text:
Gunners Dig In, Engage The Enemy, And Win The Battle
Feb 9th, 2013 by 'holic
Who would have thought a week after we got the return fixture with Stoke out of the way that we would face an even sterner physical test at Sunderland? This was a match best described as beauty and the beast, and not beauty versus the beast. For the second week running we went toe to toe with opponents clearly testing that soft Arsenal underbelly of days in the not too distant past, and passed the test with flying colours.
From the off the challenges flew in, and despite an inevitable Cattermole booking inside ninety seconds the extremely poor Mr Taylor allowed much to go without sanction. Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, and Jack Wilshere in particular started snapping back as we put a stranglehold on the middle of the park. After so much had been let go it was frustrating to see Carl Jenkinson pick up a yellow, arguably warranted though it was. Much worse had been ignored.
The more the half wore on the more the midfield battlers carried the game to their opponents. Wilshere caught the eye as usual with his willingness to commit his markers but Ramsey too was involved heavily as the intricate passing moves appeared with greater frequency. Mignolet had already pulled off a string of good saves before Olivier Giroud beat him, but sadly the far post also. Finally the breakthrough arrived when an impressive passage of play ended with Santi Cazorla's deflected effort hitting the target.
In the ten minutes that remained of the half Mignolet again denied us the cushion of a second goal thwarting both Theo Walcott and Ramsey, and how the latter would have deserved a goal for his performance today. Rarely was the makeshift back four stretched, with Bacary Sagna putting in an assured display alongside Per Mertesacker in the centre of the defence. They were destined to get much busier after the break.
When N'Diaye clattered Wilshere early in the half the England international was substituted, hopefully as a precaution. Sunderland had started the half as they had started the match. Ironically that meant an introduction from the bench for Abou Diaby, so seldom seen since Dan Smith's 'tackle' on him in this fixture seven years ago.
Around the hour mark Jenkinson earned a second yellow for a foolish challenge on Sessegnon. All of a sudden the game became end to end stuff as Sunderland sensed an advantage. Not surprisingly an aerial bombardment was launched and Sagna in particular, but the defensive unit in general, stood firm and repelled almost everything. When they didn't Wojciech Szczesny was there, producing his best performance for many a long day, and earning at least a share of any man of the match judgements, I would have thought.
The ten men didn't just dig in at the back though. Walcott all but sealed it, only to be denied by a post. Giroud and Cazorla miscued when it looked as though we might settle the nerves of the watching Gooners. Four added minutes seemed to take an age, but one last Sunderland corner was repelled and the players rightly celebrated three points made critical by the victories for Tottenham and Chelsea. They will take some catching, but the evidence of this afternoon is that Arsenal have the stomach for a scrap.
We will need it.
477 Responses to "Gunners Dig In, Engage The Enemy, And Win The Battle"
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:17 pm1Bergkamp's The Man
On a previous day, Holic once described Martin O'Neill as a character, "Mad As A Box of Bouncing Frogs" was the description if I remember correctly. Today, the small, goggled one wasn't even a tadpole and the only CHARACTER on display here was that provided by this beautiful young team that Arsene Wenger has built. Arsenal really touched the heights of fabulous football today, serving up the kind of quality stuff rarely seen in this Premier League on any given Saturday.
Let's be honest please, Vinny, Danish, Uncle Chic and all of the other doom merchants who won't read this because they never appear here when Arsenal win. This game should have been dead and buried by half time. By the end, Arsenal had missed 10 excellent chances that would have hit the back of the net with a different set of goal gods dolling out the deserts.
"So, it must have been a very one-sided game the, BtM?."
It wasn't. Give them credit, Sunderland threw everything they had at Arsenal, studs, elbows, kicks, you name it, they threw it. But it would be wrong to say that this was the usual physics and bus parking routine from Sunderland. Inspired by success down both flanks with Sessignon, Adam and Rose, Sunderland competed welland tried to take the game to Arsenal.
Santi Cazorla waved his wand and wove a magical attacking spell all over the pitch. Wilshere, Ramsey and Arteta were superb accomplices. Fittingly though, it was Santi who finished off a move fashioned in a higher footballing place to score the goal that was the eventual winner. Rambo should have made it two on the stroke of half time. He's had a beautiful strike saved earlier, but more cool this time around, a soft pass inside the post, and the game would have been dead right on 45 minutes.
Jenkinson showed why he's still sitting on the bench even although Sagna isn't firing on all eight cylinders. He had a fairly torrid afternoon and departed (no excuses from here) for an early bath around 60 minutes.
From there on in, Arsenal were under pressure. Sunderland had started the second-half well and sensed blood at eleven against ten. Arsenal's spirit and character shone through brightly in the February gloom and indeed, with the handbrake off, they still created several superb chances.
The Men of the Match? No question in my mind, Bacary Sagna and Wojcieck, The Pole between the poles. As Sunderland burst every blood vessel in their bodies in an attempt to level and then win, these two more than most, stood high, stood strong. Ramsey was superb throughout and there is nothing that delights me more than the sight of Abou Diaby running strong. Welcome back, big guy. My hopes for your health are winging your way.
The first three points from the first of three critical games. Top Three, One Trophy. Ollie G 20 Georgia Peaches. A peach liquer for everyone in the bar, Holic with a pink flower in TaBS' one please.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:17 pm2Holloway2Holland
Missed the cut off;
Due to heavy snow I was an hour later home then expected, but luckily enough I had left my tv on the channel that was showing the game and with the wonders of modern technology I could rewind it and watch as live.
We were all over them in the first half and a few of their players got away with some shit that other refs might of punished. We played some excellent football and should of been way out of sight before the HT Redbull flavoured Gatorade, or whatever they guzzle in the dressingroom.
The loss of LJW disrupted our flow, but I still thought we were in control, until ofcourse the enivatable happened and the Corp was given his marching orders. After that it was pretty much back to the walls stuff, but the boys in yellow put in a defencive performance the likes of which are rarely seen from them. Solid, team, defending. The back four held it's shape and didn't panic and when breached the Pole in the goal made some fine stops, strike that, brilliant stops.
I must also give a strong shout out to Bacary Sagna, he's the first to admit that it hasn't quite been happening for him this season, but he was tremendous this afternoon, his positional awareness was tip top, he saved us a bunch of times. All in all, maybe not the least nerve racking way to get the points, but sweet, sweet victory non the less. LOoooooOOVED IT.
Ollie, I think I had the same commentry team on my channel (it was in English) I didn't turn off the sound, but man that "side-kick" or whatever they're called was annoying as hell, what a numpty! But, Meh, I'm not gonna let his bullshit ruin my day. Three points in the bag and for the second week in a row;
It has a nice ring to it that…… maybe someone should try and make it into a song. 😉
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:20 pm3Bergkamp's The Man
You caught me out there, Holic. Confess that I now need to go back and read the Master's View :-). Back shortly. Bloody great result, no matter how you write it up.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:20 pm4NorCalArsenal
A short 3rd?
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:27 pm5Holloway2Holland
Good stuff, 'holic.
We saw the same game.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:27 pm6Ollie
Wow, enormous snow storm in St Etienne, I can see why the match got stopped, don't know how they manage to play on now.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:28 pm7And Lester
Played 'h.
Jack magic, santi-tastic, Chesenational – to fourth and beyondish. UreDS!
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:32 pm8And Lester
Oops – "Chesensational" (but then you knew that, presumably)
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:33 pm9Bergkamp's The Man
"For the second week running we went toe to toe with opponents clearly testing that soft Arsenal underbelly of days in the not too distant past, and passed the test with flying colours."
Absolutely spot on, Holic. Jack Wilshere adds craft AND a very sharp bite to the squad. A combination that we haven't seen since Cescie's DNA pulled him south. Arteta too, though, has a hard side that is making some of the tossers who try to kick us off the field think thrice.
I hope you are correct and that Jack's removal was primarily a precaution. He has become mightily important and one wonders what his presence behind Percy might have added last season.
Bayern Munich – bring them on – I have a flight to Munich, a hotel room, but as yet, no ticket. On the sunny side, no ticket at this stage is not any cause for concern.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:39 pm10Impec1
Great goal Barry
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:39 pm11NorCalArsenal
Barry just put a beautifully placed shot………right in his own goal. Haha.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:40 pm12Thundertinygooner
Terrific to see Sagna and Ramsey doing so well today. Both are favourites of mine and both have been struggling at times after broken legs ( two in Bacary's case) . When Ramsey broke through at Cardiff he was deemed capable of of playing in almost any position and he filled two well today by all accounts.Frankly if Sagna can play this well at centre back the question is if we have got sufficient cover at right back where Coquelin and Yennaris have distinguished themselves. May need them next week given the Corporal's suspension.
Not clear whether Koscielny is ill or injured. Does anyone know?
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:43 pm13Bergkamp's The Man
I think Sessengnon would make an excellent impact sub replacing Russia's Finest Haircut next season. Hint, Arsene. (We know you come here) 🙂
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:44 pm14Holloway2Holland
AS far as I understand he passed a fitness test to play, but felt unwell before kick off so was replaced.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:46 pm15Impec1
Watching Man City makes me regret that we went down to ten men so early in that game at home. They aren't very good this season.
Good write up Guv.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:49 pm16Ollie
Time for Ajaccio vs Bordeaux.
No snow there.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:50 pm17Bodrum Gooner
Will those fans who 'want their Arsenal back' admit that the 'old' Arsenal were in evidence today? Fantastic defending by all when our backs (and forwards – Giroud was immense) were against the wall and I felt for the first time in quite a while that we were going to come away with all three points despite the onslaught. We certainly had opportunities to add to the one goal even when we were under the cosh without Wilshire and down to ten men. Jenkinson showed his inexperience today (but he'll learn and, after all, he's a gooner!) Sir Chesney was the goalkeeper we all know he can be on a regular basis with greater concentration, and maybe Sagna has showed his new true position if he's lost pace after two serious injuries? As someone else mentioned, an Arsenal result that was even more satisfying than a goal fest 🙂
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:51 pm18IL-Gooner
The ref was a disgrace, turning a blind eye on nearly every unlawful act by a Sunderland player, including Fletcher controlling the ball with his hands, allowing himself a 1-on-1 with Szczesny. He called just 6 (!) fouls against Sunderland, ignoring bookable offenses such as Larsson's stamping, while he punished Theo for using his face to harm Danny Rose's elbow. At least he didn't give Sunderland a penalty for Sessegnon's dive (although he didn't book the attacker either). This was a game in which the ref tried to influence things without making obvious terrible decisions which may be highlighted on TV. Well done to our boys for fighting and holding on and ignoring Sunderland's twelfth man.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:53 pm19NorCalArsenal
This was by far sessegnon's best performance this year. He has had a pretty poor season to date but had the bit in his teeth today. I'm not saying he couldn't contribute ( but I could contribute more the the Russian haircut if I got on the pitch) but maybe one to watch.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:53 pm20Snir Geuli
What an important win that was.
Beat Blackburn next week and we'll be full of confidence following three wins on the bounce in time for Bayern.
Then we have a chance to claw back on Chelsea and Spurs who play City and West Ham away respectively.
That is an important game as we have Spurs away and Everton at home the following weeks.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 6:55 pm21Impec1
Bodrum @17: I was thinking the same regarding Sagna playing CB if he has lost pace for the full back position. Great point.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:02 pm22bstrum
Enjoy these wins almost as much as a 5-0 though usually much, much worse for the blood pressure…but today, strangely enough, there seemed to be a conviction in the side (and supporters?) that the 10-man Arsenal would be able to hold on regardless of the elbows and the kitchen sink that Sunderland threw at them. Sagna and Szczesny were magnificent; Sessegnon was an utter prick, diving whenever he felt the slightest contact and perhaps even when he hadn't. But since Taylor ensured Sessegnon was successful, no reason for him to stop being a cheating cunt, I suppose…
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:07 pm23Cent
Nice report, 'Holic and BtM, 'holic nailed my anger towards the ref when he wrote 'Carl Jenkinson picked up another yellow,arguably warranted it was. Much worse had been let go.' we need consistency from the referees.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:16 pm24Ollie
yep, bstrum, obviously my heart was in my mouth, but I had that conviction we would hold on no matter what too.
Obviously much easier to say with the benefit of hindsight, but still…
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:16 pm25Thundertinygooner
Many thanks- given Sagna's performance it might have been a blessing in disguise
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:17 pm26Ollie
You will notice that unlike certain people after a certain cup game, I didn't say 'I knew' 😉
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:19 pm27Ollie
Not so sure about the blessing in disguise, TTG, as Jenks wouldn't have been playing so not sent off 😉
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:25 pm28North Bank Ned
Nicely judged write up, 'Holic. You are right that it is going to be a scrap for fourth but the team looks up for it.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:32 pm29Ollie
Ajaccio score against the run of play. Great goal though 🙁
Looks like there may really be only one pleasant result today.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:34 pm30David
Scrap for 4th… more likescrap for 3rd also, in my book. Oh and good to see Wenger AT LAST play Carzola where he should play him, further forward on the flanks. It can be argued in a more midfield role he fails to get near in and around the penalty area on a consistent basis!
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:39 pm31Doctor Faustus
Imprec1 @ 15: Exactly, we should and could have won both home and away against them. They might yet salvage the season but if they end up empty handed it is going to get interesting: whether they will keep on spending and hiking up the wage bill or will try to work with this team but a new manager.
One more striker and couple of more defensive and DM options to add, and this team may be up for the challenge next season.
Getting all the British players to renew their contracts was a very assertive move.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:39 pm32bstrum
Anybody watch the Mancs? Thoroughly outplayed by Southampton and it should have been 4-1, not 3-1. End of the line for Mancini? And does that mean a pimp from Portugal with a lot of petrodollars in his purse?
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:42 pm33Charlie
Man City really do look like a team that's thrown in the towel for the season. They'll probably go on and win the FA Cup now I said that, but they have the feel of a bunch of players who just wish it was May now.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:45 pm34Charlie
And I still find it funny we have the joint-third best defensive record in the league. Nobody's going to ship fewer than 30 goals this year (there won't be many who concede fewer than 40 at this rate), just bizarre.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:52 pm35Potter
By the end, Arsenal had missed 10 excellent chances that would have hit the back of the net with a different set of goal gods dolling out the deserts.
That's the only thing that worries me.
Good performance though we should have sewn it up much earlier.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:55 pm36Norris
Massive, huge ginormous, humoungous victory today…. I said IF we could win this then 4th was ours, so we did and it is! Hoorah! 🙂
David; Cazorla has been immense in the centram attacking position. He's hardly had a watershed moment today mate.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 7:56 pm37Snir Geuli
David, AW puts Santi on the wing away from home so that we win the midfield battle.
He drifts in when in possession which outnumbers the opposing midfield three.
In defense Santi busts a gut and helps Gibbs/Monreal.
Magnificent work rate from Santi.
Poldi on the left offers us a more direct threat. And to be honest a more potent threat on the wing as opposed to the threat from the middle when Sabti plays on the wing as he drifts inside.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:20 pm38Geoff
Wow, that's the dogged, determined never say die, leave absolutely everything on the pitch performance I've been waiting for.
Simply magnificent, refusing to accept anything other than victory and I must add an absolute dream to watch going forward.
All I ever ask is every player gives 100% and the effort today (along with some scintillating attacking play) was an absolute joy to behold.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:20 pm39Lars
As usual nothing to disagree with in the match report, Holic. We very much saw the same game. I have no problems with the two yellows for Jenks – but why on Dennis' green Earth were not the same type of transgressions by home players not awarded the same treatment? How could Bramble get away with his constant fouls on Giroud without so much as a free kick awarded against him? How did Cattermole stay on the pitch? A yellow which was very close to a straight red after 90 seconds and several fouls committed later on. How did Larsson not see yellow for his very deliberate stamp on Ramsey?
A well-fought win in any case, now for a bit of back-drinking!
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:23 pm40Homer
Ttg @ 12. Totally agree.
Sagna was MOTM for me by a shout. I don'[t think we need another CB!
Not to take away from Sir Chesney's fine work between the Poles.
And Ramsay played an inspired game. My hat is off to him.
Facing down adversity, physical and mental set backs, and not to mention idiot supporters slagging him off (admit … guilty), he was immense today. Salute to him and his effort today.
Nervy stuff at the end, but boy o boy did Arsenal play like their very lives depended on the result. Fantastic.
(and, I think OG may need a breather.)
Onward an upward. And, I am still with BtM.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:24 pm41Homer
Oh, and for gawd's sake AW and Board – SIGN SAGNA NOW.
Give the man whatever he wants – he's totally worth it.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:27 pm42arsenicdaemon
Great review 'holic, great pen.paper from BtM.
I was on my toes till the last whistle. Happy my Arsenal now have the confidence & thick skin to stand up tall man for man for any bully.
Szcs' the MOTM for me though all had good game. My only anger was the selfishness displayed by Giroud & Santi -there was absolutely no need for that, time & time again.
Good to see everyone fighting for the each other, club and fans.
1 pint for each player.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:34 pm43Trev
Thanks for that. Had to be out and about today and was limited to snippets on the car radio. Torture or what !
Those performances against Stoke and Sunderland are exactly what could turn this season round. Hopefully it hasn't come too late.
BtM –
Nice report too. Ramsey has looked a different player in the centre – and a big "hear, hear" on the Diaby comments. An amazing player waiting to happen.
We, and he, have been deprived of a super talent for six years by one act of thuggery.
Next season's Title would be a fair way of making up for it.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:38 pm44Trev
Have to say that a really tough, hard fought 1-0 is, in some ways, still my favourite result. And my favourite song. 😉
Won't say no to an annual 5-2 hammering of the Spuds though. 😉
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:40 pm45Gedo
Great win, the boys showed real heart today, fought for it for the full 90. Best match by the sweeper that I can remember.
Couple of tactical questions…wondering why we kept that last sub on the bench…the boys were gassed, especially OllieG…fresh legs might have helped ease the pressure. Also wondering why Arsene didn't put Miguel in within the first five minutes after the red card, we had Ramsey at right back for 25 minutes…he did well no doubt though. I think we got a bit lucky here to be honest.
Keep fighting boys!!!
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:48 pm46Ollie
on Koscielny's injury…
It's a calf problem. We think it's a question of days [until he returns] because he had a positive scan. He [came off for France] at half time [on Wednesday] and we decided to give him a trial in the warm up. He was not good enough. I don't think it's long-term.
Doesn't sound too bad yet, but it wasn't illness.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:52 pm47Ollie
Gedo, I think that with the nature of the finely balanced performance, you don't want to disrupt the team. Changes were hard to call, in the end that worked well, including Ramsey's excellent shift at right back.
I was actually slightly MORE worried when Miquel came on, however sensible that substituation was.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:55 pm48bathgooner
Nice reviews Holic and BtM – brought back the warm glow of a dogged gutsy performance in the second half after a first half where we fought hard to impose ourselves on the game, played some lovely Barca-esque stuff in midfield and deserved to go in at least 2 or 3 up.
Spot on on the referee's inconsistency. I should not be as astonished as I am because it just keeps happening. They are such tossers.
Sagna was colossal and deserves MOTM. Szesser was a close second for a dominant second half performance after having a rest in the first half whilst Rambo in CMF looks like becoming the player he looked before the assault. Talking of assaults, it was, as BtM said, truly wonderful to see Diaby surging forward on the park where that shit nearly took his right foot off.
Proud to be a Gooner. Now for the surge boys.
A bottle of Ardbeg 10 year old is open on the bar to toast Arsenal GRIT.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 8:56 pm49bathgooner
What Ollie said at 47.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 9:00 pm50Derrick
I said in the past that Sagna wasn't at his best and sometimes looked lacking in desire. His most recent performances have been better, but tonight he has well and truly proved me wrong.
Exemplifying great desire to win, he was his usual beast best, made all the more impressive playing at CB. MOTM for me. I hope this spurs him on to better performances in this crucial stage of the season.
Szcz also showed briliant goalkeeping mettle, second clean sheet in a row – well done lad!
Kudos to Santi as well who didn't shy away from challenges and decided the game on a cold evening up at Sunderland. We need him at his magical best…
Lastly get well soon Jack! Fuck all the cunts who kept tackling him like a hapless thug. Oh and seeing Titus Bramble reminded me how much of a cunt he is, pushing AA23's arse at that fishy game two years ago…
on 09 Feb 2013 at 9:09 pm51Lars
Charlie@33/34: agree on both counts. Man City are looking more and more like exactly what they are – a team full of mercenaries with fuck-all in the way of pride for the badge (Kompany and Hart being noteable exceptions) and if the give up the title after this weekend I wouldn't put it past us to overtake them before the season is over.
As many have said, wonderful to see such determination and hard work from the whole team. All I ever ask is that every player shall give everything for 90 minutes, and if we lose to a better team then so be it. But today we worked really hard and got what we deserved, nothing less.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 9:18 pm52Trev
Maybe the switch to CB wouldn't be the worst thing for Sagna in the latter years of his career. It would relieve him of the relentless running and he still has a good jump.
Consistency and heart have never been a problem. A good mentor to the Lance Corporal too.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 9:34 pm53Lars
Trev: we were having the exact same discussion down the pub. Sagna was absolutely brilliant today, I honestly can not remember him making one single mistake for the whole 90 minutes today.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 9:42 pm54Holloway2Holland
I was thinking along the same lines.
The wing back position entails a lot of running, BS´s pace has pretty much evaporated, not really surprising after two leg breaks, but his positional sense is still tip top. Maybe a move to the centre could actually prolong his career.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:08 pm55Silly Second Yella
That was 3 psychedelic points and we were miners at work.
Hats off to Bacary (and PerMer, but that's his job anyway).
Haven't seen that fighting spirit in a long time. I was tired after the game.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:24 pm56FunGunner
Sagna as an occasional CB, definitely. But even with the loss of pace (which I still hope is temporary), he is still the best RB at the club.
Agree about the ManCity players – Nasri is at the right club, perfect fit for him.
@ Homer
Arsene will probably consult the stats and his own gut feeling as to what Sagna is worth to Arsenal FC, but I hope he also considers rewarding someone who is a legend in my book, even though as yet he has not been part of a trophy-winning side. For six years, Sagna has been the player about whom you never have to worry. Until his leg was broken twice in 12 months, we never had to worry about his fitness, his form, his commitment or his loyalty. While others were putting us through hell each summer with drawn-out transfer sagas or will-he-won't-he flirting with other clubs, he has just got on with the job of being the best RB in the league. Without any serious competition for his place, he has improved from an already excellent base and added to the attacking side of his game. Whoever is (or isn't!) playing in front of him, he has adapted. So I really hope a) he wants to stay and b) we can find the money to make it happen. Please stay, Sagna and please make it easy, Arsene. Pretty please.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:31 pm57NS Gooner
I've always loved Sagna, and it's hurt me to see the criticism leveled at him as of late. We moan about a lack of loyalty in players, but we need to have a hard look in the mirror considering that he's only had a few poor results. Everyone just forgets that he was our most consistent player for the last 3-4 years, and that his lack of pace isn't of his own doing. I'm glad to see everyone is back supporting him, as he was magnificent today- based on the look of some of those clearances he must be the most naturally athletic player in the Premier League. He can, and should, become our Sergio Ramos; offer him a 3 year deal at 75K a week and I don't think we'll regret it.
Also, well done to Ramsey. Same story as Sagna, except he never really got into the fans good books yet. It was a really gutsy performance, and he's shown that he has the quality to play all over the park. He may not have the drive that Wilshere has, or the skills that Santi has, but he's a grafter who will give everything in 90 minutes.
As for Jenkinson; he'll learn. Everyone remembers the last red card he got, and he picked himself up nicely from that. If Sagna is destined to move centrally for a few weeks, a couple games (if not the next one) will likely come his way.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:35 pm58FunGunner
@ 57 NS Gooner
Yes, yes – agree! It would be so good to have an old stager around who knows what it means to play for Arsenal and setting a wonderful example for the younger or newer players. I've got no problem with AW being ruthless with the players' contracts generally, but in this instance, I'd love it if he made Sagna a special case.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:36 pm59Goonersince54
I wouldn't be too harsh on young Jenks.
It's very difficult to suddenly be thrust into the first team after a long period without any match play.
I think both his Yellows were the result of mistimed tackles rather than anything malicious.
Also with his chances this season so few and far between,i am sure when he does get an opportunity like today,he feels he has to impress the Giuvnor,so probably tries a bit too hard instead of just playing his natural game.
But considering the upheaval in the ranks during the 2nd half,and the fact that the majority of the team were all over the Globe playing in silly fucking Int'l friendlies during the week,we dug deep and ground out a ' George Graham ' win on the Road,which we were rightly famous for back in the day.
Although i don't think George's team would have created enough chances to win 3 matches let alone 1.!!
But the good news is we can now rest our key players till the Munich game,becuase they won't be needed against Blackburn on Saturday.
I reckon BTM/Feelgood/Woolfie/Lars/Wind and Snir could lace up their boots for that one,and we would still win.!!
I can sit on the bench with Holic/Prof Storey/Trev and H2H,and we could enjoy a nice balmy afternoon in the late Winter sunshine as we coast into the 6th round of the Cup.
The Sweeper.
PS,my Black Car is now 3 quarters Red.!!
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:38 pm60FunGunner
Good news. AOC and JW out of Pearce's clutches, it seems.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:41 pm61Homer
Fungunner @58.
Well said sir. Well said indeed.
A drink on my tab for you my good man.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:41 pm62Homer
sorry that was at 56.
Right, now that's what … two drinks? At least.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:55 pm63FunGunner
@ 62 Homer
Thanks – I'll take both drinks because you got the sex wrong as well as the comment number – I'm female. 🙂
Please have a drink yourself.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:56 pm64FunGunner
Good night, all. Great day for us.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 10:57 pm65Impressive Failage
Agree with most in the bar tonight. The Corporal was rusty and ragged. Sagna imperious. Jack a delight. Still thought we made very heavy weather of this tie. Still a long way off third/fourth but its doable. Spuds is a must win.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:01 pm66Oxon Gooner
Evenin' all.
Left home this morning to drive 2hr to see Oxonne's mother only to spend the next 11 hours sampling the nation's WiFi hotspots and friends' and relations' broadband connections as I attempted to get into work remotely (dial-in is no longer technically accurate) to try to sort out the new IT system that we spent most of last week installing but weren't able to test in anger until today. (Jeez, what a mouthful. Sorry about that.)
Great result today, and to judge from the drinks a great performance to bring it about. Shame about Jenks and shame about Kos.
BtM took the words out of my mouth @1 when he commented on the suspicious[1] lack of doomers today.
By way of celebration, I have locked the trusty steed in his stable for 48 hours. Fell free to make as many LANS, 3-week etc etc etc "jokes" as you like, people.
Watching MoTD as I type, and looking forward to the highlights. They seemed to say that Citeh were imploding. Never mind a scrap for fourth or third, put on those rose-tinteds and hope for a scrap for second.
[1] Or perhaps not?
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:02 pm67Oxon Gooner
Imp. Fai.@65 No change there then, Spuds is ALWAYS a must win.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:07 pm68Holloway2Holland
Heh Clive.
A place on the bench?
I'll bring the half time oranges……
To squueze into the half time vodkas. 😉
Straight up juice for you though sir.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:09 pm69bstrum
Perfectly put, FunGunner@56…
Btw, I might be wrong, but I was convinced that Assou-Ekkoto's "challenge" which broke Sagna's leg was malicious and meant to cause serious harm. I was shocked that nothing much was made of it afterwards…well, maybe not shocked but rather just disgusted as usual.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:12 pm70Trev
Nice one Clive @59.
That would be a very strong bench – and it would need to be. 😉
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:17 pm71Oskar the dog
Another tough game successfully negotiated. Good news indeed!!! The bad news depends primarily on what Jack's injury amounts to, and on two of those above us both also winning. No progress towards 4th so far, but no antigress (?) either. Go Man U tomorrow!
I thought I'd try giving my points for the players and wonder, 'holic, whether you would consider setting up a regular table for each match so everyone can contribute to a Goonerholic average?
Szecesny 10
Jenkinson 3
Mertesacker 7
Sagna 9
Monreal 6
Ramsey 8
Arteta 7
Walcott 6
Wilshire 7
Cazorla 8
Giroud 8
I would have rated Walcott higher but for several frustratingly awful goal attempts. His build-up work was excellent at times. Likewise I'd have given Cazorla 9 if he could have put away one of several attempts that looked easier than the one he scored. I thought Giroud deserved a high mark for his defending which was crucial at times. It's not often you can say that about a CF … he's a real hard-worker that lad.
I hate 1-0 wins, my nerves are shattered.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:18 pm72N7 Gooner
Fuck me, this Bale hype on MOTD is well over the top.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:18 pm73Snir Geuli
I disagree that Bac has lost pace. He's looking lousy at RB 'cause Theo exposes him a great deal. Today, it has to be said he tracked back and helped Jenks as did Raksey (who is playing magnificent football).
I can forgive Bac for losing out to two players on the wing (just like I can forgive Monreal for getting beat by Sessegnon very close to the box), but it's his crossing ghat does my head in. We have a very good heading CF and Bac's crosses are a disgrace. Every single one hits the closest winger or FB (whoever is closing him down).
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:21 pm74Holloway2Holland
Heh Trev
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:27 pm75N7 Gooner
Fuck me – watching those highlights: Bac, Chezzer, Rambo, Giroud…. lionhearts.
Well done lads. Huge result.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:28 pm76Snir Geuli
By the way, what impressed me the most about Woj's performance was his command of the area in aerial duels.
His two saves were fine, but those are saves that Almunia (who was a very good shot-stopper) woulda made as well.
It's his aerial play that I love watching (yes, I know there are certain corners that he catches the air but it happens to everybody, just look at Casillas this year).
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:30 pm77N7 Gooner
Fuck me, this Wilshere hype on MOTD is spot on.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:32 pm78N7 Gooner
Snir – totally agree.
Presence in the box is what makes or breaks keepers at this level, and Chesney has it.
It's the reason De Gea won't last at Utd, great shot stopper though he is.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:33 pm79Bergkamp's The Man
Good news regarding the car, Clive. Time to get yer YaYa's out and paint them red too! 🙂
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:36 pm80Snir Geuli
As for City – if they keep on playing like this they'll lose 2nd place.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:37 pm81Trev
Just seen our so extensive highlights on MotD. So kind of them to put us on at all, I think.
Cattermole is a predictable recurring disgrace, and exactly that kind of player.
Jack Wilshere is simply a fantastic footballer.
So like Liam Brady. Drives the play forward, manages to control and pass the ball out of a long stride that covers so much ground, and glides past players like they are not there.
Rarely any hesitation – takes the ball in a full stride and never seems to have to break it. To maintain the sort of vision that he has while doing that is amazing.
He will fill The Emirates single handed if he keeps this up.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:42 pm82Oxon Gooner
Fuck me, N7 makes some good points.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:43 pm83Trev
Having gone unpunished for his two footed assault a couple of weeks ago, Glen Whelan has just committed another horrendous foul on a Reading player.
A shattered leg awaits some poor unfortunate if they take no action this time.
Stoke City – the club that made a thug of Michael Owen.
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:44 pm84Goonersince54
I will have to delve deep into my ' Bertie Mee ' memorabilia warehouse to find my YaYa's my friend,becuase that was the last time i saw them.!!
Re the Blackburn game,have you any preference for a starting position.??
H2H and Trev,i reckon our bench would leave the current Arse one for dead.!!
Considering we are so versatile, we can cover just about any postion between us.!!
Snir i think is a bit like young Jenks,so surprised to be picked in the starting 11,he hasn't even fucking noticed.!!
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:44 pm85Trev
F*ck me, Oxon said "fuck me" ! 😉
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:45 pm86Trev
Tell you what, we'd have a laugh Clive !
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:55 pm87Snir Geuli
Clive – I'll be chomping at the bit.
Play like a Gooner with my heart on my sleeve. Just like Jenks does!!
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:56 pm88Trev
No passion Snir, that's your problem ! 😉
on 09 Feb 2013 at 11:59 pm89Oxon Gooner
It was capitalised, Trev!
Night all.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:09 am90Thundertinygooner
Cattermole's tackle could have injured Ramsey as badly as Shawcross did if he had connected he was totally out of control. The lads stood up well. No pussies out there today we grafted well. Feels like a big win
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:22 am91matty t.
I think Jenkinson is the type of player that needs a run of games to be at his best. When he does get a run he seems to improve game by game so I feel for him today. He's totally committed to the cause and he overdid it. Must be frustrating for him but he'll get his chance. Still think he's the best crosser of a ball we have.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:24 am92Goonersince54
Good stuff Snir,
Although against Blackburn you might consider wearing shinpads front and back,as the Neanderthals will be playing through you,not round you.!!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:28 am93Delia- Block112
Dreamy football in the first half and a brilliant rear guard action in the second after the Corporal was dismissed. It makes the insipid displays at Norwich, United and Villa all the more difficult to understand. Commitment was the name of the game at Sunderland and we thoroughly deserved the 3 points.
I fully concur with all that has been said regarding the Ref, he didn't look kindly on us one bit, although he had no alternative in giving Jenks 2 yellow cards.
This was a real team performance and everyone should get a mention. A pity about all the missed chances but credit must be given to the keeper for some fine stops, another day our goal difference would have been increased by 4 or 5.
Let's hope Jack, Kos and TV5 will be fit for the 19th, I wonder what sort of side will be available for the F.A. Cup?
My MOTM was Santi, he looked out on his feet at the final whistle but it could have been almost anyone.
Hope we have saved something for next Saturday.
As always COYRs
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:47 am94MrBure
By Jove Guv'nor, that was a nail-biter towards the end there! From the off it was clear that we were going to have to scrap this one out, and even though Cattermole gave the ref no option but to book him for that horrendous tackle on Rambo, he proceeded to let several fouls on our lads go. Regardless of that, we took control of midfield and fashioned several excellent chances to put the game away in the first half. Alas, we only took one, and I tweeted that I hoped it wouldn't come back to bite us, and it very nearly did.
When the Corporal got his marching orders, I feared the worst, but we produced the sort of defensive masterclass that recalled the time when refs used to dish out all kinds of stupid red cards to us and we'd tell them to fuck right off by going on to still win the games. Rambo was brilliant at right back, Bac was a tower of strenght in the centre of defence, and Chesney produced a series of amazing saves. If you go back and watch the one he made off Fletcher's header, you'll recall when Arsene said of him, "With him, sometimes you think it's a goal, but it's no goal." His leap to his left to palm that fierce header over the crossbar was breath-taking. It was a spring-loaded, rocket-launched save.
A word too, for the cretins in the commentary box. All game long, I had to put up with the view that Arsenal players were moaning at the ref in a reflection of their manager. Even Larsson's clear stamp on Ramsey's ankle was initially dismissed as Ramsey "stubbing his foot", and it wasn't until the replay had been shown 3 times that the commentators realised their error. The fact that Arsenal had 17 fouls to Sunderland's 6 was just mind-boggling. And the commentators could only have a go at our players for complaining to the ref about the rough treatement they were getting. And later, these eejits will wonder why Engerland don't do well in international tournaments.
All told, it was a good battling performance, and the 3 points were fully deserved. I hope Management's mother's birthday celebrations were vastly less nerve wracking for you 'holic.
Pints of Strongbow all round.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:59 am95NorCalArsenal
Oxon getting feisty. I like it.
N7 – bale scored twice but he is better than CR7 cause I think he only scored 3. 😉
Would love to see clives lineup. I'm sure it would be an " entertaining" game.
Cheers all. We are building some momentum. Lets keep it going.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:20 am96Holloway2Holland
Nice post MrB´.
I don't think I've seen the phrases By jove and I tweeted in the same paragraph, so cheers for that. 😉
I had the same commentaters, I don't usualy get them in English on my sports packet and if the rest are anywhere near as bad as that then I'm pretty glad, they really were god awful.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:22 am97PaGooner
Finally in off the bench! Sends hopeful ball out wide. Attack is on!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:35 am98Cannons of Rhetoric
Was so annoyed (furious really) with the bad officiating that I actually left my pub and took a taxi home before the end of the match. Too much alcohol and being sat next to a LWC could've also played a part in that decision!
Anyway, thought we did well and weathered the storm for the most part. A bit more composure in front of goal and we're sorted.
In that kind of game, you don't really want to rack up a huge score though, we don't any "frustration tackles" denying us the use of any players….
Bring on Blackburn!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:44 am99PaGooner
At this hour its more like a meandering stroll…:-)
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:47 am100bstrum
McBure @94, did your cretinous commentator claim that Wilshere was looking at the referee looking for a foul BEFORE he went down when he had to be substituted? If so, I must have been listening to the same jackass. I spent the game wondering whether he was a lying sociopath, a Little Englander Wenger hater, or whether he was simply mentally retarded. I ended up thinking he must be all three and concluded that he was probably a bitter, delusional sp*d…
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:02 am101NorCalArsenal
Well in bstrum. Pagooner way to stay with it, mate.
I'll take a leisurely Tabs position.
We played the entire game one man down. The refereeing was abysmal. I'm all for letting them play but that was bordering on dangerous at times. As a player all you really want is consistency from the ref. in the first half he was only consistently wrong.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:12 am102PaGooner
Clinical, bstrum. I think we caught them napping….
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:20 am103PaGooner
Thanks norcal. Nice to know the stadium wasn't empty!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:31 am104bstrum
PaGooner cannons a shot at goal, but the ball bounces off of the back of Cattermole's head like a damp squib leaving an easy tap in…
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:05 am105Bergkamp's The Man
Clive @ 84 – play me in the hole please. 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:12 am106NorCalArsenal
I believe Wolfie is a natural in the hole.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:27 am107Harsha
Nice post 'holic. We dug deep to get the win
I am not sure Santi's goal took a deflection though. It looked clean, didn't it?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:36 am108Oskar the dog
A lot of exaggeration about the role of the ref, imo. We mostly gave as good as we received, imo. In two games against Sunderland this season we've had 50 attempts on goal, for one in the net. That is where our problem lies, imo.
Also, no mention of O'Neill taking Catter(kicklikea)mule off, while AW left Jenks on, with the inevitable result. Okay, the mule may have been injured, but we still only used two subs even when several were virtually walking late in the game. I would like to have seen Rosicky replace Janks with Rambo going to RB.
PS: What is the point of Rosicky in AW's mind? He keeps benching him (when he's fit) without ever bringing him on.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:38 am109Oskar the dog
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:54 am110Harsha
With all due respect, removing a specialist right back for a make shift one is not something many managers would do voluntarily just because of a yellow card
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:48 am111iStorey
Splendid stuff as usual 'H & BTM.
Heart-warming performance from The Boys in yellow. I think this season is going to be our toughest test yet to get top 4 and/or feast on St.Totts.
The winner of the NLD to determine if we finish in our rightful place? What say you 'Holics?
Happy Chinese New Year to all, The Storeys are off to celebrate the year of the Van Staplec*nt.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:55 am112Ollie
MrBure 94. I switched the sound off on my stream as soon as whichever cunt on the commentary started that sort of shit.
Morning all.
And well in bstrum, content of the goal also spot on 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:43 am113N7 Gooner
Woj and the HFB at the final whistle:
Get the sense the players knew exactly how big a result that was. Exactly the sort of situation we've folded in during previous seasons and a great indication as to the togetherness of the squad.
LOVED Bac's celebration – sign him up Arsene.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:19 am114Esso
Morning all. Great review Squire! Was watching on a stream and got a bit anxious as deep into injury time got a text from a mate simply saying 'gutted!'. Was convinced we'd let it slip, of course we had n't and he was actually bemoaning 'wall losing at Blackpool.
Bacary Sagna, what can I say? I cant, except for someone sort his contract out for fucks sake. Now!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:03 am115Lars
Morning all,
First of all, I am honoured to be in the starting XI for Blackburn, Sweeper!
I feel even better this morning about the win, two clean sheets in a row is also very good considering the makeshift defenses we have had to play. And on this note I would like to make the observation that Ramsey is starting to turn into a very handy utility player that can fill in at several positions. The Coq is also such a player and having two or three of those in a squad is quite important. I thought young Aaron played really well at right-back, positionally aware and judged his forays forwards quite wisely too.
Oskar: we did give as good as we got – but they got away with most of their fouls while we didn't. 13-6 in free kicks to the team that was totally outplayed for the entire first half and parts (even when we were down to ten) of the second? That just doesn't wash with me.
It seems I should be glad we didn't have the english commentary in Sweden. But we do have to put up with a number of pundits who keep falling over themselves in praise of Bale no matter what he does. I swear, if he sat down on the pitch for 90 minutes picking his nose they would proclaim that to be a work of art. The funny thing is that the most level-headed in that respect is the chap who is a massive Spurs fan, he's also the only one who seems to understand that without Bale Spurs would be fecked.
Age with Harsha@110, Arsene really didn't have much choice but to take a gamble on Jenks. I think he got the selection and the subs spot on yesterday.
I could go on but most have already said it well, and I also need to take the dog out for a walk – he's standing by the door giving me the evil eye. Better take him out before he does his business on the floor in retaliation for keeping him waiting!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:14 am116Goonerholic
I would make a good benchwarmer 😉
Morning all.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:27 am117Ollie
Splendid pic, N7, thank you!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:27 am118Ollie
I could prepare a good benchwarmer.
Hot toddy anyone?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:30 am119Goonerholic
Good man, Ollie.
Right, 4S time.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:06 pm120dkgooner
G'day all. Don't know who that so-called expert was assisting the commentator but he was addressed as Barry at some point. Beats me why they pay cretins like him, Savage and the like. Just because you once played professional football, doesn't mean you have anything between the ears – in fact, in the vast majority of cases, it's a sure sign that you haven't.
But a good battling 2 points which will give more confidence to the defence. Great to see Sagna stepping up and doing such a fine job – I voted for him as MotM but have no arguments with Wojo getting it.
As for Jack's "4/5 days" out – any offers on what that is in real time?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:14 pm121Ollie
2 points, dk? Have we travelled so far back in time? 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:17 pm122Ollie
I think the 4-5 days will be just that. Looks like just a dead leg.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 12:31 pm123Esso
@dkgooner It was Barry Venison, ex Blunderland player and all round cretin. Makes Robbie Savage sound educated, which really takes some doing.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:02 pm124Norris
Fuck me! Is someone actually paying Barry Venison as a pundit/co-commentator? That is scraping the bottom of the barrel and then some.
As for Jack, I would imagine/hope he will be rested for the game on Saturday anyway. Shame about Carl getting a red (that ref was a complete joke), could have done with resting Sagna too.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:16 pm125Thundertinygooner
LJW is one of those Arsenal players who is getting the full media hype. From time to time we get someone so good the media praise him up and then do the " should he stay at Arsenal if they aren't going to win trophies?" . Bale gets a bit of this but because he is at a side who never win ( or contend for) major trophies he doesn't get the media campaign that we are subjected to every season. Frankly The Scum will never win the League or CL so I guess it's a non- story.
Jack's emergence makes me think what might have been if he had been fit last season to feed Van Payslip. He has really matured very quickly and since the West Brom game he is showing a surge of pace which takes him past opponents effortlessly. Our goal yesterday was a good example. It was great work to get him signed up to a long- term contract although Jack really is so patently a Gooner that I believe he will show great loyalty to the club.
It was interesting to see the Premier League vote last week on financial performance. It puts Arsenal in a hugely strong position especially if we continue to qualify for the Champions League and does suggest that there is some credibility in the line that Ivan has been peddling to us for the last couple of years. The big issue is whether the rest of Europe implement the same system.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:24 pm126takeabowson
Great post 'H. Included all the salient points, and beautifully written. Posted an hour and a half after the game finished too. A tip of the hat Sir and a pint of Guinness on the Bar.
Fuck me, that game got the blood running and the heart pumping didn't it. It took Cuntermole all of ninety seconds to have me off my seat in righteous indignation, and that foul together with the subsequent chance that Theo created for himself and then missed, pretty much set the tone for the rest of the half. Brutish Wearside clogging, unbelievably lax officiating, some wonderful Arsenal interplay and some less than wonderful finishing.
Must admit that Arsene sprung a surprise on me with his decision to rest Poldi rather than the much-travelled Cazorla, but it was the Spaniard's quick feet and Jack's drive that dominated the rest of the half, and it was apt that it was Little Santi that found the net. Kiss that arm you beauty!
Quite how it was only one at HT was something of a mystery. I thought we had been magnificent and should have been out of sight. It was measure of how fluid we were that I was never quite sure who was playing wide left. Ostensibly it was Santi, but such was his licence to roam that he kept popping up to menacing effect all over the shop. Both Giroud and Theo might and arguably should have capped excellent displays with a goal, whilst Aaron was thwarted firstly by an excellent save, and then by the loss of a cool head just before HT.
Second half, and it didn't take long for that oh so horrible sinking feeling to surface. Jack off, and how we missed his dynamism. Any team would. Abou was, I thought, initially tentative when he arrived, perhaps understandably given the location, and it took him a while to get up to speed with the pace of what had by then become a ferocious battle.
An hour gone and the gloom deepened. Eleven against twelve became 10 against 12. Fuck off Ref. Like most, I had no problem with Jenks being sent off, but the fact that he was off whilst both Cuntermole and Larsson had enjoyed the Ref's leniency was beyond a joke.
Cometh the hour, cometh the Man. Bacary Sagna, take a fuckin' bow. All of his qualities that we have all come to love in the last 6 seasons were once again to the fore. Heart, courage, agility. He refused to hide, refused to be beaten, and ultimately dragged us over the line.
There were others who can also take their place when the bravery medals are handed out. Aaron Ramsey was outstanding when filling in at RB, Arteta was a wonderfully calming presence, and Santi bought us much needed time, again and again, with his wonderfully quick feet and his back of his head vision.
Even with 10 it was fantastic to see us weave intricate patterns around and through Sunderland. Our lead might have been doubled on several occasions had we not forgotten to pack our shooting boots.
I have to say that with every missed chance I sunk further and further into my seat. Our forays forward, though always incisive were becoming more and more sporadic.
At the other end, I felt we dropped too deep inviting ball after ball into our severely taxed Defence.The equaliser was inevitable I told myself and began to mentally prepare myself for the dizzying deflation. Step forward Sir Sches. Take a fuckin' bow. The Ref, not content with reducing us to ten, revealed his red and black striped undershirt in other ways. Where was the whistle for the clear handball that intercepted Mert's clearance? Where was the whistle when Fletcher headed goalwards whilst standing a yard offside? Both times play was waved on. Both times Sir Sches was equal to the task, his save from the header a true "worldie".
That last twenty minutes was utter purgatory. I stood, I sat back down, I screamed, I swore, I lapsed into terrified silence. All the while the spectre of the dreaded equaliser (and perhaps worse) loomed large. A proper fucking football match provoking that conflict of emotions whereby you are absolutely enthralled and engrossed, whilst at the same time wishing it were over immediately.
One last corner to see out. The boys didn't let us down. Sir Sches clasped the ball to his chest, the twat Ref signalled the end to Sunderland's hopes despite his best efforts, and a packed Pub in North London let out a communal roar.
1-0 to the Arsenal? I'll take that. I'll take that all day long.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:27 pm127Wind
Good stuff Holic! You appreciate your reviews more when you never got a chance to watch the game 🙂
Clive @ 59, it would be an excellent debut… For my new football boots! 😀 I'd show Theo a thing or 2 about the RW/RM position 8)
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:27 pm128FunGunner
Just watched the clip on arsenal player. To add to what others have said… I compared this to our defensive performance against Dortmund at the start of last season. Most of us were aux anges about that, I was not quite. It was indeed heroic resistance, but this was better – it was organised heroic resistance, which I think is why we didn't concede. We kept our shape, we closed people down.
I still also wonder whether AW has reverted to a forward line of 2 strikers + 1 Midfielder, rather than 3 strikers, to tip the balance of our set-up a little more towards defence? Podolski's fine defensive work notwithstanding. I may have asked this before – do please let me know what you think. Or perhaps it's just a case of wanting to play Santi AND Jack?
@ Oskar the Dog
If we are giving perfect 10s, I would swap Sagna's and Chesney's scores, as I did not see one single error from Sagna. Chesney put in a superb, but not perfect performance.
@ 69 bstrum
I thought so, too. A case of rivalry being taken too far, frustration at Sagna's quality
@ 110 Harsha
Well said.
Off topic, I am concerned about the information being leaked from the club – the FFP letter, and now AW's feelings about Wodgson playing JW for 90 minutes. If it is the same person and s/he is an insider, I hope they take time to reflect on whether what their actions are in the best interests of AFC.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:30 pm129Norris
Brilliant summary of emotions that TABS, thanks! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:34 pm130takeabowson
BtM @1 – A nice report and a peach liquor and a pink flower?
You're spoiling me Sir! 🙂
Back to the backdrinking.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:35 pm131takeabowson
Thanks Norris.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:35 pm132Norris
I am not sure it was an insider who spilled the beans on AW being vexed about Roy over playing Jack. Wenger more or less said as much in his post match interview.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:39 pm133Wolfgang Smallballs
I'm all in favour of a Peach Licker! 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:39 pm134Oxon Gooner
NorCal@95: You wanna see Oxon get feisty? You couldn't handle Oxon getting feisty.
I've had this terrible realisation that Arsenal probably aren't going to win the title this season and that we might have to scrap it out to get into the top four. So… it doesn't really matter to us how many points the Red Manc scum manage to collect and it's quite important how many Chel$ki, the Sp*ds and the Toffeemen drop. So, it wouldn't really be a disaster if Everton lost later today.
Oh, shit, I've said it. I feel dirty. Eughhh.
By the way, was I imagining it, or did Auntie Beeb have a little box on their report of yesterday's match featuring a teensy-weensy articlette about how many Arsenal players have been sent off under Wenger? There is no such feature there today. I don't rule out that I imagined it, but even I'm not usually that paranoid.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:41 pm135FunGunner
@ Norris
Yes, he said he was surprised JW played the whole game, but Metro and couple of others are reporting that an insider says he is "furious" with Wodgson.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:42 pm136Norris
Oh come on, we can still win the league!!! Well, praps not, but we could nick 2nd.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:43 pm137Norris
Really FG? I didnt see it… 🙂
Then again the Metro makes Goal.com look like a bastion of accuracy, honesty and integrity.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:44 pm138FunGunner
I really hate the idea of J van C getting a winner's medal for his treachery, and if ManUre win I will have to go to media lockdown for a month/leave the country, and if City win it doesn't count anyway because they are financially doped…but I want Everton to drop points, so I am hoping for a draw.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:45 pm139FunGunner
@ 137 Norris
But they did print quotes.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:49 pm140Norris
As much as it sickens me seeing that snake in a manc shirt I am pretty much over it now. Footballers are mercenary by nature, especially now with their advisers and entourages. They speak and act like politicians, fuck em.
Then again, I hope Fellaini smashes the treacherous toe rag today! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:54 pm141Trev
MrBure – nice post.
Cannons – heh!
Great post, all true, and honestly makes you wonder what the BBB must be thinking to see a display like yesterday's.
We all said, at the beginning of the season, that it would take time for the team to gel with new players in vital positions. Because of the good solid start, it seemed the gelling – with the exception of Chamakh – had happened much more quickly than expected.
Then Jack came back and, despite his personal swift return to form, it did upset the balance with Cazorla, our new creative influence, to some extent.
Yesterday, though, showed just what this midfield is capable of. The speed and intricacy of passing was fantastic. Arteta is a brilliant player to have behind Jack and Santi, and I am more than happy to have been proved wrong and say that Aaron Ramsey does seem able to recover the talent that was threatened by his injury.
This was 'old Arsenal' yesterday. A man down in the warm up, his rusty replacement sent off, a terrible referee who gave us nothing, our best player off injured, and the ten remaining men who simply refused to be beaten.
One – nil to The Arsenal.
I've got my Arsenal back.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:54 pm142Wolfgang Smallballs
Dear MrClive,
Thank you for my inclusion to play in the team for Blackburn. As others have pointed out, I am happiest playing "in the hole", but if BtM is insistent on occupying that most satisfying of roles, then I am also content to do a job in the rear.
Here is a list of my requirements for the match …
1. Dressing room to be romantically lit with red and white candles.
2. 3 bottles of the finest Himalayan Spring water.
3. A picture of Mark Spitz (avec tache but sans top) on the Dressing room wall for "Inspiration"
4. A pair of specially made Jimmy Choo boots with my own personal motif (a pair of speedoes) on them.
5. A super soft flannel for use if my knees get dirty.
6. American style cheerleaders who sing "Wolfie is our icon" at regular intervals throughout the game.
7. An underground Parking Space for Helmut Gobbels, my Butler, to park the Nissan Micra.
8. Some post-match nibbles. Please include some German sausage.
9. A shared bath with Olivier Giroud (even if he doesn't play).
10. A bottle of Cinzano Bianco, two glasses and Robert Pires please.
Thanking you for the opportunity.
Yours Limbering uppingly
Wolfgang Smallballs.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 1:58 pm143Trev
ManUre are not our concern this season. Everton are.
Have to want Everton to lose today, and by a good margin.
There, it's done. Soap and water, please.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:01 pm144takeabowson
Hi Trev,
Thanks and right back atchyer. Agree with every word of that. Loved every minute of yesterday, whilst simultaneously hating it at the same time.
It's why we all keep coming back innit!
Head hurts now though! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:01 pm145Trev
Leave BtM in the hole.
I have heard you penetrate just as well off either side, and you get a clearer run at it from there. 😉
And, heh!, by the way. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:01 pm146Wolfgang Smallballs
Haha 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:03 pm147Trev
Wofgang, just re-read your list of demends, 🙂 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:06 pm148Lars
That last twenty minutes was utter purgatory. I stood, I sat back down, I screamed, I swore, I lapsed into terrified silence. All the while the spectre of the dreaded equaliser (and perhaps worse) loomed large. A proper fucking football match provoking that conflict of emotions whereby you are absolutely enthralled and engrossed, whilst at the same time wishing it were over immediately.
Heh, you have just described me (and, I suppose, myriad others too!) as well in those last 20-ish minutes. I was absolutely convinced that they were going to score from their corner in added time of the added time and that it was Mignolet who was going to somehow get a toe to the ball and prod it in…
FunGunner: I would say our basic formation was 4-2-3-1, with Ramsey and Arteta as the two, and with Cazorla and Walcott both given license to move pretty much wherever they saw fit. One slight change that we have made during the season is that the wingers do not hug the touchline as much as they did at the start, this is part of the reason we've seen Theo score more goals lately and there is also a bit more interchanging of positions between all attacking players.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:09 pm149Holloway2Holland
Afternoon all.
I scoured the web to find out who the commentators were and I've come uop with these two suspects; Gary Weaver and Barry Horne.
Gary Weaver was the guy who reported the game, he was, let's say tolarable, a bit like a sore throat with a lump of flem in it, not a reason for a day off work, but unpleasant non the less.
The other guy was a complete mongbot, if he got three times as smart as he was yesterday he'd still be a retard, just listening to him makes your IQ plummet. His claim to fame is an FA Cup winners medal with Everton in 1995 and being capped for Wales 59 times, which isn't that much when compared to other so called experts, but then again, over qualified when stood up to his compatriot Lily Savage's record.
I don't understand why they always come in pairs are they Sith lords? Is it because misery loves company? Or does their mummies not trust them to go to footy games alone?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:13 pm150Holloway2Holland
When I started typing I hadn't seen Esso's post @123.
Barry Venison…? Oh dear. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:15 pm151Ollie
Great right up, tabs at 126!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:15 pm152Ollie
Or write-up even. Heh
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:17 pm153Ollie
FunG at 135. I'd suggest you discard instantly anything that has 'Metro' and 'insider' in it.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:18 pm154Ollie
Reading Mediawatch on F365, daily, would educate you better.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:21 pm155Wolfgang Smallballs
My demands are no laughing matter Trev!!!!
No bath, no play! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:22 pm156takeabowson
Lars, Ollie – Cheers for the kind ones.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:28 pm157Ollie
Wolfie, you want bath AND Giroud? 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:34 pm158Wolfgang Smallballs
Haha, tis the stuff of dreams Ollie 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:37 pm159Holloway2Holland
126 tabs, Excellent (as always) report from the juicer.
134 Oxon. I've had this terrible realisation that Arsenal probably aren't going to win the title this season and that we might have to scrap it out to get into the top four
Longest…..penny…….drop……ever. 😉
135 Fun. Arsene being surprised or even happy to see LJW get a full 90 for England will always translate as "WENGER FURIOUS" in the meeja.
141 Good stuff Trev and correctomundo @ 143
142 Wolfie. Only 10 demands??? You're slipping diva. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:43 pm160Wolfgang Smallballs
You're right H2H. I will of course have additional demands as the match nears. I was however a little pushed for time. There's been a minor domestic inconvenience here at Smallballs Towers. Unfortunately when Helmut shoved his Pork in the Oven, he managed to burn it. I am tending to his meat.
Tabs says thanks 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:50 pm161Lars
I have no problems wishing that Everton shall lose today. There is a HUGE difference between that and wanting ManU to win. The latter is simply an unfortunate consequence of the former, a neccessary evil if you wish.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:53 pm162Holloway2Holland
Oooo, sounds nasty, I'd be very wary of pork scratchings on tonights menu. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:54 pm163bstrum
Harsha @ 107, was wondering the same thing about Cazorla's goal. I froze the frames in slo-mo and only Gardner can tell whether the shot brushed him or not.
Why isn't more being made in the media about the disturbing tactics used by Martin O'Neill's teams? There was a series of ridiculous play-acting by the Sunderland players: Fletcher in the 13th min rolling around clutching his lower shin after a challenge by Jenks already on a yellow, when I think the only injury he could have sustained was by knocking his knees together when jumping to entirely avoid Jenkinson who unhesitatingly went for the 40-60 ball; Danny Rose rolling around in agony also clutching his shin after HE had smacked Theo in the face; Sessegnon serially diving after minimal contact; etc.. And there was a series of deliberate red or yellow card offenses: Larsson intentionally stamping on Ramsey's foot and kicking Arteta's upper shin; Danny Rose swinging his arm back to catch Walcott's face; Cattermole casually catching Cazorla's head while running by him; Gardner stepping in to shoulder check the onrushing Wilshere right in front of Taylor; etc.. One would tend to think these as part of the game when considering them individually, but taking them in their entirety, we can only conclude they form an important part of Martin O'Neill's team tactics. Serial fouling as a tactic is nothing new, as Ferguson would attest, but the deliberate and repeated play-acting shows the pathetic bankruptcy of the media darling Martin O'Neill's managerial ability.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 2:56 pm164Holloway2Holland
Excellent reasoning there Lars, wanting Everton to lose is not tantamont to wanting to see the other cunts victorious. I like it a lot!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:10 pm165FunGunner
@ 140 Norris
Then again, I hope Fellaini smashes the treacherous toe rag today!
Ha ha. That is *exactly* what I was thinking.
@ H2H & Ollie
You don't have to remind me that Metro and indeed the Sun make stuff up, but they have this:
An Emirates insider told The Sun: "'Arsene is livid.
'He was led to believe Wilshere would not play the full 90 minutes.
'But that is exactly what happened and then he breaks down at Sunderland.
'Jack only returned in October after being sidelined for 18 months, so we have to be careful with him.
If AW hasn't said this directly to Hodgson, or has played his feelings down, this could make things awkward and we need to keep Wodgson onside because of the ongoing battle with Stuart Pearce, and to stop our players being overused in future friendlies. I expect it will be smoothed over, but it's never good to have private conversations exposed.
@ 142 Wolfgang
That's one hell of a rider!
@ 148 Lars
Cheers. But the upshot is that we play with one striker fewer. Do you think that is having a good effect defensively (or any effect)?
@ 163 bstrum
Bang on.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:16 pm166Holloway2Holland
An Emirates inside
The tea lady? A general manager? The guy who cleans the bogs?
Way too vague.
Arsene and Woy have been in the game long enough not to pay attention to crap like that.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:17 pm167Holloway2Holland
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:17 pm168FunGunner
"Arsene and Woy have been in the game long enough not to pay attention to crap like that."
Hope so.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:24 pm169Trev
Don't forget Danny Rose is a Spud – they teach diving and rolling around over there. 😉
And the press don't have a go at matey Martin O'Neill 'cos he's a good old English/British bloke, and just not that kind of manager.
That's why he persists with Lee Clattermole as his captain.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:27 pm170Trev
"Insider" generally means complete fabrication by the journo.
"Inside'er" generally means something quite different. 😉
See Wolfie for further clarification. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:35 pm171Lars
Fun, one less striker on paper, yes, but with the wingers more free to leave the wing we get more strikers in the box.
And if Arsene is "livid" about Jack playing 90 minutes, you can rest assured that Woy wouldn't need the Sun to know that because he would know it before anyone else.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:36 pm172bathgooner
Wolfie, I don't like the direction this club is going in, you gay. 😛
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:37 pm173Lars
…and what Trev said@169 about O'Neanderthal.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:47 pm174Holloway2Holland
'cos he's a good old English/British bloke,
He is neither, he's from Norn Iron.
But you're spot on about him being a media favourite. There's been a lot of investment at Sunderland over the last few years, Mrs Doubtfire spent a small fortune too, but they've pretty much underachieved. With some of the players they have you'd think that they'd be capable of better football, but when you put Clattermole and Tightars Bramble in your team you really should know what to expect.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:47 pm175bstrum
bath @ 172, ha ha ha…and is that why Santos is leaving for Turkey?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:49 pm176bstrum
H2H @174, crap, did Norn Iron secede already?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:53 pm177Trev
Oops, sorry H2H, political faux pas.
What's the word for UKish ? 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:54 pm178Holloway2Holland
Norn Iron is not in Great Britian, never has been.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:54 pm179Trev
See H2H, you've done it now with your bloody pedantry. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:54 pm180Holloway2Holland
Heh, Trev knows.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:57 pm181Holloway2Holland
UKish sounds a bit Dutch.
UKish me, Ikisch you back. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 3:58 pm182Goonerholic
Awesome TaBS 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:01 pm183PaGooner
I missed this match, but feel like I lived through a bit of the rollercoaster after readingTaBS great post. Thank you.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:03 pm184bathgooner
Heh H2H@181 X
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:05 pm185behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
H2H @164. I'm going for a compromise with a last second Everton equalizer in a 5-5 draw, completely deflating Old Red Nose and disuniting the players completely too. 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:16 pm186Ambydex
RVP missed a sitter, Giroud would've burried it…! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:19 pm187bstrum
F2H @181, ha ha ha, but diving into the depths of pedantry, Norn Iron may not be on the island of 'Great Britain', but the term 'British' refers to citizens not only living in the UK but also in overseas territories and dependencies, no? Aren't Gibralterians technically Brits?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:32 pm188Holloway2Holland
I always get confused about that, the reason being that the passport cleary says;
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
So logicaly if you're born in the UK but not Great Britian, then wouldn't that make you Irish?
Still, he's a jumped up little gobshite whatever he is. 😉
Bath, X straight back atchya. 😉
8Ball. Don't want Everton getting a morale boosting last minute anything.
Best case scenario, the ground opens up and swallows them all whole.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:38 pm189True Storey
The Sweeper @ #59
I am always keen to get amongst it and play, however and like Lars, I would be honoured to help warm that bench with such esteemed arses.
Spot on re: The Corporal by the way.
I'm sending you another pot of bright red paint to help you complete your re-spray.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:39 pm190Ollie
Lars 161, I'd take a draw.
Although in any case, I can't see Citeh offering much of a challenge to the Red Mancs now.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:40 pm191Ollie
H2H, why does that 'best case scenario never ever happen'? 🙁
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:40 pm192True Storey
Trev @ #143
Agree and pass the Dettol and the wire brush, ta.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:46 pm193Ollie
I'm all right with a draw, we're not at a stage where we need to be desperate for them to lose.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:46 pm194Lars
Shots on target: ManU 2 – Everton 6
Goals: ManU 2 – 0 Everton.
Did someone say "it's important to take your chances"?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:46 pm195Ollie
Is it 2-0 now?
Bah 🙁
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:49 pm196Holloway2Holland
Ollie 190.
I'm afraid you're right about where the titles headed, can't see the oileys pulling this one out of the fire. vQ's just put Manure 2-0 up. I'd rather be two points ahead of Everton then one, so I'll take that for what it is.
Heh @191.
Doesn't stop us dreaming it will. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:50 pm197bstrum
WTF is Phil Neville doing?! Skunk is hanging offside and Neville a few feet away steps behind him to play him onside for no reason and then ridiculously raises his arm to claim offside. Sorry, it's too sickening to wish for a Man U win…
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:51 pm198Wolfgang Smallballs
Bath @172 – Haha, spoilsport! Will you be making a statement on your personal website? 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:52 pm199N7 Gooner
Nods on
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:52 pm200bathgooner
Best result for us would be Everton to take a real drubbing deflating the balloon that they've been on so far this season. A glum Moyes is almost as good as a glum Taggart.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:53 pm201Cent
Goal/Assist/pre-assist/Tabs it?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:53 pm202bathgooner
Heh Wolfie, it hit my arse and bounced in! 😀
Nice assist, N7.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:54 pm203Holloway2Holland
Too right Bath, and well in.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:55 pm204takeabowson
Cheers Guv 😉
Many thanks Pa.
Just caught the last twenty of the ManUre game. Thought Everton were pretty impressive in the bit I saw, and then up pops CvC to make it two.
Agree with those that wish to see Everton lose. The confidence boost that Everton would get from getting anything at Old Toilet should not be underestimated.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:55 pm205Holloway2Holland
Heh, way to cover all bases Cent.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:56 pm206Ollie
Jaysus, you're posting too fast, I thought I was still in with a chance of assist.
Well in N7&baff
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:56 pm207bathgooner
I have never forgiven Moyes for getting his Preston thugs to kick us off the park in a cup tie in the 90s. Manninger was subjected to GBH and the weak referee looked the other way. Bastard.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:58 pm208Ollie
The score being 2-0 I'm not sure I want a morale-boosting draw NOW indeed.
But otherwise I was still hoping for a draw, with bonus injuries.
Glad I'm not watching that game though, I've only got one TV don't want to destroy it.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:58 pm209takeabowson
Well in Bath, a very sweetly struck goal. Agree with all that.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 4:59 pm210bathgooner
tabs @209
Did I see you on Sunday Supplement this morning, mate? Could have sworn I was listening to your sardonic analysis.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:00 pm211takeabowson
Very nice Cent in the glory position. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:01 pm212takeabowson
Bath, haha, not me I'm afraid. I didn't see it. Who was on? 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:01 pm213Ollie
baff, I know tabs is a Daily Mail icon now, but I doubt he'd take part in that club of smug all-knowing cunts' programme.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:03 pm214Holloway2Holland
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:12 pm215takeabowson
Well I dunno Ollie …. 😉
The thought of giving Ollie Holt a blackeye does have some merit.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:25 pm216takeabowson
AW : "I want you to lay down your life, Santos"
AS : "Right sir!"
AW : "We need a futile gesture at this stage. It will raise the whole tone of the season."
AS : "Yessir!"
AW : "Get up in a crate, Santos."
AS : "Sah!"
AW : "Pop over to Gremio."
AS : "Yessir!"
AW :"Take a shufti."
AS : "Right sir!"
AW :"And don't come back."
AS : "Yessir"
AW : "Goodbye, Santos. God, I wish I was going too."
AS : "Goodbye Coach! – Or is it au revoir?"
AW : "No, Santos."
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:33 pm217Holloway2Holland
We need to get rid of the dead weight as well as the over weight.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:37 pm218Hungry Joe
Santos, I want you to lay down your fork….
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:42 pm219Bergkamp's The Man
Nine points off second. Twelve games to go. I'm fancying it. It's looking good from over here on the sunny side.
Would you rather have Nasri to pull you home or Jack Wilshere?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:43 pm220Holloway2Holland
If I could put in front of a cart and whip him 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:47 pm221bathgooner
tabs, I think his name was Paul Smith, cut through the crap and sneered at all the pretentious comments of the all-knowing cunts around him.
I think you'd go down a storm, or maybe that would be wolfiw 🙂
Nasri would lie down and refuse to move despite all your whipping H2H just like the surly donkey he has proved himself to be.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:49 pm222Holloway2Holland
I'd still get to lash the crap out of him though Bath. 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:55 pm223takeabowson
Hungry Joe 🙂
Bath, haha thanks! 🙂 Never heard of this Paul Smith chap unless he's pretty hot in the fashion world. Will have to look him up.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:56 pm224Cent
H2H, heh, I was backdrinking from somewhere around the 1st century and remembered i saw 195 drinks when i refreshed so i decided to take the most speculative effort of all time.
TaBs, i follow your lead, sir!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:56 pm225Wolfgang Smallballs
Nasri ain't gonna pull me.
Not anywhere.
No Sir.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 5:57 pm226Wolfgang Smallballs
Cent – Indeed! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:07 pm227Holloway2Holland
Wolfie, no worries there.
That lesbo definetly doesn't play for your team. He's not in the same league. Hell, it's not even in the same sport.
* Any simalarties to a scene from a Tarantino film is purely intentional.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:09 pm228Cent
Wolfie, i read your 'demands', it would be quite interesting to know your demands before someone can take you out on a dinner date.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:14 pm229Cent
Right, i'm off to watch Nigeria win the Afcon (everything crossed).
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:14 pm230Holloway2Holland
Good luck Cent.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:17 pm231NorCalArsenal
Well. Lets hope that we just put Everton well and truly in the rear view mirror for the rest of the season. My one concern is that we are still fighting in 3 competitions while the others have mostly dropped out of the others. We may need some rotation and with our defence being so threadbare at the moment it may be difficult.
Arsene should use this month to rest who he can because we only have one more league game all month.
And Wolfie, enjoy your demands.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:18 pm232NorCalArsenal
Yes good luck cent and wind. Hope it works out for you today!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:26 pm233Goonerholic
Super Eagles on ITV4 now. CAN Final.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:29 pm234Holloway2Holland
I got it on Eurosport, but the mosquito full piece backing band is doing my head in already.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:36 pm235Firstlady
If i didnt get a heart attack on saturday during those 23mins i cant imagine getting one any ime soon, sagna was outstanding and my man of the match, chezzer came a close second with ramsey while the rest of the team came in third, that was reall a tough match and it rea,lly showed our fighting spirit, another season and we may have drawn in the 94th min. Iove you Arsenal and thank you for making me proud over the weekend, we are in fifth and it wont be long before we are in our rightful place.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 6:51 pm236Ollie
Canal+ Sport here.
I know all the people I know seem to support Nigeria, but I think I've got to support my francophone 'cousins'. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:01 pm237bstrum
Cent and Wind, good luck and all that, but sorry, allez le Haute-Volta!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:06 pm238Holloway2Holland
I've got T-mobile.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:10 pm239Ollie
Lovely goal from Nigeria, I know a couple of 'holics who must be delirious right now 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:11 pm240Wind
1-0!!! 😀
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:11 pm241Holloway2Holland
Cent's fellow countrty man go wild!!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:12 pm242Holloway2Holland
Hey Wind's in the house.
Nice one.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:13 pm243Ollie
heh H2H 😀
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:21 pm244Goonerholic
One nil, to Nigeria. One nil, to Nigeria. One nil… 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 7:52 pm245Ollie
Nigeria have 2 Chelsea players. Burkina has none.
Easy decision 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:17 pm246Holloway2Holland
Well, we've had Kanu.
That's gotta count for something.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:21 pm247Holloway2Holland
Congratulation Wind, Cent and all Nigerean Gooners.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:22 pm248Lars
Very early morning tomorrow so early night tonight – but first massive congratulations to the Nigerian holics!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:23 pm249Wind
We… Are the Champions, of Africa!
Great goal from Mba and great game, go Nigeria! 😀
So happy right now :')
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:23 pm250Ollie
Not a classic final, rather disappointing but congrats to Wind&Cent's boys.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:24 pm251Cent
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:25 pm252Cent
Campeons! Campeons!! Campeons!!!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:28 pm253Ollie
Goodnight, Lars!
I'll give you great goal, Wind, but for 'great game', I'll call your bias 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:30 pm254takeabowson
Congrats to the Nigerian boys. Enjoy your party!
Watched most of the game. Without wishing to rain on anybody's parade at all, was it my imagination or was the standard of today's game incredibly poor? I haven't watched enough of the tournament to judge whether today was a one off or indicative of the tournament as a whole.
Anyway, enough of that. Gonna do the Nigerian conga here. 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:33 pm255Bergkamp's The Man
So most of the "must go's" are nearly gone?
Denilson (BtM tear drops to floor)
Are all on loan and unlikely ever to grace Emirates Emerald Green ever again.
Fabianski (?)
Russia's Finest
Rosicky (?)
Are all hanging in there until the very end. Arsene may keep Fabianski (Just to piss Steve T off 🙂 ) and I think the jury is still out on TR7.
Frimpong (?)
Wellington (?)
Are all likely to return/arrive. Twelve out, six back, Yennaris, Meade, Eisfeld promoted to the first team squad still leaves three imports just for the status quo. Just sayin'.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:35 pm256Cent
Meister! Meister!! Meister!!!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:35 pm257Ollie
Wind has gone in retweeting overdrive 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:36 pm258Ollie
tabs, I watched a few games and found the standard of this year's vintage extremely poor indeed.
Nigeria worthy of the overall win though.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:40 pm259Charlie
The ACN wasn't too great this year, last year's was much better in my opinion. But it certainly wasn't helped by the dreadful pitches (not that the Premier League is immune to those either sometimes!), you're never going to get many good games played in something resembling a sandpit.
But well done Nigeria anyway. Maybe they'll be seen in Brazil next summer.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:41 pm260Cent
Poor game, good goal, comitted performance in the end a country of over 150 million people, over 250 ethnic groups/tribes is united by one game, Footbal is more than a game!!!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:43 pm261Ollie
Pitroipa named Player of the Tournament,so there's a Burkinabé with a trophy 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:45 pm262thundertinygooner
You are quite right the tournament has been very disappointing. I mean Gervinho looked outstanding.One of the problems is playing some of the games on a beach which had been covered in grit. But congrats to Nigeria-you can only beat who they put in front of you.
When these boys win the ACON they usually party like there is no tomorrow so we might see Moses and Mikel back in March at Chelsea.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:53 pm263thundertinygooner
Very well-compiled list missing only Galindo the Bolivian megastar who has returned to er…Bolivia on loan after failing to light up the Spanish Second Division! After Botelho this may suggest the South Anerican scouting is a bit wonky.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 8:54 pm264takeabowson
Fair enough Ollie – cheers for that.
BtM – Don't think the jury is "out" on Rosicky, his talent and application are not in doubt. I just find it difficult to see where he fits in, given that he is now third in the pecking order for the AM midfield role and is unlikely to figure out wide. He is at an age where he needs to play. Always difficult to second guess Arsene but I would be a little surprised if Tomas is still with us next season.
Don't think Afobe, Aneke or Frimpong will make it at Arsenal. Wellington definitely won't.
Miyaichi needs a solid season of games at a "lesser" Club before he graduates to our bench. With injuries disrupting his season, I reckon he'll be loaned out for another year. Gnabry is in a stronger position as things stand to make the step up.
I haven't seen enough of Campbell to have an opinion.
Meade won't make it. Doubt that Yennaris will either. Bellerin will make the step up before either of those two.
Eisfeld looks to have half a chance. Loved his performance at Reading. All a bit of a mystery as to why he hasn't figured since.
Just my tuppence worth. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:01 pm265takeabowson
Cheers Ttg for the info re the African Nations cup. Glad it wasn't just my imagination. Big mistake I feel to have the tournament 2 years running.
I'm betting the Nigerian boys won't agree with me though! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:30 pm266bsrtrum
Congrats, Nigeria, Cent, and Wind, I remember thinking during the 1994 World Cup that it was just a matter of time before they won it…In any case, fantastic run for Burkina Faso, especially for overcoming Ghana despite that vile Tunisian referee, and apologies to them for my typo "Le" instead of "La" Haute-Volta. Gervinho played some very good football during the tournament, but as someone recently wrote, could the home crowd be a little less impatient with him if he gets any playing time, difficult though it may seem?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:31 pm267Goonersince54
Wolfie Old Son
reference your demands re Blackburn game on Saturday,
I would like to point out it is the FA Cup,not the fucking Mardi Gras.!!
We cannot afford to carry any Prima Donna's at the Club,besides which there is some top talent on the bench who would bite Helmut's sausage off to get a start.
So beware the player who thinks he is better than the rest,for he will ostracise his team mates,and you might well find one of them might be inclined to wipe his arse with your fur lined speedoes,and probably piss in your Jimmy Choos.!!
It has also been brought to my attention that you are angling for a position as my Head Butler at ' Sweeper Abbey '.
My current HB will be sending you a personal response in the near future.
The Sweeper.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:34 pm268Homer
No offense meant, just laziness by me.
But its all good: I like a woman with an attitude!
My ignorance just earned you free drinks on my tab for the season.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:43 pm269takeabowson
Sweeper – 🙂 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:44 pm270Trev
Heh, Sweeper.
"Ostracise"? More likely to ostrichise us with his feather boa. 😉
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:49 pm271Wolfgang Smallballs
Dear Mr Sweeper,
Well I must say I do like a Manager who's "hard"!
And that was hard!
So hard in fact that I don't mind admitting it gave me something of a visceral thrill!
I agree to drop all my demands, and look forward to playing under you Gaffer.
Yours one and for allingly
Wolfgang Smallballs.
PS I look forward to hearing from your HB!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 9:52 pm272bsrtrum
Great point, TTG @ 263, other clubs have done embarrassingly better with their South American scouting than Arsenal. In 2004, when fed up with the Vieira to Madrid transfer circus, I remember thinking that we should just go ahead and sell the decreasingly productive Vieira (who did very little to dampen the Madrid speculation) and buy, based on some reports, the 20 year old Mascherano from some Argentinian club (another player being talked about was a certain Xavi Alonso). Yes, I'm sure many gooners are very happy not to have Mascherano ever wear an Arsenal shirt, but what we ended up with was Denilson two years later from Sao Paulo. I think we got taken…
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:01 pm273Oskar the dog
A forlorn hope, but I'd like to see TR7 start against Blackburn, possibly in place of JW10. Give the guy a chance to prove he's still the player he was a year ago when he almost single-handedly turned our season around, pushing us up to 3rd. If it doesn't work out bring Jack on for last third.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:04 pm274thundertinygooner
I agree Barca may just have the edge over us there.We managed to sign the worst Argentinian international i've ever seen ( Vivas),the worst Brazilians (Denilson and Santos) and it looks like we have a Bolivian dud. I hope Martinez comes good!
Taxi for the South American scouting team.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:08 pm275thundertinygooner
Just look what has appeared on Samba Foot!
Vasco da Gama youngster Índio has expressed his excitement at the prospect of spending some time on trial at Arsenal.
The highly-rated teenage midfielder will spend the next few days training with the Gunners after impressive performances in Brazil this season.
Índio, whose full name is Matheus da Cunha Gomes, recognises that this stint in North London is more about gaining experience than trying to earn a deal, but he would love to make the move to Europe permanently at some point in the future.
The 16-year-old told Globo Esporte: "I'm anxious for this new stage in my life.
Nice to know Theo is big in Brazil??? Maybe this boy is the one.
"I'll spend a week at Arsenal. It will be cool, I hope I enjoy it.
"Of course I have the dream of playing for a European club, but everything has its right time. It will be a good experience. I want to learn."
Índio admitted he was a particular fan of England forward Theo Walcott, adding: "I like him a lot. His style of play is very fast, which pleases me."
The Brazilian starlet, who is part of the national youth team set-up, is not expected to sign for Arsenal, as he must be over 18 first, and is training with the club merely to gain experience at this stage.
Source: Globo Esporte
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:27 pm276bsrtrum
Great stuff, TTG, another hope is the Edu connection in Brazil. He has been a fantastic ambassador for Arsenal since he left and he is currently earning a lot of respect as director of football for Corinthians for what he has achieved in a financially prudent manner (e.g. beat Chelsea to become Club World Champions heh heh heh). From all the interviews he's given, his love for Arsenal and admiration for Wenger is immediately apparent – perhaps this connection will be fruitful. We've had only one good South American since Edu and Gilberto, and that was the unfortunate Eduardo, but even then he was discovered in Croatia, not Brasil…
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:34 pm277Goonersince54
re your 264.
Can't say i disagree with your prognostications.
Regarding Campbell,i think if we was up to the mark,he wouldn't still be out on loan,what,3 seasons since we signed him.??
Eisfield and Gnabry would also be my pick on current info coming out of the Club.
Re Eisfield not featuring sice Reading,i wouldn't read too much into it,i think it is more a case of the embarrassment of riches we have in that midfield space.
I count at least 5 ahead of him in the queue.
But he is still very young,and if he is patient and AW thinks he is up to it,he will get his chance,but probably not this season,unless we hit a run of injuries.
Gnabry probably has the same problem.
In any other season when we had players dropping like flies and the treatment room was standing room only,they would likely have got some first team action.
Sod's law has found almost everyone staying upright this season,so chances for fringe players have been as scarce hen's teeth.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:40 pm278Wind
NorCal @ 232, Ollie @ 239/250/253/257, H2H @ 241/242/247, Holic @ 244, Lars @ 248, tabs @ 254/265 (only held 2 years in a row to switch it permantly to odd years so not to clash with World Cups/Euros, Charlie @ 259, ttg @ 262, bstrum @ 266, thanks you guys for backing me and Cent, and Nigeria 🙂
Fair enough it wasn't the greatest game, and we wasted some chances, but it was nearly end to end stuff, and we were the more desicive with Mba's beauty of a left foot finish after bringing the ball over a defender ala Wind, Boy did the keeper watch it go in, such was its majesty 😛
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:43 pm279Wind
And may I leave you for now with this offering… 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:49 pm280takeabowson
Yep agree with all of that Clive.
Re Campbell, this is only his second season out since signing. I think there have been visa issues. From what I understand, a visa is likely to be granted this summer, so it will be telling if he comes over or stays out on loan.
Completely agree that Eisfeld and Gnabry have the best chance. I would also add Bellerin into the mix. High hopes for him at the Club I believe.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 10:50 pm281Holloway2Holland
Isn't Chamakh at Wet Spam?
ACON, from what I saw of it anyway, was hugely underwhelming. Half empty stadiums, crappy pitches and nothing much to get too excited about….
But that might just be me.
I.m sure Wind and Cent will have seen it differently. 🙂
Hehs @ The Sweeper and the Diva.
on 10 Feb 2013 at 11:05 pm282takeabowson
Heh Wind Congratulations. Enjoy your night.
I think that the powers that be would have been better off leaving it for 3 years rather than one, but money always talks I guess.
Hope your tweet proves prophetic!!!!
on 10 Feb 2013 at 11:23 pm283Goonerholic
Just finished writing a piece for elsewhere. Details to follow.
Is Wind comatose in a Soho massage parlour yet?
on 10 Feb 2013 at 11:25 pm284takeabowson
Haha, he should be !! 🙂
on 10 Feb 2013 at 11:27 pm285Wind
Heh H2H 😉
Thanks tabs, I did enjoy my night, me too 🙂
Gonna be at Blackburn this Saturday, Ollie & BtM are gonna be there I think, I can't wait! Maybe I'll go to the Chip Inn and Fish Bar after with BtM to get a haddock 'supper' and to further celebrate a good win and progression to the Quarter-Finals for Arsenal 😀
on 10 Feb 2013 at 11:28 pm286Wind
Heh Holic, Comatose anywhere in Soho? On Chinese New Year?! And they call me reckless 8)
on 10 Feb 2013 at 11:34 pm287North Bank Ned
Don't be too hard on Wolfie, Clive. He'll only be begging for more…
on 10 Feb 2013 at 11:55 pm288Holloway2Holland
Wining the cup and celebrating in a massage parlour in Soho.
Talk about happy endings.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:02 am289Thundertinygooner
Thanks for the reminder about Edu- top lad .
Tabs- Re Campbell doesn't it depend on the percentage of Costa Rica internationals he plays? If he is a regular in a more than decent international team it should be granted.
Re the talent a the club coming through I understand the standout talent is Gideon Zelalem who is just 16 but trains often with the first team. He would need time but as Fabregas and Wilshere showed if you are good enough Wenger will promote you. Gnabry is hopefully another case in point.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:37 am290FunGunner
Just putting my head around the door to say congratulations to Nigeria, Cent and other Nigerian Gunners must be so happy.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:42 am291Wind
Thanks FunGunner, we are! 😀
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:56 am292GoonerTerry
Hello Chaps. Hello Guvner. As I said to the Sweeper yesterday that was one of the most stressful games I have ever watched but that win will give the team a real boost. We could have won it at a cantor had we taken half our clear chances. but in the end we had to dig deep – not for the first time this season. I feel we will will catch one or both of Spurs & the Chavs. Spurs have not had their annual wobble and Chelsea must still play the big teams. My heart may not be able to take it but I am looking forward to the run in of the season..
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:12 am293Cent
I see Wind has done the vote of thanks on behalf of me and other Nigerian 'holics, so i will just add; thank you gentlemen, your support and kind words are deeply appreciated!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:14 am294Cent
…Starts the move for the 3rd CENTury…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:14 am295Cent
…Beats one…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:14 am296Cent
…Beats two…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:15 am297Cent
…Beats three…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:19 am298Wind
GoonerTerry! 😀
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:20 am299Wind
Bloody hell I've missed you and your wit mate 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:22 am300Cent
…*runs off the pitch to lock Alan Pardew, Tony Pulis, Fat Sam, Abrahimovic, CuntTerry, and all other cunts in a room, throws the key into hell, hoping they all go down the drain by as a result of their own cuntishness. Runs back to the pitch and continues the move for the CENTury*…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:23 am301Wind
Happy Cent? 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:26 am302Cent
Blimey! He scored!! I guess that shows that my little off-the-pitch adventure was indeed the right thing to do.
Welcome GT, really glad you're back!
Thanks for the assist, Wind, it's a Nigerian thing.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:28 am303Cent
Ofcourse i am, Wind! Ollie will be proud of you.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:39 am304Impec1
Thanks for the visit GT. You are a top man Sir. All the best.
Nice goal Cent and congrats to Nigeria!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:44 am305Wind
We've got that connection Cent mate, Brown to Emenike in our opening game 😉
And all us assisters can do is to try and make the King Assister Ollie himself proud 😛
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:45 am306Wind
Alright, till the morning all.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:45 am307bsrtrum
Off the current topic, H2H @ 174+, but one of the featured reviews on the cover of the London Review of Books that just got delivered is titled, "Colin Kidd: The Hyper-Britons of Ulster." I thought it pretty funny considering…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 2:38 am308North Bank Ned
Good to see you, GT. Hang strong. (Down Wolfie…)
on 11 Feb 2013 at 2:42 am309NorCalArsenal
Welcome back mate.
Hope things are looking up. Many of us have missed you here.
I raise my glass to your better health.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 3:30 am310bsrtrum
GT, wish you a full and speedy recovery…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 4:11 am311behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
With GoonerTerry back in the saddle, what could go wrong? 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 4:20 am312behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
Sweeper @267. 😀
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:23 am313Goonerholic
Great to see your post this morning, Terry.
Stay strong, my friend.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 8:02 am314And Lester
Great to see GT back in the bar – makes Mondee morning a whole lot sweeter.
And well played the Super Eagles (no Palace that aint you).
on 11 Feb 2013 at 8:43 am315Trev
Terry, great to see you here again.
You have been missed. Stay strong, mate.
I see you chickened out of FFF though. 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:22 am316Harsha
Even though I hate both those clubs to the core, I have to say I am looking forward to the cuntfest this week.
I might get too busy with work though and may not be able to catch the champions league action
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:23 am317Harsha
Oh and Welcome back GT!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:50 am318N7 Gooner
I had a free half hour this morning so I thought I'd have a look at how the "big" clubs in the Premier League have performed so far this season in relation to what they're spent.
First, I looked at the points differential from this time last season:
Man Utd (+7)
City (-10)
Chelsea (+3)
LWCs (-5)
Arsenal (+1)
Liverpool (-3)
Then I thought I'd look at each club's net spend this summer:
Man Utd (£44m)
City (£21m)
Chelsea (£90m)
LWCs (£7m)
Arsenal (£5.5m)
Liverpool (£44m)
Make of all that what you will. I'm too busy laughing at Chelsea to analyse any further.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:54 am319N7 Gooner
One thing that does jump out: all the media hype about what great jobs Villas-Boas and Rodgers are doing should be disregarded.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:10 am320Joe
Great analysis – just goes to highlight that spending big does not mean you gain in proportion.
The overspend by Chelsea is hardly surprising – Abromovich is a berk.!
But the spend by Liverpool does surprise me. Watching them at the Ems a few weeks back I was really taken aback. They may have scored (or been gifted) two goals against the run of play to earn a point but Suarez apart, I thought that was singularly the worst Liverpool team I have seen in the last 30 years. The Dalglish team of yesteryear were much tougher opposition.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:22 am321takeabowson
Fantastic to see you here GT, it's made my morning. You have been missed mate.
Keep on keeping on Squire. Up the Arsenal!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:35 am322takeabowson
Ttg @289,
Re Campbell, not sure how it works. I think he has to play a certain percentage of Costa Rica games, and Costa Rica have to play a certain number of games (more than a "first tier" footballing nation), for him to qualify.
I do remember reading somewhere that this criteria had now been met and that a visa would be granted in time for next season, but don't know if that's true.
Re Zelalem, there's certainly a lot of "noise" around this kid, probably as much as there was around Jack at the same age. I don't know if some of the hype stems from the fact he was discovered in the US, by Danny Karbassiyoon I believe. All very encouraging, but maybe a little early to be making definitive judgements as to whether he'll make it. So much can happen for it to go wrong.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:37 am323N7 Gooner
Oh – forgot to say: good to see GT back on here. Well played fella.
Joe @320
What it all leads me to conclude is that:
(a) spending money alone isn't enough – you need a quality manager to be doing the spending;
(b) it costs just to stand still in this division, year-on-year (unless you have a genius in charge). I hope the board are conscious of this;
(c) if you have a poor manager spending the money you can spend a packet and barely progress at all; and
(d) both Utd and Van Persie probably did well out of his transfer. Utd got the cutting edge which will win them the league (god knows Kagawa and Buttner are not responsible for those extra 7 points), we got younger replacements, goals from more angles and less reliance on a single player. Plus we have less douchebags in the squad.
Finally, as per the above, it makes me think that just because the press say a manager is doing a great job doesn't mean he actually is. They just like shiny new things is all.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:43 am324iH2H
Nice one Tel.
Be well!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:45 am325takeabowson
N7, interesting stuff. As you hint though, I have no idea what to make of it.
Like Joe, I think the Liverpool figures are particularly eye-catching. Whilst it no doubt shows that there have been some ridiculously over-priced purchases, might they also show that once you drop out of the top 4, the spend goes up to attract even second tier players whilst the return you get from those players is risky at best, negligible at worst.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:52 am326Cent
Goodmorning, all.
Wind @ 305, That pass!
Impec, thanks.
N7 makes very good points @318 and @323.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:57 am327Cent
Just saw a stat that means Hart, Vorm, Vermaelen, Howard, Krul and Al Habsi have all made more errors leading to goals than Chesney this season.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:59 am328Cent
Re my last comment, i know stats aren't everything and all that but that stat is really interesting in many ways.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:12 pm329N7 Gooner
tabs @ 325
Liverpool have spent around £50m this season. About £30m in the summer, and then another circa £20m this January.
Around half of that outlay has gone on players who contribute very little or even fail to make the first team.
Joe Allen for £15m looks pretty preposterous at this stage, and Borini for £10m is similar. The only reason the latter has escaped a press mauling for his lack of goals is that they appear to have forgotten he exists. This also doesn't take into account the £100k+ a week Rodgers saw fit to lavish on Sahin.
I don't have much against Liverpool, and I would actually like to see them do well, provided they don't do as well as us. They probably are moving in the right direction now, but the hype is well and truly overcooked.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:18 pm330takeabowson
Indeed N7.
Agree with all that, apart from the bit where you say you hope they do well.
I would love to see them relegated! 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:54 pm331Ollie
One for tabs 😉
The news that the Pope is to resign is a shock to most, particularly as Mediawatch believes former journalist Ian McGarry confirmed only yesterday that his holiness was going nowhere, was perfectly happy in his job and that absolutely no talks with God had taken place.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 12:58 pm332Ollie
Hooray for GoonerTerry!
And well played on 300 Wind&Cent. Proper ACN-winning goal.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 1:08 pm333takeabowson
Haha Ollie 🙂 🙂
Mcgarry remains, by some distance, and in the face of some very stiff competition, numero uno cunt in the journo world.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 2:15 pm334bathgooner
Heh Ollie @331.
He's resigning to take over youth development from Liam Brady. Lifetime of experience to bring to the job. 😀
on 11 Feb 2013 at 2:20 pm335Trev
Pope resigns ?
No doubt due to pressure from Abramovich.
When did Vatican City last win the Italian Cup ?
on 11 Feb 2013 at 2:21 pm336Trev
Heh bath ! 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 2:22 pm337Trev
Interesting N7 analysis, and good point @325 Tabs.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 2:26 pm338Cent
So many hehs above.
Rumours emerging from the Vatican is that the pope is indeed resigning to take over at Citeh, apparently, Sheikh Mansour was told 'only a miracle will make Citeh win the EPL this season'.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 3:10 pm339Lars
GoonerTerry! I am really happy to see you make a visist, stay strong mate!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 3:35 pm340Ollie
There's one thing I know for sure. Whoever the next Pope is, he will always offer the same answer to the wanky Tottnum Hotspur.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 3:47 pm341Camberwell Gooner
Just got this letter published on F365.com:
…Dear God (no, I'm not addressing you hacks as deities), you're supposed to be a voice of reason and impartiality in the internet age of over-reaction and hyperbole. Instead you're just fuelling the problem by being as knee-jerky as the herd.
Comments like 'Giroud is struggling to prove he's up to the required standard' are exactly what I mean. The guy's new to the Prem, has scored 9 goals, has had a few pretty good games as a physical presence up front and it's not enough for you. 'Only 2 of his goals have directly contributed to points' is the rambling of the impossible to please, or more likely a lazy journo who can't be arsed to say something original.
"Just compare him to RVP," you're probably thinking, "That'll make good copy!" There's a reason why he offers 'nowhere near as much flexibility as RVP', because he's not as good, ALONG WITH ABOUT 95% OF ALL OTHER STRIKERS IN THE WORLD, YOU IDIOTS. Seriously, some people (including you lot) won't be happy unless a new striker scores 30 goals from 5 different parts of his body before Christmas, has the skills to embarrass Messi, is better looking than Ronaldo, single-handedly wins the Champs League while carrying a hamstring injury, solves Britan's debt problems and eradicates world hunger.
We KNOW he's not a world beater but he's doing alright, ALRIGHT?
Arsed off Gooner
on 11 Feb 2013 at 3:50 pm342arsabeatbarca
Gooner Terry, As you can clearly tell, we have missed you dearly. Like the time you deliberately posted AFTER Holic had done this >>>>>>. You commented, rather cheekily " I wanted to round it up to an even 350″. And the time you assisted yourself twice, before scoring a century…would have loved to have seen the dubious goals committee reaction 🙂 Good stuff. Welcome back.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 4:26 pm343Oxon Gooner
Good to see you back Gooner Terry. I hope it's the first of many visits. You may need to keep me in order with those rusty nails, mate, as I've been getting a little long-winded while your back was turned.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 4:49 pm344Holloway2Holland
Various Hehs above.
Nice letter Mr Angry of Camberwell. I hate reading that kind of shit too, especially when they, who know nothing about us, cllaim to know our feelings about said players. Dissapointed, worried, in panic, are all things I've read that I'm supposed to be this season.
In other news::::
Following the discovery, last week, of the bones of Richard III, scientists are searching beneath Tesco car park for his horse.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:03 pm345Richard III
My kingdom for a burger! Or is it lasagne today?
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:21 pm346Holloway2Holland
If you're looking for horses, you know where to Findus.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:29 pm347Camberwell Gooner
H2H – I love spitting invective, especially at those self-righteous pricks at 'F365 Towers'. They are such a bunch of tools, and obviously getting involved with the Monkeyboy self-abuse fest too.
As for your 346…respect. I love a corny pun!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:32 pm348washed up in france
First course and second course
Horses for Courses
Of Course
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:35 pm349Snir Geuli
"In particular, his Expository Writing research project on the Arsenal Football Club was an exceptionally written work that demonstrated not only significant effort and skill but also passion."
I knew my knowledge of Arsenal would be of use 😉
An excerpt from my English Teacher's UNC and UMASS recommendation for me 🙂
Up the Arsenal.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:37 pm350thundertinygooner
Camberwll Gooner
Your point is well made but… I have been berated here for criticising Giroud but I think he has a great work ethic and is good raw material but at the same time i don't care if you've just arrived from Outer Space you have to convert easy chances if you are a striker at a champions League club..Sunderland at home and away and Chelsea away,immediately come to mind as situations where he missed sitters.
Most strikers suffer with the physicality of the EPL and Giroud has adapted well to this aspect and he gives us an option in the air we have not had often and he makes intelligent runs.Giroud ticks all the boxes strikers usually fail to tick but he does miss too many chances. This may improve as he grows in confidence,gets used to using the Tube or remembers which side of the road to drive on but I still feel we need another good chance taker as an option to him.
After losing RVP we don't need to settle for any old striker we are Arsenal and we get the best one we can possibly get.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:39 pm351Camberwell Gooner
For dinner tonight: Spaghetti BologNEIGHse.
Thank you and good night.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:46 pm352Camberwell Gooner
I agree that he could have scored more, I just wish some journalists would hesitate before they write him off with some of the comments they make.
I think it will improve before long but you know what the press are like, when someone's on form they're falling over themselves to flatter them but if they're off the boil some of these players haven't got a look-in.
The point I wanted to make (in a rather ham-fisted fashion) was that he could be doing a lot worse but of course we would like him to do a little better. I suppose you could say he's scored the minimum necessary to attract a good review. Or do you take a stricter view?
on 11 Feb 2013 at 5:55 pm353takeabowson
All strikers miss chances. I just think OG missed a couple of sitters very early on in his Arsenal career which continues to drive a pre-set media narrative that is now increasingly at odds with what the fella is achieving.
I would, for example, be interested in seeing a chances to conversion comparison between OG and CvC. I have no idea what they would reveal but I think you might be surprised.
Now I'm not comparing OG to CvC. It's like comparing apples to pears for one thing, and I don't dispute that CvC is capable of things on a football pitch that OG isn't for another. However CvC has missed plenty in his time, always has, always will.
I can think of Milan and Norwich at home last season off the top of my head where he was culpable. It's in the nature of being a striker.
I think it's far more worrying if strikers don't get chances (a la Torres, it generally means they're hiding). Missed chances means they're getting 95% of the job right and that goals will come.
I must admit I've liked OG from the off. I really don't see where there is cause for complaint at this stage of his Arsenal career.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 6:24 pm354Ollie
Nice one Snir!
And heh at various puns.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 6:27 pm355Ollie
Exactly, tabs. Some people would have you believe van Cuntie never missed a chance, nevermind a sitter.
Incidentally, I seem to have popped up on twitter at a moment yesterday when a couple of people were laughing at him missing an absolute sitter in fact.
He's obviously an exceptional player, but to say 'Cunt would have scored that' everytime OG misses even a half-chance is downright ridiculous.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 6:28 pm356takeabowson
Anyone who fancies watching the U-21s at Man Utd tonight it's on MUFC Tv, which conveniently is being streamed over at http://www.firstrow1.eu/
Arsenal Under-21s team: Fabianski, Angha, Hajrovic, Miquel, Ormonde-Ottewill, Hayden, Yennaris, Henderson, Gnabry, Eisfeld, Akpom
on 11 Feb 2013 at 6:29 pm357takeabowson
Indeed Ollie.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:03 pm358zicoinexile
He's bloody slow though. 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:14 pm359takeabowson
1-0 Arsenal. Akpom.
Stick that up yer arse Paddy Crerand!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:18 pm360takeabowson
1-1 🙁
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:25 pm361takeabowson
2-1 Man Utd. Wankers.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:28 pm362zicoinexile
First of all, would like to add my hello to everyone else who has welcomed back Jamaican Terry.
You have indeed been missed – you can't have enough nail-wielding bandits in this bar. 😉
Some excellent posts above on the spending/achievement ratio.
This more than anything should tell everyone all they need to know about the idea that falling out of the top 4 would be a good thing. The parallels with Liverpool are frightening and even more so when you consider that we will not be spending £90m even when things are "good".
I'm with tabs, though, I have to say relegation couldn't happen to a better bunch. Tossers.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:28 pm363Goonerholic
Had a doctors appointment today. He told me to watch what I am eating.
So on Saturday I am off to Ascot…
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:32 pm364zicoinexile
Given your propensity to post on twitter, we are all watching what you're eating 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:33 pm365takeabowson
2-2 Akpom 🙂
Shut it Paddy.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:40 pm366Goonerholic
Ouch, that was my wrist 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:43 pm367zicoinexile
Heh H – just jealous.
In fact, it's mainly a liquid diet isn't it? 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:51 pm368Goonerholic
Good solids content this weekend, but back to normal tonight…
This game doesn't look too bad given the conditions.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 7:53 pm369Holloway2Holland
I had startedtytping a response, had to go away, came back and se that, Cam', tabs and Ollie pretty well covered what I wanted to say. Let's not forget that OG was brought in as an understudy and not a direct replacement for Pepe Le Phew's Dutch cousin, I personaly think he's done extreamly well.
Not only has he contributed with goals and assists, he gives us that little bit extra up top. Watch how many times that when the ball is pumped upfield, either by a defender or keeper clearance, that he wins the areial ball, the other players are starting to suss that out too, meaning his contribution will only grow.
If you really want to compare him to CvC, then compare OGs record this term with RvP's first season with us. The stas will speak in thec HFB' favour and there's still a long way to go.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 8:09 pm370Derrick
Welcome back GT.
My two cents regarding Giroud and RvP – I think comparisons between the two are missing the point. Giroud is a very good striker with bags of potential, who adapted very well with life in the EPL. Scores plenty of goals so far, very useful in defending set pieces, and chips in with lots of assists as well. He is a very useful outlet for us up front, no doubt.
Now RvP is without doubt, dare I say it, the best forward in the PL. he's a game changer, a match winner, call him what you like. How many better forwarda than him are there at the moment? Ronaldo? Messi? Umm… Falcao? Which makes it pretty clear why everyone is comparing OG with RvP. There is no replacing RvP for the influence he has in games (when fit, of course). Which is also why comparisons of him and Giroud are missing the point in my opinion. Both are very good players, and with some support, Giroud may yet prove to be the matchwinning, world-beating forward we all want him to be.
And I still hate you RvP.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 8:38 pm371N7 Gooner
Good shout.
I'm sure I read somewhere that Giroud has already out scored RVP in 6 of the Dutchman's 8 seasons with us.
I also think it often takes overseas strikers a year to settle in this league. No one remembers it now, but Drogba was widely considered a figure of comedy for most of his first 9 months in a Chelsea shirt.
Giroud is well ahead of where he should be on the bell curve at this stage. As tabs says above: you don't worry about the strikers who keep finding themselves in promising positions. That bit of extra composure will come, and in the mean time his efforts for the team have been positively Herculean.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 8:50 pm372Trev
I'm not sure Giroud will want to get to the end of that bell curve.
What will he be called then ? 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:10 pm373Thundertinygooner
Camberwell Gooner/ Tabs et al
I thought that your points on OG were fine. I am a bit of a perfectionist about strikers and of course even great strikers miss chances. Sadly Messi and Ronaldo and Falcao miss less. I would give OG 7/10 for his first season and as Trev says may he not progress to be a bell end! I think we all anticipate he will be better next season and there is still improvement to come.
I would like him to score in one of the really big games. He did score against the Scum but has struggled against the very top teams. I hope we buy another striker just to ensure we have a spread of four strikers for next season and this guy Jovetic sounds a decent shout as he can play with a big striker. One positive thing is that I get the impression the club means a lot to him already. I see him as a stayer ( kiss of death) but I hope we want him to stay!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:12 pm374Ollie
We seem to have a lot of players with '0' as their number. Did that confuse the ref? 😀
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:19 pm375Ollie
Fabianski to start on Saturday then?
I didn't know Henderson was back either.
Having checked his wikipedia page, I see he only started one game for bloody Coventry….
It looks like most players we loan out can't get a game these days. Bizarre.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:36 pm376N7 Gooner
Trev @ 372
A handsome bastard.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:40 pm377takeabowson
Trev @ 372 haha 🙂
Ttg – I'd give him an eight, but agree that it would be great to see him score the winner in a really big game. Perhaps he's saving it for the Lane? Agree completely on Jovetic.
Enjoyed the U-21s tonight. Good game on a quite dreadful pitch. Two good goals from Akpom, particularly the first. Gnabry showed in patches how good he might become, though I didn't think he showed much appetite for the defensive side of things, seemingly content to amble through most of the first half. Eisfeld had some nice touches but flitted in and out. Henderson, apart from a fizzer that lead to Akpom's second, was pretty anonymous.
The way Miquel was shoved off the ball by Nick Powell (their stand out player) for their second goal will not have given great comfort to those that see him as our new 4th centre half. To be fair though, he had a much improved second half.
Didn't think much of his defensive partner Hajrovic, if I'm brutally honest.
At full back, Angha on the right had a solid game and worked really hard, whilst on the left I really liked Ormonde-Ottewill. Calm, assured and aware.
Of the two central midfield players I thought Hayden showed more than Yennaris.
Thought Man Utd just shaded the first half, but that we were much the better side in the second . A draw probably a fair result, but the game was there for the taking.The impressive Akpom should really have won it with a header six yards out.
Steve Gatting is not as fat as his brother.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:43 pm378N7 Gooner
Liverpool – bwahahaha.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:47 pm379ArthurTheGooner
Ha ha ha at those muppets at Merseyside! 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:48 pm380ArthurTheGooner
N7 Gooner – Mind Foster did actualy make some decent saves today!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:49 pm381Trev
Baggies 2-0 up. 😆
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:50 pm382Eandy
Interesting and most valid observation, the player where it annoys me the most is Ryo, after his brilliant loan spell last season I really wanted him to make it with us if not this season then next.
I remember that in one game last year he created 10 (!) goalscoring chances for his teammates, which at the time was more than whole Arsenal squad managed to do in last five games or something.
I really hope he will manage through whole pre-season in summer and stay with us, there is loads of potential in him and he might help us also in Asian market. I remember someone reporting every Bolton game being aired and watched in many places over Japan when he has played, he is really big there. I am one of those who think that he is closest to "making it" from all our youngsters to be honest.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:52 pm383Trev
Early night for me. Off to France at 4am. Back next Tuesday morning in time for Bayern. 😉
Night all.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:54 pm384Trev
Oh, nice U21 report. Thanks for that Tabs.
See you next Tuesday – no, really.! 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:55 pm385NorCalArsenal
That is funny. Didn't watch. But
Liverpoo shots 25 (7). WBA 5 (3).
Score 0-2.
The only thing is we have had games like that the last few years too. It's a funny sport.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 9:58 pm386arsabeatbarca
Good nite Trev and safe travels. France, wow 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:01 pm387IOllie
Bon voyage, Trev!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:10 pm388Eandy
meant for Ollie @375 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:15 pm389takeabowson
Trev – Cheers 🙂
And enjoy your break.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:28 pm390Goonerholic
Take your point about Hajrovic, TaBS, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Awful conditions for a big lump of a centre-half against a mobile attacker. Did well to avoid going in the book because he could only stop Powell by 'subterfuge'.
Let's wait until we have seen him on a billiard table pitch.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:28 pm391takeabowson
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:29 pm392takeabowson
Yep fair comment 'Holic.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:37 pm393Thundertinygooner
Tabs- an excellent report on the U21 thanks. Do you think Akpom might be around he first team next season or out on loan?
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:41 pm394Lars
Been out and about but just saw the result at Anfield – David Brentan Rogers is continuing his successful work, I see…
(though to be honest I think that given some time Rogers will eventually improve them, and I think the first thing he should do after this season is to get rid of Suarez because I am still not convinced that he, for all his skills, really makes them a better team – he takes up too much space and there is always some destabilising controversy waiting round the corner with him and some of his team mates really do seem to hate him at times)
To return to matters Arsenal:
My 2p about Giroud is that he has had a very good first season so far. It really was quite ridiculous how he was written off (Alan Davies, I am looking at you here) after just two or three games as a total failure. Like others have said, the most difficult thing for a striker is getting into scoring positions and Giroud does that frequently and as long as he keeps doing that then the goals will fly in at a steady rate.
Ollie: Playing Fabianski om Saturday would probably be too much of a gamble. I think this was his first or possibly second game back after almost a year out (save for one or two pre-season games in July/August) and he probably needs a few more games to find some sort of form again.
tabs, cheers for the report on the U21 game.
Right, time for sleep has arrived. Drinks on the bar for anyone who is still awake!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:46 pm395takeabowson
No idea Ttg. Still only 17 so he might have another year at the Club. That said, he was a lot bigger than I had imagined, so they might send him out.
Difficult to see him around our first team as early as next season. Still looked pretty raw but his first goal showed that he's certainly technically adept. Maybe a CoC outing.
Wary of taking too much from one game.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:47 pm396Cent
Tabs, thanks for the match report, I watched the goals on youtube, Akpom really took his 1st goal well. Re Hajorovic, i've never watched him play but from what i 've read about him i think the general feeling is that he has not developed as expected and his major weakness is a severe lack of concentration.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:52 pm397Cent
Lars, your point about Fabianski is a very valid one, he didn't exactly cover himself in glory for the first goal we conceeded tonight.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:53 pm398Oskar the dog
Better looking than Ronaldo, CG? When he first arrived young Cris was badly in need of dental work and had a face full of acne … if he hadn't been a mega footballer he'd have been third in line for the whale!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:55 pm399lol
on 11 Feb 2013 at 10:55 pm400Cent
'holic, your doctor said you should watch what you eat? Eat infront of a mirror, thank me later!
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:01 pm401Cent
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:02 pm402Oxon Gooner
Well in, Cent
Night all
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:08 pm403Cent
So I TaBsed the 2nd century then scored the 3rd and 4th centuries, morale of the story; Ollie G and I have something in common, we TaBs some, we score some, just like other good strikers do ;).
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:09 pm404Cent
Thanks, Oxon.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:11 pm405Oskar the dog
I've read so much about the dangers of over-eating that I've had to give up reading.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:12 pm406Holloway2Holland
Well in Cent.
But are you saying "tabs" is tantamont to "a miss"?
Wolfie will not be pleased. 😉
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:16 pm407takeabowson
Well in Cent and heh!
And another heh H2H 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:24 pm408Snir Geuli
I'm the happiest man alive.
Maccabi beat Hapoel 4-0
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:30 pm409bathgooner
Snir @ 408, I think there may be Baggies who would contest that claim. 🙂
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:44 pm410pires is king
Evening all! Web rumors of Arsene re-signing for 3 and half years more… anyone see this with any substantiation?
Cheers, Snir, on Maccabi victory. I'll settle in with a Guinness, if anyone's around. Thanks barman.
on 11 Feb 2013 at 11:59 pm411North Bank Ned
Tabs@353: here are some OG v RvP comparisons for you:
Olivier Giroud made his debut in 2005/06 for Grenoble in Ligue 2. RvP made his debut for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. Their toe-to-toe comparisons for each season since their debut season, in which, incidentally neither of them scored.
OG / RvP
Season 1 6 matches 0 goals / 17 matches 0 goals
Season 2 17 matches 2 goals –goal every 179 mins /29 matches 15 goals — goal every 120 mins
Season 3 33 matches 14 goals — goals every n/a mins / 30 matches 6 goals — goal every 270 mins
Season 4 26 matches 13 goals — goal every 166 mins / 44 matches 10 goals goal every 170 mins
Season 5 41 matches 23 goals — goal every 157 mins / 42 matches 9 goals — goal every 252 mins
Season 6 43 matches 14 goals — goal every 248 mins / 32 matches 14 goals — goal every 155 mins
Season 7 51 matches 26 goals — goal every 151 mins / 36 matches 15 goals — goal every 167 mins
Season 8 (to date) 41 matches 15 goals — goal every 173 mins / (full season) 54 matches 24 goals — goal every 172 mins
on 12 Feb 2013 at 12:30 am412Snir Geuli
Bath – with all due respect to the Baggies, this was the Tel-Aviv (akin to the NLD), and it was virtually the title decider.
NBN – surely those stats are wrong as the Dutchman scored 37 last season. Or 30 in the league.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 12:41 am413Holloway2Holland
Congratulations Snir.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 12:41 am414North Bank Ned
SG@412: Season 1 is giroud's first season (05/06) vs rvp's first season (01/02) and so on. Sorry not to have made that clear. Tabs was looking for a comparison of how they had progressed at comparable stages of their careers.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 12:59 am415Snir Geuli
NBN – I understood that, but nowhere does it mention the Dutchman's last season.
Thanks y'all.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 2:20 am416behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
Snir. Is it not more correct to say that all stats are wrong, except the one that says which club has the most points at the end of the season. Something you may agree with in your off moments. 😉
on 12 Feb 2013 at 2:21 am417behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
PiK. I'll drink a Guinness with you, even if I got to the bar a few hours late. Must make up for lost time. Glug.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:28 am418Snir Geuli
8ball – you know I mock the Americam fixation with stats. While it is important to derive certain things, some people treat it as gospel, as the only truth, and most importantly they derive causation instead of correlation!
In addition, statistics have four methods of collecting data – experiment, survey, simulation, and observational study.
By defenition, conclusions cannot be made from an observational study.
Stats in sports are observational.
I'm sensing that the bar thinks I am a stats junkie which is far off from the truth. I use it, but only to support my hypotheses, not prove it as stats cannot do such a thing.
Like my hypothesis that Giroud is adapting rather nicely in English football supported by the fact that he has 9 PL goals, just like one of the best strikers in the PL – Sergio Aguero.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:46 am419behind the 8 ball but gunning for glory
Snir, Giroud is awesome. Even more incredible and hulking than the incredible hulk. In my humble opinion, of course. 🙂
on 12 Feb 2013 at 5:16 am420scruzgooner
I. Am. Giroud!! I score some goals!
on 12 Feb 2013 at 5:29 am421bsrtrum
Snir @418, given your obvious numeracy and considered opinions on statistics and its usage, I'm even more puzzled why you complained,
"NBN–I understood that, but nowhere does it mention the Dutchman's last season." NBN clearly stated that the comparison was from their respective debut seasons which means that the skunk's last season had to be omitted in such a comparison because he happens to have lived longer than our best defender against corners. NBN could only compare the skunk's record to 2008. not to 2011.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 6:11 am422Snir Geuli
bstrum – I didn't read that 🙂 I thought it included every season, and for some weird reason I thought Giroud and the Dutchman played the same number of seasons in their careers. Don't ask me how, I know the Dutchman is 29 and Ollie is 26 but thinking that hard was a bit too much for me then 😉
I direct you to @408 ;).
Cut me some slack!! I was a bit tipsy (Ok, not a bit)!
on 12 Feb 2013 at 7:16 am423Doctor Faustus
Finally found some free time to drop in for a drink in this august establishment which thankfully remains open so late here in Boston.
Welcome back GT, we missed you.
Eandy, fully agree with you about Ryo. Don't really know what exactly is going on with him at Wigan, I guess some long term injuries etc., but both with Feynoord and Bolton he looked like a player. He is undoubtedly raw, but more than the evident skills and pace the thing that I found really exciting is the attitude: a combination of fearlessness, humility and relentless work rate. I concur that among all the up-and-coming he looks closest to the finished article to me.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 7:43 am424Snir Geuli
Ryo has been injured for a while now.
Supposed to be back in training in the next week or so.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:09 am425Wind
Well in Cent @ 400 🙂
Congrats Snir (Y)
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:54 am426Richard III
snir 422. 26? I wish. 😉
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:21 am427Snir Geuli
I know I hate Barca with a passion, but thank you for Oscar Garcia and Jordi Cruyff.
I love them both. They made my life a happy life.
I'm too happy right now I just wanna scream.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:48 am428Goonerholic
Here's a piece I wrote for Danny K, if you're interested…
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:52 am429Cent
Good morning, all.
Heh @ H2h @ 406.
PiK @ 410, i hope that turns out to be true, i doubt they will announce it before the season ends.
Snir, congratulations on the success of your paper and Macccabi's victory.
NBN, thanks for the Giroud and RvP stats, one thing is certain; Giroud will always score goals and he always does better/improves as he settles down.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:56 am430Ollie
Scream away, Snir! 🙂
on 12 Feb 2013 at 10:05 am431Ollie
Oh yeah, that's the thing I knew you'd appreciate when I remembered he was your fav', but I forgot to mention about the young mascot, 'holic: he's also a Baker (though no relation to Joe 😉 ).
on 12 Feb 2013 at 10:10 am432Cent
Hi Guv, nice article you wrote over there at SWOL, Joe must have been one hell of a player. I've had the same problem of choosing my favourite Arsenal player ever, i guess i will just follow your lead and say god, Pires, Viera, Henry, Cesc, RvC and Jack at one point or the other.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 10:40 am433bsrtrum
Snir, ha ha ha, I see, now it makes sense. The thrashing must be especially sweet given that Maccabi lost the first encounter.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 11:01 am434Snir Geuli
It was especially sweet because it was a derby and we are now 11 points above Hapoel and 8 points above Maccabi Haifa.
The title is looking increasingly closer 🙂
Oscar Garcia 😳
on 12 Feb 2013 at 1:05 pm435North Bank Ned
Further to my 411, here for those asking are the comparable numbers for RvP for the four seasons that Giroud has yet to play:
Season 9 33 matches 16 goals — goal every 158 mins
Season 10 42 matches 28 goals — goal every 108 mins
Season 11 56 matches 41 goals — goal every 115 mins
Season 12 (to date) 35 matches 25 Goals — goal every 108 mins
If Giroud makes the step up in his late 20s that RvP made, he'll be quite some player.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 1:25 pm436Holloway2Holland
Great post over on SWOL, 'holic.
My first fav'?
That's easy.
The born king of High-bur-y.
The one and only Sir Liam of Brady.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 2:10 pm437Ollie
Heh, that would be Ian 'It's like living in a foreign country' Rush 😀
on 12 Feb 2013 at 2:16 pm438Uncle Charlie
"For the second week running we went toe to toe with opponents clearly testing that soft Arsenal underbelly of days in the not too distant past, and passed the test with flying colours"
I'm not too sure about that to be honest. Watching the latter half of the stream peeking between my fingers wondering how we're still ahead doesn't quite smack of "flying colours." Nine times out of 10 there would have be a very different aura to the post-match report. The red card was down to our own recklessness.
Not that I'm complaining. Hell no.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 2:22 pm439Cent
Anyone else read Andre Santos' message on the .com? I love that man, i do!
on 12 Feb 2013 at 2:36 pm440Holloway2Holland
Not the sharpest pencil in the box was Ol'Ian Rush, Ollie.
But, he is correct on one count, living abroad is not like it was a few decades ago. I think Galen would do well on the continant and may find himself feeling very much at home in the warmer climate…..
Does Gilbratar have a football team?
on 12 Feb 2013 at 2:43 pm441Eandy
Yeah I have Cent, and indeed it seems to be very sincere message from him, even after his recent performances and the jersey swap failure, he is not even touching "bellend" scale. I think that he is great, lovable guy, just not good enough to play left back at Arsenal.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:00 pm442iTrev
Cold wind – not Wind – down here in southern France/Catalunya, but bright sun and blue sky too.
Hope the snow isn't too deep en Angleterre. 😉
Cent –
Have to say I loved Santos too – last season. He seemed a very natural footballer to me. I don't know what happened to him in the summer but this season has been a train wreck for him.
Those quotes on .com are either an amazingly magnanimous gesture from one of the happiest fellas in football, or a complatet piss take.
He seems such a nice guy, I choose to believe the former.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:04 pm443iTrev
Oh dear, complatet = complete.
Never type quickly on an iPad. 🙁
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:07 pm444Austrian Gooner
Christ people now trying to swop Bayern home tickets for away tickets on Twitter, looks like the pub in Munich for me then
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:15 pm445Holloway2Holland
Bonjour le Trev.
2 Saints was the cuddly maverick, endeared in our hearts because of the "good game you gays" tweet. Not anything ever accomplished on the field of play. I could never really get angry with him because it had been painfully obvious for some time that he wasn't up to task.
I wish him all the best in his homeland.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:29 pm446NorCalArsenal
2 funny things in the news today that caught my eye.
1) ancelotti says no one could turn down Real Madrid if the job was offered.
I believe a certain AW has turned them down before.
2) a director at anzhi has stated that QPR has lost their minds to sign Samba to that contract.
Hahahahaha. It's easy to part fools from their money!
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:32 pm447Holloway2Holland
Here´s one that mediawatch missed;
Rodgers told Sky Sports: "The players gave everything. It was just one of those games with all those shots that we couldn't make the breakthrough.
We've been on a terrific run."
L´poo´s previous three games included two draws and a loss to Oldham.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:34 pm448scruzgooner
H2H, his second half performance at chelsea last year was very endearing. i was moved to want a cuddle with the big softie.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:51 pm449Holloway2Holland
He was pants in the first though, scruz.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:55 pm450scruzgooner
yes he was, h2h. still, by the end of the game, cuddles 😉
on 12 Feb 2013 at 3:57 pm451scruzgooner
oh, and liverpoo beware if brendan starts to say "triffic", with a twitch.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:00 pm452Ollie
I hope one day Santos comes back and serves pie at Piebury Corner 😉
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:17 pm453Holloway2Holland
Heh, liked there be any left to serve. 😉
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:19 pm454Eandy
Still feel its a shame it did not work out for him with us..I remember someone posting this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNt6GhAns9w here last year showing what fit Santos can do..
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:23 pm455Ollie
DId they miss it? I'm sure I have seen it somewhere H2H. Although maybe it was only on their main title page.
Definitely the former, Trev. Whereabouts are you? Can't remember, did you not once mention Prades or thereabout?
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:24 pm456Ollie
Brendan Is Sad As 'Terrific Run' Ends…
Is he talking about a different Liverpool? Brendan Rodgers was 'very disappointed' with their 2-0 defeat to West Brom, claiming they had been on a 'terrific run'. That's one win in the last five including the defeat to Oldham
Ah yeah, that's their main title.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:30 pm457Ollie
heh at 453 too
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:36 pm458Holloway2Holland
Damn it, there's me thinking I'd found an exclusive.
A glorious career awaits me at the Sun or Daily Fail.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 4:38 pm459scruzgooner
ollie, at last we will *know* the answer to that age old question, "who ate all the pies?"
on 12 Feb 2013 at 5:30 pm460washed up in france
Last year at Marseille we were positioned in line with the edge of the 18 yard box .A good position to appreciate the left back and Santos not only put in a shift but nobody went past him.I will prefer to keep those memories and forget what has happened since.At the time I thought that Arsene had made an astute signing.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 6:00 pm461Oxon Gooner
Excellent piece on SWOL, guv'nor.
I believe the player was known as Joe "Mr Electric" Baker. Can you confirm this, and if so explain it? I've been baffled for years.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 6:19 pm462iTrev
Ollie, yes in Codalet, just on the edge of Prades.
Got to disagree about Santos.
When he first arrived he rarely or never lost a one-on-one, added a bit of maturity to the back four and added to our attacks on the left side with an easy, creative left foot. He was a real character and, although sometimes looking a bit unlikely, made a good start to his Arsenal 'career'.
This season has been an entirely different story.
Slow, unfit, looking lost and miles out of pisition.
Great shame I think, and while I wouldn't dispute the fact that he has been awful this season, he had very little playing time to find any sort of form. In truth he was too dangerous to be afforded any playing time, but I don't honestly think anyone plays more than twenty times for Brazil if they don't have some sort of talent.
Just one of those things that didn't work out and a bit of a mystery.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 6:37 pm463iTrev
Really enjoyed the Joe Baker piece.
You may have noted by now that my powers of recall keep me very much in the here and now !
My sense of chronology lets me down in terms of an individual match, let alone an entire season or a couple of decades !
Your portrayal of Arsenal history is superb. Brings it all right back to life with never a wasted word.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 6:59 pm464Holloway2Holland
A few contribution aside, I always thought he looked out of his depth.
But, maybe I'm being a bit harsh.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:00 pm465Uplympian
Excellent piece on Joe Baker 'Holic – my second favourite player of that era (no 1 for me was George Eastham). Joe was a prolific goal scorer but quite diminutive…5'8″ or thereabouts who certainly packed a punch!! I was standing in my normal place at the clock end when there was the famous decking of "Big" Ron Yeats…a giant of a centre half ( not centre backs in those days). Unfortunately we went out of the cup that day 0-1 to a disputed goal scored by the scousers.
Oxon, I can't recall Joe Baker having a nick-name of "electric" but he was certainly quick over 10 yds – maybe that's where it came from.
H2H 458…. Despite your experience with "taps", I don't think you qualify for a job at the Sun….you can string together more than 2 words of 4 letters. Also I'm afraid Tabs has beaten you to the job at the Daily Phail 😉
Trev / Ollie / H2H… "Two Saints" started off his career with us slowly. I put this down to a new team and adapting to the premiership. With the "rare" injury to Gibbs, he got a run in the team and seemed to be finally upto speed (i.e. fit) when he got that unfortunate injury against Olympiakos. Since his return, he seems totally unfit – both physically and mentally. One thing I cannot forgive is a professional footballer not being physically fit for the job he is being exceedingly generously rewarded for. (Same goes for you AA23). The shirt swapping incident with Van Pursy was plain stupid but did not affect the result Not being able to run up and own the pitch for more than a few minutes…"off with his head"!!!
His "nice" comments on Pravda…my guess is its a few words put together by one of the PR bods in the office to ease his way back in case he returns for the new season.
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:08 pm466arsabeatbarca
Trev, I agree wholeheartedly. Remarkable recall indeed. I'd feel better though if there was a Holic diary that we don't know about, in his back pocket. Just saying… 🙂
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:23 pm467Ollie
abb, given all the Celtic stuff you retweeted earlier today, who are you supporting tonight? :s
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:24 pm468Ollie
Blimey, Ambrose played the ACN final on Sunday and is playing already?
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:27 pm469arsabeatbarca
Oh Ollie 🙂 Most excellent game thus far! truly awesome!
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:27 pm470Dr Feelgood
Be afraid. 8)
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:34 pm471arsabeatbarca
Zico, are you watching the game ? What atmosphere. The crowd's roaring is deafening, dizzing and stupendous 🙂 Go Juve! 🙂
on 12 Feb 2013 at 8:52 pm472Holloway2Holland
you can string together more than 2 words of 4 letters
Yeah, I'm getting there, glad you noticed.
Tabs is the poster boy, the pin up, the face of the mail, I was hoping for more of a copy job, a behind the scenes gig due to me having a boat race that is perfect for radio. 🙂
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:00 pm473zicoinexile
Nurse, I am not.
But I shall be rooting for the old hag to give the Ugly Sister a good slap. 😉
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:02 pm474Ollie
Celtic players diving?
They must have learned this from Eduardo, right? 😉
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:06 pm475Goonerholic
More historical stuff >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:07 pm476Wind
Trev @ 442, heh! 🙂
In lieu of not being able to read Holic's external piece I wrote a paragraph or two about why Fabregas is my favourite Arsenal player; being able to follow his progression from near the beginning of his Arsenal career unlike other Arsenal players & legends (the same applies for Super Super Super Jack!), "El Capitan" goals, leading by example on the pitch, raising the performance of this team-mates just with his presence etc, but I lost it to wait for it, Twitter 😆
on 12 Feb 2013 at 9:11 pm477Ollie
Just seen Anelka on the bench. Had forgotten he was there
—> Come on Celtic!