Firstly I just want to pass on my condolences to the family of Sir Henry Cooper who passed away early yesterday morning aged 76.
The world of Sport and Boxing in particular has lost a wonderful man – RIP Big Fella….
On to todays fun story which no doubt some will fail to see adds a little bit of humour to the post.
Last week I watched A League of Their own – you know the one, it’s hosted by funny man James Corden and for me, it’s far better than a Question of Sport these days.
Well one of the questions they asked was about phobias – I cannot remember the other sports people involved but Cesc was one of the three.
Georgie Thompson, the cheeky little one said he was allergic to silverware, James Corden soon reminded her that Cesc is a World Cup winner..
His micro-phobia is Mushrooms, how fitting I thought. 😉
Kept in the Dark and Fed on Bull S**t......
Cesc signed for us in 2003, he was just sixteen years old.
I’m not sure if he has always had this phobia or it’s something he has developed over the last five or six years. My guess is the latter and just like a Mushroom, it’s come to the stage in his life where he is fed up with being kept in the dark and being fed bull-s**t about all things Arsenal. Just like the rest of us!
We all know every mushroom needs both to become it’s best 😉
And over the last few season’s Cesc Fabregas has certainly been one of our best, if not the best and no doubt we are in for a few weeks of speculation over whether he will stay or go this summer very soon. Well, what will be will be I think, there is nothing we can do about it but IF Wenger truly wants his Golden Boy to stay then it’s time to end feeding him the bull and prove we are going to be in with a real chance next season of winning something.
Stop talking up the team Arsene, make a few changes and build on what was a wonderful display and result against Manchester United. In fact, first things first, take us to Stoke on Sunday and bring home another three points, that’s what is important right now.
Little mention on goal-line technology – my view is that we need it but not on its own – if the footballing authorities are going to allow the introduction of technology they need to go the whole hog. It works in other sports it can work in football. The game will then become more fair for everyone, especially us the way things seem to have gone this season.
That’s it for today, have a good one…..
Morning, hope people can see the fun side today….
Hi Rico – I thought the answer to the question in your post was “So that Rico can bet Avenell’s other house on him leaving this summer and make him homeless again, like last year” 😉
Morning all.
Hi Chary, me, i wouldn’t be so cruel 😉
Morning Kt..
I didn’t know Cesc had such a fear of mushrooms…
I’m only teasing you Rico – you know I love you girl !
I hope you;re well. I’m going to the Villa game, but not to take part in the demo beforehand I hasten to add.
I know Chary, I’m good thanks, how’s you?
I wonder if we will still be in with a tiny chance of the league when we play Villa? Highly unlikely but funnier things have happened..
I hear mixed things about the demo, just hope it doesn’t turn in for a free for all, it will ruin anything that is meant to be being said…
We’d need a draw at Old Toilet Rico, and the Chavs and manks to lose the day before but I look at this way: beating the mancs on Sunday may not mean much in the grand scheme of things but at the very least any inconvenience we have given to the govan grumbler is worth it.
I hope there’s no aggro as I’ll be getting pi***d on Blackstock Road at that time and I wouldn’t want to get caught up in anything dodgy.
The win over them means so much, mucks up their challenge, finally we break the rotten run and most of all, we were awesome… 🙂
I strongly suspect there will be a few idiots joining in chary and probably not even afc fans….
Even if we don’t get first, I would be happy to be close.
morning Will…
just want us to win our last yhree, i’d be happier then… have accepted we wont win..
Stoke worries me because I know they will kick us and the ref’s will give them carte blanche to do so.
The worst case scenario there Rico is if the demo descends into a display of yobbery and hooliganism so that any legitimate grievances there are will be dismissed as being merely the antics of a rent-a-mob.
I can just image Peter Hill Wood pontificating on such a turn of events.
On the flip side to that Will, Stoke have the FA Cup Final, they won’t want any bookings/sending off’s for players, otherwise they will miss their day of glory…
I’m getting a bit up with all this pandering to Cesc, saying that the club has to prove to him that ‘he can win silverware’. Since the Barca affair last summer he seems to have had a detached presence on the field, and has continued to talk about his future in Spain, even if in vague terms. He is part and parcel of the side, and as captain has additional responsibility. Rather than implying that everybody else is short of what’s needed I’d rather hear him accepting more blame personally, because this has been his worse season for a long time. Sure injuries have played a big part but that doesn’t explain the stupid backheel that led to the first goal in Barcelona. If that had been Denilson or Diaby they would have been crucified.
That’s my fear too chary, it will undo all that is trying to be said by the ‘real fans’
True Rico, so maybe they won’t be so……industrial with their tackles.
Stroller, I see where you are coming from and you are right about that back heel. I think Wenger needs to remind Cesc who he is and where he is.
Hi Stroller,
I think a lot was said at the time re the back-heel but agree, had D&D made such a muck up it would still be talked about today.
The difference for me is the two you mention make error after error where as Cesc’s was not typical of his usual play.
I’m of the opinion he can stay or go, it matters little to me anymore, as long as wenger uses the money to strengthen where we need to.
However, Denilson and Diaby should be out the door long before Cesc goes…
Do we know who the ref is for the stoke game yet Will?
Wenger….
“We want to add what is needed but I am very cautious with what I say because it can be turned both ways,” said the Frenchman.
“It is very important for the club that we keep faith in what we do – you can see that the players grow when they get a chance. Like Wojciech Szczesny, compared to two months ago, he has grown.
“It is a law in our game – you can only grow at some stage if you play. People want both.
“They want to win every game and they want to produce fantastic quality young players as well.
“But if Jack Wilshere has grown this season it is because he has played.
“However, on the other hand, if you do not win, the same people say ‘why do you play young players?'”
No, can’t find out yet. Does it matter he will be English 😉
What position do you think Wenger will reinforce in the summer?
The thing is are we sure even if Cesc is sold will Wenger use the money straight away or will he say he will use “Internal solutions”?
We all know who the “internal solution” was when Flamini and Giberto was. Yes, step forward Neves Denilson.
I’d like Cesc to stay with Almunia, Denilson, Diaby and Eboue to leave with a defensive midfielder and a selfish goal poacher to arrive.
I know, a Championship manager type wish list but if we only get rid of those I’ve listed and keep Cesc we’ll be stronger than last year.
Will 🙂
That is a tough question – and I am not sure I have an answer,
Strikers – Chamakh, Theo, RvP, Nik, Vela JET
Midfielders – Song, Frimpong, Jack, Ramsey, Diaby, Denilson, Lansbury, Coquelin, Cesc
Central Defenders – Kos, JD, TV, Squilli, Miquel, Bartley
chary, if cesc goes i don’t think his position needs to be replaced, i’d rather wenger used the money elswhere, a winger and a goal scorer.
then use what he has already for a Ch and a beast of a midfielder but he won’t get the latter – not with Song, Frimpong and Coquelin…
My wishes to depart are:
Almunia
Nikki B
Denilson
Diaby
Eboue
I would like to see Vela given a chance in the centre. How is this for a team with the players we have now.
GK: Ches
Def: Sagna / TV / JD / Clichy
Mid: Jack / Cesc / Rambo / Nasri
Att: Vela / RvP/
Subs: Fab, Gibbs, Kos, AA, Song, Theo, Chamakh.
The pessimist/cynic in me says Wenger will talk about strengthening the squad around season ticket renewal time and then later on say “I am happy with my squad” – I’m pretty sure he won’t go and buy reinforcement because he has money from Cesc’s departure.
We can’t though Will, he’s on loan 😉
I’d always start with Theo right now, he’s in good form.. And, i wouldn’t leave out Song either..
But hey, thats just me 😉
Who would you leave out of that midfield? Also, remember, Theo doesn’t really defend and I would prefer him in the Ian Wright role.
I think most believe that at heart chary but at some stage his ways have to change.
he has finally admitted we lack experience and maturity, but he has also said he will stand by youth too – that’s fine, as long as he finally addresses the experience this summer and i honestly believe he will.
He is no fool, he must realise that a mature CH would have put that ball into row z in the CC final, or get the heck out of the way and leave it for the keeper.
He must also realise that a proper centre forward would have buried that chance in the dying seconds agaist barcelona which would have seen us through…
We are very close, we just need an older head or two in the side….
I have always harped on about playing Theo central Will, i stand by that today – him and RvP up front together would always be my choice….
Oh, i would leave out Cesc right now…
I agree Rico but I would like to see Vela given a go. From what I have seen, he is a natural finisher and we don’t really have one of those. But, if not, use Vela as a sub and have Theo up there.
We’ll have to see what happens to Vela in the summer Will, he may not even be in the squad..
Right now, with the players we have i’d go with Theo up with RvP with the four man midfield you list.. 🙂
Back in a bit, walkies time…
Morning all,
I feel as if someone should stick up for Fabregas a little, for a start the back heel that he attempted worked out to be a mistake and led to a disaster, but others have done it in the same places this year and got away with it, rub of the green a lot of the time.
Plus I still haven’t heard Cesc say he is leaving, I am wondering if fans knowing how tight the Arsenal Board are in coughing up money, are trying to find the funds to buy new players at Fabregas’s expense, personally he may not of had a very good year and supporters view of him maybe jaded a touch, but even so he is still valued at 35mill plus. I read in the papers that the Chavs may be interested in acquirering his services as they prepare their 80 90million spending spree, apparently the Russian wants to include some sexy football, God forbid we lose him to them and end up with him against us. we ought to be careful of what we wish for.
I would hate to see Cesc for the Chavs.
i think we need goal technology , with goal technology , Chelsea wouldn’t be such an happy chappy this morning if their goal against the Tutts had not be allowed. Because it clearly didn’t cross the line.
But i challenge any of you guys to see that with your naked eye from the lines man’s position
Bryan Ruiz is a player we need for more directness. He plies his trade with Twente Enschede. Get him and and a real selfish number 9 and we are set.
Cesc said he would never play for another club in England unlike Torres.
I must be one of the few that believes that there was more ball over the line than on it, I would have given a goal and I wanted Spuds to win
Times change Santos, if Barca never bid and Chavs did and Cesc feels his not wanted where else would he get the wage
Thing is, if we keep Cesc, where do Jack and Rambo play?
they will get their chances with our injury lists Will
True but I hope having two players who can get stuck in will result is us not being seen as a weak team and the violence against us will stop.
I would rather have a choice of Cesc Jack and Rambo than denny and easty
As our players develop we will see a change in them Will experience brings out cleverness as Messi Shows, loads of natural talent and a desire to go down at the merest glimpse of a foot. I am not saying that’s how I want us to play but the game is heading that way
I would like to see Eastmond given a chance, we have no idea what he can do, he has not played. Same as with Frimpong.
Well he wont play for a year anyway Will so he wont be going anywhere
Even our on loan players suffer the curse it seems 😉
That’s why Jack and Rams will always be busy
England will flog the life out of Jack
speak later
Afternoon fella’s and Lady Rico, Pearce is a prized prick looking to enhance his pitiful CV by slaughtering players who have already had long hard seasons its pathetic.
Wenger and Gazidis really should put their feet down on this one.
I like the way the spirit of next season is gradually building on this blog.
So i guess it is bye bye this season then.
I think this season was over after the CC final.
Huddersfield boss Lee Clark was delighted with on-loan Arsenal striker Benik Afobe after victory at Brighton.
Afobe gunned down the League One champions to keep alive Huddersfield’s slim hopes of snatching the second automatic promotion spot from Southampton.
Striker Afobe, on loan from Arsenal, scored twice and set up a last-minute winner for substitute Danny Ward as the Seagulls’ trophy celebrations in their last ever game at Withdean fell flat.
Clark said: “It was another fantastic performance from Benik. His first goal was top class. The second highlighted how quickly the boy can react.”
no need for cecs to go… our team will be very thin once these players go: denielson, diaby, almunia, chamak, rosicky, squillachi… do u really think leting cecs go is a good idea…
we can replace denilson with frimpong.
rosicky with lansbury.
almunia with mannone.
squillachi with bartley.
Chamak and diaby need to be replaced….
infact chamak can be replaced by vela.
so all we need is a def/ box to box mid.
Box to box player is Rambo.
Afternoon…
I am not sure we will have Bartley next season, rangers want him big time and he has said if he’s not promised his chance with us, he will look for first team football…
Will, or Lansbury..
Allo Lady Rico……… 🙂
Hi WATH, how’s you today?
Am fine ta, all quiet here today………..! how’s you..?
Very well thanks, just doing a bit of cooking, it is very quiet….
Get kettle on there’s a dear am parched ;-)don’t forget my fav choccie biscuits either
😆 you know my answer to that…..
My take is that it is time for Cesc to leave like Anelka to Real and Cashley to Chelski.
Like Vieira and Henry, Wenger will just let him go to start a bidding war among Real, Inter, Milan, Abu Dhabi City, and any team that is willing to match Wenger’s valuation.
This will send a clear message to Barca and Ce3sc that Arsenal FC’s patience had run out and up to Cesc to submit a formal transfer request or commit to Arsenal.
By the willingness to sell Cesc, it will send a message to all and sundries that nobody is bigger than the club and there are always replacements within the rank of Arsenal youths or Arsenal can buy any replacement.
DO not blame Wenger, do not blame the players and do nto blame the club.
You have 6 years to prove your worth, to prove your leadership quality to galvanise your team-mates and to play as well as you can.
ANd you proved yoruself a flop this season where silverwares can be won, and the title is ours to win…and yet, you did not put in a shift, a full-hearted commitment, to fight and to die for the badge with full-hearted commitment to play as you cna play.
Instead, you are distruaghted and did a Vieira’s last season Wanderlust, unable to life your game, unable to fully commited on the pitch.
And you are so predictable in attacks, no visionary thru’ balls, just lobbed balls, and unable to produce those laser-guided long passes to team-mates.
It is very telling that the whole TEAM played with COMMITMENT in your absence,,and even Arshavin tracked back and committed at least two full-hearted tackles.
The worse mistake that a weak Wenger ever done is to pamper to Cesc’s desire to play at Nou Camp, even though Cesc wase not fit..and borne out by Cesc out-injured again…and worse injustice to Cesc’s team-mates, done f**K-all on the pitch and a passenger. Arsenal played with 10-man with Cesc in the team that day.
ANd so insulting that Arsenal cna’t string together 3 consecutive passes and no attempt at goal throughout the match. That speaks volumes on his performance, considered one of the finest midfielders in premiership….can’t even made ONE CHANCE for a shot at goal?????
I can’t wait to see the back of Cesc this summer and Wenger should accept a 35-mil bid from Barca…and may Cesc rot on the bench there..like Hleb.
In fact, Wenger should know by now that every premeirship managers knew how to close Cesc down with his predictable style of play..no pace, no swift counter-attack..just a series of “slow slow” Crab FOotball..followed by a final lob ball that is easily cut-off and mostly missed the team-mates which Cesc have yet to develop telegraphic understanding since the days of 2007/08 Rosicky-Fabregas-FLamini-Hleb Midfield.
It is better for Wenger to go bakc to the drawing board with Nasri-Wilshere-Rasmey-Lansbury-JET-New Buy-ANeke rather than persist with a player who admitted that Barca is his “first love and he will like to play for his hometown” club.
Face it, his commitment to Arsenal is gone as clearly proven by his performances this season.
If he played with commitment like last season, he is worthed at least 5 or 6 more goals – himself or assists…which meant that we should be fighting for the title now..instead of out of title race.
Henry was the last of our great players that can win a match single-handedly…certainly not this SPanish puta…who I will say cost us the title and a piece of silverware simply due to him being distraughted and not wholeheartedly committed to Arsenal… mooning throughout the season over his “missed move to Barca” even till now.
W.A.T.H says:
May 3, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Allo Lady Rico
__________________________________________
And I thought Rico was a “he”?????
True Rico but I think Rambo is a little more advanced that Henri. I would have Henri around the first team though and throw him into some cup games.
Wow merlin, that is one heck of a comment, i need to read that again… 😉
Def not Merlin and Lady Rico makes a wicked cup of tea one just has to ask very nicely….! seems I am failing today.
Off 2 make me own tea then back in a bit….!
Merlin, you could of saved that for 2moro’s post…! 😉
very good comment though…!
I echo that Merlin, top comment and it’s a post in itself – next time 😉
Will, that is why I was so interested in Norwich, Lansbury has made a massive impact for them this season, up until recently he has started most of their games.
He is now experienced what it is like to fight for a Championship for a promotion, it would have done him the world of good and made him a stronger player.
same can be said for Bartley at Rangers..
‘Like Vieira and Henry, Wenger will just let him go to start a bidding war among Real, Inter, Milan, Abu Dhabi City, and any team that is willing to match Wenger’s valuation.’
This bit is interesting and i hope it’s not far from reality, IF Cesc insists on leaving.
As we have said before, if Torres is worth 50 million Cesc has to be worth a lot more than Barca offered last summer. IF he asks to go, he’s our player and we should get the maximum amount we can for him.
If the Chavs and Citeh offer £50million then it has to be ‘Match it Barca, or he stays with Arsenal’
Cesc won’t go to any other club other than Barca, so it’s down to them to pay the right price….
Arsenal Football Club and home appliance manufacturer Indesit have announced today that they have signed a three-year partnership deal.
Indesit, which is based in Italy, has signed a multi-million pound deal to work in partnership with Arsenal to help drive their business in the UK and throughout Europe.
Tom Fox, Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The Arsenal name is known and recognised around the world. It is synonymous with an attractive style of play, a youthful team, innovation, tradition and winning. These values are immensely powerful for our partners and provide them with a platform to both differentiate their brands and connect them on a meaningful level to our fans and potential fans around the world.
“The more we understood about Indesit’s approach to the market, their company values and plans for growth, the more we both realised how a relationship with Arsenal could benefit both parties.”
Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal’s Head of Global Partnerships, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Indesit on board as an official partner of Arsenal. We’ve enjoyed working closely with Indesit to put together a partnership to best suit both organisations and I look forward to working just as closely with them in the years ahead to maximise the potential of our relationship.”
Indesit Brand Marketing Director, Marco Rota said: “Arsenal Football Club has values linked to our brand, which is why we are particularly happy to sign an agreement with a partner with so much popularity, not only in the UK but all over Europe too. Arsenal is one of the greatest football teams in the world and we’re looking forward to enjoying a successful partnership together.”
The partnership between Arsenal and Indesit officially starts from the beginning of next season, at the first day of the Emirates Cup on Saturday 30th July 2011.
How much Rico?
It doesn’t say Will, its a good thing though, yes?? Well, depending how much the deal is worth to us and whether it will pay for players…
We just need to get this Emirates monkey off of our backs
Does this mean we will have Indesit on our shirts then? If so, what will Emirates make of it…
I doubt it, probably around teh pitch.
I can’t see that would be much good for them, interesting, will have to see whats on the new kit 😉
Hello!
Opinions on the new equipment?
What do you think about the badge of 125 years?
They started the “novels” of interests and hiring …
QPR and Norwich have returned to the League … WH relegate?
Hi JM
I think West Ham still have a slight chance to survive, really chuffed about Norwich for Lansbury …
hi all. they just announced that jack is part of pearce’s provisional u-21 squad. no surprise there. like many, i think this is more about pearce’s resume than the intersts of the player, but the regulations support this, so there will be little arsene or anyone can do.
indesit is now one of our commercial sponsors. emirates airlines remain our kit sponsor. won’t be any change there – if there was, the announcement would have specified the change in shirt sponsors. emirates still has a few more years to run.
Howard Webb at ….surprise! …. Mu-Chelsea!
Hi oliver, i am going to cover that tomorrow so i won’t comment today 😉
thanks for clarifying the sponser situation, i couldn’t find out how it would work.
I see Howard (Man Utd) Webb is in charge of the Chavs/Man Utd game on Sunday.
That’s handed the title to the mancs then, mind you he will be under so much scrutiny….
as i understand, w ham are not quite down yet, but probably likely. they are still only four points off safety, so they could still wriggle out of this…
not sure who will come up in the playoffs – cardiff were very, very poor yesterday. swansea, reading and forest are the other three sides in the playoff hunt, with leeds lurking, three points adrift…
no prizes for guessing who rico would prefer to go up…me, i have no particular preference.
hi rico…i’ll refrain from comment about jack for now then…
gibbs is also in the squad…united has smalling named as well – he did well this season, but did not play nearly the amount of minutes which jack did…
with this development, would arsene consider giving jack a spot of a breather and playing cesc and ramsey together for, say, two of the last three matches? i would hate to think we would allow the fa to dictate things to us, but if they won’t consider his interests, perhaps we should…
so much for refraining from discussion…
Ticket prices up by 4%
😉 thanks oliver
what i don’t get is Andy Carroll is in the under 21 squad – he’s 22 😆
Stop it now oliver… 😛
he’s probably one of those “on the bubble” picks – right at the age envelope…he’s been injured for a big part of the season, so playing i would think playing him will constitute less of a burnout risk than it would with jack…
from what i can glean, kenny is not particularly thrilled about carroll’s call up either. but he appears happy to let arsene vocalize the opposition. perhaps kenny is picking and choosing his battles here.
They should unite for the one cause oliver, it’s equally important for Carroll that he doesn’t get injured again after being out so long….
i agree that this is an issue that affects all managers – arsenal may pay for it this summer, but next time around it, the england u21’s may burn jack robinson or john flanagan out…kenny absolutely has a dog in this fight, not just arsene…
spot on oliver, it won’t just be about us now, look at all the younger players who are top class, england should not be allowed to use them for both…
and we sure have a few coming through….
the problem is a one-sided system that inherently favors the fa…
i am as cynical as the next guy regarding pearce’s motives – his undistinguished spells as forest (caretaker) and man city manager make for skimpy, underwhelming cv – yet the rules and fa have his back all the way on this, so why wouldn’t he (pick jack, carroll, etc)?
if only he would consider that playing jack virtually non-stop for potentially a couple of years could have a real negative long-term effect. the experience argument is laughable – jack got far more from facing barcelona at camp nou, or the carling cup final, or our high profile clashes with chelsea and man united than he ever would in a kids tournament. but…as long as the system favors him, we should expect him to decide strictly along those lines – as he appears to have done…
i might as well get my thoughts out now – i will be away from the office all day tomorrow, business over on the virginia side.
i had a feeling you would oliver, it’s no problem 🙂
it’s time though for the rules to be changed imho – every england fan and the media slate england teams, well if the rules stay as they are, the england team will never get any better as players will always be crocked – aka michael owen….
on that note, i have pop off for dinner…
It looks like the mancs will line up in their 4-5-2 formation after Webb’s return to full fitness.
Looks like Tom Daley has a few challengers from Barca again tonight…..
Why did Wenger let Diarra go……
All quiet here so i’m off for the day,
’til tomorrow all, nighty night….
Watching the match…
See you tomorrow
Morning ….
New Post up