Counterpuncher’s Chance And A Title Up For Grabs
Aug 27th, 2011 by 'holic
When I said last week that Liverpool at home had possibly come a little early for us I was fully aware that we were facing the ultimate test in domestic football at Old Trafford this week. Going to the home of the reigning champions with a side almost stripped bare by injuries, suspensions, and departures isn’t ideal, but the most important games have been negotiated and Champions League football has been guaranteed.
“So come on Grandad, what chance have Arsenal got on Sunday?” I have to manage a young lad’s expectations. “Not much to be fair”, I tell him. “It will be an exercise in coping with disappointment for young players, and young fans alike.” He looks as though he understands.
You ‘holics are a different proposition though, aren’t you? So for your benefit only, I do think we have a counterpuncher’s chance. It is a massive boost to read that Vermaelen and Koscielny may be fit to start, and we are likely to have Walcott, van Persie, and Arshavin at the other end. In between attack and defence though we look to be far too lightweight in the absence of Song, Frimpong, and Wilshere. Maybe Coquelin or Lansbury will get a game behind Ramsey and Rosicky? Perhaps Djourou will be asked to fill the holding role? I just don’t know.
Not surprisingly, perhaps, I have struggled with the ‘holic pound. I have decided to plump for the equivalent of a hail Mary. All square at half-time and Arsenal to nick it in the second-half is a 16/1 shot with Bet365. If a miracle does happen that is the likeliest route I would imagine, with us somehow surviving the blitz before pinching a late winner.
I must emphasise though that isn’t the smartest of bets. United appear to be taking the game as seriously as one would expect, and the recall of Howard Webb shows how determined they are to grab the expected three points. (Only half-joking, Howard, honestly.)
Arsenal To Clinch The League Title?
Arsenal Ladies, that is. Arsenal Ladies play their last game of the inaugural FA WSL season this Sunday away to Liverpool, looking to become the leagueβs first ever champions.
Laura Harveyβs side beat third placed Everton 1-0 last Thursday to ensure the title is in their hands going into the final weekend (Arsenal are one point clear of Birmingham City, so a victory over 8th placed Liverpool would secure the league).
Let’s hope we are celebrating an Arsenal title triumph before the men kick-off at Old Trafford. Good luck, girls.
One Thousand Posts? A Competition Is In Order
I cannot believe Goonerholic is closing in on a fifth birthday. Similarly I would not have thought when kicking the blog off that I would today be making post number one thousand.
For that I owe (nearly!) all of you a huge debt of gratitude. To watch the numbers grow from month to month, from year to year, has been both humbling, and a huge source of pride.
It’s time I gave a tiny little something back, so for your opportunity to win a copy of the dvd “Dennis Bergkamp Legend” just answer this question.
Dennis Bergkamp is God to me these days, but who was my first Gunners idol?
Long term regulars probably remember, and some diligent searching may reveal the answer in the archives. I’ll give you a clue. I first remember watching Arsenal in the flesh in the mid-sixties, and all kids love goalscorers!
Send your answer to competition@goonerholic.com by midnight (UK time) on Wednesday, and hopefully the winner will be announced, along with several top quality signings, on 1st September.
Cheers ‘holics, and thank you.
312 Responses to “Counterpuncher’s Chance And A Title Up For Grabs”
First? Surely not
1st ? Glass of Bubbly please Holic
First?
Bugger , well in YDWTBH . Now to read …
Foiled again. π π
1000th ‘holic post? Another bottle of bubbly please barman. π
Go Girls!
As far as our DM position, I’d like to see the verminator in that slot with his ability to go forward and stop the ogre in the middle before he’s allowed any real space. And as our vice captain he’ll be closer to the little russian and not hesitate to get in his ear, one can hope.
Great post ‘Holic and many congratulations on your latest milestone .Allow me to top you up with some Krug .
You’ll have a hard job managing my expectations ‘Holic . Anything less than a solid 2-0 win , and the great AW kicking the purple-nosed one all the way down the touchline , and there’ll be hell to pay . π
Exercise in coping with disappointment? C’mon ‘holic, I’m not that old!
@8 – Think Djourou will get the nod to play in there , if both Kos and Verm are fit .
Pleased to see both you and the boss in positive though realistic mode, Holic. I think we’ll see Ramsey, Lansbury and Rosicky behind Theo, Robin and Russia’s finest.
Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Vermaelen at the back anyone?
Right, I’ll need to get back up on the roof and relieve Her Nellieness – she’s been up there since 5.30 am holding our tiles on while Hurricane Irene does her best to blow them off.
Congratulations on the 1,000th post ‘Holic and thank you so very much for providing this vital service for your fellow Gooners! It is almost always a calming joy to read your missives and I think I speak for many when I say that your work here is much more appreciated than you probably think it is.
Regards the visit to the Stadium of Debts tomorrow, I too think that we may get a surprise result, but I think that 1-1 is more likely than sneaking a win.
I also think that Djourou may just get the DM berth too.
Anyway, thanks again, keep up the good work and please have at least one of whatever you are drinking on my probably enormous tab π
Arthur, sent a mail to you…Hope you like it π
Park ? Is he Serious ? That should be only as a replacement to RvP when Chamakh is at the ACN.
But seriously though, why do that to Lille?!?! I’d rather have no depth at CF and have Hazard than have some depth and no Hazard.
BtM – I presume you promised Her Nellieness a night out on the Tiles last night ? π
BTM, Stay safe and don’t let Irene do one on you or HN. π
First drink.
No?
Have you got a stream right now, ‘holic? π
Congrats on the 1000th.
Which reminds me I said on the 998th that the 999th would be celebrating a victory while the 1000th would be for a signing.
You could have mentioned Park π Or they could have done the deed a little earlier.
A glass of your finest Yquem to celebrate, please.
The foie gras is on me.
‘holic, your joke about Howard Webb fell on stoney ground in my
abode.
Statistics show that in his last 10 matches at OT, he has given Man Utd no less than 5 penalties.
That’s not funny.
Cheers on your 1000th post
Congrats on the 1000.
I’ll raise a glass of this very tasty 7yo Havana Club to you.
Cheers!
Etienne Franzi, Monaco Chairman : “it’s very surprising and very recent. I spoke to him on phone yesterday and he told me about Arsenal interest, and that we’ll receive an offer very soon. We’ve received it this morning.”
Apparently it’s 3MΒ£ for Monaco and to 2MΒ£ to forgo that military thing.
Congratulations on the 1000th Holic!
…and best of luck to Arsenal ladies
Oh and apparently Ozyakup is in the squad for tomorrow.
Now that’s thin.
And of course congrats on the 1000th Holic! The best bar in the world.
Are you out of Irene’s embrace now, Snir?
And apparently Coquelin is in the squad too…
AW said he won’t be scared to hand out debuts at OT.
Coquelin at DM anyone (I know Jamie from Youngguns rates him higher than Frimpong)?
Ollie, we’re on a break to see other people π
How is the Park-Chu thing being perceived in France? Ruined our Hazard chance didn’t we :\?
The Park thing is seen as a big surprise.
I don’t think we ever had a big Hazard chance, so I wouldn’t relate it to that.
Coquelin looks like he had a decent outing at the U20 World Cup.
But Man U at OT on your League debut would be quite another thing.
He’ll never have the same physical presence as Frimpong.
A glass of Guinness to the 1000th opening of the ‘Holic bar. To many more fine events.
A glass to all of you fine ‘Holics.
A glass to a 1-0 to the Arsenal. Howard Webb to be subbed off at halftime by Man U for not awarding a penalty.
Another glass to the Arsenal ladies. Best wishes to them.
Yet another glass to our new signing (allegedly). Can’t say I know much about him. I hope there’s more to the story than has been reported. It seems like a bit of a classless move to take somebody from a medical.
Congratulations, ‘Holic. It has been a rough year for all gooners, even moreso for the …thank you for persevering through it all. Here’s to a great milestone *raising a glass of Blanton’s bourbon to your health*.
“even moreso for the ‘holicfamily”…
Top stuff and here’s to the next 1,000…..
He’ll shot
he’ll score
he’ll eat your Labrador
That’s come from the left field,Im kinda hoping he’s got a few more houshold names lined up for the next 4 days,
Cheers holic.
Always the sane voice in the Arsenal Blogosphere.
Good man Holic, heres looking to the next 1000. Wonder what no 2000 will be like…Jack Wilshire captain, Oxo playing centre forward, spurs still no league and Eboue the president of Turkey…could happen.
Many congratulations on a kilo of high quality, morale-boosting, wise and sanguine contributions over the past 5 interesting years.
Top reads. Keep up the good work, more power to your elbow mate,
A glass of Dom Perignon to celebrate please barman, and one for yersel’.
Where’s my manners congrats Holic and here’s to many more best site by a country mile ANC the regulars are not half bad a touch nuts granted but top lads,
6/1 Carnt remeber an Arsenal side ever being that on a league game ! Worth a pound for science,
Up The Arse,
Well done ‘holic, you are an anchor on the veritable high seas that is the Arsenal media machine.
If Vermaelen and Koscielny are both fit and available, we’ll only have two weak points- one full back spot and holding mid. Hopefully Sagna on the left with Jenkinson on the right continues to be a solid option, and maybe Djourou could do a job as holding mid. It will probably hurt our speed in the midfield, but should hopefully give us a bit of extra stability at the back. We are going in with no expectations from everyone, so we really don’t have anything to lose compared to United. This could be a real statement if our boys show up.
Happy 1,000 ‘Holster.
NS Gooner – The more we concede possession the better for us (how weird does that sound?).
United will come at us and we could unleash Theo and whoever is on the left for quick counter attacks when we win possession and with Woj’s quick throws.
Our ‘weak’ condition might mean Ferguson would be tempted to take the game to us – Something he NEVER does and we could only gain from it.
1000 posts – here’s to a 1000 more!
Sorry, congrats holic. Seeing as it’s 101 (38) outside nothing but FIFA for me, might as well try and figure out a good formation for tomorrow’s game.
Well it depends on how old you are, charlie george, radford, kennedy, followed by alan hudson, followed by, o’leary, followed by stapleton, or supermac, or “chippy” or wrighty or cometh the “ice man” if you are as old as me sorry all the ones I forgot like “big tone” dixon samson sunderland and many more……
Congrats on the 1000 holic! On the road at
the moment so looking forward to watching
us take the 3 points tmrw from some
lucky bar in Stockholm π
The Year of the Gooner: oh, you are in Stockholm? Then let me suggest that you go to a place called O’Learys in The Old Town (“Gamla Stan” on the tube, a map can be found on http://www.olearys.se/Default.aspx?ArticleID=3531, the “T” to the left is the tube station and the red thingamajig to the right points to the location of O’Learys – it’s a 200 yard walk from the tube and the bar is, suitably enough, located in between two narrow streets called what would translate to the North and South Drinking Alley!), that is where the Stockholm branch of Arsenal Sweden gathers every game. There should be in the region of 30 other gooners there, maybe even more.
I will not be there myself though, I will unfortunately most like miss the game entirely. Me and the missus are off to Crete for a week tomorrow and the flight leaves at about the same time as the final whistle. Hopefully I will at least be able to check the final score on my phone before we take off.
Congratulations to the Chief Barman – 1000 posts, Guinness is on me!
BtM and Her Nellieness – keep safe.
It’s a big ask to get anything from Old Toilet tomorrow, but what a boost it would give this young team if we do. Howard Webb being selected for Utd was a big disappointment but we will just have to suck it up.
One nil to the Arsenal? Please?
Enjoy your holiday Lars – you left your plastic behind the bar, right?
O.K this is hilarious.
Campbell won’t be getting a work permit and will be loaned out to one of PSV and … Lille!!!
That is absolutely hilarious.
Park’s number will be 9.
Ollie, do you rate Park? A competent replacement to RvP?
Congratulations holic on your 1000 post always a great read as I keep telling every gooner I meet here in Ireland,arsenals the religion and u write the bible,thanks a Guinness for u please.
Happy travelling Lars. Never been to Crete, personally, but would like to rectify (easy, Wolfie) that shortly.
Have opined previously that JD could perhaps do a job as CDM. Will be interesting to see what he goes with.
Congrats on the 1000th post, Holic. I reckon I’ve caught about the last 500. Essential reading. The drinks…. addictive.
Sweltering here. Ice cold beer, please.
Congrats ‘holic
How about Joe Baker…early hero of mine also
Snir, I’m afraid the answers are ‘no’ and ‘not really’.
Although to be completely fair I haven’t seen much of him, and I may be slightly influenced by the fact that Monaco were abysmal last season, not his fault I think.
zico, of course the plastic is still behind the bar!
Catalan, I can certainly recommend it. We go there once every year, this is the 12th year running.
Been there once, splendid place indeed, Crete.
Yeah, Crete is nice.
There was a great bar in Rethymnon that I’m buggered if I can remember the name of – fantastic music, and lashings of Erdinger.
Enjoy Lars.
Thanks you so much and giant congratulations on your 1’000th post. My favourite place to feel like I can still ride the Piccadilly line to Arsenal every other Saturday even though I’m now so far away. Thanks for the great journalism, insight, passion and building a community that crosses the seas. To another thousand with some trophies mixed in please ‘holic !!
Cheers !
Tim
Congratulations, ‘Hols.
BMD
Nasri fitting in nicely with Man City’s culture already…
“The question arose of whether to go to United or City, but I prefer to make history with a club, rather than be just one player among the rest. I spoke with Patrick Vieira at City β they are the club of the future.”
“I won’t retreat into a comfort zone β and maybe that is what I did when I was at Arsenal.”
“I see myself more likely to win trophies at City now than if I had stayed at Arsenal”
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/873585-samir-nasri-manchester-city-were-always-my-first-choice-never-united
I eagerly await his transfer to Spurs.
Congrats Holic, I’ve been following the Arsenal blogs since my Arsenal baptism in ’06 and this a fantastic place to discuss and learn about football. You and Arseblog are the top of the rock. In my boredom today, I’ve been on the web and I regret to report that the vultures are still circling with a ridiculous amount of hatred towards the Professor. There are a lot of “supporters” who are really hoping we fail so Wenger goes. Sickening.
Look, I do think the Prof should spend, don’t get me wrong, but I have never expected, nor will I ever expect him to splash the cash upwards of 20+ or 30+ million for any one player regardless of what we have in the coffers. Just not his MO. As I posted recently, just solid quality, high work-rate players will do it for me….and maybe one stud.
As far as I can tell, it doesn’t look as if there are any rumors of other bidders for Cahill other than ourselves…can Bolton really turn away 8-10 million at this point? They are broke. I think this deal will get done at the wire. Given his performance today, maybe we’ll revise our bid to $4mil…ha!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2030841/Gary-Neville-How-did-Manchester-United-beat-Arsene-Wengers-Arsenal-We-bullied-them.html
How stupid does this make Gary Neville look? Saying they beat us by winding us up, but oh wait – They didn’t beat us!
Idiot.
And he’s talking about that match they cheated their way to victory with the Rooney dive and Neville kicking Reyes out of the park.
What a cunt.
Congratulations for the 1000th post ‘holic.
Here is to a 2-0 spanking of the Mancs to celebrate this fine accomplishment.
COYRRR
Hey Snir,
What’s the deal with the Pats? Oh, that’s right, it’s just preseason…
π
Preseason means shit to Belichick.
We lost our last 2 preseason games last season and went 14-2.
As long as we have Belichick and TB12 at QB, I’m not worried.
In (American)Football I am a passionate BKB (Bill Knows Best)
LOL.
Belichick is an actual Sith, dark lord.
I haven’t yet gotten excited about the upcoming season.
BMD
Tottenham v. Manchester City: Let us see blood on all sides.
Manchester United v. Arsenal: May the youngest side win.
8ball.
I’d rather not.
United’s average age so far in the league has been lower than ours. π
5 reserves travel to OT with Coquelin to start at DM according to young guns. Don’t know what else to say really. Not overly concerned w whatever the result is tomorrow as long as we come through w health and wellness. It’s only 3 games in and even Norwich looked to be a PL side today but, come December it will be a completely different story. The only thing I’m sure of is, spurs are shit.
Drinks on lars and Winston…. Drink up my friends!
Btw hope BTM and Snir come out of this hurricane stuff alright and anyone else affected. Cheers
Don’t have a problem with Coquelin at DM.
Jamie from Young Guns seems to rate him very highly, more than Frimpong as a matter of fact.
I only saw him at Stoke in the Fa Cup but he was a RB there so couldn’t really gauge anything…
I really rate Frimpong and while I don’t rate Coquelin higher than Frimpong, I give Jamie enough credit so I’ll take his word on Coquelin that he’s a top player.
AW seems to hand out debuts at OT as a normal thing now, who’s it gonna be next season ;)?
YDWBHL – Thanks mate, everything’s alright here for now, just hope it will be come tomorrow at 1 P.M EST.
The scary part of Jamie’s article is that TV, JD and … Sagna are supposed to have fitness tests tomorrow!
Sagna seems to be ill.
No Sagna or TV is quite scary to be honest.
Sagna has to play, and must WANT to play, regardless of when this game comes up it’s still a massive fixture. Think of TB12 missing a game against the J-E-T-S jets jets jets. Or Paul pierce going into a wheelchair against the Lakers and not coming back to make all those 3’s. I’m a huge Laker fan btw so I can’t forgive him for that, ever. He’ll make it through and they’ll make it through if just by adrenaline as I’m sure you’ll manage to see the game…
Sagna will play, I’m sure he will. He’s not the type of player to give in to a fever or something.
TV is my worry. He looked to be struggling during the second half on Wednesday (to be honest he struggled from start to finish in the second half) and after last season I can’t help but be scared a bit.
Kos being fit is a huge boost though.
TV looked like he picked up a knock on his ankle on that tackle where he stayed down for a bit. He might be sore but we can’t let them nurse these nigling injuries like we did w fab, his hamstring looked fine to me in that porto game. I played 6 aside 2 weeks after I tore ligaments in my ankle for Christ sake.
Sometimes I feel our medical team our overly cautious and that players with knocks who would be out of games at Arsenal, would’ve been declared fit with same knock at a different club…
Frimpong is a legend. He just changed his name on his twitter profile to ‘Yoo Been Frimponged’.
Pure genius. That boy cracks me up.
*are
Dd you see the banter w him and conir henderson then, I thought conor was gonna break down. That frimpong is out of this world, the new eboue? Could we get him into a tiger suit?
Fuck Eboue, this guy is for real…
Lol his banter with Henderson is hilarious, but Conor stood tall… π
Why is the game only in 9 hours? I hate that wait.
Great post as usual mate and many congratulations on the longevity of one of the best (very close to the best) Arsenal blogs around. Long may it continue. Be thinking of you geez, along with many of the chaps I’ve known over the years, as I sit biting my lip in a pub full of United wankers later this afternoon.
She wore, She wore!
All together now… “Posh Spice is a slapper, she wears a wonderbra, and when she’s shagging Beckham, she thinks of RAY PAR-LA!”
I’ll be with you in spirit Esso. She wore fella, She wore.
…and Malcolm knows π
Well a big game today lads is understatement!
On reflection Utd will have too much determination and official assistance to lose to days game. But there is always a chance this could be their first draw of the season!
Everyone knows I like a punt or two so I’m going for Theo to breach the Utd defence at anytime and for us to nick it at 2-1 with B365 @ 55/1!
COYRRR!!!
π
A mere game of football ? Don’t you believe a word of it .
Old Trafford – a centre of evil , hypocrisy , double-dealing and …… aliens .
Oh yes , ever seen Ferguson the purple-nosed cadaver do anything remotely resembling “human behaviour” ? Thought not . This is because he is , in fact , from the planet Bentasfuck . He lives not on water and gravy , but on bile and the entrails of small children . That we have allowed him to insidiously infiltrate human civilisation to the extent that our principal Broadcasting organisation goes down on bended knee for the privilege of listening to his coded messages to other Bentasfuckers , shows frankly just how far The Human Race has taken its collective eye off the ball .
And he is not the only one . Rooney , from the planet Smash , the spawn of a frenzied coupling between their leader , King Edward , and his whore , Maris Piper . Nani , another non-human , manufactured in the OT laboratories after the osmosis that occurred when the chief Engineer threw together a pubic hair of Greg Louganis with some snail slime and rat turd .
The list is endless … Rio from the planet Twittertwat , Fletcher from the planet Vacuouscunt , Giggs from Superinjunctionista ( a very dangerous orb where superiority is displayed by how laughably hirsute you are and how many siblings you mate with) , and most dangerous of all , the Berbatovian , a dull-eyed monster , the bastard offspring of a Vampire and Martin Chivers .
Like any invading set of aliens they have set up their base , a concrete bowl where unspeakable acts of villainy and baseless deviance occur . Referees are routinely bribed or threatened , the Media is infiltrated such that no anti-alien word may be heard , and all these things occur before a baying set of extra-terrestrials who wear the yellow and green , the yellow signifying the cowardice at their core , the Green their reptilian heritage .
And so it is into this Hades , that the good folk of Arsenal must enter . The Battalion has been weakened , but never doubt their courage . And weaknesses do exist , chinks in the alien shell . A newcomer , David , from the planet Almuniastwin , has yet to settle into earth life .
So take heart people , I see a 2-0 win for the glorious Arsenal , Robin to first expose deep-seated failings within the heart of the alien infrastructure , Theo to finally expose them for what they really are – nothing more than a group of posturing reptilian aliens , or as some have more prosaically put it , a total bunch of c*nts .
COME ON THE ARSENAL .
Oh Dear the rumours are Sagna is out as well now – think I might get a bottle of scotch and hide behind the sofa from 4pm till around 11am Friday when I fly to the states !!!
Might peek out at around 11.59 wednesday to see if bodies have been brought in that will give us half a chance of some glory this year but apart from then I’m in hibernation π
Up The Arse,
Not like you to want to alienate the opposition, tabs, heh.
I Thought your description of the Berbetovian in particular, was pure genius. Take a free dip from Dr Feelgood’s medicine bag….
COYR.
Cheers Dr Z π , yes , a visit to the CMC is in order , strictly on the understanding that the long tug on the pipe is taken , not as a tranquiliser , but as an enhancer of the good things that are about to occur .
Come on Arsenal , do it for civilisation , do it for the Human Race !!!
Cograts ‘h on the big m
Up The Arse!
Congratulations ‘holic sir.
The bar certainly is a busier place then when I first stumbled in a few years ago, the quality of the posts were always from the very highest of the shelves and your efforts have been rewarded (and rightly so) with an ever growing patronage and the respect and admiration of many, including fellow bloggers in the Arsenal community.
As mentioned above, I’m not sure if you realise how much this site means to so many of us gooners all over the world, for this I wholeheartidly thank you.
Here’s to the next thousand and beyond. Have a pint of the black stuff on me.
Cheers.
tabs @ 84
Out of this world post!!!
Come grab a voddie.
Are Spurs this bad? (hope so) Are City this good? (hope not)
Seriously though, can Mancini fail with that squad?
Ah H2H , my man , just time to neck one , before departing to the away juicer of choice . Cheers mate .
Enjoy tabs, I’ll be opening up just before kick off, Beer’s awaiting and the tv’s warming up.
A nice little appertiser watching the spuds getting mashed, shame that it’s he mercanarys doing the smashing though.
COYRRR do us proud lads.
Ahhhh, laptop only. Old bookmarks π
Anybody got the link to the new myP2P.eu site?
Cheers.
This should help ‘holic
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
Cheers Tim
This any good Holic –
http://watchfootballonline.me.uk/livetv/
Ah , I see Tim got there first . π
Ok , fellas , I’m off . Good luck everyone .
Come on The Arsenal !!!!
No Thomas Vermaelen or Bacary Sagna π
tabs, you are the man. A whole crate of Carib for you man…and vodkas for every real gooner in the bar tonight.
UTA
Is Sagna really ill or is this the start of another player looking to bugger off? Looks rather odd to me…..
Holic.
Firstrowsports.eu is now the best streaming site with myp2p down…
Holic.
Myp2P has relocated, but I don’t think the new site works..
http://torrentfreak.com/myp2p-faces-domain-problems-site-relocates-to-wiziwig-110823/
Happy hunting.
Good post Holic
You have A Twitter message.
Come on you REDS!
H2H
Wiziwig.eu looks like it wont load.
Re: Snir @68, If they really have a younger team than us, all I have to say is come on you old farts (COYOF). π
Come on you gunners!!
I hope the lads on the pitch give it a real go
Snir you have a Twitter message too….
Sad to see our line up today , the pundit at Setanta just shaken his head in disbelief .
With the new signings not so terrible , it seems AW cannot get rid of his habit .
This may be the last year and Arsenal may implode .
I didn’t even know we had a player named Ozyakup
Fuck
Hey Arthur, I have emailed you at your website’s email addy
What a sad state that team is in.
But come on, Arsenal! And well done, ‘Holic.
I pray we don’t conceed early as that could lead to a pummeling of Epic proportions,
Harsha – Cheers!
Got your email will contact you fella!
Shyte!
That was terrible penalty!
We are getting thumped! π
Oh dear. This is not good. Not good at all
Wow.
Ok Theo
Its not over yet
Strangely this is the best we’ve been going forward all season but not surprisingly we are shambolic going the other way, Just get this 90 mins over – Then it’s down to the top brass to at the very least spend what we’ve brought in if they don’t heaven help them as they won’t be here next summer.
Stuck on a train and all i have is the radio. Is it as bad as it sounds?
Arsenal! Arsenal! Come on, let’s keep going!
Terrible 1st half with the experienced players letting us down and positively all the youngsters playing well
We can do it in the 2nd half if Arshavin is taken off otherwise he’ll be off for breathing, the way he is playing (I think Webb warned RVP about him)
@CBW: Not by a long shot, if Djourou hadn’t gifted them a goal and RvP shot a better penalty 2-2 would be a fair result. Everything’s possible in the second half, more than enough time to reward Holic’s 1000th post!
Up the Arse!
CBWYCBAS – Defensively, yest it is.
That first goal we conceded was schoolboy stuff…
And it’s more of the usual, get to the edge of the box and get stuck there… As usual with United.
Horrible defending but look at the lack of experience…..and I’m sorry Djourou just doesn’t read the game at all. Oddly we’ve had lots of shots and space, but what to do now. They pointed out that our bench has one outfield player who has even started a premier league match.
Surely playing Walcott alongside RvP or bringing or Chamakh is the only way to perhaps nick something. Plus we’re lucky Arshavin is even on the pitch. All that said and could have been 3-2 at halftime.
Come on Arsenal, I don’t like seeing kids given such a baptism of fire….and how good is our goalie….he had fingertips to those goals….what an athlete. Come on Arsenal!!
CBW,@122
Put it this way Howard Webb seems to be feeling sorry for us that shows you how out of our depth some of our players are!!
The away support is fucking brilliant
This is a proof that support and cheering helps the players.
Magnificent away support from HT till now (63rd minute) and the players are playing better.
Blow the fucking whistle please π
Why didn’t he stop the game at HT?
This is painful.
Worries the Fuck out of me that people paid in excess of2,3,4,5 million pound a year couldn’t see this coming
Ok Robin
4more and were laughing.
How many times have the Away been humiliated at OT over the last few years.
Wenger, hang your head in fucking disgrace. You don’t deserve fans like that.
If it wasn’t for Kos and Woj we’d be down 10 goals by now. Djourou has been simply abysmal.
This is embarrassing. Time to wake up now. Nooone has been a bigger wenger defender than me but this is a crisis. We cant blame injuries because we should have signed players to cover. Should have signed Cahill this week to play today, not try and negotiated, just get him for Christ sake. This is not arsenal. This isnt even spuds. Never thought id see a day where there squad was better than ours but at moment thats how I see it. I really am not a fan who usually moans, im pro wenger and always will be, but I am very disappointed right now and feel he is losing plot a bit. Yes we can turn this around buy these next 3 days are the biggest in a long time for this team. If the signings arent made, season over and eurjoka league next year. Not a happy gooner today
Don’t worry there’s still 3 days in the transfer window to go π
Kroenke Wenger Gazidis Hill wood Law hang your fucking heads for overseeing this fucking massacre
Absolute fucking disgrace — none of those BOYS deserve to where our shirt.
Arsene Wegner should be ashamed. I am — as no doubt the rest of you are.
Our away support though — absolutely brilliant.
The next match is only in two weeks. That’s awful.
They need to get this one out of the way quickly… Fucking interlull.
But we have mental toughness. And belief. We believe in our belief. we believe in our mental toughness. Blah blah blah. Enough with the psychobabble bollocks. It has to end today. Too many I’d these player are not good enough.
Well, at least the Profit and Loss account is doing very well.
Something we should all be proud of today.
The Coquelin substition killed us. AW was blinded by the the first ten minutes of the 2nd half and thought we could nick it.
Our whole midfield was left exposed after that.
ClockendRider,
It’s not the players fault look at Traore possibly the worst left back I’ve ever seen at Arsenal and yet he’s been here 6 Years it’s fucking criminal the way this clubs headed over the past 3-4 years.
This is an absolute disgrace… Wenger needs to be replaced tomorrow so that a new manager can strengthen the team before the window closes
IΒ΄d like to get Martin Keown or Steve Bould or someone similar, who wants to defend well and understands that itΒ΄s half of the game
Thank goodness. It’s over.
Our defence has conceded most goals so far this season, who didn’t see that coming? A fucking mess.
The overall team defending was too poor today. Got found out badly.
I love AW to death but something’s gotta give… That was horrible.
First for not strengthening (and yes I understand it’s not as easy as it sounds but c’mon, we’re 3 days till the close of the window!). Not strengthening meant we’ve got no cover, and boy was that needed today.
Secondly, tactically – That substitution in the 2nd half, Coquelin off was what caused our midfield to be so exposed and he did that cause he thought we could nick it after two chances by RvP and AA. So naive.
Arsenal bloody Arsenal.
A humping was on the cards as soon as the teams were announced. Let’s just sign some players this week and take it all out on Swansea in two weeks’ time.
And for those screeching to sack the manager, please do grow a pair.
Carnt wait for this interview, Mental strength, Best Squad Ever, We will only buy if we find super super quality, We are a young side, The grass was to long, The opposition to old, The ref made to many mistakes, We don’t need to buy blah blah blah
N7 – No one wants to sack the manager, but I will criticize him today for the first time in my life.
Because of the two reasons I stated @149.
And signings ? Who the fuck would wanna sign at a club ‘in crisis’? Certainly not top players and that’s what we need.
N7 Gooner grow a pair?
seems like some people have short memories.. this has been going on for years now, donΒ΄t remember the spineless performances at the end of last season?
Arsene Wenger is turning Arsenal into his own little private project, itΒ΄s become humiliating for the fans.. whatΒ΄s the point of it all if itΒ΄s not about winning?
for Wenger itΒ΄s more about balancing the books ( which seems to me is someone elseΒ΄s job ) and developing players for Man City and Barcelona and less about winning titles.. does anyone seriously believe for a second that this Arsenal side is going to qualify for the champions league? let alone win anything this year..
IΒ΄m completely disgusted with him
The moaners are back again, what a surprise! We got fucked but we’ll recover from this.
Arsenal, now and forever.
That was probably the most un orgainised performance I’ve ever seen from any top club I’m not calling for his sacking but serious fucking questions need answering and if they are not maybe it is best for a fresh approach because as it stands we are all over the place and it’s getting worse.
154,
Sorry cannons but I carnt be to happy when I see the club I love get fucking humiliated when every tom dick and harry could see it was on the cards a week ago,
And guelli, agreed
Most embarrassing day as arsenal fan in my 28 years and I want answers and I want him to accept responsibility and admit his way is wrong. The good days are gone and you need to spend to achieve in modern game. I want some acknowledgments and I want signings. Dont want him sacked but things have to change. NO MORE EXCUSES
Do you hear me AW
YOUR MEN were crap, and only OUR boys did well
The sub of Coq was a load of Cock
Another red card as Jenks was left exposed
Our expectation of new signings is minimal with 3 days to go
I dont care if we do have 11 players out, we should have a quality squad of 25+, and on this showing we have a squad of 5 or 6
Is it no wonder that Cesc and Sami took the quick way out – in their position so would I!
We have a record of never having been relegated but this year – watch this space
The thing that literally scares the shit out of me is this season’s consequences.
There is a chance we’ll finish out of the top 4, AW will be fired at the end of the season, RvP will be sold and we’ll fall into a snowball of mediocrity cause no top players would wanna come.
And we certainly won’t have a sugar daddy to pick us back up.
I know AFC have had rough patches before but that was before that Shiekh and Abramovich were in English football.
I bumped into Blogs back in May and we were saying how Arsenal’s form since February is genuinely relegation form. And we’ve continued that way. something is horribly wrong and I really don’t think any other side in the Premiership would’ve shipped eight goals today. I hate to say it, but if the next game against Swansea gives us anything other than a convincing home win then Wenger really will have to go.
‘Holic, you are a gentleman and a hero and I’m sorry your 1000th post will be stuffed full of comments like mine.
You guys are naive to think we’re gonna sign a top player now. If I was a top player I wouldn’t sign at AFC.
And top players are what we need, not youngsters or has beens.
away support was remarkable….what a fucking day…..
Cannons, optimism is great, but there has to some answers and some questions asked of Wenger. We have stayed positive, well most of us and backed him but there is no sign of this turning around if he continues to rely on youth and not spend. We just lost 8 fucking 2 in the premiereship. Say that back. That is madness, but with that side out what did we expect. Parker, cahill, arteta, kaka, benzema, Alex, whoever just get some leaders in. Not kids. We are way past kids now. Please ARSENE, I will always love you but right now you are looking like s man lost, and we are a laughing stock.
This isn’t a one of this is the culmination and hopefully the final stop in a run of form that’s shocking since brum
DDDWDDWDDLWLLDDLL
Doesn’t make pretty Reading and the rot must stop today
What’s that saying about it’s at it’s darkest before the new dawn let’s hope that’s the case
I think it’s fair to say it can’t get worse. I wonder if we’ll ever know why midfielders weren’t signed in the summer.
that said I simply don’t know how we can have so many fucking players injured in August….add to that the suspensions and it’s a shambles. We shouldn’t name names….but Djourou is just tactically hopeless, Traore a headless chicken and AA should have been sent off in the first 30 mins.
Asking boys to do men’s work. Do we need to sign players now Arsene? I don’t think there’s any point going over trodden ground.
The club don’t deserve fans that sang their hearts out even after the 6th went in. Refunds should be offered inc train fare/petrol for those that made the trip.
The board need to answer questions. As does the manager.
Arsenal til I die. I’m sure I am. I know I am. Arsenal. Til. I. Die.
On twitter: “Average age of today’s starting 11s: Man Utd 23 v Arsenal 23.6. Quality youth vs Average youth. The Arsenal myth exposed. Case Closed.”
Baton down the hatches.
Sad day for the club, this result will only give the doomers more gasoline to throw upon the fire.
Sad thing is, after todays showing even the most level headed among us, have to agree that there is something very, very wrong. At 3-1 down (after a missed penalty btw) I thought we were still very much in it and had chances been taken it would have been a totally different game, however a tactically disasterous substituation later and we were totally butt fucked.
There’s a shitstorm on the horizon. Some have the option of running, but for a few there will be nowhere to hide.
Arsenal ’till I die.
I’m more concerned about the next season and the years to come…
“this result will only give the doomers more gasoline to throw on the fire”, Oh yeah, completely unjustified isn’t it.
the worst result for 120 years.
resign wenger and take gazadis and the medical staff with you.
Oh and by the way.
I know we had 2040239 out be United had Carrick, Rafael, Valencia, Vidic out and Rio only fit for the bench.
That’s depth.
We’re lacking in depth and it should’ve been addressed.
I am fucking lost for words
All the fucking doomers can shut the fuck up. Where were you when the club was on the up? Yet you can show ur faces when we’ve been turned over? You fake “supporters” can kiss my ass. I’m not happy, but you fairweathers can go do one.
That’s all I got. I’m going drinkin’
Looks like i was lucky to not have been able to watch the game after all. I am pro wenger and always will be but this rot has to stop now. Doom and gloomers will be out in force but i really cant blame them after that result. Clinging to the hope that this will change the policy of the club and even those money men who have being holding us back. Either way im red till im dead, only heard the game on radio but even on the radio the away support were immense. Come on you reds, ARSENAL, BLOODY ARSENAL. also can someone please get that muppet of sky sports news and beat him til its Tuesday! Chin up Gooners
I’m glad there’s no league games for a while. We need to look at our next 3 fixtures
H – Swansea
A – Blackburn
H – Bolton
Get all 9 points, repair the goal difference and sort out the gaps – get a full squad to pick from. It’s not far fetched and by the end of Sept we could have 10 points from 6 games.
Then we play Spurs – who hopefully won’t recover from their current standing as quickly.
If we get 9 of those points the season can get back on track – drop any of those and I fear a very difficult season. When this schedule was announced I figured 2 points from our opening 3 games…we only got one.
170 dAVE.
Never said it was unjustified, just stating the obvious.
You guys know I’m no doomer and gloomer but perhaps it isn’t doom and gloom.
Perhaps it’s… (gulp) reality.
dAVE again.
In your eyes is it “justified” to want your team to lose just so you can say “I told you we were shit” to other fellow gobshite doomers,
I’m not saying that you have or would do such a thing, but many of the knowbettters have. Sad, sad sad.
Good post, Tim
People calling for Arsene’s head now
We DID have eight players out!
I would give him one more season and that includes the next three days which he has to use wisely
If things are still bad by December, it’s time to move on
I always though Arsene would retire rather than get sacked though
Snir.
You can believe that the reality is that we are a CL team that just lost to the champions because we fielded a decimated team.
Or
You can join the piss and moan brigade.
Reality is all about perception.
arsenal fan in peace…I can see a relagation fight this season if we dont sign at least 3 creative players and 2 defenders in next 3 days
@177 Holloway2Holland
It should be fuel to all of us mate, we’ve all watched this team through it’s ups and downs over the years but the powers that be at our club have been negligent over the last few months and this result SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN, period. No if’s and but’s or maybe’s. Gross negligence, as much as it makes me sad, enough is enough.
H2H – You know I’m usually the first to point out that we had injuries and suspensions.
But,
1) We should’ve signed players for exactly these situations – Cover!
2) United had Vidic, Carrick, Valencia and Rafael out and Rio on the bench (the first 4 were starters last year and United went out and bought other players to add to the squad depth), so they had injuries as well.
3) Mate, 8-2 isn’t what you expect for even with 13 players out. Do you agree with me that even a Championship side wouldn’t have conceded 8? I know, United try harder against us, but 8?!
4) We are a CL team but I’m seriously asking, do you think this would be enough to stay a CL team next season?
Arsenal Ladies win the league.
That’ll be the good news for today.
Moan brigade or doom and gloom. Or reality 8-2 is reality !
To rub salt or vinager into the wounds Man U played better against the spuds. they wernt that good we were just piss poor FACT !
In Arsene we trust, O dear O dear O dear.
The man dosent remember what he has said from one day to the next.
“No one is leaving”
“we have tried to get these deals done earlier” Cesc/Nasri
Please give it a rest, if you have no money to spend just let the people who pay your wages know SIMPLE !
The 7 year youth project has failed, maybe its time to re-think.
All who want to say I am not a true Arsenal fan just because I think we can try another approach by all means start the posts who claim to be better Arsenal fans because the thing sticking out from there face isnt thier nose.
REALITY CHECK !
brothers , it is all over for the arsenal we love , with the new signings a la catastrophe , a la derniere minute , it will be a very ordinary team .
already 4 red cards , is there a sense of responsibility ?
It is all about AW , the team has no depth and that goes for years , players have no sense of responsibilty .
The more I think , Fabergas , Nasri left for good reason . It is about time RVP , Wilshire , Ramsey to consider their future .
“Arsenal to nick it” holic writes in his blog. I admire holic’s support of Arsenal no matter how deluded he is, but I’m afraid to say this sort of fan is damaging Arsenal and sending the club hurtling towards 10-20 years of anonymity.
We have to GET REAL NOW while we still have some decent players left or next summer Arsenal will be a broken shell of a club when Arsh/VP and Walcott all go.
That means Wenger out NOW! And then get the board out as well if they cannot sort out this fucking shambles.
drinks needed all round and more importantly our support needed all round. Slagging off will get us no where we have to grin and bare it.
Top top marks to away fans absolute quality and done the club proud.
Heh, Ben, that old dig about ‘that sort of fan’ to ‘holic. You really really should creep back in your hole.
And what Austrian Gooner said. Top marks.
dAVE.
if you read the rest of my post, I added;
“Sad thing is, after todays showing even the most level headed among us, have to agree that there is something very, very wrong……..”
Problem is, we don’t know who is to blame, is it the manager or is it the board?
The doomers favorite line is; sack Wenger. like that’s gonna make everything magically better,
I for one would like to have all the available facts before I will come out with such a statement. I would also like for the leaders of the board come out either in support or condemnation.
however with a nikname as Silent I won’t be holding my breath.
H2H, can I offer you a drink? On my tab.
Cheers!
Cheers to ‘Holic that this post was his 1000th and not the next one.
And a raised glass to the Arsenal Ladies.
H2H – We’re basically on the same page. Something is very wrong at the moment, I just wish I knew where this snowball is supposed to stop.
I might get very drunk if I stay with you, Joshua, but I concur π
@ 189 The away fans out of this world AGEED !
Should they have to sit through that ? NO !
Man U will not have a bigger win all season.
Suspension and the usual injuries agreed, will the players playing this afternoon have to play again this season in the PL ? hell yes.
We cant buy this player or that player because it dosent agree with AW black book of player prices. Could of had Phil Jonesa for 10m in Jan but OOOOO no his book price is 8m. Maybe now and then you have to pay 2-3m over the odds like the rest of the top clubs.
The thing that bothers me the most is that even a Championship side wouldn’t have conceded 8 goals.
Last time we conceeded 8 goals away 1886 to Loughborough Town who ever they are ?
We got whacked, it happens, it shouldn’t but it does.
1) I totally agree that we should of signed cover, I don’t think theres anyone here that would disagree.
2) agreed
30 There wasn’t a championship team out there today it was us, so that question is hypothetical and ha sno bearing on whay happened today, how would i know if another team would of done better or worse in that situation.
4) how can you or I possibly answer that after seeing only three games?
Did Utd have to travel to and from Italy in midweek? No.
Could that have been a factor?
Ofcourse it could.
Listen, if you want to take the dark road, you go ahead, neither you or anyone else for that matter has to justify why you chose to that to me.
Me, I prefer not to, but don’t think for a minute that it doesn’t mean that i have the same concerns that you and many others have, I do, I just chose to express myself differently.
Ben, how very dare you.
Please leave the we were missing A,B and C. They didnt have a full team out either.
Snir.
Get off that championship side question as it is a non arguement,
Who’s to say that another team wouldn’t have taken a just as bad our even worse beating today? Not you, not me, not anybody.
I’ll agree that a few of their goals today were defencive errors. but some of their goals today were simply unstoppable.
And how do I choose to express them ?
I express them with genuine concern because I am genuinely concerned!
I’m not calling for AW’s head, I don’t want him gone.
But I really have no idea how we’re gonna get out of this without signing some players and I really have no idea how we’re gonna attract the TOP players we need.
Ok, agreed, they did have a wonder day in terms of shots but some of the chances they got into today made it look as if we don’t play in the same league as they do.
Very painful afternoon and evening, tomorrow wont look much different and it will hurt for a long time!
I’m hoping we can recover from this. A the break it didn’t look good but when you look at 3:1 we were still in the game. The rest was for everyone to see, don’t really want to remind my self of it again.
I’m gutted for those young lads because they gave everything today. It was those senior players that disappointed the most.
Arsenal till I die though!
One thing should certainly happen and that’s the club should refund every single one of the fans that travelled today as they were absolutley top notch from first minute to last and didn’t deserve the performance they got will it happen will it fuck but it’s the least the club should do, Also thought the bundle of Β£50 notes had a great game at left back and the bundle of Β£20s up top was deadly π
Snir “But I really have no idea how……” wait until Holic posts then all will be revealed. The master is on the keyboard even as you fret.
The sun, most certainly, will come up tomorrow. If you want to cheer yourself up, just think of Rooney’s new hair do and his missing pubes.
Congrat’s to the Arsenal Ladies, excellent achievement!! Come on you reds!! D&G’s can go do one, we have weathered storms worse than this and the only viable option at the moment is to trust that Wenger can turn this around, the other option? Clear him and staff out, take whatever semblance of stability within the club away and find someone within 3 days(1 day in fact in order to bring in the necessary recruits). And it is us regulars on here who need to GET REAL? By no means a ideal situation at all within the club and perhaps a change will be required but come off it, our season has been written off on the back of three games, saddest part of all of this. A drink for all those in this fine establishment who have the mental strength to see the woods from the tree’s and realise we will rise again, as always Come on you reds!!
Will you judge arsene now holic?, all along you have followed the “In august we judge him in may and in may we judge him in august” policy, the man needs to go, he has taken us as far as he could, I would love and pray that I can eat my words, but its not happening.His cesc-centri mission started in 2006 has gone to pieces and he has no planB what else can explain the inactivity all summer, instead of letting the insurgents go he tried to hang on. Not good enough at this club,I felt sorry for those away fans chanting today, we deserve better,we deserve transparancy.
Ollie, right now I’m drinking coffee, but you’re welcome to drink whatever you like. π
Ah, doleful Little Ben back again I see. He’s a dead ringer for a clock that can always be relied upon – he only comes here on downers. I assume we lost or drew today then?
Calling the LandLord delusional too – I think we’ve heard that from you before, benny the ball. I didn’t agree with you then either.
Wow .Where to start with that. For my two cents worth, put on my arsenal top, put my sons on and went down to watch it. Was a shocking defensive show but cannot blame the guys out there today. Spent the whole second half singing along with the away fans and am privilidged that they were there to show what support is supposed to be like. I fucking love Arsenal tonight despite all the shit and to everyone who thinks our club is fucked, go and support someone else, we know there are problems but ..I dont know..too much guiness too little perspective…Come on guys , ease my pain..
Indeed Chippy.
To quote my post at 129;
“The away support is fucking brilliant”
It was also great to see RvP take the whole team to the away end to acknowledge the supports, that’s what a captain should do.
Ollie192.
I will gladly accept a beer from you sir. I must have missed the offer (Sooooooo unlike me) due to gettinng caught uo in a disscusion.
Cheers.
YES! Arsenal Ladies. Things are looking up already.
Cheers Joshua.
BtM, good post. I came across someone who I thought had the same accent as you in the pub today.
Turned out he was a Hears fan though, and was cheering a bit too loud on every Deeply Indebted goal.
Bah.
H2H – I didn’t see Robin take the team down to our end, I switched off at the end and went to clear up after Irene. Robin is class. Pleased to hear that from you.
on the wage structure at the Clubβ¦
It is difficult to find excuses after a game like that. Wages-wise, of course we are behind the other teams.
I have a feeling that’s a message to the board.
45 minutes straight of We love you Arsenal…..did not deserve that scoreline. Maybe too late this season but dont waste a support like that,. WE LOVE YOU ARSENAL WE DO OH ARSENAL WE LOVE YOU..
What do you’ll think of signing someone like Modric? I know he has his eyes set on Chelsea but we could very well hijack that deal a la Park..
I was behind the bar at the time, BtM, and admitedly I wanted nothing better to switch off, but I just wanted to see the players reactions.
For those who think they don’t care, think again. a lot of those lads gave it their all, we came up short and it’s painful but we have to suck it up and start again after the interlul.
I can live with the fact that we’re not quite good enough, however I’ll never accept a lack of effort, for me that would be the reason to go into “piss and moan” mode. I saw effort today, maybe thats why I can remain calm.
I think that deserves yet another drink H2H. Feel free to get drunk on my tab π
Modric??????
I’d rather roll butt naked through broken glass while fans of other teams piss all over me.
Another little money horney whore who threatened to strike because the spuds wouldn’t let him break a contract he signed less then 12 mounths ago?
In case you were wondering, that was a no. π
Everyone who.is calling anyone with genuine concerns a doomer can fuck right off. Ilonestar,where was I for the good times you ask?. Right there with the team. No where am i.when things are looking bless. Right there again. Dont mug me off as some doom mongeror. Im as loyal as any fan on here. But when are people going to start questioning arsene. Im not calling for his head simply because there is noone to step in. But if guardiola or moriniho were available id considers my position. We need action. Answers and change. I dont spend thousands every year to simply stay quiet incase I get dug out as some doom mongeror. Fuck that we just lost 8 2 to united, off the back of a 2 0 defeat at home to Liverpool. Need at least 4 players,then go spend 10 mill on an 18 yr old who hasnt playerd premier league football. Does this sound good. I want him to acknowledge his policy is wrong and eat some humble pie. Then turn it around. But I wont sit in silence and I wont be called s doom mongeror or fake fan. Cheers
I was in a pub today when we must have been 3 Arsenal fans and there were shitloads of Mancs.
I was quite confused when it sounded like they politely clapped their second goal.
But then later on they also did that for Jenkinson’s red and I just let rip.
What a bunch of sad c***ts.
BtM – I hope so mate. I really hope so because I’ve got no answers :\
Cheers Ollie.
I must admit, I’m pretty plastered already (just in case you hadn’t noticed via my typing “skills”)
Was late this morning and got up to a starting meal of beer (the cornerstone of any good breakfast) and a spud bashing.
the great thing about footy is win or lose, there’s always a reason to have a bevvy.
Cheers mate, plaese join me in the drinking though.
@H2H – it seems I’m thinking more with my heart than my head.. or is it the other way around?!? lol
i suppose it’s been a pint too many for me π
H2H – absolutely brilliant posts mate – drink on my tab all week .
You plasnning to take out a second mortgage tabs? π
Can’t get any worse at the mo H2H , drink away .
We’re all gooners here, we all love our team and most of us have the utmost respect for Arsene. My initially reaction we to think he should go but I accept that was reactionary and unfounded…
But Jesus — we were totally humiliated today. I was almost in tears — that result was totally unacceptable but my fear is that Arsene won’t see it that way. There are excuses of course — but an 8-2 loss? Are any of the newly promoted teams likely to lose at Old Trafford by such a margin?
Will the mistakes be learnt by Arsene and this team? If I thought there was a good chance that they might, I don’t think I’d be feeling quite as down as I do.
The start of the season is turning out like many predicted — why didn’t Arsene do something to pre-empt this shambles? Surely he c
He’s a great man and he’s done wonders for our club, but he really needs a storming performance these next 3-days.
Up the Arse
H2H,
Regarding your point about VP taking the players over to our corner you are 100% correct he even chased a couple of them down the tunnel and got them back onto the pitch,
As I type Kakas just scored a screamer presume that means he’s staying at Madrid!!
tabs is taking over Lars’ tab….
Contrast the heart and passion of those magnificent away Gooners and the week in week out soulless,heartless, passionless performances of walcott,arshavin,diaby and eboue. I’ve never sent an email before and this is taking me hours and I’ve stayed solidly behind Arsene through the thin of the last few seasons , but tell me what other manager woulld let so many players just coast through game after game after game. They and a few others(bendtner,denilson) have been spoiling games for me for seasons.
And to top it all off the first time I’ve ever seen any type of emotion from theo is to have ago at a young Gooner who was trying his heart out. No wonder he got told to fuck off! And no wonder Cesc left!!
Hazard not having a good first half, but thankfully Lille are 1-0 up
Clinical depression makes you do silly things Ollie π
I might have to wear a cloak at work tomorrow, tabs.
Anybody mentioning football will get it from both barrels.
Ollie – Good thing I live in the US now. Nobody in my college has a clue about football. π
I have an Arsenal backpack and nobody didn’t even say a word about it yet. They obviously have no clue what it is.
I just need to avoid my FB because from what I saw, my whole news feed is filled with admiration for those Manc cunts.
Good to see alot of level headed posts on here tonight. Well done guys, thatβs the spirit Victoria Concordia Creset!
We need to crack on. Get some players back and in and onwards and upwards!
Every dog has their 4:30pm thereβs still a long way to go this season!
Perspective said it was more important to win on wednesday.
Despite the insane hope hiding deep inside, the head said that with our line-up today, we had no chance of getting a point. But yes I clung to that hope, even at 3-1.
Let’s hope the psychological damage isn’t too bad (it was already there in RvP’s penalty…. :s), a few important signings are coming up and it’s upwards from here.
Days like this hurt bad. But they do pass.
This was never a game we were going to get anything from. Not with the players we had out. Not having played a tough match midweek. And especially not with the deeply indebted needing to put in a performance to send a message to City. Doesn’t make 8-2 acceptable, but let’s not pretend we had high hopes.
What’s essential now is that we make the necessary signings this week (at minimum a centre back and a midfielder + I also think we’d be mad not to at least have a look at some left backs), get our players back to fitness over the intl break and come back ready to take nine points from the next three games, all of which are winnable.
The season basically starts here. I can guarantee that I hate Utd as much as anyone on here (I freely confess to being a rabid ABU) but if this time last week you’d offered me a win on weds in exchange for a humping today then I’d probably have taken it, albeit with gritted teeth.
None of us are looking forward to going to work tomorrow/Tuesday and facing the music, but that’s part of being a football fan. Keep your chin up, give some stick back and get through it. Β
There will be a lot of bollocks written in the next few days and no one likes to watch their team get whipped, but did anyone actually believe at 4pm today, having looked at the team sheet, that we’d be getting anything from this game? For my money, the Swansea match after the break is critical. Fail to take three points there and it really will be a long old season.Β
Better times lie ahead – if any good comes of today then it might help arsene get the wage cap raised a bit.
Re: Arsene – the guy’s not perfect (that coquelin sub was a shocker) but he’s done more for this club than all the muggy keyboard warriors and doomers combined, so in my book you show a bit of respect when you talk about him, even if you want to be critical, even after a result like that. For those who don’t show that respect…. you know what to do.Β
And on a similar note, for those having a pop at ‘holic – in the immortal words of Danny Graft: jog on. Ideally into oncoming traffic.
Well said Ollie
Ollie – ‘a few important signings are coming up and itβs upwards from here.’
Please share your knowledge with us… π
All criticisms justified, and I can take it and respect it from “doom and gloomers” that are regular posters – ie they come on when we win (I know, not often) and contribute.
But it’s hard to listen to those who only appear when we lose, and then disappear after results like in mid-week. You know who you are.
Trying desperately to find something positive; Coquelin looked a good player in the making. Which makes taking him off even more bizarre.
Alcohol, tonight, will just make things worse. Going to bed.
N7 – yet again , the perfect post . A drink for you Sir .
Up the Arsenal !
@241 – N7 – ‘Better times lie ahead β if any good comes of today then it might help arsene get the wage cap raised a bit.’
I’m certain he does get the wage cap raised. He openly opined about it in the post match presser.
‘It is difficult to find excuses after a game like that. Wages-wise, of course we are behind the other teams.’
That has got to be some kind of message.
Nice one Ollie.
N7, evcellent. I agree with almost everything you’ve posted there, I would of loved to have typed it myself but my intake is severly damaging my ability to output.
Next rounds on me lads.
Catalan,
Just lighting up a spliff the size of a corneto care to join me !! Beers with Chasers for all please barman I’m in the mood to scratch today from the memory sharpish π
2-1 Marseille, this is turning into a really really shit football day.
I’m in , Chippy ! π
Snir, I’m afraid that part of the sentence was integral with the ‘hope’ bit that preceded the brackets.
I know as little as you on that front!
Chippy, I’d be happy to have something from the GT too!
2-2 Allez Lille!
Chipy, TABS – I’m with you! I said alcohol was a bad idea, but a little smoke….. Fuck it, get the pipes out too!
The good news – any chance of Dr C getting a vote of confidence from the GT Rollers’ Director of All Things Possible were delayed by the announcement that said Chairperson was going to spend another 5 days down south with the Rollers Academy kids.
5 dias de liberacion…….. :devil: π
How are you meant to do that devil thing??
Puff, puff give, Chippy.
I’m sure i’ve got some brain cells willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause.
Although I’ll be the first to admit, not that many.
Dr C
all shall be revealed;
http://www.nichewp.com/how-to-use-wordpress-smilies-in-comments.html
3-2 Lille.
I’ll try the devil thing >:)
Having clicked on the link, really? πΏ
Proper little smoking circle tonight best not go to mad the Indians will read our signals and cut us of at Little Big Horn where uncle Arsene will make his last stand hopefully with more joy than the Yellow one!! Bongs up and Running π
H2H π‘ !!!!
That page, my good, orange, expat barman, has been made a favourite!
Who’s buying, Ollie or TABS? Help yourself, whoever it is!
Heh Dr C , pull up a chair
Hey guys, mind if I grab a pint of Carling and join you ?
You sure we can’t tempt you with something more exotic, Snir??
πΏ
I’m sure my mate Charlie said he’d be popping by at some point he always seems to lift the spirits,
Wolfie? Hitch up your skirt and come join us – leave the fags alone and have a proper smoke..
CG – Depends what you got to offer and the effects it will have on my short term memory.
Preferably it will erase all recollection of the past 24 hours.
Match Highlights:
π π π π π π π π π π π π₯
Snir. Guaranteed. Trust me…
heh, good summary, Joshua!
Chippy. There’s a few people good at lifting the spirits here.
Preferably in small measures glass.
Goodnight, folks!
Good evening, I’m just dropping by to ensure everyone’s ok and not considering anything daft.
A pint of your best plain barman and make sure the barrell is full please.
CG – I always trust my doctor π
Good boy, Snir.
Nurse Wolfie? Make sure that Senor Snir is comfortable, and administer his first dose.
*drifts momentarily back into consciousness*
What WAS that substitution all about??
*slips happily back into eastern oblivion*
First dose? oo-er sounds more then ominus.
I’ll be in the corner with Chippy awaiting his friend Charles.
Well I’m glad that is over. It Γs difficult to say we didn’t see it coming , but we did.
What next we offer 50p for Cahill , Bolton must have a grin like a cheshire cat.I said it before even if we go on to have an ok season it doesn’t excuse this mess we have allowed ourselves to get in to.
The price of every defender has just gone up 50% to us, good management,I think not.The transfer window closes in three days perhaps this was the kick up the backside ,painful as it was, we needed.
Through thick and thin for sure , but today feels pretty thin
well at least Nasri had a poor game for City……oh….shit
well at least we play like Wycombe in our new Wycombe shirts…..
Add Gervinho, Vermaelen, Wilshere, Sagna to our eleven today and we would have got a point…..?
Madness live on BBC…any chance of a flying sax on the HT tonight…lighten the mood me thinks…bottle of the cheapest beer available from local chinese please guv..
In the 1990/91 season Arsenal didn’t concede their 8th league goal until December 8th. I saw every match home and away that season, seems a long time ago.
That’s ‘cos it was a long time ago, Tim π
Right, i’m off to get even more pissed.
Laters.
Holic
Your 1001st post is, I suspect, going to be a difficult one to write. If our smokers’ circle can offer you any source of inspiration or peace, do pull up a chair!
Always time for you Doc …
Where is everyone..I need some healing ( not sexual of course chaps..oh er)..
Heh Brazilian ,
A bad day indeed , but if i know you , you ain’t a “thin” man π
Greetings one and all. I felt I had to break in from my family holiday to say that in 40 years of supporting The Arsenal that that has to be possibly the most embarrassed I have ever felt. I have been going on for two years now about various short comings. We have been promised the earth and been given virtually nothing. Our club is in a mess. It’s a Fucking shambles. What the fuck those at the top are doing fuck only knows. 3 years ago we needed evolution and not revolution. Well despite the promises there has been no evolution. We are now on the verge of needing revolution.
I have no idea what is happening at the club. This is not what we are about. I want my Arsenal back and I want it back now.
Bonjour tout le monde.
Anyone else furiously dodging MotD2?
Much as I’d love to watch Spurs get walloped, the risk is simply too great.
I am so so so so so so so so so so Fucking pissed off right now. Someone at the club owes the fans some answers.
@ N7
mememememme!!
Steve T, a drink of your choice to commiserate.
Enjoy your hols, hope the young ones are not too upset.
N7 – the Arse have been done . Spuds getting whopped now
…..I see Iniesta…….
I’m a huge Wenger fan and I’ll always admire him for what he’s done for the club.
I’ve never ever wanted my team to loose, not even to make a point.
After that…thing..that happened earlier today, I just wonder what it takes for AW to change his mind, or for how long will the club allow this situation to escalate, before for somebody at the Emirates reacts? Do we really need a disaster to kick this club in the right direction? I hope not, and hope I’ve any fingernails left come Thursday.
I’ve worn my new shirt the whole day. It’ll stay on, through my dreams.
I may not be thin tabs I think powerful is the word, but anyway.
I don’t want to make too much of the squash thing you mentioned a while back but I understand in the club they always said ,on the court,I was the tv5 to your squillaci.I’m not sure what they meant perhaps we missed Squilacci today!!
Turned on to MOTD2 just as they were discussing some one sided event from this afternoon where some good points were raised (as discussed above really )
But AW saying that we will sign a forward (Park) but didnt seem sure about anything else, does bring us back to the question of problems with the board, which must be sorted now
Having supported the team for 50+ years, there is no way I will stop supporting them, and reading todays drinks, nearly everyone is the same.
I look forward to ‘holic showing us the positives for the future, in a reasoned clear way, and if that means large doubles for everyone at the bar all the way to the end of the season, then so be it
REDS FOR EVER
Brazilian π
the result went the way i thought,well actually larger than i thought but i do not understand that AW takes this team there plays three up front with a very inexperienced back line,Another manager would of looked at what he had and PARKED THE BUS there is alot said for an away point and we may not of got one but with the team he played that would of been a good sugestion,i think the man (AW) ego is too big parking the bus is beneath him,
Just got back from Old Toilet β see there are quite a few drinks to catch up on β and what can I sayβ¦
There was a point during the second half where it just got surreal. We all kept looking at each other bemused andβ¦laughingβ¦because it was SO bad that was all we could do. Oh, and keep singing and singing and singingβ¦
I do hope everyone could hear us on the telly box because I can barely speak now.
And we DO love you Arsenal, we do. But bloody Norah, what an epic fail. And if that doesnβt send a signal to the Board that some urgent attention is required I donβt know what will.
Snowy , came over loud and proud mate .
Hats off to you all – unbelievable support .
Snowy I salute you.
But all is well. We have confirmed that Park se young, or something similar to that has just signed. The major improvement over recent acquisitions are that he is over 12 and won’t have a problem with a work permit. I can see the bunting and the battenburg from here.
Snowy, each and every one of you were a credit to this great club….You were immense in the face of adversity, couldnt watch the match but even over a horrendously one sided drivel filled commentary on the radio you guys kept the spirits up. As many drinks as each of the away support want is on my tab, 2 drink max and no short ones π
Snowy..an epic effort and I salute you..made me boil up with pride listening to ye…have a drink and the song of your choice on me..
Holics
Always Look on the Bright side of Life.
A Polar bear walked into a Pub and asked the Barman for an orange juice,the barman said ‘ Sure pal,that will be 5 quid please ‘
The Polar Bear fished a Fiver out of his pocket,took his drink and went and sat in the corner.
The barman couldn’t help himself,and after a few minutes he wandered over to the PB’s table,and said ‘ We don’t get many Polar Bear’s in here.”
The Bear just looked at him and said, ‘ At your prices i’m not fucking surprised.” !!
cheers
The Sweeper.
300? – for you Snowy and all the away support – fucking immense.
As Sunday slips into Monday (at least here in the UK), I wish all ‘holics a good night……
At least until we wake up tomorrow and think ‘ I had this really bad dream yesterday about the football……………..’
Oh…… I think I welcome this Interlull.
Heh , The Sweeper , knew i could rely on you π
What a fucking day . Time to call it a night .
yes snowy I could hear you all – well done.
No use repeating all that has been said we all know what needs to be done but apart from the obvious, the needless suspensions have really hurt us and those players must share some of the blame for todays performance and result. On the bright side I thought Ramsey, Theo, Coquelin. Van Persie (apart from the terrible penalty) and Jenks did OK. Don’t know why Arshavin wasn’t subbed. Jenks sending off wasn’t his fault because Djourou left him terribly exposed.
I am truly worried that the talented young players recently signed will never be able to reach their true potential because they won’t have the support and protection of mature and experienced players around them and that would be a tragedy.
I have no idea why players haven’t been signed; is it the board, is it Wenger, is it Stan? Surely we have some cash to spend?
The bar is now open.
——>
It’s still evening here and it still hurts but the beer is beginning to ease the pain.
Perhaps a good nights sleep will erase the image of the smug smiles of the manure players..a restless night ahead
Thanks folks – that is immensely pleasing and I hope that means the poor lads on the pitch could hear us as frankly, they’ve had better days at the office haven’t they?
And very gratified to see the Arsenal ladies did the business today. Well done ladies, you are a credit to this great club.
And – crap results aside – we ARE a great club. Great, and always will be.
This is the first season I’ve been in the away membership scheme, and although it’s not been brilliant so far in terms of results, I have hope things will improve.
And if they don’t, I’ll still sing until I can’t speak anymore, because I bloody love this club.
Arlo Guthrie is lightening my mood…No TV tomorrow for me..just good music…
ilonestar π if only our defense could be like your last post…no nonsense and no prisoners! A drink is on the way!
@ Could be…
I’m just drunk and pissed off, and can’t be arsed to deal with all the doom merchants today.
Hold up, where has my post gone