Titi Breaks Five Year Scoring Drought For Arsenal!
Jan 10th, 2012 by 'holic
You will be used to me doing unorthodox match reports. Well, they’re not reports are they. Call them impressions of what was going on around me if you will. Tonight left a very special impression on me, for more than one reason.
It started, surprisingly given the delayed train from home, with an early drink in the Tollie. It was quiet at four, but slowly the thirsty arrived. What had threatened to be a niggly day was actually becoming very enjoyable.
Off to the ground to meet with the good people from Gunners Gaming, and good people they were indeed, although thankfully they didn’t take any more money off me after the ‘holic pound had been lodged the previous evening. It was duly lost, of course, but in the most glorious of circumstances. I also had the good fortune to hook up with a couple of Daves from Arsenal Addict (aren’t all Arsenal addicts called Dave?) and Martin, an old friend from Goonblog.
I have to say thanks at this point to whoever at the club was responsible for my birthday present. Well, perhaps I should say my first birthday present, given the drama that was about to unfold.
The first-half was probably no different from where I was to what was being witnessed elsewhere in the ground, or on television, or on a stream with a Rumanian commentator. To say we were a little frustrating barely captures the mood. Although we started brightly clear-cut chances were few and far between, then came the inevitable injury to the stand-in full back. Francis Coquelin, who we may have needed in midfield in the coming weeks, having sent Frimpong out on loan, was replaced by young Nico Yennaris.
The second-half was destined to produce a moment that will live long in the memory. It was a ‘look at that, just look at that’ moment, an ‘it’s up for grabs now’ moment, a ‘would you believe it’ moment. I was there the night Thierry Henry returned and scored the only goal of the game. If you want to know who went close, who just missed, who shanked one, then you’ll find all of that elsewhere.
For now, all I can sense is the astonishing feeling that even the Leeds fans experienced when that goal went in. As I walked back to Holloway Road after the game I became aware of a conversation in a thick Yorkshire accent behind me.
“You just fooking knew he would do it, didn’t yer. Can’t argue with that. He is class at the end of the day”
Fair play to you fella. Fair play to your team too. For the second consecutive year Leeds came to the Grove and worked their socks off, but they were as ravaged by injuries as us. At the end of the day our squad side beat their squad side, and that is how it should work, but they contributed to a fascinating evening.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening, in fact.
430 Responses to “Titi Breaks Five Year Scoring Drought For Arsenal!”
Get in……
It was a truly magical and memorable evening. I was there. I was there to witness history being made. From block 4, row 19 I was one of many that rose in unison in shear amazement at the events unfolding in front of my very eyes. It is moments like these that the cost of a season ticket just does not seem to matter anymore. This was one of those moments that you pass down through the generations. Yes, I was there to witness first hand Andre Arshavin getting booked for making a tackle.
Events like these really are just once in a lifetime experiences.
I mentioned I had two birthday presents from Arsenal. This was the first. Did I ever mention, I love this club, me,
Boom!
I will give my match update later today. One thing that made me smile were the Yorkie accents in front of me on the way to the tube. “I can’t help it. Rooney, I fooking hate him, but Henry? I fooking love him. He is real class.”
Could not have put it any better myself.
55 a good number, to be sure. π
Happy birthday fella.
Happy Birthday Holic! I must of missed somewhere in my busy life!
I’m sure you had a cracker! With TH12 scoring and all that you know and that lovely Holic shirt from Arsenal!
All the best Holic!
Wisniowka is awaiting attention. π
I can see Arsene in that picture too! Quality Holic!
Happy Birthday Dave sounds like you had one to remember, what were the odds on sir terry doing that ? love the shirt, hope to get down soon , and have a little white top with a black body, with you AND ALL AT THE tOLLIE CHEERS GUYS
Get in there Thierry my son!
Now to read the post and drink some coffee.
Happy B’day, ‘holic and many more to come! Thanks once again for your blog, a pleasure to read, as always.
Great post Holic and happy birthday to you good sir! I trust you are still basking in the afterglow. Anyway, “omedeto gozaimasu” and hope you get more presents coming your way π
Happy bithday Holic and really happy for Steve T, would have been a shame to miss that game!
That is one sick, sick shirt, ‘holic.
One of the more ethereal moments this season, easily (the goal, that is. The shirt is still up there).
I’ve sent an email your way, fyi. Don’t get too excited, now.
I read this blog every day, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever commented. I feel compelled to do so today, on this historic occasion. And your birthday, no less! Happy birthday, I wish I had been at the Grove to experience this game. Alas, another time perhaps.
All my friends – Arsenal fans, Arsenal haters – have had largely positive reactions to the goals. A friend of mine, a Real Madrid fan who has mocked me mercilessly through all these trophyless years, was one of the first to celebrate Henry’s return. It is nice to see fans of other clubs, other teams, recognize the importance of such an occasion, and extend a hand. That’s what football is about, after all.
Many happy returns, ‘Hols…
BMBD!
Glorious title to this piece, I must say. Five year scoring drought, indeed. π
‘holic the sidebar says There are 1,078 Posts and 77,758 Drinks so far.
That brings up two questions: Who is going to be the 77,777th drink, and what is going to be their grand prize? I am hoping it is me, and the grand prize is a shirt like you got. π
Class speaks for itself. What a goal and what a way to return! They should have another statue of TH, this one with a beard. Happy birthday ‘holic, may you continue with your delightful and swift impressions.
I still have no words but for now, happy birthday Holic!
Fantastic win though I would never congratulate Leeds United. They are in my opinion deserving of every defeat they suffer. Shitbags of the highest order.
Happy Birthday ‘holic sir.
====
Full credit to Leeds, who despite their injuries gave it a real go, the difference between the two teams in the end being the prodigal son.
I personaly thought that Ramsey was the MOTM, a sterling performance and he’s getting stronger and better every week.
I also can’t really understand the criticism of AA, not everything he did came off, yet I thought he put in a pretty decent shift.
I hate to say it, but I thought Chamakh was dire, his only real input came in the 42nd minute of the first half. His movement in and around the box was terrible. I wish him all the best at the ACoN and hope he returns with a bit of confidence under his belt.
What can you say about Titi? Cliches and superlatives just don’t do him justice. He obviously loves the club as much as we do and I’m not too proud to say that I had a tear in my eye when he celebrated the winner, what a hero.
Also props to Woj, who kept his concentration levels at 100% and made a couple of good stops in the dieing moments of the game.
The win will do the dressing room good, but there is a lot of hard work to be done, because that was far from a convincing performance. For now, I’ll revel in the win, but let’s not get carried away, we were up against an injury ravished Championship team, we MUST do better.
Bring on the Villa.
A round to all the regular patrons and a double for you on your special day.
Cheers.
Someone mentioned on Twitter something that shouldn’t be discarded.
If TH will sit on the bench for 60 minutes or so and study the defense and the places where he can exploit their weaknesses, that would be awesome.
Surely he can do that while playing but from the bench you get more of a “total” view on the back 4…
If there is one guy I trust that has the intelligence to take advantage of something like that, it’s TH.
Spooky;
Thierry Henry Scored his 12th goal in 12 games against Leeds with 12 mins remaining. Wearing No.12 Jersey. In 2012 ..
The Mayans are watching…………………
Fantastic Fantastic!!!!
In your face all you football pundits, like Smith etc etc who were waiting to laugh at HIS return. Can’t wait to see their faces. I am so so glad, HE made all of them look so so…stupid.
With 12 minutes remaining, Henry scores his 12th goal against Leeds in 12 appearances wearing the number 12 shirt in 2012
Charlie.
What pundits said that? I thought most were rather positive.
This is my new wallpaper π
https://yfrog.com/a/img858/1682/lx85.jpg
Hey H2H & GT –
You know why the Mayan calendar ends on December 23, 2012?
They ran out of room on the stone… π
BMBD!
Savages…
(Leeds or the Mayans – take your pick)
BMBD!
Sorry H2H didn’t see that you beat me to the punch..
Titi’s interview on Arsenal Player is unbelievable. He truly was lost for words.
Snir @ 24: But he still needs qualioty service like that pass from Alex Song
* quality
Hey Holic I see that all the celebs turned out for your birthday this evening. Beckham, Na$ri to name just a couple..At 56 I am still your senior but “who care” mate..
77,775…
Ops 77,777..Lonestar thew prize is mine!!!
GT !!!
That was a self-assist!!!!! I waited for it and you just went on a 40 yard dash with the ball…
BOOOOO!!!
GT @33 – True, but he also needs to know where to make the runs.
Sorry about the self assist but as I am the only one awake I had no one to pass to…oh happy days..
I thought that you were lurking there in the bushes Snir
The only one awake?!?!
Clearly, you’re new in the bar…
I usually leave when the cleaning lady leaves… We share breakfast somewhere after she closes the bar.
I had to write this bitchass 12 page report for my college yesterday and after 5 hours of excruciating pain at 1 am in the morning I finished just in time to watch the return of the king at the Grove.
The match was about to start in 15 minutes when, i took the decision to close my eyes for 15 minutes. No need to tell you how much i regret the decision now. Anyways have downloaded the whole match now after watching THE GOAL for about 20 times.
How have we missed finishing of that caliber for five years. But for me it was the run and the ability to find that extra nano second to compose himself that sets TH12 apart even in this age. Thierry Henry.
Arsene Knows.
π
Oh and a very happy birthday Holic.
COYG
Happy birthday, ‘Holic. A glass of my finest claret is raised to you.
Lonestar Gooner: the Mayan prediction of the end of the world is bogus. All the most recent academic research says they never made any such prediction, only that 2012 was the end of a long cycle in their calendar. The world didn’t end after any of their previous long cycles. No reason to think it will do so after the latest one.
Props after the Leeds game to Yennaris and Miquel. Good games both. Squillaci was solid. Arshavin put in his best shift in a while. As for TH12: storybook. He looked heavier and slower than we remember him, but that goal could have come any time in the past decade.
SlaSh – Where do you live?
I guess you missed my sarcasm, NBN π
Gt, nice self assists. Normally the bar is only occupied by us Americans this time of the night…but to the victor goes the – um – “credit for 77,777 posts”
BMBD!
Well said SlaSh..you should follow Snir and my advice – never sleep.! Especially when the Arsenal is about to come on…
And Snir..I was only teasing..but I thought that Loanstar would have been lurking about having alerted the whole world about the Goonerholic Milestone…what happened Loanstar? Feel asleep? Wimp!
It wasn’t Lonestar (cheers bro!).
It was 8ball!!!
Lonestar had I known you were awake I’d have never insulted you! You should have said us Americans and Caribbeans – after all I am Eastern Standard Time here in Jamaica
LG: attended a long lecture on Doomsday cults last week, including one by one of the leading academic reasearchers on the Mayans, so guess I am sarcasmed out. Have a beer on me. I know I need several.
Salute to the ‘holic from deep in the kenyan plains,great post as always. Been coming on here for 3yrs now but have never left a post. Well,not today. Today i must leave a marker because last night was no ordinary night! Last night God walked this earth again! That is what happened! This will be etched in my memory forever and i know i’ll never properly convey the story to anyone who missed it. One you only have to see it to feel! C’on you gunners!!!
Snir @ 47: You are dead right AGAIN!!! Sorry for the misplaced banter Lonestar – you must be thinking I’m nuttier than I am..
Behind the 8th: all the teasings were meant for you (0;
Well GT that is going to be my new mantra on Arsenal nights from now on.
And i hope the mayans were not right about 21/12/2012 being the doomsday. It’ll ruin my birthday celebrations.
happy birthday ‘Holic!
My birthday was a mere 6 days ago and I’m glad our KING TH14 returned to make yours this bloody memorable.
It was around 05:40 in the morning here I think, when our KING made me go absolutefuckingly (excuse the french) mental.
Long Live the king.
Just typing this out and reliving the moment in my mind is giving me goose pimples.
No worries, Gents.
Snir will confirm that, although I drop in and out of the bar at unpredictable intervals, I can usually be found skulking about in the bar’s dark, shadowy corner.
Just a man alone with his thoughts, and scotch, and, this time with thanks to NBN, his Guinny chaser.
GT – sorry for overlooking my Caribbean Gooners. That Rihanna is one export that is surely easy on the eyes…as easy as TH12’s finish.
NBN – that sounds like a pretty interesting conference. It beats my professional conferences, hands down (what with discussions of Arbitrage and Yield Restrictions and such). Any chance you can send a link to the presentation regarding said Mayan debunking?
Snir – what’s cracking, mate? I know you Pats are trembling with fear as Jebus and Tebow come to town π
(I know, I know, this a non-NFL forum, but I couldna resist)
BMBD!
The most frightening thing for me is how inept our newer signings are (Chamakh, Arshavin, Park) in comparison to a 34 year old who is in semi-retirement. Absolutely scary and makes me wonder what we are going to do when he is gone because clearly this club does not want to invest in higher grade players like Podolski, Llorente, Negredo, Reus, etc. Chamakh works hard but goodness gracious he has absolutely nothing else. And our wingers won’t even cross the ball to him to give him a chance in one area where he does have ability, heading the ball. So why is he on the pitch?
LG: I’ll see if I can find a link. It was under the auspices of The Society For The Advancement of Social Studies, whose motto is “All the history you knew but forgot, andΒ all the booze you need to forget it again.” My sort of academia.
But LB, if we sign Negredo, who knows what Suarez will call him…
Drinks all around gooners! I’m in work but I’m aching for an Irish coffee and highlights of the game π
LG: not the lecture I heard but a couple of links to get you started:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091106-2012-end-of-world-myths.html
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html
After those, you are on your own…
Well seeing how this has been a special night (morning) I figured that Iβd join my fellow novice postersβer, patronsβand take the opportunity to pull up a seat at the bar. Iβve been an avid follower for years now but for some reason have never taken the opportunity to share a metaphorical drink with my fellow Gunners. It can be difficult following our beloved Gunners in Middle AmericanβKroenke country no lessβbut this bar is a bastion of support and solace against the doom and gloomers of the world. Through many Arsenal related ups and downs, not to mention some real downs (RIP Holicdad), Iβve enjoyed the company of Goonerholic and the patrons of this fine establishment. On this special night Iβd like to take the opportunity to buy a round and wish our returning King, the Birthday Boy, and my fellow patrons at the bar my thanks and best wishes for the New Year. Lets hope its filled with many more nights to remember.
Cheers
Here, here, MAG.
Thanks for the links, NBN.
BMBD!
Hadn’t slept properly at all the previous night and this game was to begin at 1:15 AM. I thought I would sleep and wake up but I stayed awake, somehow. I really couldn’t risk missing it, could I?
What a brilliant moment! As soon as he received the ball ( Great pass from Song), it’s almost as if every Arsenal fan knew he would open up his body like he used to, pause for that fraction of a second like he used to and pass it just beyond the goalkeeper’s reach like he used to
Brought back memories, it did
Welcome back Henry. was teary eyed I must admit seeing all the joy. and did you see how happy Wenger was giving the post match.
Lets win the next game and keep the happy vibes going.
Middle America Gunner and the new fellas at the bar – Welcome.
A drink of your choice is waiting for you on the bar…
Just say Snir told you, you have a drink waiting. They’ll know what you’re talking about.
Steve T @ 2,
very very clever.!!
Holic @ 3
Re the back of your Shirt.
What happens when you turn 56.??
Or do you intend to stay 55 forever.!!
To everyone else on here,
A turgid performance by the Arse,the boredom only relieved by one moment of Class from TH.
Why couldn’t he finish like that against Barcelona in the CL Final.??
Happy Birthday ‘Holic, looks like you’ve already had one very happy “return”, here’s to many more. Taylors ’55 would go down well, bit hard to get hold of nowadays though.
Cheers.
Happy Birthday ‘Holic. With an evening like that perhaps you could arrange one on each match day!
What’s he talking about? π
Clive and GT.
I may be wrong, but I suspect that ’55 is the vintage rather than the running total….?
Hi holics.
Perhaps you can help me. Lately I’ve been seeing people say that Titi had a special relationship with the North Bank.
Why the preference for the North Bank over the Clock End? Perhaps its something I know but am not aware of,but just wanted to check.
From what I heard/know, it’s just the end he celebrated more often with since he scored more goals there or is there a genuine preference by Titi of the North Bank over the Clock End because of something that happened?
Happy birthday ‘Holic. Many happy returns.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
and va va voom!
Here I am in a turgid place, waiting for a major announcement concerning a new mobile operator (Free) who is going to do some amazing things to the mobile market here
I have been waiting 15 mins, flicking between channels, and I kid you not, Messi got his golden globe has been on 3 times for an average of 15 seconds each, but an old 34 year old,revisiting his old club for a couple of hours, has been on 3 times for an average of 30 seconds – what is the world coming to
==================================
Happy birthday holic (was it only 14 years ago when I had mine) – I’m with the other drinkers here, worrying about the impermanence of your prezzies – but if you could say that the shirt was digital and incremented by one every year – and further if TH12 performed the same miracle each year, then you are talking
3 National Rail (HT division) lorries arrive outside the Emirates,. laying track at a rate never before been seen.
They construct a crane system beside the track
A train arrives and , using the crane, lifts up a statue and takes it away
They put up a timetable which reads as follows
The ‘Holic Special runs frequently from to and from here , but due to limited resources, can only be justified when Thierry is scoring goals
In the mean time the statue has been put into storage until the young man can make up his mind to leave the club
Happy birthday ‘holic. First time grabbing a pint on here. Wanted to let you know how great it has been to read your blog the last few years. As relatively new gooner of six or seven years, your blog has given me great history of the club and reminders of how great it is to be a supporter of this great club, for better or for worse. Tonight was one of the better ones, eh. The man who made me a gooner in the first place gave us a bit of magic. Cheers and again, happy birthday.
Birthday cheers barman,
I bet RvP is now itching to get back from holiday, it must be amazing to play alongside Henry with his technical skills, positional sense and run timing. A hat tip to Alex Song for another exquisite through ball. Hopefully this will spur the return of the true AA and Theo.
For those at the ground, how did The Ox do?
Catalan, you cheeky sod, it is the running total, which is ok because we’ll have a new shirt next year π
Thank you Portland, and all commenting for the first time. You are welcome.
There we were the ‘missus’ and me watching on the box courtesy of a free trial of ESPN on Virgin – and funnily enough the commentary wasn’t too bad- but things were hard going, Leeds had dug in well and it looked as if we could play ’till next Christmas and not score when on he came, “We can’t expect too much” I said; and then he did it, he only f—–g scored! A classic showing all the movement, craft, skill and composure of old. A moment that will live forever in the hearts and minds of us all. A very important goal because the last thing we needed was a replay.
We mustn’t however overlook the hard work and great play by the rest of the team; Ramsey gets better, game on game, as does Kos, what a great buy Arteta was and I really like the look of Coquelin and what a shame that he picked up what seems to be quite a nasty injury, but Yennaris also looks a great prospect and Miquel did another decent job playing out of position. Really the future looks bright.
Even Robbie Savage has moments of perception and says something intelligent as he did when he highlighted the lack of movement from many of our players and especially from Chamakh. The lack of movement off the ball is something I have mentioned before in these drinks and it is an issue that continues to dog the team. It leads to those sideways and backwards passes which whilst retaining possession takes the pressure off the opposition and allows them time to reorganise. It is also much easier to defend against static opposition, to break down a defence it is necessary to disrupt it by pulling defenders out of position and into areas they don’t really want to go – remember Henry in his pomp, that’s how to do it.
We mustn’t expect too much from him now but I am sure he will bring a great attitude to the dressing room and perhaps some of his skills will rub off onto his team mates. Whatever happens during the next six weeks or so he and us will always have ‘that goal’.
Holic – perhaps you know the answer to my @69?
Hi Andy aka TABs
Loving your short, ‘highly-accurate’ posts, I bet you could publish this stuff hardback in a few years when you have loads of content!
Great stuff yesterday, what dreams are made of!
UTA
Pete aka Bald Man in Suit at The Tollington
It was my son Jake’s 11th birthday yesterday and he was there with me last night to witness the great-man.
I took him to see Thierry score at Highbury when he was 5, and again at the Emirates when he was 6 but his memories of both are understandably vague. Not so last night – that’s a memory that will be etched forever. He’s seen the greatest of them all.
Many Happy Returns of the day – ‘holic
UREDS!
Now I see what you were on about shirtwise, ‘holic!
Nice one.
I’d have to trawl back through the arses archives too, but I believe I have some claim to the ” ‘holic ” copyright :p
Isn’t his birthday tomorrow, AL?
I’ve got a vague memory that ‘holic’s birthday is only one day before my dad’s.
And no, for the smartarses, they’re not the same age π
Heh! Happy Birthday Holic, and I take those 2 years back! π
Like Dumpling said – whatever happens now, we have that goal to remember. The deal is already a sucess!
With our lack of penetration (my quip in the last drinks was somewhat eclipsed by THAT goal. A shame, as it was possibly the best in blogging history ever. Fact) I think he could do a job as God did in his latter playing years – just sitting deep to RVP and playing him in on the angles etc. If they all mark RVP then he can go for it himself….. hope you’re listening Arsene!
PS – he did look knackered at the end though, didn’t he?!
Happy birthday Maestro and well played Arsenal for (a) providing the present and (b) providing a great show last night in Episode One of ‘The King Returns’. A magnificent piece of theatre.
Truly a special moment that will live in the collective memories of all who were fortunate enough to witness it last night.
As so many people are on his back, a big shout out from me to Arshavin who played what I thought was a decent game even if he was bitterly disappointed not be substiuted (through fatigue) when The King & Theo came on. That through ball to Miquel near the end was sublime. Had Titi been there to receive it would have been 2-0. IMO, Andrey did OK and we need The Russian’s talent right now with such a lack of goal-scorers at the club.
Fair play to Dirty Leeds and their annoyingly loud supporters too. Great effort by the team and fans alike but not much else. I never once felt that the result was in doubt.
Excellent celebrations and banter pre and post match in The Tollie and an extra mention to the long distance travellers from Sweden, Scotland and…..er…. Southgate & Southwest London? You know who you are π
Have a good day all. Nice to see so many new faces in here after a win! π
PS: Baldy Pete, good to meet you too.
Like others, I have noted the goodwill towards last night from other fans – here all the patients are talking about it.
I think what was perfect was not just that he scored, but HOW he scores – a more typical Henry goal would be hard to dream up.
The only comparison I can think of would be Beckham making a comeback for Utd and scoring one of those free kicks to win a game.
Likewise (and I may be alone in this!) I would derive pleasure from seeing that.
Too early for drinks?
Love the headline Holic.
Not a great game if we are honest, but defensively we looked pretty solid against a Leeds team who worked their socks off.
The main positives were AOC again, Nico Yennaris and Miguel did very well as did Coquelin before his hamstring went. The game also provided further confirmation that apart from RVP the current squad is fucking woeful when it comes to the little matter of putting the ball into the back of the net.
That changed shortly after TH12 came on with Theo (why the hell was AOC subbed?)
When Titi got the ball in the left side penalty area, everyone in the ground including their keeper knew what he would do, sure enough he opened his body up and passed the ball into the corner of the net with his right peg with a bit of draw on it and their keeper couldn’t get to it… magic.
This was a real lesson for our other players; try passing the ball into the net rather than shanking it nowhere near the goal which the rest did all night apart from AOC.
It was obviously a fairytale return but he doesnβt look particularly fit and we shouldnβt expect too much in future games. The need for a couple of signings including a backup striker is reinforced by what we saw tonight.
Iβm off to the US again on Thursday for 3 months so it was great to see him in an Arsenal shirt one last time getting another goal as well in classic style.
Finally a word on Arshavin, for once he tried hard throughout the game but was never able to get past Championship defenders or even work their keeper when attempted a shot. Itβs becoming painfully obvious that he has little to offer and should be moved on ASAP.
PPS: Trev – Good to see you too and well done managing to stand-up after downing a whole pint! Glad to hear that your daughter is finally on the mend.
PPPS: Dr.C – too early for a drink? Have you been rummaging in the CMC again?
TS – good point. I was merely trying to go through the formalities.
BTW, leave off on Mr T’s drinking capacity – us medical types are very healthy and never imbibe much (ahembullshit).
As a fan.. heh! π
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/886802-david-beckham-wipes-nose-with-man-city-shirt-after-meeting-mario-balotelli#ixzz1j0I0xAgN
π
There were ‘holic in the Tollie last night ? :s
Snir, I think the press lazily use North Bank to mean all Arsenal supporters.
‘holic doesn’t sit in the North Bank.
FACT.
Now, why ’55’ on that shirt? Oh.
28 minutes to go…. warming up in front of the crowd…. just waiting for the ball to go out of play…..
ball still in play… he’s itching to come on….
Incredible – the ball hasn’t gone dead for 13 minutes. He’s running out of time to make an impact here….
Fuck it, he thinks to himself, he’s bored of waiting for the ref.
He sprints on without permission and barges a player off the ball, looks up to see the options… and hoofs it
Morning Holics
When the euphoria subsides( and I’m still smiling on what was a glorious reminder of TH in his golden days), we had over 20 shots at goal and only 2-3 on target!
This state of affairs has been the norm for most of the season, Wolves game being the exception. TH can only be used in an impact sub capacity and while we got away with his effort last night against Leeds ,what are the chances that he can repeat that performance against better defences in the PL even with RVP back in the side?
Perhaps our second strikers will learn from Henry’s brief stay but they lack class and technic . Arsene we need reinforcements now, not in the Summer.
I agree that the little Russian put in a better show and the kids at FB are promising. The mid-field worked very hard but were woeful in front of goal. I groaned when I saw Squilly on the team sheet but he and Kos were solid and my friend Szcsesny was his usual safe pair of hands at the back, although he did nothing for my nerves when he went on his walk about and could so easily have been caught out against a better side.
Sounds a bit negative, it was not meant to be. I am a glass half filled Gooner, I just want it topped-up!
As always COYRs
You know better than me Ollie – but am still determinedly enjoying any excuse to use the words “happy” and “returns”
one now returns happy to get on with the business of the rest of the day
Up The Arse!
One is happy to return to this fine site to doth one’s cap in Delia’s direction in acknowledgement of a classy and subtle assist and the return of one’s former ton-up scoring ways – happy, happy days!
UREDS!
Snir @ 69: That was a rather unsatisfactory answer from the Holic so let me enlighten you:
Highbury was always known as the Library for good reason – at times the whole place would get deathly quiet – except inevitably the North Bank Highbury (we are the Norf Bank, the Norf Bank Hi-bur-ry)..The Clock End where all the old Gooner Grand Masters stood was shared with the opposition supporters…So Arsenal Captains of yore preferred to have us kick towards the North Bank in the second half of games…it became natural for scorers to run forwards in celebration to acknowledge the rapturous applause of the fans there: Henry was no exception..
I hope that this helps..
I got applause in the canteen as if I were Thierry Henry.
Well no, but it was a couple of mates applauding Thierry himself when they saw me π
GReat goal at 100, AL
Coq extension now fully official.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/coquelin-signs-new-long-term-contract
Hooray!
Afternoon Gooners and ‘holics alike.
LB@55
Delia@99
WestUpper@87
I’m glad to see that you aren’t frightened of saying what you saw, I’m pleased I’m not the only one. I’m going to upset a few of you I’m sure. That’s not my purpose but a half fit and aged Henry’s cameo managed to highlight our attackers shortcomings and magnify the problems we have all seen.
Last night it took a 34 year old well past his best to show the rabble of pretenders, wannabe’s and never will be’s how to do it.
Arshavin and Chamack are a drain on the clubs resources and an insult to every suppporter who sees them take to the field weasring an Arsenal shirt.
Ramsey, Arteta, Song (our current 1st choice midfield) playing against a bunch of championship reserves managed to match them. Is that the best we can expect to represent The Arsenal?
AOC shows quality every game, how on earth is he going to improve if he is not given game time. To haul him off and leave AA on left me open mouthed.
Wenger has gone into the season with just one striker (Albeit one of the best in the world) capable of hurting the opposition and with a club like ours and resources available that’s a dereliction of duty. A forward is supposed to contribute to the wealth of the team and be a danger to opponents.
When Henry receieved that ball was there anyone who didn’t expect him to score? Of course not, he’s instinctive, a class act in front of goal. Who would have fancied Gervinho, Walcott, Arshavin or Chamack to score from the same position?
Exactly.
I enjoyed the Henry goal and show as much as any of you, I promise but as a result it acutely demonstrated the total dearth of attacking options and talent Wenger has ‘settled’ for.
How does Wenger get away with it?
Reading all the TH quotes on .con nearly makes me want to cry.
He says so many great things.
Cesc may be a nice guy, but the word ‘Legend’ was made for people like Thierry Henry.
I’m with ArsΓ¨ne on that goal, Geoff. I too thought he was too close, there was too much angle for him to do the classic finish.
But somehow he did it.
Γ didn’t even had time to thing that, to be fair, but I know it’s how I felt.
Probably why I went ‘Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!’ rather than my usual ‘Yesssssssssssssss!’ in front of the TV.
Such a magic moment, which rendered the preceding and the following minutes totally meaningless.
AL – I had a brief conversation this morning that went something like this:
My colleague asked me, “How you feeling today?”
“Happy” I returned.
The spine tingles with every memory….even though I wasn’t there last night.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2012/01/return_of_the_king.html
Top o’ the mornin’ to all you young and aspiring numerologists. π
In truth, the game was rather dull. We made heavy weather against a very solid Leeds team who didn’t dare to attack until it became apparent they were going out.
But how pleased am I that my oblivious employer sent me to London yesterday? That TH moment was very special and I’m chuffed to have seen it in the flesh.
Thanks for the fine company again fellow ‘Holics – Lars, West Stand Tone, Holic, tabs, Trev, TS, Snowy and Pete in the suit.
If anyone is wandering around Upper Street, have a look out for tabs, last seen on the hunt for an open pub or a cab, whichever came first π
PS Happy Birthday Guvnor – hopefully see you at Blackburn.
Geoff @ 160: Someone’s got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning didn’t they mate? I normally find myself seeing your point of view – not always agreeing with you mind – but seeing your point of view nonetheless. But NOT today mate. I believe that you are not giving enough credit to what was a decent performance from the boys in Red & White. Leeds, it has to be said, came to frustrate; play for a draw and showed little ambition. Given their injuries, financial position and Ken Bates that is all you would expect from them. The Arsenal never stopped running. Never stopped probing and was always looking for an opening. Our midfield worked very hard, broke up every move that Leeds tried to make (their only successful tactic was going over the top and wide right)..The only problem was with our forwards – they were too static; their movement were easy to defend by Leeds defenders staying tight. AA kept cutting inside and running into trouble. Crosses to Chamakh was non-existent. We know that this team is not Barcelona but they worked their socks off last evening and they WON!! So what’s not to be happy about eh Geoff?
Try to call WST a ‘holic now, Dr Z? π
How bad an influence were you?
Terry @ 113 : I was actually going to pen something similar, but I think you’ve saved me the trouble.
Zico: Afraid I had to be content watching it in the local with a few pints of plain. But what impressed me most was how so many ‘Pool and Manu fans in the pub were beaming in appreciation of “Class being permanent”. While the Arshavins and Chamahks may divide opinion amongst arsenal fans, Thierry seems to widely represent what football is all about by anyone who loves the game.
Belated birthday wishes Holic!
A drink for GT (G&T? π ), I’m liking this fella’s posts.
You’re not at the game against the deeply indebted, zico?
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/01/10/144404_robert-pires-s-entraine-avec-arsenal.html
heh, some people have strange fantasies. Unles Pires is a defender now?
Meanwhile, QPR have a new manager that I hate even than the previous one.
+more
Cheers to Dr. Z and the oblivious employer. π
About the oblivious employer that is.
Ollie, The article says Pires is 38 ans. Do you think Wenger knows what that means?
huh?
Ollie
In the order they were raised
A very minor influence.
I’m not going to call WST an Arse, now, am I?
Can’t make Utd unfortunately. BtM will be there to represent the Kingdom and keep you all honest. π
Blackburn it is then, Dr .Z.
Good to hear BtM will be representing though, not seen that fellow in a while!
Joe, you’re nearly a year late with your belated birthday wishes to the barman! π
or your listening pleasure: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16483921.stm
Motson is a Gooner methinks..(0;
GoonerTerry 2 126: Where’s the Ffffffff you clumsy kunt (clever eh?)
Hey GT@113:
I normally see things the way you do too but today my friend we’re going to have to politely agree to disagree.
footballs capacity to divide opinion is legendary eh?
I can’t see how you saw that display as decent, to me it was inept, frustrating, clueless and bereft of ideas. 3 shots on target from more than 20 attempts says something as does the fact that a defensive Leeds managed ONE MORE SHOT ON TARGET THAN WE DID.
I do agree with you about our forward lack of movement and being too static
Finally you ask what’s not to be happy about?
A top 10 club in the world with just one striker for starters. Bendtner is a leaden footed egotistical oaf whi I thoroughly dislike but Chamack actually makes him look good. He is everything Chamack is not, good in the air, strong and able to hold the ball up and more of a goal threat. Only Wenger knows why he loaned him out and kept faith with that useless waste of space Chamack.
Back home in Stockholm now after a great weekend topped off by an unforgettable Monday night. Got some work to do but had to do a bit of back-drinking first π
‘Holic, great account of the night, that goal was indeed a moment that will become a legend. I am so happy and grateful that I got to be there to experience it.
Again, thanks to everyone who were there to share the moment and a couple of pints, already looking forward to my next visit!
Oh, and Happy Birthday to the ‘Holic of course!
Afternoon All ,
Many Happy Returns Holic . Nice Shirt !!!
Can’t say “what a game” today , but what a moment . TH14 had said all the right things pre-match , and when he was asked to deliver , he wasn’t found wanting . He made his goal look easy when it was anything but . The pace may have gone , but the speed of thought remains . The clever blindside run , the instant control , the opening of the body and the immaculate finish – it doesn’t get much more Thierry Henry than that .
Moments like that don’t come along very often , so I’m fully in the camp of those who say that that moment rendered everything that had gone before fairly meaningless .
Yes , an understandably unambitious Leeds had exposed some of the shortcomings of this Arsenal side , in that we struggle to find the movement and moments of inspiration to break down resolute opponents . The midfield three were tidy and hard-working , without ever looking as if they would find the necessary penetration , and whilst Ramsey was the pick , it is on nights like yesterday where the absence of Jack is most keenly felt . His ability to run with the ball , to commit opponents , and to then exploit the space created was sorely missed .
Notwithstanding Arshavin’s higher than usual work-rate , I still felt that AOC’s glimpses of inspiration on the other side were enough to suggest that he should be given his opportunities whilst Flipper is away .
Chamakh was , it has to be said , incredibly poor . It really is difficult to see where his next goal is coming from . Having said that , a dereliction of duty Geoff ? I would venture that whilst we would all like to see more quality longer-term back up to RVP arrive at the club , the extent of the very steep decline in Chamakh’s performance levels could not have been foreseen .
It would have been nice for Leeds’ stiffs to have been swept away in a mesmerising performance of movement and goals . But then , we wouldn’t have had that “moment” would we ? I know which outcome I preferred . The game will now live long in the memory .
The smiles of The Holics in the Tollie afterwards told their own story . Great to see you all again – Trev , Dr Z , Lars , TS and Snowy .
Pete@79 – Great to meet you .
Dr Z – just as well we didn’t find that open juicer – it might have got seriously messy π
Agreed tabs, and I might have become acquainted with my P45 π
Heh π
Geoff good idea to agree to disagree!
Bendtner was bad for morale and would be a bad influence on the younger players if he came back. The top, top (or even the good enough strikers for that matter) are not simply just sitting there on a shelf waiting to be picked up are they? Wenger invested a lot of time in the summer going after Mata – he would have make a big difference offensively playing in the “hole” behind RvP. I don’t think that Wenger will just go out and get someone that doesn’t fit his idea of value for money. Agree with him or not – he is often more right in this regard than not! Personally I believe that if Podolski is not available in this window then Le Boss should be looking at promoting one of our youngsters like Afobe or whathisname on loan at Norwich (his name escapes me – can only see his goal against the LWC’s last year)..And while he is there I would have all our young attacking players – first teamers, reserves & youth players – do a 2-hour striking clinic with Henry every day: just receiving the ball in the 18-yard box and placing it in the goal from all angles…over & over again (0;
Holic, Just close your eyes and imagine Rod Stewart singing ‘Forever Young’ just for you. Happy Birthday lad!!!
tabs and zico: what I don’t quite remember is why we decided to fins another boozer when the Tollie was still open… or were they closing?
Blackburn ticket sorted. Now have to work out how to get to the pub for opening – stoopid tube engineering works….
Oh and an interesting conversation with Roxette beckons π
Nurse abb, Rod Stewart?
Dylan, surely.
Don’t ask me Lars π
Think they were closing Lars.
Good effort getting up at silly o’clock. So glad that last pub we were in closed when it did, much to Mr tabs disgust π
zico: Now that you mention it, they had closed the doors when we left and I actually think we were the last ones there.
Very inconsiderate of them Dr Z .
I was just getting going π
…and if nothing else, we got to see what Holloway Road and bits of Upper Street look like when everything is closed π
Heh @ 143 and 144
xceellent read from the Daily Mail.. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2084442/Thierry-Henry-returns-Arsenal-beat-Leeds.html
GT135: I agree, B52 comes across as a vulgar youth and certainly bad for morale.
I LOVE your idea of a striking clinic though. Henry could gather them all round and say:
‘Listen guys, I can’t run anymore but I can stealthily take up a threatening position in a dangerous area and finish…here’s how you can do it…’
Tabs132@ Dereliction of duty?
Absolutely and it’s been proven this season. Chamack’s steep decline included the last 5 months of last season. It was obvious to all of us he wasn’t good enough when last season finished and Wenger chose to go into this season with him as the only back up to RVP.
At the level we aspire to we simply cannot excuse half a season of poor performances form a player and expect him to improve. Had your chance son, sorry now here’s a chance for X or Y.
Is anyone surprised he’s not improved?
Chamack and Arshavins continued failure become even more noticable now Walcott’s decent form has dived (if you call 4 goals from 23 starts decent).
I’m as a commited fan as anyone on here and I have the miles in my Arsenal bank from over 40 years travelling to substantiate that. I’m delighted at the new commited attitude and team spirit this season but let’s not kid ourselves, there is simply no excuse for not having better quality back up than what we have.
This would be a much better discussion over a few beers don’t you think?
Harry says: ‘Henry and Scholes are good professionals with good habits. Youngsters can learn more from them than they can from any coaches. There are still a lot of good old βuns around who make the difference. You canβt give experience and quality to people and both Scholes and Henry are full of both.’
Read the book:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2084701/Harry-Redknapp-fears-Thierry-Henry-inspire-Arsenal-title-bid.html#ixzz1j4fVsWuC
or see the movie:
http://bcove.me/l8flwvr1
Geoff @ 148 says: “This would be a much better discussion over a few beers donβt you think”?
..or maybe when this season has finished and we have lots of time for a postmortem…the patient is not dead yet so this discussion is a little premature methinks..
Ollie @ 104 THankS a LoT
CG @ 109 keep talkin’
And good to see assorted ‘holics made it back to the 4 corners of the continent/holloway rd
Many happy returns again ‘holic and Henry
Beers it is Geoff . Will look forward to them π
Geoff as per mertesacker you make many good points. i also think that – at this stage of the season especially – we’re starting to massively miss the natural width our proper FBs were giving us earlier in the season. Without ’em there’s less room all over the pitch, the service into the box is not what it was and some goal-scoring threat arriving from deep has gone.
Wonder whether AW still wakes up at night screaming “Non!” when the slightly bonkas Brazilian breaks into his dreams and asks “Really boss – you want me in against this lot – because you – err – respect the competition – you say? OK, i’ll just finish me fag/pie combo and get me boots on – what can possibly go wrong?”
Up The Arse!
AL @ 151
You too, suffer from premature congratulation (copyright, Trev).
Some of us are still travelling π
AL @ 153: I dunno about Wenger but that one still gives me nightmares. Somethings just can’t be explained – this is one of those things..
Psed Geoff, though as others have said on here already thought AA gave it a decentish go on his first home start for a while. Though half suspect AW didn’t take him off – instead of the somewhat unlucky Ox – ‘cos he didn’t want to completely destroy his obviously fragile confidence – that it may have come to this is a worry.
And Dr. Z – i’ve been on some slow ones headed up to your neck of the woods (an unscheduled 5 hr stop somewhere in the North of England rings a depressing bell – can’t remember the place name as we arrived sober but departed differently) – but this takes the short-bread.
Are you on some super-dooper-saver mule train thing – or something similar old son?
GT @ 155 you know it don’t make sense – oh well, at least King Henry’s back
AL, I had to work today!!
Got on at Kings Cross at 3pm. Two very tidy damsels sitting opposite me, so, just taking in the view π
I thought AA put in a good shift last night. I believe that AW thinks Arshavin will re-discover his mojo, which is why he persists with him.
Personally, as much as I want him to feature more, I didnt think the Ox was all that last night. Just my opinion, likes.
Now that Wenger has turned away from the youth strategy he seems decidedly to be turning in a diametrically opposite direction. The first stage was the signings of Arteta, Mertesacker, Benayoun, Santos. The next step brought in 34 year old Thierry Henry whose feats yesterday have apparently put Wenger onto pulling 38 year old Robert Pires into training and even handing a shirt to 55 year old Goonerholic. I guess he needs somebody for when Yennaris gets injured?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/henry-returns
Heh, one of the funniest bits is seeing SZCZ zoom in from nowhere (briefly).
He is everything Chamack is not, good in the air, strong and able to hold the ball up
Geoff, i have to very strongly disagree with you, or we haven’t seen the same Chamakh generally, even if the current one is not as good as he can be and has been at these. Still and always a better link player than Bendtner will ever be.
Anyway, time to go home.
P.S: don’t get me wrong, I think Chamakh is shot for us confidence-wise and I wouldn’t trust him to not lose all confidence when back from the ACN even if he has a superb ACN, and I’m more than eager that he finds happiness again elsewhere (Bordeaux is fine..), but he’s not at all the shit player some people want to portrait.
And Bendtner immense scoring record for Sunderland….oh. No, not quite, despite playing regularly and much…
We need NEW strikers (or, as suggested, young ones from inside, inspired by Thierry and ready to score).
Sorry, portray not portrait
happy birthday, ‘holic! may your new year be jolly and healthy and full of at least a barrell of guinness…
if titi can learn our potential goalscorers how to play off the last defender instead of standing there with their arms in the air (looking at theo), or playing in the slot in front of the last four (looking at aaron and mikel), his visit will be worth far more gold than the coin of getting to the fourth round.
Happy birthday ‘holic!
I love this place, thank you ‘holic for giving us this forum for reasoned debate and a belated Feliz Cumpleanos!
GT@150: I’m only going on what I see so far. Nobody would be happier than me if said players rammed my misguided views firmly down my throat. I’d cheer from the rafters.
TABS@152: Beers, Mmm, lovely. Where’s your office? I do get into town on the odd occasion.
AL@153: GREAT point about our full backs.
OLLIE@161: Perhaps there ARE two Chamacks, we need to cross reference the games we’ve seen because it appears a different one shows for the games I see.
Zico@various: Hello
Geoff, you are as welcome as anyone. Disagreement without venom is a refreshing change on the net.
This premature congratulation is all gratefully received, but you’ll all have to wish me a happy birthday again tomorrow. π
By the way, the site may be briefly unavailable this evening as I go ‘under the bonnet’.
If I completely balls everything up and lose everything can I thank you for sticking with me. It’s been fun.
Premature Congratulation en masse then?
Heh.
Hi Geoff. Missed you last night in the Tollie (aka tabs office).
Zico @ 158 – Apologies i’d forgotten you’d managed to pull this whole lark orf as some kind of work related wangle – R.E.S.P.E.C.T.!
And 8ball you maybe on to something there
Cheers Geoff and ur right we do need centre-forward cover but who/from where? Mind you i hear that Ian Wright used to be quite good for us up front an’ all and i don’t he’s contracted up with a team at the mo
UREDS!
Geoff, you may be onto something with your 167
‘holic, they didn’t believe me, you shouldn’t have told them :p
To: the other me.
I think you’re nearly blowing your cover (is it still one?) there, mate.
Again.
‘Holic @ 3, I’m very happy for you, happy birthday, I hope you enjoyed the game to the maximum you humanly could of, love the shirt! π
H2H @ 23, agree on all points but Chamakh, had a better game than usual, probably only because of Titi’s aura enveloping the Ems.
@ 25, that’s very interesting… ‘:) with goosebumps’
Snir @ 28, saved that without a doubt.
Great pic π
GT @ 33, let us not forget Alex Song’s amazing assist, he’s been doing it all season! B)
@ 35, Yes man! π
Snir @ 41, haha, breakfast an’ all.
GT @ 77,777 @ π
Welcome all you not so new guys, I’d like to warmly further extend the barman’s welcome, if that’s even possible lol, good to have you π
Cognac @ 71, yesterday Messi was on Once on the BBC in the UK, and Henry was on 5 times upwards, and I haven’t even inculded ITV or Channels 4 & 5 or any of the PPV networks (Sky Sports, Sky News, CNN, etc)
tabs aka Andy :P, Bald Headed Pete in a Suit from the Tollington @ 79 is onto something, this could be be done on top of the Behind the Arse tab at the top of the bar, a collection of great literature in my opinion, and that is a FACT! π
Mr C @ 84, lots of potential in the Don sitting deep in the hole behind RvP, a sight to behold, a sight for opposing teams to fear…
Nice link @ 90
I agree with the USA bound West Upper @ 87 about the title ‘Holic, quality like your shirt from the Arsenal.
Excellent post for the assist Delia, I’m sure AL appreciate the quality when he hit the century, his classy and subtle description of your assist is perfect, like hoofing the ball in its sweet spot towards goal, well in man! π
GT @ 102, are you sure you don’t teach history on the side in Sunny Jamaica good sir? 8)
Ollie @ 105, very good to hear π
And @ 110, it was an excellent accident.
Geoff @ 106, it was the Thierry Henry show yesterday, but I appreciate and acknowledge your brutal honesty. I agree with it to an extent,(although I would not be as so cynical to suggest that Wenger’s shrewdly used the Henry signing to cover his hind, euphoria can do things to the mind) but GT @ 113 has the counter part to your argument, as the team did as he said. A conundrum for sure.
tabs @ 132, very nice post mate, think that goes some way to settling the performance arguement, although Geoff has good points, ‘Moments like that donβt come along very often , so Iβm fully in the camp of those who say that that moment rendered everything that had gone before fairly meaningless.’ Wise words Master π
Zico @ 133, HEH! π
GT @ 135, I agree with Geoff @ 147, that’s a great idea about a striking clinic at the end of training, Walcott could learn a few things from 18 yards to goal, Gervinho also when he comes back.
Zico @ 158, well in with the damsels, agree with everything else but the Ox, thought he played well for the most important match he’s played in all season barring Old Toilet, even when he, I and the whole of the Ems knew he was coming off, he was still working hard, and was unlucky not to score before he came off. That is all.
Scruz @ 165, too right about Henry and his visit. Its all about the long-term in my eyes, we’re a sustainable club so it has to be.
Geoff @ 167, I’m with Andy Goram (or is it Andy Goram? Wait, Andy Goram?!) @ 172, I like the 150, especially if it can pertain to Chamakh and Arshavin, my head tells me to give up on them but my heart won’t let me… π
Bad news. Went under the bonnet. Failed miserably.
Good news. Unlike last time I haven’t broken the joint.
God, I’ve been back-drinking since last night, been so busy… ‘Phew’
I’m getting very worried about the other Andy Goram talking to himself. To the trained trick cyclist we must be starting to resemble three Andy Goram’s.
Exactly my fear too, Andy.
‘Resemble’ indeed π
‘A gaggle of Gorams’
Does that sound right?
Wind@175: your post is a labour of love and a work of art. If written in hieroglyphics it would be gracing the British museum.
Geoff @181
Surely it would be a “line” of Gorams??
A squad?
naah – a morass maybe
Morag Goram knew my mother!
thirteen to go
A noise of Gorams?
AL: and counting…
Wind, you old lurker: heroic back drinking at 175.
A gaggle o’ Gorams – everyone likes a bit of a gaggle every now and then
NBN – the cavalry
A cavalry Gorams
Pardon ” o’ “
Geoff, that might just be the nicest compliment I’ve ever been paid in this bar. Close to the top in my entire life as well. Arigato Gozaimasu. ‘Goes off to weep tears of joy that won’t come out’ π₯ π
A Calvery of Gorams?
Just knew you were ere, Wind….
Pardon Geoff you’d already gaggled – silly me
In
Is it too late?
Or not! Ah Well. More gloria in an assist!
calvery?
Nice, wind
Get in, the heroic back-drinker from the dawn of the bar gets his name on the scoresheet!!!
He calls over his assister Mr C, his complimenter Geoff, and his praiser & old-time fellow lurker NBN, and they all dance down in front the North Bank, with Henry leading the charge π
well sniffed wind!
Well in Wind, centurion, never too late!
Lovely assist Mr C.
Well in, Wind. It is not a lurk if you score, but a well-timed blindside run.
Mr C, AL, Geoff, NBN, thank you one and all.
A hat-trick of assists last bar session, and now this, I shall endeavour to go on some more well-timed blindside runs in the future as its never too late to try π
Geoff & AL @ 181/191, gaggle of gorams’ sounds right, and who doesn’t enjoy a good gaggle every now and then? 8)
A plethora of Gorams?
a gracenote of gorams?
Holic, “youngster”,
a somewhat belated but hopefully none-the-less sincere “very happy birthday” from Her Nellienes and me.
We can celebrate over a wee tipple pre and post the Manure game, I’m thinking. (Well, not Her Nelliness, she’ll be on the wrong continent, but me and you).
You lot are playing like headless chickens – Its all rush, rush. Pump long ball forwards chase, chase, rather like the Crazy Gang with Vinnie Jones running amok! We may have to start applying the old handbrake again if it means getting back to the Arsenal Way. humph..
Happy official birthday ‘holic!
Happy Birthday for reals this time ‘Holic? π
GT, what was wrong with my herculean run from the keeper’s box to the midfield (175), my honest skill in the final third to send my teammates on jaunty runs (195) and my tentative finish to secure the century? (200)
I don’t see a long ball or throw involved anywhere… π
happy birthday, ‘holic…on the day, now. it’s the advantage of an 8 hour difference… i’ll actually get to toast your birthday while you’re still asleep!
wind, well in, hoof and rush or not…
Thanks all.
BtM, thank her nellieness for me.
Anybody looking in who has spare tickets for United at home I have two ‘holics of the most trustworthy order looking to buy. I personally will underwrite. Please let me know.
Cheers.
Many Happy Returns.
The Prem ain’t over till the fat lady sings…
*lurks for the 111 and 222 double*
Flicks a rainbow to bt8b in hopes of his double…
Double Rainbow…..
Oh ho!
And John Shaft comes out of absolutely nowhere with the interception!!!
bt8b looks on in absolute disbelief. π
May I be the first to wish you a happy birthday or something? You must be 56 now.
Have a great day!
Wow, that was a quick year. π
HBD ‘Holic.
Yesterday’s birthday wishes were just the warm-up for the real thing today – happy birthday, ‘Holic π
Happy 985th birthday ‘Holic! Hope you have an enjoyable day!
I’m guessing a rainbow = Nelson?
And double Nelson too, Mr C, it would seem π
Another ‘Happy Birthday’ from me today ‘Holic – this one is for the bar. Yes, I know what I am…. π
Dr.z @ #229 & Mr.C @ #228 – Are we delving back into the World of Sport, Mick McManus and Kendo Nagasaki?
Lars @ #226 – Well put. Applies to me too.
Dr.C @ #183 – Definitely a ‘line’ heh!
Happy Birthday TS!
Hi everybody, can’t stay long.
Has anybody seen this?
It’s from someone who Phillipe Auclair vouched for on twitter saying he trusts him.
http://pasiondemultitudes.weebly.com/1/post/2012/01/closed-matter.html
SG@232 Interesting
Having eventually relaxed after t’cup match, and reflecting more, this love affair with a new (albeit temporary?) goal scorer builds us up
Let us not go too overboard with new hopes- how many times in the Reds past have we been let down
take Reyes and Arshavin – and what happened to them!
I hear Rednapp having a laugh about Thierry’s return by suggesting he will recall Hoddle from retirement. Thierry has never retired from football and he is the same age as Drogba a player he wanted to sign himself. he also tried his luck with Thierry and Viera but he got Gallas instead.
heh fuck, it had to happen in the Spanish panic (again), I did sign a work e-mail to many people ‘Ollie’.
Bah
TS – thanks. Glad someone got it! π
Less wrestling, more cricket for ‘Nelson’.
The cricket loving Scot knows!
Great link Snir, read the whole thing, that’s great news! π
Not as good as him signing now obviously, but progress is progress, Well in Wenger (y)
Heh Ollie @ #231!
Dr.C @ #236 – Didn’t know Dr.z was a fan of slapping leather clad balls with willow. But I know somebody who is…..
Happy birthday, ‘holic!
scruzgooner that was quite an assist @221 I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to receive it now I truly know what it means to be Shafted. π
Thanks again all. I think I will have a birthweek in future, very ego stroking it is π
TS @ 238
Then you haven’t been paying attention π
Panic in Spain.
As usual.
Off to Madrid you go then, Ollie π
Afternoon All ,
Happy real Birthday Holic . Many thanks for your continuing efforts re the Manure game .
Geoff – Sounds good . Alternatively , we could chew the cud at the Manure game . Even if I am sans ticket , I will probably turn up and watch the game in the juicer .
Wind @175 – Epic !!!! π And well in @200
Snir @232 – Thanks for the link . Looks like this one might have legs .
TS @238 – Heh π methinks I know someone too !
A few years ago it looked like we didn’t have any great candidates to take over as the next captain, although admittedly at that time RVP wasn’t even mentioned and his appointment has turned out to be a great one. But now things have changed and we seem to have no shortage of suitable candidates waiting in the wings. Not least of those candidates are Vermaelen, Koscielny, Song, Ramsey, Wilshere, Sagna and Arteta who I feel would all make decent captains. Signs of maturation?
Thanks for the link Snir: But I don’t like this last sentence from Javier in response to the question of what other “insider” news he has heard:
One of the reasons they wanted to commit right now, is because many of their other targets have been signing new contracts (Suarez’ contract is up in 2015) or the clubs have told Arsenal to come back in the Summer. For example Podolski’s club falls in that category. Also Dortmund have bought Reus, and have told Mario Gotze that they will build a new team around him. To finish it all off, it has been reported (i can’t verify the veracity of it) that RVP’s agent has held talks with Real Madrid already.
bt8th @ 245: True. My choices would be Vermaelen or Arteta..
http://www.offthepost.info/blog/2012/01/arsenal-ballboy-creates-offensive-advertising-hoarding-message-to-leeds-fans/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+offthepost%2FTLAa+%28Off+The+Post%29
Heh, dirty Leeds.
GT @ 246, very worrying indeed at the end of your comment, Matias Suarez being signed now would be a good show of intent this January, this is turning up the pressure to bring the silverware home to the Grove.
heh, ‘holic 243. No thanks.
It’s a right mess and the current conf call is not enlightening me that much…
Well, still, guess I shouldn’t bother that much, having to somehow change/redefine job within the year….
TS
Do try and keep up, there’s a good chap! π
Happy Birthday ‘Holic.
Computer problems have prevented me from dropping in since Dirty Leeds but it was great to see those top Gooners in The Tollie before the game.
Tabs, Zico, Lars, TS, and top man Snowy – i could be mistaken, but something doeasn’t quite add up about that chap π
Good to see everyone again – looking forward to ManUre.
Looking forward do to seeing you again there, Trev.
The good news is customers couldn’t get their visa to come to France on the 23rd, they’ll be there the week after, so I won’t necessarily have to be particularly sober.
The bad news is that I only learned that today and I booked my train last weekend, meaning I won’t be able to stay in London on the sunday
(well unless I want to give another β¬100 or moreto Eurostar), which is rather annoying.
Good old Martin has this to say: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2084847/Martin-Keown-Thierry-Henry-proved-dreams-come-true.html
Trev @ #251 – Good to see you too mate.
zico @ #241 and Dr.C @ #250 – Yes, I know must try and do better…
tabs – If you’re willing to wait until nearer the game and/or if other people’s efforts don’t yield the required ticket for Yanited @ home then I’m failry certain something will come up on Twitter via arsenal_tickets. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you and drop you a line when the next seat becomes available.
Ollie – how’s the man flu?
GT – RvP’s agent is Darren Dein. I’d be very surprised if he wouldn’t have pimped RvP around.
Funnily enough, I think footballing reasons might not be the main consideration but family will.
His wife and kids are extremely settled in London and his kids are practically English. He wouldn’t relocate them and I don’t see him moving inside the PL.
I’m not sure, TS.
I feel a bit better (it’s more tonsilitis than man-flu now, man-flu is so last week), but I’m not OK yet.
Rumbled to the M.A.X.
Thank fuck there are several Andy Gorams so the mystery remains anyway :p
Ollie Goram π
Nasri on the bench for City once again tonight, I see.
Not expecting any help from Everton tonight, so in a couple of hours we will probably be nine points adrift of the looters. I don’t like the idea of that π
Yeah, not expecting much from the Toffees either, Lars.
Still, it will be all the sweeter when we eventually catch them up.
Holic, One last Happy Birthday wish to endure. Hope you and the Management have a most enjoyable evening together. Cheers!
Everton playing with two strikers.
Spurs with no Parker, and a dodgy back 4…
You never know…
Very soft pelanty for Liverpool puts them one up (some contact, but Agger took a ridiculous dive that should have earned him a yellow), and Andy Carroll should have walked a few minutes ago for a crazy lunge at Clichy. Much worse than the one Kompany was sent off for on Sunday.
Evening Holics
A large round on the bar for anyone that fancies one! Holic a very large one for you as well!
Penalty for Pool Gerrard converts it!
Tabs@244: not sure I could watch the Man U game in a pub so close to the ground, I think hearing the roar of the crowd would hurt more than if I watched it at home.
Have you done this before?
Both Carroll and Balotteli behave like a bunch of pigs in a barn!
I heard the roar of the final whistle against Man U when walking down Isledon Road as I was stuck on the Eurostar for a few hours.
I just did an impromptu jig in the street to the amazement of the few passer-bys.
Geoff @ 267
As recently as Monday night π
He takes his consolation by the pint …. 8)
So one of the Goram’s is outed at last. Only about 3 more to guess….
Zico, You watched the game in The Tolllie? What’s the experience like?
Were you unable to get a ticket? There were loads floating about…
Spurs have turned into Barca. They won’t stop falling.
Snir, are you watching on a stream or is the game on Fox?
City are missing Yaya Toure quite badly.
Yes Lars they really are, and of course Silva.
Bollocks, Sp*rs 1-0 up
No Geoff, I was there.
tabs however kept an eye on the bar staff to ensure that they didn’t run out of Guinness before I could get back along the Hornsey Road. π
Zico: I’d be so upset drinking before the game then watching sadly as you all troop pfff tp the game.
I can’t believe the collective moans I’m hearing from the man City crowd, fickle or what!
Music to my ears π
What a crap game so far at the Middle Eastlands. Nasri subbed on for Balotelli after about 35 minutes, not sure if Mr Fireworks was injured or just hauled off because he was so crap he would have made Chamakh look good in this game.
Hmmm, just heard the 1/2 time report from SHL on BBC. Sp*rs in control and missing chances, Everton in their shell………..recipe for a draw methinks (mehopes!)
On another note I’m becoming acutely aware just how football dominates my life. WTF am I doing watching a game I care not one iota who wins? Pathetic.
Geoff – Cause it’s better than any other thing that’s on TV π ?
Everton are lucky not to be down by 4.
I’m watching both games on a stream… Watching the Spurs game on mute and the City game with the sound on in the background.
Watching Lyon vs Lille. Can’t be arsed about Toffees vs Scim.
Scum even.
What a lovely back pass hihi
I’m not watching the looters, no point in watching a game you know they are going to win. I am just bracing myself for the unthinkable, they are only three points off the top now and next Sunday they will play a Man City team that will be without Toure, Kompany and possibly Silva as well. I really, really want to trust tabs when he says they are not going to last the distance but with the luck they are having I just can’t…
Fucking Hell Lars, you’ve got me worried now!
Ollie – If you’re certain we’ll leapfrog Spurs who are 9 points ahead of us, that means going into three points off of City…
You know where I’m getting at π
Off on holiday tomorrow to sunny southern climes so you’ll all have to see us through against Swansea. Will be back to see us demolish Man Utd, however!! Mind the store chappies, and remember: Yennaris rules!!
City are playing what looks like a 3-5-2 right now. Playing on the right of the five-man midfield is none other than GaΓ«l Clichy. Bet he’s going to get lots of great crosses in with that maginficent right foot of his.
This really is quite an awful game to watch. Liverpool are more or less just parking the bus and City are very, very average. Apart from that mishit back-pass, City have created the grand total of fuck all in this game.
Mason makes Mike Dean look very decent indeed!
Enjoy your hols, 8 ball.
Lars – can’t see Liverpool fans being happy with the way Dalglish is setting them out to play. Based on the first 10 minutes, I would have said that the City defence were there to be got at.
Liverpool went a goal up and then have dropped off for the rest of the game. They have now got about 8 defenders on!!
Although I think we’ll still finish above Spurs come May, I will say this.
I have a feeling Spurs will be top of the league after their game at City.
Have a feeling City will be losing points away at Wigan on Monday and that Spurs will beat them at the Etihad the week after.
But don’t worry, we’ll still celebrate St. Totteringham.
zico, I agree. If Liverpool had attacked City more they could probably have more or less killed this semi final off by now.
Dzeko should have been booked for that jesus! What the fuck was that as if lightning has struck him! π
s***s look a lot fresher than us just now. Oh well i s’pose that’s the price you pay for a long injury list and champions league football
Up The Arse!
Aargh.. Spurs 9 points ahead. Cannot stand this. I am waiting for a Spuds meltdown which is seeming increasingly unlikely π I hope to God I am proven wrong and they spectacularly implode in the recent future.
I really hope you are right about Totteringham’s Snir!
Lars @ 293 – that’s 93 minutes of our lives that could have been spent painting a fence…..
I’m off to the CMC for some light relief – who’s with me?
Where is that lurker Wind? π
Self-assist is the best assist.
slides it to a teammate for an empty goal…
Goaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllll !
zico, not to mention watching the paint dry even. What a crap game that was. It really looked like two mid/bottom teams.
AARRGHH Snir! You rascal π
Baltimorean – That’s what you get for self assisting!
Well in, SG.
Gents, I’d like your opinions please:
Sp*rs are challenging for the title with a wage ceiling far below ours. They have a considerably lower income and have had just the one season in the Champions league so are miles behind us in attracting top class players.
Arsene says we can’t compete with Man City and Chelsea as their income is artificial.
So how is it Sp*rs are challenging and we’re not?
It’s January Geoff, we’ve been in the position the Spuds currently occupy in January before since 2004 a few times, didn’t mean we were still challenging in May. I would be very surprised if they’re anywhere near either half of Manchester by the end of the season.
Geoff,
This is the first time in forever that Spurs are close to even getting a sniff at the top. Their investment in the squad has been immense. It might be true that they don’t shell out a fortune on wages, but they do spend a lot on buying players, definitely a lot more than Arsenal.
The main reason we are not there and about at the top is because of a really destabilizing summer, and awful start to the season. Shopping earlier in the summer window would have been a better option. But apart from that, I can’t think of any more reasons.
Cusop, every dog has it’s day and all that. It is just that Spurs are having a Jupiter day. You will be crashing back to earth soon, don’t worry.
Thank fuck theys two are oot my heid.
One Andy Goram,
There’s only one Andy Goram π
Geoff
The Spuds didn’t lose their best player in the summer,or recruit new players very late,which neccessitated an adjustment period to get used to playing together.
They also don’t have the injury list that we have.
I keep saying that with key players still out,we are currently a top 6 side,
If we get everyone back by Feb,bar Santos,and we are still in the top 6,then we should be able to kick on and make the top 4.
But it won’t be easy.
Keep the Faith.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Geoff – Apart from the fact that it’s only January, most of Spurs players aren’t signed for the long term and were signed when they were good players but not “top class players” like they are now.
Bale’s next contract would be huge, so would Modric’s and VDV’s. Not to mention the fact that Adebayor isn’t even theirs…
And it’s still only January. They will fall.
Have a look at their fixtures. They still have to visit City, Liverpool, Stoke, Chelsea, Arsenal and host Man U.
Whereas we only have Liverpool away.
That ain’t easy.
Geoff,
Being near the top in January means naff all – we should know based on the last 5 or so years.
St Totteringham will arrive a bit later this year for sure, but do you really expect them to be anywhere near the title come May?
It’s just not part of the natural order. You know that deep in your heart. π
The wheels will fall off the spuds bus sooner or later as per usual Arry has spent money he hasn’t got and pocketed a few quid on the way and will probably send the spuds into liquidation after he leaves for the England job. He did it to Bournemouth, West Ham Portsmouth and Southampton. Funny profits from there one year in the Champions League were 400,000 LOL about the same as my corner shop. No smoke without a fire
Let’s not forget as well, it was three years ago that Villa were six points ahead of us going into March. Keep calm for now and focus on Sunday!
Snir, but the thing is that playing those teams will suit them well.
Baltimorean, they have certainly outspent us by some margin in the past seasons. Their “low wages” are also largely due to using sign-on bonuses in lieu of wages, which makes the wages look lower than they really are. And, as Snir points out, they have a Β£170k/week player that they are paying only Β£70k for. It really is amazing that this is allowed, Man City are in effect subsidising a competing team in the same league by millions of pounds over the season. Considering the furore over Tevez being owned by a company and not a club a few years ago, how is City paying massive wages for a player at another team not third-party ownership? The more I think of it, loan deals should not be allowed between teams in the same league for players who are not under-21’s. I mean, what is there to stop Man City from telling Adebayor to score an own goal or two in the final stages of the season or find himself in the freezer next season?
Lars – That might suit them, but no way are they gonna take all the points from those matches. They have a LOT of opportunities to lose a lot of points, it’s up to us to catch them, and with all the hard fixtures being at home, I think we will.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT_4dFE6hS0&feature=youtu.be
This dude is brilliant.
Zico
I’m with you in the CMC.
No, really I am. Over here.
Nice one Dr C – thought every one had discovered Lent or something….
Lent? No need here – just help yourself. The fools leave it open the whole time.
tabs @ 244, it was epic wasn’t it? π
Thanks mate π
Baltimorean @ 296, I’ve been waiting for the same thing, hoping for the same as well, or I don’t know what I’ll do with myself.
I haven’t seen a League Table with them above us at May, and I hope to God that he doesn’t allow me to as long as I live.
@ 298, I was watching that shitty Man City match, did not make for good viewing while I was eating my dinner, that’s for sure.
Thought I had time for the 300, sorely mistaken π
Well in for the dubious assist, but congratz to Snir for his righteous selfless attempt to assist that got the century π
Andy Goram @ 309, well in man π
‘Keeps an wary eye open, makes a note to notify Carlos about a potential manhunt…’
308, 310, 311, Great summaries by all of you. And Clive, I finally understand your top 6 theory about us.
Good point Lars @315
Catalan @ 320 π
Thanks gents, very interesting to hear your views.
Zico, Charlie, Snir:
It’s comforting to be reminded how we have been in this position a number of times in the past few seasons and fallen away when it really mattered and it’s true they have some very challenging fixtures to come.
Lars: I agree, loan deals to clubs in the same division is just plain wrong. FIFA do not allow players to bet on the outcome of any match yet give their approval to this? *speechless*
Baltimorean, Clive:
The destabilising summer, late signings and losing our best player is EXACTLY what I hoped to hear from someone. That our preseason started in September and transfers were concluded is down to gross mismanagement. It was obvious Cesc wanted to go and Nasri’s intransigence meant he had to be sold.
I don’t blame Wenger entirely but as the manager and one that presides over everything he is responsible.
What’s done cannot be changed and he’s earned the right to make amends but there can be no further hesitation or repeat. Our frustration as supporters is the reluctance for him to add that one or two players we needed to make that last step to make us victorious. The run in last season should have acted as a warning and been the catalyst to improve, instead it appears we deliberated so long that our 1st 5 games were virtually introduction sessions and vital points were lost.
So we find ourselves 9 points behind our most hated rivals and 12 from the top. As the main man says let’s judge at the seasons end.
Personally I hoped we’d push on from last season (as I hoped the season before (and before that).
Now it’s down to ambition, availability and money. I can just about accept scraping into 4th place this season but the close season will define everything for me.
God I love this club!
*typed on my iPhone, please excuse typos*!
Wind my Boy,
I understand from previous posts that you are a mere babe in Arms at only 17 yrs of age.??
So quite understandable that it would take you a while to get your head round my top 6 musings.
After all at the tender age of 17,your main interests should be,
Wanking,Shagging and Drinking.!!
Not necccessarily in that order of course.!!
More power to your Elbow i say,particularly in regards to the W and the D.!!
Cheers
A misty eyed Sweeper.
Geoff, Gentleman: The Swiss Ramble is always an informed read on football matters financial. Here he is on the Spuds:
http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2011/12/tottenham-grounds-for-optimism-or.html
SG@317: His AW is pretty good, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=xr5y0mUsyLM
Haha Geoff @ 324, an iPhone is no excuse for typos mate, most of my comments are usually from my Blackberry π
Geoff – While I agree that starting the season lacking depth shouldn’t have happened, I’m reluctant to call it mismanagement because none of us know what all the details were.
It should have been dealt with, true, but you never know, perhaps this was the best option the club had and the other options were even worse.
Nobody really knows all the inside stuff so to call it mismanagement is a bit harsh, whether it’s directed at AW, Gazidis, PHW or whoever.
We just need to know ALL the details to say such a word.
Ollie @251 – cheers, will be good to see you too. Don’t let them get you in the meantime !
Hope this post will work – it’s being done on an old laptop via an internet dongle, after my computer guru spent 6 hours sorting out security and internet router issues today.
In case anyone is still awake, I would just reiterate what a pleasure it was to meet up again with Tabs, TS, Lars, Zico and top man Snowy at The Tollie last night. Wolfgang Smallballs turned out to be there too – but more of him anon.
It was a small group when I arrived, tucked away at the back of the extension, and I almost missed them at first.
Zico was looking more worried than I remember previously – he had apparantly left Roxette trying her hand at another batch of home baking – her new-found hobby which is tending to dominate the TV in the huge Scottish mansion.
He also appeared taller than I remembered, but it turned out that he was sitting on a small pile of “specialist” magazines – “the sort of quality you can only find in certain parts of London” – which were to be added to his collection at home.
On entry, as it were, Tabs struck a debonair profile, which I also nearly missed – I had only previously seen him full face, so to speak, although the bottom half of said face had always been obscured by a pint of Guiness.
As the pre-match talk turned to football – finally – with the appearance of the newly appointed Mark Hughes on the TV screens, we all expressed our thorough dislike of the new QPR manager in very reasoned terms. It was then that Wolfgang just took over the Tabs body – “I don’t know”, he said, “there’s a lot more people I’d rather have up against a wall than Mark Hughes!”.
In life as in print – Tabs and Wolfie, one and the same !
Lars was seemingly almost back to full health, which was good news, and TS arrived with top man Snowy a little later.
It’s the second time I have been introduced to top man Snowy, and there’s just something I can’t quite . . . . ?
The match ? Oh yeah, near the end some bloke who used to play for us . . . . . . . must have been dreaming, or was it the full pint ?
Great headline ‘Holic π
Now, this is funny π
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaNDKK_HGxY&context=C3b0ac1fADOEgsToPDskJahFmOLoLAY1XqeP5hLi0h
Snir @ 317, I love that guy’s imitation, almost spot on with the majority, I think his Mourinho is the best lolz.
Clive (Honourable Sweeper) @ 325, good sir, you have just made my day. π
More power to my elbow indeed, heh! WSD eh, I’ve experienced 2 of the 3, I’ll wait till I’m able till I’m able to drink legally (;)) to pursue the D aspect of the acronym, and the S well… We’ll see. π
PS – If I was determined enough, it would be happening multiple times a year, but its partially to do with my Christian upbringing and partially to do with my laid-backed attitude. Probably a 60/40 split. But I can still appreciate a nice glass of red or white, although the fascination with the pint amazes me, I asked my older brother (Man Utd supporter, at least not a fake one like the majority of them in London) and all he gave me was a knowing smile. Maybe when I turn 18, it’ll all click for me π
Geoff – lots of good points already made about our ability to challenge, but for what it’s worth –
Tottenham’s new “main man” up front – the despicable Adebarndoor – is at least helf paid for by Man Citeh, otherwise they would not have him.
Although AW “runs everything”, if you think back to his public statements on Cesc and Nasri at the start of the transfer window, and compare them to what actually happened, I think it is pretty clear that, maybe for the first time, some decisions were taken out of his hands.
As you know, quality full backs are vital to a successful modern side and our best four, and four of their reserves!!, have been out for weeks, or months.
It is no longer a position where just anyone can fill in effectively, as the role now demands great pace, attacking and defensive ability, not to mention fantastic fitness.
Witness the number of inexperienced full backs and stand-in centre backs who have been injured trying to play there.
Our best midfield player, little JW, and possibly THE best potential replacement for the departed Cesc, has not kicked a single ball for us all season.
The Sp*rs have not yet suffered a significant injury to a key player, and I can’t remember when they last played a top side. They have a lot of very difficult games to come.
Don’t forget too, that had the penalty been given against Micah Richards, and RvP’s perfectly good chip not been ruled out for offside, we would have beaten Citeh away 2 – 1.
Three more points for us and three less for them would make the gap look far more respectable.
In general, can’t argue with Clive about the injuries and the dependant potential of the squad. We desperately need those players back, and then who knows.
Without any AKB blindness, I really don’t think you can blame any of the above on Arsene “so-called” Wenger.
Right, with that, it’s G’night from me.
Anir@329: that’s my take based on the last 5 seasons. Bags of potential and promise that coul and should have been realised had we had the balls or the drive to take it that one vital step further.
Now I must bid you all goodnight, hasta maΓ±ana
Trev: you make valid points, as always put across well.
It’s getting To that time of night where my judgement is blurred through tiredness but I’d like to remind you that it was wenger’s decision to visit the twin plagues of Almunia and Flaps upon us for 3 seasons when all around shook their Heads in disbelief.
As I’ve suggested before this is a conversation that should be had around a table with a few beers lubricating our creative juices.
One thing we all agree on is our love for the club and our desire to see us successful and become the best we can be.
Absolutely my last post for tonight!
Re: Trev @330: Entertaining stuff. Dr. Z likes “specialist” magazines, you say? How were we to know? π
Spuds looks good because all other teams play shits, thats including Arsenal, unfortunately. If you can just bring Fabregas back into the team, with the back line being so much more secure this season, Arsenal will definitely challenge for the league title. There’s no motivation going into attack because there’s no one taking the responsibility, or you could say there’s no one player who has the skill and leadership to call the shot. Please don’t even say Wilshere will be the answer, because he’s not the finished product yet. Yes I’m pessimistic about this season’s Arsenal going forward. Like Arsene said the other day, finished in top four will be the target. We just have to accept that as the final truth. A ticket to the CL is the award and winning the league, if that ever happens, is a bonus.
Eric Abidal, anyone? There’s an article in Caught Offside, normally not a reliable source, linking us with him.
8ball – I’d have him but Maxwell is signing with PSG so I don’t think Guardiola would sell his only other LB.
Oi, you at 336 – thought you were on holiday?
I have every copy of 442 – sure that’s what he was referring to. If not, the contract on his head is out to tender. π
Trev
I believe the magazines in question are latest in fashions for Dolls.!!
Trev
Great report.
I’m going to have to stop reading the drinks at night. The characters are beginning to invade my dreams.
Last night Wolfie was an arsonist! Not a good place to be…
In trouble now – a Trev and Clive tag team.
For the record, I used to like the New York Dolls, back in the day.
CG – it’s better than my dream of Tomas Rosicky crying because his PLASTIC dog got killed.
He didn’t listen to me when I tried to tell him he wasn’t a real dog!!!
Trev@330: I am indeed back to more or less full health. And I am still impressed that you managed the full pint, no ill effects experienced, I hope?
Catalan@342: I fail to see what would be so surprising about Wolfie being an arsonist, I mean the word begins with “arse”, doesn’t it?
Andy Goram @ 309: in your dreams.
Some very heartening and level-headed words in here on the Sp*rs situation – you’ve all lifted me out of my doom and gloom mood!
Really don’t like seeing them 9 points clear of us but as some have already rightly pointed out, there’s a long way to go and they have some seriously demanding fixtures on the horizon.
Also, how long can this purple patch of theirs last? They must be the form team of the Prem at the mo. Surely they can’t sustain this for the rest of the season.
The final point that warms my heart is as far away as 9 points seems, I remember getting tonked by Chelsea one November only a couple of years ago, leaving 11 whole points of daylight between us. Not too many games later, we were looking at an upswing of something like 8 points on the back of a couple of good wins for us and a couple of dodgy dropped points for them. Well that’s what keeps ME going anyways!
Chin up Gooners! There’s a long, long way to go…
Snir @ 344, wow, that’s quite deep. I’m in shock and disbelief π π
Just saw the ACON is being cohosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Not sure if they are considered garden spots but I was just wondering, which of the two would you pick for a (preferably civil-war free) holiday in which no Adebayor-like incidents would be likely to interfere??
Lars
– you are right, and I believe my dream was based on a reasonable fear. π
Snir, yours was just surreal !!
Morning All,
No reason for the D+G surrounding our noisy neighbours. As the Arsenal Gent pointed out earlier, sometimes sh*t just floats to the top.
Camberwell @ #347. I was just going to remind folk of that 11 point gap to Chel$ki two seasons ago and they were genuine title contenders, nay clear favourites, at the time. Great minds and all that. Even if we’re still 9 points adrift of that lot on Feb 26th @ 1:30PM, by 3:45PM it will hopefully be down to 6 points and then roll-on squeaky bum time. There’s a l-o-n-g way to go. Anything could happen and yes, I concede, even the unthinkable. As a wise man said to me last night, form is temporary, class and 13 titles are permanent.
UTA!
Drinks for all please Mr.Barman. What news of Management?
Dr.z, the NY Dolls were good.
Snir, trying laying off the ‘gvina’ before retiring young man π
Clive, all this talk of plastic dolls is getting somewhat unhealthy. Carry on, great job.
Take your time Wind, take your time – enjoy life’s simplicities!!!
Holic you have mail….
TS and Camberwell: at the risk of starting to sound very negative, that 11-point gap was with a game in hand (a game we won, Bolton 4-2 at home) and when we eventually caught up with Chelsea, it was with one more played because they had one game called off due to bad weather. With an equal number of games played we, iirc, never got closer than two points so in reality, the 11 points we clawed back were actually only six because we played two more games than they did in that period.
Having said that it is of course not impossible at all to catch them. Chelsea were written off completely last season at a much later stage than we are at now and they almost caught ManU despite being something like 12 points behind with about ten games to go. But we will need Sp*rs to start dropping a few unexpected points and we absolutely must win the home derby and there is very little room for cocking up. Yes, we have the other top-ish teams at home but we still need to produce the results (and every point we take off ManC and ManU takes Sp*rs one step closer to the unthinkable…) and not slip up against any of the so-called “lesser” teams. Doable, but also very difficult considering our injury situation.
(bloody hell that sounded negative, but we are in a difficult situation)
“catch them” == “catch that looting lot”
Morning All ,
Great posts above , lots to talk about .
Geoff @267 – Did it for the first time on Monday . Can’t deny that there was a twinge of jealousy when everybody trooped out . However once I’d changed into “something more comfortable ” (speedoes and Jimmy Choos) , and the game started , then all was fine . There were enough people left in the juicer to make it a good atmosphere during the game , and of course once everybody trooped in again afterwards , then it was great . Didn’t regret doing it at all , and as long as there are Holics about , then would do it again without hesitation .
Lars @285 – Trust me . Spuds will not win the League . Genuinely can’t understand the rumblings of panic in the Bar .
Geoff@306 – I think any comparison between ourselves and The Spuds as an example of our “gross mismanagement” is misconceived .
Every dog has its day , and The Spuds are currently having theirs . I suspect that that day will be over by the end of February . It is easily forgotten that pre-Wenger , and notwithstanding the trophies the George Graham era brought , the status of the two clubs was still largely in line in 1995 . In the season George was sacked , Spuds finished significantly higher than us . Since then we have rocketed into an entirely different league , new stadium , trophies , new training complex , new style of play and one of only three Clubs in England who have a truly global name . There will always be blips , (that is the nature of Sport ) , but if that’s mismanagement , long may it continue !
Baltimorean @308 – Couldn’t agree more .
Lars @315 – Absolutely agree with regards to the Loan situation . Since the advent of the era of Oil and Gangster billions the loan system has been roundly abused .
If the loan system were to be restricted to under-21s , Man City would have to think twice about paying the hugely inflated transfer fees and wages that they do .
Look at the players that they have subsidised – Bellamy at Cardiff , Adebayor at Spurs , Robinho at Milan , Tevez likely to follow , and God knows where Santa Cruz is .
Further , if players knew that if their move to City doesn’t work out , they might be stuck out of the 25 with no prospect of any football , they might actually think twice about chasing the mega mega bucks , knowing that they might spend a significant portion of their career twiddling their thumbs .
Snir @329 – Totally agree . AW is on record as saying that it was a “summer of hell” . That suggests to me that things went on which could not have been anticipated . No-one doubts that it was a summer which was very difficult to understand , and the plethora of opinion and theory amongst the fanbase – a divide between the Board and AW , Nasri’s volte-face , Aw’s unwillingness to accept that Fab wanted out , the Boards parsimony , AW’s parsimony , – to name but a few , suggests to me that we will never know the full story . In the circumstances , I would agree that to point the finger at AW is an exercise in futility .
Trev @330 – Pleasure to see you too , and heh π , Wolfie never far away ! “Debonair” – I like the sound of that . π
I had forgotten the Mark Hughes faux pas . I did indeed say that there would be others I would have up against the wall before Hughes to have them shot , though I would like to add that I was talking about “shooting” in the Carlos sense of the word rather than the Wolfie sense ! π
Clive @341 – heh π
Mr C @342 I am of course a hedonist …
… and I of course am an arsonist ! π
It comes as no surprise to me that I am the stuff of your dreams :wink;
Excellent post, tabsmeister @ 357
Apart from all the “up against the wall stuff” π
I see some ‘holics are anxious that St. Totts day won’t arrive this year.
But as Ollie puts it on the arses,
They are shit and they will always be. Moreover, they are cunts.
So fuck them. And enjoy when we finally overtake them
I’ll grab a Thursday pint, thanks
Hello all. Management scan all clear, thank you. Still needs surgery in Feb, but that result is a relief nonetheless.
Arthur, on the case. Thanks.
That is indeed excellent news Holic.
Have a pre-independence malt on me π
Nightmares Wolfie, not dreams!
I must admit that the intrigue about Snowy is growing! I have an inkling but….. Guess I’ll just have to ensure a trip to The Tollie happens sooner rather than later.
Talking of Snowy, why no posts recently?
Holic , great news indeed . Puts our meanderings on all things footie into perspective .
Harsha – Well said that man !
Dr Z – Thank you kind Sir π In my earlier post I did of course mean 1994-95 and not 95-96 . π³
Bugger off Wolfie !
Mr C – you jest surely ? π
Speaking to Snowy on monday , he said that he was “snowed under ” , and that , inspired by the great TH14 , he was attempting a Rugby League comeback . Good luck to him .
bt8th @ 349: I hear Gabon is a nice, safe, little country…
zico,
we’re keeping Islay and Skye. That much is not up for debate.
bt8th: Here you go – http://www.lonelyplanet.com/gabon
played ‘holic and ‘holic management
Holic: Glad to hear Mrs H’s scans are not too frightening. I will keep up my prayers for you both until she’s out of the woods..
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-henry-s-goal-showed-everything-about-him-
One has to wonder what .con would have talked about all week if that goal hadn’t happened….
I too am wondering.
Afternoon all.
‘holic 361 : great news! π
OK – you can have the midges, and rain.
We’ll have the rest (and the oil, of course) π
Cheers again.
If you aren’t on Twitter you may not be aware of this…
http://www.thearsenalcollective.com/the-memory-bank/2012/1/12/the-barren-sixties-my-arsenal-upbringing.html
Hope you like it.
Terrific read ‘Holic .
tabs@357: heh, Santa Cruz – I had totally forgotten about him but he is still a Man City player I think. But like you, I have no idea where (or even if) he is playing now. And I can’t be arsed to google it, tbh π
And I am trying very, very hard to trust you about Sp*rs… Have to say that those that have pointed out that we have been in a similar position many times do have a point, and it would be quite amazing if they could keep going all season with so few injuries. And their season also shows what it means to have that continuity that you get when not having injuries. I mean, if we had had Vermaelen, Sagna, Santos and Jack fit all season I am quite sure we would have been right up there.
Your point about every dog having it’s day is also a good one. Even assuming the worst this season, they are still in a rather difficult situation long-term. They are desperate to build a new stadium, but unless they can somehow manage to wrangle their way into the Olympic stadium, they won’t have a new home for quite a few years years yet. They have no funding, no planning permissions and nowhere to build it so a move is not very likely to happen anytime soon.
Holic@361: very happy to hear that. Fingers crossed everything goes well with the surgery too.
And a great read @376.
Top work Holic @ 376.
Thanks for the Management update ‘Holic, excellent news!
Hi Lars , you and I are singing from the same hymn sheet re the loan system .
As regards The Spuds , completely agree with you on their medium to longer term prospects .
The Swiss Ramble link posted by Ned was a good one , even though my eyes do begin to glaze over when confronted by all that accounting stuff .
I think they now have the planning permissions in place , funding however is a different matter . Lewis is if course a rich man , but in the mad world of the Premier League , not outrageously so . I find it highly unlikely that he will dip into his personal fortune to fund a new stadium .
That puts Tottenham in a tricky position . Their commercial revenues have all recently been renegotiated , and I think it is reasonable to assume that there is very little upside to earn more .
That leaves them with Champions League qualification as the only realistic way to maximise their revenues . That in itself might prove within their grasp this season , but to maintain that revenue stream (ie paying players Champions League contracts) , whilst trying to repay any capital raised for a new stadium , strikes me as wholly unrealistic .
Look at the initial struggles that Arsenal faced with the building of The Emirates . Those struggles were much greater than i think has been widely acknowledged , and occurred notwithstanding the money earned from Champions League Football from 99 , and the fact that we had a prime piece of Real Estate to redevelop and sell .
That we got there in the end is in my view , down to the alchemist that is Arsene Wenger . That he kept us in the top four in this period , and got so so close to more tangible reward , is testament to his genius .
Tottenham have none of these positives . No real money in the Bank , only Tottenham land to sell (worth tuppence ha’penny) , and instead of an alchemist , a c*nt , whose own instincts are always to spend rather than save .
An interesting stat to come out of that Swiss Ramble article is that in the last financial year , only Man City have paid more in agents fees than the Spuds . I wonder in whose back-pocket the bulk of those fees ended up in ?
The only thing that changes the equation is if somehow Spurs end up in Stratford . Even allowing for an initial chuckle that we had forced them out of North London , the immediate acceleration into huge revenues with fantastic links to corporate London with only a fraction of the outlay which would ordinarily be required , would be the time to worry . Still it ain’t gonna happen , so why worry ?
The likelihood is that in 5 years Tottenham will be sitting mid to lower table , playing in a half-built stadium , having had to sell their best players to fund their ill-thought out strategy . Bale , having spent an unhappy season abroad , will return to play for his childhood team .
Snir , pass me those balls π
Holic, Relieved to hear the scan was clean. Keeping my fingers crossed, as well, for her upcoming surgery.
Gentlemen, I’m not concerned at the moment with Spurs mid-range future, only now. Currently, they are only team in the PL that does not look lethargic, including Arsenal. They show no signs of wear and tear, which is remarkable considering we are now in mid-January. No cause to pull our hair out, just yet. Wenger is acutely aware of what needs retooling, and that is up front.
nice one ‘holic @ 376 great read – blame the parents i say.
And too true tabs – ‘arry’s clubs usually burn brightly just before blowing up in the faces of those that get left behind when he goes.
When’s the court ‘with his fingers in the till’ case?
On a different note keep effin’ hearing/reading that mancu have a terrible injury list. Ours is longer and has been terrible for longer. Looking forward to when we have most everyone back. Still think we have a decent side with decent cover – apart from CF – unless a certain charismatic monsieur can be talked into staying on
Up The Arse!
Good reading Holics a round for all those who contributed to such an interesting debate.
I’m not worried myself I believe they will have their own dip too as for me they certainly haven’t had one yet. We need to concentrate on winning our games that is the most important thing right now and I’m sure they will derail at some point.
I can smell a 4th century around the block!
All this talk of the LWCs is making me quite ill.
Ollie nailed it. They are cunts and will remain so until they all disappear under the rocks from whence they came.
I could give you 50 reasons not to waste any more oxygen on them, but instead, take it from the Man who knows…..
“I was alive, but unaware of the success of the little club up the road in 1961, and their inability to recapture the title in my lifetime has been a recurring source of amusement”
zico @ #386 – a new term for HT Glossary?
*Spoilk* (n) – The result of a lengthy discussion centred on the smallclub that wears Lillywhite when it happens to be on a temporary run of good form. A Sp*urs Boilk.
Heh. I’m well and truly spoilking. 8)
Zico @ 386 Report to Nurse Wolfie STAT! Now, I have to defend Nasri yet again. Shortly after coming onto the pitch, he had a beauty of a shot, fired with zeal and power. He also had a deadly cross from a corner he took. Plus he created a couple of opportunities up front which his teammates failed woefully to capitalize on. Both the Serb and the Bosnian lads fired prematurely, not taking the time to make needed adjustments. Surely when there is space around you, there is time to do just that.
Have they still not decided when we play Alex McLeech’s mob in the Cup?
Belated happy birthday holic and brilliant piece @376.
Nasri? WTF.
He’s fat, butch and overpaid. Best get over it.
Ollie – ESPN and ITV might be waiting for the replays next week before carving up the games between them
Oh and in regards to all the LWC discussion. I for one think they will have a huge dip in form precipitated by the confidence shattering hiding they get from the Arsenal at the HoF in Feb. This dip in form will come just in time for the business end of the season when coincidentally Arsenal will be welcoming back a complement of fully fit full backs and Jack.
And the crowd go wild as the grizzled but still debonair veteran begins his touchline warm up . He chucks his fag to the floor , and milks the applause …
The cheers reach a crescendo , as a triple substitution sees Tabs , Carlos and Wolfie take the field , the Holy Trinity …
Wolfie , always an eye for a tackle , takes Barton from behind and releases Carlos . Opposing players back off as they eye his AK47 . Carlos shoots …
Robbie Savage , spouting shit on the touchline , collapses under the hail of Carlos’ bullets , and in the resulting confusion , Tabs picks up the ball …
There you go Wolfie
one swivel turn , one classic body shape and there is only one result …
GOAL !!!
Tabs sets off to hug the manager , but runs out of steam halfway there , so settles for a restorative and celebratory Guinness with his partner in The monday night Club , the Caledonian Wizard .
The crowd go wild . Is this the greatest moment ever ? π
Nutjob.
Glad to help. π
π
Holic,
I’m delighted to hear the good news about the scan.
Tabs,
Great post as usual @ 381. I think what you say about where the club finds itself given what Wenger is done is absolutely bang on mate. The truth is that very few clubs actually make any type of a profit at all in the league. The fact that we can compete with Citeh / Cheski and Manu given the unconscionable amounts of money they’ve wasted or written off in debt – while we not only turn a profit but also produce such a magnificent stadiuma nd brand of football – is all down to the genius of Wenger.
I do hope though Tabs that AW wins a CL. I thinks its a shame that neither he nor the club have won a European cup yet and its the only feather missing in his cap.
Clive made the point yesterday (I think) – that considering we’ve had to rebuild the defence and midfield with signings that arrived too late in the season – its been a remarkable turn around. I only hope that we get a second striker to cover for RVP and see our injured players come back to provide some momentum at the business end of the season.
In relation to the Spuds – I think Parker has made a real difference to their team this season.
Nurse Abb @389 – I fear it should be you that should be reporting to Nurse Wolfie for increased medication π
Your post re Nasri amounts to ;-
1. He had a weak and easily read shot that my old keeper , Chubby Chubster , nicknamed “The Flying Lard” , would have saved .
2. He took a corner .
3. He wandered around in ever decreasing circles , and passed the ball sideways to colleagues who were prepared to try something a little more adventurous than a square ball .
Not much of a return for Β£24m , and Β£180k a week .
What Dr Z said @392 .
Hi Joe , cheers for the kind words , we are of like mind in regard to AW’s achievement . I too would love to see him win The Champs League , although many things would have to go our way for that to happen in the shortish-term now .
Hope you’re right re the second striker , though I would be surprised . Hanging on to Chippy’s words that you reported in that respect .
Agree with you that Parker has done a good job for The Spuds , but not convinced he would have been the same hit at Arsenal . Prefer Song , and not convinced they would have complemented each other .
Arsenal vs Villa – Cup – Sunday at 4 00 .
3 consecutive weekend games at home – good times.
Good point Charlie 393, I forgot about replays.
Well done on a your classic 401 tabs.
What do you mean you got 400 also? :p
And heh, having read all these now, I don’ think you helped, zico:
he was planning for massive self-assisting with 401 intended as 400, no?
Definite case of classic 401 then π
(taking the piss, it was quite an exhilarating finish, tabs, you sound on form)
And I see that the kick-off has been set.
Well I’ll have 3 consecutive weekends then, but sunday kick-off not the preferred option. Bah. I’ll take it, at least I can be present.
Tabs,
Yeah I think Chippy is generally right in his take on the transfer market or at least, anytime he’s spoken in the past, he’s been right (Arshavin, Santos). Only thing of course is whether Wenger gets value, because if he doesn’t, he won’t be pushed – and he’ll wait if necessary (chamahk). Thats why I was a little nervous reading those links about Mathias Suarez – it all sounds typically Wenger. But we do need a second striker now, and we won’t look too smart if RVP gets injured. So I think he’ll buy but I don’t think it’ll happen until late in the window.
In relation to Parker, I wasn’t mentioning him in the light that we should have bought him – I would never have thought that plausible with Frimpong / Coq / JW / Arteta / Diaby and of course Song all capable of playing in that role. I just think he’s been really good for the spuds, thats all.
Magnificent team play there by zico to just get a slight touch of the ball to stop tabs from an illegal self-assist and instead give him a glorious quadruple century!
Evening all, just home from a crap day at work, it’s so quiet at the moment you could hear a mouse get a hard on, still only early January and plenty of time to pick up.
Im catching up on the drinks and I’ll see you at the bar!
somewhere over the rainbow weigh a pie, there’s a land that i dream of…
chesney
sagna kos ver santos
songy arteteteteta
future cap’n Jack
walcott high-five head
RVP
bench from: the sack, gunner jenkinson, rambo, the ox, arshavin, benny, gibbs, the coq,flappy, king henry (if still around), chamakh (if still around), thomashe’salwayssicky, Dr. b and our new top-notch CF
Lars and Ollie – I would never have dreamed of self-assisting all the way from 395 !!! I knew , with a telepathic understanding , that Dr Z would play me in π
Joe – wise words . Sorry for my misunderstanding .
Geoff – π
TS@254 – Deepest apologies , missed your very kind offer this morning . Have to confess to not knowing how the system works , after years of being spoilt with a season ticket , but if you do see anything , that would be great .
Been at the CMC AL ? π
Tabs @ 405 Heh! Congrats on your goal, but it sure was painful (LOL). Took some courage, it did. Cheers!
Cheers Abb , just felt the move needed some speed . The build-up play was just too laborious !
I think you need to speak with ArsΓ¨ne, tabs π
He won’t take my calls Ollie π
If it’s good enough for a Bond baddie and all round heart throb , then it surely is good enough for me π
http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2012/01/12/sean-bean-looks-sharpe-in-cross-dressing-role-115875-23695262/
‘holic: Great news with the scan results, my best to you and The Management.
Tabs: Well in for the 400, great swivel but I’ve heard there are certain streets in London where that means something else entirely.
Really ?!
I must get more up to speed with The Urban Dictionary . Sadly behind the times π
Just settling down to watch Barca at Osasuna….they must have the best bench ever aasembled tonight:
Messi, Cesc, Puyol, Xabi, Iniesta….. π
Mr C @ 353, I will π
‘Holic @ 361, excellent news! All the best for Mrs ‘Holic’s upcoming surgery and subsquent recovery π
@ 376, very insightful piece in the link, worth its weight in gold to me, a great look at the Arsenal of old, before my time.
tabs @ 381, we can only hope they are rife in mid-table mediocrity and debt in a few years.
@ 395/396/397/398/400/401, the master at work. ‘bows’ Well in man! I wasn’t even needed in the build-up play haha! π
Props for the textbook assist Zico!
Joe @ 404, with you on every point. And on 412, my mate said that we should of pounced for Parker in the summer, and back then I was inclined to believe him, but now I know that not many in the league can hold a candle to Song.
Tabs, When you can, please tell me what a ‘Tat seller’ is. Holic mentioned it in a post recently. The girls at work think it is a tattoo shop. I’m not so sure…I googled it but it mentioned lace.
Wind – Cheers Sir . You youngsters have to allow us vets our moment in the sun every now and then π
Abb – not sure of the context in which Holic used the word , but my understanding of the word would be ” any old low-budget unofficial rubbish” .
For example , a street seller in Oxford St selling “I love London” T-shirts , mugs , teddy bears etc would be described as selling “tat” .
In an Arsenal context , years ago before the Club clamped down on them , many people used to set up stalls , or even just have a tray secured around their waist and wander around the stadium , selling unofficial scarves , badges etc . Given that this material was most likely either knock off , or certainly unlicensed , then it would be referred to as “tat” .
Hope this helps .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tabs, Thanks for taking the time to reply. Makes sense, from what you describe. A bit of a carnival atmophere for sure.