Norwich Reserves 0 – 5 Arsenal Reserves Match Report

Last night GiE and I, both based in Norwich, had the pleasure of watching a strong and keen Arsenal Reserves side take on a young and significantly less experienced Norwich City Reserves side, at Carrow Road last night.

2000 odd fans

Arsenal line-up was a welcome surprise: it was a mixture of young and promising talent with experienced players who were in need of a game. James Shea was in goal and Miquel (Captain) and Angha were our CB’s, with Jenkinson and Meade our FB’s. In midfield we played Yennaris, Benayoun and Ozyakup and upfront we played Arshavin, Chamakh and Park. Chamakh came off after 30 minutes, straight after a strong challenge on him, and he was replaced by Benik Afobe (who again was later replaced by Ansah).

Young Gooners

Arsenal meant business from the start as all 11 players played with verve and focus.

The Unusual Suspects

This team had no difficulties in finding each other and neat interplay was regularly mixed with long diagonal balls and clever passes right through the middle of the Norwich defence by the very impressive Ozyakup, my ‘man of the match’ Benayoun, and a very energetic, yet very smart playing Yennaris. Arshavin had a very energetic game too; in fact, I have never seen him work harder than in last night’s game, and together with Benayoun they led this Arsenal reserves side to a well-deserved victory.

We have seen Yennaris play at RB but he was very comfortable in midfield last night, with a fine first touch, great ability to pass the ball round and with enormous tenacity. Together with Ozyakup he formed a wall in midfield that Norwich was seldom able to penetrate. As a result, Bennayoun and Arshavin were able to control the attacking play in front of the Norwich 18 yard box with ease, very much helped by the desire of Park and Chamakh to make runs and play link-up football.

It was great to see us own the midfield last night; boss the entire area in front of the Norwich defence and play our great brand of football. Norwich City had no answer to it, as there was a massive gap in quality and experience between the sides on the night.

Arshavin almost scored after a great ball over the top through the middle by Yennaris in the fifth minute: he tried to lob the keeper his effort went just over the bar. A minute later Arsenal was in front: a mazy run by Benayoun leads to a shot against the post and Park is there to calmly slot-in the rebound: 1-0. In the 20th minute, Park takes a ferocious free-kick that just misses the target: a very impressive effort.

Park Celebrates Wildly

After a uncomfortable fall, Chamakh was replaced by Afobe.

Chamakh munches carpet

Another impressive, mazy run by Arshavin in the 40th minute leaves the Norwich goalkeeper no other option than to foul him: Afobe steps up to take the penalty but Wooton makes a great save to his left.

Afobe Can't Believe He Got That One

Two minutes later Arshavin seems to want to cross the ball to Park; the Russian’s effort is off-target but somehow floats into the top-corner to the surprise of Wooton and anybody else at Carrow Road: 2-0.

Arshavin Celebrates Wildly

After the break

Jenkinson was replaced by Ebecilio who played in the deeper centre midfield role and freeing Ozyakup to play further up the pitch, Yennaris moved to right back.

Arsenal continue as before: pressuring Norwich in their own half with good ball circulation, high levels of possession, but also with real penetration and attacking creativity. In the 58th minute, Benayoun feeds a clever ball through the middle form just outside the 18 yard box to find the clever run of Afobe. The latter controls the ball well and scores the third goal with real composure: 3-0.

Seven minutes later, Benayoun creates some space for himself to take a shot from the left inside the box, and although his shot is saved by Wooton, the rebound ends up with Arshavin who then scores the fourth goal, his second on the night, with composure: 4-0. Benayoun finally gets his well-deserved goal in the 87th minute: Ozyakup, who played a bit further up the pitch in the second half, plays a fine through-ball to Benny who then scores with a well-timed chip over the keeper: 5-0.

Summary

Norwich had a few half-decent opportunities, and maybe could have had a goal, but Arsenal was a class apart last night. Shea had not much to do, but he was a safe pair of hands when it mattered. We could hear him talking to the players and he oozed confidence throughout the game. Miquel was very calm and professional – a real class act, and together with the also impressive Angha, who tends to operate a bit more in the background compared to the young Spaniard, he controlled the defence on the night. Meade, our LB, also had a good game: he is tenacious, has a good first touch, protects and passes the ball well and was always willing to make runs. It was also great to see Jenkinson again, who made some good runs and had a relatively easy night (he only played the first half).

All our midfielders were great on the night, but we both thought that Ozyakup was excellent throughout the game. This is the first time I have seen him play, and we should take into account that the Norwich Reserves team was not much of opposition last night, but Ozyakup was imperious at times: always calm on the ball, superb awareness of the game, great passes and through-balls, strong physical presence, and very energetic. Another great prospect and he is Dutch as well!!

Ozyakup - A Good Prospect

I also really liked Yennaris, especially in the first half when he played in midfield next to Ozyakup. In the second half he was restored to the RB position (replacing Jenkinson) and he was skinned a couple of times by Norwich players which led to dangerous situations in our box, but he still had a decent game.

Arshavin really worked hard tonight and thoroughly deserved his brace. Benayoun was superb: he played with so much energy and joy and that really got the team going. Park had a good game too: in the second half he often was away from goal linking up with the midfielders and setting players up for an attack with clever passes. Afobe really impressed me on the night, but he did not last that long, as he only played 45 minutes (he only just recovered from a long injury). Afobe was replaced by Zak Ansah, but I did not see enough of him to pass judgement. Chamakh started ok, but went off after 30 minutes, so hard to judge his performance as well.

Afobe in full flight

All in all, a great night of football, on a relatively mild winter’s night in February: a very welcome diversion from the shenanigans on and off the pitch of our first team at the moment. On the evidence of the night, there a few players coming through the reserves who are ready to join the first team rather sooner than later.

Written by Total Arsenal

TA has not left me with much to write about as he has given a very full report of the game. However there are a few observations that I made during the game, which I will briefly outline.

  • The most rigid part of our formation was the back three: Miquel, Angha, and Ozyakup (who played the quarterback role in midfield) gave Arsenal a very solid base to build from, whenever Miquel won a header under pressure he tried and mainly succeeded to find the feet of Ozyakup.
  • It was hard to predict who would play where upfront: The five most advanced players were Yossi, AA23, Yennaris, Park and Chamakh (replaced by Afobe). They rotated through the advance positions constantly, a fluidity that we are currently missing in the first team which seems far more rigid.
  • Most width was provided by the full backs: Whoever was most advanced on the wing at the time was making runs infield with the ball giving the full backs space to come round, they didn’t go early or play on top of the winger they waited for space and exploited it, was particularly impressed by young Meade at Left Back.
  • Long diagonal balls: As TA says in the match report neither Oyzakup, Miquel or Angha were frightened of looking for long diagonal balls, even AA23 got into the act when he had dropped deeper into midfield making himself a yard and delivering a fantastic ball into the feet of Jenkinson.
  • We have someone shorter than Arshavin: Look between Chamakh and Angha and you will see Jermaine Meade. I came up with a song (he played left back). “He’s five foot three, He’s five foot three, who needs Gael Clichy, we’ve got the Meade”
Views through a cloud of smoke and vodka by Gooner in Exile
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256 Responses to Norwich Reserves 0 – 5 Arsenal Reserves Match Report

  1. goonermichael says:

    Great report. The Highlights will be up later today on arsenal.com. The chavs were good last night too.

  2. goonermichael says:

    Did anyone see Lansbury in goal for west ham last night? I think he was in goal for 35 minutes.

  3. goonermichael says:

    And he kept a clean sheet . Are you still all in bed?

  4. goonermichael says:

    When any of you wake up. watch the video of Anelka. He is playing in a park. You can see the car park

    http://www.101greatgoals.com/

  5. goonermichael says:

    Has the world ended? Where is everyone?

  6. Rasp says:

    Fantastic detailed report – thanks GiE and Total – very impressive pictures too.

    It must be great to watch a game without the pressure that surrounds our premiership fixtures.

    I’m liking the sound of these emerging players, I wonder when Ozyakup will get his chance in the firsts – next season hopefully.

    Maybe its a bit unfair because Chamakh had to go off, but from what you saw, who should be given the slot of 2nd choice striker – Chamakh or Park?

  7. Big Raddy says:

    GM. No idea as to whther the world has ended but according to Rasp, everything can be explained mathematically!

    TA & GIE. Thanks for a great report, the pics are excellent. Now you have to go to all the reserve games as our Roving Reporters.

  8. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Morning all,
    My ManCold has been downgraded to DEFCON 4.

    One of my favourite pleasures is going onto Arsenalplayer and watching the Reserves and U18s, so it must have been a great night out for you guys. Great report and Pic`s, It felt asthough I was there !

  9. TotalArsenal says:

    Hi Rasp, it was the sort of game where the striker was not that important. Both Chamakh and Park (who often played on the left in first half) linked up really well with Arshavin and Benny and Yennaris and this made us very dangerous. Norwich Reserves were really very young and inexperienced, but Arsenal played very much a Barcelona-esque style of footie with lots of pressure, energy, good passing, and many runs into the box by a variety of players.

    So, I cannot really answer your question on the basis of last night’s game. Afobe has real potential, Park had a decent game and worked very hard for the team – and his freekick was awesome: so much venom went into his cannon-ball effort, it took GiE and me, as well as the Norwich crowd by surprise, as we did not know he had that in him. North-Korea watch out!

    Chamakh went off too early to make a fair judgement – he did however lift up his shirt at one point showing a T-shirt underneath with the words: ‘Rasp: why is it always me?!’ 🙂

  10. TotalArsenal says:

    Hi GM 🙂 Funny guy that Anelka: what is he doing there?

    Hi BR, you know what: if all Reserves games would be that good, it would be really worth it.

    GLiC, I read your running commentary again this morning which was a real joy! I think you will really enjoy the Reserves game on Arsenalplayer, as I am sure with your imagination you’ll see all sorts of stimulating images!

  11. chas says:

    Super stuff, boys.
    Great report, excellent photos and love the captions.

  12. Rasp says:

    Thanks Total,

    I’m wearing a tee shirt that says, Chamakh, just start playing like a striker and I’ll begin to love you 😆

    I’m hoping that AA at least was put in the side last night so he can play some part against the spuds.

    I am a big fan of Miquel and for me he’d be several places above Squillaci in our CB pecking order.

  13. Rasp says:

    Hi Raddy, my nephew is a professor and top Particle Physicist working at the Hadron Collider. He once spent a couple of hours trying to explain to me why everything that happens is decided and can be predicted by mathematices (when including random variation). My heart still doesn’t want to believe it though.

  14. MickyDidIt89 says:

    TA, GiE and may I add GliC,
    A great night’s work from you all. As I said yesterday, I was very jealous. What a great evening.
    I wrote a comment earlier in the season about what a prospect I thought Ozyacup looked (can’t remember where I saw him play. Shrewsbury?) so great to hear of his progress.
    Thanks all.

  15. Gooner In Exile says:

    Morning all.

    Rasp as TA says it was difficult to judge Cham but he definitely didn’t play as the main striker for any length of time, but then neither did Afobe when he came on.

    Watching the way we played and knowing Arsene wants all his teams to play the same you have to wonder why we persist with Theo who seems unable to switch as readily as we saw last night from the top 3. Also dare I say it appears we can’t afford to not have RvP up top and centre which again stops the fluidity seems last night.

    You are right that it was good to sit amongst fans of both sides without really worrying but looking to enjoy a game of football. £3 was well spent. As I said to TA you would pay more than that to watch Norwich United or similar level outside of the Conference. Last nights football was certainly better than you’d see on a lumpy non league pitch. Norwich is such a nice club (we were even said goodbye to by the stewards with a cheery “see you later”).

    The catering was interesting £3.50 for a bottle of Carling or can (poured into a pint pot) of Worthington. Hot pies and pasties were about £2.50 but they offered some kind of meal deal with chips. Soft drinks served in plastic bottles, and chocolates for about £1.20. I don’t pay much attention to the food stands at the Emirates but I think we aren’t too far off those prices.

  16. MickyDidIt89 says:

    Raddy,
    I’m off to the post office tomorrow!
    TA,
    Will email you back, in the meantime, C2 C4. Over to you!

  17. Gooner In Exile says:

    Thanks for praise of pics, TA had secured us good seats in row F, so the super zoom lens I have could be put to good effect had to ramp ISO up to 3200 which any photographer can tell you brings a lot of picture noise but thankfully my EOS coped.

    I’ve seen stewards tell fans at the Emirates they need a press pass if their lens is longer than a few inches wonder if that’s the same at all PL matches. Seems harsh.

  18. TotalArsenal says:

    Chas, thanks. Photos and captions are all by GiE. I love the one with the keeper saving Afobe’s well-struck penalty and the one with the two boys (with an Evonne lookalike in the background 🙂 ). We saw at least 20-30 Arsenal shirts on the night!

    Rasp, Arshavin really seemed to want it yesterday. I am not a big fan of him but he really impressed yesterday. Miquel was superb and like GiE said, he linked up very well with Angha, and Ozyakup annd Yennaris.

  19. goonermichael says:

    GiE a hot dog is about 6.50 at the ems.

  20. VCC says:

    TA & GIE. Good write up guys and some nice pics. Shame we did not see you two guys arm in arm.

  21. Gooner In Exile says:

    Bad news TA, Oyzakup has decided to play for Turkey:

  22. VCC says:

    Rasp. Are you going to put up a widget/list top right, of who will be attending the Tavern this Sunday?

  23. TotalArsenal says:

    GiE, that is bad news indeed 😦

  24. MickyDidIt89 says:

    Surely bad news for Holland, but good for us as probably less tournaments, or am I missing something silly?

  25. chas says:

    Sunderland meal deal. I think the equivalent at the Emirates would cost £16 (£3.50 a beer and £4.50 a pie, though they probably do ‘deals’ as well)

    http://twitpic.com/8n63v7/full

    Me playing the fool, enjoying a chicken balti pie!

    http://twitpic.com/8n644b/full

  26. TotalArsenal says:

    Hi Micky, c2-c4 surprising opening! I await your email and respond then.

  27. Gooner In Exile says:

    TA what would be the response from the public if he was playing for say Ajax or Feyenoord and made that decision do you think.

    I always think of the Dutch as a fairly forgiving nation but i know they care passionately about the Oranje.

    Also don’t forget you have the new Viera who is also at the Arsenal and Dutch, we saw him in the second half yesterday and he is only 18 Ebecilio

  28. Gooner In Exile says:

    E-mail chess…….i’m not that intelligent is there email draughts?

  29. MickyDidIt89 says:

    TA,
    C2 C4 is unusual, but there’s a good reason. I pretty much only play blitz chess, and with my complete lack of a memory, being unauthordox helps to wrong foot people!
    My only hope playing against you is that you are not one of those fit healthy bright eyed Dutchman, rather a smokey dopey coffee house jelly brained sort!
    My hopes are not high 🙂

  30. TotalArsenal says:

    GiE, had a quick check on the Dutch main sport websites, but no mention of it at all. You are right, it would be bigger news if he was playing for a Dutch club. Ebecilio? Need to see more of him.

    The link below just shows how important Arsenal are in Holland. It is saying that Arshavin, Benanyoun and Chamakh are all playing in Arsenal’s reserve game against Norwich (it is in Dutch, but it is just to show you how everything happening at our club is followed closely across de Noordzee!).

    http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/216409/Wenger-laat-kwakkelende-Arshavin-bij-beloften-spelen.htm

    I find draughts harder than chess GiE.

  31. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Thanks for the post GiE and TA. Sounds like a fun evening was had by all, especialy Cornwall hahaha.

    I know its a silly question, but from what you guys saw last night, was there any youngsters out there who with a run of 5 or 6 games in the first team could hold down a place? Ime desperate for more of these kids to come through, a little bit like the late 80’s with the emergence of Adams, Rocky, Merson etc.

  32. goonermichael says:

    r2 to d2

    c3po

    🙂

  33. Gooner In Exile says:

    TMHT, its an interesting question, I think Yennaris, Oyzakup and Miquel were the stand out of our youngsters and could all with time be given a run and be successful, Yennaris particularly impressed in an advanced midfield role when I guess most of us consider him a right back given his recent run in the first team. What he did have was quick feet, which was what i wasn’t expecting, and a lot of energy, and also a clever pass or two in and around the area.

    Oyzakup will have Aaron Ramsey and Song looking over their shoulders, he could do the breakup stuff as well as a good mix of passing.

    Miquel was head and shoulders above the other youngsters both literally and in terms of performance and composure. The game is very easy to him, although again who does he replace, TV5, Koz or BFG. I would definitely consider him for a place instead of say JD or Squidgy.

    Afobe also impressed but he still needs a bit of development time, if anything a loan spell to a championship club or a PL club would have done his progress the world of good this season, but unfortunately he has missed a good part of it due to injury.

    Meade also looks a prospect although his height might prevent him advancing further and also his ability to play anywhere down the left hand side which could end up with him becoming a utility player.

  34. RockyLives says:

    What an enjoyable report – thank you both.

    Obviously you didn’t manage to pull off the in-depth tactical analysis that GLiC did in his own report last night, but well done for trying… 🙂

  35. Gooner In Exile says:

    😀 Rocky

  36. RockyLives says:

    GM
    Sorry mate, you just needlessly sacrificed your Wookie.

  37. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    gm,

    One of my most humilating moments, amongst many. was when my eleven year old nephew beat me at chess one Christmas. The little git is seventeen now and when i see him he always offers me out for another game. Every time i see a chess board now i break out in a cold sweat.

  38. Gooner In Exile says:

    TMHT, what do you do when a Larger Lady carries a chess board towards you at a bus stop?

  39. TotalArsenal says:

    Terry, the step up to the first team is a big one, especially with the way things are going at the moment. In the summer, I could see Wenger adding Yennaris, Afobe and especially Miquel and Ozyakop to the first 22. GiE and I really liked Meade as well at RB, but whether he can make the step up, is a big question…

  40. Rasp says:

    Hi VCC,

    I’ll put up the ‘Tavern widget’ this evening – unfortunately it won’t include my name as I’m working on Sunday.

  41. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Thanks GiE, lets hope some of them can break through into that first team. When i look at Miquel and Coqulin, they have done great when given a chance, even when asked to play full back. The premeir league is such an unforgiving place these days, it must be the standard, coz ime sure 10 to 15 years ago a lot of these kids would be in the first team now.

  42. RockyLives says:

    Morning Terry
    Don’t go to any reserve games at the Ems. GiE says they won’t let you in if your extendable lens is over a certain length 😦

  43. Rasp says:

    Thanks for the response GiE. Robin has looked pretty islolated in the last two games which would imply that the midfield were sitting too deep. To be able to press the ball high up, every player needs to understand his role and work very hard.

    We have been/are very poor when not in possession and I’m afraid Theo is one of the worst culprits. You’d think with a sudden burst of speed he might be able to intercept the odd pass from the opposition, but he lacks commitment in his movement and never looks like he is really trying to defend seriously.

  44. RockyLives says:

    One thought from reading the report… it sounds as if the big difference between the way the reserves played last night and the way the first team have been playing lately (apart from the quality of opposition) is that the stiffs were playing without fear.

    And none of their own fans booed them.

  45. RockyLives says:

    I’d put Arsh in the first team for Sunday (and Gerv, with Oxo and Theo on the bench).

  46. Rasp says:

    Hi Rocky, if playing with fear results in a lack of movement off the ball, then I’d say your observation is dead accurate.

  47. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Thanks TA, it would be great if them four could be part of the 22. in many ways that will vindicate our youth policy, but they would still have to perform on the pitch of course.

    GiE, if that were to happen then sod the bus, ide be on my todd for sure.

  48. Red Arse says:

    Rocky, your 12:31, Terry would have no problem with his extension, it’s apparently the smallest telescope in the Western World!! Fact! 🙂

  49. Gooner In Exile says:

    For those who want to go Sunday and prepared to pay upwards of £50 to sit in the upper tier, there are a few going on the exchange. 1:30pm kick off and a borked Norwich to Liv St line means this is undoable for me 😦

  50. Gooner In Exile says:

    In fact theres 4 together at £71 each

  51. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Hi Rocky,

    Yeah i saw that, thats discrimination in any ones book.Ive noticed telescopisim is on the rise these days, haha, must be the economic climate.

    Does anyone know why Chucks Aneke didn’t play against the N17 Muggers the other day? Hes meant to be a very good prospect.

  52. Red Arse says:

    Ace report, TA, and GIE, your enthusiasm is infectious. 🙂

    That award winning Glic monster should be a pundit on Sky — wouldn’t last 2 minutes but what a great laugh he would be.

    Seriously worried about the mental images of TA and GIE he conjured — outrageous!! 🙂 [Not that I am casting nasturiums — what people do on the football pitch is down to them — and could easily be passed off as “trying to keep warm”! 🙄

  53. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    I saw that Redders. hahahahha

  54. MickyDidIt89 says:

    GM,
    r2 to d2 🙂
    Also, you asked early whether the world had ended. I have a friend who has been totally “had” by conspiracy theorists, and I ran into his wife yesterday. She rolled her eyes and told me his latest is that aliens are arriving in march in a three kilometer long spaceship. I’ll let you know the date. Really hope Arsenal are not playing, as that really would be a tough decision which to watch.
    The odd thing is that he’s a brilliant inventor type and mostly quite normal.

  55. Red Arse says:

    He’s out on loan TerryM. —- Stevenage?

  56. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    I know Redders, was wondering why he didnt play against Totnumb in the cup.

    Oh, and at least i wouldn’t have any problems at pyjama partys hahaha

  57. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Micky,

    I saw a UFO once. I was late for a class at school and whilst legging it to get there i saw a group of kids and teachers looking up at the sky. When i looked up i was shocked. It resembled a 10 pence piece and was quite low, went left to right and then shot up into the sky at about a million miles per second.

  58. gunnern5 says:

    Rasp,

    Have you checked your email?

  59. MickyDidIt89 says:

    Transplant,
    I see no reason why the little fella’s shouldn’t be out there, its just this one chum who keeps predicting things that never happen.
    I won’t tell the whole story, but I was once shown two photos of hovering spaceship by a mountain ranger, who I simply dont believe had the technology or will, to produce the images he showed me. He was very reluctant to show me at all as he thought people would think him bonkers and have him locked up.

  60. Rasp says:

    Hi GN5,

    Yes thanks, I cannot act on it right now but will have a look this evening.

  61. Rasp says:

    GN5,

    Just had a quick look. Do you have the charts as excel spreadsheets as I cannot import them into WordPress from Word – if yes, could you email them to me as it would save me a lot of time originating them – ta:)

  62. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Micky,

    I saw that UFO, but i still dont believe in aliens. Ime sure there is a logical explanation for what i witnessed, its just that i dont know what its is.

  63. Gooner In Exile says:

    TMHT have you never watched Doctor Who? It was simply a time artefact caused by the crack in time that allows the Tardis to travel through the years. We all occupy the same space we just see them in a different time. When the time cracks open we see ghosts and ufos.

    I’ll admit I made it all up but have just realised writing scifi is easy I have a new career!

    My parents have just bagged two tickets for the NLD finally a real test of their luck bringing

  64. WiganGooner says:

    Hi all,

    Great report 🙂

    Just a quickie, Yennaris’s natural position is defensive midfield/central midfielder.

    So it is even more remarkable how good he was at right-back. 🙂

    WG

  65. TotalArsenal says:

    Hi WG, you are right. I was also told he started off as a striker! He might in fact be a fine total-footballer… 🙂

  66. Red Arse says:

    That was rubbish Sci-Fi, GIE. at 1:23.

    With all those cracks popping open all over the place etc, that sounded more like one of Glic’s licentious fabrications!! 🙂

  67. Red Arse says:

    A dedication to the award winning pastie, aka Glic, for making me laugh and cheering us all up!! 🙂

    Cheerfulness

    A scowling sky, a gloomy day,
    A day quite like a sullen boy
    But tell the rest:
    My sun is bright, my hours are gay:
    My sun is cheerfulness; and joy
    Is in my breast.

    Monotony and sameness brood ;
    There’s naught to prompt a laugh or smile;
    But none the less,
    Someone stirs my happy mood,
    And keeps me smiling all the while;
    ‘Tis cheerfulness.

    Today unpleasant things I find,
    Unpleasant duties and evente;
    Yet ’tis a day
    Made pleasant by a cheerful mind,
    And blogging is play.

    In cheerfulness lie magic powers
    That mix sweet pleasures with our pain,
    And smiles with tears;
    That brighten up our darkest hours
    And mingle sunshine with the rain,
    And hopes with fears.

    I hope John Everett will forgive me!! 🙂

  68. TotalArsenal says:

    RL, yes you are right – they were playing without fear. On top of that they played at a high tempo and really stuck to the system of Wengerball as we used to know it. A joy to watch! 🙂

  69. TotalArsenal says:

    Cheers to that RA! GLiC is the the master of joy in AA’s breast.

  70. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    True Story,
    Being of sound mind I always thought the Alien stuff was for crazy loons like you lot, but about 2 years ago, me ,Mrs glic and glic jnr were coming home on a back lane, it was just beginning to go dark when the 3 of us noticed these bright lights about 30 ft up in the air, they looked like bright xmas tree balls, they went across us hovered and then shot away, I stopped the car got out to look, but nothing, to this day I`m still mystified.
    There were two things I did think about afterwards, 1) Aliens could be tiny creatures with miniscule technology and weapons, why has it got to be a massive spaceship that hovers over LA ?.
    2) After watching all the Alien blood sucking monster stuff, Men in Black ,etc films, why was i so brave as to stop my car get out and investigate ?,when we watch these films we all say, “dont go in there”, yet there was me ” glic ,Earth Freedom Fighter, f**k me ,I could have ended up like Gordon Brown !.

  71. Red Arse says:

    TA,

    There is a plethora of comedy available on AA, when you list down the names such as Micky, (who deserves to be on the plinth with the Glicster), as well GN5, DanDan, VCC, TerryM, Chas and Sharkey with manly contributions from Corky Elvis and Raddy, together with so many others, to many to name, we are totally spoilt for choice.

    I love it!!

  72. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Your too kind you lot,but honestly, I`m just what I`ve always been, “one of the lads” having a laugh, nothing more, thanks anyway ! 😳

  73. TotalArsenal says:

    RA, you are too polite to include yourself, but you should have! And don’t forget Evonneski: everytime she calls Chas a ‘monster!’ it cracks me open. Nevertheless, GLiC is the master for me – the total comedian and you and Terry are very close too to totalness.

  74. RockyLives says:

    GLiC
    Regarding your thought that aliens could be tiny, do you remember this, from the Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy…

    “Two species which existed in the distant past, a very great distance from the Milky Way galaxy. The G’Gugvuntt were enemies of the Vl’hurgs, and these strange and warlike beings are on the brink of an interstellar war, because of an insult uttered by the G’Gugvuntt leader to the mother of the Vl’hurg leader. Resplendent in their black-jeweled battle shorts, they were meeting for the last time, and a dreadful silence filled the air as the Vl’hurg leader was challenging the G’Gugvuntt leader to retract the insult. At the precise moment, the phrase “I seem to be having tremendous difficulty with my lifestyle” (muttered by Arthur Dent to himself, which for some strange reason was carried by a freak wormhole in space back in time to the farthest regions of the universe where the G’Gugvuntts and the Vl’hurgs lived) filled the air over the conference table, which in the Vl’hurg tongue was the most dreadful insult imaginable. It left them no choice but to declare war on the G’Gugvuntts, which went on for a few thousand years and decimated their entire galaxy.
    After millennia of battle the surviving G’Gugvuntt and Vl’hurg realised what had actually happened, and joined forces to attack the Milky Way in retaliation. They crossed vast reaches of space in a journey lasting thousands of years before reaching their target where they attacked the first planet they encountered, Earth. Due to a terrible miscalculation of scale the entire battle fleet was swallowed by a small dog. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy states that this sort of thing happens all the time.”

  75. RockyLives says:

    I think we should all club together to begin a search for intelligent life in the Blogiverse…

  76. gunnern5 says:

    Rasp,

    I’ve emailed the spreadseets.

    I will be out until 8/9pm UK time.

  77. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    GiE,
    “Cracks in time !” , Terry`s only use to being up at the ” Crack of Dawn ” ,…….. “Tracey “, Sharron”, “Mandy”, Crack nights in Harlow are his specialality !.

  78. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Brilliant Rocky !
    Not only does that explain alot about my ” Encounter”, but you have supplied gm with a new word to replace ” C*** “, G’Gugvuntts ! 🙂

  79. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    TA, when you meet cornwall you will find hes just as funny off the blogs as on it. When we met up in the Tavern he was in peoples faces asking them whether they were AA. Myself and cornwall junior didn’t know were to look. Ime sure they went home that night telling there Mrs that some nutter was going around a pub asking people if they were alcoholics anonymous. He also looks funny, a cross between Norman Wisdom and the artful dodger, and hes still got the cockney accent hahahaha

  80. Red Arse says:

    Rocky,

    Your search for intelligent life in the blogosphere, acknowledges that we are all thickos — which is reassuring — as those intelligent smelligent beings are not to be trusted!! 👿 — well all of them except for MerryTerry, who is an expert on life and everything and knows the answer too!! 🙂

  81. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Rocky,
    I think a search was conducted for “Intelligent life forms ” around N17 , 50 years and their still searching !

  82. Red Arse says:

    Terry, 🙂

    What a delightful word picture you have drawn of our Cornish ace!! Awesome! 🙂

  83. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Terry 😆 I know, me walking around a Pub asking people if their an AAer, it still makes me chuckle, you couldn`t make it up ! 😆

  84. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Redders, Rocky,

    Do you think the ageing process makes you ponder the big philosiphical questions of life less? When i was young i used to ponder lifes meaning, mans origin, life on other planets etc, now ime older i dont seem to care. i remember watching that film war of the worlds with my youngest daughter who was quite frightend by it and she seriously asked what we would do if it became reality, and my answer without hestitaing was “who gives a crap”.

  85. evonne says:

    TA darling – not sure why you are laughing at me for calling Chas a monster – just check his post at 11:26 !!!!

    RA – ha, what about GM and Irish? They are foocking hillarious! Get them in a right mood and they would have frankenstein in stiches

  86. evonne says:

    GiE and TA – not read the match report yet, for after dinner again 🙂

  87. TotalArsenal says:

    Terry, are you an AA’er? haha – I guess if I was in an Arsenal pub and a stranger would come up to me with that question, I would be worried? I bet they all question themselves for days after that: what did he mean: an Andrey Arshavinist perhaps? 🙂

    Evonne, yes I can see where you are coming from, but you have got to say it in your ‘one word’ comment, for it to be funny 🙂

  88. TotalArsenal says:

    Btw when Andrey scored his second goal a hand full of Arsenal fans stood up and sang the Adebayor – Arshavin song yesterday, which was quite funny!

  89. evonne says:

    TA – Chas is a monster and he knows that!

    I think I will watch the spuds game at 5, maybe they’ll cheer me up. A couple of broken legs would go a long way 🙂

  90. TotalArsenal says:

    Bad Karma Evonne! Although, as I am sure you know. if you wish somebody ‘Hals- und Beinbruch’ in Germany, or you say ‘break a leg’ in this country, you cannot be accused of being nasty. 🙂

  91. goonermichael says:

    RockyLives says:
    February 22, 2012 at 12:20 pm
    GM
    Sorry mate, you just needlessly sacrificed your Wookie.

    Never underestimate the power of the darkside my little padawan.

  92. RockyLives says:

    GM
    Aaah, I see.
    Ewok to Emperor’s Stormtrooper 2.
    Canny move.

  93. RockyLives says:

    I think you’ve just checkmated my Jabba.

  94. Red Arse says:

    Terry,

    Your 3:27, ” Redders, Rocky,

    Do you think the ageing process makes you ponder the big philosiphical questions of life less?

    That is a deep question, but having ruminated on the matter, I can honestly say that philosophically or not, eventual the ageing process makes you lifeless. Fact!

    Ssshh! Don’t tell Rocky!! 🙂

  95. dandan says:

    Super Report TA It’s great to watch football in those conditions occasionally.

    GIE like the shots you took not easy in a confined Area, which Model Canon EOS and lens were you using, I have a 40D and the 18/270 is my longest lens, but have my eyes on a white 400 super.
    Afternoon all, having reflected on the last couple of days blogging on here, I am moved to ask a question, why are we it seems so wedded to the idea that we won’t get super players without the CL? Yet we have the example of the spuds next door buying class players without that facility.
    Do we not have as much pull as the spuds or is Arry rated by pl;ayers above AW in your estimations?

  96. Red Arse says:

    Glic,

    I did not want to raise this before, but when you went up to that fat, hairy-arsed bastard who was lifting a pint of bitter to his mewling, pink lipped, puckered up, pulsating orifice and said to him, “Oi, are you with AA?”, did he say “Fcuk Orf, you Cornish Pixie cnut, I was promised it would be anonymous — and it’s only my fcuking 10th pint today!”?

    Or was TerryM exaggerating? 🙂

  97. evonne says:

    Dandan – you are right!! We, I defo, are petrified of not making it to the CL, whereas the scummers haven’t played in CL (a lot) and have better players than us!!

    Sir Dandan, you are a genius! I shall be scared no more. Oh, but what about RvP and Song leaving to play in CL?? I am scared again

  98. RockyLives says:

    Terry
    As a young man I contemplated the meaning of life.

    Now I just contemplate the meaning of wife, which is a much bigger question.

  99. Gooner In Exile says:

    Hello Super DoubleD 😀 glad you enjoyed the post.

    My EOS is a 500D the lens a 18-270mm Tamron

    Would love a nice L series lens but I cannot justify the cost……yet

  100. Red Arse says:

    DanDan,

    My immediate response is twofold.

    I think Spurs have been undeniably clever with their purchases, because firstly, they got a very good GK for peanuts, a CB (Dawson) ditto, a freebie CF on loan (Ade Baddy) which is a pretty good ‘spine’ and;

    Secondly; they have spent around £150m on players over the last few years while we have been selling players and making a handsome profit on them while building our stadium.

  101. dandan says:

    So same lens as mine GIE I have found it good to. Its the push me pull me zoom on the 400 that worry’s me. No doubt i would get used to it, but an expensive experiment if I dont. Dont know if you have nifty fifty lens If not I recommend treat yourself to one at well under £100 quid you will be amazed what it will do..

  102. MickyDidIt89 says:

    Who are Spurs playing at five and where?

  103. Big Raddy says:

    TA/GIE. Who is the little fella standing next to Chamakh in the pic above? Is it the mascot?

    Really love the chess play and the alien stories. Losing his Wookie must have been painful. I once sacrificed one of my Knights of Nee in a failed Latvian Gambit.

    Needless to say my opponent replied with a Lasker-Bauer Combination and mated me. It was a messy affair.

  104. Gooner In Exile says:

    Haha DanDan so basically we have exactly the same kit. I have the nifty fifty a great piece of kit.

    The thing about the high end lenses is I need to see a huge improvement in aperture to be able to take low light shots like last night with less noise, so basically its a £10k lens if I want a bigger aperture than currently provided by the Tamron. Also being fixed focal lengths as most of the top long lenses (with wider aperture than the Tamron) are it would limit my taking of pics as the Tamron is great for walk around photography.

  105. Gooner In Exile says:

    Raddy as mentioned at the very end of the post:

    “He’s five foot three, he’s five foot three,

    Who needs Gael Clichy

    We’ve got Jermaine Meade”

  106. Red Arse says:

    I have a Kodak Canardly Zoom.

  107. Big Raddy says:

    Micky. Excited and intrigued by your visit to the P.O.

    How were the Dansk products?

  108. Big Raddy says:

    Bloody hell. He is a midget. Wrack him!

  109. goonermichael says:

    I’d argue about the scum having better players than us.

    ade is a loan,

    modric we were going to buy when we bought Dudu but they couldn’t sell both at the same time and Dudu was AW’s 1st choice

    Anyone could have had the keeper with or without CL

    vdv was going to bayern (I think), it fell through on deadline day, levy was looking at another player and was offered him. (redknapp wasn’t tracking him). Pure luck

    Bale was young like the Ox (Won’t mention theo).

    Player for player I think we are better than them with possibly a couple of exceptions. (I don’t believe that but if you prove me wrong I’m covering myself)

    They are still dirty scum whichever way you look at it

  110. Gooner In Exile says:

    BR – Wrack Him

    😀 😀 😀 😀

  111. goonermichael says:

    10k for a bloody lens? I’ve got a casio digital camera which is not as good as my htc wildfire phone. i used to have a nikon digital camera but I jumped up and down on it because it annoyed me. I still prefer film but can’t be bothered with it.

  112. goonermichael says:

    I used to love polaroid

  113. Gooner In Exile says:

    Not that I’d ever pay that for a lens, here are a few GM

    £8,888.60

    £12,700

    £10,999

    Next time you see a photographer round the pitch at the Emirates leave his camera unattended realise what a brave man he is, but not as brave as the ones in N17 😀

  114. Big Raddy says:

    I have a Nikon 40D but hardly ever use it.

    My everyday camera is a Lumix DMC which is pocketable and utterly brilliant.

  115. Gooner In Exile says:

    I like the Lumix, but it ended up letting me down too much in low light (i hate flash!) so went to a proper DSLR where I could have more control over stuff. And its a hobby that keeps me out of trouble, altho when combined with TMHTS telescope it gets you in trouble 😀

    Still use the Lumix for quick and easy fun, but take the EOS when i know the conditions are going to require that little bit more.

  116. Red Arse says:

    Raddy,

    That’s uncanny, Raddy, I too have a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ20, and I too think it is brilliant!! So tiny, such great ‘photos – not that I am into photography really.

    Glic, Polaroid? Really? Dirty devil!! 🙄

  117. evonne says:

    Micky – nobody, just checking if you are paying attention 🙂
    no, not really, got mixed up one set of dickheads with another. Shitty are playing Porto, and winning 😦

  118. Big Raddy says:

    GIE. That is why I still have the DSLR. No question the results are better even with the lower pixel count.

    Photography used to be a big hobby of mine and for years had my own darkroom.

    The digital age changed all that. Now I have AA to keep me busy and amused

  119. RockyLives says:

    I have a darkroom too.

    The wife’s been on at me to put a new bulb in for weeks.

  120. Red Arse says:

    Now this is enterprise!!

    Glasgow Boys join Ferrari.

    “The Ferrari F1 team fired their entire pit crew yesterday.”
    This announcement followed Ferrari’s decision to take advantage of the British government’s ‘Work for your Dole’ scheme and employ some Glasgow youngsters.

    The decision to hire them was brought about by a recent BBC documentary on how unemployed youths from Castlemilk were able to remove a set of wheels in less than 6 seconds without proper equipment, whereas Ferrari’s existing Crew could only do it in 8 seconds with millions of pounds worth of high tech equipment.

    It was thought to be an excellent, bold move by the Ferrari management team as most races are won and lost in the pits, giving Ferrari an advantage over every other team.

    However, Ferrari got more than they bargained for! At the crew’s first
    practice session, not only was the Glasgow pit crew able to change all four wheels in under 6 seconds, but, within 12 seconds, they had re-sprayed, re-badged and sold the car to the Mclaren team for 8 cases of Stella, a bag of weed and some photos of Lewis Hamilton’s bird in the shower.

    Go gang!! 🙂

  121. Herb'sArmy says:

    Hi All,
    great reporting GiE and TA, if I’d known the two of you were ‘playing’ I’d have taken more interest! Good to see there’s plenty of potential in reserve.
    Maybe something that isn’t a head-line grabber, but still something that shows how values have changed, and shame on both Craig Whyte and Alisher Usmanov.
    In 1910 Arsenal were experiencing financial difficulties. Our manager at that time George Morrell had worked at Glasgow Rangers, and Rangers bought two shares to help us out.
    Some years later, when we had established ourselves into a major force, Arsenal gave Rangers a further fourteen shares as a gesture of thanks, and forged strong links between the two clubs.
    Whyte has sold a 102 year association, and now isn’t welcome anywhere near Ibrox for putting Rangers in administration.
    Football is a poorer sport when people like Craig Whyte and Alisher Usmanov are allowed to not only dismiss the clubs’ histories, but furthermore profit from them.

  122. Red Arse says:

    Bugger me, I respond to DanDan’s very good question and am totally ignored in favor of sodding cameras! Good thinking! 🙂

    How about this?

    Brain Study….

    F1gur471v3ly 5p34k1ng? Good example of a Brain Study: If you can read this you have a good brain…………

    7H15 M3554G3

    53RV35 7O PR0V3

    H0W 0UR M1ND5 C4N

    D0 4M4Z1NG 7H1NG5!

    1MPR3551V3 7H1NG5!

    1N 7H3 B3G1NN1NG

    17 WA5 H4RD BU7

    N0W, 0N 7H15 LIN3

    Y0UR M1ND 1S

    R34D1NG 17

    4U70M471C4LLY

    W17H 0U7 3V3N

    7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17,

    B3 PROUD! 0NLY

    C3R741N P30PL3 C4N

    R3AD 7H15.
    PL3453 F0RW4RD 1F

    U C4N R34D 7H15.

    How did you do? 🙂

  123. evonne says:

    micah richbards injured

    Rocky – you are very mischevious lately!

  124. Big Raddy says:

    RA. Easier to read than some of the textspeak we get on here.

  125. goonermichael says:

    RA
    There was a thing in the papers a couple of years ago when the touk out 60% of the letters and evon some words and you could still read it. (unless you are a spud)

  126. goonermichael says:

    Herb
    unfortunately that fat uzbek will probably own Arsenal at some point.

    Some fans are screaming for it.

  127. Irishgunner says:

    Evening all,

    Nice write up guys. Good to see AA23 playing with a smile on his face. Maybe Wenger will try him playing off RvP this weekend? Be no harm, cos what we are currently doing ain’t working.

    No Schweinsteiger for Bayern tonight 😦 Love watching that guy play.

  128. Big Raddy says:

    GM. These are the fans who have no feeling for the club and it’s heritage.

    They just want to be the new Chavs. Not for me. Money doesn’t buy class – never has and never will

  129. Big Raddy says:

    Irish. Love to see him at THOF. He is exactly the player we need.

  130. RockyLives says:

    “unless you are a spud” 🙂

    Redders
    Couldn’t make H54D NOR 74IL3 out of it.

    Evonne
    A little mischief keeps the heart warm in these frozen Canadian wastes… 🙂

  131. Herb'sArmy says:

    He doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near our club GM after an act like that.

  132. Irishgunner says:

    BR – Me too. I would take him over Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, anyone. Without doubt my favourite non-Arsenal player. I still like Benzema too, he’s been wasted at Madrid, Wenger could unleash him at Arsenal and he’d be World Class.

  133. evonne says:

    Rocky – 12 degrees in London today. Daffodils are almost out. Sunday is going to be hot and sunny, how appropriate

  134. Red Arse says:

    Em nteeihr, Yockr! 🙂

  135. evonne says:

    Herb – what act? I mean no harm, just asking a genuine question

  136. Herb'sArmy says:

    From 6.07 Evonne.

  137. evonne says:

    Thanks Herb, but I am still not sure what act did Usmanov commit?

  138. evonne says:

    Shitty demolished Porto

  139. Gooner In Exile says:

    Cheers Irish Interestingly TA and I discussed AA23 and why maybe Wenger has never played him in his preferred hole.

    We came to the conclusion that we just haven’t got the players to play 4-4-1-1 which we need to accommodate someone like AA23 playing in the hole (we know he is not going to fill in) so we need at least one of the wide men to be able to put in a shift.

    We came up with the solution….two heads together and all that:

    ………………………..Szczesny………………………..
    Sagna………..Koz/BFG……..TV/Koz…….Santos
    Coquelin…….Song………Arteta/Jack……..Gibbs
    …………………….AA23…………………………………
    …………………………….RvP…………………………..

    It just gives us a bit more solidity, both Gibbs and Coq can play slightly inside of a traditional winger, and it unfortunately it becomes ElTels Christmas Tree Formation, but its probably the only way you can play 2 up top these days, look at Milan.

  140. Herb'sArmy says:

    The fact that he put a price on our history, and in buying the sixteen shares, ended a 102 year association with another football club whose help enabled us to survive and prosper.

  141. VCC says:

    Must be a thing about Arsenal fans with DMC. I have a Panasonic DMC TZ3. Smashing pocket camera.

  142. Irishgunner says:

    GIE – Interesting formation there. Considering all our injuries at the moment Wenger probably won’t try it, but it would be nice to see him leave Arshavin play a free role just behind RvP – at this moment in time, could he cause any more harm?

  143. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Redders @ 4:57pm, That conversation sounds about right apart from the “cornish pixie” bit, even after 20 years down here I dont sound like one of the Inbreds, as Terry said , the cockney accent is here to stay !. 🙂
    Bit worried by the dodgy description of myself by Terrry, he makes It sound like I will make you laugh whilst shifting your wallet !. 😉

  144. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Whats all this techno talk ?. Around here we walk about with coloured pencil`s and a piece of paper and draw our pictures !, If mrs glic wants a nostalgic one, I just use my lead pencil !. 😉

  145. Gooner In Exile says:

    Herb unfortunately the Administrators would sell to the highest bidder, and I’d assume Usmanov has his lackies ready to buy any shares that come up for sale without any thought for historic relationships.

    I remember when you used to be able to buy Bobble Hats one half Arsenal one half Rangers.

  146. Herb'sArmy says:

    You’re right GiE, it’s a further dismantling of our historical values and traditions.
    It seems like we’re being re-branded.

  147. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Herb,
    Why Is it Usmanov`s fault if the Rangers guy wants to sell , am i missing something here ? . Would it be ok is someone else bought the shares ?.

    There was a time ( probably still exists ) down here when the “Locals” would have a dig at us incomers for buying property, It was my/our fault why they couldn`t afford to buy . They wouldn`t think of blaming a greedy “Local” for selling to an “outsider”, It was the “outsider “buyers fault, F***ing Inbreds !
    Look I`ve had a rant, hehehe !

  148. dandan says:

    I like many on here have rubbished reporters and reporting, while the Levison enquiry has shone a light on the murky side of the newsgathering profession. We tend to think of the like of Pearce Morgan and his ilk as prime examples of all that is wrong with newsgatherers.
    Then we are faced with the exploits of a lady like Marie Colvin and are forced to accept that in every profession there are those that ennoble it as much as Morgan and his cohorts demean it.
    .http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/22/sunday-times-marie-colvin-killed-syria

  149. Irishgunner says:

    We got rebranded once that new cartoon style cannon came into being. I know the reasons behind it, but its not the same crest is it?

  150. Irishgunner says:

    Dandan – hacks like Morgan shouldn’t be confused with actual journalists out there doing a fantastic and important job.

    I cannot stand the likes of the Sun and the majority of tabloids whose version of investigative journalism is to tell us John Terry is shagging Wayne Bridge’s missus – what is that to the common good? Sadly that is the shite that sells, either because people don’t want to face the reality of life or are too unintelligent to understand it.

  151. dandan says:

    Irish, Absolutely correct.

  152. evonne says:

    Irish – I have to defend the Sun. They have good sports coverage and do not pretend to be too clever.
    Daily Mail is the kind of shite that makes my blood boil. Yet many millions read it and believe every word.

    And GLiC was shocked he had seen some martians, the planet is full of them

  153. Herb'sArmy says:

    Hi Irish,
    totally agree, the old crest that Chas put up the other day just looked so classy, and worthy for a club of our standing.
    GliC – I suppose it depends on individual perception of right and wrong. Fourteen shares were our gift to them for having helped us out in 1910. Would you buy something back that you’d given someone as a present? Is our history not that important?

  154. Irishgunner says:

    Evonne – Sports journalism is in a different genre, if you will, to mainstream journalism. I actually think the two shouldn’t mix. I buy the odd tabloid just to read the sports section and through the rest away. The sport aside, you must agree the rest of the Sun is rubbish, unless you like boobs?

    Agh, yes the Daily Racist. There is an Irish version of that as well, and one weekend they ran a headline in the UK that basically said the Irish were bastards over something, and in Ireland they ran the headline that the Brits were bastards – now that’s playing on one’s audience.

  155. Irishgunner says:

    *throw the rest away

  156. evonne says:

    Irish – boobs look ok on Peaches, but she’s not really my type 🙂 Never read anything in the Sun, but I often flick through the sports pages, the pictures are great.

    And I bet you the same story was pubished in Poland blaming both Irish and the Brits, who are expoliting poor little Polaks

  157. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Herb,
    I hear what your saying, but someones going to buy them and you cant blame Jabba as you couldn`t blame Stan or anyone else, maybe when Rangers are back where they belong with good times someone will donate the same number of shares back to them, that would show some class.

  158. Gooner In Exile says:

    You are right DanDan Marie Colvin seemed a proper reporter, but I guess thats the difference, she was a reporter of fact. Hacks like Morgan do anything to sell a paper including printing doctored images of British Soldiers etc.

    Which Crest would you like? Its changed many times personally I quite like the current one, and also the ArtDeco 30’s one. I must admit to not really liking the crest from 1949 especially when they coloured it in.

    The chequered history of the club crest is here.

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/the-arsenal-crest

    As for the badges which are here I always preferred the simple canon, or again the Art Deco one. From a design point of view that crest in use from 1949 was just too cluttered. Only made it on to the kits in the 90’s.

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/the-arsenal-shirt-badge

  159. Irishgunner says:

    In Poland it was Ze Germans fault 😆

  160. TotalArsenal says:

    DanDan, hi, thanks for posting the Marie Colvin link. Puts it all in perspective again. Hope her death and that of the others will help to bring the Syrian leadership down, but what a shame.

  161. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Anyone remember that Jack Douglas “twitch” character ?. What is the medical term called for someone with them drunk like conditions with spasm`s of uncontrollable body movements ?

  162. Irishgunner says:

    This is our cannon.

    Guys, are ye watching Basel vs Bayern? Proper game of footy

  163. Irishgunner says:

    Tourettes?

  164. Herb'sArmy says:

    GliC,
    if someone wants to invest in our club, it would serve them well among the supporters if they took the time to learn about who we are and where we come from, 1886 to the present day.

  165. dandan says:

    GIE do you mean Parkinsons or Huntingdons disease

  166. gooner lost in cornwall says:

    Irish,
    Thats the uncontrollable swearing one, bit like Mrs glic !

  167. Herb'sArmy says:

    That is indeed our cannon, Irish.

  168. Gooner In Exile says:

    In a weird way tho Herb most fans would be pleased to see the back of PHW and that goes against our club history too.

    Sad that when he retires/pushed off the end of a 80 year relationship between the club and family.

  169. dandan says:

    Evonne and Irish, If you wish to know about the Sun I suggest you talk to a Liverpool or Everton fan, I am sure they would be only to pleased to enlighten you.

  170. Irishgunner says:

    GLIC – Oh yeah 😆

    Herb – Lucky I got the right one 😉

    Dandan – I doubt anyone up there reads it. The Sun is Britain’s biggest selling daily newspaper, except on Merseyside where I believe it gets less than 20% of the daily sales which is very poor, but we all know why.

  171. evonne says:

    Irish – yeah, ze germans too, anybody but ourselves

    No, watching boring Marseille v Inter. Tenk God they are diving, or I would fall asleep

  172. dandan says:

    Irish will be interesting to see how the Sunday sun progresses after its launch on Sunday, I will not have that rag in my house even though my daughter swears that the paper it is printed on is the best window and glass cleaner there is. Evidently a quick spray of just water and then a rub down with the sun is the standard mirror cleaner in most womens hair dressers.
    No doubt we have a blogger who can confirm 🙂

  173. gunnern5 says:

    Herb,

    We played Division 2 football from 1893/4 our 1st Manager was Sam Hollis 1893/4 to 1896/7.

  174. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    I used to go out with a bird with that touretts thing, but only in her sleep. She was a lovley girl when awake, the type who would blush at a swear word, but when a kip she turned into a different person. F this, F that, ime gona effing kill yer yer c..t, that sort of thing. I didnt mind at first, coz i worked out she was talking about her mother, but after about a couple of months i realized it was now me that was the subject of her sleep touretts. I was gone for dust after that.

  175. Herb'sArmy says:

    If PHW is the last remaining link to our past, GiE, it will be a sad day.
    I would imagine back when football was a sport, it was a seam-less task when Peter replaced his father, Dennis. Now football has become such big business it must be a lot more complex.
    What capacity would we have if we had filled in the corners at Highbury? 50,000 – 55,000?

  176. Irishgunner says:

    😆 Dandan – my Dad knows more about cleaning windows than I do.

    I try to avoid buying tabloids but do from time to time. I had to buy them regularly once upon a time – can’t study for a Masters in media and not read what you are ripping asunder 😆

  177. dandan says:

    Herb you, I, Kelsey and one or two others have been in Highbury, when we would swear there were at least that many in there, before the seats went in. No matter what the club declared over the PA 🙂

  178. dandan says:

    I agree you have to take the rough with the smooth Irish, hope you crack it. You certainly write well enough.

  179. Herb'sArmy says:

    Thanks GN5, my Arsenal book concurs.

  180. Irishgunner says:

    Cheers Dandan, I’ll keep trying but I’m going to start another course in September so I can work in Libraries or in cataloging/archiving. Its my second choice career option, but one I’d be more than happy doing.

  181. Herb'sArmy says:

    Hi dandan,
    hope all is well with you.
    I remember back in the early 80’s, (you may have been there yourself), September, Liverpool at home, and we had Charlie Nicholas, Tony Woodcock and Paul Mariner in the side.
    What a day! I was part of a 53,000+ Highbury crowd that joyously watched as we smashed them 3-1 to go top of the table.
    Memories like that are priceless.

  182. Big Raddy says:

    The night we beat Anderlecht there must have been 65000 plus. Unbelievable atmosphere and the only time I ventured onto the hallowed Highbury pitch

  183. Big Raddy says:

    Herb. I was in the North Bank that day!

  184. dandan says:

    I was in the west stand lower under the TV cameras

  185. chas says:

    Can everyone name the player for 1990-93 in GIE’s shirt badge link?
    What a strange player to choose!
    Don’t give the game away. 🙂

  186. Gooner In Exile says:

    Hmmm best night/game at Highbury?

    The 4-0 over Liverpool with Limpars lob always sticks in the mind.

    As does Wrighty getting the golden boot on the last day of the 91 season as well as a couple of games earlier United clapping us onto the pitch as champions.

    Sadly we couldn’t fill in those corners due to the listed status of the east and west stands. One thing that I love is that I can take people to the old ground and give them a glimpse of the back of those stands at what it was like. Somethings are priceless

  187. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Chas, he wernt a bad player when he got a game

    You cant beat Highbury, the place was just football.

  188. VCC says:

    BR. I too was at the Anderlecht game. At the final whistle we poured onto the pitch. I was up the North Bank.

  189. VCC says:

    chas 8:57. Where is the picture?

  190. chas says:

    No apologies for re-posting this…..

  191. dandan says:

    All us old farts reminiscing, what are we like LOL

  192. VCC says:

    Chas… Sorry to appear a dummy here but what year (player) are we trying to identify?

  193. chas says:

    1990-93

  194. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Chas, that videos bought a tear to my eye. Why oh why did we leave that magical place? It will be me suffering form sleep touretts now.

  195. VCC says:

    Yep. Got him Chas. I know him.

  196. VCC says:

    Loved the video chas. Thank you

  197. chas says:

    Terry, the bit where he jumps out on to the upper tier of the West Stand to see the pitch always makes my hair stand on end.

  198. SharkeySure says:

    Sorry TA and GiE…its not a patch on GLIC’s in game analysis of last night.

    He’s really stitched you both up by getting his in first..

    Oh well….. 😉

  199. VCC says:

    Chas 9:22. Me too, every single time it happened to me. Just loved the place.

  200. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Chas, exactly. The buzz of emerging from those steps and seeing that lush green pitch and that amazing stadium just can not be beaten.

  201. goonermichael says:

    I’ll have to disaggree about the sun being good for sports jounalism evonne. anthony kastrinakis is a (bleep) ing (bleep) I’ve sent him several death threats. I’m sure Terry is embarassed that such a (bleep) can be a bubble.

    Basel have just scored. all the mancs will start saying they were a hard team now. What a boring game. I’m not really paying attention to be fair.

  202. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    I want highbury back. Is there anything we can do?, a petition or something, anything?

  203. chas says:

    Time machine is the only answer, Terry.

  204. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    gm, i would gladly assist you in killing Kastrinakis. hahahaha

  205. SharkeySure says:

    “I didnt mind at first, coz i worked out she was talking about her mother”

    Oh dear…..

    Red Arse used to be a bit of a lone loon on here….but now with Terry and GLIC, its like the Three Mad Musketeers ride thru AA every night.

    You guys kill me….

  206. Herb'sArmy says:

    Hi BR,
    I was in the North Bank that day too. Was it Woodcock or Mariner who smashed the ball in at our end and sent us all delirious?

  207. VCC says:

    A woman goes to the Doctor, worried about her husbands temper and threatening manner.

    The Doctor asks: “What’s the problem?

    The woman says: “Doctor, I don’t know what to do. Every time my husband comes home drunk, he threatens to slap me around.”

    The Doctor says: “I have a real good cure for that. The next time your husband comes home drunk, just take a glass of water and start swishing it in your mouth. Just swish and swish but don’t swallow it until he goes to bed and is asleep.”

    Two weeks later the woman comes back to the doctor looking fresh and reborn.

    The woman says: “Doctor that was a brilliant idea! Every time my
    husband came home drunk, I swished with water, just as you suggested. I swished and swished, and not once did he touch me!

    How does the water do that?”

    The Doctor says: “Well, the water actually does f**k all…it’s keeping your mouth shut that does the trick….”

  208. SharkeySure says:

    So we’re starting a petition for a time machine…cool.

    Joyous to see the ‘old girl’ again Chas. Many thanks.

    I truly love both stadiums, old and new. Love the grandeur and comfort of the new one, and the grandeur and history of the old one.

    I’ve sat high in the stands and frozen my bollocks off in both. Worst night was an upper tier for a Carling Cup game at Highbury. Nearly died that night.

  209. goonermichael says:

    I loved that film. Thanks chas. Is he Dennis Pennis?

    Although I’ve been an armchair fan most of my life I went to Highbury for Keown’s testimonial. So glad I got there once. One day I’ll bring My brother in law to the Tavern. You’d share a lot of experiences with him.

  210. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    Sharkey, it was the threats to “effing kill you” that were the final straw. I had to get out after that. Funny thing was she had no idea she talked in her sleep, never mind the crazy things she was saying.

  211. chas says:

    Was it this one at 1:16?

  212. goonermichael says:

    car ads are the most boring, pretentious shit. do people really get paid for making them?

  213. chas says:

    Yep, GM

  214. TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT says:

    VCC, hahahaha, nice one.

  215. RockyLives says:

    God, I loved Highbury.

  216. Herb'sArmy says:

    Thanks for the video’s Chas. Wonderful memories.

  217. VCC says:

    gm 9:50. Links not available

  218. SharkeySure says:

    Agreed Terry.

    I’m gonna stick my neck out and say that I don’t think threats to kill are the foundations on which loving relationships are built, not that I’m an expert or ‘owt.

  219. VCC says:

    Here it is BR/Dandan/Herb

  220. dandan says:

    What a flooded mudheap that pitch was, I suspect it would kill modern players, well even Geordie died early one wonders how much those pitches took out of go go players like him. VCC thanks for the link

  221. Herb'sArmy says:

    Nice one VCC. What a team they were. Our first major European winners followed by the ‘Double’ a year later. And we won the title at WHL with an 88th minute winner.
    Brilliant.

  222. Herb'sArmy says:

    As seen in our marble halls, GM.

  223. goonermichael says:

    It was going to be on my (non existent) chest Herb but my wife put her foot down.

  224. Gooner In Exile says:

    Have you revealed who the player is yet Chas? I’m pretty sure I know who it is.

  225. Herb'sArmy says:

    Just watched your 9.07 Stadium link Chas.
    “WHL a urinal…” Class,

  226. goonermichael says:

    Matthew Lucas @RealMattLucas
    Reply RetweetedRetweet
    Delete
    FavoritedFavorite · Close Open Details My friend once had a curry with Frank Carson and it was a really hot one and he said ‘Blimey, no wonder Gandhi wore a nappy.’

    Night everyone

  227. chas says:

    Colin Pates, GIE.

    How about bottom right?
    http://bit.ly/xCvitp

  228. LB says:

    I can’t believe I had never seen that clip of Highbury that Chas put up at 9.07………………brilliant, just brilliant.

    I miss that feeling so much of going up the stairs before getting the first view of the pitch. No matter how often I went that first glimpse made me fell euphoric.

  229. Gooner In Exile says:

    Good it was Pates, as for blondie I’m struggling but have a vague memory so am currently racking brains.

  230. Gooner In Exile says:

    LB there was nothing like Highbury and still isn’t.

    Closest to it that I’ve been to is Everton’s Goodison Park. A proper old school stadium where we were packed in tight.

    Must admit to being impressed with Carrow Road last night their redevelopment has been sympathetic, even they’ve managed to put uninterrupted views on all sides of the ground.

  231. Gooner In Exile says:

    I thought Siggi Jonnson?

  232. evonne says:

    Chas – that Paul Kaye video is just brilliant! I thought I was the only one to walk on the same side of the steps, take the same seat on the tube, etc etc etc to make sure we win!! Sheer madness 🙂

    What happened to the Marble Halls? How much of it has been preserved?

    GM – did you really send death threats to a journalist?? You nutter

  233. chas says:

    SJ is right (had an inkling myself but had to do a bit of digging to confirm).
    Colin Pates is in that pic too, diagonally up from him.

    GIE, you being a goalkeeping expert…..who’s Seaman’s understudy?
    Spunky seemed to play every game without fail for several seasons when he first joined us.

  234. Red Arse says:

    Unbelievable as it sounds, Arsenal Stadium (Highbury) had a record crowd of around 74,000 and, occasionally had crowds in excess of 60,000 for home derbies against Spurs.

    Of course that was in the days before all seating (38,000) and was often seriously dangerous with people being crushed up against the restraining bars.

  235. evonne says:

    RA – the fans had their own system to cope with overcrowding. Chas’ Dad’s mate JC told me some stories from the time when he was a kid, some 75 years ago! He told me how men would pick up a kid and pass him above their heads to the front where all the little boys would have a good view

  236. evonne says:

    Newcastle has more alcoholics than any other part of the country, why? The team is half decent

  237. Gooner In Exile says:

    I had to dig too. Interesting that his injury woes started before he joined us when Souness snapped his leg in 1985 according to a few articles. We bought players with injury problems even then.

    Reserve GK is I believe Alan Miller, a Scot who later opened a pub in Burnham Market Norfolk (also known as Chelsea on Sea) called The Jockey.

  238. chas says:

    The view looking back towards Gillespie Road from the North Bank on a busy day!

    http://twitpic.com/8nj90m/full

  239. VCC says:

    chas 8:25. I wear one of those flat caps……Boy I must be getting old.

  240. VCC says:

    I can remember one evening match in the sixties when we just got through the gates at the clock end and they closed the them right behind me. Packed in like sardines we were.

  241. MickyDidIt89 says:

    Chas,
    Superb clip of Highbury. I used to know Paul quite well, in fact he worked for me for a short while. Great bloke, and a real Gooner. True story about him: he used to be a graphic designer type, and worked for a company that produced a brochure to sell the idea of corporate boxes at The Lane. He was given the job of producing the after work complete images complete with crowd. He managed to sneak a Gooner into the pic, and it went to print!

  242. Morning all

    New Post …………….

  243. Yes Boss says:

    Awesome blog. Men, I really am impressed at how u analyzed every section of the team. Hope we get these lads up to TOP form in the nearest future. Wouldn’t mind getting a follow from fellow gooners on here @iamyesboss
    C’mon you Goons!

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