Uhhhh, so…..yeah!

Not a great deal going on. Why the hell would you inflict this on your child?

RVP feels sorry for the fans. Rightly so, nice to see one of our overpaid mercenaries realise that someone actually suffers for their drudgery.

Silvestre says that next season’s title tilt starts at Old Trafford this Saturday.

“All the players now have to fight for their spots and show the boss they deserve to be there and have the will to defend Arsenal's colours.”

Wow, if there’s an article to inspire you then this probably isn’t it. So, NOW they have to fight for their spots and defend Arsenal’s colours? What about the last ten months then?? Shut up and learn how to defend, puto!

As you can tell I’m getting a little pissed off with modern day footballers. Talk is cheap and they are not. All good talking about how they’re going to do this that and the other, but cross that white line and you’ll see quite a few not give a flying f**k and just happily collect their millions while the rest of us slave away for the “privilege” of doing it all again. I actually now prey for a salary cap, bring football back onto this planet and give the players a dose of reality. Speaking of doses, I hope Adebayor gets a dose of anthrax.

The Emirates Cup will see Athletico Madrid, PSG and Rangers visit the Grove on the weekend of 1st and 2nd August, with it already confirmed that Rangers will have their support segregated. All MET leave has been cancelled for that weekend as North London braces itself. Will be a great atmosphere thats for sure for the Arsenal v Rangers game on the Sunday (we play Athletico on the Saturday which should also be good) but lets hope it’s all kept in good spirit.

  Interesting how Adebayor isn’t being used to advertise the tournament!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the “5 minute cup final”. Happier times.

Arshavin is “baffled” by Wenger playing him wide on the left.

"Sometimes I feel I can do well here but other times I don't - and that's probably because I am playing as a left midfielder.

"I still can't get used to the idea that I am capable of playing there and, frankly, having to do it keeps me baffled.

"I don't know if I can play so well as a left winger or if it is just God taking care of me."

Has Wenger gone mental, like some mad professor of football? Possibly. That would explain Adebayor, transparent bolts in the side of the neck y’see. A self conscious and fashion aware monster. Still can’t understand the offside trap though, tw*t.

Matthieu Coutadeur has said that there’s “nothing concrete” in our interest in him and that he’s eyeing up a move to PSG from Le Mans in the summer. Oddly enough I signed him by chance on PES and he turned out to be quite a good DCM. However then Diaby became world class and edged him out of the squad while we captured our 3rd consecutive Champions League title and 4th consecutive Premiership title to go with the cup and giving us a 3rd treble in as many seasons, so maybe PES isn’t the best thing to base our summer transfer activity on!

Right, I think that’s enough of a linkfest for today. Oh, and apparently Kronke has upped his stake in the club to 28.3%, just 1.7% below the limit where he’ll be forced to bid for a takeover. Got this emailed from the old man, not sure of the source:

Stan Kroenke has purchased a further small amount of Arsenal shares, with the American billionaire's total holding remaining at 28.3% of the Barclays Premier League club, it has been confirmed.

Kroenke, who last year accepted an invitation to join the club's board, acquired two more ordinary shares on April 30, at a price of £6,750 each, a statement released on Tuesday morning on the PLUS market said.

The Kroenke Enterprise Group are the largest shareholder in Arsenal, ahead of Uzbek tycoon Alisher Usmanov, after a recent £42.5million purchase of stock from director Danny Fiszman and then increasing their stake with another 4,839 shares from members of the Carr family, also at the end of April.

Under financial regulations, were any single shareholder to reach a 30% threshold, they would be obliged to make a takeover bid. However, it is understood Kroenke has no intentions of any such move....just yet!

As opposed as I was to a takeover it’s starting to look inevitable, and with the squad needing investment to push on for honours this guy looks the lesser of two evils. I’ll probably talk more about this tomorrow. Maybe.

Anyway, that's your lot. Adios.

 

Technorati Tags: Adebayor,Kronke,Usmanov,Emirates Cup,Arshavin,Silvestre,Coutadeur

Stop the season, I want to get off…..

So, another thrashing in our own back yard. I can pretend I’m bothered by this but for some reason I’m pretty chirpy this morning, so I wont really let this spineless display get me down.

I played hockey yesterday so haven’t seen anything of the game. And after speaking to the old man I decided to give Match of the Day 2 a swerve as well. But the general impression I’m getting is that we started really, really well, conceded against the run of play after the ref bought a Drogba dive, went at them again, conceded to the f**king Mercenary (well, one of them!), went into halftime two down instead of three up and promptly stopped giving a toss. Interestingly Arshavin didn’t feature against the Chavs for the second time, flu apparently the reason. I love a good conspiracy theory me, and personally I can’t look past the whole dodgy Russian owner/Russian national manger/Kittens and AK47 theory behind the situation!

We entered the game with a vague hope of finishing 3rd, but as I stated last week realistically this game was a dead rubber, with 4th assured we’re just playing out the season. Unfortunately with yesterdays game and United away next weekend it could be a painful week before our final game at home against Stoke, a side that also has nothing to play for. I’m honestly expecting United, who may only need a point to secure the title against us, to put five away.

But, one massive positive that slapped me round the face like a live Salmon yesterday was that the humbling that we’ve received in the past week, and will probably get again next weekend, is that it will hopefully, hopefully open both Wenger and the Board’s eyes as to what must be done this summer. The side is full of potential but we desperately need one, probably 2 quality, ESTABLISHED (and not Mikael f**king Silvestre, a proper player) centre backs and a decent centre mid. The trouble we had this season was the lack of the latter and so kept trying out different players (Diaby, Song, Denilson, Nasri) with little joy. Wenger has noted this and has said he will strengthen in the summer:

"We'll look to sign one or two players. We are prepared to spend the necessary money to get the players we want."

Ok, that's encouraging, but I’d say its more like three or four players rather than one or two. It’s a view echoed by Jabba Usmanov:

“At times it was a bit like men against boys (us v Man United). Does the club need to take a step up? Of course. To be first in the world, to be first in Europe, you must have a much stronger bench.”

"Look at United on Tuesday night. They had at least £100m in talent sitting on the bench."

Hate to say it, but the chubby one has it bang on the head. We’ve had a horrific time of it with injuries, and when fit our first team is pretty awesome (minus Adebayor). The trouble has been those coming in aren’t yet the required quality to maintain a bid for any silverware. Wenger has said he doesn’t want to “kill the kids” by signing big players, but we’re now at the stage where the fans do actually want to “kill the kids” literally, enough is enough.

However, is the money available? I guess we’ll find out one way or another this summer. Either the manager has the cash but wants to keep the faith with his experiment, or there actually isn’t any finance available to bring the players required in, his hands are tied and the board has lead the fans on a merry dance with empty promises that we can compete. And if the latter is true then the board could find themselves in a spot of bother.

One thing that certainly also doesn’t help is when the manager keeps f**king with the side and resorting to playing players out of position. Stop c**ting about with 4-4-1-1 or whatever the hell formation we’re trying, stop playing Nasri as a holding midfielder with Diaby of all f**king people on the left and Bendtner on the right. Nasri is a attacking winger, Diaby is a defensive midfielder who jumps up to attack occasionally (no matter how much he thinks he’s Maradonna or whoever, that’s what he is) and Bendtner is a big, f**koff centre forward. That’s what they are, PLAY THEM THERE! Yes, it worked against Boro, but they’re utter sh**e and probably going down, THAT’S WHY IT WORKED! We then used the same “masterplan” for two games against United and one against Chavski. The result: 3 defeats, 8 goals conceded, 2 scored and humiliation. GO FOUR-FOUR-F**KING-TWO!!!!!

Anyway, this is now a rant, it’s been that kind of week. I’m in two minds weather to actually watch the United game next weekend, I’ll probably decide on the morning if I want to torture myself further.

But on a happy note, my hockey season finished yesterday with a thorough dismantling of University of Portsmouth, we won 18-0 and I bagged a brace to finish the season with 10 goals, 5 assists and 4th highest points scorer on the team. Can’t actually remember the last time I scored double digits in a season, but I’ve got the feeling it may have been when I was 15, so I’m happy with that!

Anyway, I’m going to have a Pink Floyd-athon. Adios muchachos.

Technorati Tags: Farnborough Arrows,Pink Floyd,Chavski,Wenger,United

He’s an Englishman at Arsenal…..

So, Theo has signed a new, long term contract. Good times.

Ok, so he’s got a dodgy shoulder and was played out of the 2 semi finals against United, but the kid’s only 20 and is going to only get better, so to secure his services for X number of years more is a great move.

Arseblog gave the initial heads up on this article, but just in case you’ve not read today’s Arseblog (why the hell not??) here it is again. I usually hate the Mirror, but John Cross hits the Adebayor nail on the head. I wish someone would hit Adebayor on the head. With a lorry. Repeatedly.

Chavski on Sunday in a battle of two teams that are 3rd and 4th and will probably finish in those positions too. Although it’s a London Derby I can see it being a bit of a non-event which they’ll probably win. I don’t think any of our injured players are scheduled to return, Clichy is out for the remaining 3 games with the boss not wanting to rush him back. Arshavin has a bit of the flu but should feature.

It’s looking like we may have to watch United be presented with the trophy when we go up there next weekend. Could be a long week potentially.

I won’t be watching Sunday, the old man is heading to the game and I have my last hockey game of the season vs University of Portsmouth which some ignorant t**t decided to put at 16:20 on Sunday afternoon, as if my hockey fixtures weren’t bad enough to them make them clash with Arsenal is disgraceful! Skulls will be crushed, oh yes!

Finally, The Who will be playing an acoustic set at the “Legends and Youths Ball” at the end of the season in aid of the TCT. The idea of meeting Arsenal players while watching a Who live set is a pretty awesome one, but at £1,200 for a pair of tickets probably just a little out of my price range!

Have a good weekend, lets hope Arsenal can put some smiles back on our faces.

Technorati Tags: The Who,Adebayor,Theo,Farnborough Arrows

Feeling Fine….

Well, I’m not actually. I’m still pissed off and the only comfort I can have that we were so far behind United in terms of quality that you can’t really complain with the result. And if that were a physical comfort, it’d be a teddy bear lined with razorblades and a mace for a head. Pretty s**t comfort!

I find Chavski’s result a bit better. Yeah, celebrating our rivals shortcomings is something that lot from the swamp would do, but f**k it, when we’re down, lets mock those that fall also!

I’ve not seen any of last night, but heard about the Chav’s behaviour at the end, surely some serious bannage will come? I doubt it, money talks.

Speaking of money talking, Adebayor has pledged his future to the club. Not just twisting the knife, but pissing on the open wound at the same time. Not sure about you but I was planning on which Defensive Centre Mid and f**koff scary Centre Back we were going to purchase with the cash we got from getting rid of Greedy. Bollocks. Lets hope its reverse logic like last summer, when he said he was off then stayed…

Another striker behaving badly is Nicklas Bendtner, who was seen being escorted out of a nightclub seeming a little worse for ware and with his trousers round his ankles. A Bendtner Bender! Anyway, he’s issued an apology. Ok, it’s not the thing you’d expect or want a professional footballer to do, but I think most of us wanted to go drink ourselves to oblivion on Tuesday night so I can kinda feel for him, he seemed to be one of the few that really cared, unlike a certain Togolese striker WHO I CAN’T BELIEVE HAS SAID HE’S STAYING. WHY??? F**KING WHY??????

Rumours are flying about at the moment that both Wenger and Theo have signed/are close to signing/will sign new contracts. Just rumours at the moment.

One massive this that was highlighted by the United defeat is that it was men against boys and Wenger needs to re-assess his methods to achieve European glory. We needed established players a few years back but the team has gotten younger. Half of this is probably down to the manager, the other half is that no-doubt his hands are tied by the board with regards to finance because of the stadium loan. While thinking of the latter one interesting point I read online that is bang on the money was with regards to his scouting network. Why look at youngsters at the moment when if we re-focused attention to areas such as eastern Europe there are probably players with the quality, age and experience that can be bought cheap (ish) i.e. Vidic when United got him. Are the scouts too obsessed with age or are we just looking for the wrong needles in the wrong haystacks? It’s a great point. Unearth developed talent rather than potential.

Anyway, that’s enough for today, Surrey are about to start their second day vs Middlesex and Ramprakash is on 126 not out, so I’m going to listen to that.

Enjoy.

Technorati Tags: Fallout,Wenger,Theo,Bendtner,Surrey,Scouting,Adebayor,Ramprakash

Numb

Men against boys. Says it all really……….

BELIEVE!

A quality long weekend with muchos muchos cerveza will ensure that this is a short post.

Good win at Pompey at the weekend, quite easy really and it could see them being dragged back into the relegation scuffle if they’re not careful. We put out a second string and did the job in style.

Now, important matters. Tonight. The Mancs. A place in the final up for grabs.

I still think we can do this!

RVP is in the squad, I believe Silvestre is as well, so no new injuries following Pompey, which makes a  nice change!

Going to be an awesome atmosphere tonight, the Grove will be rocking and the club has dished out 60k Arsenal flags to improve the atmosphere. Personally I think that’s tacky as hell, especially after mocking that lot from the West End for their artificial atmosphere. But sod it, its a one off and we need a kick up the arse.

Lets hope my hazy and pissed up blog tomorrow will be one of unconfined joy.

COME ON YOU REDS!

Technorati Tags: Believe,Champions League Semi Final

Pompey away and beer on a sunny day

Pompey away tomorrow, bit of a non-event this is expect.

We know that Clichy is out and wont make the game on Tuesday either, good thing we have Wonderboy Gibbs.

Yeah, put that ladyboy c**t on his arse!

Also injured are Silvestre and Eduardo (again), both with groin injuries and both doubtful for Tuesday.

Tomorrow is pretty much a dead rubber, they’re pretty much safe, a win and we’re guaranteed 4th, we’ll still be guaranteed 4th if we lose and Villa fail to win, I think. I’m expecting a score draw and lots of rotating players. I don’t mean literally spinning in circles, I mean chop and changing, all that, you know…..

Anyway, I’m off to the Reading Beer Festival to get royally c**ted and eat my bodyweight in pork scratchings (and that’s a lot).

Enjoy the long weekend and COME ON YOU REDS!