Just Do It
Apr 27th, 2012 by 'holic
The pointed end of the season. There is little, if any, room for error now. Of course we would much rather be in the hunt for the biggest prize, but after Chelsea’s advance to the Champions League Final the battle for third place has become every bit as tense for us as the scrap the Manchester clubs are involved in. The reward may not be as glamorous, but the penalty for failure is potentially far more severe.
Stoke is not the place you would choose to go with a fortnight of the season remaining, even with a full-strength side. Few are at full-strength at this stage of the season. We may consider ourselves hard done by that we are missing a couple of key players in Mikel Arteta and Theo Walcott, but anybody outside of the Arsenal family would consider we should have the resources to cope with that. They would be right.
Yossi Benayoun is likely to step back in to what I suspect will be an otherwise unchanged eleven from the one that took to the field against Chelsea. Against Stoke his experience and willingness to fight for scraps may prove significant. This may not be a game for the purists, but at least we will be able to start our strongest back four, and that should give us a platform from which to impose ourselves on the opposition.
Stoke provide the usual threat. They raise themselves against the big clubs, play on the directness that causes others to belittle them. They have home advantage, and any throw ins we concede in our defensive third will be hurled in the direction of Crouch, who would enjoy nothing more than to derail our attempt to ensure that third spot. It will be a test of the fragility we have displayed in recent outings against sides in the bottom half of the table. The good thing is we know exactly what to expect, and should have prepared accordingly.
The ‘holic pound is based on us turning up with a belligerent attitude. I expect us to stand up to any early intimidation, and even to return it. Compete strongly in the early battles and we should eventually engineer the opportunities to snatch what would be the sweetest of away wins. For once it is Stoke who have had a long hard season, and we should be relatively fresh as we are only playing once a week at present. If we are careful in retaining the lions share of possession and make them work hard then I see us getting the narrow win that will be enough. I’m on 2-1 to us at a skinny looking 15/2.
I hope those making the trip get a result to reward them. Three tough games remain, and our fate is in our own hands. Anything less than digging out a positive result tomorrow will result in a difficult last two weeks relying on others to do us a good turn. Newcastle, currently our closest rivals, have a tricky trip to confident Wigan at the same time as we play. Chelsea and Tottenham could be virtually out of the picture, or right back in the hunt on Sunday, depending on how we do in the Potteries.
For entirely selfish reasons I want us to show backbone tomorrow and get that win, not just for Arsenal supporters who have been through so much this season, but for one who hasn’t.
Come on Arsenal, in the words of one of your sponsors, just do it.
245 Responses to “Just Do It”
First?
Good one ‘Holic. I look forward to you scooping ยฃ7.50
Nice one ‘holic and 2-1’s a good shout!
COYBG!!! Not long to go now and the white beaches and the crispy-clear blue-water is awaiting! ๐
Heh, Oxon.
ยฃ7.50 indeed ๐
Evening Dan.
What do you get for being first?
Just pott it and don’t forget to pulis all over ’em!
GN@5 Fame, essentially. Congrats for the classy 300
….turning up with a belligerent attitude
Mos’ def.
bit late holic to long in the pub ? there is absolutely no room for error tomorrow.
You can never be too long in the pub.
Howdy ‘holic!
It’s imperative tomorrow that the boys make an early statement that we’re not going to be ruggered-up by that Cunt Pulis’ cunterry! Another Goodison-esque performance will certainly not be amiss!
Oi Zico, you lookin’ at me
Gooner Nigel (Not the CunTerry),
Well played for the triple ton mate! Lots of “playing with yourself” noted! Haven’t done that in years! ๐
Nice preview ‘Holic .
2-1 to The Arse sounds on the money to me .
Mr Oxon,
No
I’m looking at a black body, blonde head.
Called Arthur.
Dr Z’s all Gansta tonight by the looks! Where’s Snir?
Right ho Zico. Sorry ’bout that.
Holic knows @ 10.
Next time Roxette asks, I can tell her where I get my advice ๐
Dr Z @15,
Sounds more like Gjibrile Cisse! ๐
Heh Dapper D,
He ain’t got no moves in the ‘hood…..
No Sissys in Fife*
*Dramatic reconstruction
Can’t hang around at the bar drinking much this FFF night lads – at a black-tie doo-doo with the management! Will back drink tomorrow after the match! Enjoy ‘holic & ‘holics!
A half of the Djibril Cissรฉ for me please bar-keep! Cheers!
Holic, The photo of Arsene and Pep greeting each other (re article on AW talking about Pep’s departure) embodies what the game in general should be about. Classy futbol and good sportsmanship. But tomorrow we are facing a side not known for either. Do whatever it takes lads, even if it is ugly.
I have a great tactic that will guarantee a win tomorrow: score more than we concede ๐
Genius!
Lars – you also told me how to avoid hangovers and look how well that went….. ๐
Drink for me please barman. Anything but the Djibril Cisse. We could use Carlos Kickemhard in the team tomorrow, I’m thinking.
Did I tell you that, zico? I am probably too hungover to remember…
Think I better be off to bed now. Need to rest, heavy drinking has been forecast for tomorrow!
Heh @ 27 and the bevver forecast @ 28
Nice analysis as ever Holic. I too am hoping for the belligerent attitude from the kick off. We need attitude tomorrow. This team is not going to bully us. We are THE Arsenal. Go win Gunners.
Nice preview ‘holic.
Not really looking forward to tomorrows game, I can’t stand Stoke, the way they play, their fuckwit manager or their mouth breathing inbred fans.
We need to give them a good hiding. COYG’s
What is the over/under of time wasting by Delap wiping the ball?….as he walks to get the towel or puts it under his shirt like an expectant mother…..it’s got to be at least five minutes in my estimation.
Must put the sword to the Barcodes and the LWCs. Enough screwing around, let’s get the three points and get the heck out of there. We always seem to make it interesting though, I must say.
COYR!
We simply must do this….great write up ‘holic.
Also….
Asked if he had spoken to Abramovich in Paris in late February, as had been reported in the Spanish media, Guardiola responded: “No. That would have been a lack of respect to the club.” —
Hypocrite…..tapping up Cesc didn’t show a lack of respect?
To all fellow Holics (esp Oxon, DanC, TABs, Trev & Dr Zee) this is for you: http://youtu.be/YeonJHR1jyE See you all after tomorrow’s game (0;
Nice preview Holic. I agree totally. Our final 3 games are against sides in the bottom half of the league. Stoke are 14th and 14th for a reason. This really is crunch time and time for each and every player to man up and play with a fire and passion in their belly. A win at Stoke is a must. We know it will be a battle but surely we must have more than enough in the locker to deal with the rugby tactics and anti football. Then hopefully class will shine through.
Must say that I am feeling confident. 3 nil to the mighty Gunners.
Keep the faith.
Thanks all.
Can’t explain what I will be feeling if we don’t do this today.
‘holicdad would have been ninety today. Never got to see big ears lifted.
I want us in it so I do.
Selfish bastard.
Nice one ‘Holic –
a 2-1 win would be just grand. Would love to humiliate them for at least two very obvious reasons, but 2-1 will be fine.
Gooner Nigel @34 – nice one, and I will thanks – just a half mind ๐
Tabs, Wind – brilliant anagrams yesterday ๐
Vorwaerts Goonershaft !!!!
Not confident.
I reckon we’ll get a clean sheet but struggle for goals if RvP continues this annoying funk he’s been in.
Let’s hope it’ll be a thing of the past by tomorrow.
New song for Wolfgang Smallballs if he really does take up the lederhosen and sausages theme –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR0qFAlgneU&feature=related
‘holic, I’m pulling for the result for the ‘holicdad over here on this side, and sure I speak for the rest of the American ‘holics too on this one. ๐
One for the Tollie next week pre-Naaridge, to celebrate our new German influence ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQjx0PBu-jk&feature=fvwrel
Last one, I promise, but it’s actually from St Wolfgang, and ‘Holic appears at 1:22 ๐
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yy8sf1oxgE&feature=related
Ok, make that at 1:19, G’night.
Hola amigos! I think it’s time we break this Brittania hoodoo. I hope we play out of our skins and come away with a good result. THe boys have to show some steel today. And no, I don’t mean weapons on the pitch ๐
Don’t think Delap has played much this season. Seems like Shotton has taken over throwing duties. Doesn’t matter much though, our defenders seem less skittish than they used to be. Would be more concerned with Etherington and Walters in midfield…
Re: Trev @42. I am personally offended by those little green hats.
@42: Trev, Holic looks younger than I expected. Still seems proper langered though ๐
Stateside holics, the game is supposed to be on espn3 tomorrow so at least it shouldn’t be a rough day of stream searching. Fox Soccer has decreed that Wigan v. Newcastle is the more watchable game in our time slot. Boo!!!!
The game is on ESPN2 in the states. No need to stream if you don’t want to.
Too bad I’ve got no TV!!!
Don’t need it when you watch everything on your laptop!
And I mean everything!
Pushes to covers and jogs a single
Polite smattering of applause, despite the fact that it has taken the Catalonian batsman 3 days at the crease to reach his minor milestone
๐ฟ
Today’s blog, sponsored by Nike.
Morning All,
Well in ‘Holic, as usual well put and entirely sensible.
Fingers, toes (only summing to twenty if you’re Gooner) and everything crossed for that ‘positive result’.
Good luck to our team of players and the boys & girls of The Travelling Faithful.
COYRRRs!
Chris Tavare never got the appreciation his talents deserved
There you have it.
RvP’s father saying he’ll stay (albeit adding the words I think prior to the more important words in that sentence).
I’m pretty sure his dad knows what’s going on and would never have said that if RvP was on the brink of transferring.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9232194/Robin-van-Persies-journey-from-boy-to-Arsenal-legend.html
Played ‘holic
Come on The Arse – just do ’em
Gerv The Swerve – maybes to make his post ACN mark at some point
UREDS!!!!!
Will be doing the full lockdown during the game. I will be too emotional to post anything but vile abuse if it all goes Pete Tong.
…not that it will of course. Those munsters will pay today.
Cheers ‘holic. May Mugabe bring us all we need.
Let’s win it for the Holicdad.
I’ll drink to that lars 24 bottles chilling in the fridge,it’s a feast of footie for me today over here in Ireland got setanta showing our game to bring us a step closer to the holy grail,then the brother is captaining his team Sheffield united to promotion hopefully at 5.30 on sky,bed at 9 for me!coyreds
Courtesy of @Tom48_N5
“Pulis is a wanker, he wears a wanker’s cap, he’s only got one tactic, and that’s the twat Delap,
He throws it from the left wing, he throws it from the right,
They couldn’t play a through ball if they played all fuckin’ night…”
Sing up at the back, “Ohhhhhhhhhh,…”
GN@34 Good link. Thanks, mine’s a pint.
CG@50 Shame on you with your circket metaphors and all. Plenty of time for that sort of thing once we’ve got third place done and dusted.
COYG CCMUED
I’ll be singing that in my head all day, ‘h.
‘holic @ 61 – choooooonnnn!!!!!!!!!
Greetings Holics
To everyone brave enough to go to Stoke, just give that lot hell this afternoon.
I think my friend Szczesny will have a big part to play in our endeavours . Everything crossed for the 3 points!
Brilliant song @ #61, thanks for sharing. Will go and seek that individual.
@61 – EXCELLENT ๐
TS – are you slipping in a family visit to the potteries today ?
Full bubble wrap recommended if so ๐
Am I seeing some retweet suggesting Santos starts? Or is he just being his enthusiastic self?
@ snir geuli
Thanks for the link. Very good article. I love the quote about giving love to football. He lives that motto every day.
@ 61Goonerholic
Courtesy of @Tom48_N5
โPulis is a wanker, he wears a wankerโs cap, heโs only got one tactic, and thatโs the twat Delap
ha ha ha – perfect summing up.
Come on Arsenal!
Afternoon ‘holic & ‘holics,
A massively important match in under 2 hours time! Hope those who’ve ventured to probably the chilliest stadium in the EPL are warmed by a Herculean performance from the lads! COYG, do it for Holicdad.
Catch you all at the post-match drinks!
‘holic @61,
Excellent rendition my friend! ๐
I sincerely hope that today is not overly sad and emotional for you and your family. Best wishes.
I said it last night but hell it’s worth repeating
Right, it’s Stoke next and you know what?
I am fed up of this. ย This shrinking-violet side to Arsenal. ย This “we-should-be-worried-because-they-deploy-rugby-type-tactics” and so on.
Fuck that.ย
Time to kick back. ย Time to grap Lenny by the scrotum at each corner and squeeze real hard. ย How do you like them (bruised) apples, you cro-magnon cunt?
Time to take Delap’s towel and wrap it tightly round his windpipe. ย
Time for Arsene to pull that baseball cap over Pulis’ eyes and then kick him in the nads.
What would Paddy have done? ย Lauren? ย Dennis?
Bullies – stand up to them.
We are the Arsenal.
0-3.
Re: Dr. Z @72. You can say that again, mate. ๐
Delap benched…blimey, maybes a football match’ll break out
‘Holic, great chatting with you post-Chelsea at the Tolly. I just landed back in NYC yesterday and finally have reliable internet access again. Have to agree with Zico’s “stand up to the bullies” statement regarding today, we all already know the kind of game they’re going to play, its high time they got a taste of they’re own vile medicine. Call me crazy, but I’ve a sneaking suspicion that they won’t “like it up ’em” either. And there’s no reason we can’t do the job, although I’m not sure if any of you saw, someone Tweeted a pic of the pitch today. Seems the shrunk the pitch by 5 yds on all sides, just for us. A sign of respect, at least from that troglodyte Pubis.
I see the answer to my 69 was ‘the latter’
And Vela on the substitutes bench. Quick flight from Spain?
Makes a desperate attempt to break the pre-match tension by introducing a, hopefully interesting, new subject for debate…
I see that Southampton have secured the second automatic promotion place from the Champeenship, leaving West Ham to go into the playoffs. Has anyone heard how the ‘Ammers faithful are getting on with Fat Frank? It’s never struck me as an obvious match between manager and club.
Oxon, On a related note it’s interesting to see Harry Redknapp’s old clubs, West Ham and Portsmouth at least, mired in relegation or failed promotion scraps in the lower divisions …
Just watched Soton going up – if we do as well as them today , I’ll be well satisfied
COYreddddssss
Ah yes…time to do these cunts. What’s everyone drinking ? I’m hoping we dine on the tears of the potters…
not looking forward to this game. away to Stoke on a wet day. This is one of those games that you want to scrap for a win and get out fast. Nothing to like about the host and nothing to enjoy.
8Ball, interesting maybe, surprising – I think not. I simply don’t rate lovable wheeler-dealer ‘Arry. Whatever the attitude of the British press, he strikes me as having no class at all. I went to see England v Croatia at Wembley just after ‘that penalty’ against Celtic in the CL qualifying round and found that I simply wasn’t bothered about the England team. I’m not happy about it as I loved the sense of comradeship between supporters of different clubs when Engerland went on a good run at Euro96. If I still cared I would be praying that Redknapp doesn’t get the England job, as it is, I really don’t give a toss.
COYG CCMUED
Official news Monkey to leave LWC
Since wont qualify for CL he isconsidering his future lol
The BBC website notes its error, and has replaced Vela on the substitutes bench with Chamakh. Vela apparently still in Spain. What drama. ๐
Another big goal by Benayoun today, chaps?
sop://sop.rojadirecta.es:3912/106723
The guv’nor’s not about is he. Hang on a mo; not as young as I was…
(Clambers over the bar)
Right, that’s how the till works…
(Pours himself a delicious pint of bitter and ostentatiously deposits money in the till.)
Drinks anyone?
COYG CCMUED
COME ON YOU GUNNERS>
Only 10 more yellows and six reds to go
Unlucky Yossi – good move
Almost,Benny!
I like that from RvP.
Aggressively letting Chris Foy know that he’ll need to ref this game like it should be and not by Stoke’s standards.
Good cross and fair save from RvP
Cunt Crouch 1-0
No!!!
Typical really. one high ball into the box and its a goal. we have to deal with these type of balls somehow to get anything from this game
We’re moving the ball well, sure we score very soon…
Oh how I hate Stoke.
Unlucky Rambo just outside post
Oh must have closed my eyes there – it went in – 100
Yesss and he does it when he wants to TR to RvP 1-1
RVP, scores when he has too!!!!
Thank God he wants again
Nice reply…now fucking focus!!
Excellent work by Yossi made that possible. Press Stoke constantly….earn the ball…move it quickly.
Beeb reporting Wigan 1-0 Newcastle
Our boys are on FIRE!!!
We’re fighting well here
More please
2-0 Wigan – Newcastle
Swansea 3-0 Wolves (in 16 mins!)
Nice try Kos from Free
Wigan 2 up to the good against Newcastle
Thank God!
What a goal made by Yossi’s determination and TR’s skill!
I wish we coulda signed Yossi were it not for the stupid 25 rule.
Calm down please nurse. Six exclamation marks in four minutes?
Beeb now reporting Wigan 2-0 Newcastle
really nice to see Gervinho playing with some directness….I fancy him scoring soon
(by which I mean today)
Nice play between RVP and Gibbs.
Nine sticks of candy all in their box
Oxon Gooner, Can’t help it…when have we seen our lads play quite like this, it’s like firecrackers are going off in their boots!
Go Wigan, Go ARSENAL!!!
Wigan 3-0 Newcastle
Fouls by them 30+, fouls given 4
I’m loving Kos’ agressive play. Giving them a taste of their own medicine.
Walters can’t stop whining.
ALL the calls going against us, what up with that!
Fucking Stoke flopping to the floor every time we press them….annoying as shit aren’t they?
Oh dear throw in took so long the second half’s about to start
Wigan 4-0 Newcastle
Bar-codes have shipped FOUR before HT ๐
Tim,They could have killed Ramsey with that blow to the neck. Barbarians, the lot of them. Quickest 45 minutes I can recall!!!
Great first half. We are always going to concede a goal or two now and again against a team playing percentage football. That for me wasn’t a biggie. But we have played really well, we’re having quite a good tempo to our passing, the boys are really fighting for it, Ramsey is having his best game in a while, and the same goes for Gervinho.
Looking forward to the second half. We might well lose this still, that can always happen in football, but I’ll remember how we played today, with a (on recent form) weakened team, against Stoke away.
Well done, lads, keep it up in the second and we will probably get at least a point.
4-0 wigan apparently goal of season
Just switched to the Newcastle Wigan game after the halftime whistle. Wigan in the three minutes I have watched looked like Barca in their pomp capped by a sublime goal from Di Santo.
Right, that’s my lot.
Pulls down shutter on bar, scratches head, pushes shutter back up, clambers over bar and pulls shutter down again.
See you after full time.
Win this and we’re home and dry.
COYG’s
Wigan 4 Newcastle 0. Will we see Wigan in the Champions League in two years’ time?
CG, Goal of the season?Wow, must have been something special. Speaking of special, our lads are making me so very proud.
No come back for Newcastle I guess, so that makes life a little easier. We fought really well so far we could’ve been 2 or 3 up. But I’m dreading those long balls and set pieces. They don’t need many to score from them. deallly is to play high up and keep them away , they can’t break, they have no pace and their passing is terrible.
abb couldnt agree more, they are driving forward at every oppo, and pressurizing when ball lost
Can be a good result if we keep this up
btw (didnt see wigan goal just repeating from report)
Good first half! Went very quickly indeed!
Wigan are doing us a favour I hope they will hold onto to this!
IT was hilarious to see em drying the ball with that fucking towel and Foy ending the first half!
COME ON ARSENAL!
Come on the Gunners!!!! (Are five exclamation points sufficient?)
test looks like my previous comment vanished ๐
Everton putting some space between themselves and Liverpool in eighth spot. Come on the Toffees!
A!R!S!E!N!A!L!
That’ll be six
Funny what pressure does to people. Previously Pardew refused to claim he is after a top 4 finish so that he does not put pressure on his players. once he admitted they can achieve it they wobbled. not to mention Spurs.
abb- Ramsey got hurt on the neck in that collision from Bac, not Crouch (or whoever it was…)
okay ..is there some automatic filter against posting stream links? .my comment didnt go through again. Anyway..Gervinho and Ramsey having a blast today, Gerv is bound to score in this game. Tremendous understanding between TR, Captain and Benny so far too.
And agreed about Kos, loving to see him giving Stoke taste of their own medicine, beat them up!:P
Man, I’m usually levelheaded but I hope we pull out our serrated-edged dicks and fuck these barbarian cunts right in their cunts in the second half. Fucking hate them and their shite….
FUCK ME…seven….! (not awake yet…need coffee)
I’d be chuffed if McLeish would get relegated again LOL.
Yes that was funny the towel thing. The ref seen enough of the towel he decide enough is enough and blew his whistle:).
Eandy – No there isn’t.
Try again.
Channel 106723 on sopcast for anyone interested.
@SG
Then move to WBA in the Summer to take all 3 down? (Hodgson gets England job…)
I want ‘arry to stay with the spuds….
Tim, those exclamation points can be hard to count, especially at my age. ๐
Snir, I’d be chuffed to see McLeish relegated every year with a different club. At least we know Arsenal won’t hire him. I think. ๐
Almost, RVP!
great cross from Bac and good header from rvp
Big difference today – Song showing the discipline to hold when he should be….
Whoaaa…come on Kieran…
Good save by Woj.
Didnt that sub used to play in Lunnon?
I absolutely love how we continue to take all goal kicks towards Sagna on the right. If he wins the ball it always falls down to Gervinho and if he doesn’t we get a throw in over the half way line. Much better than kicking the balls towards Persie and Stokes centre backs which would more often than not mean that Stoke wins the ball.
Good tactic, working very well.
That was a pen ref , studs up
Gervinho keep it up, son.
Newcastle have quite literally crapped in their pants today eh?
Tim Now if the red barcodes would do the same, Id feel much better
COME ON ARSENAL!!!
Song is working his arse off….essentially a sweeper today
Ox wants a game – give him one
Any time we touch them its a foul but never the other way
Whooaaa….Szczesny, got the ball and Kos as well…getting stuck in
TV surges forward and earns the foul – how did the ref notice?
How can AW risk Abu against this lot?
So, how come we didn’t get that free kick (or was it a pen?) from TVs shot?
Diaby on for Ramsey.
No pen for a push in the back!!!~!!!!!!!!
And another penalty shout there then.
For Foys sake – talk about Mr incosistency
let’s face it…no penalties will be awarded today…
need a goal from open play boys…..
do we have a striker on the bench? (echo…..)
Is Chammy on as an extra defender?
How has Foy not been demoted yet??
So poor.
If ever there was a time for Chamakh to earn his pay…it’s in the next 10 mins….come on Mr haircut…
Good save Woj
AW – Santos for Benny why?
the towel Master is on
Santos is better as a midfielder in my opinion
Yes Agent Chamakh, get those freekicks!
TV taking 1?
Delap on – st*ke throwing in the towel!?!
Danger, danger!!!
Sagna makes up for earlier fuck up! !!!!!!!!!
Good game, decent result, Stoke are cunts.
Playing against Foy and Pulis was impossible to win
Really good performance I thought…just undermined by the fact we are still vulnerable to early goals.
Song or Rosicky Motm?
Ladies and Gentlemen, a little decorum, please. The exclamation mark police are back in the bar.
Good result today.
COYG CCMUED
2 penalties shouts not given. we chances to win but Not a bad result I think we need to win the last 2 to make sure
How is Foy still a PL referee is beyond me.
Absolutely clueless.
And I say again – Ramsey had a really good game. The lad has mental strength.
Tempting lob into the box
That second half was very difficult for the nerves.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
A point away at Brittania, not too bad…felt we had the chances to get over the line but it was a well fought game.
Lol@Newcastle!
3rd place? You’re having a giraffe!!!
4-0 to Wigan!
@Toby —- he did indeed….lovely to see Aaron nearer his best
@Ollie…..I never was worried about us losing it…were you?
Shoots!
CoR, Since I prompted Tim’s goal, can I have half of the assist?
And well in Tim!
I was worried about losing it Tim…it got a little hairy after a while…or maybe it’s the alcohol that has me on edge???
Just a thought…
A Blackburn win tomorrow would make it St Totts ๐
COYG CCMUED
Yeah man Toby, have at it ๐
We’ll hold each side of the assist trophy!
oh I got 200!!!! My Chamakh moment
(He actually played well for 14 minutes….sometimes RvP could do with someone to hold the ball up alongside him)
He shoots he missed he must be fecking pissed Gooner Nigel…
Oh Bollocks, no it wouldn’t. Sorry all. Early onset dementia back again.
Oooooo Oxon…..after the season we’ve had, I would literally hire an open-top bus for that mate….
The Newcastle result was really a bonus for us. West Brom and Norwich can be tricky but we just need to give all in those 2 games.
….if it were true that is ๐
damn you and your dementia!
St Totts day next week then? I’ll get the sandwiches
Heh, CoR, making up pretend trophies is the Gooners lot in life, innit?
Back in the department of daft things to worry about, Oxon Gooner gloomily contemplates the possibility that Arsenal finish 3rd, ***** 4th, Newcastle 5th and Chavs 6th. Who would he back in the CL final? He ponders awhile then slaps his forehead and relaxes, wreathed in smiles.
It’s obvious really. Bayern for the Champs league and the Shower from up the road to go out in the CL preliminary round.
COYG CCMUED
I like how you think, Oxon. I like how you think.
Tim, 201, I was: at that one point when they got the throw-in in the last minute.
@Ollie….fair point…I think (hope) we’ve worked that out, although it did take Sagna to make it certain
Heheh Toby! You know how it is, when life gives you lemons, you just take it behind the bus and make it pregnant….
Bendtner scored quite a tidy goal today. Anybody know how Miyachi did?
I don’t think Miyaichi played. Those Villains fucked him up the other day, has a bum shoulder now…
Hard fought and lots of heart, in carving out that one point. Rambo was so sharp. Proud of you lad ! Tomas, you made me gasp in delight, another awe inspiring performance.
Thanks for the info, CoR. Feel a bit bad. I’m usually one to keep track of the youngsters (and usually get their names right as well…)
Right, my plan right now is to get drunk. Got a summer house to design but that is for tomorrow. Today is for celebrating Shawcross got one day closer to retirement!
I’m already drunk Tobs! Maybe I can join Daphne and pass out under the table in my own effluence in a minute ๐
Chelsea have Liverpool twice and Newcastle . Newcastle still have Man city to come. Spurs have some easy fixtures but I can’t see them winning all their remaining games.we sholud get 3rd. it is vital. i just want to watch the C.league final without worrying.
A point at Stoke wouldn’t be a horrible result in the normal course of events. But we dealt well enough with an always difficult opponent to take all three. Lacked a cutting edge. Missing those Arteta thunderbolts, too. Wigan did us a favour today, which makes the point more valuable. If Blackburn get something off the LWCs it will be, net for net, a good weekend. I hope the Stoke game gives the team some momentum for the last two games, both now must wins. We have, after all, only taken two points from our last three games. Must we always make it so difficult for ourselves.
Toby and CoR: Auntie Beeb has Ryo on for the last 25 minutes. Text commentary mentions him getting in two crosses and a centre and being fouled by Wayne Bridge.
COYG CCMUED
Echoing what ABB says @222, we fought hard and with lots of heart.
Ned: “Must we always make it so difficult for ourselves.” Are you serious? Of course we must. We are the Arsenal.
COYG CCMUED
Not seen any of the game. Will have to wait for the extended sky highlights.
A point gained or two lost? My initial thoughts are that it is 2 dropped. I know Stoke is a tough place to go but I do feel we should have wrapped 3rd up by now. We now genuinely do have two must win matches.
Up the Gunners.
On paper this was the hardest of the three remaining yes? If we are left with two must wins I’m glad of the point today.
Come on Blackburn….hard to say it even….
Damn right we would have wrapped it up by now if we’d won our last three. We haven’t. If we win our last two matches, then it’s job done. If we drop any points then we’ll have to hope others make mistakes too.
Do you hear that rumbling noise? It’s bums squeaking in Newcastle, up the road and in Fulham.
Relax people. We have the points on the board. Some of the other teams will drop points, it’s quite likely all of them will.
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A calm and assured, albeit slow like most of the team, performance from Ramsey. Wish that left footed shot went in.
A very fresh and lively cameo from Chamakh. Good hold-up play, a few nice runs and passes and earned a free kick. That is a side of Chamakh’s game often overlooked, he earns a decent amount of free kicks and penalties. I still think more could have been had from Chamakh in this season.
A few long range shots wouldn’t have gone amiss. That used to be one of Rosicky’s strength, now that he is playing this well he could very well attempt to rediscover that ability.
Koscielny defended fantastically. And Song staying disciplined when Gibbs was failing to recover from runs was crucial.
Two wins in last two matches and third place is guaranteed. Can’t ask for a better opportunity.
Minus 1 in my book! FACT!!!
It’s amazing to think we’ve only taken 2 points out of our last 3 games, but we are still in pole position for 3rd.
We’ll need to do much better over the last 2 games though.
@230: Steve, I personally felt like it was a point gained. It felt like a game that could go either way at many periods in the game. We edged it in the second half but couldn’t get clear chances and sometimes refused to speculate and shoot. We weren’t physically outmatched though, which is good.
@227: I didn’t realize he made it on the pitch. I just checked his stats on FFL after the game and his score was still on 0 so I assumed he was still sidelined. Apologies for the misinformation Toby!
It’s odd to think that with one more win we’ve earned more points than last season.
Would never have thought it possible 5 games into this season, you can’t overlook Wenger’s accomplishments with that in consideration. Nor can you overlook how bloody badly last summer’s affairs were conducted.
All water under the bridge now, but I do believe we have the nucleus of something really good – but concede far too many goals. While the clamour will be for forwards and wingers this summer I really hope that be give ourselves better depth at the back. If we have to slash the prices to relieve the squad of some of the obvious candidates we need to do so. Will NB ever play for us again?
Next season: Aiming as high as champions might be very far fetched but getting 75-80 points is where we need to get to – we’ll only manage that by drastically reducing our goals against.
Anyone..I’m full of bollocks this morning but proud that the team have shown us what many thought was gone – pride, effort and most of all some fight. That reserve to come back when trailing has been impressive, let’s just stop falling behind!
I’d love to know how many league games this season we have been trailing in? It must be 20 out of the 36 league games….far too many.
I just worked it out…we’ve been behind at some point in 17 (!!) of our 36 league games this season. Quite amazing that we are in 3rd. We need to fix that next year.
Good points Tim.
238 : Tim’ll fix it.
Holic, Just took a minute to back drink to 35, (worked last night). Really think a photo of him as a permanent ‘fixture’ at the bar would be a fitting tribute…
Tim – stay tuned for Oxon’s end-of-season analysis of the Summer of 2011. (Assuming I stop worrying about irrelevancies as at 215.)
In the meantime, let’s all relax and stay strong.
If we feel the need to wind someone up, thirty-odd thousand people head for the wrong end of the Seven Sisters Road every couple of weeks. What do you think Dennis provided them for?
I can’t think of a single reason to believe that Champions is too high to aim for in 2012-13. Aiming higher, now that would be too high.
Incidentally, Auntie says we’ve gained 20 points from matches in which we went behind.
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wot! no chevrons?
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Oxon@229: :). Looking forward to your end of term paper.
Last two Premiership hatricks have been scored against Norwich. Will RvP make it a hat trick of hatricks next Saturday?