Gunners Midfield The Key
Feb 25th, 2012 by 'holic
There is a good mini-me on one shoulder, and the devil mini-me on the other. You understand me perfectly, don’t you? I am persuaded that considering the negative possibilities on the eve of this particular North London derby is not what we should be doing, but it is almost unavoidable. Everybody understands the likely outcome of a poor performance and result tomorrow. Hopefully everybody also understands the difference the home support could make to a side with obvious gifts but fragile belief.
At a time when the natives are getting more vociferously restless to a lesser or greater degree, the Arsenal face a make or break test of that oft-mooted ‘mental strength’. It is perhaps fate that has thrown together the North London neighbours so soon after we have suffered poor losses in Champions League and FA Cup. The meeting takes on an added importance as the neighbours, and in the short term at least genuine rivals again, seek to add to their ten point advantage with just a dozen games to go after tomorrow.
Temporarily freed from the worry of just how they will be able to afford to remain competitive on the pitch as they attempt to fund a desperately-needed new stadium development, Tottenham have built a promising ‘now’. There is no getting away from that fact, and it may be just what the Arsenal needed to shake them from their recent slumbers. Supporters could understand us finishing behind much better funded clubs, but to trail our Lilywhite banjo-plucking cousins when clearly they do not have significantly better resources will not be acceptable to many. Yes, I know they have spent much more on players than we have, but they don’t pay them as well.
The rivalry between the two sides has taken a turn for the worse in the years of all-seater stadia. The days when huge numbers of visitors could turn up and pay at the gate have given way to an era where around three thousand visiting supporters are put into a hostile environment, no matter which end of Seven Sisters is hosting the fixture. What was once a relatively local feud has taken on a new combustibility in the digital age. We should use that hostility to our advantage. I have no doubt the home crowd will get right behind the side from the off. We must create an atmosphere that puts pressure on the away team.
The test will be as the game progresses, as it ebbs and flows as surely it must, will we stay four-square behind our team? I hope that those inclined to expressing their displeasure refrain from doing so while time remains. That may be a vain hope. A generation of Gooners have never experienced the prospect of a cancellation of St Totteringhams Day. If it happens, and lets not forget they have some difficult matches left too, it will only be a temporary blip.
If the boys have got the last two performances out of their system then this actually promises to be an absolute cracker of a game. Tottenham will arrive confident and at virtually full strength. They have even recalled Mike Dean who has not been on the losing side against Arsenal since Gunnersaurus was an egg. I am hearing positive noises about the availability of Laurent Koscielny, our best defender this season. That may balance out if the rumours of Gibbs not making it are true. Who could have imagined in the January transfer window that we would be without a left-back now? Sorry, cheap shot I know, but it still rankles.
The key to the outcome will be if the Arsenal midfield can return to the levels of industry and performance that lifted us from a stuttering start to the campaign. The sort of energy and purpose that brought us five goals at Stamford Bridge. We need Song to be putting out fires across the face of the back four. We need Arteta to remember he can only hurt the opposition by staying on his feet, and distributing swiftly with precision. Ahead of them is likely to be Rosicky. That is good in one way as he tends to be more direct than Ramsey, but strangely having said that he is less of a goal threat himself these days. This would be a great time to put that right.
The word is that Walcott and Gervinho will get the starting berths either side of the prolific skipper. I don’t suppose you would be surprised to hear I would start the Ox and save Theo for later on, but the thinking may be that Theo has the benefit of having experienced the extremes of atmosphere that this fixture can produce. I can understand that even if I am not persuaded by it.
The ‘holic pound has never been more of a stab in the dark. The bookies have got us odds against in a home match against the swamp-dwellers. It’s unheard of in modern times. I’m sticking with a scoreline that let me down last week. 3-2 to the Arsenal is available at 28/1 if you shop around. I don’t expect the defences to be on top in this game. An interesting back-up punt is available at Gunners Gaming. I just said I had heard that Theo may feature from the off, and he is 5/1 against scoring anytime, and your stake will be refunded if he doesn’t start. Not bad value that, through my rose-tinted shades.
So there, I have a few hours left to gird the loins by watching the great derby matches. John Radford’s last minute goal in a League Cup semi-final, Ray Kennedy’s title-winner at the Lane, Liam’s ‘look at that’ in the 5-0, Rocky with another League Cup semi clincher, Donkey winning the derby at Wembley, Dennis plucking one out of thin air from Wrighty’s cross at Highbury, Thierry going the length of Highbury to score, and back again to celebrate in front of the marshmen, and on numerous occasions the likes of Alan Sunderland, Charlie Nicholas, and Robert Pires who seemed to score in every derby they featured in.
That not enough to get you up for it? Think Clive Allen and his cheap ‘two bob’ jibe because Le Boss wouldn’t shake hands with the man one level above the tea lady at the Lane. Think Justin Edinburgh, Paul Miller, Tim Sherwood, Graham Roberts, and Teddy Sheringham. That must have done it?
STAND UP IF YOU PAY YOUR TAX.
213 Responses to “Gunners Midfield The Key”
Could I possibly have the bar to myself..?
The crowd need to back us, especially with the teams fragile confidence. I watched the rugby today and the crowd were like the 12th man even when the team was struggling
Looks like it.
Well written as usual.
I really Hope the players are up for it as much as the fans.
Like Dixon said on ‘Arsecast 230’ maybe we have too many foriegners who don’t get the Pride & Passion of Arsenal. I really wish we had players who disliked all opposition for 90mins anyway. That’s down to Wenger nowadays he’s our only leader.
Up The Arsenal, Fuck thfc
we’re in trouble, lads. God help us all.
Fuckin ‘ell bruv, you HAVE got the blues, haven’t ya?
Time to think of our game against that other London club this year – Chelski – and how we dismantled them at the Bridge.
Fuck Spurs.
What’d you think of Tottenham?
Ok boss – I’m more up for it than Snir on Speed. Now what do I do ? 😉
Joe –
time to think of more or less any time we have genuinely pressed the opposition.
Everton – away – 6-1 !!
Why do we just not do that all the time ?
Maybe tomorrow . . .
Trev, are you gonna be at the Ems for Milan/Newcastle or at Anfield?
Spurs have spent more money than Arsenal right, dont talk rubbish our record signing Modric cost less than Arshavin who you guys sent packing……we have spent better.
Our line ups tomorrow
Friedel(free), Walker(4m), Ekotto(2.5m), King(FREE), Kaboul(5m), Lennon(1m), Bale(5m), Parker(5m), Modric(16m), VDVaart(8m), Ade(LOAN) TOTAL=46.5
Szcielsny(FREE), Sagna(7m), Kociesny(10m), Vermealan(10m), Gibbs(Free), Song(Free), Arteta(10m), Rosicky(Free), Ox(12m), Gervinho(11m), RVP(2.5m) TOTAL=62.5
So dont talk crap guys our team is alot better and cost alot less, we have wasted 15m on Bentley yes…..we signed Bent for 16 and sold him for 10.5……..Pav for 15 and sold for 10, Palcios for 12 and sold for 8m.
Maybe before last summer you hadnt wasted money but Mertesacker, Gervinho, Arteta, Ox and Santos….. cost you guys around 50million.
Ok you sold Nasri for 25m and Fab for 30m…..we have sold Berba for 30m, Carrick for 18m and Crouch for 10m in recent years….
Swings and roundabouts just dont through the money one in our direction that should be saved for Liverpool, Chelsea and City
Look at the net spend, fuckwit.
Holic, Battle of the mini-me’s, oh no! One thing for sure, The Arsenal will represent us proudly tomorrow and I will never stop believing in them, ever. Oh to be a gooner!
Holic no offense but I don’t think I’ll take your advice regarding having a punt…
August 1980.
My first visit to Highbury. 20 B&H secreted in my jacket.
Back of the Clock End.
Sp**s were expected to win.
David Price & Frank Stapleton. Thank you 2-0.
Let’s hope The Arsenal show the spirit the 1980 vintage did.
Arsenal Net Transfer Spend 2007-2012 : £13,400,000, -£3,550,000, -£31,000,000, £6,800,000, -£17,550,000
Total : -£31,900,000
Sp*ds Net Transfer Spend 2007-2012 : £33,950,000, £19,450,000, £5,500,000, £17,500,000, -£27,000,000
Total : £49,400,000
Having somehow fluked a first scorer bet on Balotelli tonight at 7/2 and combined that with a first scorer/3-0 win bet at 25/1 I am sorely tempted by that Walcott bet. He has been largely useless this season, but he has a knack of scoring and playing well in big games, and this is the biggest game we’ve had since last season’s Carling final. Certainly the most important, the way things have gone this year.
Ricey knows 😉
Evening Holic
Have spent a few hrs today with a few Spurs mates of my generation,all proper football fans, and like me have followed their Club since childhood.
We went over the various positives and negatives of both Teams,and whichever way you cut it,they were in front on every aspect.
Spurs have lost just 2 of their past 23 league games,they have the 2nd best defensive record in the league,they have conceded 10 goals less than us,scored more than us,albeit only by 1 goal, they have conceded on average just over a goal a game away from home,they have a mostly settled team,attacking options all over the place
a masterful little general in midfield,and a manager who despite all the shit thrown at him,is obviously a great motivator who has managed to blend a motley assortment of nationalties into a potent viable challenger for league and cup trophies.
When i watch Spurs these days,they remind me of what we used to be like,in fact put a red and white shirt on them and they could be us.!!
My Spurs mates have never been more confident before an away derby against us,the only possible negative will be if Harry K opts for a more circumspect lineup,than an attacking one,a la Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.
They and I know that current form and statistics mean nothing once you step on the pitch,particularly a massive Derby like this one,but from whichever way you want to look at it,unless we can lift our performance levels several notches,it could be a very long afternoon for those in Red and White tomorrow.
I for one will be very very disappointed if the fake schoolboy gets the nod over the real schoolboy tomorrow.
Cheers
A Realistic Sweeper.
Ricey
Get your head out of the clouds mate,
Apart from a goal at Chelsea,when has TW performed above, or even average in a big game.??
For me we have had 2 ineffectual wide men this season.
If Wenger is brave,he will play the real schoolboy on one side and the Hairband on the other,2 wide men with attacking instincts,that can run at defenders and actually go past them,can cut inside,and can actually cross the ball accurately on a regular basis,not just once in a blue moon.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Good evening F W 2,
Any reason why you have to be so rude,??
Can you not conduct a civilized conversation,??
You do indeed have a very good team this season,so why not enjoy it and be civilized at the same time.??
Or is that beyond you.??
We’ll take tomorrow. For sure. Mark it down.
Going tommorow, can’t wait, not sure who will win, but this game will be a cracker. Football is about glory, the NLD is about best rights, if you can’t take the roughy with the smooth go support, Barcalona. I have never deserted my team through thick and thin. !! A belief that a natural order will be preserved is what keeps you up with the faith.
Tomorrow is the most important game of the year, but not the most important game of the season!
FW – You want banter?
Here you go.
http://goonerholic.com/holic_countup_v3.swf
Have a look at what it says – That’s what I think of your lot.
Please, don’t feed the troll.
FW2
I am guessing you are probably in your teens or early 20’s,as your attempts at ‘ banter ‘ would be dismissed as childish at best.
If you are a real grown up Adult,then my question to you about a
‘ Civilized conversation ‘ was obviously correct.
Gents, a word. The Y word, or any rhyming derivative, is not welcome here. Hence our new chimp is gone.
Suggest everybody avoids using post numbers again today, as any reference to that term will be deleted.
Oh, FW, nice ip. If you need someone to fix the puncture on your house I have friends who could help.
Holic
how is your Good Lady.??
I think she has been home about a week or so,??
Is she under your care and attention,or does she have someone pop in to assess her progress.??
Whichever,i truly hope she is well on the mend and up and about.
A win tomorrow would lift the Holic family spirits no end i am sure.
I am just concerned we may not be able to repel the invaders this time.
Fingers crossed.
cheers
Clive
Top stuff Maestro!
Our Lillywhite, banjo-plucking ‘friends’ will be given a proper N5 ‘welcome’ from me. Your LB comment was no ‘cheap-shot’, it is simply an incredible situation.
See you tomorrow.
COYRRRs! FOYS! FIOS!
Hello Clive. She is home and recovering. Still on a sloppy food diet but we managed a couple of trips out yesterday and today. She is off to her mother for a couple of hours tomorrow while I selfishly take in the NLD.
I have promised not to get home at midnight tomorrow via Bristol!
Thank you maestro.
Snir –
I will not be at Anfield.
I will be at Milan and Newcastle but arriving close to kick off due to work.
I think you have my email address, so if you let me know where you’re sitting, there may be time for a quick meet in the stadium before kick-off.
Morning All ,
Nice post ‘Holic ,
“They have even recalled Mike Dean who has not been on the losing side against Arsenal since Gunnersaurus was an egg.” Heh 🙂
Really think we’ll win tomorrow , and win well .
I feel it in my bones and I feel it in my water .
4-0 Arsenal win , and we won’t even need to get out of second gear .
About 11 hours to the first Guinness . Yay .
Joe from last drinks – that’s a shame , I thought I read you were over . Hopefully it won’t be too long before you make it to the Tollie .
Tabs
Tif is truly sorry she couldn’t ‘ Feel your Bone ‘ last w/end,
She has seen a Pic of how impressively you ‘ Fill ‘ your xxx/lge Loin Cloth,
I haven’t the heart to tell her that the pic she has seen was of your Great Uncle Wolfie the 4th from the ‘ Prussian ‘ side of your family tree,who disappeared on a Hunting trip deep in the jungles of South America.!!
Enjoy the match,we will need plenty of luck to overcome a very good Spuds side.
Cheers
The Sweepr.
RvP column
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4153887/Robin-van-Persie-Its-time-we-made-the-fans-proud-agan.html
Snir @34 –
Thanks for the link. That man is PURE CLASS. PURE CLASS.
We’re taking the buzzards out behind the woodshed in a few hours. Those of you at the stadium will have a fortunate vantage to the pending victory. Show up in full throat.
Come on you REDSSSSSSSSSSS
BMBD
Great link Snir, cheers!
Only Walcott can be the difference for us. Otherwise, I dont have too much hope. But I would be happy if Clive Allen gets it on the face.
Good morning people. The condemned man has decided a hearty breakfast can wait.
This is a morning for tea and shakes 😉
G-day all 2.30 am kick off here cant wait bring on the LwC’s looking forward to the OX having a blinder.
Apparently Kos has passed his fitness test… At least that’s the rumors I’ve seen…
Don’t think Gibbs will pass his though, haven’t seen anything, just a hunch.
Clive @33 heh 🙂 . Great Uncle Wolfie the Fourth from the Prussian side ? An enormous man , I remember him well . Very well built , as you say , he was known as The Prussian Prick . Famous for his expeditions , he finally came a cropper deep in the heart of the South American jungle , when his member was mistaken for an infant python and he was shot .
Snir – Great link .
Right , best of luck everybody , let’s see off these pretenders .
COME ON THE ARSENAL !!!!!!
Good read holic agree 100% bout kos best defender this year by a mile,for the first time iv been supporting arsenal were underdogs!a win today would be a great boost to the boys and fans for the run in so any of you going the game sing your hearts enjoy as ever coyreds!!
It feels a bit odd to look forward to a derby game and not feel that we are favourites to win.
Come on, Arsenal!
Wow! The last 2 paragraphs got me kind of aroused…. in a hatred-fueled weird way! The wife is now genuinely concerned as to what I’m surveying on the laptop this Sunday morning.
Every so often, very very briefly (especially in these times when there is preoccupation with our own house being a little out of order) I forget just how much I despise those clowns (think about it- both laughable & evil in equal measure); but you have stirred it up in me this morning!
I don’t care how we do it (usually I try to convince myself that there would be a “better way” or more “satisfying way” of doing what’s right)… just as long as we do it. Do them. Beat them. Trample them.
The gold PIRES 7 away shirt is dusted down & ready to be worn with pride…. and just a little hope that somebody else picks up the scum-slaying goal scoring habit today.
Just popped in the bookies to do my 3-1 bet and saw Rosicky priced up at 25/1s just had to have a bit of that 😉
Fully up The Arse, Come on you Rip Roaring Reds !!
The calm before the storm…..
Hi guys, am at work and i can’t watch the game on tv, any good streams out there..help!!
Here’s to a good nights sleep fellas!
I’m sure it’s on the radio, lovely day for A game, the smell of fresh meat on a stick outside the arsenal underground, the odd spud making his way to the ground the, ever present horse patrol with the odd horse licking a polo
Howdy ‘holics.
Once again a flying visit, as I’m still swamped (will explain more at a later date)
Just about managed to squeeze a few hours free to watch the upcoming NLD, will be my first full game since B’burn.
Good luck to us all.
Come On You Reds, make us proud.
my want to read tabloid headline tomorrow; ‘APOPLECTIC APPY ARRY”
Woj, Sagna, Kos, TV, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, RvP, Yossi.
Have to say I am shocked Yossi starts.
SG: 4-4-2?
SCG: http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/110062/1/watch-arsenal-vs-tottenham-hotspur.html
Theo not even on the bench? Last minute injury?
Whoops. Misread the team sheet. Strike above.
Big, BIG GAME…
CoMONuREDDDDDSSS!
Afternoon all,
I feel more distanced and disillusioned from the present team than I’ve ever felt about a Wenger Arsenal.
I need the Players and the manager to give me a reason to believe today.
Come on lads, please !!!!!!!
Thanks NBN
there is abit of good fourtunate about the goal but Saha should not have had that much space to run into.
It was never a
pen
Shame on you Bale.
You primate faced cheat.
YeeeeeeeeeesssssSagnaaaa
OOOOOOHHH YEEESSSS
RVPPPPP
Holy crap 2-2
He scores when he wants
What a strike!!! Let’s keep them coming. COYG!!
How did Attwell get demoted before Dean did? Never a top flight official, let alone an NLD official.
He’s not giving us anything.
That pen was an absolute disgrace.
Two lovely strikes to a stupid dive and a deflection. hope we score more and win this more than comfortably.
We deserve to be 2 up. Their first goal was fortunate and their 2nd was not a pen. Bale lost the ball and decided to leave his leg behind him but it did to perfection.
Spurs didn’t want the ball in that half. Completely dominated proceedings.
That is we completely dominated obviously.
watched replays. Fantastic dive from Bale,I have to say it is so good I have to give the number 1 dive of the season.
The Ox and Flipper around 65 mins?
Come on lads – this lot are there for the taking.
For fuck’s sake someone get in the ref’s ear at half time and let him know he’s fucked up. One look at a replay and he’ll know he owes us something second half.
Am sat in an airport departure lounge following this on the BBC site. This is no fucking way to follow a derby match.
COYG
Let’s do exactly what we did in the last 25 in the second half. Spurzzz are shaking all over the back line. Why on earth did Theo just not run at the goal earlier?
Today is the anniversary of the beer cup final….lets erase that memory today and move on as a club and as supporters to better times in the year(s) ahead.
He tried to drag his foot onto Woj’s hand but it bounced right over. No contact. Perfect cheating dive. Dix pointes.
exactly BTM…it was shameful…..monkey see monkey do
It’s 12 against 12.
Arsenal and the crowd against Spurs and Dean.
bale swings game s***s way with pen – cheetah –
Top of the shop RSVP though
ComONUREDDDSSS!!!!
COYRRR’s
Friedel pushes Theo twice in the back. how is that not a pen?
Rosicky!!!
First goal in 15 years. Briliant!!!!
You can’t make this stuff up.
Goal – Oh my good gawd – Sicky nicked it!
Lovely finish from Rosicky. Bit late in the season to score the first goal, but I’ll take it. COYG!
We got the Tiny Tots rattled.
Come on you gunners.
THEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
YYYEEESSSS
YAYYYYYEEEEE!!!!! Fuck yeah!
HAAHAHAHHHAHHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHAHAHHAHAAAA!!
TTHHHHHHEEEOOOOOO TWO!!!
YYYYEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS
Theo legged it from our own half to finish off wow.
Anyone for a Walcot hat trick? Man I am loving this. WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!
Get your game on boys!!!!!!
All the negative talkers that appeared for the first time this week 5 – 2 @ the moment. With Theo your whipping boy banging in 2. Makes me proud to be a gunner who never went negative.
Plans in place to watch this game over and over and over. Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rosicky playing the game of his life.
Top stuff.
Arsene knows.
At home anyway.
COYG!
Full marks to the crowd, even at 2 down they were well behind the lads.
Into fourth as it stands.
Yossi put in a great shift.
Gutted – http://www.imagebam.com/image/192754176875569
Great performance, Unbelievable in fact.
Well done, Benayon. Good work.
Ricey.
I suppose that’s what they call the cloud on the silver lining.
We all agreeeeee Rosicky is better than Modric!
Adebuywhore what’s the score? Adebuywhore what’s the score?
Rosicky MOTM for me (but lots of other worthy contenders).
Mine is!!!!!!
What a come Bac! Drinks for everyone in the world. Let’s keep playing like this and get as high as possible. What a game!
‘Arry “Deep Throat” Redknapp: “Take that fing out of me
mouf!!!”…twitch, twitch…
HArry rednapp Footballing genius. England manger ha ha ha. Wonderful stuff. This shows who is boss, who are the true kings of pretty football. Class is permanent. It was a win with style and verything to go with it. lovely.
Really happy for Rosicky, the guy just works his socks off, was always in the tackle and finally got the long awaited goal. Couldn’t be happier for him.
Thank you Arsenal for showing us pride to wear the shirt, you’ve Given 100% effort today and that has to be repeated every match.
Evening chaps & Chappettes…It was tough but I am glad that I did it! Refraining from commenting on Goonerholic for a couple of days (didn’t manage the full boycott I’m afraid) enabled me to stay out of the negativity, go to bed early last night and awake this morning in a very positive frame of mind. Even after the second goal: I thought “if we could only get one before half-time”…AND we scored right as I thunk it! Fuck me! So I started me: I want 2, I want 3, I want 4” routine and fuck me if it didn’t work again…(just like with Blackburn)
Seriously: any two proper full-backs and this is a different team…
UREDS.. (0;
Great to see Rosicky to play a pivotal part. Fantastic performance. Well done Arsenal!
OK I’ll keep saying this until it will be understood by everyone.
1) I’m sorry Mikel for calling you Denilson with a better defensive work rate, you showed great vision today with lots of purposeful forward THROUGH passses.
2) I’m so glad Theo played toady, Assou Ekoto was exposed for what he is, the weakest link in Tottenham.
3) AW has often been criticized for not preparing the team for the opposition but only focuses on our play. He proved everyone wrong, by playing Theo despite his horrid form based on Spurs’ possession play which creates space and by playing Yossi who barely played this season in order to provide more cover than what Gervinho or AOC would have provided.
4) Rosicky was magical. Magnificent.
5) Kos is such a great CB.
Shows what the team can do when it fights for every ball, makes runs at the front and works its socks off when it doesn’t have the ball. Midfield was outstanding (h/t to ‘Holic for highlighting it’s importance in the post). Delighted Rosicky scored, not just because it breaks a long drought, but due deserts for an outstanding performance. Yossi put in a more than decent shift, especially off the ball. More than vindicated his selection. Song was back to Boss Song and Arteta was barely noticeable, usually a sign he is having a good game, pulling the strings. Props, too, to RvP for leading from the front.
popping in to say, I just loved this!!! Best derby I have seen
Brilliant!!
H2H: I always feel confident when you are around mate…do you think that you can be around for the rest of the season?
Arguably the best day in this season, if not the best performance (the controlled home win against impressive Dortmund was very matured).
Rosicky is rolling back the years. Hope it may continue for the rest of this season.
This game again demonstrated how Arsene tactically gets it right more often than not.
And well done The Theo after stinking the place out in the first half. Whatever else the boy is he’s a confidence player and being constantly slagged orf by your own can’t help.
Keeping ’em crossed (again) this might fire the lad onwards and upwards
UrEDS!
Thumbs up Good Doctor…loved every word of your comment in the last set of drinks btw..(0;
Twitchcon 5
That’s a paddlin’!
121 Gooner Terry.
I’ll try to be mate.
For now though, I’ve gotta get my nose back to the grindstone. It’s good to leave on a high though.
A round of celebrationary beers on me.
Thanks GT. BTW, from your posts I gather you live in Jamaica. Are you present in the Caribbean Cricket message board? Football too gets discussed a lot there, among many other things, in the back pages. If not, check it out.
I loved your positivity in the last few days’ comments as well.
We’ve got our Arsenal Bac.
What a difference 2 fullbacks make.
I’m going to be up north next weekend .Has anyone got any spare tickets for Anfield.One would be lovely,two would be a dream as I would be able to bring my boy as well.
If by any chance you can do me or us a flavour ,get in touch with ‘Holic once he get’s home via Bristol and ask him nicely to give you my email address.
Cheers to all
“When Arsenal play their very best, they usually win”. Where have I heard that before?! TR, your’re the man! Snir, you were right about Theo, god you’re good!
BTW, unable to use any words using the 3rd letter in the alphabet, due to spilling beer on my laptop…but it was worth it!!! Oh to be a gooner!
Back in France now but will be in the North of England with a hire car next weekend and would like to be Washed up in Anfield if anyone can help.
Thank goodness for that….time to look forward everyone….we’re better than people know and not as bad as the doubters say. Rosicky motm by some distance…what a day….
Fantastic team performance.
Nothing else needs to be said. For now.
Oh apart from, Guinness awaits….. 8)
I reiterate:
“You heard it here first. We’re gonna roll the buzzards. We’re gonna dominate them.”
“Late nite. Just checked score. Now off to watch the game on tape. Shift in power my ass.
Great job lads. Great job support.
Spunks – go SUCK on it!!!
2-0 up but you messed it up (repeat to infinity)
FOYS!!!!
What an amazing match that was….never in doubt….
I watched the game on TV from Indonesia, and I just have to congratulate our boys for playing with heart. And above all, our fans at the Emirates were just amazing, still cheering at the top of their lungs at 2-0 down. I’m sure it made a world of difference to the team. Wonderful stuff.
Still basking!!!
Rhapsody in red.
I run out of my voice, screaming in despair at Dean and our bad fortune, I sworn I would never ever see Arsenal again, and that kind of sjit.
Glad for the team, they worked tirelessly every minute of the game. This just shows what potential Arsenal players have when they are properly rested.
At the end, once more, there is only two words I can say: Sorry, Ramsey. Someone might argue, that this is not the right time again, but the less we see of Ramsey in first team this year, the more joy we will get. Rosicky over Ramsey every minute of the hour.
OK Lurky tone it down a little – let us enjoy this a little more eh?
Fair enough GT. Let’s enjoy.
me smile long time
#1633: From the BBC:
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp: “We went 2-0 up but even then I couldn’t say I felt over-comfortable. They were playing through us and were causing problems. I just wanted to get to half-time and I thought we would be OK.
“In the second half we changed it and thickened up in midfield but we still didn’t defend well all over the park. We let people run and that’s not like us. We have not been a team conceding goals like we did today.”
Can’t disagree wiv any of that ‘arry..(0;
‘Arry Knows
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: “We just refused to lose the game. We got back to 2-2 and in the second half we were on top. Tottenham started well but after that we were always on top.
“We played a great game and let’s hope we can maintain the quality and spirit we have shown today.”
DITTO…
I just knew the Guv’nor was wrong about that 3-2 prediction….
LOL, West@ 145 –
But I think ‘Hols thought he was in the money for a while.
Glorious Victory!
BMBD
But apparently – Arsene knows best
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Emirates Stadium:
FULL-TIMEArsenal 5-2 Tottenham
“Arsenal rampant and Spurs humiliated after taking a two-goal lead. Huge morale-booster for Arsenal in their pursuit of fourth place but some work for Harry Redknapp to do as he starts to sift through the damage caused at the Emirates today.”
You can say that again Phil…in fact you can say that as many times as you like..(0;
Hey all, longest I’ve been out of the bar since I first started drinking, not a nice feeling (What’s in the drinks ‘Holic? :P)
Missed the match bar the first 10 minutes, I’ve been in Dorking, Surrey on a ‘Biology Trip’, Sampling ‘Plant Life’… Take it for what you will 😉
Got a lot of Back-Drinking to do whilst I listen to the Arsecast, from about halfway through Lonestar’s Guest Post, I’ll resurface when I catch up, ‘Holic probably would of had a new post out by then 🙂
You know the worse this that could happen now? The alarm goes off and startled I realize that I have been dreaming all the time )0;
Someone kick me up the ARSE quick!
You know the worse thing that could happen now? The alarm goes off and startled I realize that I have been dreaming all the time )0;
Someone kick me up the ARSE quick!
And NO INJURIES today, yahoo! The only positive from the Spurs side was when Parker insisted on shaking TV’s hand after seeing red from the ref, good for you son. Just what are you doing playing for the likes of them.
* Holic: Edit 150 thanx..
TV has an ankle problem.
TR has a back problem which is “quite worrying.”
I hope these are just interlull “injuries.”
Great! TV5 and TR7 are both injured. Hopefully just precautionary measures are being taken to avoid their involvement in the international friendlies.
I had a feeling we might put one on them today but never did I think we would hand them such a spanking, Shame we held back in the last 15 as we could have easily got another couple but what a result ! That’s the Arsenal I know and love FOYS !!
Also think I’ll back Rosicky a bit more in the first scorer stakes he played like a man possesed 🙂
Fully Up The Arse.
Special, special game. I woke up to use the facilities at 540, knowing the game was recording nearly went back to sleep. At 2-0 I turned off the game, then decided not to…SO damn glad I kept watching, and got caught up on FF through halftime. What a second half!
I feel not unlike after Chelsea away, ecstatic and satisfied and FUCK the chimp for diving (ok, that is different). Rozza was a god today, and Theo’s answers to his critics were so pretty. Robin’s sunny article (thanks, Snir) came true all down the line about today, let’s follow that script the rest of the season and celebrate St. Totteringham’s on the last day…
Well played chaps,Your hearts were much bigger than ours today,sorry if I upset some of you last night I think I misread the type of site this is.COYS
Before the game I looked at it and i thought the team’s wrong, the formation’s wrong and the manager don’t know what he’s doing – but i fancy us to win 5-2. I should of put money on it
What a day already….its not even 6pm and I’m half pissed having worked the entire weekend to get the last few hours to myself!
As someone who had given Theo loads on the blog this year – I am most keen to be first to say well done! I thought you took your two goals very well. I may still think you’ve a long way to go, but scoring 2 goals against the scum is a return in any fans book. So well done Theo!
And an extended thank you to Mr Thomas Rosicky. I thought you were simply outstanding and by far the best performance I’ve seen from you in an Arsenal shirt in many a year. My mom by a long shot. Not only did you score, you scored when it was needed most and lead from the front. Its great to see such performances after a career blighted with injury. Lets hope Diaby comes through too.
RVP – could you be a real captain in the making? You missed a few, but the equaliser was a thing of utter beauty and you selflessly put yourself about for the team today.
Koscielny is some player in the making. And Vermy is the terminator!
What a wonderful day for the club, the players, the fans and most of all the manager who deserved this no end.
I think we may very well have assuaged the capitulation that has haunted us in recent years. Today was a performance that took real balls after shipping two incredibly silly goals at the start. Lets hope we see the job out and make that CL berth ours..!
Pints all round…………….on Lars..!
Lovely fellow ‘holics,
Since every time i went to make a coffee coincided with an Arsenal goal, and obviously had to repeat the process ad infinitum thus practically missing half of the match, i`ve successfully browsed the web and found an upload of the full match. Here goes:
http://www.fileswap.com/dl/IFdMpracM8/Arsenal_vs._Tottenham_Hotspur_2-26-2012_1st_Half.asf.html
http://www.fileswap.com/dl/bsfYE3Sr6/Arsenal_vs._Tottenham_Hotspur_2-26-2012_2nd_Half.asf.html
Cin-Cin! 🙂
Frontwheel 2: Your FFFFeckinn F fell off mate (0;
Andy Goram: For FFFFFack sake don’t change anything ffffor the rest of the season (0;
Tabs,
If your just beginning to drink – then I hope its single malt and fine Guinneass. And if your down the track somewhat – then I hope its the cheapest of sparkling cider. Eitherway – I hope its Nirvana…!
that’s me on the right 🙁 🙂
Just love that feeling when you are still celebrating one goal when another goes in.
Happened twice today.
Suck it up LWCs.
at 0-2 i had my keys in my hand about to step out for a curry, and then Bac scored – just deserts for a player who works so hard.
The rest was poetry. this team can frustrate sometimes, but oh boy days like this make it all worthwhile.
We were poor in the first 30 minutes, and throughout the game they were what they essentially are, a pretty average team, who occasionally overachieves. We’re a fab team that for some reason massively underachieves.
I still think we need to look beyond AW, but just for today its nice to savour a victory so sweet and wonderful
Time to back-drink in a bit, but oh, what a lovely win!
I am currently sat at the kitchen table from where I can see the telly. The missus is watching a recording of the game, and she has no idea about the score. I am trying VERY hard not to give anything away, she’s currently about 20 minutes into the game and I am just sitting here watching it silently knowing what is to come 🙂
Well I am going to watch the game again (thanks to the real Andy Goram) and I hope we don’t fuck THAT one up either…
Good to see you LeGrash you fair-weather supporter you (0;
Wicked Lars…nice (0;
Anyway I am off till ‘holic decides to get off his fat ARSE – come on your Reds – and put up a new post…laters…joys..
Finally played with two proper full backs, and boy did the team feel transformed, albeit the start was slowish.
Another noticeable thing was the pressing by midfield, Arteta and MOTM Rosicky were all over the scum midfield.
Bac is back baby. Love the guy. Best RB in the EPL.
COYG.
Robin just scored. Missus much more happy now… (and back to back-drinking for me!)
Humiliating the scum, more alcohol than one man should consume, a bollicking from the management and a lost voice….what a fucking great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!!!
Haha by the 90th minute I Reckon you might score Lars 😉
Thomas Rosicky: For me, against Milan, he was the only player with any forward drive and, apart from a shot that hit the corner flag he was our best player.
Today, like so may others this season, he was our best player, it’s just that it was a little bit more obvious.
And his face when he got the winner said it all.
I love this team because they’re scrapping for wins like the old Arsenal did. And maybe that’s the difference between this team and the teams of last season and the season before that.
But we’ll always be better than those classless cunts from up the road.
oh yeah and:
FOREVER
IN
OUR
SHADOW
You LWC’s
Chippy@175: hmm, you might be right, haha!
H2H, you have been missed! Hope things sort themselves for you so you can spend more time in here!
FAN. TAS. TIC.
I said the other day in the midst of all the doom – “I’m looking forward to seeing some true,great Gooners in The Tollie and then going to beat the Sp*rs. Then maybe we’ll have some proper football, some great performances and goals to talk about”.
Well, I did – cheers ‘Holic, good to see you in full voice!, TS, Tabs, Ollie and Top Man Snowy – and we have !
Cheers H2H for the mention of the crowd. I thought we were bloody magnificent. Refused to get down on the team even at 0 – 2.
Sp*rs time wasting, play acting and cheating were a disgrace for a “top” team (laughs raucously) and despite every assistance from that excuse for an official it all came to nothing.
Fantastic performance from the team, which looked all wrong to me before kick-off (Arsene still knows), and they showed some real fight today and a directness that has been missing for a while.
Season saver ? Let’s hope so.
5 – 0 vs Milan ? Why not. 😉
Good to see the away seats empty by the final whistle as we “ole’d” out the final minutes !
Ah – news from the front – played Trev
will the media do a hartlepool on Bale? (no chance).
They destroyed Dudu for the same crime.
Nice post Holic. you da man’
And to think… the remote almost went out the window at 2-0!!
I watched a recording of the England rugby match with Catalan Jr this morning. After an unlucky loss the 4 year old turned to me and said, “Don’t worry Daddy, Arsenal will win and then it will be ok”.
Wise kid. 😉
The HT is up and rolling…. anything after this is a bonus!
Yes andy, I think Bay-all should be sent back to Wales. We don’t want these diving foreigners here ruining our game do we.
Amazing how he disappeared at 2-2.
Great result that one so much easier to sleep in the middle of the night after a win like that.
Ah Catalan – lovely climate over there, but maybe I do prefer being back here after all ! 😉
Cheers AL – shame you couldn’t make it today.
If the Busby bitches beat the LWC’s next week it’s tott’s v the cahavs. the week after. oooh!
Thats a anti-tug of the ol’ heart strings
andy – good to see you didn’t desert after the bit of feistiness the other day. Tune in for more, this coming Feisty F*cking Friday 😉
thassum fuked innit… as we say in Cornwall
Europa League beckons for the Tott’s old chap !
Fuked backsifore, fellovergen !
Oh what a gloooooorious Sunday!
We still rule North London you bunch of lilywhite mothertruckers.
We are red, we are white we are fcking dynamite….
Just back from my Emirates debut, courtesy of my nephew whose mate can’t get to every game, and sensationally decided not to go to this one.
What can I say? Great team performance from the boys. I remember watching Alex Song early in the second half, thinking how dominant, and comfortable, he looked.
I felt a bit sorry for the bloke behind me who was explaining, in the quietly reasonable tones we’ve come to expect, how Theo shouldn’t have squared the ball for RvP at 0-1, and how he should be off and what should be done to him. He seemed to sense he had lost the sympathy of the crowd later in the game and shut up. Shame – he seemed to see so many things in the game that passed me by.
I thought the “Adebayor, Adebayor, This is the best team he’s ever played for” chant was quite witty. I liked “Adebayor, What’s the score?, Adebayor, What’s the score” even better.
All the time wasting from the away team in the first half was very annoying. I couldn’t work out why they were doing it – apparently, like the bloke behind me, the visiting players can read the game better than I can.
Somehow, I’ve always been confident that the team from the other end of the Seven Sisters Road would blow up late in the season although the hostorical precedents would seem to indicate otherwise. Perhaps I _have_ got one right.
COYR
-hostorical
+historical
bathgooner picks up the ball in his own penalty area, chips it over a LWC and lays it off to the right hand side, sprinting for the centre circle…..
Dives in the box, anticipating more sympathy from the referee . . .
Cheers Trev a La Premiere Biere Francaise 1664 is awaiting you my friendI
Count me in!
Lays a DB10 like ball in behind the defence…..
Takes his own spot kick . . into the roof of the net . .
….and it goes ALL the way into the net. Must have Tubby Robinson back in goal!
a tad sad to have missed that one in the flesh too – Trev, plus the Tollie et al. unfortunately wrong day, wrong time and all that – but right score-line – soooooooooooo
One team in London, there’s only one team in London, one team in Loooonnnnnnddddoon
Oh bollocks, we seem to be playing with two balls here.
Congrats bath, doesn’t matter who scores and all that . . . . 😉
The little tartan coat worn by mods says “red card red card”
Thanks Trev, was trying to lay it on for you.
Trev – 22 degrees and blue blue skies here today.
Tollie.
You win!!! 🙂
Trev
Job swap?? 🙂
Trev – You’ve got mail.
Ok, back-drinking, commence.
Great stuff from ‘Preacher’ Smallballs, the new members of the Goram clan and etc 🙂
I saw the news for Arshavin’s loan maybe on Friday evening, probably Saturday Morning, my initial reaction was of disbelief and sadness, this isn’t the Denilson situation, where a player with promise but no talent is sent off on loan, but a player with talent that some may say was signed without Wenger’s backing, some may say was played out of position but all will agree that he was a game-changer.
I’ll never forget that 4-4 game at Anfield at ’09, Goodbye (for now?) Andrei the Meerkat.
Excellent post ‘Holic 🙂
Joe @ 6, take a bow son 🙂
For someone like me who’s back-drinking from after the match, excellent words.
Snir @ 34, thank you, honestly, for the link. That man could make me cry manly tears with his words :’)
I’m with Lonestar @ 35, PURE CLASS our Captain is 😀
Chippy @ 45, I hope you’re living it large, along with Ricey @ 17 if he took the Theo bet 🙂
I said it in Dorking earlier today and I’ll say it again, Bale is a diving Cunt.
Top stuff & a Top Century Indeed Joshua @ 100 🙂
Ricey @ 105, my heart’s tearing for you mate :s
Snir @ 118, very nice, especially your #1.
NBN @ 119, well said.
Dr Faustus @ 122, too right.
cba @ 141, yep 🙂
Joe @ 160, well said *thumbs up*
Matt @ 176, my thoughts about the match near exactly
Oxon Gooner @ 195, what a debut, a NLD at home, you can’t make it up 😉
bg @ 200, what a century!
Back-drinking… End.
Watched the game with my Spud-supporting father-in-law and missus, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Are you watching in Milan?
Don’t worry I got this Guv..(0;
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