Arsenal players will today wear The Royal British Legion’s poppy on their shirt as a mark or respect for the lives lost in war. Men, women and animals who fought so that we can live as we do today. A poppy wreath will be laid, The Last Post played and then a minutes silence will fall.
During The Great War, Arsenal lost eight players; Spencer Bassett, Albert Beney, John Flanagan, James Maxwell, Charles Randall, Robert Houston, Joseph Dines and Dick Roose. We’re too young to remember them at Arsenal, but the club will never forget them. Just as some of us will never forget how both World Wars and others since, have taken loved ones from us far too early.
The players shirts will be auctioned with the proceeds going to charity. The Royal British Legion.
Morning all.
I don’t know the life history of the players involved in today’s match but if any war has inflicted a loss on them, how on earth do they ‘switch off’ from rememberance to then get stuck into a football match? Must be difficult although sadly, they must be used to it.
Arsenal are up against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a newly promoted side from the Championship in the summer who are doing rather well. They’re certainly this seasons surprise package. Along with Bournemouth I’d say.
Nuno Espírito Santo, a new face on the block in the Premier League. He’s been Wolves manager since May 2017 and guided his team to promotion with ease lasteason. They were crowned champions of the Championship with two games to spare. He might be relatively new to England but as a player he’s been around a bit and he’s managed at both Valencia and Porto.
Wolves have already held both Manchester clubs to a draw, they’ve beaten the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Burnley and only last weekend, nearly pulled off a surprise comeback against Totts having gone 3-0 down at home. Wolves had had a perfectly good goal wrongly ruled out for offside in the first half too which may have made a big difference to the result had it stood. They’ve been stuttering a bit of late though as performances have dipped and ahead of today’s match, Nuno has said a clean sheet together with an improved performance is what matters most.
In other words, Arsenal need to prepare for a resolute and dogged defence. Looking at their squad, the only names which jump out at me is Adama Traoré and the experienced Joao Moutinho. Not that that means much as Wolves have clearly got where they are today without the need of big name or big money signings. They appear to have the right manager and the right attitude which is half the battle won in my opinion.
I think we have the right manager and right attitude too and apart from the odd few like Aubameyang, Ozil, Lacazette etc, we’re not glittered with big name players. Yes, they’ve been around a while so they’re well known but they’re not what I would call World Class. They’re just extremely good footballers who now have the desire, passion and determination back in them. They want to perform, they want to win and they will give everything to make sure they have the best chance to do so. And that’s come from Unai Emery. In my opinion anyway.
I haven’t seen any of Wolves matches this season so I’ve no idea how they play, who to watch out for where our dangers lie but I think we all know a Spaniard who will.
I’m sure if we give as much today as we did last weekend, we’ll be good. If we can take more of the opportunities we create though, we’ll be even better. We need a win, a good win too before many of our boys jet off for another two weeks of boring international football.
But as today of all days reminds us, everyone and anyone who gets the chance to do something for their country must do so. Unlike the many we remember today though, these overpaid and pampered footballers know they’ll be coming home.
For the Fallen
By Laurence Binyon
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Lovely words Cicero…
Good morning Rico. It’s a beautiful poem and I think it’s a shame that we really only ever hear the fourth verse when there is so much more. It never ceases to bring a tear to my eyes.
My Nans older brother had played reserves for Arsenal prior to the war. The club wanted to keep him but his mother refused to allow it as she had paid his way through grammar school. He ended up as a navigator on a Lancaster! Unfortunately he was never able to return to the club after the war. His Lanc was destroyed over Dresden in the firestorm with all crew perished. Such as sad waste!
Morning Cicero. Very emotional words from start to finish.
I watched the service last night, parts brought a tear to my eye…
Brady, that’s a sad story…
Yeah got worse his younger brother was picked up by West Ham after the War and got a bad kick to the shin the bruise went inwards and he lost his leg. Well before my time but my Nan was a massive Arsenal fan and adored her older brother. Coming from a small town in Dorset to the Arsenal who at the wars beginning were arguably the biggest club in the world. Her mother never got over it hence allowing the younger brother to go to the Hammers and then that happened!
A lot to deal with Brady…
Morning all and thank you Rico.
RIP all the brave souls from all sides of conflicts, most dont want to be there and would rather share a beer with their foes, blame the cowardly rulers of countries be they politicians or religeous types who hide in safety.
You may not know too much about Wolves, Rico, but you can guarentee Dick does and he will have made clear to the players what Wolves strengths and weaknesses are form watching vidoes of the opposition. One area where we are much better under Dick than Arsene.
Time to rake up a ton of leafs in the sun.
Calum Chambers plays for Fulham today against Liverpool. He’s their DM for the game so worth watching perhaps…
Exactly what I wrote in the post Lc, Emery will know all about Wolves.
An incredibly moving service at the Cenotaph today.
My Dad always said that if the politicians that signed people up to war were made to be the first over the trenches they would find another way.
Wolves a club with a great history , As a child I remember their team under Stan Cullis , England keeper Bert Williams , an international team including Bill Slater ,,Ron Flowers , Billy Wight , Mullen , Broadbent ,Hancocks and Wilshaw . I saw them in London play Chelsea a young forward played as Chelsea beat Wolves 6 -2 . Greaves got 5 of them Lets hope we have someone that can do the same for us today.
Some quite poignant comments today, my Great Uncle on my Nans side was killed in the Great War at Bullecourt (I think that’s it) he was underage but in those days if you was a big lad people would say ‘why aren’t you in the army?’ or give you a white feather, which is quite cruel as you must be the type of person who deliberately goes out with a white feather!
Another Great Uncle was buried alive when his trench was shelled, he used to have terrible nightmares, shouting out you ’fcuking German bastards’ in his sleep, usually after my Dad as a young boy would have asked him about the war.
I did hear a comment on the radio last night, someone had asked a young soldier who’d fought in Iraq what he thought of those who don’t show any respect on Remembrance Sunday, he said that’s why he did what did….
Kev, that’s another sad and quite horrible story. Back then aftercare wasn’t probably heard of but it’s a disgrace in today’s world that so many are left to cope with their memories/experiences on their own.
Rico, when it comes to looking after it’s ex sevicemen this country is a disgrace, or should I say our politicians and civil service (MoD) are a disgrace, discarded soldiers are left to deal with extreme mental and emotional issues with little or no support after being demobbed.
I bet that Anjem Choudrey gets more financial help and support than our servicemen.
It makes me sick.
Was a clear goal for Fulham in my opinion.
Ditto Kev. It’s appauling…
Spuds have been granted permission to continue playing “home” games at Wembley for an indefinite period, but with the capacity reduced to 51,000. This is a stipulation set by Brent Borough Council. Planning permission would have to be bought, oops sorry, sought from the Council to play in front of larger crowds.
It looks likely that the New Swamp will be delayed even more and will cost even more too. Exits stage left…sniggering!
Cicero, you shouldn’t make fun of the homeless…. 😄
No transfer signings for them next summer again then. 😂😂
Spuds are also in trouble with the Advertising Standards Agency, over a poster reading something like…”White Hart Lane, the only place to watch Champions League in London”. They have already broken the rules as Wembley has been the only place to see CL football in London up until now… and will continue to be the only place in the foreseeable future. A stiff fine is in order.
Today’s line-up
19 Leno
2 Bellerín
16 Holding
20 Mustafi
31 Kolasinac
11 Torreira
34 Xhaka
17I wobi
10 Özil
14 Aubameyang
9 Lacazette
Subs.
Cech
Sokratis
Mkhitaryan
Ramsey
Maitland-Niles
Guendouzi
Nketiah
Still no Monreal then…
Rico, he’ll be like a new player in January. 😀
😂 Cicero
I think we are close to our best starting eleven today. Bellerin is a good wing back, but I think we will miss Lichtsteiner particularly as Sokratis is left on the bench, Mustafi must be at his best. Iwobi needs to find the kind of form he showed in September and early October.
Good start.. not.
Not on anywhere is it rico?
No Andrew, I’ve been looking too.
Too slow and too square. Very Wengerish performance. Rockets coming at half time I reckon.
How are you watching Adam? I can’t find a stream..
He’s watching it on his gramophone Rico 😄
😅 Kev.
Remind me……..wemare in November aren’t we? And we seem to be playing wengerball. What’s that all about???
From what I’ve read on BBC Sport we aren’t doing very well, not very well at all!
COYRs
How can we play as we did last week and then lose today… Bizarre.
I spoke too soon….
Sorry Rico. I found a stream. Very frustrating game.
Did we drop two points or win one?
Well that was a terrible performance no energy no passion, it looled like a game from last season we had no idea how to break wolves down we literally had about 2 attempts on goal and we’re very lucky to get a point.
leno man of the match.
Ten attempts three on target, according to BBC Sport.
No problem Adam, glad I couldn’t watch it..
Sounds like we were awful…
We were Rico. Awful.
To be fair Wolves were tough and organised, we just didn’t have the skill to open them up.
imo a pacy tricky winger ie a zaha type player is needed and would have worked wonders today.
Holding was also found out today he was skinned a few times.
Auba missed an open goal ffs.
Well that’s it for another week of desperately dull, meaningless Internationals.
A visit to the library for a good book or two is on the agenda.
Time for Unai Emery to re-assess his options.
I’ll Take the positive from it our new keeper saved us today.
how many times over the last decade or longer has our keeper cost us points?
how many times have we watched Degea save Utd pts and wished we’d a keeper who could do that etc..
point gained for me.
I guess we’ll have these odd awful games Adam..
Kev, just as man6 of us thought they would be.
Two weeks Cicero… 😜
When I saw the team on paper I was thinking at least 6-0……………and if we had played them on paper it would have been 6-0 ! hahaha
We have drawn against the last two teams the Spuds have beat, so double annoying !………………….we may joke about them having no home, but they are above us………..this makes me see Red 🙁 keep, going unbeaten with all these draws and we could get relegated ! 😆
Still………….we are in transition…………….a good excuse, but still an excuse……………….is there anyway we can blame Wenger for this one or have we gone past that cut off point ? 🙂
Is there another International break ?………………………bollox, I hate it when we go ages without a league win then have to wait for another chance to try and win………………………..Pornmouth away !…….another draw ?…………………………I have missed dooming ! 😆
Broke a habit of a lifetime in watching the highlights of the draw with Micky Mousers…………………..will I watch this one ?…………………….no fcuking way !…………………..I`m not into self -harm ! 🙂
However I do like like it that Dick made a tactical substitution at half time……………………..cant remember Wenger doing that !
Morning all.
Horrid game then.
Still, a point is a result of sorts and that’s what we need from these poor performances.
My grandmother lost 3 brothers in WW2, and a husband very shortly afterwards.
Gee, we have it rough today, hey lol
Bound to get more posts after that. performance. It was flat uninspired and turgid. We had no creation and with the early goal against we were up against it. I like most of us only saw bitrrs as I kept having to switch feeds but I was,getting frustrated with the flicks going astray .Sometimes being judicious is more productive.Although you could always get lucky and cross to the far post.
Shame about the poppy appeal.A good win and they might have made more.
Leno’s should do well. If I was him I would bid on it myself.
Morning all.
New post up now.