
on 06 Jun 2019 at 8:57 pm115Dexter

I’ve no idea why were in for that Prat from Samp? His stats are shite!
on 06 Jun 2019 at 8:58 pm116Dexter

If we do play a load of kids from the youth team, I’m sure the club will reduce ticket prices accordingly… ahem…
on 06 Jun 2019 at 9:21 pm117can't be arsed

dave
the fellas i encountered
on a day to day basis
dressed in green
over decades
by the very uniform they were wearing
were representing
“England, or Britain, or any part thereof”

and i found them to be
disproportionately cunts

i watched the news today
and thought
there’s a few o these oul fellas
are proper gooduns
hard as nails
a job to do and did it
without prejudice

.
i met none similar
when I was just trying to go about
my day to day business
of bringing down the empire
by being Irish in a built up area
on 06 Jun 2019 at 9:24 pm118can't be arsed

my area
on 06 Jun 2019 at 9:35 pm119can't be arsed

between my house and the shop
on 06 Jun 2019 at 9:40 pm120can't be arsed

but i’ll leave it there
if that’s ok
on 06 Jun 2019 at 11:34 pm121can't be arsed

.
.
.
i apologise Dave
i throw my weight about here sometimes
i think i tried to explain to baff
but
i’m sure it was barbed wire incoherence
to him too
so i dunno
on 06 Jun 2019 at 11:41 pm122can't be arsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqhi3O25Xv0
on 06 Jun 2019 at 11:56 pm123can't be arsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqSRFvmcCj0
on 07 Jun 2019 at 12:51 am124can't be arsed

though
did anything i said
warrant an apology
beyond yerself

probably
not
indeed
so
fuck everyone
on 07 Jun 2019 at 1:26 am125can't be arsed

oooh ?
on 07 Jun 2019 at 6:29 am126Dexter

Being Irish in a built up area…

No worse crime, especially in Ireland!

I remember my mum always getting questioned by customs for ages when I was a kid…

I’ve just started watching a TV series called Rebellion. It’s set in 1916 Ireland, under English occupation. It’s good, so far.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 6:40 am127Dexter

In other news..

I see were linked with Carrasco again. He would be a good signing for any club. Whether or not it ends up being Arsenal.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 8:07 am128Vinay Prabhakar

Late but not too late to say it was so sad to read about Reyes, here they come again, Reyessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, stand up for the champions, Martin Tyler immortalized the line and Reyes played his part totally in that. I clearly remember his first goal against Chelsea who dropped off him and allowed him to shoot, there were so many memories but yes the haunting one was the Old Trafford game, Riley, Neville brothers and the whole coup around that game. He has no one but himself to blame for the accident but then no one can predict anything in life ever.

Transfer merry go round continues and we are linked to any mid-table team player that you can think off, does it suggest we are also the same? Exits also likely and frankly, I dont care who stays or leaves as none of the players or the club seem to care either.

Federer Nadal semi-finals in Paris today, for once Rafa let the great man win please, same applies to you nojo.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 2:18 pm129bt8

Excuse me for saying so but men’s tennis really needs some young stars when Rafa-Roger is the big attraction at whatever ages they have now reached. Especially Roger. Has he hit 50 yet?
on 07 Jun 2019 at 2:19 pm130bt8

The teenagers seem to be doing okay on the feminine side.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 2:25 pm131can't be arsed

dexter
the well trodden phrase
at Stranraer ferry
“Dumfries and Galloway CID can you come with me please”

or
my favourite aggravating low level harassment
the queue to go through
the big plastic tunnel thing
for the boat

taking you out of the queue
just a wee bit to the side
in full view of everyone
take all yer belongings out yer bag
with in depth questions about
every single item they ostentatiously held aloft
.
.
.
but
i’ve done it again
sorry ‘hol

i can’t shut the fuck up sometimes
most times

old age maybe

doesn’t give me a free pass
to cunt all over yer house

i think a wee holiday from here is in order
i’m far too much of a dickhead recently

sorry fella
on 07 Jun 2019 at 2:32 pm132can't be arsed

.
UP THE ARSENAL
on 07 Jun 2019 at 4:00 pm133Sancho P

In the last centuary I have been pulled up by security at Heathrow thus missing my flight, been pulled up by security at Heathrow after a return flight along with every other male in their 20s from the flight, had my car searched at Holyhead before boarding a ferry and been pulled up by Irish special branch in a suburb of Dublin. The last one was my fault I think for giving a lady a lift just across the border in Monaghan. She stopped talking when she heard my accent so I suspect she might have been a bit pro Provo. Anyway I always enjoyed myself over in Derry and Donegal.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 4:03 pm134Sancho P

That is despite the hassle.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 6:04 pm135iBtM

A high class gigolo,
in pit boots and moleskin trousers, leopard skin pattern, no doubt,
who barfs over Annie.
It’s a complex kettle full of fish you are, cba
on 07 Jun 2019 at 6:46 pm136can't be arsed

ah now sancho P
with the best intentions
i said i was gonna shut my big bastard face here
for a while and you stick yer finger
up me nose and drag my elderly carcass
back in

it’s not a competition
regarding as i called it
“low level harassment”

believe me
that was a constant
a continuous daily barrage of abuse
searches assaults

but as i said
that was the “low level harassment”

.
pro provo ?
fuck alone knows
what the cunt yer on about there
bizarre
.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 6:47 pm137can't be arsed

btm

i’m yet to meet an uncomplicated person
on 07 Jun 2019 at 6:58 pm138can't be arsed

.
.
.
though i’m rarely in Scotland ?
on 07 Jun 2019 at 8:19 pm139Dexter

O Matt

You read that EMI is set to be named back up keeper, when we sell Ospina?
on 07 Jun 2019 at 8:55 pm140Dexter

Today’s transfer rumoured team for next season…

Leno
Bellerin Holding Anderson Tierney
Chambers Torreira
Carrasco Praet Auba
Lacazette…
on 07 Jun 2019 at 8:56 pm141Dexter

Amy news on when Bellerin and Holding are due back?
on 07 Jun 2019 at 9:02 pm142Goonerholic

One day I would like to sit around a table with Bath, BtM, and cba, (three of the best) and talk about my cousin’s husband. One of Glasgow’s finest at one time.

Also I have a piece in my head about the released players but it isn’t on the page yet. It needs more. It’s bland, and I am getting sloshed watching the womens world cup. Hopefully tomorrow.

Play nicely all. Thank you.
on 07 Jun 2019 at 9:26 pm143Dexter

Santistarted for Spain tonight. It would be good if he could return in some capacity…

Player manager maybe!
on 07 Jun 2019 at 9:53 pm144can't be arsed

????? ‘hol
might as well just
blow up* a dictionary
on the table
.

the level o language that’d disregard itself there
.
.
.
.
.
.

*i might be able to help ye out with that racist presumption
on 07 Jun 2019 at 10:00 pm145can't be arsed

.
.
sloshed ye say
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S771kvvpipU
.
.
.
and ‘hol
shut yer hole
baff and btm are goonerholic royalty
i’m noisy
on 07 Jun 2019 at 10:30 pm146can't be arsed

throw in zico
and the level of language abuse
would require me to sellotape a grandchild
to my forehead
to decode
on 07 Jun 2019 at 10:51 pm147North Bank Ned

Turkey’s Erdogan is best man at footballer Mesut Ozil’s wedding
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48564192

What can one say?
on 07 Jun 2019 at 10:52 pm148can't be arsed

and
also
to be honest
i regret not meeting the mighty Chris
face to face

he was planning a trip back
but the useless cunt died

.
.
to paraphrase 17 degrees trev

here’s nice
ye meet real people
on 07 Jun 2019 at 10:55 pm149can't be arsed

147
.
sweet mother of god
on 07 Jun 2019 at 11:18 pm150can't be arsed

and
Dr John has died
just not good
just shit news
on 07 Jun 2019 at 11:20 pm151can't be arsed

just shit
on 07 Jun 2019 at 11:53 pm152can't be arsed

.
.
the oul dying thing is odd isn’t it
cos of geography and now age
i’ve been to a lot of funerals
over the years

can’t remember a funeral i didn’t laugh at
either out loud
or stifled with unhideable up and down shoulders

.
.
.

a natural
part of grief
Shirley
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:03 am153can't be arsed

but
this isn’t Pete and Bernie’s Philosophical Steak House

so i’ll ram my fist in my flappy face ?
.
.
.

and pray for a happy death
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:10 am154can't be arsed

sayin as i’m here and an earlier man
talked at me about stuff

.
.
how ye’s all doing ?

.
i don’t care though
Like everybody else
I’ve got my all consuming proper problems
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:16 am155can't be arsed

.
ya needy bastards
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:21 am156can't be arsed

but
what would i know ?

i just put an effervescent vitamin tablet
into the stew
.
it really enjoyed itself
.
.
so the outrage
is
“APPARENTLY”
based solely on the fact
they’re orange flavoured
and not just cos they fizz
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:26 am157can't be arsed

.
.
.
long day tomorrow
hundreds o mouldy bottles
need washed

treacle stout for to welcome
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:31 am158can't be arsed

.
has to be done

.
my stout is fantastic
much nicer than Arthur’s

mind you
some o my friends kids
are so life poor and history book rich

they wouldn’t touch
GUINNESS’S BLACK PROTESTANT PORTER
.
.
.
nitwits
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:35 am159can't be arsed

.
Guinness is alright
it’s not great
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.

(poxy protestant porter)
?
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:44 am160OsakaMatt

@147
How about…
Congratulations Mr & Mrs
Ozil. A happy & prosperous
future to you both
🙂
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:44 am161North Bank Ned

And then there is the other Ozil:

Mesut Ozil: Arsenal midfielder and fiancee to fund surgery for 1,000 children

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48554743
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:46 am162can't be arsed

.
now

i used to make my own from scratch

.
.
i no longer am a fuckin arsehole*
and use Coopers kits

few wee additions
bitta jiggerypokery

better results without the nonsense
.
*yeah , I know , hilarious
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:51 am163North Bank Ned

OM@160: You are a man of spirit as generous as cba’s treacle stout.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:53 am164can't be arsed

is it the Stamp Out Bulby story I’ve read
admirable
the anti Feldman foundation
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:57 am165can't be arsed

ned
i occasionally find a crate of stout
ive stashed

longest was 2 years

it was amazing
i think i only had 1 to myself
cos i gave the rest away
with “taste this , fuckin brilliant , eh “
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:05 am166OsakaMatt

@139
Dexter,
EMI would be a better fit in my
musically themed defence 🙂
But were EMI good for music?
Years ago some of my Indie
friends didn’t say nice things
about EMI
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:07 am167can't be arsed

today
well i suppose yesterday
and today
are homebrew days

enormous amounts of heavy glassware
cleaned and sanitized

big 33L plastic buckets
cleaned and sanitized

ingredients juggled
delicious made

.
it’s a lotta bastard work

cos don’t forget
my good looks get in the way

EVERY FUCKIN MOVE I MAKE
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.

it’s exhausting
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:10 am168can't be arsed

were i uglier
Donegal would be drunker
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:12 am169can't be arsed

a lot drunker
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:20 am170can't be arsed

but
a chiselled jaw line
just
well
is exactly that
.
.
don’t shoot the handsome messenger !
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:24 am171OsakaMatt

Ned,
A very kind comparison Sir.
I’d struggle to say anything generous
about Erdogan to be honest, but the
great big Up Yoursedness of it all to
the German right did make me smile.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:29 am172can't be arsed

.
.
oh and
japan M

also readied two big catering mayo tubs
for sake

the amazeballs are in the post

.
it really is an amazing process
i’m homebrewing 40 odd years
but the sake thing is brilliant

still a novice
but getting good
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:32 am173North Bank Ned

cba@165: next time you find another one, fax a bottle Castle Ned’s way…
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:35 am174North Bank Ned

Artisanal treacle stout sake, cba. There is a future for you in Brooklyn.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:44 am175can't be arsed

just sticky rice
not wet
just like ye’d eat

transmogriphies
after the sprinkling on
of the broken up magic yeast balls

into
i’ll be honest
fuck all

but in a week
the liquid appears

and
the Lord saw the liquid
and the Lord saw it was good
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:55 am176can't be arsed

never been America ned
at this stage i kinda think
if i did go
i wouldn’t come back

my whole life is American
my music
my haircut
my clothes

if Eddie Cochran lived in Donegal ?

.
but
who’d wave at the cows
who’d stagger through their fields
who’d

.
tell ye fuckin what
i’d fuckin get on the bastard plane tomorrow
if i’d a wallet fatter than thin
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:02 am177can't be arsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti38LFY7x1Y
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:13 am178can't be arsed

so sad
like so many

he did dying

.
fuckin brilliant bastard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW34W67ZYG0
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:21 am179can't be arsed

clearly prayed to the twin gods
of
Chuck Berry and Little Richard

but
as 1950s simon cowell would say
“You made it your own”
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:30 am180can't be arsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E066NObQCh0
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:38 am181can't be arsed

i’ve adjusted my quiff
im in full take no prisoners rockabilly mode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyZe2hy7Rbk
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:49 am182can't be arsed

saw these lot a few times
terrific
but the fellas were ponsin around
admiring each other’s tattoos
while their 1950s retro stylee girlfriends
in tight skirts were worshipping
at my temple of handsome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnAG4KBOLXI
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:56 am183can't be arsed

.
ye snooze ye lose fellas

i am as the Lord made me
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:00 am184can't be arsed

.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3fX2_bxEkg
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:05 am185can't be arsed

did Errol Brown
ever
get the credit for being
one of THE great soul voices

i don’t think so
i don’t
but he bastardin well shoulda
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:13 am186can't be arsed

Errol Brown
a TITAN among a wilderness of shite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFYOHrwi-W8
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:22 am187can't be arsed

god rest him

Complete Star

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SFFRaIUisY
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:36 am188can't be arsed

did
BIG JOE TURNER
get his due

bollocks he did
bollocks

slightly too tanned

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb4vzDl4zws
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:45 am189can't be arsed

i am monumentally drunk
i’ve also got a broken leg

so
if can jiggle up happiness
it’s good
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:47 am190can't be arsed

.
.
i’m pretending i give a fuck
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:50 am191can't be arsed

and
as I said before

“Eff on , yer 40 Bernadette , wise up”
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:55 am192can't be arsed

isn’t it amazing
how your life can be saved
by someone with a car
who won’t let you forget it
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:15 am193OsakaMatt

I must admit to being just a
tiny bit impressed that you’re
able to homebrew sake cba.
I wouldn’t have a clue myself.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:18 am194OsakaMatt

But then I don’t have 40 years
hands on experience – isn’t it
that anything sufficiently
homebrewedly advanced seems
like magic to a know-nothing?
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:22 am195OsakaMatt

I read that Raul and UE
preferred Suarez to Carrasco
in January. Bit worrying that
though maybe they thought
Suarez would adapt more
quickly to the PL.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:23 am196OsakaMatt

To be fair Suarez did adapt
quickly to our treatment table.
Made himself right at home.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:25 am197OsakaMatt

Anyway sarcasm is cheap I
suppose. In Carrasco’s case
I’ve honestly no idea if he
will be a good fit.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:29 am198OsakaMatt

Not really much other Arsenal
to talk about. In terms of the
players released it was actually
more interesting to think about
who wasn’t released.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:31 am199OsakaMatt

But it seems the Guvnor is
going to do a post about that
so I’ll hold my tongue until
I’ve read the word
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:32 am200OsakaMatt

I’ve sportingly waited to let
more deserving souls claim
the double ton
on 08 Jun 2019 at 8:33 am201OsakaMatt

So it would just be false modesty
not to step forward
on 08 Jun 2019 at 12:13 pm202Dexter

Maybe Suarez was signed to see if he could replace Ramsey? Whereas Carasco is a wide forward? Either way, it turned out shite, we should’ve signed a centre back!
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:11 pm203can't be arsed

hooray ?????
sometimes life’s great
just got a lift up the bar
had a half case o wine each
for a loada the regulars
didn’t cost me fuck all
fruit off the bushes
the fuckin look on their faces
fuckin brilliant
lovely people
feel happy as fuck now
anyhoo
hope ye all have a lovely weekend
ya lovely buncha goonah fuckahs

UP THE ARSENAL
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:15 pm204bt8

Home brewing sake boaster. If I brewed excellent home brewed sake I would be so busy drinking it there would be no time left to boast about it.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:27 pm205can't be arsed

8ball
it’s not for me
i only indulge the odd time
herself loves it
she has a set of cracker lookin wee bottles i put it in for her

still amateur level
but think i’m gettin there

fuckin just love the process
and the eyeball boggling cheapness
on 08 Jun 2019 at 1:34 pm206can't be arsed

it’s a fuckin great hobby
and it fuckin helps people out
cos it’s as good as free

just so pleased today
the fellas were fuckin ecstatic
some o the fruit came from some o their fields
i couldn’t remember which bastardin fields
but fuck em – it’s free

good people all o them
even the leeds fan
???????
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:20 pm207can't be arsed

good wee system 8ball
in return i get their homegrown
spuds carrots onion lettuce scallions strawberries rhubarb
duck eggs hen eggs goose eggs

fuckin excellent money free stock exchange
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:27 pm208can't be arsed

sorry ‘holic
seems i’ve turned here
into a fuckin episode of the good life

aaaahhhhhh
felicity kendal’s backside

i’ll be quiet now
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:48 pm209can't be arsed

.
.
.
i need some time alone with my thoughts
on 08 Jun 2019 at 2:55 pm210can't be arsed

.
.
.
“… and on the second day The Lord made Felicity Kendal’s arse cheeks and he saw that they were good…”
on 08 Jun 2019 at 3:39 pm211Trev

Lovely, moving tribute, Holic,

right up there with your best history pieces. There would be a lot of journalists on the run if you ever took it full-time seriously.

A smashing player whose lesser contemporaries literally kicked out of our game much too soon – some of the treatment handed out to him couldn’t have helped the homesickness, tough little nut that he was.

First chance I’ve had to look in properly for a while, but it was worth the wait.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 4:06 pm212Trev

Big howdy to cba for a massive effort above.

Dark, light, funny, serious,
Controversial – oh, yes you are,
Very clever with the wordiness and
Proper bonkers.

And why does everyone who replies to cba,
including me on my 10″ iPad, ( oooh!, he says)
revert to little phone length lines of type,
shorter than cba’s fuse ?

Whatever the reason,
you’d be brilliant company, fella.
I might even even be forced into
a second pint ? ??

Time is tight for even virtual drinking these days
(Something i keep trying to rectify)
But take care, Sir !
on 08 Jun 2019 at 4:46 pm213can't be arsed

ah fuck off trev
ye proud o yerself ?

hairy arsed emotional
isn’t a good look on me

which is surprising
as most things are
considering my seldom spoken about
handsomeositudinousness

.
whatever stage on my mental decay
i’m waltzing on in the future

i’ll remember yer wee message
with heartfelt joy
.
UP THE ARSENAL
on 08 Jun 2019 at 4:51 pm214whatevs

.
get a fuckin room you two

honestly !

there’s a perfectly good half digested roast chicken
rising to me throat , here
on 08 Jun 2019 at 7:17 pm215Cynic

Leyton Orient boss (and former Spud of course) Justin Edinburgh has died at the age of 49. It’s a cliché to say that’s too young, but it’s true enough.
on 08 Jun 2019 at 7:56 pm216Goonerholic

A little something in between matches. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Goonerholic

Eat, sleep, breathe, drink, Arsenal

Jose Antonio Reyes

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