The defence today was every bit as coordinated as it has been this season, with Mertesacker magnificent in his domination of Rickie Lambert, a player who had bossed the Man United defence a couple of weeks ago. Vermaelen was the foil to Mertsacker’s intelligent performance. And on the flanks, Gibbs and Jenkinson were assured, being careful with the ball and careful without it. Gibbs also managed to get two sort-of-assists, having crossed the ball for both the Southampton own goals.
In midfield, what more is there to say about Cazorla and Arteta? These guys are the business, their ability to organise the side is awesome. Even in the Cesc years, I don’t think it was as good as this, not because Cesc is less talented than our current Spaniards, of course he isn’t, but because this pair work together in such a seamless way. Today, they were denied the chance to continue working in tandem with our renaissance man, Abou Diaby, and the ambitious Francis Coquelin was given the nod.
The general passing game was excellent, but the thing that stood out for me was the quality of the Arsenal passing in the final third, with Cazorla, Podolski, Gibbs, Chamberlain and Gervinho regularly shredding the Southampton defensive line.
Up front, the team selection was interesting, with Gervinho played through the middle, as he had been in some of the preseason games, and Podolski and Chamberlain on the flanks. Many have had their doubts about Gervinho, and after a pretty tame first season in red and white, he certainly has something to prove this season. The goal he scored for the Ivory Coast last week shows that he knows how to score, but the question remained: will he do that for us? Well, he did today, with a pair, and some excellent attacking play that created chance for others.
It was lovely to see Gervinho turn into space on the right and pick up a typically perceptive chipped pass from Arteta, and then attack the box and simply drill the ball past Kelvin Davis at the near post. And in the second half, he was in the right place to knock in a rebound off the post after substitute Aaron Ramsey had done brilliantly well to hold off a challenge and send the ball across to the far post. Luckily, the Mekon was on hand. One measure of Gervinho’s progress was his clear reluctance to come off when the substitute’s board had his number on it. Does anyone remember Gervinho showing that sort of appetite last season? Long may it last.
Podolski was belligerently energetic, often playing in a very central position, leaving the left-hand flank to Gibbs. For our first goal, he battled with two Southampton midfielders just outside the centre circle, emerged with the ball at his feet and then slotted it through to Gibbs, whose drilled cross was fumbled by Davis and accidently knocked in by Jos Hooiveld. Poldi’s goal was a joy to behold: we see fewer free-kick goals than we should, but with Cazorla, Arteta, Vermaelen, Walcott and Poldi, we certainly have options now. And, after Coquelin had been naively clattered just a few yards outside the penalty area, Podolski despatched his free-kick with Germanic efficiency. (Apologies for stereotyping….)
Chamberlain had a good game again today, with a couple of very decent efforts on goal, and he continued to play with a blend of youthful hunger and early maturity. The boy really is special, even in a game where colleagues take the lead. His fellow ex-Saint, Theo Walcott, got a 15-minute run-out, and notched up a follow-up goal after an at-the-death Vermaelen surge. For the more sentimental souls, like me, it was nice to see Chamberlain and Walcott make the effort after the final whistle to go and applaud the Southampton fans, whose club of course nurtured them in their earlier years.
There were probably only two negatives from the game today. The main one was Szczesny. It wasn’t only his error for the goal conceded, in a game where he wasn’t fiercely tested. His distribution was as bad as it has ever been, displaying a nervousness that in a stiffer challenge would be a real source of difficulty. We should cut him some slack, he’s not played much football recently, and his quality remains. But he can’t afford to become a liability, hopefully his performances will lift soon.
The other negative was a minor one. Having been dropped to the bench, Olivier Giroud’s chance to notch a goal was limited to his short appearance at the end of the game. Probably his best chance was messed up by Walcott, who could have slipped an early ball through to Giroud but chose to hold onto the ball too long instead. Nothing better emerged, and so the wait goes on. Personally, I’m not worried, Giroud is a quality player, the goals will come.
So, a very satisfying day. Next up Montpellier and Man City. Some real tests for us there.
Written by 26may1989
Thanks to chas for providing the following player ratings:
Szczesny – Looked out of sorts and was sloppy for the Saints goal, though he did make a couple of decent saves. His kicking wasn’t up to Don Vito’s standard. Surely practice makes perfect for such elementary things……… 6
Mertesacker – A towering performance full of anticipation and Teutonic class…… 8
Vermaelen – Solid, powerful and a fine example to his teammates. His late surge created Walcott’s goal…… 8
Jenkinson – The Corporal is growing by the game. I can only remember one dodgy crossfield pass. He’s some footballer and is rapidly having his rough edges knocked off…… 8
Gibbs – Excellent from start to finish. The movement of the front three allowed him to join in with the attack on numerous occasions. Sometimes I confuse him with Podolski which shows he’s strengthened from the skinny whippet he was 18 months ago (mind you, it could just be my eyesight)…. 9 (My Man of the Match)
Arteta – The Spanish metronome makes the whole team tick. Majestic yet again…. 9
Oxlade-Chamberlain – The Ox looked a little tired to me but still managed to show real quality and ability on the ball…. 8
Cazorla – Santi has class oozing from every pore of his body. An Arsenal legend in the making. Would be Man of the Match but he’ll have lots of those during the season…. 9
Coquelin – Le Coq was robust, yet skilful. Perhaps the highest compliment to his performance is that Diaby was not missed yesterday.. 8
Podolski – Another instant crowd favourite along with Santi. You can see him straining every sinew to help the team. His free-kick was hit with such speed and whip it didn’t need to be right in the corner to beat the keeper. Goodbye Mr Row Z, we don’t need you anymore….. 9
Gervinho – Gerv’s best performance in an Arsenal shirt I can remember. His movement playing centrally, then left, then right had the Saints guessing all afternoon. Perhaps Wenger’s ‘Beat the Bus’ tactic might involve a bit more of the ‘false 9’ tactic…… 9
Subs
Ramsey – 67′ – Rambo helped us keep the ball better when he came on and his skill to create the 5th goal was sublime…. 8
Giroud – 74′ – Everyone willing Olivier to score a goal was great to see. It’ll come. I bet he wished he’d been on from the start yesterday. I wonder how the game would have developed if he had been…. 7
Walcott – 74′ – Theo was bound to make a good impact sub in a game like this. Shame he didn’t get his head up earlier when Giroud was all on his own, but he took his goal very well…. 7
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Excellent analysis 26m and exactly how I saw it …… not surprising since I was sitting right next to you!
We’ve got a balanced team with great attitude, energetic work rate and the potential for goals from all across the park.
Genius move by AW to put Gerv in the centre. The front 3 were so fluid that they were impossible for the defence to track.
The pass from Arteta for Gerv’s first was sublime. He had a choice of 3 other players all making runs – impossible to defend against.
Every player wanted the ball and the triangles were ever present with Arteta always sitting at the back of the triangle making himself available for the ball.
I want Cazorla’s babies 😳
And last of all, we had the strongest bench I can remember for years …. Theo, Giroud, Mannone, Arshavin, Ramsey … those players would be guaranteed starters for most prem sides.
Rasp and peaches, top headline, from one of my favourite musicians – thanks!
I put up the widgets to the right of the page to emphasise improvements in our performance compared to the previous season ……. Our GD after 4 games this year = +7, last year it was -7. And 3rd in the prem compared to 17th.
Much too early to get over excited, but a great start to the season….. RvP who?, Song who?
Morning 26m, we couldn’t resist when we read your first line……..
Morning all, as a typical metal head I have no idea to what musician 26 refers to, somebody wimpy no doubt. 🙂
sorry for my late arrival guts, road traffic jams stitched me up like a kipper.
Great match and a good one to catch sober, any match less
relaxing and my nerves would have been tested.
My report is over here: http://www.7amkickoff.com/2012/man-at-the-match-chary-saints-in-hell-adkins-boys-get-six-of-the-best/
Superb 26, thanks very much.
“Ambitious Francis Coquelin”…naughty, but nice ROLF.
Great pics also (Rasp?).
Lou Reed, Chary. They were supposed to play his version of Perfect Day as first dance at my wedding, but the stupid bastard played some wimpy x-factor style version 😦
If anyone wants to add some player ratings – always good for debate 🙂 send them through to arsenalnuts@live.co.uk and we can add them to the post or add them as a comment.
Chary, you philistine ( 🙂 ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYEC4TZsy-Y
OK, I’m off to check 7am and its tip-top guest match reporter….
Great report 26th, couldn’t have bettered it myself. Dare I say it was the nearest to barca style football I have witnessed for many a day. Where that leaves Chamakh is another matter.
26may – great match report, thank you. I enjoyed reliving the glory again. For it was a glorious display
Peaches – all deserve top marks
Bloody Germans 🙂 just look at the first picture – Per and Podolski are marching already
😆 evonne, brilliant! I’m a fan of our marching germans.
Mertseacker is undroppable in present form … but oh, kozzer is an excellent defender … what to do?
Evonne,
Thank Dennis it wasn’t Persie at the controls of the Podolski free kick. 🙂
Its a bugger isn’t it Rasp. All that bloody quality all over the place 🙂
26. Love it. The AFC was very clever and Gerv = The Mekon really made me laugh.
evonne 🙂
Agreed Micky. As I said earlier, what a bench we had yesterday.
As long as the players have a smile on their faces I’m happy. Gerv didn’t want to come off (hattrick in the offing) but obviously Theo was eager to play his part.
I thought the way Theo and the Ox applauded the saints fans after the game was excellent, and a suitable antidote for some of the more vile chanting that takes place elsewhere in the prem.
To save anyone else having to googleize it:
“A Mekon is the “Supreme Scientist”, the ruler of the Treens, who live in the northern hemisphere of Venus. He is specially bred for his intellect”.
Cheers Raddy, and for those youngsters who don’t recognise the Mekon reference: http://www.dandare.org.uk/.
thanks for the match report 26, and for yours too chary.
Had to watch it again today, it was just that good. Noticed the fire in BFG’s eyes once his header was saved, great to see.
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to free kick takers now. Any time we miss one I feel let down, and think ‘bloody should have let it for santi or arteta’. No more row Z stuff
Cripes, I reckon 26 is about to call me a “philistine” as well, although quite what he has against a perfectly innocent tribe, I have no idea 🙂
Rasp. I agree about Theo and O-C. Not just fine players but also good men – unusual in footballers.
We will soon be in the position where it will be an honour to get onto the bench! Happy Days.
And love the post title reference. Wish I had thought of it …..
26,
2-0 to the DidIt. Beat you to it on both Reed and the little green Fella 🙂
Micky. We are both “philistines”
26,
Excellent report. What a great day it was.
Peaches and Rasp,
I’ve sent some quickly knocked up ratings to nuts (even though I don’t do ratings 🙂 )
Tasty
Great stuff 26.
Every thing is coming on nicely, just how it should be. The club, despite its critics, is just begining to reap its rewards for its paitence, foresight and courage.
Gibbs , Jenks, Ramsey and Ox look different players this year. The club has invested in them and these young guys wil just keep getting better. No need to say anything about Pod and Santi, everyones knows there class. Its also Arteta and Merts second seasons and they are proving to be delightful aquisitions.
Ime also a believer in surprises and finding solutions from internal resoures. Gerv up front? Very nice.
The exciting thing for me is that we are just at the start of a new era. Our young crop will gain more experience and the club will contiue over the years to aquire players of quality
We have a very good chance to do something big this year but my nature is always to look forward. If you think about our squad you would be hard pushed to find more potential for improvement than this current Arsenal. Combine that with enviromental, both internal and external, changes in our favour and the future is fantastic.
You reap what you sow.
We’ve expected free-kicks to go into the wall or the crowd for so long now……..
Thanks chas, I’ve added them to the post
I’ve just found 26m’s player ratings for the game. He’s not a fan of PR in general, so I hope he doesn’t mind me publishing them now.
I thought several players were worthy of MotM, but I agree it was Arteta for me also as he just glues everything together so efficiently….
Szczesny: 5
Jenkinson: 8
Mertesacker: 9
Vermaelen: 8
Gibbs: 9
Arteta: 9
Coquelin: 8
Cazorla: 8
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7
Podolski: 9
Gervinho: 9
Ramsey: 8
Walcott: 7
Giroud: 7
MOTM: Arteta
And where are my manners; a report from 26 just like the man himself – precise, suave and composed.
26 said a lot of things I wished I’d said in my report – dam you !!
Great write up…and interesting perspectives on the player ratings, always sparks a bit of chat with how people see the game differently.
My ratings:
Szczesny: 6…poor distribution, at fault for the goal – either punch it or go through Jenks to claim it.
Jenks: 8 – solid and added a lot going forward, too.
Mert: 8 – little to do, but did what he had to very well. Good effort on goal in first half.
TV: 8 – same as above.
Gibbs: 8 – fantastic – and I mean FANTASTIC – going forward but a couple of defensive lapses for me took (only slightly) away from his performance. was slow out to close down Puncheon for the cross for the goal and on a couple of other occasions…still a great performance. Stopped him being a nine for me…hence the explanation!
Arteta & Cazorla: 9 – their partnership set the tempo for the team like a metronome and their link up yesterday was very impressive, particularly (obviously) for Gerv’s goal. When the heart of the team has this sort of quality it really does bode well for the season.
Coquelin: 8 – Did exactly the right thing early on, just breaking up play and knocking it easy (often sideways). Solid display, Saints got little change out of him.
Podolski: 9 MOTM – followed up a tireless MOTM performance against Liverpool with a tireless MOTM performance against Soton. His goal, his assist for the first goal, his movement and, once again, his tackling back and work in midfield have me purring over him. Be interesting who’ll turn out to be the buy of the season – him or Cazorla!
Gerv: 9 – best performance since Udinese away, for me. Great interplay with the other forwards, good movement, took his first goal well and showed a desire yesterday that has been lacking at times.
Subs
Ramsey: 8 – second half had gone a bit flat until he came on, we were livelier after. Unlucky not to get a goal.
Walcott: 7 – still seems flat to me, a few fans around me were saying he looks like he’s going through the motions a bit. Took his goal well.
Giroud: 6 – Didn’t see much of him, to be honest. Think he’s going to be a grafter until that first goal comes…heres hoping he breaks his duck soon.
We finished the match with 5 British players on the pitch. Just saying…..
Too much emphasis on Giroud breaking his duck after 2 and a half games.
The inexpensive Torres went a full term pregnancy before he scored for Chelsea and Rooney had a drought of a similar period.
The important thing is Giroud is in the right place and the goals will come.I just wish the commentators wouldn’t pronounce his name as Djourou.
One rating I’d like to give is 10/10 for the ref. I hardly knew he was on the pitch except for the times he got in the way when our lightning change of direction in attack caught him out.
That was the ‘cleanest’ game of football I can remember. No cards, very few fouls and only one challenge (on TV I think) that was at all reckless.
Congratulations to Southampton for wanting to play football. I know they paid a high price for their endeavour but it made for a great game. I hope they stay up as their style will beat less technical sides than ours.
Cazorla song
http://www.telly.com/B3IXV?fromtwitvid=1
wonderful report 26M
and the vidz posted by chaz made me grin cheshire cat like, wonderful stuff.
Maybe we know now why Mr Wenger didn’t get another striker!
Not that i’m getting carried away. It was just exciting to see midfield and attack connect seamlessly.
The Cazorla song Chas has posted is fabulous, its great to see originality in the terraces, i was disappointed to hear the RVP song been sung for Poldi, let it die now please.
Poldi has his own song and if we sung it, it would be amazing.
Rasp 12.38 Well said. Ref great. Opposition tried to play football. No cards.
Proper.
Fantastic write up of a fantastic game . Thanks
I think you could have ended it
“And later when it got dark we went home”
I’ll get my coat 🙂
BTW i gave Cazorla the 9 and MOTM, he is just amazing, everything went through him. Imagine if we had managed to get him last year, the crisis may not have panned out as it did.
BRaddy
i thought Southampton early on tried to park the bus, but didn’t know how to.
@ Jonathan
I agree, that song is forever tainted. Podolski deserves better. That song is bloody brilliant, me and the mrs have been singing it ever since chas put it up a month or two ago. How could you not want to sing it at the ground?
I vote get those two blokes to sing it before the game for a good laugh
Chas @ 11:27 – brill, all we need to do is practise corners now so I will be able to sit next to Micky without fear, that he might throw himself over the barrier
what time is the relegation battle on today?
4pm evonne – let’s hope former gooner McDermott puts ’em to the sword!
thank you Rhyle
Since the footie talk has gone a bit quiet, I thought some of you might like to try to solve this maths teaser which is currently going round the internet….
4 x 4 + 4 x 4 + 4 – 4 x 4 =
There are no brackets …. have fun
I know the answer, but not why it is the answer 😳
“Lou Reed, Chary. They were supposed to play his version of Perfect Day…”
His version? He wrote it.
BODMAS rule, Rasp:
divide before multiplying before adding before subtracting (the B is for brackets, the O for operational exponents (squares, roots, etc)
So it should be written as:
16 + 16 + 4 – 16 = 20
GCSE Maths grade B for the win!
Hope you don’t mind changing the subject, but…
Thierry Henry goal from corner kick in Red Bull victory yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6HUJ2rHPi8
Spot on Rhyle, the answer is indeed 20 – I made it 512 😦
I looked at that question and gave up without trying.
26 🙂
Thank you for a fantastic Match Report. Top stuff! 🙂
In particular, I liked your comments on Gervinho’s contributions. His running with and without the ball was awesome.
I thought Gibbs had another stellar performance and the relationship between him and the Pod is developing into something super-human very quickly. Enforced OG’s for Gibbs from the left is something we might see more off this season. Other than that, from what I have seen of the match, agree with your assessments.
I love the Pod picture at the bottom of the post. It looks like he is hoovering upwards with the help of an invisible rocket-powered launcher!
Great game yesterday great post today! we are going to win the league!
Something off topic but been looking for answer everywhere. On the latest football shirts (not on replicas) Their is a shiney T on the sleeve of a few teams does anybody know what this is? Thanks
goonerjake, it means:
They hate totnum
and they hate totnum
They hate totnum
and they hate totnum
They hate totnum
and they hate totnum
They are the totnum … haters 😛
Afternoon all, fine report 26, and agree with the ratings from Chas.
There just really isn’t much to say after a performance like that….we bossed the game.
Now for the relegation battle on Sky this afternoon….come on the super hoops!
You’re not getting away with it that easily GiE 😉 …….. now let’s have the goalkeeping experts opinion of what’s going on with Sz
Rasp – I’ll do your trick here: warned you guys about Sz long time ago 🙂
Hi evonne, did you see that mannone kept warming up on the by line throiughout the game yesterday. I’ve never seen a keeper do that before, I wonder if he was sending out a message to AW and Sz?
Rasp….
I summed up what I felt last night….but I have a couple more thoughts.
1) The goal – he didn’t have to come for it – I put him going down to boredom (not good). Also the reason he dropped it was because he worried about Jenks underneath him, which tells me he might still be concerned about his injury. If you are going to go for the ball you should have no qualms about clearing out everyone in your way.
2) Distribution – I actually think his loss of possession was down to trying to pick a pass longer than necessary, in my opinion keeepers should pass ten-twenty yards (to defender) or hoof it past half way line for a 50/50. They shouldn’t be trying to pick out the wide midfielder 40-50 yards away, as any miscue results in our players being out of position and inviting opposition to press.
3) Nervousness, I’m not sure I would call it nerves yesterday more it looked like unfamiliarity with what was happening in front of him for the back 4.
All that said as Kelsey said it was his first game since the Euros and it showed, but thankfully it was Southampton we were facing, not Shitty.
Thanks GiE, sorry I missed your words of wisdom first time round 😛
That all makes perfect sense ….. so do we stick with him or bring back Mr 3 clean sheets Mannone?
Rasp, maybe your 3:27 was because Sz isn’t 100% fit, and actually AW was preserving Mannone for midweek?
Just a little question, does Jenks keep Sagna out, can Coq keep Diaby out?
How nice to have a side that doesn’t pick itself, for me there are probably only 3 guaranteed starters in the team…..everyone else has to fight.
The guaranteed are TV5 (and only because he is skipper), Arteta and Santi.
Rasp – I did see Vito warming up and AW looking in his direction
GiE – may I add that he was given a red card in Euros (let us down badly) and his sub Tyton saved the penalty, and did a great job after. That probably shook your No 1 a bit
GiE – and anyone who doesn’t want to play for us, can feck off
evonne, I do not share your dislike of Sz I have to say, but on the other hand Vito had done nothing wrong and so maybe deserved to continue unless as GiE is correct and he’s being rested for the CL game.
Great Post,26, 🙂
I agree with everything you have written!
Rasp,
Sadly I disagree with everything you and Rhyle agree on re the ‘Math’ question.
If you use a calculator to work out the answer, it puts brackets around what is the salient bits of the calculation.
Therefore, 4*4+4*4+4-4*4=20
4*4 [16]+4*4[16]=32+4=36-4*4[16]=20
But maths is sometimes much more simplistic than we make it out to be. So just do what the equation asks you to do, step by step, and do not use a calculator or over complicate it.
4 x 4 + 4 x 4 + 4 – 4 x 4 =
Step by step.
4 x 4 = 16 + 4 = 20 x 4 = 80 + 4 = 84 – 4 = 80 x 4 = 320.
Look, think of it like this;
Imagine you had sent out invitations to a grand party you are going to throw and you only have 4 chairs and need to order some more for your guests.
You have 4 chairs, but you guess that you will probably need 4 times as many and that means 16 chairs.
But another 4 friends ‘phone and tell you they have decided to come and that means you need 20 chairs.
Your wife laughs and tells you that your popularity is such that 4 times as many people as that would accept, which meant you would need (20*4) 80 chairs in her opinion.
You still with me? 🙂
Then you are told that another 4 have accepted and that now means 84 people are coming.
BUT, it turns out that was a misunderstanding, and those guys were NOT coming. Therefore 84-4=80
When all the acceptances are finally received it is clear you need four times as many as even your wife had guessed at.
So, you now need 4 times as many chairs as the 80 chairs you previously had thought, because the Acceptees have grown to (80*4) = 320 people needing chairs.
If you had relied on your wretched calculator you would have only had 20 chairs and lots of embarrassment, and no room for the guests!!! 🙂
Calculators? Who needs them? Who trusts them? Bomdas brackets my red arse!! 🙂
In fairness this is an old chestnut! 🙂
Didn’t Szczesny play against Sunderland?
If SB = 17, UM = 8 and KG = 4, what does YE = ?
Rasp – how old are they, Vito and Wojtek? Same age? Vito looks much calmer and mature.
20
The answer is 20 … gonna go back now and see if I can understand whar RA was on about 😆
evonne, YE = 20 unless there is a witty connection I’ve missed
no witty connection 🙂 but I thought it was more difficult that the question with 4s 🙂
With regard to the GK, I look at it like this (apologies, in advance, to Big Randy for my ‘suspect’ logic) :-).
Almunia had the occasional brilliant shot stopping game, and the one against Barca springs to mind. Did that make him a ‘great’ GK?
Well, the answer to that hypothetical question does not need stating, but for clarity, I will. It is a resounding NO.
Chezzer, on his return, appeared ill at ease and made one horrible error. Does that make him a poor GK?
Need I answer that? 🙂
stay away monster : 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, ?
Evonne, depends on whether you got the question with ‘4s’ right! 🙂
485.9 recurring
RA – I love numbers, words are mystery to me, can do sudoku with my eyes shut, but the simplest of crosswords is a major irritant for me. You are in this sense bilingual 🙂
Goonerjake. It isn’t a T, it is a Puma. New shirt manufacturers
RAzzer is actually trilingual – he’ll try anything lingual at least once.
monster! Stop or I will tell everyone how much I adore you 🙂
bloody Defoe 😦
Just looked it up and Szczesny did play against the Mackems, so Mannone only had two clean sheets and it wasn’t Szcz’s first game since the Euros.
Chas thats hardly fair for a keeper to play the opponents have to have a shot.
Actually from memory didn’t he make a save in the first half to keep it nil nil?
Anyway i blame Kelsey for misleading me about first game back as i missed the Sunderland game whilst at a Christening.
Come on Reading sort it out.
http://www.arsenalpics.com/london_england_august_18_arsenal_goalkeeper_wojciech_szczesny_save_a_shot_from_sunderland_winger_james_mcclean_during_the_barclays_premier_league_match_between_arsenal_and_sunderland_at_emirates_stadium_on_august_18_2012_in_london_england_copyright_arsenal/print/7659871.html
How was the cigar and cognac?
Cigar and cognac? That’s a tricky one – is it 27?
Hi chas, great to see you at the pub yesterday.
How are you liking the newly reformed, touchy feely friendly Rasp today 😆
Haha, you’ll always be the same cuddly Eeyore to me, Rasper.
Close, Evonne, but no cig…..
Rasp – I’m flirting with Chas, move over eeyore 🙂
Evonne, I’m flirting with Rasp, budge over dook.
I have finally found out what those things that look like upside dow letter T’s are on player shirts that are not on replicas. they are bonded reinforced t-bar junctions which support the seams of the shirt. Sorry if it was a boring question before but it was bugging me i have seen them on all nike shrts in the prem this season and has been bugging me. I did not realise that their were so many difference between official shirts and replicas.
Oh well back to the football. Up The Arse!
Chas 😦 everybody is flirting with Rasp 😦
Haha, you smell lovely today, by the way, Evonne.
Like a bokay of flowers. 🙂
you are going to scratch the keyboard with those claws! It was a lovely poem, bucket or bokay, who cares
WHAT A BLOODY BORING GAME!!!
I don’t believe he touched it so few times in the second half but…..
One of the comments says he had 100% pass completion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syGXGrUK4JM
It was a lovely poem, you’re right.
Apologies to whoever the mystery poet was.
When we walked over the bridge yesterday, there were some drunken Saints fans nearby singing that godawful dirge the spuds sing. I kept joining in with ‘We won the league at shite hart lane….’. They were finding it puzzling that someone was joining in but singing different words in their befuddled state. 🙂
I’ve given up on the game. Reading look awful. Only one outcome there.
was Oz
me too, off to the woods, laters
Evonne,
As you know, Chas is shy and asked me to send this very grown up love poem to you, for him. Or was it the Rasper? Doh!! 🙂
“Under the redwood tree my grave was laid, and I beguiled my true love to lie down. The stream of our kiss put a waterway around the world, where love like a refugee sailed in the last ship. My hair made a shroud, and kept the coyotes at bay while we wrote our cyphers with anatomy. The winds boomed triumph, our spines seemed overburdened, and our bones groaned like old trees, but a smile like a cobweb was fastened across the mouth of the cave of fate.
Fear will be a terrible fox at my vitals under my tunic of behaviour.
Oh, canary, sing out in the thunderstorm, prove your yellow pride. Give me a reason for courage or a way to be brave. But nothing tangible comes to rescue my besieged sanity, and I cannot decipher the code of the eucalyptus thumping on my roof.”
Wow, Chazzer — that is dynamite — but for whom?? 🙂
Reading need a new keeper, the guy that went up with them last year was hopeless and this youngster is nowhere near ready
RA,
Your eucalyptus can thump on my roof any time it likes. 🙂
Ouch, I just removed monkey-boy from my fantasy team this week and the curse has been lifted.
I promise I re-sign him next week.
I’ll
My bones have been groaning like old trees today. Must have been the shed load of beer quaffed yesterday.
Red Arse – I’m very, very right. BODMAS is infallible and so am I (normally).
Did it in my head…numbers is a livin’ and stuff.
your answer is what you get if you just read it left to right, by the by, and don’t apply BODMAS.
Reading were dreadful. Relegation beckons already.
Missed the game but the guys on R5 couldn’t believe how bad Reading were…at least they weren’t going too overboard on how good Spurs were though…that would’ve made the drive back intolerable…
Rhyle Spuds just had to turn up and Reading granted passage to the goal, there was no cohesive defending and no direction when in possession, i can’t see how that side won the Championship last year!
I don’t think Spuds needed more than three players around the area to score any of the goals…very depressing, well at least it’ll get the Spuds hopes up for a week or two before they come crashing back to earth when Freund takes over from AVB around Christmas time…that will bring much ROLFing
Super match report for a super game 26.
Watched some of Reading v Spuds. Reading were poor, but the Spuds are nothing special. Compared to the type of play we saw at THOF yesterday, their style is old fashioned and pedestrian.
By the way, did anyone who was at the ground hear any rendition of the “she said no” song about BSR? Listening on the TV I was unaware of it. It would be nice to think it has been binned.
Also, I read somewhere that Theo got booed. Is this true?
Hi Rocky, unfortunately we heard that song ringing out from fans outside one of the pubs on the way home – very poor, but I personally didn’t hear it in the ground
There was a faint murmur as Theo came on, I asked 26may if he thought he was booed and he couldn’t say either. he got a reasonable reception when he came off after the game.
All he needs to do is pull his finger out and sign a new contract and then he can feel a part of the something very special.
I think the ‘she said no’ song will always be an away song unfortunately. Didn’t hear any booing for Theo.
https://twitter.com/GunnertalksLinz/status/247398778519318528
Cheers 2×13..you saw it pretty much as I did.
There’s a part of me thinks that its our defensive solidity that is underpinning our attacking performances.
Another part of me thinks the credit is shared between Mert and Bould. I’m stunned by how much calmer we look in every single game in which Mert plays.
If I waxed lyrical about all who impressed me yesterday, I’d be here all night…but I do have to say fair play to Gibbs, he is really erasing my doubts of last season
Cazorla and Podolski !!!!!
Arteta !!!
Le Coq.
Lastly I’m really happy that Ramsey is having a real impact on games when he arrives. His energy and aggressive running has revitalised our (tiring?) side in the last two games.
I’m with Rhyle on the numeric poser. There are simply no two ways about it. Its 20.
Brackets are overused in formulae….the rules really are crystal clear
Thanks Chas and Rasp
Sharkey
If you look round some of the blog sites there is a wide range of choices for MoTm (including Gibbs, Pod, Santi, Gerv and Arteta). Which, all in all, is pretty brilliant. And more or less what you just said 🙂
You’re also right about Ramsey. We were looking a bit flat as the second half wore on and he really upped the tempo.
Two and a bit seasons ago we were happy that Wenger had finally found a starting XI for big games. (Sz, Sag, Koz, TV5, Clichy, Wilshere, Cesc, Song, Nasri, Theo, RvP)
Now we are back to an uncertain starting XI but I think it’s better than the uncertain starting XI of 3 seasons ago…..and that was Wenger said he had his best squad ever, wonder what he thinks of the new bunch?
I didn’t know those maths rules, so I just did the sums in order and made 360 😦
Think I’ll stick to crosswords.
So here’s one for Rasp…
Orchestrates interchanging team like art (5, 6)
RL.
Mikel Arteta
I think I just got my first crossword clue!!
Tonie Pullis
TA 🙂
Well played BR 🙂
GiE – what do you think, do you recon this is the best squad we have had in the past 7 years? Did any of them play at Highbury, I think not
RL – even I could guess this one 🙂 It’s Arsene!!!!
Alight, how about this one:
Go, past version of Sebastien Squillaci (4, 9)
evonne
Pah!
Perhaps I should have done it as a sudoku… 🙂
don’t know.
After a great summer of inspiring human achievement in both the Olympics and the Paralympics trust the spoiled brat that is the professional footballer to bring the mood back to base camp. There was a real opportunity for Ferdinand and Terry to make a statement of intent. Instead we got the obligatory refusal to shake hands. Added to this was a blatant dive by Welbeck, a hack at an opponent by Odemwingie, hussy fit by Torres etc etc.
Normal sporting service is resumed. Only a little quality from Theo in not celebrating his goal bucked the trend.
Great performance against an awful side. Next two games will show what we’re made of this year.
Rocky 🙂
Cheers Corky 8.01
I love games where it’s really difficult to pick a clear MoM. I think Chelsea away last year springs to mind, incredible really, considering the traitors hat trick that day.
Ramsey has been like a shot of adrenalin in his last two appearances. Can you imagine Ramsey looking around him at yesterdays star studded bench, then recalling some of the ‘quality’ that took to the field with him a few days earlier in Welsh shirts…and he has to captain that shower.
Ryan Shawcross?
BR 🙂
It’s another anagram
I sit in Block 13 in the North Bank and as far as the “she said no” song goes…a small, short outburst early in the second half was all I heard. Did not hear anyone booing Theo, though.
Igor Stepanovs
Top prize goes to VCC 🙂
Cheers Rocky. To get praise from you, that’s made my week end.
Already looking forward to Tuesday night, will be interesting to see Wengers line up. Rest a few players I hope.
VCC
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kozzer get a start, Diaby back in and Giroud to start.
stain above planet 4, 8
Rocky, you might be right!
It could be:
Manone
Coquelin – JD – Koz – Santos
——–Ramsey—Arteta——
————-Diaby—————
Theo——–Giroud—–Pod–
Total. Changes I would make to your team would be ….
Manone
Corporal. JD… Kos ….Santos
Ramsey……Coquelin
Diaby
Theo. Giroud. Arshavin
Definitely give Arteta a rest.
Don’t think we’ll see such wholesale changes.
For me:
Szcz (needs to regain confidence)
Jenks-Koz-TV-Gibbs
Diaby-Arteta-Santi
Gerv-Giroud-Pod
It is very, very rare that a player losses his place because of a mistake. Wenger doesn’t like to drop players, bad for confidence and all that. Now, if Szezcney is regarded as still not being fit, well that is a different story but I expect him to be first choice in the week.
It’s an odd thing but The Gerv (has regained his definite article) seems to play better wide left than wide right even though he is right footed.
Wenger really is spoit for choice.
This would be my punt at Wenger’s starting line up.
——–Szcz
Jenks-Koz-TV-Gibbs
Diaby-Arteta-Santi
Theo-Giroud-Pod
Total…Marc Overmars…
Total 🙂
Marc Overmars
Promise I didn’t copy Rhyle 🙂
monocled agreeable male, spoonerised (4,7)
Jens Lehmann 🙂
Clearly too easy… 😉
Take the right route, look to find a blue sky (4,5)
And finally…
Huge dome hovering around (8)
The last one’s Gervinho…Very good, Rocky! “Huge dome” indeed!
The other one was a lot tougher…but it’s Kolo Toure…couldn’t get my head around the blue sky thing at first
Good stuff Rhyle.
The other one has a buried anagram.
Jens was a stretch!
other one?
Marc Overmars indeed! 😛
VCC, Rocky, LB, you could all be right. Question is which game is most important: Montpellier or MC away, and who needs a rest either on Tuesday or Sunday – taking into account international games etc.
I reckon Wenger will find the MC game the most important one and the likes of Cazorla, the Pod and Jenkinson, Mertesacker and TV are at risk of burn out / injury if they have to play on Tuesday and Sunday. He could afford to rest them all, except one of either the Pod or Cazorla.
I would prefer it if Arsene plays his strongest team, though.
Initially the opposition score his goals for him (7,6)
Olivier Giroud…nice one, GIE.
Defensive rock is a sad toy man (4,5)
Olivier Giroud
AA ones:
This monster in the Tavern prematch as usual (4)
Tony Adams 😀
Right we should save these or work on some more fiendish ones email them to Rasp and use them for a daily cerebral challenge.
Erotic celebrity, tiny 8,5
Total…Emmanuel Petit.
Love it. “Erotic celebrity”.
Excellent Rhyle! Clearly, all to easy for you 🙂
GiE
Nice one – Chas 🙂
Rhyle
@10.11
@ Chas
In fairness to be that poem was pinched from a site. The person wrote ‘hart’ (heart) and ‘reilly’ (really), my eyes didn’t spot bokay. I’ll blame my eye sight instead of my intellect, then again slim already called my dumb haha
@ Evonne
we will never get tired of you adoring our video king haha
* me
Morning all
We’re going to need someone to announce the new post at 9.30 this morning as neither rasp nor I are going to be around.
Can I see a show of hands please – the post will be scheduled to publish itself so it’s only to announce it on here if people are chatting.
Please Miss, can I do it
Teachers pet 😉
Of course you can kelsey 🙂
Shana tova
TA
Having pondered your 11.02 I am now of a mind that you are right, Wenger will have one eye on Sunday and changes will be made tomorrow.They may even be radical
——————-Szez
Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Santos
——–Diaby, Coquelin, Ramsey
——Walcott, Giroud, Gervinho
And
If the Russian transfer window is still open then I wouldn’t be surprised if Arshavin starts ahead of The Gerv.
and the same to you,peaches, 🙂
I am guessing this means Happy New Year.
Greta stuff last night. The crossword clues were as brilliant as the people answering them.
Thanks for the thoughts on the team, they will help my PW. Due to the quality of the squad we have choices which make AW’s life more challenging.
A luxury problem.
p.s. I bet my signed Tony Adams pic that JD doesn’t start.
In case you don’t have time to blog today I wish you and mrs.dandan a wonderful world cruise around the Isle of Wight. 😉
Santi and Santos 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35115236@N03/7900222998/sizes/l/in/photostream/
The Pod has a Cologne tattoo under his right bicep. How long before he has an Arsenal one under the left?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35115236@N03/7752249752/sizes/l/in/photostream/
I knew we will just fine at Emirates.. But the result was funtastic.. 6-1.. 3 more goals than I expected..
With this kind style of play.. We will never lose.. Another unbeatable season is coming..
I think this starting XI should keep on for Montpellier..
Diaby in for the last 20-30 minutes only for warming up.. Don’t hurry with him..
Gervinho is awsome in his new role.. Must give him one more test if he really fit in that position..
Giroud in the second half.. And that will make him more confident to score his ex-club..
From what I saw in the last 4 games.. Arteta – Santi is the best couple in EPL.. With Diaby.. they will be the best midfielders for this season..
Can’t wait for Etihad.. And if we beat City at Etihad.. The rest of the games will be much easier..
Go Gunners..
Lets get cool in the pool…. cool together…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyqkIr-1Vk8
Shana Tove to all!
Oz – you might not be, but Chas is petrified 🙂
Erotic celebrity, tiny, absolutely fabulous
Kelsey – will you do the honours today at 9:30? I promised Peaches I will do it, but running bit late
Hi LB, good call on Arshavin. I had almost entirely forgotten the man who receives the entire income of sixty annual season tickets every week, to sit on the bench.
@ Chas 9.12
poor poor podolski, he must get ragged silly for that! that is hilarious
The Russian transfer window closed on the 6 September apparently.
Obese Gallic park furniture heater 🙂
Oz – why hillarious? I am gobsmacked – had no idea that Germans could have so much fun – music and footy together! The best this country has is Chas and Dave for Spurs 🙂
furniture heater 🙂 🙂 $N
oz,
I think the Germans are a bit different to us Brits/Aussies. They don’t seem half as cynical and mocking.
Have a look at these two photos. (apart from Bacary looking at the lead dancer’s a*se 🙂 )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35115236@N03/7787580004/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35115236@N03/7673164722/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Three minutes to go. Don’t start a conversation anybody.
why?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itAOGRiYRLI
New Post.
Kelsey would like to announce….
New Post !!!!
Chas 🙂 !!
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