Mirrored: 23rd of January 2012, 07:10 Original: goonerholic.com Views: 72 Settings: Loading the mirror...
* Home * About * Behind The Arse * PopuHolics * _____________________ [ Search ] Updated Android app in the sidebar Feed on Posts Comments Mixed Feelings On A Significant Afternoon Jan 23rd, 2012 by 'holic I haven't had the benefit of watching any reruns, either of the game, or of the key incidents. I have walked in the door, just, and am trying to make sense of about as mixed a day as I have experienced at the Arsenal for a long, long time. It started well. I arrived early, was bought a pint of breakfast by Akhil from Hounslow, and my phone was buzzing with news that Thomas Vermaelen and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were in the starting line-up. That news spread fast, and spirits were lifted. The first half was a fascinating watch from close quarters. There is something about the pace with which United counter attack that reminds me of earlier incarnations of Wengerball. We prefer with our current team to weave pretty patterns with precision and deliberation. In truth, we are a little too slow in execution, and against the better sides that costs us more often than not. Having said that we looked to have held our own. We had survived numerous scares down our right flank where Johan Djourou looked horribly exposed, and were unlucky not to have something to show for some bright moments by Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott. Then as the opening half drew to a close we were exposed once more down that flank. Giggs cross was converted by Valencia. The half-time substitution of Yennaris for Djourou was unfortunate, but felt necessary. Ironically young Nico Yennaris appeared to win the battle with Messrs Evra and Nani, and United switched the focus of their breakaways to our left side, where Thomas Vermaelen was, frankly, struggling. Not a surprise I would imagine, given the hurried nature of his comeback. At the other end though we remained a threat. Robin van Persie contrived to miss the target after Rosicky put one on a plate for him. There followed an astonishing passage of play that started with Park and Arshavin arriving on the touchline fully tooled up and ready to make an entrance. That merely served to prompt a more important and telling reaction, particularly from Oxlade-Chamberlain. The young attacker set up his skipper for the equaliser, which frankly was no more than Arsenal deserved. The subs were sent back to the bench, but only for a minute or two. When Arshavin was again summoned just a couple of minutes later, and Oxlade-Chamberlain was called off, a vociferous cross-section of the home support let Arsene know they were not in favour. Some have mentioned booing since, and for what it is worth I cannot deny that happened. I still believe the jeers were for the departure of a lively left winger, and not for the oncoming substitute. However Andrey contributed to the winner, sadly netted by Welbeck rather than one of his red shirted team-mates. The final whistle prompted scenes the like of which we could definitely avoid. The abuse dished out, particularly to Theo, was a real eye-opener. Perspective will never be attained at the final whistle of any match. I hope and pray that most have had time to digest what really happened this afternoon, and all are now chilled. Having said that, I hope Arsene and the board will consider carefully what is happening to our challenge for a Champions League place, and concur that some degree of change in the playing staff would not necessarily be a bad thing. It is to be hoped that we will see some relaxing of the purse strings before we face Villa in next week's fourth round FA Cup tie. I accept that spending money for the sake of it is not the be all and end all for us, but non activity looks likely to cost us dearly. If the club reaches the end of the window without attempting to address what growing numbers consider to be an essential strengthening of the squad, then I dread what the atmosphere could become. Let's do what is right for the future of this Football Club, please. Posted in match review | 39 Drinks >> We Want Nine Jan 21st, 2012 by 'holic ...pints that is. What did you think I meant? The anticipation of the visit of Manchester United, if we are being honest, has always incorporated varying degrees of trepidation. Generally the first two Wenger incarnations at Arsenal gave as good as they got, but in recent years we have mixed gallant wins with some crushing defeats, and none more so than the 8-2 ripping we got at Old Trafford earlier in the season. Now freakish though that was it is worth noting that we went into the game with regular, although inexperienced full-backs. Carl Jenkinson had a Premier league debut to forget when he picked up two yellow cards. At least he redeemed himself later before going in the fetlock. For Armand Traore on the other flank it was his Arsenal swansong. Few tears were shed at his departure to Loftus Road just 48 hours later. It is therefore just a little worrying to be going into this game without any full-backs, particularly as that fact has contributed massively to us being pointless in 2012. The prospect of Valencia and Nani running at us from out wide is a concern, although it will be interesting to see if Park too is included from the start. The saving grace may be that United are possibly the only side in the top flight who come anywhere near our injury list. Vidic out and Ferdinand doubtful perhaps suggests rich pickings could fall the way of Robin van Persie. Fletcher has usually saved his best form for matches against us but is another long-term absentee. The defensive shortages of late though are eased with Evans, Smalling, Jones, Evra and Rafael back in the squad. We are not likely to be too different from the side beaten at Swansea. Thomas Vermaelen is not likely to be fit to return, and a fitness test will decide if Thierry Henry is able to take a place on the bench from which he could be summoned to score one more vital goal against a side he usually enjoyed playing against. Get the feeling we are up against it? Too right we are, and that hopefully will be our saving grace. Only last season I previewed the corresponding fixture thus... How on earth do I decide the destination of the `holic pound. No sensible punter will be on us for this one, and even a draw would be a measure of progress against a side who currently have a hold over us. Aaron Ramsey scored the only goal of that game. A young side missing Vermaelen and Fabregas knuckled down and played the way they have been coached to play. They disregarded the quality of the opposition and expressed themselves. That has to be the blueprint to follow again this weekend. Aaron Ramsey again will be a key figure, but he will need those around to show for the ball and be positive with it. There will be no excuse for him not noticing Theo Walcott, who hopefully is emerging from a brief slump in form and will be looking to add to his goal at Swansea. Theo is amongst the players who will be sporting Nike boots embroidered with "#makeitcount", and the active tweeters amongst them will also have their Twitter handle stitched into their footwear. The `holic pound has been the cause of much head-scratching I must confess. Fancy an Arsenal win? Any win? Then you need to get to Gunners Gaming, who offer an astonishing 17/6 (Yes, nearly 3/1) against the home win. I have looked for a little more of a return that that, and have grabbed a piece of the 23/4 they offer against a draw at half-time and Arsenal to win at ninety minutes. Obviously anything could happen, but here's hoping we knuckle down and produce another performance. I'll be seeing a few of you there, and to my neighbours can I offer my apologies in advance. I do get just a little bit wrapped up in our games, and United is one of those that really gets the adrenalin running. Well, adrenalin and Guinness topped up with a bit of malt, obviously. It will be good to exchange views with that nice Mr Ferguson again. Have a good one `holics, and don't forget to enter the competition to win a Thierry Henry tee from Gooner Shirts. Cheers. Posted in match preview | 346 Drinks >> Titi Tee Competeetion With Gooner Shirts Jan 20th, 2012 by 'holic Welcome to the Friday before Manchester United at home. I'll turn my attention to that tomorrow, if you don't mind. We need lifting. I can't help everybody, but I can help a couple of you, and yes, that could well be you. Yes, you. Now how do you fancy winning what is to be the latest offering from Gooner Shirts ? What? Who is it? Ah, sorry. Only one subject right now, surely. How would this look on the front of a teeshirt, do you reckon? Now that looks amazing to me. I have to say I fancy something on the back might improve it though. What? It has! Oh yes, now that is class. Now one extremely lucky `holic will be among the first proud owners of that particular tee. It doesn't stop there however. Second out of the hat will cop another new design. How good is that? The shirts come in a variety of sizes as follows... Small - 34-36 inches chest Medium - 38-40 Large - 42-44 XL - 46-48 Now to be in with a chance of winning I am going to ask you to tell me this. In what we thought was Thierry's last season at Arsenal he started just sixteen Premier League fixtures. How many Premiership goals did he score? Was it... a) 4 b) 8 c) 10 Send your answers, your preferred shirt size, and your postal address, to competition@goonerholic.com to arrive no later than 12 mid-day GMT on Monday, that's the 23rd January. I will announce the winners on Monday evening. The competition is open to non-UK residents. Thanks to Gooner Shirts for that. Come back on Saturday evening for the preview of Sunday's match, and the prediction for the `holic pound. If you have any firm convictions yourself I may take guidance this weekend. Leave your thoughts in the drinks that follow this piece and I may well use your tip this weekend. Right now I don't know that i am confident in any outcome. Help me out! Cheers `holics, and good luck. Posted in competitions | 260 Drinks >> Going Over Old Ground Jan 18th, 2012 by 'holic A strange week is this. A pretty widespread post-mortem has been taking place and that is understandable given our last two Premier League results. I must firstly thank all who have contributed to a most enjoyable debate in the drinks. The arguments have taken a more acidic turn in some other places, and again that is not entirely unexpected. I think most angles have been covered, so all I am going to add at this juncture is that I don't think there is a massive disagreement that we should be looking to maximise our chances of a Champions League qualifying berth, and few seem to argue that to give ourselves the best chance of achieving that requires some degree of turnover of playing staff in the next thirteen days. Can we persuade clubs to take our `disposable assets', for that is what our out-of-favour players are? Are there players available out there of sufficient quality who are available for us to recruit and who want to come to us? I see names bandied around but I haven't seen a quality left-back move anywhere yet, nor any of the goalscorers we were linked with. In fact the market at the top end has only really kicked off this week with the transfers of Cahill and Cisse. Am I as sceptical as some who take Arsene at face value when he says we will not be buying in January? Probably not. I have no doubt if the pieces fell into place we would see movement. How many times do you have to be told how close to our chest we hold our cards at times like this. I will accept though it would be unfortunate were we not to act in this window should the opportunity present itself. May The Fourth Not Be With Us I will repeat one of my concerns. People continue to talk of fourth place as an achievement this season given all that has happened, and it would, but I don't want us to be outside the top three automatic qualifying places in a year when the Euros will deplete our squad come the time of the qualifying round at the start of next season. Anybody care to recall our inability to seal any deals until we knew the outcome of this year's qualifier with Udinese a week before the window closed, and what happened to us in the Premier League as a result? The Daily Star Ate My Hamster I am staggered in the extreme that two sentences from the Chairman have been turned into a back page that has provoked such hysterical reaction. The timing of their publication is quite interesting, given that I am pretty sure that those words were uttered a year or three back now. I'm surprised so many intelligent people appear to have opened wide and swallowed that. *Ducks for cover* Posted in comment | 304 Drinks >> Heart On Sleeve Time, Let's Do Something Positive Jan 15th, 2012 by 'holic In a week where I have written elsewhere about the Arsenal side of the sixties I am reminded once again that in life all things are cyclical. I am supporting that side once again. First things first. What a match that was. Hard, I realise for some to understand, so important it is that ill-considered bile and venom is spewed out to a confrontational audience in cyberspace. I have to start by saying well played Swansea, and what a fabulous change it was to come up against a side so determined to play the game the way we want to. The home side won the points for a number of reasons. They had the lions share of the possession, not us. They pressed hard all over the park, so did we, with one notable exception. They looked capable of creating and scoring on a number of occasions, as did we. They had the benefit of an outrageous penalty decision when Dyer, fortunate not to cause Aaron Ramsey, of all people, serious injury with an over-the-top challenge on his shin, threw himself to the floor and brought another poor decision from a referee. Let me emphasise again, as some people are incapable of reading what is said. Refereeing incompetence is a problem for every team in the Premiership. The current crop of top-flight officials are the worst I have seen in nearly half a century, but in their defence I cannot understand why the governing bodies deny them the technological assistance that is surely inevitable. Only a host of further piss-poor performances from officials unable to keep pace with modern athletes trained to take advantage of their incompetence will prompt what is unavoidable. Now, although Michael Oliver's hallucination undoubtedly had a bearing on the outcome, the points were earned by the home side because they had more players on form today than the Arsenal. We had one of our first choice back four playing, and his little sleep-in for the winning goal apart, I thought Laurent Koscielny once again showed what a massive player he has become. A word too for Djourou, much-maligned sometimes, but he did a lot of really good work covering inside as the BFG had a day to forget. Credit the Swiss too for the ball of the match to create our second goal. Our midfield trio too was stripped of two sure starters. We missed Arteta hugely. Benayoun is not a direct replacement and that meant Ramsey sitting a little more than he is used to, or comfortable with. Up front I thought we were in with a shout of salvaging something throughout. At points all three did something. Arshavin's pass to the skipper for the opener was what we expect to see more of. Along with, of course, a little more dedication to getting the ball back when we don't have it. Poor Miquel was left badly exposed too often in the left-back berth. Then there is Theo. As consistent as I have seen up until the end of the year, but now lacking something in this last month. Is it confidence? Is it desire? Let us hope the goal will give him a lift and there is more of the same to come. I have to point out that a tweet of mine seems to have been entirely misunderstood this afternoon. As Swansea fans heckled Theo I wrote... `Swansea fans singing "You're just a shit, Nathan Dyer". I concur entirely. Should be off.' I should have realised that at a time of tension people don't take time to notice the subtle nuances of punctuation. I still maintain the cheat Dyer is a shit. I was not joining the vitriolic reaction to someone who needs a lift. It was written in the stars that they should both score the second goal for their side. I'll close by saying once again, not that some will read it and understand. Well played Swansea. You were the better side on the day, and on that basis have earned the three points you have won. As for Arsenal, in Shenley and Highbury House this week I hope options are being considered to address obvious weaknesses. Some of us understand that our quotas are currently full, and it will be difficult to offload some well-paid underperformers who might create spaces for the two or three players I suspect we could do with if we are not to suffer in the second-half of this season as we did last term. Those who are fit at the moment have come up short in the last two eminently winnable away games. We need reinforcements. Hoping players come back from long-term injury and make an immediate impact is too much of a gamble for a club of our size and resources to be taking. Calmly, and with no threat of sanctioning available to me, for I will be there win, lose, or draw, rain or shine, I am asking. Please spend some money. It is no guarantee, I know. But if we don't do something positive to address the situation I fear you may leave yourself open to the acidity of the aggrieved at the season's end. None of us really wants that. Do we? Posted in match review | 366 Drinks >> Can Arsenal Clip Swans Wings? Jan 14th, 2012 by 'holic Decisions, decisions, decisions. The press conference chat of late decisions being made on Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky due to sickness will prompt quite different reactions in each case, I'm sure. While Tomas would be regarded a `nice to have if he is fully fit' option, it is probably fair to say that large numbers would prefer the BFG at ninety percent to the potential alternative. Defensively we face what on paper looks a stiffer challenge than we did at Craven Cottage on our last awayday, and we need to cast that performance firmly into the background with a statement of intent here. The fact that our friends and neighbours have been `Frimpong'ed' this afternoon presents us with an opportunity to close the gap on them as they head into a very difficult series of away fixtures. Personally I am more concerned that we make the most of the eighteen fixtures we have than how badly they might fare in the coming weeks. We cannot control what they do, only how well we perform. Swansea have won friends aplenty for the quality of their football this season. Much has been made of the amount of possession that they have enjoyed, particularly at home. It is compulsory for all bloggers, pundits, and commentators to mention the fact that they have lost just once at home this season. Perhaps I should mention that after us they also have to play Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle in front of their own support. Of the top seven they have hosted Manchester United (0-1) and Tottenham (1-1). Of course we have already experienced their quality at the Grove this season, when a solitary Andrey Arshavin strike secured the points by the narrowest of margins. I'm thinking we will have a back four of Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, and Miquel in front of Szczesny. They will have their hands full if Nathan Dyer repeats his form of late. The midfield will also need to get the crisp passing that could give us the edge going quickly. I see Ramsey starting ahead of Song and Arteta. Up front there will not be a start for Thierry, destined to be our `impact deity` according to the excellent Arsenal Gent on Twitter. Arshavin will start left of van Persie, I would think, with Walcott likely to get the nod over Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right. The `holic pound must be pointed at something similarly tight. I'll stick with a single goal margin, but punt on a 1-2 away win. Shop around for sevens or eights on that outcome. Gunners Gaming have a tasty looking 7/2 against a draw at half-time and Arsenal to win after ninety minutes, and I will certainly have a piece of that as a back-up to the main pound. Now I know our allocation isn't huge but I know a number of the travelling Gooners are enjoying Welsh hospitality tonight and I hope you enjoy your weekend. I have no doubt that even a restricted travelling contingent will make for a terrific atmosphere. I have seen comments to the effect that the Cardiff to Swansea part of the journey will be a bus replacement service if you are travelling with First Great Western, so make sure you leave in plenty of time if that is your chosen mode of transport. Have a great Sunday, `holics. Posted in match preview | 237 Drinks >> The Finest Goalkeeper I Can't Remember Jan 12th, 2012 by 'holic So, next up it will be Swansea City, or Swansea Town as I first remember them. Every time I see the name of the place I am reminded of one of the finest goalkeepers, `holicdad argued the finest, ever to play for Arsenal. You see Swansea was the birthplace of Jack Kelsey, and Gooners of my vintage and older will be only too pleased to sit and talk to you about this legend of a man. I say Gooners of my vintage. Although I was certainly in attendance for a number of appearances by him, I was too young to remember him as a player. My personal recollections of him are as the manager of the first Arsenal shop behind the Clock End in Avenell Road. In a piece of mine published by the excellent Arsenal Collective I have described how `holicdad and I would always pop into the club shop for a quick chat with Jack. He always had time to talk with supporters who still clearly looked up to him even when injury had long since ended his playing career. Jack signed for Arsenal as a twenty year old in 1949 from the Swansea & District League side, Winch Wen. No, that probably wouldn't happen today. It was February 1951 before Jack got the chance to deputise for George Swindin, destined to become the club's manager just seven years later when the Welshman had established himself firmly as Arsenal and Wales number one. Two years later Jack collected a League championship medal making 29 appearances as he shared the goalkeeping duties with his predecessor. Thereafter he was between the posts as an automatic choice other than during periods of injury, and there were some of those. He was fearless, I'm told, when putting his body on the line to confront oncoming forwards, and was known for the sort of head first diving challenge perfected by Bob Wilson in the sixties and seventies. A broken arm sustained against Sheffield United in the 1959 FA Cup meant he finished the match on the left wing (for there were no substitutes in those days) and missed a number of matches as a result. Jack's Welsh debut came in 1954, and he was the custodian when they made their only appearance in the finals of the World Cup in 1958. They were toppled by eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-final (see the video here) only when the seventeen year old Pele had an opportunist effort take a massive deflection for the only goal of the game. See below one other occasion when the seventeen year old destined to become the world's best was denied by our man. Jack's career was destined to end prematurely, ironically against Brazil, as a result of his courage. Bob Wall, the secretary then director first known by supporters as Mr Arsenal, tells the story in his 1971 book, `Arsenal From The Heart'. Jack, incidentally, was one of Britain's finest goalkeepers and gave Arsenal, his only professional club, wonderful service for 13 years until he injured his back playing for Wales in Sao Paulo, South America, in the summer of 1962. After months of painful treatment, including six weeks with his body in a wire cage, Jack learned that his career was at an end. That brave challenge on the striker Vava denied new Arsenal manager Billy Wright his first-choice goalkeeper, and in truth Arsenal didn't find a proper replacement until Bob Wilson established himself after an FA Cup defeat against Birmingham City in 1968. Jack was employed by the club first as promoter for the Improvement Society, then when the first club shop opened in their office he was a natural choice to head the project. A magnet for potential customers in the days before slick marketing and superstores existed. Jack sadly passed away in 1992, just 62 years of age. I remember chatting with `holicdad when it happened. Then, as many times before, he insisted that Jack was the best goalkeeper we ever had, and I wish I could remember watching him, even once. His command of the area was legendary, his bravery undoubted. I'll never forget those brief chats in that tiny shop though. "What do you reckon about today then, Jack?" "We'll be ok, son, I reckon." And a starry-eyed lad always believed him. Posted in history | 242 Drinks >> Titi Breaks Five Year Scoring Drought For Arsenal! Jan 10th, 2012 by 'holic You will be used to me doing unorthodox match reports. Well, they're not reports are they. Call them impressions of what was going on around me if you will. Tonight left a very special impression on me, for more than one reason. It started, surprisingly given the delayed train from home, with an early drink in the Tollie. It was quiet at four, but slowly the thirsty arrived. What had threatened to be a niggly day was actually becoming very enjoyable. Off to the ground to meet with the good people from Gunners Gaming, and good people they were indeed, although thankfully they didn't take any more money off me after the `holic pound had been lodged the previous evening. It was duly lost, of course, but in the most glorious of circumstances. I also had the good fortune to hook up with a couple of Daves from Arsenal Addict (aren't all Arsenal addicts called Dave?) and Martin, an old friend from Goonblog. I have to say thanks at this point to whoever at the club was responsible for my birthday present. Well, perhaps I should say my first birthday present, given the drama that was about to unfold. The first-half was probably no different from where I was to what was being witnessed elsewhere in the ground, or on television, or on a stream with a Rumanian commentator. To say we were a little frustrating barely captures the mood. Although we started brightly clear-cut chances were few and far between, then came the inevitable injury to the stand-in full back. Francis Coquelin, who we may have needed in midfield in the coming weeks, having sent Frimpong out on loan, was replaced by young Nico Yennaris. The second-half was destined to produce a moment that will live long in the memory. It was a `look at that, just look at that' moment, an `it's up for grabs now' moment, a `would you believe it' moment. I was there the night Thierry Henry returned and scored the only goal of the game. If you want to know who went close, who just missed, who shanked one, then you'll find all of that elsewhere. For now, all I can sense is the astonishing feeling that even the Leeds fans experienced when that goal went in. As I walked back to Holloway Road after the game I became aware of a conversation in a thick Yorkshire accent behind me. "You just fooking knew he would do it, didn't yer. Can't argue with that. He is class at the end of the day" Fair play to you fella. Fair play to your team too. For the second consecutive year Leeds came to the Grove and worked their socks off, but they were as ravaged by injuries as us. At the end of the day our squad side beat their squad side, and that is how it should work, but they contributed to a fascinating evening. A thoroughly enjoyable evening, in fact. Posted in match review | 430 Drinks >> One Year On, Have We Learned The Lesson Of Leeds Jan 8th, 2012 by 'holic A year and a day after Arsenal came within a last minute penalty of going out of the FA Cup 3rd round against Leeds United we have a reprise at the Grove. Hopefully Arsene will have learned the lesson from last year and will not make unnecessary wholesale changes, although it has to be said that the visitors too will be far from full strength due to their own injury situation. Reports that Robin van Persie has been taking a break in Dubai are not a surprise. If anybody should be recharging his batteries right now it is the skipper. We are about to discover, I hope, that we are not the easily-labelled one man team. I personally would also allow Mikel Arteta a breather if he, or the training staff, feel that he needs it. Other than those two I would put the best side we have standing out. I have this nagging little doubt on that score, however. In goal I would retain Wojciech Szczesny because frankly Manuel Almunia would have nothing to gain from being selected. Ahead of him the suspension of Johan Djourou, added to the injuries to Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Keiran Gibbs, and Carl Jenkinson, leaves us looking threadbare in the extreme. For me Francis Coquelin should drop into right-back, young central defender Ignasi Miquel should start on the left, and the spine of Laurent Koscielny and the BFG should be retained. Squillaci, like Almunia, would be best left out of the firing line. Having said that Jamie from Young Guns has tweeted this evening that Nico Yennaris, a young full-back who played in the 2-1 Carling Cup win over Bolton, trained with the Arsenal first-team today. If Nico starts at right back that suggests Coquelin could be anchoring the midfield, hopefully alongside and not instead of Alex Song, with Yossi Benayoun or Tomas Rosicky starting alongside them. Theo Walcott has been off the boil of late, and that could mean a start for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. I would welcome that as long as the England winger is ready to come off the bench if required. Marouane Chamakh should get the nod to replace the skipper up top, otherwise why would we have requested his delayed departure to the African Cup of Nations? Andrey Arshavin is the obvious candidate to replace the already-departed Gervinho on the left. What? Who? Oh him! Yes, I expect Thierry Henry to be on the bench, a likely second-half introduction behind Chamakh or replacing Arshavin on the left for me. Then listen to the roof coming off. It will be great to see an invincible back in the red and white, especially this particular invincible. Good luck Titi. The visitors did much last season to repair the image of the Yorkshire club with older Gooners. They played some very good football after Howson and Snodgrass, in particular, had earned them that right. In the replay too they played their part in a thoroughly entertaining game. I'm breathing a sigh of relief that both of those players are on the injury list I mentioned earlier. They will not lack motivation though. Michael Brown is an old adversary who is likely to start in midfield, while on-loan Tottenham winger Andros Townsend should also play. On the assumption that something close to my team plays I am looking at 3-1 to Arsenal as the `holic pound. Gunners Gaming, my hosts for the match, offer 10/1 against that scoreline. I wonder if I can get a price for that and Michael Brown getting booked? If we do go with a weaker line-up Leeds fans I'm sure will look carefully at the 11/1 against they are quoted by Victor Chandler. In a two horse race that is some value. The added incentive for both clubs arrived in the shape of the fourth round draw. Anybody at home is a bonus, and I think Aston Villa is a good one for us, should we progress, on the basis of `better the devil you know'. Unfortunately for the television executives we don't have any history of racist abuse with Villa, so a couple of the other games will be preferred for prime-time viewing. Monday night again, anybody? Posted in match preview | 342 Drinks >> The Return Of The Prodigal Son Will Lift The Family Jan 6th, 2012 by 'holic I've been trying to recall the first time I clapped eyes on Thierry Henry in the flesh. I have had to do some serious thinking, and have settled for his cameo appearance as substitute when we got beaten by Barcelona at Wembley in the Champions League on the 19th October, 1999. It is indicative of the fact that the start of his first association with Arsenal was not anticipated with as much fervour as the start of his second. I'm staggered to recall it was probably that Christmas when I first saw him score, against Leeds United at Highbury. Omen or what? How strange then that his return, by his own admission as a squad player who is hoping to get an outing or two off the bench, has got so many people so excited. I don't normally do midweek fixtures because of the tight timescales involved in getting back in time for the last train home, but I am delighted to have accepted an invitation a couple of weeks back to attend Monday's meeting, ironically with Leeds again, given the certainty of an incredible atmosphere to welcome home one of our favourite sons. I am duly cautioned by the carefully chosen words of the manager and his ultimate creation. As Arsene said, "Everybody is happy that he has joined the team. We should not put too much emphasis on that...We have a good spirit in the side and he will add something more, experience-wise, and on the nerves side as well, when we are under pressure." I get the message. He is not coming back as the main man. He is giving us valuable and experienced cover while Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are away at the African Nations Cup. Thierry himself spoke, "I'm coming here to help...I am not here to be a hero and people do have to understand that. The boss has a team here that are in a good position compared to what happened at the beginning. I'm here to help the boss and the guys that need me." I can't help but feel though that a hero is what some people are expecting the man to be. For me though, I believe his value lies in the impact he will have on the support. When he is warming up the crowd will come to life, when he strips off and makes his way from the bench to the pitch the crowd will come to life, when first he touches the ball, in whatever match he plays, the crowd will come to life. That surely will be a huge lift for all in the red and white. Thierry, you owe us nothing, but I suspect you will leave us this time around with something. We didn't get the chance last time to say a proper goodbye. This time around we will. That is weeks away, however. Have fun, and share your experiences with a side that is possibly on the brink of surprising its fiercest critics. Let's hope so. And Arsene, lovely though it is to have Thierry back, we could also do with a couple of shrewd trades in order to strengthen our obvious weak spots. Two out, and a defender and goalscorer in would help to get us through squeaky bum time with at very least our Champions League berth intact. This side has persuaded me to hope for more, but they will need help. Let's go for it. Have a great weekend, `holics. Posted in comment | 190 Drinks >> Older Posts >> * Welcome Profile Updated Android app in the sidebar There are 1,085 Posts and 79,967 Drinks so far. Please feel free to use the tabs at the top of the page, or the links in the sidebar, to navigate around the site. As featured on NewsNow: Arsenal FC newsArsenal News 24/7 Arsenal charity of the season Arsenal charity of the season * [EMBED] * Archives * January 2012 (14) * December 2011 (16) * November 2011 (17) * October 2011 (18) * September 2011 (18) * August 2011 (18) * July 2011 (15) * June 2011 (14) * May 2011 (14) * April 2011 (19) * March 2011 (16) * February 2011 (15) * January 2011 (18) * December 2010 (17) * November 2010 (19) * October 2010 (17) * September 2010 (19) * August 2010 (18) * July 2010 (14) * June 2010 (14) * May 2010 (14) * April 2010 (18) * March 2010 (19) * February 2010 (16) * January 2010 (18) * December 2009 (19) * November 2009 (14) * October 2009 (15) * September 2009 (14) * August 2009 (14) * July 2009 (10) * June 2009 (6) * May 2009 (14) * April 2009 (18) * March 2009 (14) * February 2009 (12) * January 2009 (13) * December 2008 (17) * November 2008 (18) * October 2008 (15) * September 2008 (19) * August 2008 (19) * July 2008 (12) * June 2008 (9) * May 2008 (14) * April 2008 (17) * March 2008 (21) * February 2008 (21) * January 2008 (21) * December 2007 (15) * November 2007 (16) * October 2007 (24) * September 2007 (18) * August 2007 (14) * July 2007 (11) * June 2007 (12) * May 2007 (17) * April 2007 (23) * March 2007 (23) * February 2007 (23) * January 2007 (25) * December 2006 (21) * November 2006 (26) * October 2006 (24) * September 2006 (12) IFrame * Categories * book reviews (5) * comment (303) * competitions (6) * history (54) * match preview (307) * match review (355) * tongue in cheek (50) * Uncategorized (2) * video (6) * Pages * About * Behind The Arse * PopuHolics * Links * Goonerholinks * A Cultured Left Foot * Arse2mouse * Arseblog * Arsenal Arsenal * Arsenal Cartoons * Arsenal FC * Arsenal FC Blog * Arsenal Latest * Arsenal On This Day * Arsenal Talk * Arsenal Vision * Arsenal World * Arsenal-Land * Arsenalinsider * Arsenalist * Arseweb * East Lower * Gingers For Limpar * Goodplaya * Goonblog * Gooner's Diary * Gunnerblog * Indesit Genuine Football Fan * Real Social Dad * The Beautiful Groan * The Cannon * The Online Gooner * Untold Arsenal * Vital Arsenal * Wrighty 7 * Young Guns * Other * ....and everyones a DJ * Blazing Saddle * Chancing My Arm * Diamond Geezer * djcaricatures * eh10 photography * Fionn Reilly photographer * Football Farrago * Ian Stone * Indesit Football on Twitter * James Kent photographer * Loft And Lost * Perfect Sounds * Scaryduck * Siren * So Natasha Says * The Celtic Blog * The Clash Blog * The Swiss Ramble * Twenty Major * We Are Social * * Thanks * WordPress Arsenal News Arsenal News Arsenal News Follow TheGoonerholic on Twitter Arsenal News http://labs.ebuzzing.co.uk Site Meter (c) 2012 All Rights Reserved. MistyLook made free by Web Hosting Bluebook