I Wish I Still Smoked
Apr 14th, 2009 by 'holic
It was the hardest thing on the planet. It took me over thirty years to achieve, but this is the time of the season when I start to wonder why I ever gave up smoking. The management will testify that I am reaching the peak of my ‘end of season irritability’. I want the game with Villareal to be now. I want to go to Wembley tomorrow to see us beat Chelsea. I simply cannot stand the thought of not playing and winning those games.
Like every other Arsenal fan I have scanned the net for team news for the visit of Villareal. They have their problems, but they have Pires, so they will have quality. Other than that I don’t give a monkeys who turns out in the yellow.
I am a little nervous about the back four that will start for Arsenal at the Grove. It would not be that much of a surprise to see Song switched to central defence to allow Silvestre to play at left-back. Having said that I’m concerned that whatever four we go with could be susceptible to pace, a weapon the visitors are sure to employ on the counter.
That makes it imperative to me that we have options in the six selected ahead of them. Walcott and Nasri will provide non-stop shuttles down either flank. If Song is switched then Denilson and Fabregas could start just behind van Persie in a free role, with Adebayor the focal point of the attack. The fit again Diaby provides an option, but I suspect he will be on the bench.
I have thought long and hard about the holic pound. So much depends on how Fabianski and that back four settle and perform. We are certainly capable of keeping a clean sheet, but shouldn’t rely on it. I have settled for a nervous 2-1 win, and suspect the winner may come late. Nines are available at Betfair on that scoreline, but I will stroll round to William Hill and take his 15/2, which is still a point better than any of my internet accounts offer.
So that’s it. I’m going to bark at the management a bit more, and anybody who crosses my path at work tomorrow. Where the hell are those cigarettes?
20 Responses to “I Wish I Still Smoked”
Don’t worry goonerholic,I’ve been chaining like a bastard today and it hasn’t made the time pass any quicker. I do have heartburn though. Make mine a large g & t, with a milk on the side.
well like they say the best defence is a good offence
As passionate as ever, Barman. Great to see.
Tomorrow, I’d like Sagna, Toure, Song, Gibbs.
I think we’ll get Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs – because the boss seems to rate Silvestre (I thought he was poor on Saturday) and Song has been exceptional as DM and will likely play in front of this back four.
Then, mid-field would be Cesc, Denilson, Song, Nasri (Theo featuring off the bench) with Robin and Ade up front (and, hopefully, Eduardo available if required.
We’re looking thin at centre back. Enjoy the game. I think we’ll do just fine and the Yellow Submarine will end up ‘below the waves with the man who went to sea from the town where I was born’. Not my favourite Beatles song, but better by far than any of Noel Coward’s stuff.
I can’t understand why Wenger doesn’t shift Sagna to left back, play Eboue right and Toure and Silvestre in the centre. That’ll give us pace, strength and experience…
What do you think?
I think we need to stay strong and remain positive. Wigan was not a great performance but we still ran out 4-1 winners. We are weak at the back but there is nothing we can do about that now. Just get on with it.
I have no doubt that Silvestre will play. I can also see both Song and Denilson in holding positions. If that holds firm, then I feel really confident. Our attacking options after that are as good as they have been in ages with the exception of Arshavin being added.
Heads up boys, no need to start on the old weed again. This is a time to look forward. I would far rather it this way, than sat at home with bugger all bar a run of the mill league game to look forward to at the weekend.
A pint of Badgers Woggle please, to drink a toast to optimism and 2 great cup victories.
Keep the faith.
I couldn’t agree more with the above.
A glass of Wild Turkey with Mescal on the side…
Where do you work anyway, ‘holic? I was not aware that there were any docks in Wiltshire.
*chokes on Jameson*
Heh! Thank you Snail. What made you think I was a stevedore?
😉
I saw you more as a lighterman actually… I think it is the constant smoking references.
There’s always Pewsey Wharf on the Kennet and Avon, of course…
🙂
During this rollercoaster ride of a season you’ve been steadier than most so it’s kind of funny to see you so hyped now.
SteveT is right on the money. Now is the Time, been waiting for this the whole season and confident as ever.
Whether it’s Song + Silvestre or Silvestre + Gibbs, I’d venture Denilson will be tasked to help them and someone will partner him on the other side of the pitch in front of the defense. Either Song or Diaby if Song plays next to Kolo.
Funny coincidence to read you intro right now, I quit smoking last week. 2 packs a day for 25 years, at least 10 years since I last gave it a try. Easier than I thought but I may find it harder on May 27th 😉
Faith is alive and well. Go Gunners!
As much as I like Gibbs, I think tomorrows game might prove a little too much. In which case I’m attracted to the idea of moving Eboue to right back and chucking the ever reliable Sagna over to cover the left flank. Silvestre and Toure in central defence.
Nasri and Walcott should imo be used on the flanks, with Cesc and Denilson in the middle (I think Song should be rested more for the Chelsea semi on Saturday – their midfield may be physically too much for Denilson). Ade up front, with RVP doing what the hell he likes just behind.
Personally I’m feeling very confident about tomorrow. Confidence throughout the squad is rightly sky high and, sure, although we have some notable absentees in defence, they have more key players absent and we are on a rich vein of form.
Looking forward to a triumphant Gooners victory!!!
Damned, silly me….I forget my order at the bar.
A glass of Aberlour with a couple of ice cubes please barman! Should work a treat 🙂
Cheers all,
…and Matt. This is the only time of the season to get all worked up. It only gets nervous for those who have something to play for so it’s a good worked up in that respect.
Earlier on it is easy for some to get carried away with individual setbacks and poor runs and attribute far too much importance to them because we have column inches to fill. They are just the fodder that lead up to weeks like this.
Our season could be over on Saturday. It won’t be, I’m sure, but these next two games really are make or break, at least until the Champions League semi-final. This is a position many would have had us believe we wouldn’t be in not so long ago. I love it.
…but I want it over 🙂
Team details from the Telegraph this morning.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Fabianski; Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs; Denilson, Song; Walcott, Fabregas, Nasri; Adebayor.
great write up ‘holic, i was thinking the same in terms of selection, i agree with BTM i am not entirely sold on silvestre either but would imagine he will probably get the nod. Reading don’s comment (14) i can see that being a pretty likely side, there is another big game saturday to keep one eye on, and i think the song decision ahead of RVP highlights that there is a “slight” defensive frailty currently.
so here we are again … the biggest week of the season, 3 matches the determine the fate and happiness of all of us
i pray it is not another feb-mar ’07, but i have a strange confidence that we have the chance to at least remain unbeaten in the next 3
a win or draw tonight, a win against chelsea now possibly made a little harder after their cracking win last night, they may now be full of confidence? and a draw against Liverpool, i would take that i think.
personally i feel a lot swings on the result tonight, i hope a place in the CL semi’s will give the desire and confidence for saturday and really taking it to chelsea.
(ps. i was thinking last night while watching that game, all the people that have complained about our squad this season, that we are MUCH better off than chelsea, who do they bring in to change things up? no-one concrete i can think of? i think their first team line-up is pretty much their only line-up currently)
anyway… only the football gods know now ! i’m sure none of us expected last nights scoreline (liv vs che)
cannot concentrate for even a second today, good cue for another cigarette break 😉
enjoy gooners. let’s do this thing!
Thank you for being the first website I have read today which mentions that Song may play centre defence!!!
I think that is the best way forward as Gibbs looks a bit raw to be starting a game of this magnitude.
3-1 to Arsenal.
If Don’s right, looks like RVP failed groin test. Wonder how close Theo will play to Ade up front? I like him in a central role, maybe with Nasri and Gibbs providing the width.
Gibbs going forward is a muxch stonger proposition than Clichy. He can actually shoot and cross effectively. Maybe defensively a little more frail, but overall, I expect him to do really well. Whatever else, great experience for him as this squad grows and grows in maturity.
Come on Gunners. Periscope down Villareal, it doesn’t work beneath the waves.
An excellent result from the boys. Song is starting to remind me of a certain Manu Petit – he really has come on. Adebayor was his usual miising self for large chunks but again proved that he is the finished article when he wants to be. Could he coast any more? If he was a Diesel he’d be getting about 1200 miles from one tank. Audibayor?
Glad we’re through and just a little disappointed that we have Manure in the semi. I wanted them to fail, just to wipe the smug look off of Fergusmoan’s face. I even had a glass of cheap Port to try and appease the gods.
Anyway, we’re through and that is all that matters to me really.
Cheers.
United won’t fancy us in the semis. They’re short on confidence atm. Hopefully we’ll have some defenders back.
Arsenal – Barca final. Mouthwatering prospect!
Fantastic result – I’m struggling to find the words to express just how proud I am of the Gooners display tonight.
Roll on the semi final against Man United. Sure we’ll be underdogs but I have no doubt our opponents will be seriously fearing the prospect of facing the mighty Gooners. And I am confident of our winning too!!!
The San Miguels have been downed at my local but I sit here at home now with Mrs Don and the kids, proudly raising my glass of 12 year old Balvenie (complete with the customary couple of ice cubes)….toasting a truly awesome display Arsenal Football Club display.
NB. ‘holic I have never smoked…..but tonight I’m sure very nearly experienced the ‘pleasure’ of so doing!!!!
All the best fella 🙂