Emotional farewell to Goalkeeper today & The daftest comment from Wenger this season?

Morning all,

So here we are, last day of the season – a season which has been very mixed.

Some moments of brilliant football, albeit those moments mostly came against clubs who were either placed below us in the league or had been reduced to ten men.

We played a good half against both Manchester clubs, City away when really we should have battered them but came away with just a point and then United at The Emirates. In that game we played some of our best football of the season in my opinion, we clearly wanted to beat them, we should have beaten them, only an error gifted them a penalty which in turn, gifted them a point…

Had we played all season, we wouldn’t be where we are today, hoping and praying that the players can hold their nerve for one more game and get three points at St James Park.

Wenger thinks needing the victory is a good thing:

Sometimes you think it would be nice to play without pressure but, after, you think let’s get it back because it’s so boring.  

It would be worse to go to Newcastle with nothing at stake for us. We have what we wanted. Let’s do the job.

I really don’t get that at all.

I’d love us to be going to St James Park with the PL trophy in the bag, 2nd, 3rd or even 4th spot already secure and have nothing to play for.

I’d love for us fans to be either present in the stands or watching on a screen somewhere, to able to do so without so much stress, anxiety and praying we can finish above the neighbours for another season!

Unless of course those the points would secure the title……

Anyway, it wasn’t to be so here we are needing three points against Newcastle this afternoon if we are to secure Champions League football.

Newcastle, now they are a team with nothing to play for having already secured their Premier League status for another season. Just. However, they too would get a financial boost if they beat us and take 10th place. £5 million is that figure!

Today will be tough…

There is ‘history’ between Alan Pardew and Arsene Wenger, there’s history between Newcastle and Arsenal, just a couple of seasons ago we saw that in this very same fixture when Gervinho got sent off so we won’t get things all our own way. Pardew will want to finish with a win and I’m sure he’d love to be the one who prevents us from playing Champions League football next season.

In goal for Newcastle will be long-serving Steve Harper, it’s an emotional day for him as he’s hanging up his gloves after a record-breaking 19 years at St James Park. ( I hope he has a howler!)

For us it’s all about will Giroud start up front, or will Wenger stand by a winning side and has Arteta recovered from his injury?

Oh and the extra £50 million the club will pocket should we win, although Arsene Wenger strenuously denies that:

What is at stake is a desire to stay at the top and to play top-level European football.

There is a difference between the Champions League and Europa League. Why? The Champions League plays with the best teams in Europe and that is what we want to do.

Yes, the financial consequences are big but that is not the most important thing for me.

Regardless of whether it is or not, we just need a win.

The away fans have been outstanding this season, when things have been rocky, they have kept going. No ground has been too far to travel to. No performance has stopped them from shouting from the rooftops, sometimes in desperation to get the team playing well. They deserve one more victory….

Regardless of what goes on behind closed doors, it’s about getting behind the players who feature today and securing a victory us all.

Today is about ending the season on a positive note, leaving Stan Kroenke, Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger to head off into the summer and FINALLY make the kind of signings this club deserves and needs to take our squad from being good, to being great.

The kind of signings that will next season give us a real chance of having something ‘at stake’ on the final day…….

That’s it for another day.

I really hope it’s a good one…….

 

 

 

0 thoughts on “Emotional farewell to Goalkeeper today & The daftest comment from Wenger this season?

  1. chiangmaisteve says:

    You like the rest of us would love “to be going to St James Park with the PL trophy in the bag, 2nd, 3rd or even 4th spot already secure and have nothing to play for.”

    I’m glad the manager – who lives in the real world of here and now – is not mouthing mealy mouthed longings about his preferences but expressing statements of purpose in the public sphere to keep before the team the task at hand….which is to get the job done!

    The fact that you don’t get that makes me glad Wenger is the manager and you write the blog!

  2. allezkev says:

    Morning Gooners
    Morning Rico.

    It’s gonna be 90 mins of nerve jangling tension today….

    I don’t trust Howard Webb.

    Pardew will have his team wound-up like a spring.

    We might have to depend on Sunderland doing us a favour?!

  3. Fred says:

    Shame you didn’t get Wenger’s comment. It is psychological management, my friend. The pressure is there but he is trying to turn it into positive pressure in the mind of the players. Same applies when he comments on Arsenal having done well to be in this position on the last day of the season against all odd

  4. Bill says:

    Why the negative slant in this article. Could have made the same points in a positive or even a impartial way. Says more about the kind of person you are

  5. rico says:

    Morning Kev and all..

    Really nervous affair today..

    Seems like a lesson in psychology is heading my way today….

    Goodo 😉

  6. ozgunner10 says:

    well today’s the day, hopefully we turn up in the right frame of mind and stuff the owners million quid incentive offer right back up their asses

  7. Michael Patrick Clark says:

    I entirely agree with chiangmaisteve; what kind of headline and comment is that to write on such an important morning?
    You may not like Arsene Wenger, but he is the manager of YOUR club, Show some respect, and leave that kind of negative and insulting comment to the Chelsea supporters.

  8. rico says:

    Negative Bill, goodness me, I’d just say i’m a realist…

    Peter, yes, Webb, could have been worse, Mike Dean….

    By the way Fred, would love it if you would write a post all about Wenger and how he uses psychology, you must know him well…

    Look forward to it already…

  9. ozgunner10 says:

    Wenger = psychological management?? Bit like the we’re so good we just have to believe it you mean? 🙂

  10. rico says:

    Michael, I actually quite like Arsene Wenger, he’s done a fantastic job at Arsenal….

    Just a shame it was all so long ago, but i’m not in the ‘Wenger out’ brigade…

    Just thought you should know that before going off on one.!

  11. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Lady and Gentlemen

    Kif int Habib? Tajjeb?

    I think we will win. The prospect of a third place playoff has seen to that…..the team and AW will surely know that its in their hands. The scum know that even if they win and the chavs loose they still cannot go above 4th due to goal difference. And I feel that the boys will be up for it. Infact I think we will win by two or more clear goals and hope that the chavs drop points.

    Deep down I feel that the chocking cocks know that the bird has flown.

    Even if Arteta does not play I still think that we will win.

    Sunderland doing us a favour? I do not think that that result will affect us. Its more likely that we win and they drop points, compounding the gap between the two teams.

    The ideal???

    We win. Chavs loose. Scum win.

    that would mean we go third, Chavs 4th and again the Chocking Cocks being left out of CL by the chavs.

    lol

  12. ArsenalDK says:

    Morning everyone. Today will be make or break. Totts will win, so will Chelski. It is up to us. But no matter what happens, we need to spend really big this summer. And im not talking about Sanogo, we need real quality. Wenger has to show some cojones, and make us a title challenging side once again!

  13. rico says:

    Exactly Oz, morning to you.

    Some people can get so sensitive, probably never read HH before and haven’t a clue what I think….

  14. rico says:

    I have to nip to the supermarket, so if anyone else there wants to come on and lecture me, they will have to wait in moderation until i get back

    🙂

  15. nichodemus says:

    Of course everyone would like to go to the last games of the season without pressure, i.e with the trophy.

    But we’re not. So Wenger’s comment makes sense in that context. Put it in another way, imagine if we’re at a position where we can no longer mathematically achieve at least 4th. Makes more sense?

  16. allezkev says:

    What’s the low-down on Arteta then Rico?

    If we can get 60/65 mins out of him, then bring on Jack or Verm, then that might just do the trick.

    Giroud has to start imho, we’ll need his presence in both boxes today. He should refreshed and ready to give it everything for 90 mins.

  17. Fred says:

    RICO, it is truly basic. If such a benign comment causes you ire, then maybe you are not ready to write blogs. Perhaps you only want commentators in the Stewart Robson mould. Good luck

  18. GEO says:

    Have to agree with the OP, anything could happen in this game and it could cost us big time and possibly for years to come.

    Absolutely stupid statement by Wenger who is solely responsible for us playing down to the wire AGAIN to stay in top flight football.

    So tired of this attitude that Wenger knows best and the raft of excuses such as the board and the stadium.
    Wenger should have stood up to the board and Bayern built a new stadium at the same time as us and look where they are.
    The difference? Wenger doesn’t manage them…
    No doubt some muppet will chip in that we beat them but they thrashed us, won their league and made it a lot further than us in the CL. We are nowhere near as good as them right now, fact!

  19. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. They’re all out this morning aren’t they? Last day of the season has traditionally been “Nutters Day” though. There will be a few more along soon.

  20. devilgunner says:

    Hold the lines Adam mate.

    Wait till they are within range of shooting.

    With you, Rammers, Kev, Lee and me etc we will give them a taste of what the orcs got at Helm’s Deep.

    Let the nutters come. We might have a few laughs along the way.

    How are you mate? When are you and Kev coming over to taste the pastizzi???

  21. allezkev says:

    Kif int Habib Coach.

    Yeah, I am good today. Going to visit Adam later on, so that we can suffer in tandem. Should be an intetesting and enjoyable afternoon.

    I must say, there are a few sensitive souls out there today.
    Makes for an unusual start to the day.

    There must be a lot of nervous fans out in the blogworld, who need reassurance…

    Where’s my miserable Grandson?
    Wait until he comes on, you’ll take an overdose chaps. 🙂

  22. Adam says:

    Hi Devil. Kev is dropping by here today to watch the match so I can moan at him all the way through it. 🙂 I would love to come to your neck of the woods.

  23. Michael Patrick Clark says:

    Rico,

    Going off on one. . ? No, not in the least. I just believe that you should support your club on such an important day; not bad mouth it.

    As for you and Arsene Wenger? I’ve been reading you since the first ever post, and on LG and AG before that. . . actually even wrote a few for you. You could say I’m something of a fan. . . just not today.

    I know precisely what you think of Arsene Wenger.

  24. devilgunner says:

    Snowing???

    We are already simmering a bit here. In a month’s time we will be frying with temperatures of 40+

    God I hate summers.

    Michael Pat…….and so on and so forth. Rico was being a realist. Not bad mouthing the club. We all know what status AFC holds in the football world. And we expect the club to hold it that way.

    If I knew that my son is capable of getting 90/100 in every exam I would not even tolerate 85 even though its a good mark. For the simple reason that its a drop in his own standards.

    And if we know that the club is still capable of challenging for the league at least we should not tolerate even 3rd place. Yes we have to operate with what we have. but consider for a moment how many money has been wasted on crap players which AW has bought.

    yes he has bought some good ones. But also crap ones as well. And the money wasted for the buying fee (Ex Park chu young) and his wages could have been spent better elsewhere.

    Yes AW did a lot for AFC and still does. But what he has done wrong we cannot say that it was right.

  25. frednerk says:

    Morning All.
    At it again old wenger,
    for the last 8 season’s,
    he tells us we have no money buy/pay,keep,
    the top player’s.
    To day he say’s it’s not about money,
    if we don’t qualify for champions league, so what.
    He say’s once again how excited he is,
    he say’s how wonderful it is none of his top players,
    will be leaving.

    Well arsene,
    I hope that at 6pm to-nite you have a wonderful
    smile on your boat mate,
    because you can take it from us real fans,
    we are having what Sir Alex would call,
    A SQUEEKY you no what time.

  26. devilgunner says:

    oui MPC. time and place as you say.

    well considering that AW has been taking the piss for ALL THE TIME in the past eight years and in every PLACE he has managed to do an interview…………it means that we can do it even BEFORE a match.

    And whatever we say……….it wont determine where AFC will finish seeing that some of the players give a fuck all during the year with some shit performances and failing to turn up except to take the cheque with a smile.

    As Rico said. One good game does not cover 8 years of failure.

  27. GP211_ says:

    Go do some proper research and find out why we haven’t won for 8yrs. This ent the time or place for me to school u on that. Go on, enlighten urself.

  28. potter says:

    Whatever the outcome of today the die was cast much earlier in the season as we carelessly dropped points along the way. That’s when the team , the manager et al needed motivation. I can remember standing at Norwich watching the most lacklustre display from an arrogant bunch that only had to turn up , or so they thought. Was I Surprised ? not really I’ve seen it before and not just this season. That’s when motivation is needed not at the last day . We as fans have never stopped supporting the team that’s what fans do , it seems a shame the club find it difficult to reciprocate until their backs are at the wall.

  29. fran says:

    is it possible, that ur just a bit slow and wenger meant it would be worse if we were going t st james park with nothing to play for as in we hadnt caught spurs and couldn’t qualify for the cl? seriously im getting sick of these blogs etc. u all are getting worse than the sun etc. I read another one this morning in which the author states that Alex song has shown his true colours by slappin pique. seriously the guy apparently knows that alex just turn on piq for no reason. and it couldn’t possibly be cos piq did something to deserve a reaction? at the least piq deserves a slap for his role in the media crying for cesc to leave evil arsenal and come home to the holy land of barca.

  30. devilgunner says:

    Some people are sado masochists.

    Fran………..you just need to turn off the computer and go out and enjoy the sun (not the paper version) if you are getting fed up of these blogs as you say it.

    Dont read us in the first place.

  31. fran says:

    dear devilgunner no.1 I think that was my point im nearing the point of not being bothered reading u all, which for any kind of journalists should be worrying. no.2 I live in ireland and there is no sun to enjoy.

  32. ozgunner10 says:

    frednerk – he covers every possibility in the press, that way he can claim success regardless haha

  33. Lewis says:

    The second half of our prem season has been very consistent and because of that Arsene has earned himself one last crack at finding a formula and team that can challenge and make us proud. Although it could also be argued that for the most part we were out of all the other competitions so we could fully concentrate on the league, meaning the squad AW assembled wasn’t good enough to compete on all fronts. Most of ours performances have been very average even when we’ve won, but it’s the winning that counts and if we can continue today in that vein I’m sure we’ll all be happy!

    Thanks to Rico for spending so much time and effort on providing great posts everyday and all the housers for a great season of debate.

    Lets end this season on a high and smash the bar codes!

  34. allezkev says:

    Potter, I make you 200% correct.

    It’s easy to be smug, when you never go!

    As usual, the away fans, up at the crack of dawn, are slogging up to the armpit of the world, living on their nerves, instead of enjoying a comfortable afternoon out, laughing at the Spuds.

    I feel sorry for them… Not Arsene…

    Arsene has to stand by his record from the last 8 years.
    The players he’s sold and those he had brought in.

    A mixed bag I would say.

    I, do not believe, that were are going to see a major change in recruitment policy this summer…
    If you choose to disagree, that’s fine.
    Let’s see come August 31st….

  35. devilgunner says:

    Fran……….if you depart this world another one will take your place mate. Its not so much worrying or crying if you leave. The problem is when you think that the journalists will start tearing their hair at the mention of you not reading them.

    But if you are on here just consider the fact that we respect your opinion and expect you to respect ours.

  36. potter says:

    I have no journalistic background , I just watch The Arsenal and sell wiper blades. I really can’t see why so many knickers are getting twisted today. Like most of us we read a cross section of comment on the club and I can’t believe that today’s post is really that controversial . Yes we want The Arsenal to win but we can’t blind ourselves to the reality that with a bit more application we would not be in the position we are today.

  37. allezkev says:

    Coach, have you noticed the changes at the Academy level.

    Seems that the club are moving on a lot of youngsters, who in truth, have little or no chance of progressing into the 1st team squad.

    Seems thay Terry Burton is putting his own mark on things since Liam Brady left?!

  38. devilgunner says:

    today is the AKB’s day. Those who want to see only through AW tinted glasses. If AFC win they will be out in force saying “we told you so” ad nauseam till we vomit.

    We have been grinning and bearing the results and lack of silverware for eight years so we can just grin and bear those nutters for a day or two.

    But what is realistic we cannot deny.

  39. rico says:

    Talking of nutters Adam, I am back…

    Morning to you and all…

    Thanks Lewis 🙂

    Micko, you are a hoot, you nearly got me… 😉

  40. devilgunner says:

    yes Kev. I have noticed it and there was a lot of surprise at all the players who are leaving.

    Hopefully that will signal the beginning of a new era and better players at Academy level and maybe more will make the grade.

    Brady was a fine servant. However we needed new ideas.

    I just hope AW changes his staff every now and then. Like SAF does at Manure every few years.

  41. devilgunner says:

    Hiya Lady.

    Back to enjoy the fun we will be having with the nutters???

    you a nutter??? nah I do not believe it!!!!!

  42. rico says:

    Thanks Potter, that’s all I was trying to say.

    We have seen in some fixtures we can play really well, why does it take a fight for 4th to raise the standard of way we play…

  43. rico says:

    Get the search party out…..

    Hi devil, it’s debatable… But i’m not a nutter with my head in the sand, suppose that’s a good thing 😉

  44. devilgunner says:

    but you are a nice nutter then. coming to think of it…..you must be one to mention the word PASSION with me and Adam around. 😉

  45. devilgunner says:

    So besides St Totteringham’s day we also have Saint Nutters’ day on the same day.

    that should be good.

  46. Michael Patrick Clark says:

    Rico,

    entirely different prose style. . . He’s an AKB, I’m a well-rounded and articulate novelist, and life-long Arsenal fan.

    How could you possibly confuse the two?

  47. Micko says:

    Cheers kev, thanks for letting me borrow one of ya lines, cheque is in the post.
    Potter 11.54, well said.
    Reading away in the league cup was the turning point for me, winning 7-5 but it hid a multiple of sins, Bradford in the next round showed we had learnt nothing from it.
    Anyhow’s 100% behind the team today, need to put this 4th place trophy to bed.

  48. rico says:

    😆 Adam…

    I doubt MikeB would agree.

    Anyway, I have better things to do than to get involved in such stuff… I think I have worked out who you are anyway…

  49. devilgunner says:

    it is still up for grabs Mick. 3rd or 4th to play today.

    so its 3rd place trophy and 4th place trophy.

    coming to think of it………….there might even be a 5th place one. So whatever happens we will get a trophy right!!!!!

    We dont need to give a CUCKOO’s arse where we finish so long as we get a trophy.

  50. devilgunner says:

    if you come to my place Adma……….you and Kev will have a tray full of pastizzi for you to indulge. Mind you ……… each carries around 500 calories.

  51. Micko says:

    Devil, us finishing 4th would be a bitter pill for the scum to swallow, a perfect finish to the day, we could go out celebrating and they could crawl back under their rocks for another season, happy days.

  52. tsgh says:

    Afternoon all,

    Today is the day that will filter out the men from the bottlers! C’mon you AFC make up proud even though 4th has never been considered a trophy. 🙂

    CJ is doing a ‘Sagna’…. “Of course it makes me proud to read PSG are interested,” Jenkinson told the Daily Star Sunday. “They are a very attractive club.

    “Personally, I’ve not been approached by PSG. I don’t know if they have contacted my agent or if these are rumours.

    “I don’t close any door. I could very well extend my contract here in London but equally I could leave at the end of the season. I only have one year left on my contract – we will see.”

    The question is has a journalist substituted Sagna’s lines with CJ25’s?… will the fans who slated Sagna also get on CJ25’s back for stating the above…. being an old Arsenal and all not a Franco-African who has only given us 5 or so years… 😉

    Dev did you see Samporia vs Juve last night?

  53. devilgunner says:

    oh yes I did Ginge. Bendy was on the pitch for how much now…..2 minutes. he broke his wrists. maybe a broken ego would have been much better.

    Good day mate.

    How are you??

  54. tsgh says:

    I find it fascinating to read some fans ‘bashing’ AW for stockpiling a bunch of below average academy players when in actual fact AW does not have any input into the running of that set-up… It is well known Brady and David Court manage and appoint academy staff and gives contracts to the youth…

  55. Adam says:

    TS. Isn’t that a Sagna interview you are attributing to CJ? Didn’t CJ sign a new deal this year? I might be wrong.

  56. devilgunner says:

    For you Adam………….

    Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson has refused to rule out the possibility of him joining Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

    Recent reports have linked the England international, who has 12 months to run on his deal at the Emirates Stadium, with a move to the French champions.

    When asked about the speculation, Jenkinson admitted that it was something that had filled him with pride.

    “Of course it makes me proud to read PSG are interested. They are a very attractive club,” he told the Daily Star Sunday. “Personally, I’ve not been approached by PSG. I don’t know if they have contacted my agent or if these are rumours.

    “I don’t close any door. I could very well extend my contract here in London but equally I could leave at the end of the season. I only have one year left on my contract – we will see.”

    The 21-year-old joined the Gunners from Charlton Athletic in 2011.

  57. rico says:

    At least the cricket is exciting 🙂

    Ts – that is not Jenks saying that, the article is referring to Sagna’s comments

  58. tsgh says:

    Dev what is happening to Italian football with all the 3-2 ad 4-0 scorelines… I am still used to 2-1 or 1-0 games… 🙂

  59. tsgh says:

    😀 Lady Rico… it really looks like that is the case… either way it shows how headlines can be manufactured or recycled… if that is the right phrase for it…

  60. devilgunner says:

    Well known Mosta FCYA coach, Devilgunner has refused to rule out the possibility of him joining the AFC ladies team next summer.

    Recent reports have linked the 45 year old whose contract expires at the end of this month with a move to the esteemed LAdies team.

    When asked about the speculation, Devilgunner, known as DEV admitted that it was something that had filled him with pride.

    “Of course it makes me proud to read that the AFC ladies are interested. They are a very attractive club,” he told the Daily Star Sunday. “Personally, I’ve not been approached by AW or any of the directors. I don’t know if they have contacted my agent or if these are rumours.

    “I don’t close any door. I could very well extend my contract here with this club but since I am taking a sabbathical at the end of the season, I do not feel it to be fair – we will see.”

    The 45 year-old joined the his present club from SirensFC with whom he spent two successful promotion years around eight years ago.

  61. tsgh says:

    That came from Sebb Blatter first Dev… 🙂 I heard Maradona is in the running and wants to be considered for the role too… he wants to show the world he has nothing against women… 😛

  62. devilgunner says:

    Beats me Ginge. I stood open mouthed yesterday. And both were going for it. 3-5-2 formation of each team with around 20 dangerous attacks each.

  63. Adam says:

    “Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that, after he sampled DevilGunner’s Rabbit Stew and heard his vocabulary of adjectives, he knew that he was the man for the job”
    That is from The Daily Star.

  64. tsgh says:

    You have a point with the 3-5-2 set-up playing a part… the Trojan horse of Munchini’s downfall… strangely enough AW was one of the advocates who claimed 4-2-3-1 can be made into 3-5-2 easily… and he has used it only on 3 occasions I believe when games are comfortably won… WHU game is an example…

    What do you think of the way Carlo (PSG) plays his 4-4-2 system? Very interesting concept with the wingers tucking inwards and the strikers going wide with the fullbacks…

  65. devilgunner says:

    Rabbit stew only????

    Wait till he tastes today’s sumptous dinner. Chicken thighs in pineapple juice on a bed of rice with turmeric.

    That would have him burping for around half a day with pleasure.

  66. Bradster says:

    Hey all,
    While we on Sagna. How about Lawton of villa to replace him?
    Seem our kind of wing back with a good cross on him.

  67. devilgunner says:

    Aye we have 4 divisions mate.

    but my team plays in the premier one.

    Sirens FC now play again in the 4th. But eight years ago it was rosy mate. 2 promotions on the trot.

    But coaching in the academy is by far more rewarding, less pressure although it is more tiring.

  68. devilgunner says:

    Seems as if Bradster has woken up. 😉

    Lowton??? I seem to remember someone here mentioning him.

    Any ideas who that was mates??? 😉

  69. tsgh says:

    Hi Brad,

    You know Dev and Ak rate Lowton… I rate him too but I think CJ25 has it all |(most) and edges it even though Lowton is more skillful… just an opinion…

  70. Bradster says:

    Hi Devil,
    I must’ve missed it. Trying to sift through all the be positive instructions.

  71. tsgh says:

    Was just teasing you with Mosta FC… 😉

    My mates mom who is Maltese supports Rabat Ajax… when she said that I thought she was pulling me legs…

  72. devilgunner says:

    Rabat Ajax is my hometown FC. the place where I will eventually return in the future.

  73. Micko says:

    Tsgh, half the country would be behind bars, your probably getting it mixed up with that extra strong stuff from Nigeria, goes back to how headlines can be manufactured or recyled matey.

  74. tsgh says:

    Exactly Micko… 😀 maybe its fermented palm wine sold in guinness bottle down Peckham… 😉

  75. tsgh says:

    AW’s distinguished mouthpiece Bob Wilson OBE… getting the excuses in beforehand

    Arsenal legend Bob Wilson has told talkSPORT that missing out on Champions League football will not be a disaster for the club.
    A win for the Gunners over Newcastle at St James’ Park will see them seal fourth place, and if Chelsea lose to Everton they could even come third.
    A draw or loss for Arsene Wenger’s men, though, coupled with a Tottenham victory over Sunderland at White Hart Lane will see them finish behind their rivals for the first time since 1995, leaving them with Europa League football next campaign.
    If you really love that club and believe in that club, you are going to be supporting it.
    — Bob Wilson
    But Wilson reckons if this were to happen the fans must rally behind the team and their manager.
    He told the Weekend Sports Breakfast: “It [Champions League football next season] might not happen, but it’s not going to be the end of the world for me.
    “When your club is having a little bit of a dodgy time, if you really love that club and believe in that club, you are going to be supporting it.
    “I will be supporting Arsenal next season and to my dying day. If it means Europa League for one season and if it means, for the first time in 19 years, we finish below Tottenham then I am going to have to hold my head up high.”

  76. tsgh says:

    I am sure someone has already brought it up before… but is it lawful for Mike Ashley to offer £1m incentive for the magpies to beat us?

  77. devilgunner says:

    Ginge……its not to the players. Its to the back room staff as a way of celebrating.

    So he is not breaking any news.

  78. tsgh says:

    ah oh Dev… it thanks for the clarification.

    Hi JM… any rumours of Martinez or Lima moving on from Portugal during the upcoming transfer window…

  79. frednerk says:

    Love these gizzers saying how wonderful the last 8 years
    have been,for them.
    I have stuck up for wenger for the 3 years,
    believe me,
    made me-self look a right dope,
    I still stick up for wenger,when arguing with fans.
    We support arsenal not wenger,he has lied to us all.
    But F-ck me get real.

    Talking of us getting rid of youth players,
    I see Jorden Brown one of our top young players,
    is to sign for west ham,
    not common knowledge yet.

  80. ozgunner10 says:

    nerves are building I just hope if we make it, we don’t get this, “we don’t need big transfers” line again – we do need them. We can’t view this season as anything but disappointing surely? Tonight is excitement but lets not loose sight of the fact we’re a hares breath above a very average side and still not safe

  81. tsgh says:

    at least the ball boys will not attempt to waste time IF nufc are leading… 😉 like krul who chose to waste time in the first half last season at the Erms..

  82. Lee says:

    Fucking hell, someone left the asylum doors open!
    Just started the day off with watching my son’s U9 team earn a hard fought 1-1 with Clacton. Now come on you Arsenal, this whole situation is in your hands, put it right!!!

  83. ozgunner10 says:

    tsgh – i brought up the million quid yeah mate, surely not right to band this around either? He really is the ultimate looser that guy

  84. tsgh says:

    All in the name of undermining Arsenal.. Oz

    with us everything is allowed… including Poo-lis thuggish idealogy…

    Hi lee, you are not visiting the angel of the north I take it…

  85. Lee says:

    Adam and Kev be prepared for a barrage of texts from me from the pub!!! COYRRG’s and FOYs!!!

  86. devilgunner says:

    I dont know why. but I am not overly concerned about 4th or 5th.

    tbh I am more salivating for 3rd place. I still think that the real battle is there not in the race to finish 4th or 5th.

    A few days ago I said that there are moments when I prefer the Europa cup to the CL, a cup which we have no chance of winning and usually suffer in. And that still has not changed.

    However I still think that the real race is for 3rd place not 4th/5th.

    The spuds only hope for 4th place. We are in contention for 3rd and keeping 4th.

  87. tsgh says:

    he’s British so all the best with his career… if he is good enough in 4 or 5 years time he may come back…

  88. Lee says:

    TS, nope I’m visiting the Lamarsh Lion…..I’ve not got a great deal of affection for the Geordies but have been to St James Park a few times….
    We gotta turn this lot over today!

  89. tsgh says:

    for today only I am hotshiteDNA….

    Oz we will be fine… there is something about this starting 13 or 14 that I like… add 3 or 4 then we can mix it up for next season..

  90. tsgh says:

    Lee, I take it you haven’t had a tyne side night out before? They give the scousers a run for their money for both partying and tanning… 😉 Sorry Emma… 🙂

    I remember when I was in the forces, this Liverpool and Newcastle lass took a tanning pill and turned they almost black… it was funny cos they had to be discipline but it would be unreasonable to do that… 😀

  91. devilgunner says:

    as I said Lee. I am confident about today that I reckon that the real battle is for who finishes 3rd between us and the chavs. I feel that the chavs will drop points today. Hopefully we will win with a 2+goal margin

  92. Micko says:

    What I’d do to have the Ice-man in our stating 11 today, I’d certainly be sitting a lot more comfortably, who can forget that dream goal.

    Devil, why not go the Chelsea and Benfica route, qualify for the Champs league, get knocked out in the group stages and contest the Europa cup final, can’t say I agree with it but them’s are the rules.

  93. tsgh says:

    another lasagna-gate will do me fine… or Adeba whore having some fufu before the game will be prizeless…

  94. DutchGooner10 says:

    Hello anxious Gunners,

    Feeling nervous in every vain? Don’t!! We be here next season. We’re Gunners and Housers for life whatever happens.

    Will post live stream in a minute.

    Nice post Rico. Superb written.

  95. tsgh says:

    :O Micko… how do you know I have a thing for Scousers? That is why I come on here when Emma is on… 😀

    My mrs claims she is a geordie even though she grew up in Dorset…

  96. rico says:

    Great result in the cricket England…. 🙂

    Now then, let’s see the Gunners get a great result….

  97. Micko says:

    Your right about the partying tsgh, I still haven’t recovered from the revolving dance floor on the boat from my last visit to Newcastle !

    Howdy Dutch, how’s the form matey.

  98. tsgh says:

    Hi Dg… how are you?

    Micko Liverpudlian lasses always seem to always fly to Amsterdam or Schiphol airport in their hair rollers… 😉 😀

  99. DutchGooner10 says:

    Fine Ginge.

    A few rough weeks behind me. Grandmother passed away. After my grandfather’s funeral, 4 months ago, her heart was broken. As you English so aptly say: “She was of an age you don’t buy green bananas. ” 😉

    Holla to all my regular Housers. Missed ya.

  100. tsgh says:

    Arsenal are allegedly targeting Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner who is 29 y.o. It is rumoured AW is prepared to pay £12M for him… I know I am lazy to re-read my post most times… but do these bloggers actually think before they type…?

  101. tsgh says:

    Sorry to hear that buddy… they were blessed to have a long life so….

    hopeful a stress free transfer window ahead with no unwanted departures…

  102. devilgunner says:

    Condolences to you and your family DG.

    A friend of mine passed through a similiar situation. His mum died on Thursday and then his dad, who was so heartbroken, died the following Monday. We have been friends for 35 years now and it affected me as well since we were school mates since our childhood.

    At least they had a long life together and you know that they were inseparable. But they still live in you mate. So a part of them will linger on.

    ———–

    Lichtsteiner???

    As you said Ginge……..do these plonks read what they write.

  103. DutchGooner10 says:

    Micko

    My chin is up for St Tottsday. Let’s give the barcodes some *bleep* *bleep* *bleep* *bleep*.

    *bleeps = are goals and language we can’t use on this fine blog. 😉

    I’ll take you up on the revolving dancefloor. I got a killer moonwalk or Macarena whatever the DJ plays.

  104. tsgh says:

    😀 Dev
    😀 Lee that is the plan… they have an excuse already prepared just in case… this time… the kit man used biological washing liquid for their kit…

  105. Micko says:

    Dutch, sounds like you’ve been put through the mill lately, something we all have to go through at some time, onwards and upwards.

  106. DutchGooner10 says:

    Oz Ginge Devil and all

    Tnx for the condolences. Taken to the heart. Feel blessed by your friendship. Have some chilled beers ready to celebrate with all of you.

  107. DutchGooner10 says:

    Ginge

    Grolsh with the flip-top. Better taste.

    You still keeping your eyes peeled for tight pants? Hahaha. I sense a camel toe devotee.

  108. devilgunner says:

    Wine for me mate. I dont like beer that much. But I will still raise a cheer for you all.

  109. rico says:

    Team in full:

    Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski

    Subs:

    Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Giroud

  110. devilgunner says:

    As I said Rico………….I felt AW will be playing Podolski at CF tonight. He is AW’s preferred player to fill RVP’s place.

    Giroud is plan B

  111. tsgh says:

    a good pre-season will definitely sharpen his off the ball movement then we may have ourselves a very good striker. With his fitness a second striker will not feel left out either…

  112. tsgh says:

    Ramsey vs Tiote…. the battle begins…

    Ben Arfa, Gouffran and Cabaye can be dangerous and may want to prove something to AW…

  113. Joaquim moreira says:

    Hi tsgh.
    Many rumours but today the Portuguese League finish.
    Then, everything can be happen

  114. DutchGooner10 says:

    Devil

    I’m a wine guy too. Beer is to chillax and fountain wildly if we get 4th. 😉

  115. rico says:

    I’m glad devil – that’s how it should be when we are winning…

    I could understand a change if Giroud was Henry 😉

  116. ozgunner10 says:

    agree Rico – Pod is easily capable of replacing Giroud but still like to see something more than the kid who’s name escapes me right now, in the summer

  117. rico says:

    Same here Oz, Yaya, if he’s 3/4th striker, fine, but he cannot be the main striker signing. If he is, then fireworks….

  118. tsgh says:

    c’mon you gunners… AW looks very subdue… Bouldie on the other hand looks very up for it…

  119. DutchGooner10 says:

    Oz

    We got linked today to some prolific Cech from Watford. Prodigy of 21 years old, 24 goals this season and on the books of Udinese.

    Mind you, our academy has a clear out exodus style. That’s a coin with 2 sides. It will eat away in the transfer kitty. The other side is too extensive to be bothered by for now. Talk points for post-season. 😉

  120. rico says:

    This is it then, the entire season resting on 90 mins…

    Worried, sure as heck I am….

    SS’s pundits expect Totts to win and us to struggle a bit……

  121. rico says:

    Bloody heck that was close, Sagna and Merts skinned….Cisse given far too much space…

    We look really nervous…

  122. devilgunner says:

    We have not settled yet.

    So long as we do not concede till half time we will be ok in the 2nd half.

  123. devilgunner says:

    Arteta to be subbed.

    So TR07 to go with Aaron, Cazorla to go in the centre and Ox onthe wing

  124. devilgunner says:

    why did he have to shoot first time??? He had all the space in the world to do two touches (shot included)

  125. devilgunner says:

    Dont tell me its not a fix!!!!!!

    Every game has a goal. Only ours and the Scum are goal less.

  126. devilgunner says:

    Are we playing poorly and making NUFC look like world beaters?

    Or are NUFC so good that they are making us look poor??

  127. devilgunner says:

    one shot……….three balls hit. Poor Harper. His wife will find them blue this evening. lol 😆

  128. devilgunner says:

    he likes to play deep even though he is playing as the CF. That means he is more suited to 4-4-1-1 than to 4-2-3-1

    it also means he is getting confused since Theo and the Ox are dropping as well. He needs these two to be further up than him so that his deep lying role will be more fruitful

  129. Joaquim moreira says:

    Why did Arteta play?He wasn’t fit. We drop one sub…
    Rosicky (the much better player in the first half) must be replace soon…
    what did Podorlsky do in the 1st half?

  130. tsgh says:

    where are the big game players?

    Theo doing what he can do…He still has the winning goal

    Kosser doing the Beckenbauer… give us a goal like last season at Westr Brom…

    Poldi needs to apply himself a bit more…

    C’mon SC19 prove me wrong please….

  131. ozgunner10 says:

    wow cisse and ben arfa should have us in serious trouble – maybe its our day – come on lads – we’re not running at them

  132. devilgunner says:

    Well that was one hell of a half for all the wrong reasons.

    Players did not get out of mental 2nd gear. the team was sluggish at times and NUFC posed many questions to the AFC defence where Kozzer and Merte were doing well but Sagna and Gibbs were skinned now and then. yes I agree that they attack but for heaven’s sake they are defenders first not wingers.

    Arteta was a gamle from the start. So why start with him? it backfired. Yes I like the player but if he is injured he is injured.

    And it isnt a game for injured players knowing full well that NUFC would be up for it in the last game of the season.

    And for those nutters who came on the site today………….had we taken Swansea at home and Norwich seriously we would be playing the youth side today since we would have been 5 more points for the better.

  133. George says:

    Afternoon all, nervous stuff. All credit to Newcastle who have been very good in this game. We have some passengers who need to lift their game. TR07 and LK06 stand out performers so far.Ramsey , Cazorla theo and the Ox need to do more 2nd half.

    Its easy to have a dig at LP09 but where has the service been? Le prof may have to go for the jugular on tghe 70 min mark and unleash star trek and OG12 for Ramsey and Tr07 , who’s on a yellow but our best attacking outlet so far..

  134. ozgunner10 says:

    ok guys see you in 45 fingers crossed we’re all smiles – i’d take all results as they are right now

  135. agirlagunner says:

    I feel like I have a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. With wings as big as tent flaps. I think I’m about to lose my dinner, Ginge.

    Hi, rico. This isn’t looking good…

  136. agirlagunner says:

    Dutch, sorry to hear abut your grandma. 🙁 I hope our boys bring you some cheer in 45 odd mins…

  137. allezkev says:

    I am doing my level best to keep Adam calm.

    At the moment he is hanging off of the ceiling…

    I think it was because I suggested we bring on Gervinho and he fixed me with a murderous stare and leapt off of the settee…

  138. devilgunner says:

    The spuddies were queuing up to score against Sunderland and they hit the post, the keeper, the tea lady, the ball boy until SFC managed to clear the ball.

    They have had two penalty appeals turned down with Rammers’ favourite guy booked for diving.

  139. devilgunner says:

    just for everyone’s info……the goal Kozzer scored was very similiar to the one he has scored against WBA last year when we won 3-2.

    I am going to put on a tenner on him scoring in the final game of next season. 😉

  140. devilgunner says:

    torres puts the chavs 2-1 up.

    I would have like Podolski to score. Overall I am satisfied with him this year. He can become better, but will still give him 7 out of 10 for first season.

  141. devilgunner says:

    YYYYYYYYYYESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  142. tsgh says:

    Yessssssssssssssss Kozzer and Ramsey… that was a soldier-like performance……………. Yessssssssssssss

  143. rico says:

    Koscielny was immense, absolutely immense..

    😆 Dg, that’s the best part of that result, the very best

  144. tsgh says:

    choking cocks……………….. 😀

    Not stirring up shite here but this is an example of why I say some players are big game players and others consistently fail to turn up…………….

  145. tsgh says:

    Nice Theooo you guys shut a lot of scum journalist up…

    What was the head of the |FA doing at the shite lane?

  146. tsgh says:

    Has Robson been muzzled since the Bayern win too……… what happened to the AW and Bouldie don’t talk crap…

  147. ozgunner10 says:

    wow my face is hot, blood pressure pushing hard after that – now 3 solid buys and lets get out of these mediocre positions every year

  148. tsgh says:

    make it 3 on the verge of world class plus one in the mould of camacho or Capoue…

    Camacho going to $hitty now I guess

  149. devilgunner says:

    A spuddie went to a car dealer to buy a second hand car.

    He saw a 1961 Ford vintage and wanted it immediately.

    The dealer told him that he could not have it before 4 days as they were waiting for the Ford company to send them a choke cable.

    The spuddie was not going to have any of it and wanted to buy it immediately saying that he did not need the choke anyway as he had one already spare.

    19 of them infact.

  150. tsgh says:

    they sign GG… sign Gallas…, sign Ade da whore and spend more than us but still finish below the worse team AW has hard in 16 years…

    Happy St Totteringham’s Day indeed

  151. Joaquim moreira says:

    I catch you later.
    t’s time for be concentrate in Portuguese League.
    Always it will be decide today
    I hope will be a great day for me…

  152. eastsidepaul says:

    That was too intense, we should never be in that position ever again.

    What happens to Bale FC now? Bale will most likely not be there next season. Would love to see Ade’s face at this moment..

  153. agirlagunner says:

    Kozzer, ESp. 😉 😉

    Happy St. Totteringham’s Day, everyone. 🙂 🙂 I’m so happy, I could shop!!

    Dutch, I hope you’re okay, buddy!

  154. tsgh says:

    Lets kill Arsenal… a nd he shoots himself in his right foot… born a loser always a loser…

  155. Wavy says:

    Thank fcuk for that!
    The fix was undone by Mr Webbwho had a chance to award Chateau Nouveau a penalty and took the risk to let play go on. Yes!!! There is a god, a minor miracle worker, come on, you know who I mean! St. Arsene of Arsenal, a latter day footballing saint!

    Fourth place Trophy as well. Wonders will nev cease.

  156. agirlagunner says:

    I would love Adebayor’s face to be in font of me right now, so I can slap it. I am clearly not magnanimous even in victory, but he would deserve it.

    Ginge, I’ll make myself a drink first; then see if I still want to shop. 😛

    Have fun eating your fried chix, rico. 🙂

  157. Micko says:

    Fcuk me, that feels good.
    Andre Marriner was moth at the lane, nearly crossed over to the dark side tsgh until he gave the red card.
    The spurs players thinking they’d finished above us at the final whistle was priceless, you couldn’t make it up.

  158. devilgunner says:

    Agag………slap him?? where???

    the Filipino ladies I know are all on the small side and Ade is quite tall. so you must be the right size to hit him where it hurts. Slap him you say??? You should punch him bang in the chokers.

  159. tsgh says:

    priceless indeed Micko…

    Most slate Aw but £9m net spend in 10 years is beyond genius…

    The 2nd best manager in the world after coach of course… 😉

  160. agirlagunner says:

    I have (literally) killer heels, dev. 🙂 I should manage. Haha. 😛

    Micko, did the Spuddies honestly think that they had finsihed above us?? Hahaha.

  161. ozgunner10 says:

    well finally coming down and ready for bed, getting on to 2am – my boxer has a tumour removed tomorrow bless her heart, so fingers crossed i am still smiling tomorrow night – night all

  162. frednerk says:

    After the match a man was found dead floating in the Thames, wearing a blond wig, full make-up, bra, knickers, suspenders and a Spurs shirt.

    Before informing the next of kin the police removed the Spurs shirt to save the family any embarrassment.

  163. Micko says:

    Paul / Agag, listening to the Michael Dawson interview they thought they had done enough with the 90th minute winner from Bale, it filtered down from the crowd who were fed bum information.
    He had a face like a crateful of rotten memories.

  164. DutchGooner10 says:

    Agag

    Tnx I’m happy and smiling. St Totterhamsday is always a highlight of the season. Enjoying Spanish ruby atm. Phone on its last legs. Need to plug in. Back in hour or so.

    Can’t fantasize this scenario Totts thinking they won the horse race. LOL.

    Cheers everyone going to the pub.

  165. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Evening to the Lady of the House and fellow Gooners in residence.

    A nervy game, but our team finished with three points and qualification for the ECL. Now we need the Board of Directors and the ownwers to back the team and the manager by providing the funding for the players they and we know we need. Hopefully we have already started our transfer business and will complete our business early so the whole team can have a full preseason to gel, integrate our new players and prepare for next season.

    There are no excuses for them not to. The stadium debt is greatly reduced, our commercial and sponsorship deals have &/or are being renogotiated at substantially improved levels. We have the core of a good team that could be great with some judicious investment in new players.

  166. Kevin KJ Downton says:

    Ozgunner
    Good luck for tomorrow with your boxer, hope all works out fine mate, amazing what they can do now.

  167. agirlagunner says:

    Micko, I found it. Hahahaha.

    Tottenham captain Michael Dawson admitted he thought Bale’s last-gasp winner had put them into next season’s Champions League.

    Dawson had assumed that celebrations among sections of Spurs supporters earlier in the game had meant Arsenal, who had taken a 52nd-minute lead at Newcastle through Koscielny, were no longer winning at St James’ Park.

    Dawson told Sky Sports News: ‘Yeah, I thought that was it (Spurs were in top four) because of the (earlier) celebrations around the ground from our fans.

    ‘I didn’t hear anything else, then towards the end after Gaz scored I sort of picked things up that the fans weren’t as lively as we would’ve liked if we’d been in the top four, and you sort of got that feeling towards the end of the game.’

  168. agirlagunner says:

    CG, great comment at 6:54. No excuses now. The club goes on and on and interminably on about how the club is in great financial shape. And since we are, we really should be looking to get in some top class talent. We end the season as the form club it seems. I hope we start as strongly in the coming one.

  169. agirlagunner says:

    Fred, hahaha. 😛 Dutch, good to hear. You go on and have a couple more glasses of your Spanish wine.

  170. tsgh says:

    hi Cg, i hope you did not miss it buddy…

    Agag… dont worry you will treat yourself to a Gina’s or G. Zanotti when we do the double next season…

  171. devilgunner says:

    Ha…….I surely rammed it down their throats in the last hour.

    Been spuddie hunting on a couple of spuddie websites.

  172. devilgunner says:

    3 more points and a better goal difference than last season.

    Did we miss pursie???

    And we do have 4 players on double figures.

  173. devilgunner says:

    go on News now with the club link to the scum and you will have a field day.

    They are a glum lot. they are

    ‘trific

  174. agirlagunner says:

    I already have a couple of GZ’s, Ginge. 😛 Have my eye on a pair of Aperlai’s.

    rico, have you taken a walk to the Spuddie, neighbor??

  175. Joaquim moreira says:

    hello again
    I best which a nice St. Totts day for everyone!
    Miss 45 minutes for FC Porto be the champions again

  176. Canadian Gooner says:

    Sister AGAG – Thank you! How are things in the Philippines?

    tsgh – No! I didn’t miss it, but my link dropped out at the 78 minute of the game. It took me about five minutes to get another link activated. Usually when this happens someone scores, is injured or is sent off. I was glad to see I hadn’t missed much as i was really wound tight.

  177. tsgh says:

    now God willing next year by this time we shall be celebrating a double and begging AW to stay

  178. tsgh says:

    wow Agag… high enough to pimp slap Ade ba whore… lol

    That does not mean she will get it from me though… I am a dooms day prepper so… 😀

  179. agirlagunner says:

    Where are you, rico??

    Have a good one, JM. 🙂 You, too, Ginge. 🙂

    CG, it’s still hot and humid. Howdy? I trust that you are happy. 😉 😀 And it’s 230 am, so I must be off. 😉 Good night, all.

  180. Canadian Gooner says:

    DG – Hopefully the mocking of Spurs fans will continue unabated for years to come. Although I would prefer that St. Totteringham’s Day came much much earlier in the season.

  181. Will XL says:

    This match was pretty typical of our last 10. Not Beautiful but getting the job done. Getting the guys used to winning games is integral. We did a good job down the stretch and the team has developed an identity. Wrap up our transfer business early and we will win many games with this attitude.
    More points than we had last season!

  182. Canadian Gooner says:

    Lady Rico – You’re taking a fair bit of flak today. I hope you are wearing your helmet and flak vest. We can’t afford to lose you with the transfer window about to open.

  183. tsgh says:

    😀 Dev… you are killing me with laughter

    ”great article. i’m gutted we won’t make the CL – I think relying on the Geordies is a waste of time – but if we hang on to a certain gareth bale, we have had a great season! it does look like make-or-break time for levy though. from a fan perspective, we have needed some real investment for a few years as the weak premiership as is now won’t remain and city, chelski, utd, scousers and the goons will likely invest heavier than ever. if we don’t spend again this year – i mean net outlay, rather than we spent all that money on dempsey etc this year – i think the club are either permanently an also-ran or need new leadership at the top of the house.”

  184. tsgh says:

    Seriously though, a gooner asked me the other night, how I feel about us being under arsenal as usual. I told him nowhere as bad as they would feel, should we manage to clinch 4th.

    Either way, what am I going to do? Just stop supporting Spurs? Only reason I watch football is because of them to be honest. So lets go, we got the rest of eternity to get it right.

    It must hurt being a scum spuddie…

  185. rico says:

    😆 Cg, depends if the price is right. I might consider it….

    It all goes in one ear and out the other ….

  186. Canadian Gooner says:

    I didn’t have time to grab breakfast before the game kicked-off and it’s now midday here. So, I’m off to make myself some bruch before I expire from hunger and nervous tension. Keep the Faith fellow Gooners!

  187. rico says:

    Not for me Lewis, just meant we beat the noisy neighbours…

    And hopefully a couple of top players signed….

  188. devilgunner says:

    I have already died with laughter during the spuddie hunting hour.

    If the spuddies get their hands on me I would be shadow and dust by now.

    I had a field day under the name…….chocking cock

  189. devilgunner says:

    honestly, do you expect a devil to be good?????

    its more easier for a devil to be good than for spuddies to finish top four though.

  190. Lewis says:

    Me neither Rico. I am a realist like most here, although today was great. One nil to the arsenal.

  191. rico says:

    The result was certainly great Lewis…

    Wenger has little excuse not to spend, unless he uses the qualifying rounds….

    Get the signings in early and let everyone have a good pre-season together….

  192. devilgunner says:

    Off now my great friends.

    It was a great day today. Spent with my family and of course HH

    It is great to relax like this.

    See you tomorrow. albeit in the evening. I have a tough day tomorrow.

    Gd nite

  193. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening all, Been fishing all day but kept in touch with the radio. So its St Tottering day, and boy am i happy, Sorry nice one Rico 🙂 Read one or two of the comments it seems some never liked the Post, Shame. You wear your heart on your sleeve Rico and i admire you for it, anybody who writes everyday trying to inform the supporter with every bit of latest news needs to be commended, i commend you, as i do Wenger and the players. But your right in what you write we should be winning the Premier and the Champions League FA cup and Micky Mouse not just taking part, every supporter must realise that with 16 years of CL and the money we get for top 4 being one of the wealthiest clubs in the world is not good enough, that money was won by football and should be spent on the best players in the world, You have said what you believe and i agree with you. You keep reporting as you see it, and if they don’t like it go somewhere else.

  194. stevepalmer1 says:

    Hi Rico could only get FM radio on my phone and only one station broadcasting football and that was the Yids so i had to listen to that for the Arsenal updates bit squeeky bum time, but we got there in the end. 🙂

  195. rico says:

    Poor old you Sp, it certainly was squeaky bum time… Can’t believe my hands were shaking through the last ten mins….

    Why I just don’t know 😉

  196. rico says:

    I’m off for the day now fine folk..

    Have a good evening what’s left of it and catch up tomorrow..

    Night Sp and all….

  197. eastsidepaul says:

    Dear jesus no… Arsene you promised we wouldn’t be losing our big players this summer, please take anyone but Gervinho…

    On another note, if Gervinho needs cab fair I think we should all chip in. Its only right.

  198. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Probably teams for the first round:
    Zenit (RUS)
    Dynamo Kiev o Metalist (UCR)
    PSV (HOL)
    Fernerbahce (TUR)
    Panathinaikos (GRE)
    Salzburg (AUS)
    Pacos Ferreira (POR)
    Nordsjaelland (DIN)
    Grasshoppers (SUI)
    Zulte Waregam (BEL)

  199. allezkev says:

    Of course, before we all get too carried away, we aren’t in the Champions League yet!
    We still need to qualify…

    Therefore, don’t expect a big transfer splurge, not yet, if at all…

    Already Wenger, Gazides and other club spokesmen will be practising their excuses as to why Arsenal cannot risk too much transfer activity until we’re thru the qualifying round and into the CL Proper…

    Yes, expect the promise of a lot of deals, based on getting thru into the CL Proper, but nothing of signicance until then!!!

    Basically, a shed load of last minute cheapo deals after all our targets have gone elsewhere (Mata anyone?) and we’re left scratching around for the leftovers because the club haven’t the balls to do the serious business first and then worry about the CL Qualifier…

    Same old, same old…,

  200. Rammers says:

    Morning all.
    Hope everyone is well.
    You all should be, beause we put the Spuds on their place AGAIN,,
    I was away for a weekends fishing with all the tools…Ipad, Iphone, chargers, generator…..the only thing missing was bloody reception!!
    Still, the anxious wait did make the news we had achieved victory that little bit tastier.
    No time to celebrate tough, Arsene, build us a trophy winning team.
    You have done a remarkable job, imo, to get us into 4th spot after the start we had, and we have a solid basis for a top class side.
    Get to work and give us the icing on the cake.

  201. Lee says:

    Beautiful Rammers! Nah we didn’t struggle but I’m always wary of a 1-0 lead….best bit was during the game they switched over to shitehart lane where the scum were told Newcastle had equalised! Only for them to find out it was untrue…crying and wailing ensued! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

  202. Lee says:

    But when you hear Wenger say this is his “best squad” that he’s ever had, that worries me!!

  203. Adam says:

    Kev got up and started pacing the floor. I was a beacon of calmness.
    Yes, wasn’t that great when those big old scum lumps were jumping up and down at Shite Hart Lane celebrating the goal that never was?
    But the bit I liked was when they had a penalty turned down and that weird little creep Villas Boas started a bizarre and slightly disturbing war dance of frustration flying around the place with his tiny clenched fists, in his little, camp macintosh. What a diminutive creep that plonker is.

  204. Rammers says:

    How did Rammers go??
    The core of a great squad is there, but the little touches of class when needed are not.
    Any reason Kozzer should not be our next captain?
    He stepped up again when we needed a goal.
    He has become a rock solid defender and is getting more vocal on the pitch by the game.

  205. Adam says:

    Hi Scott. Ramsay was eh, we’ll, Ramsay. Kosovo was man of the match. Some good players Scott but a long, long way to go before it’s a great squad- 5 players – possibly six.

  206. Lee says:

    Adam don’t joke…
    Apparently it was a tweet from Alan Sugar that got shitehart lane all excited!
    AVB = Frank Spencer.

  207. Rammers says:

    Hi Adam,
    As i say, the core is there but the out and out top class is where we lack now.
    That is the reverse of a few years back when we had the top end but nothing underneath.
    Let us hope we see a return of the old Wenger.
    We are in a good position to challenge for the League next season, with the top clubs all having changes of manager and we seemingly having some stability.

  208. Adam says:

    More than three Lee surely. You could see our limited options from the bench yesterday and Rosicky, Sagna and perhaps Verm, to name but 3, are not Arsenal’s future. Not for me anyway and I doubt Arteta will be anything other than a stopgap now. Add the pending RB issue and the fact that we need the oft mentioned CM, two strikers (proper ones) and certainly a real winger and not just another apprentice..blah, blah. What about the goalkeeper?
    Frank Spencer? I can see that 🙂
    Time for serious action Arsene.

  209. Adam says:

    Ya ma brudder Lee. Five, going on six.
    I imagine we will get two and a stream of tedious bullshit.
    Season ticket renewal notices later today means decision time in Casa Adam.

  210. Adam says:

    Not for the fourth richest club in the world. And we could have a nice few quid coming back from some of the outgoing campers too. What about Gervinho off to Lyon rumour? Yes please.
    I doubt Wenger will want to make too many real changes, but he will talk a lot I would think.

  211. Rammers says:

    Of our absolute top players, and realistically, it is a short list, i can’t see any of them wanting to go.
    Santi, Jack and Kozzer are the 3 i would say could get a gig in nearly every side in Europe.
    None have made any comments regarding leaving, and all have plenty of time left in their contracts.
    What excuse cold possibly be made to sell them?
    If they find one, fans will tear the stands down.

  212. Adam says:

    Scott. You are right there. But when a big side comes in waving huge wads of cash, people do get silly. We’ve seen it often enough.

  213. Rammers says:

    I agree Adam, but call it gut feel, because i can offer no other evidence, i can’t see this 3 wanting out.
    It will come down to Stan wanting to sell them or not.
    Fingers are crossed already, and that is the worry.

  214. rico says:

    Morning Adam, Lee, Rammers and all…

    Job done, now sit back and watch Arsene make a few top signings…

    I can feel it in my bones….

    🙂

  215. Lee says:

    Have you been on the Cava already?
    Frank McClintock was on talkshite this morning basically saying, buy a spine then we can challenge! Also we should welcome Jabba onto the board….

  216. Lee says:

    No happy clappers on yet? Must of been a day out for them yesterday, one flew over the cuckoo’s nest-esque! 😆

  217. Adam says:

    I was preparing us for the worst Rico by trying to soften the blow.
    All in all it was a pretty horrible season for me. The club is at a big crossroads now. Long term ST holders are deserting in their droves.
    Of or Have? I think “have” myself. 🙂

  218. Rammers says:

    I read back and there were some real nutters on, that’s for sure.
    You attract all types Rico 🙂

  219. Adam says:

    Lee. They will be here soon, preaching positivity and telling people like me a few home truths.

  220. rico says:

    😆 Lee

    How come Rammers?

    I can understand AW saying this is his best squad…

    Having had a lesson on psychology yesterday, I now realise that he has only been trying to boost the self belief in all the players, the strength and desire to overcome the Totts and grab that 4th place is remarkable..

    So of course it’s his best squad..

    Of course, pre 2004 it was all too easy so players weren’t challenged enough…

  221. rico says:

    It’s been a horrible season for us all Adam, other than those who haven’t been able to see the games because the sand has blocked their vision.

    Strange one that, he/she suggests that they have been following me since my LG days, yet wouldn’t disclose who they really were…

    Quite odd.

  222. rico says:

    I didn’t like to suggest that Scott 😉

    Loving The Sun headline with a picture of AVB and Bale..

    ‘ITV4’

  223. Adam says:

    In one sense the CL qualification, his contract situation, the waning home support, the apparent financial liberation, the Usmanov factor, our horrible early-season form etc, etc really combine to make this a critical season for Wenger and the club. If he gets it wrong this Summer he will be seen as a dead duck manager and all eyes will turn to who takes over.

  224. Rammers says:

    Adam, i feel more sorry for myself than i do any of you.
    I have to cop this shit every day lol

  225. Lee says:

    But all the board give a fuck about is that AW’s nett spend for the last 10yrs is £9m…..there lies the problem.

  226. Rammers says:

    Adam, it is going to be a very, very interesting summer, that is for sure.
    We could all be jumping for joy or burying our heads in two or three months time.

  227. rico says:

    Rammers, I let it all go over my head anyway, if people think it’s clever, that’s their prob…

  228. Rammers says:

    It is getting harder Adam.
    Just trying to find a reason to get out of bed.
    Luckily, the knowledge that Stan is a true Gooner and will one day prove it keeps me going.

  229. Rammers says:

    Rico, you know that any one of us will trip over each other to rip their tongues out, so we have your back 🙂

  230. Lee says:

    Yours and Scott’s positivity knows no bounds and is a breath of fresh air,especially with Rico’s sea of negativity…….

  231. Rammers says:

    HHer’s really are like family.
    We may brawl with each other, but are straight in for each other when needed!

  232. rico says:

    😆 Adam, yes, I do take that into consideration before replying..

    Does that make me the old mother hen then…..?

  233. Adam says:

    Scott. Agreed. I have made some good friends here but I think I like them more than they like me.

  234. Adam says:

    I don’t think of you in that way Rico. More like a sister really. 🙂
    And then there is brudder Lee of course.

  235. Rammers says:

    And the somewhat outcast, ignored, yet somewhat loveable cousin that is me??
    Nah…that is wishful thinking lol

  236. Lee says:

    I found that geezer yesterday a bit sinister….”I’ve been following you for years…..” As soon as he mentioned the Chianti & fava beens I skedaddled up the pub!!!! 😆

  237. Adam says:

    Scott. In the wake of CL qualification even you are welcome into the great fold that is HH. Of that I am sure. Do you have blue eyes by any chance?

  238. Adam says:

    I do wish that SYG would make an appearance and tell us what it is like to be charged by a Police horse. That is the kind of info that I find most interesting.

  239. Adam says:

    Lee. I love it when you say that to me.
    I know Rico. Himself and Daniel Craig are enough aren’t they?

  240. Adam says:

    Rico. That could be him waiting at the bus stop.
    Lee. Is your country pile called Skyfall by any chance?

  241. Adam says:

    Fun chatting this morning Rico, Scott and ma brudder.
    I am off to Cambridge to give a lecture on humility.
    See you later.

  242. allezkev says:

    Morning Gooners
    Morning Rico.
    Your 8.58; does that mean you have a secret admirer boss? 😉

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