The Dirty Dozen To Go, Starting With The Dirty Dozen
Feb 22nd, 2011 by 'holic
“Of course all of the players who have been rested will play”
Delighted as I was to hear those words from Arsene it was also undeniably disappointing to hear that Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny would not be among them. The short term nature of those injuries mean that both are expected to be available for Sunday’s Carling Cup Final. Let’s hope so. First there is the small matter of Premier League match number twenty-seven, against those who have assumed the mantle of public enemy number one at the Grove.
Ahead of Szczesny we should see Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, and Clichy. I know what you will be saying in the drinks, but seriously, would you really put the inexperienced Miquel up against grizzly old campaigners like Carew, Fuller, and Jones? This is Squillaci’s chance to demonstrate all of that experience he should bring to the party.
Song will presumably be joined in midfield by Wilshere and Fabregas. With Bendtner the obvious deputy for van Persie up top that just leaves a choice of any two from Walcott, Nasri, and Arshavin for the two wide berths. Nasri must be a shoe-in, and Walcott missed out on Sunday, which suggests the Russian may just be the odd man out. I would play him, personally, as he is all but back to his best, and was the scourge of Stoke in this fixture last season.
Now I spent a fabulous day in the Tollie with Ollie (poetry too, and it’s all free!) when the original fixture was postponed. The little terror got me absolutely paralytic as we watched the snow pour down and swigged away at the black stuff and an assortment of malts from opposite sides of the Irish sea. I’m sorry I will now miss an opportunity to exchange pleasantries with the middle-aged man in a baseball cap when he takes his place on the opposition bench. I’ll also miss the opportunity to applaud Glenn Whelan for his attention to the stricken Ramsey at Stoke last season. Credit where it is due.
The ‘holic pound went well and truly south on Sunday, and I am really not clear about what I see happening at the Grove in this one. In the end I am picturing the pressure building as we draw closer to the pointed end of the season. I see confusion from the paw-fed delivery of Delap at our end, and complete bemusement at the other as Arsh and Nasri twist the blood in the Shawcross veins. How about a nerve-wracking, but eventually satisfying 3-1 to the Arsenal. Around 10/1 will be the reward if I am right.
Have a good one, lucky match-goers. I have a feeling the stream-hunting will be a tad awkward tomorrow night. I am delighted on such occasions to have the ‘sopcast on netbook’ option, although that usually means being about a minute behind the action. A media lockdown is required to avoid being told what is about to happen. Anyway, that’s it for now. Let’s hope tomorrow night we are celebrating pulling to within a point of Manchester United at the summit, and not raging about yet more dark arts.
They wouldn’t, would they?
145 Responses to “The Dirty Dozen To Go, Starting With The Dirty Dozen”
For this particular game, I think I really need the first drink.
Guinness, with a whisky chaser please 😉
Heh, it was my fault, I see. 😀
Well I shall be missing your brilliant company, as I am foolishly making the trek again after all.
Let’s hope for a completely different but nonetheless equally enjoyable time tomorrow night!
Ah, there you are again. I’m getting drunk on Blackpool 2 Tiny Totts 0 at half-time. 🙂
I’d like to see Bendtner, Arshavin, and Nasri up front. Those three should be bring more than enough quality to overcome rugby style tactics and poor refereeing.
A cup of tea for me as I am still at work.
The pre-matcg nerves have gone into overdrive with me already. I’m exiled in Stoke and have to put up with shit all year from the stoke “support” (They’re the twelfth man, don’t you know?)
If we win I can stroll into work with my head held high whilst defeat (even a draw) does not bear thinking about.
Good stuff mate. Shame you wont be there tomorrow. Or on Sunday.
I guess we should probably be grateful RvP has a tweaked hammy – the probabilities of the thugs having a kick at him are as close to certainty as I am not to take money of the bookmakers tomorrow.
1-0 to the Arsenal (as ever) will do.
Hopefully the two injuries are minor enough that they will clear up in time for Sunday.
Every league game is huge at the moment, but the midweek games just have an added level of importance, which I can’t explain. the home games against Citeh and Everton were like this and very nervy, as was the away game at Wolverhampton. Weird………
At least Djourou is back tomorrow and with a strong and creative midfield in place, a positive result should be the final outcome, with hopefully no further injuries.
Ramsey has scored for Cardiff tonight.
An extra cold Guinness please.
CoYRRR’s
I wonder if he’ll play Arshavin up front. It’s a risk, but he played him there last season against Stoke and he did well.
Can I just go to bed in peace now that Blackpool are 3-0 up?
Have a good night, and wake up hoping for no snow tomorrow?
Nightcap, and round for everyone present in the bar right now.
Thanks!
A great post, a lesson in humility for Spurs and Fake Madrid held by Lyon?
Hell yes I’ll have some of that nightcap!
Real Madrid got a decent result alas, but still amusing to see Spurs getting stuffed.
LWCs now on their normal trajectory. 🙂
Speaking of dark arts above ‘Holic, I see we have Walton tomorrow – was he not the incompetent that was in charge when Shawcross halved Rambo?
I’m gonna be in Ipswich tomorrow and all the chat is going to surround Loan Utd – my preference is to avoid that like the plague, so if anyone can suggest a stream in advance I would be most grateful.
sufebot, can you confirm ‘reasonable price’ is cost?
Sorry gents, I have removed the Carling Cup ticket offer until our friend in Leeds confirms they are available at cost price. I will not have touting on here.
Ha! Ze Spuds make me laugh. ‘Array Redsnapper’s crew lose 3-0 at Blackpool. Brilliant! Keep Chel$ki interested as long as possible. It’s good for us.
I won’t be able to see the match either except on a stream. It’s been a fabulous run of luck getting the matches on Fox soccer channel or Espn. Unfortunately the scum at FSC seem to think United in the UCL is more important than Arsenal. Holic check the gunninghawk blog for all the stream links. They usually have at least a couple that work.
Thanks D, but I’ll find it 😉
I won’t be going tomorrow night, but I have the match on my TV courtesy of Sky Italia (Calcio 1).
So it’s all round to mine… bring your own bottles 😀
5-0 to the good guys. 2 each for Cesc and Theo and 1 for Nicky Bendts. Why? Besides Stoke being terrible, our players and manager actually hate them, like realllly loathe them. No better way to get revenge than to humiliate them.
Squid and Bendtner? Jesus Christ! I’d rather have Chamakh playing instead of Bendtner. And if Diaby were available, I’d play him at DM and move Song back alongside JD. But you’re probably right ‘holic. Le Boss will probably go with the line-up you suggest. I don’t like it. Especially Squid. That dude is an experienced CB but he gives me bad experiences. Pass the Pepto Bismol.
Just watching a recording of the game against Barca whilst supping on a Piedra del Rayo Rioja – life is good!
Pique booked and a yellow card – he misses the second leg – yes!!!!
Obviously being booked means a yellow card! Too much rioja perhaps?
Dear Squidaci,
Can you keep your head on tomorrow? We really need you. Most of us will be holding our collective breath every time you touch the ball.
No, own goals or misguided head butts ok?
We really need you until Verminator gets back.
To be honest, I have tried to warm to you, but it seems I am interested in this new kid Ignasi.
Don’t be nervous.
Just know we are all WATCHING
Sincerely,
Warr’en G
Let me know ‘holic if you’re struggling for a stream, I use flash sport streams and it works a treat. The game is scheduled on there you just have to be a member but you can use my log in details? 🙂
There won’t be any Santas wandering drunkenly about the Tollie this time either ‘holic…or were you just seeing things 😉
Cheers d, much appreciated.
I’m sure I’ll get a goodie on sopcast, and anything in realtime on the iMac bigscreen is a bonus.
I’m thinking about plumbing the netbook into the tv in the bedroom and using that as a sopcast monitor. One day, maybe…
True Gaz, that was that day, wasn’t it? Good day, shame about the football 🙂
One player for Stoke that is desperate to score against Arsenal is Kenwayne Jones. We must remember to mark him out of the game if he is playing.
Ramsey scored for Cardiff today. On the eve of playing Stoke that must be a good omen
Holics, here’s a ditty for use in serenading the worthless Stoke gaffer, Tony (“He’s not that kind of player”) Puke-iss, at the Grove. Adapted from “Ol’ Ben Lucas” by Kinky Friedman (you can hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iCZz9Pk7no
Tony Puke-iss!
Has a lot of mucus!
Coming on out of his nose!
He picks and picks “til he makes you sick,
But back again it grows!
Shawcross has been sent off three times in the last 12 months. Mr.Pubelless should take not of that.
@17 fsc+ is showing the game at 2 pst
@’holic you may be able to get a free trial on foxsoccer.tv as well
On the game is it possible that arsene is withholding rvp to prevent serious injury the same as Rambo has been sent on loan ’til after the stoke game?
As this is my first drink I think I’ll start with an extra cold guiness
So so drunk.
Up the arse!
Fuck Stoke, One Aaron Ramsey!
He’s our mate Marouane Chamakh… Here’s for him getting on the score sheet.
Snir,
I thought you didn’t drink. Agreed on MC. I want to see him start but doubt that AW will do so. I think the sweaky wheel (NB) gets the oil.
Today we snatched an FCB player and not the other way around. You should be happy.
Greetings, ‘holic, from sunny Mexico. The hotel has Fox Soccer Channel so if they are showing the game I will be tuned in tomorrow. The alternative is working on my sunburn, hardly worth it. Come on the Arse!!
The game is on Setanta at 17:00 EST for Kanadian Gooners. Right after the UCL games.
behind:
Sorry to break the news but it looks like Manure is on FSC with Arsenal on FSC+ at 7pm CST unless you can get a live Central American Feed or see it online. Check livesoccertv.com. Lather-up Gunners!
Welcome Sammys snood @ 37. You’ll find this bar a friendly place as long as you buy a round or two (just tell the barman to put it on the Viking’s tab. He’ll know what to do).
Chances are though if they have fsc, the have fsc+. Let us all hope mc29 can keep the grease out of his eyes to find the back of the net. And a shot of patron with a pacifico chaser for 8 ball and myself please…
Thanks tvn I’ve been a quiet patron for some time now…how about a moosehead but I believe you’d fancy a grolsch too…lars’ tab right
Good beverage choices SS. That’s right. He’s a friendly and generous Viking with deep pockets.
Are you on vacation in Mexico with 8ball? Patron is a sublime choice. Much like RvP’s non chocolate foot. It’s got pop and goes down smooth.
@Sammys snood …. Funny you say that about having FSC + because I have the premium package with every channel they offer and they don’t carry FSC + yet. The name of my cable provider is COX …. What a fitting name 😉
No not on vacation w 8ball but I am about an hour north of the border so I’m well versed in velas national drinks of choice and they sounded appropriate. @dut I’m telling you all try foxsoccer.tv, I used to subscribe but since setanta went down time Warner carries fsc+. And they just sent me an email to come back and listed it as a featured match tomorrow
Hi ‘holic and holics,
Nice post..
Damn work! this week has been horrible…
looking forward to Btm’s post as much as the stuffing of stoke tonight..
Bendy is a worry..just hope he puts his head down and gets his goal..
Up the arse!
Oh well quite frankly speaking i dont think anything is wrong with either kosc was in the subs bench for the FA Cup tie, so unless he has picked up something during training, and regd RVP wenger i think is playing it v carefully, he doesnt want his leg broken now do we just before such impt games coming up.
Hearing some places Vermalen has had another setback, which i will wait on till reports are confirmed, and i think we should have enough to beat them i am going for a 2-0 win, DJ and squid should be good enough to remove the only aerial threat which they have to offer, backing nasri to score in this one.
We are facing a very, very tricky game tonight what with the final coming up. Jack Wilshere just tweeted this which got me a bit worried:
Tough game tonight against Stoke but glad to be back at the Emirates, got to stay injury free for Sunday which I am very very excited about…..roll on Wembley!!!
Got to stay injury free – yes, you do but you also need to be 100% focused on tonight. Nothing less will do, the final is a matter for tomorrow and onwards. Tonight we face Stoke at the Emirates and that should be the only thing on our minds right now. Three points tonight would be extremely important because not only would it keep up the pressure on ManU, it would also mean a huge, huge step towards securing a top four finish.
No snow?
I’m off then 😉
Have a great trip, Ollie. Go steady on the complimentary wine 😉
I’ve had my voodoo doll out for the last year waiting for this game.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQm3gKN89thFyzx8WrcBajRPn_0rSNN4nak6hhe8WBKWWiia-BIuQ
Afternoon ‘Holic & ‘Holics
So we finally get to welcome the rugby playing mutants from The Potteries tonight. For all of you going tonight please make it known what we think of Pubis when he starts his ineviatbale screaming and farting from the touch-line.
Message for Lennie Sh*wcr*ss: Consider yourself very lucky that Rambo’s not back until next week. Hopefully he’ll get his chance if we get meet you again in the FA Cup.
@ Lars, do not be too concerned. Once that whistle blows tonight, all of our boys will be highly focused on getting the right result in yet another must win game. You’re right though, it will be hard as hell to get the win tonight but I’m fairly confident that we’ll do it.
@ Ollie, have a great trip and shout yourself hoarse. The boys need our best support tonight.
A round for all in the bar please Barman. Put it on Zico’s tab please 😉
PS from TS: Oops! Apologies ‘Holic. Forgot to say great post as usual. Agree totally re their Glenn W. As for the rest of them…. pah! and triple meh! washed down with a pint of boo!
In a way, maybe its a good thing RVP isnt playing. They will be out to kick him to bits and who knows how badly injured he could get. Bendtner’s legs seems more durable and he can mix it up a bit too.
While not worrying about the forwards, I’m total apoplectic about the defence. When those throws come in, I’m already envisaging the panic. Its far too early for Miggy so we are gonna have to go with what we got, and may God have mercy upon us.
Have a feeling I will have to quaff more than usual tonight to keep my nerves down.
Is there gonna be a problem with the streams? I use first row or ADTHE through FSI.
Holic ’til the end.
TS @ 53
WTF? Lars has run out of moolah?
What the hell, drinks are on me. May as well add this to my long list of creditors 🙂
Stoke’s throw-in strategy doesn’t tend to work as well away from home, and I think we’ve only let in one goal against them in two meetings at our place since they joined the Premiership, so I’m hopeful we should have enough for them tonight. Just have to make sure we don’t fall behind (or let in a soft equaliser), else we’ll have them taking two to three minutes for every goal kick for the rest of the game.
@ Zico’ – fair play faether. Lookin’ forward to the fitba tonight. The wee hen’s away for a couple of days so it’s beers and stream hunting for me. You ken the best stream to follow?
@ Charlie – I’m hoping Le Boss has ordered extra slippery balls for tonight’s match ;-). I also expect a ton of time wasting from that lot all night long. Good to hear that Red Action will have a 20 foot Aaron Ramsey banner out tonight. If only Sh*wcr*ss could read….
Streams.
FSI are currently listing 14 different streams for tonight. For some reason they work better through Firefox.
Thanks SR. Drink? Zico’s buying…
TS – I usually use adthenet.tv – I just click away until I get one that works – last couple of times the links have lasted the whole match without too much trouble.
The live blog from Arseblogger is an amusing diversion if you cant get pictures. Like a text commentary with Tourettes.
I have a feeling my work colleagues will expect me to be interested in the Glazers Debt XI tonite – may have to introduce Mrs Zico’s “headache” to make myself scarce 🙂
Zico,
Watching Manure whilst stuck in Ipswich for the night due to work. The long winter evenings just fly by don’t they?
Try sticking hot pins in your eyes for light relief. I think I’d better buy you a drink after that story….
Will have a stream for anyone who fancies it, will be testing it before the game.
The only pins I will be sticking will be the poisoned ones which are going into my Pulis and Shawcross dolls!
You do have a point though TS – I am at the airport now having a REAL
drink (Deuchars IPA) and am raising said glass to you and all Gooner everywhere.
I hope we are not treated to a 58 minute exhibition of ball drying on the sidelines. Please Arsenal, score early, three times to allay our defensive fears.
Stone Roses – is 3 enough?
Zico, and I’m doing the same back with a glass of squash sat in front of my laptop (raising it, not sticking pins into it) …. not quite the same thing 🙂
Arthur, cheers and very helpful. Look forward to it….
Zico,
No, 3 early goals, plus say two more before half time, and two more on the hour and thats when we can relax.
SR,
Stoke have previous for conceding 7 in London. Somehow, I doubt that history will repeat itself tonight (more’s the pity). I think it will be a tight game.
The Storey pound says 2-1 to the good guys but Stoke score first. If Arshavin plays he’ll score. What’s the consensus out there peeps?
Continuing my £41 losing streak, my pound is on 1 – 0.
TS
Let me know your email addy I will email you details and instructions before the game so we can test.
Hi all.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m quite looking forward to them trying the throws….. to encounter a flying Pole who is somewhat more substantial than his compatriot! Whether his fist connects with ball or head, I don’t really mind.
Plus JD (I guess he’s back?) is a fair old lump too….
A cheeky pint please…
Arthur
Will pass it to you via the ‘official channel’
Good point Dr.C. Here’s to the mutants seeing stars tonight 😉
Cheeky pint indeed…. I believe Zico’s tab is still open
Howdy ‘holics.
I was worried that Sport1 would only concentrate on the CL games, but gawd bless ’em, the Arsenal will be shown on one of their extra channels. Sorted!!
I’m not scared of Stoke, they usually struggle at our place. 3-0 to the Arse.
COYRRR.
Pre match lager please and a round for the lads on the bar.
Cheers.
TS
I will be there tonight and will cheer their glennw when his name is read out, shame game wasn’t played original date, I had a plan for delaps throws, it involved a snowball and the back of his head!
Glennw
Hope you get to enjoy tonight even more than Sunday’s game.
Never mind the lack of snow, adjust your plans a little to include cricket and now you’re talking…
TS
don’t go giving me ideas! Sunday was good day out, shame about lapse at the end. I assume orient will get 9,000 tickets for replay which means they will have more fans at our place than they had at their place, loyal fans eh
Hello ‘h and ‘hs.
Load your cannons…Kill Stoke and Pulis.
Glenn
Brilliant piece about that very topic by Tim Stillman on the link below….
http://arseblog.com/2011/02/the-tim-stillman-column-from-brisbane-road-to-wembley/
Eevryone’s an Orient fan when they play Arsenal 😉
TS
I agree entirely with him on that subject, on the very rare occasions I watch an Arsenal game in the pub the thing I really look forward to is having someone have a pop at me, you know how it goes; you should support your local team, trophy hunter, bet you don’t know the way to the ground blah blah blah. Love the look on their faces when they learn that I most certainly do and that 99.9% of the time I know far more about the team they support (usually man u ) than they do themselves, it’s almost a sport in itself, great fun. Drink of your choice Ts
On the train now. I really looking forward very much to informing Mr Shawcross of my feelings for him. 3 points and we can really piss our pants at the Spuds. Bring it on.
Glenn, cheers and mine’s a Carling.
Steve T, shame we can’t issue an official ban on Sh*wcr*ss from entering The Ems under the grounds of Health & Safety. Come to think of it. that would preclude most of his team mates too. Poor luvs, they’re just not those kinds of players….
Evening all.
Catalan – see what you mean about following the sun – been sitting on a terrace in shorts most of the day.
I do mind about Szczesny’s fist – Huth’s head every time for me!
TvN @ 21 – you obviously have never seen Abou playing DM!
Amazing talent but about as much concentration as Denilson – sorry BtM.
Here’s hoping for e yellow card for Decrap’s ridiculous time wasting, an excellent victory for the lads, and no more injuries for the weekend.
Trev – good to hear that you’re having fun. Hope the sun lasts for you – I guess you’re somewhere near Girona?
Now then – have you found the beer? Voll Damm Reserva….
Catalan – Prades in France actually. Haven’t fouind any beer yet – been doing a lot of driving – but will look out for the Voll Damm tomorrow – one to celebrate our win tonight.
I’ll look out for those lovely ladies too.
Trev & CG,
The two of you are blessed indeed. Trev, enjoy your visit as best you can.
Regarding that proposed formation of mine @21, I would feel less inclined to reach for the Pepto than if Squid is on the pitch. Squid is an occupational hazard.
There’s a promo on this side of the pond before every Monday Night (American) Football match, “Are you ready for some football?!”. Well, tonight you fellow Gooners, “Are you ready for some rugby?!”
Arsenal
Team v Stoke: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Fabregas, Walcott, Bendtner
Aaahhh…. Rugby! Love it.
Really no surprise on the lineup, eh ‘holic? Have yourself some of the black stuff for the correct call on me.
Must admit, would have started Arsh myself. Coming back to form, and beat them single-handed at the Grove last season playing as a centre-forward.
Planning to go past the big ugly lumps with pure pace then.
Walcott’s extra height must have earned him the nod over Arsh.
Amen, ‘Holic.
No disrespect to Theo, but AA was the proper choice.
Still, we should take all 3 points…nothing less (and a proper stitch or two for Shawie).
Up the Arse!
I don ‘t see why Walcott should of been dropped, he’s been pretty consistant, AA hasn’t.
A goal and an assist please Theo.
We should beat them with this side no questions asked Holic, I think we need a aerial threat as well that’s the only reason why he went with Bendtner I reckon. Bendtner needs to score some goals as well to prove himself even further.
I hope the lads will have a really good game…
Come on on you Rip Roaring 🙂
Arthur, agreed Bendy is the right option tonight and if he has a ‘mare then bring on Chamakh. I’d also like to see Arhavin come on. That may well happen if Theo doesn’t do the necessaries tonight.
Mote: Sh*wcr*ss is Stoke captain tonight. Are they trying to send us a message?
Note not Mote
TS @98 Note – the kind of crass, classless gesture that few, other than Toe Knee Puke-lis, would be capable of.
All gits – apart from Glen Whelan.
Too right TS
I definitely want to see Arsha as well but Bendy gets my nod up front I think.
Come on you Reds! Drinks all around please Boss!
Sopcast channel 108707 supposed to have English commentary, but it is buffering for me at present. Lots of links around carrying Italian tv.
What’s your pound on tonight ‘Holic?
Lennie all in blue with his captain’s armband, what a (leg-breaking) chump he is…
Squiddy! Who’d have thunk it?
Cesc off 🙁
3-1, TS. Didn’t you read the preview 😉
‘Holic,
I wasn’t confident of us keeping a clean sheet before the kick-off but after watching the first half, I think we may keep it.. Not jinxing the team, I hope..
Dear Cesc,
Get well soon.
Love,
All Arsenal Fans
Sorry all about the downtime. Busy night tonight. Waiting for some news on Cesc, stay tuned.
Good news is Vermaelen said tonight he will be playing in two weeks.
Stoke starting to play American Football.
I hate Stoke.
I’ll be eagerly awaiting any Cesc-related news, Holic.
The BBC on Cesc: “More news on Cesc Fabregas. And it’s better for Arsenal fans. The latest is that he was taken off as a precaution, rather than because he could not carry on.”
More from the BBC on Cesc: “Talk here is that Cesc Fabregas injury was a tight muscle so he came off as a precaution. Unconfirmed though.”
That’s what we look like without Cesc 🙁
Evening all,
Arsene needs to sub Chamkh on for Theo ( he’s not having a great game) and Chamkh will improve the defence on Stoke corners/throw ins with his height and heading ability.
Come on arsene you know it makes sense!
And they take out Theo…
Not Denilson we need Chamkh!!!
Be well Theo.
Injuries are catching up with us now.
@ Joshua
That happended just as I pressed submit.
I feel very guilty now for jinxing Theo 🙁
No worries jar09, it’s all Stoke’s fault. Have a drink to Theo’s (and Cesc’s) speedy recovery. 🙂
No news as yet on Cesc. Signal issues at the Grove.
Who else is very nervous right now? Or is it just me?
Why take Bendtner off when you need height at both ends to play Stoke?
Get in there you beauty. FT. 1 point from the top.
Thank fuck.
Now on to the injury news…
‘Holic,
Glad that we didn’t concede.. I was cursing myself the entire half thinking I’ve jined the team…
A hard fought victory..
The squid is back!!
We really should have killed them off in the first part but it looked like we didn’t know what to do when they refused to play.
Our tempo dropped to nothing which badly affected our overall game.
Stoke kept their shape very well which maybe could have been better tested with a few runs at their defence or trying to get behind their fullbacks and crossing it in.
Heh ho three points nonetheless. 🙂
Stone Roses, 1-0 is a winner son 😉
Won’t get any updates from the ground now for an hour or so. Fingers crossed on Cesc.
Phew! Three points are ours, and now (with regards to the league anyway) let’s hope one or more of Wigan/Chelsea/Liverpool can do us some favours over the next fortnight
Job done!
It was a nervy affair against the rugbymen who managed to take down two of our most influential players but the crowd was excellent again. Congrats to Steve, Olllie and whoever else made it to the Grove!
The old 1-0.
Good enough, just as it always was.
Our defence looked solid. Squiddy done good and scored!
It looked to me like the players were thinking about Sunday – ‘we had ze handbrake a little bit on’.
Let’s wait for the injury news now, I think we have more than enough to beat B’Ham, even if Cesc doesn’t make it.
@132 Matt
The crowd also seems to be maturing nicely along with the team – the support tonight was top drawer!
Ok who is deleting my posts.. Holic?
They fuckin’ did, ‘Hoic! But we beat the filthiest bunch of cuntz in the history of English football since Revie’s Leeds.
Just heard that TW14 is out on Sunday.
Fingers crossed for El Capitan, RVP and Koz
2158: An update on Cesc Fabregas too. Wenger says he has a hamstring problem and they will “assess him on Thursday”.
2156: Arsene Wenger says Theo Walcott has an ankle sprain and will definitely miss Sunday’s Carling Cup final.
I’m officially never Reading live blogs for match reports again far far more painful than watching live my iPhone on numerous occasions nearlly became an ithrownstraightoutthefuckingwindow 😉
Didn’t play that well by all accounts but at this stage of the season that matters not a jot as long as 3 points are bagged !!
Let’s hope the Red Carpet that the Red Carpet continues to roll,
Up The Arse,
Not good…
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fgR31SeW74xa/1024x.jpg couresy Arseblogger.
Mission accomplished. The rugby team sent packing.
Hopefully those three points won’t prove too costly injury wise.
Loads of lager please.
Squillaci was excellent. Not just the goal but very good, calm and relaxed defending as opposed to his last appearances and Leyton Orient in particular.
Assuming Cesc and Theo are out what’s everyone’s team for Sunday?
Mine:
Woj
Sagna Kos Djo Clic
Wils Song
Ben Nas Arsh
RvP
Feckin technology and feckin Suffolk – a dodgy combination if you ask me – all I know is we won and we have 2 key players down injured – any updates on the latter?
Said before the game 1 nil to the Arse would do me – doesn’t sound like it was a classic all Guns attack type of night though by the comments on here?
Anyway, small rum and coke for a nightcap Guv and whatever the usual suspects are having to celebrate closing in on manure.
Well, we won. We won ugly like ManUre quite often does. Props to Squid. He scored and it wasn’t an own goal. Injuries piling up is worrisome.