In the last week there have been two very important fixtures for Arsenal’s season, we featured in neither and to be honest neither fixture really went our way.
First Fergie kicked us in the nether region one last time by going back on a promise to honour the race for Champions League spots, then Adebayor gave his most productive display if the season to help Spurs avoid defeat in West London.
So it made me think we suffered for our hatred, and now with important games this weekend again neither featuring the Mighty Arsenal it is time for drastic measures to appease the footballing gods and offer some kind of metaphorical personal sacrifice in the hope that either Villa and Stoke will do us a favour this weekend.
With Stoke virtually safe it is doubtful that Pulis will go all out to deny Spurs when he can upset us instead.
In a brazen attempt to win favour my headline is my penance to those lovely fellows in the Potteries, you will know how much it hurts me to say it, so how low will you sink this weekend in an attempt to conjure up the Arsenal friendly footballing spirits.
While I’m at it I would like to say I also think Ryan Shawcross really isn’t that kind of player.
Gooner in Exile
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Hi good topic GIE
It’s down to us we should/must win our last two matches to get fourth
Lets not rely on other teams as we did last week with Man poo and the chavs.
I’m confident we can beat Wigan and Queens park Rubbish.
Luck yes a little help will do but the ball is in our court.
Much love
Sheep hagger
Sheep
Our final two games are Wigan at home and Newcastle away, we will beat them both..
GN5 Sheep lives in Wales and goes to Cardiff where there is crack in time*, it is not his fault he lost a week 🙂
*okay I watch Torchwood
Cheers N5 I don’t know how I typed QPR and I’m sober,anyway we will beat the barcodes and Wigan
GIE I’m in Swansea not Cardiff
That hurt didn’t it GiE
Thank you for taking one for the Good Guys 🙂
Too right GN5.
I wonder how many of the home fans who so sportingly boo’d Utd on, then moaned that they didn’t do us a favour!!!!
I’ve posted a message on a Swansea city web site.
It says “can any Swansea fans going to Alex ferguson last game can u wear a red nose in respect for fergie”
I will wet my self if I see a few jacks with red noses on in the crowd
Lol
I guess that will be Rudolph’s swan song??
GIE while I thought for a while that there was the potential for Spurs to drop points at Stoke it was because I still thought that Stoke were not quite safe from the relegation dog fight. When you said they were all but safe I had a closer look and they are 6 points clear of Wigan who are 3rd from bottom both with 2 games to go. That means that Wigan would need 2 wins to Stokes 2 losses to be on the same points but more tellingly by my calculations Wigan would also need to see a swing of 13 in goal difference over those 2 games. Not at all likely which in reality means Stoke have nothing to play for. There is no love lost between us and them so it really is time to see whether Pullis and Stoke have an honourable character.
GoonerB, in football anything is possible, Wigan beat us at home last season, their last game is against Villa (who by then will be on the beach in their head pouring Sangrias).
Stoke face Spuds and Southampton.
Not inconceivable to lose both 3-0 if their mind set isn’t right. Which then leaves Wigan the chance of two wins and a 7 goal positive to avoid the drop.
Thanks for saying what many were thinking GiE. As for Torchwood, the crack time idea was ripped off Sapphire and Steel, a far superior series IMHO 🙂
Chary
Who is Bruce Dickinson? One of your metallers I think.
Ah ha….Iron Maiden frontman. They are producing beer, and Motorhead producing a Wine… cripes.
The draw on Wednesday was the perfect result for us! Keeps the chavs close enough and it still means 4th is the least we can achieve if we win our 2 games.
Villa will get something today and I fully expect stoke to follow suit tomorrow.
Jobs a good un.
I hate Bruce Dickinson, MDi89. Not only is he the lead singer of one of the biggest metal bands in history, but he holds a commercial airline pilots license, was an Olympic fencer and has now got his own brand of beer. The multi talented git !
and Villa take the lead!
Sid can you give us tonight’s lotto results please….you have been promoted to AA soothsayer 🙂
Villa will be a tough proposition next year, the year these youngsters have had in the PL learning on the job together is now paying dividends. How many people had writtent them off only a few weeks ago. You wouldn’t think it the way they have played with the ball today.
They need to work on defensive side still but more experience and they will grow again.
🙂
Mason is a terrible ref nearly as bad as Smith is a pundit “Cole was on the cover”….he would have been nowhere near if Benteke hadn’t been hacked.
Take it all back Ramires walks……. Double yellow
Chavs lose, and 3rd is in our own hands :-0
You do have to ROLF
The half time score proves the point that no games are easy when you play against relegation threatened teams.
GN5 you’re the one saying we will win the last two 🙂
GIE over here we have Ian Darke and Macca doing the commentary, they do a pretty good job, and they try to stay neutral with their comments.
It’s known as bravado, deep down I’m always nervous.
dial,
If you’re referring to AW you may have to wait until 2019/20.
Good Day folks and folkesses
GiE – I can imagine the gritted teeth as you were writing that one 🙂
Chavs will have a real go in the second half, even with 10 men so let’s not count our chickens yet.
Micky
Thanks for the earlier comment.
To be honest it’s duck, water, back. Not worth falling out with anyone over.
Right, second half – come on Villa!
Rocky,
No-one has a more slippery and waterproof back than me 🙂
Masons back being a twunt
Oh Dear 😦
Do two reds make it right?
Mason will have seen the Benteke elbow during HT so he would have been waiting for any opportunity to send him off.
Bollocks
Double bollocks
Fantastic support from the Villa supporters when the chavs scored
Villa are going for it.
The worry is that the Chavs have the quality when it comes to finishing.
Horrible feeling, Rocky, that Chelsea look the more likely to win.
(I think that Cahill/Ba effort looked in to me).
Mata looks one hell of a player. As does hazard. Bum!
Redders
I agree 😦
RA and Rocky
Glad I’m not sitting next to you two 🙂
Where I’m sitting, we’re preparing for a Villa winner!
Oh dear
I know who I’m blaming for that, and there are two of you!
Frigging lampard go AWAY
Lampard deserves that goal he has been a great player for Chelsea.
7 minutes of injury time so there’s still hope of a draw.
I’m not a doomer, Micky, I am a Kelsey. 🙂
That is to say …. I’m a realist! 🙂
Doesn’t change anything — if we are unable to beat Wigan and Newcastle then ……………..
Uh oh, the loony is back!
RA
For hard evidence of the sites’ biggest realist, look over at the Arsenal totals in the Didit Quiz 🙂
Exciting football match
Don’t bite RA, no-one can be that hungry
When you say ‘realist’ do you mean doomer, before I look? 🙂
See what you make of it 🙂
Anyone back for the Cup Final?
Ah well, let’s just win our next two…
MD89,
I will be back, but I have to pop out to fill my water bottles.
Blimey Gn5
Do you get your water straight from the lake up there in the wilds? 🙂
Well, Micky, he who does not have the courage of his convictions and ducks the quiz is clearly the biggest doomer/realist of all, so as he is conspicuous by his absence …………………… stand up ………… Micky Didit!! 😀
Or rather, Didn’t Do It 🙂
GN5,
Is that a colloquialism? With what are you filling those ‘water bottles’? 😀
Yes, sorry, Rocky, the Didit who didn’t done do it, of course!! 😀
You two were sitting in the Executive Seats with free booze, weren’t you 🙂
That sounds like Morse Code, Redders 🙂
I know who I’m blaming for the Chav win…..one man:
“mickydidit89 says:
May 11, 2013 at 1:32 pm (Edit)
Chavs lose, and 3rd is in our own hands :-0
You do have to ROLF”
Celebrating before the cork popped
GiE
I have the uncanny ability to find something in almost any situation to celebrate, and on this occasion….errr, back shortly!
Bloody Didit.
I watched until Benteke went off and then I knew AV would throw it away.
Brilliant 2nd half performance with 10 men. Horrible to watch but fair play to them.
Rocky,
Listen to me very carefully — I will say this only once!!
The Cantonese duck flies only at midnight.
My cat whistles a tune, but the rat is deaf.
The brunette is blond, take care, the brunette is blonde
There is a penguin farting at dawn.
The dog has eaten the Cantonese duck.
An orange is colored orange.
The deaf rat is mocking the blond cat in the sky.
The dirty Didit, didn’t done do it.
Morse code? No.
Silly boy!!
Ah!
Verse Code!
Well it’s not that bad,Rocky.
I’ll bet yours is verse than mine!
Rocky,
I have just received this code message from a fat bastard, and I need help decoding it.
L o
f u n e m,
o s v f m
f u n e x
o s v f x
o k m n x
f u n e t
s v f t
o k m n x n 1 t
What do you reckon?
Hmmm it’s a tough one Redders?
I haven’t got time to tackle it now as I have to pop out to buy four candles. Or was it fork ‘andles?
RA
Is the clue in the “1”?
Oooo and a “,”
RL. Fine cryptic response to RA’s teaser.
BR
I think my favourite Two Ronnie’s sketch is the Mastermind one, with Ronnie C’s specialist subject being “answering the question before last.”
Those two lads taught me everything I know about code! 🙂
Breakfast this time of the day Redders !.
Nobody has deciphered my post @ 2:46.
The above sketch probably only works if you lived in Britain in the ’70s and know all the people referred to!
I loved that vid, Rocky, thank you!! 🙂
Did you hear about Messi? It might explain the lacklustre play of Barca recently!!
Messi went out to a bar, and began flirting with a good looking woman.
She invited him back to her place, and soon went into the bathroom, telling Messi to get comfortable.
When she came back, she found Messi lying in bed with 2 other naked men.
She exclaimed, “What the hell is going on here?!”, to which Messi sheepishly replied;
“I’m sorry! I can’t perform without Xavi or Iniesta!”
I think a cyclist told me that one! 😀
I haven’t a clue, GN5. 😀
And I don’t know the answer to your ‘water bottles’ either.
Redders 🙂
Rocky, I am very familiar with both the donkey and the ass!
Actually the timing and the mock seriousness of the ‘interview’ is what makes it so funny. 🙂
Old one’s can still be good!
Sir Alex Fergusonwais curious how Arsène Wenger’s team went on such a magnificent unbeaten run, so he decided on a visit to Arsenal’s training ground to see how Wenger trains his players.
After one day he was not really impressed by the training practices, so he asked Wenger how he got his players so sharp. “Well, it is simple. I sometimes ask my players a difficult question, and that way they stay really sharp mentally”.
Of course Fergie wanted an example, so Wenger asked Thierry Henry to come over. He asked: “Henry, he is not your brother, but still he is your father’s son. Who is he?” “That is not difficult,” Henry answers immediately, “Of course that is me.”
“You see? That’s the way you keep them sharp,” Wenger said to Ferguson.
Fergie, who wanted his team to be the next “Invincibles”, decided to bring this into his training the next day. He called Ruud van Nistlerooy over. “Ruud, I have a question for you,” he says, “He is not your brother, but still he is your father’s son, who is he?”
“My God, Mr Ferguson,” was van Nistlerooy’s reply, “That is a tough one to answer, can I sleep on that overnight?” Ferguson agreed with the one-night postponement.
So that night Horseface decided to call Jaap Stam. He had been at Manchester United, so maybe he knew something about these questions. “Jaap, maybe you know the answer to this question: he is not your brother, but still he is your father’s son. Who is he?”
“That is easy, Ruud, that is me!” says Stam.
So the next day RvN walked, full of confidence, to Fergie.
Red Schnozz said; “Ruud, do you know the answer to my question now?” “Yes, it was actually very easy,” he says, “It is Jaap Stam?”
Ferguson answered, “Of course it’s not you stupid bastard. It’s Thierry Henry.”
🙂
Anyone watching the Cup Final?
Extra time would be good
Extra time and penalties going all the way to midday Tuesday !.
A devout Arab Muslim entered a black cab in London . He curtly asked the cabbie to turn off the radio because as decreed by his religious teaching, he must not listen to music because in the time of the prophet there was no music, especially Western music which is the music of the infidel.
The cab driver politely switched off the radio, stopped the cab and opened the door.
The Arab Muslim asked him, “What are you doing? ”
The cabbie answered, “In the time of the prophet there were no taxis, so p… off and wait for a camel!”
Extra time would be very good. Wigan are playing well but MC are in second gear.
BR
Wigan are playing well enough to make me nervous for Tuesday!
Oh my word …….. Wigan score a well deserved goal ……..
Damn. Another 3 minutes ….
Only attempt on target. It will be a hard game on Tuesday – confidence will be high
Wow!
Pleased for Martinez — worried for us!!
Well played Wigan, that’s a fantastic effort. And played City off the park, goes to show you underestimate any team at your peril, anyone who gets to play football at this level got there because they are winners.
Anyone doubt what Martinez could do with a bigger budget and better players? I still think he would be ideal to replace Arsene.
GIE. Martinez Everton bound? Or maybe even Chelsea!
2 finals for Clichy and Nasri…2 defeats….. says something, both were poor on big occasion today, Clichy was made to look very ordinary by a young wannabe.
Well played and well won Wigan. Hopefully they stay in the league, but not at Arsenal’s loss of points. I was hoping for extra-time, but I am thinking that the hangovers will surely play a part. Didn’t intend to watch the game but it sucked me in. FA Cup magic, eh!
Has there ever been a team that won a Cup and was relegated in the same season? 😦
Don’t think Everton is what he is waiting for….Chelsea a better shout but still think he would avoid did to uncertainty.
BR, No! Not yet!
A cup? At least two….Norwich and Birmingham (League Cup winners)
I thought Citeh had promised Pantelimon their 6’8″ Keeper that he would play today, as he had in every other round?
Suspect he would have reached the ball that won the Cup.
Pleased for Wigan and both Whelan and Martinez in particular. A good story and something to keep Wigan fans warm as they go away to Millwall
GIE. I know, I know…..
Someone will be quick to snap up Macmanaman, and someone will sign Maloney, terrific footballer but at 30 probably too old for us.
Feel a bit sorry for Caldwell today was clearly rested because of his injury and the final two league games.
Will Mancini be looking for a new job after the result?
I think Mancini will stay but what do I know? The fans love him which is important.
They lost today because hardly any of their superstars had a good game. Tevez, Nasri, Aguero, Yaya, Silva – all pants.
Back to the post. You are right – Pulis is by far the greatest manager the world has ever seen – or he will be if his Orcs pull off a victory tomorrow!
Watched the interview with Martinez on ESPN. Classy manager, class man. Even managed to give Paul Jewell recognition whilst on screen. I hope we beat them but bloody well done to them. Just goes to show – money isn’t everything.
If Pulis was at Man City or Chelsea would he win a Trophy
In terms of life money isn’t everything but in winning Trophies it’s everythings
Hopefully they have an almighty piss up tonight.
On balance I think it’s good they won the cup.
Dave Whelan may even think it’d be better to go down, get the parachute payment and have a promotion season next year.
The Cup win is the biggest thing in Wigan Athletic’s history and most of those players will never win another trophy at the top level.
It’ll be hard for them to come down to earth for another relegation fight on Tuesday.
I hope.
No team has ever won the FA cup and been relegated. They could still stay up even if we beat them 🙂
Fuck sake! I didt win the lottery either1 Villa would have got a result if benteke hadnt have been such a dick. maybe he’s already a chav player?
Or Rocky they’ll continue this Believe mantra.
Interesting in the extensive interview with Martinez post match he was asked about defending today vs defending midweek against Swansea….he answered along the lines of “we played with fear against Swansea, 8 players in the box, 3 of there’s and we conceded”.
When he talks about the game he is as much about the mindset as he is about the tactics. And listening to him talk and seeing the way he conducts himself I really think he would be a great replacement for Arsene whenever Arsene hangs up the sleeping bag.
His players clearly love playing for him, and he has proven himself to be more loyal than most to his club and chairman.
I like Martinez, he is honest and respectful and decent, so clearly not destined for big things in the modern era! But no , no and thrice NO…. Not for Arsenal! His idea of defending would make even AW weep! 🙂
The good thing about Wigan winning the cup is that there is now no doubt, no confusion and no accidental complacency — we must win.
True LB….very true.
I think we all know how Wigan can play, in fact due to the way they play they have more chance of beating top sides rather than the more industrial teams in the PL.
We need to be on our guard.
Loved Watson in post match interview about the goal.
“Well I knew he was tired and wouldn’t be able to reach so I gambled near post”. 🙂
Wigan were, as we all know, under-dogs to the extreme this, as Martinez said, allowed them to play without fear –Tuesday will be different — they are not out of the relegation woods yet and they will be very wary of that fact.
COYRRG
Morning All,
Are trophies “everythings” Not in my world.
Today I become an Orc. Need to get a massive beer gut and have a lobotomy.
Back soon.
LB they were in a similar position last year when they came to our place, anyone who was there knows they had no fear then either.
Just like the Cup Final Martinez will impose a diet of “they’ve written us off, we’re down, just go and play” and we will have to be on our guard. Gibbs will have to be on his game, their 3-4-3 is an interesting formation, we should be able to boss centre midfield but we will have to be very wary on the flanks, we did good defensive wide midfielders, I wouldn’t be averse to seeing Gerv and Ox wide, or even Gibbs and Gerv. And we must must must press in their half.
GIE. I would play Monreal as I think he is the more disciplined defender. Especially given Podolski is likely to play central striker and a defensively weaker Cazorla or Rosicky will go left.
Rasp. Don’t publish yet – I will write a hasty post.
Morning all,
Blimey, it’s only Wigan we’re talking about 🙂
I think we’ll spank them.
Ok, so Podolski as striker does worry me.
I remember standing behind the goal at WHL, and being slightly surprised when GG brought on Spider O’Leary and played him as striker.
Verm? 🙂
GM
At last, another “realist” 🙂
You rang my Lord
Morning
Listen to me.We will see Spurs lose or at best draw with a late Bale strike,then we will beat Wigan and the last game won’t matter.
Wigan are fighting relegation for a reason. Because they’re shit.
Kelsey
Nice to hear from you, especially with your new bushy tail 🙂
Have you emigrated yet?
Morning Micky
yes can’t wait to leave again if the truth be told.
Isn’t Kelsey an Immigrant?
3 house moves in 3 weeks is enough for anyone
Bolloxs baldy 🙂
Kelsey
You have officially forfeited your title as site Doomer. It’s now worn by Raddy, Rocky, RA and LB. In fact anyone who thinks Wigan, or anyone else for that matter, are anything but pants.
3 house moves in 3 weeks
Fussy are we?
Micky,
she who must be obeyed has her own ideas, I am now officially a landlord
Is this one permanent?
Morning all
I’m with Micky ……… Wigan???? They may be bushy tailed for half an hour but after the shift they put in yesterday I’m pretty certain we will prevail.
Raddy – have you finished writing a quicky?
kelsey – the change of air must be doing you some good 😉
Peaches. Yes. Poor Quality but better than nowt.
OK, found it
New Post ……………………..
Well, you forget to mention the luck you have had. Your 3 potential banana skin games have all been nullified.
You played Man U just after they had won the league, then QPR who were no longer fighting to stay up as they were relegated, and now will face Wigan after they have 2 days rest from a draining Wembley final.
So, don’t really moan about Man U not fielding a strong team v Chelsea as it affected Spurs too.
Also, Stoke treated the game today like their cup Final.
Well, what a comedown for Arsenal fans who so vociferously stated that Spurs were irrelevant now seem to think finishing a point or two above Spurs is success.
Hopefully food poisoning or a dodgy keeper has no part in it this time eh?