Morning all.
Sad news broke yesterday with the passing of Don Howe, aged 80. Arsenal player, coach and ‘stand in’ manager in years gone by and a man regarded by many as one of the best coaches ever in England. Don Howe was Bertie Mee’s assistant manager during Arsenal’s 1971 Double success…..
There’s a really nice piece on Arsenal.com in Don’s memory…….
RIP big fella…..
LvG walked out of his press conference yesterday, something which Arsene Wenger threatened a few weeks ago but having done so, the press cooled their line of questioning and the Frenchman remained in his seat. We’ve seen the headlines suggesting LvG is one loss away from the sack and with Mourinho being touted as favourite to take over and all LvG asked for was some kind of apology from those people who had written such mischievous tales. He didn’t get what he asked for so no sooner had LvG sat down, off he went…
It’s been long believed that manager’s careers rise and fall at the hands of the fans, but these days the media are playing their part too, an ugly one. I guess that will never change either…
Arsene Wenger held his pre Boxing Day press conference yesterday too and there’s no real news. The squad travelling to Southampton will be the same as Mondays. No great surprise there, well, apart from Mathieu Debuchy missing and as far as I know he’s not injured so perhaps his omission is an indication that he’s off next month. His desire to leave has been no secret as he just wants to be playing in order to have a chance to be involved in the Euros next summer with France.
One player coming back though could be Serge Gnabry as rumours suggest West Brom want to cut the loan deal short which if true, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. What’s the point in him warming the West Brom bench at best?
Finally, no sooner had Mesut Ozil been handed the man of the match award on Monday night, he packed his bags and headed off into the sunshine.
All right for some eh….
Apparently, Mesut has totally changed his lifestyle since coming to England:
The biggest change started when I was injured last year and I changed my diet and started to look at the small details in my life.
For example I started to have physiotherapy on my days off and made sure I had a good sleep. That is crucial over here [in England]. It is the fastest league in the world and we often play twice a week with no winter break.
And of course, a dose of Vitamin D as and when he can…
That’s it for today, enjoy your Christmas Eve whatever you are doing and don’t forget to take the train, bus or taxi if your celebrations involve alcohol. Don’t give the boys and girls in blue a chance of locking you up for the night…
Have fun….
first… ?
Morning All and Micko of course that scottish rascal.
Don Howe had a huge influence on The Arsenal Rico and loved how every time he spoke he always called us “The Arsenal”… Huge respect to the man and hope he is remembered by the club is a fitting and lasting way.
Hark at Scott and he has the cheek to call me miserable………….
I just need a case of red wine a case of GG and someone to bring me my dinner and I am as happy as Larry the next few days….!
JM, whats this Pereira like..?
Wath, I’m sick as a dog that eaten Xmas tree decorations.
My first day of holidays and I’m laid up in bed!
Now what did I say the other day about light weight……………….
Rest my case…!
Lol.
It wasn’t alcohol induced bud…I wish it was lol.
Morning Wath and all…
I remember him well in the early days of my supporting Arsenal Wath… but as you know, my memory fades sometimes… 😉
You are Jm, but no prizes… 🙂
Calum Chambers heavily linked to a Saints return on loan…
light weight………… Enuff said…!
What memory Rico, you’ve never had one….. I bet you don’t even know today is Friday.
I’d be surprised if Calum is allowed out on loan……………. Unless…. 🙂 🙂 Dare we hope…? A player has already been lined up for midfield….!?!?
Seems like Scott up for any old excuse to get out of the Xmas washing up…!
Wath, I’m hoping I’m still crook tomorrow so I can stay home while the family visit everyone 🙂 🙂
Wath, I’ll have you know that I am well aware it’s Wednesday and tomorrow is Christmas Eve.!
I reckon a midfielder will arrive within the first week of January… 🙂
Scott, I have a bag of humbugs here, shall I send you one? I feel you’ve earned it!
Yes please Wavy…I’m just not feeling joyous right now.
More like nauseous 🙂
That’s a bum Scott, hope you feel better by tomorrow…
I’m sure there’s some beer with your name on it….
I guess it’s quiet on here as today is when the men start shopping… 😉
Bought my mince pies and carrots yesterday , got to keep Rudolph and his mates happy. Later on I might share a glass of port with Santa , got to keep the granddaughter happy . And then hot thick Catalan chocolate with Baileys , got to keep the missus happy. Then my work is done. Happy Christmas one and all.
Shopping, Rico? Not if I can help it. All done online at the last minute! 🙂
Don Howe seems to have been well respected throughout football – a good man. Good Post! 🙂
Who is Pereira?
I do not want any prizes 🙂 only wins!
Chambers on loan? why? Those who not belong, in theory, to the first team r first choice, why want to go on loan ? A team is the 11 + the subs; a squad with the 11+subs+a few more players.
Enjoy Potter. Merry Christmas to you too…
JM – Danilo Pereira Of Porto..
Hb, so very ‘male’… lol
Afternoon, Happy hols, and a great xmas wished upon all, Lets hope there,s cause for celebration on the Football front too, Ozil Deserves a break, maybe Wenger,s got it spot on resting him.
He,ll come back in a good frame of mind hopefully raring to go “my player of the season so far by a mile”
R.I.P Don Howe.
A very good player!
more or less like Patrick Vieira 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too Dublin..
Think Mesut is only away for a couple of days, should be back and playing tomorrow…
Hi all
RIP Don Howe. A true Arsenal man.
Just a couple of what ifs. If Don hadn’t of broken his leg he would probably won a world cup medal in 1966 instead of the very average George Cohen. Secondly, we could well have won the European Cup if Don hadn’t left to manage WBA. after 1971 double.
Merry Christmas everyone
That soon Rico, ok,I,m sure his batteries should be recharged for saturday so.
Havn,t been keeping tabs so much on Arsenal,s current affairs this past 2 or 3 weeks, have been so busy.
Time to relax now, sit back and enjoy the Festive period.
Merry Christmas Bob, did you get your email? 😉
Think he did the same a couple of weeks ago Dublin…
Afternoon Rico and the house
RIP Don Howe. I hope the Club give you the respect you richly deserve.
Rico like you I think Arsene will act in the first week and a new player will be in place for the FA cup.
Off to my daughters for Xmas so I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and 6 more points to make it one to remember.
Portuguese media write about Danilo Pereira and Arsenal interest.
That’s good
Afternoon Rick and a Merry Christmas to you and your family. Have a wonderful time..
6 points and at least a DM and my Christmas will be perfect….
It is Jm.. It’s written here too..
Catch up later…
For the moment, will be very difficult but in the future who knows
I was hoping to spend a little more time reading the comments/chatting, but duty calls and I must go – so, Merry Christmas, Rico, and all who sail in the good ship Highbury House – see you Boxing Day!
[And yes, I am very male, Rico, and you female — Tarzan and Jane? 😀 ]
Afternoon Rico and all. My very best wishes to everyone this Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you too Hb, have a fab time…
Afternoon Adam, gave you managed to get all your shopping done today? 😉
No, I am leaving it until the last minute Rico.
Last minute is nearly gone Adam.
Well Santander just went over our house but he didn’t stop because Hannah was awake. But it’s all good as he’s coming back later.
SANTA
Afternoon House, a merry Christmas to rico and all. House emails been missing last few days, anything changed? No matter. How nice to see papers commenting that all the other top clubs in crisis, haha.
Merry Christmas to you and your family too Andrew….
Think there’s a few ‘sharing’ issues as the posts don’t go onto Facebook either. I’ll try to sort it all in the new year…
I’m off guys..
Merry Christmas to you all..
Have a lovely evening….
Merry Christmas Rico and all on HH
Merry Christmas to all in the house
I wish you all a truly merry Xmas, and a wonderful 2016.
Yes, a league title would be fantastic, but as long as you, your friends and family are all around next year, count it as a successful year.
Now, off to visit the animals, I mean family 🙂 🙂
Is it that time already, I’m off out for a bit of Christmas service…..that’s if I can catch the barmaids eye !!!
Happy Christmas Gooners, here’s to a happy, healthy, fun-filled 2016, show us what your made of Arsene !
It’s been emotional rico !
Looks like I as will we all, we may be getting a great Christmas present this year it seems PL will ask its clubs to run a pilot programm to use video referring for penalties, red cards, violent conduct, off the ball incidents, goals and offsides.
It will make the likes Mike Dean the cheating fu#k irrelevant ?
Marvellous news. Technology to help us and condemn us but at least it will be honest! What a New Years present. Bravo.
A friend, not an arsenal supporter apropo nothing at all, repeated the Pep to Arsenal story. Any truth in the story? I’d like to think so. The dream is on!
A happy Christmas to all on HH it’s been a great year, so far, let’s hope we all get what we wish for! EPL, CL, and FA cup, topped up by the best Manager,in the worl just,now, Pep Guardiola what a coup that would be!
What will Santa think of next?
Have a good day tomorrow one and all,xespecially team leader and chief boss Rico. Hope the nurt roast is cooked to perfection and that it it is nice and rare in the centre!
Have a merry Christmas everyone, but most of all be safe..
Micko, watch those false eyes they’re darn slippy…
Our Xmas day concludes while ther rest of the world begins theirs.
Merry Xmas all.
Hope you’ve had a great day Scott…
Thanks re the Christmas wishes guys and no nut roast here wavy..
Micko, very emotional… Hope you caught captain Birdseye… 😉
New post up now..