We are delighted to offer a double post for Christmas. It begins with Trev’s excellent preview of our forthcoming match with the Canaries followed by some observations from the one and only Bob Wilson. This is followed by Bob’s discussion of Christmas at the Arsenal during his time at the club. We conclude by offering an opportunity to make a Christmas donation to the Willow Foundation, a charity that does superb work providing special days for young adults with serious diseases. It’s Christmas, please be generous! Just click on the picture of Santa Claus at the end of the blog to link to the Willow Giving Page.
David Faber, 1957 – 2019
The team at Goonerholics Forever would like to take this opportunity to remember David Faber, the Goonerholic, who sadly passed before his time on December 25th 2019. Dave’s Goonerholic blog brought us all together and his love of the Arsenal, warmth and humanity remain a daily inspiration to us all. All men are dust but some men are gold dust. We miss you, Guvna.
Delia’s Goose…
Yes, we play Norwich City away from home on Boxing Day but first and foremost this is a time to remember the founder of the original Goonerholic blog, our great friend David Faber. Christmas Day will mark the second anniversary of his sadly premature passing. He is missed as much today as he was then – even more-so when each round of the writing schedule comes around and volunteers are asked to step forwards! How he managed to produce such consistent quality, single handed, for so many years is even more of a wonder now than it was then. That consistency, warmth and even-handedness won him a huge community of both readers and real, grateful friends who will be stopping to think of him and his family over the festive period.
For many years, I used to go to Norwich every September for the Eastern Region Ski Instructors coaching weekend which was held at the Norwich artificial ski slope. From the top of the slope you could see the Coleman’s mustard estate, and hear the crowd noise rise from Norwich’s home ground, Carrow Road – well, you could back in the day when Norwich used to score goals occasionally. Our newly rejuvenated squad will be as keen as Coleman’s mustard to give them a good stuffing on Boxing Day.
And talking of stuffing, an important part of the festive season is always the special cuisine on offer. Norwich City FC is, of course, co-owned by a chef, the famous Delia Smith, and she has reportedly concocted this Christmas dinner menu for the club:
Starter
“Delia’s Let’s Be ‘Avin’It”- a rather undercooked mixture that promises much but usually fails to satisfy despite being drenched in copious amounts of dry white whine.
Main
Roasted canary, old mashed Spuds and a selection of the new, trendy but nonetheless second rate, wonky vegetables.
Dessert
Pukki Pudding – a late replacement on this festive menu for the “Lampard Special” – a mixture of fatty pudding, a nutty topping and a wide sloppy base which the chef just could not ultimately quite put together.
Wine
A strange white – more a mixture of insipid green and yellow hue – can be a little over forceful to the taste, with occasional lingering bitterness.
Tea, coffee – to be served in mugs as no-one can remember seeing a cup anywhere in the club since 1985.
There is a vegetarian alternative main course of St Stephen’s Pizza which will be served just as the good King Wenceslas liked it – Deep pan, crisp and even.
The Teams
While the Arsenal have risen to the dizzy and, for this season at least, somewhat unexpected heights of fourth and a Champions League place, Norwich are rooted to the bottom of the league table. They have won just 2 games out of 17 played this season, scoring just 8 times and conceding 34, giving them a miserable goal difference of -26. Whilst we have been climbing the table, it is our away form that needs to improve. We have already lost 5 times on the road this season, recently at Old Trafford and Goodison Park, where on each occasion we took the lead but then conceded both the front foot and the match.
We have a horrible habit of trying to restore some confidence to teams enduring poor runs of results, so no repeats this time please, Arsenal – a committed performance and a win has to be the order of the day, even though Norwich have earned two draws in their last two league outings under new manager Dean Smith. The Dean must be allowed no prayer in this one ( come on now, it’s Christmas 😏).
Norwich do have some injury concerns ahead of this one. Firstly, Milot Rashica who has been injured since their relegation six pointer with Newcastle at the end of November, and then Norwegian Mathias Normann, their best player so far, who has been out recently due to a recurring pelvic problem. Both reportedly have a good chance of returning on Boxing Day. Grant Hanley, their Scottish international centre back and captain has been injured along with their other central defenders Andrew Omobamidele, Christoph Zimmerman and Ozan Kabak – however, all of them apart from Zimmerman have some chance of being fit to face us. We’ll see. They also have some COVID and other illness concerns but they, frankly, are anyone’s guess.
The Arsenal, meanwhile, have a doubt over Tomiyasu. While not serious, he has played a lot of games and might be given a chance to return to full fitness by sitting this one out. Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Sambi Lakonga are all still isolating with COVID-19 and will not be available. The only other concerns are Sead Kolasinac – out until the New Year and probably long beyond 😏 – and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who one imagines might well remain on the naughty step until the African Cup of Nations at least. With Gabriel Martinelli on fire and Eddie Nketiah very keen to play, if not yet ready to start, that is much less of a problem than might have been envisaged. There may also be a wish to protect Ben White who suffered some kind of muscle “ tightening” against Leeds.
Who will start ? My guess is:
Ramsdale
Cédric, White (Holding), Gabriel, Tierney
Partey, Xhaka
Saka, Ødegaard, Smith-Rowe
Lacazette.
I’ve included Xhaka only because everyone always does, although I would love to see Ødegaard there as a play maker, which would allow ESR to move into the centre and Martinelli to start wide left. The front half of the team would then be:
Partey, Ødegaard
Saka, ESR, Martinelli
Lacazette.
Breaking News
It has been revealed that the Premier League stepped in to prevent Norwich’s latest proposed sponsorship deal with pet food firm ‘Spillers’. A Premier League spokesman said it would be fraudulent to have Norwich players with “Winnalot” on their shirts. 😂
And Delia Smith offered to send the Norwich squad on an all expenses paid holiday to Florida, but they said they’d rather go to Blackpool so they could see what it’s like to ride in an open-top bus. 😆
And finally, two Norwich fans were walking along the road. One of them picked up a mirror, looked in it and said, “Hey, I know that bloke!”The second one took the mirror, looked into it and said, “Of course you do, you idiot – it’s me!” 🤪
The Holic Pound
Wherever you look, we are about 2/5 on to win this one, with Norwich around 7/1 against. Martinelli can be had at 5/1 as first goal scorer. Arsenal wins of 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0 can be had at 21/2, 20/1 and 53/1 respectively. Remember, as they now say, when the fun stops, stop !
Other bits
This one kicks off at 15.00 UK time, on Sunday 26th December. There is no TV coverage – audio available on Arsenal dot com.
The referee is confirmed as Graham Scott. His Christmas little helper on VAR will be Lee Mason, a lovely fella who I’m sure will be out to help us as much as he possibly can.
And please remember – Enjoy the game ‘Holics, and I know you’ll be thinking of the great man who lent us all his moniker. To Dave ! 🍺🥃
A Conversation with Bob Wilson
GHF – Bob, how do feel the Arsenal side is developing this season?
Bob – Having just basked in the win and performance against West Ham I remain mildly optimistic about the development of the team. Really good signings and all youngsters plus an intensity in recent games which was certainly the case versus the Hammers who are an excellent team these days. More and more I see a squad in age and talent that reminds me of ours 50 years ago. A really good mixture of senior players and hugely talented youngsters especially Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli.
GHF – Do you think they will be negatively affected by the fallout from the Aubameyang situation? As someone who played under a legendary captain, I guess you would see the captaincy as a key issue for a team like ours given its relative inexperience?
Bob – I cannot envisage anything negative following the Aubameyang incident. Rather the opposite with players knowing exactly where they stand with misdemeanours.
GHF – Personally I would have Tierney leading the squad. Fine player, passionate and never happy with anything less than a win.
GHF – What impact do you think Ramsdale has had on the side? Do you see him as the Arsenal keeper for a long time into the future?
Bob – Aaron Ramsdale has been magnificent so far. An immediate impact on the team in front of him, some extraordinary saves, that unusual gem for a keeper, of presence. I like his visual encouraging as long as it’s not too over the top, i.e., screaming and shouting.
GHF – We play Norwich on Boxing Day (Covid permitting). Do you have any memories of playing at Carrow Road?
Bob – Carrow Road is always a dangerous venue. Terrific loyal fans helping a Club that traditionally struggles to buy players that make the difference.
I can never remember personally getting a relatively easy win at Carrow Rd. Norwich are usually up against it. Hence, they are ‘dangerous’.
GHF – How do you think we will fare against Norwich?
Bob – Player for player, potential v potential we will be ‘ favourites’ to win . But the sort of application of the first half against Spurs or the West Ham performance will be needed
GHF – Would you expect Mikel to try to strengthen the team in the next transfer window?
Bob – I like to think that Arsenal would always try to strengthen the team if a ‘special’ talent becomes available.
GHF – Are you optimistic that we can qualify for the Champions League this season?
Bob – I’m not overly optimistic that we will finish in the top 4. Three big spender clubs are more or less nailed on for top 3 as usual. That is Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
So, as it stands, Arsenal or Man Utd or West Ham or, dare I suggest it, that other North London club have to grab fourth spot!
Arsenal at Christmas
GHF – Christmas football is a massive part of the football calendar in this country and always seems to have been so.
I wonder if you could give us some insights into what Christmas was like for players when you were playing and coaching.
How did the players feel about having to play when the rest of the country is indulging itself?
Bob – Quite simply, it was your job and a very special sort of job. Privileged to be playing for Arsenal on any day of the week or year – “Even if your wife was giving birth!” says Megs!
GHF – What was a typical Christmas programme when you were playing – when did you train and how many games did you play over the festive period?
Bob – Up to New Year’s Day there was always a minimum 3 games in 10 days, which always included Boxing Day. Training remained every day, but on Christmas Day we were expected to keep up our running regime, even if we weren’t together as a squad.
GHF – Did the Christmas games feel different or was it very much business as usual when you started the match?
Bob – The lead up to the games could feel different but once we were on the team bus it was business as usual, thinking about who we were playing, going into match mode all pretty serious.
GHF – It must have been very disruptive for the players’ families with you so heavily occupied over the Christmas period. How much time were you able to spend with your family?
Bob – I don’t ever remember not having Christmas morning at home with the family but we were all under orders, regarding our food intake and especially alcohol. If we were playing away on Boxing Day, we would have left home by lunchtime and headed for an overnight hotel.
GHF – Are there any particularly memorable Christmas games that you remember? I can recall a very enjoyable 3-0 victory over Manchester United with Charlton, Best and all, at Highbury on Boxing Day in 1968, I think.
Bob – Definitely Boxing Day 1968 at Highbury. The mighty Manchester United, Best Charlton etc. A really comprehensive win and special performance for our amazing fans. N.B., I think after this win the lads made up for their lack of alcohol on Christmas Day!!
GHF – Did the Arsenal put on any special Christmas events for the playing staff? Are there any memorable moments you can share?
Bob – It was never within the packed Christmas programme of games. There was an Arsenal Supporters Dinner usually at the beginning of December where the AFC Player of the Year Award was presented.
I also remember a club Christmas even in which, as goalkeeping coach, I was asked to give a first welcome to Arsene where I used my schoolboy French to wish him ‘Joyeux Noel’. I’m not sure he was too impressed.
GHF – Did the host club provide any special Christmas cheer for visiting teams or was it business as usual?
Bob – Definitely not!
GHF – Arsenal used to make a point of visiting local hospitals at Christmas. I imagine that was something the players enjoyed but which could be very poignant too?
Bob – Yes, poignant is definitely the correct word. Nobody enjoyed seeing families facing difficult moments especially at Christmas.
GHF – Have you any amusing memories of Christmas matches or training during your career?
Bob – One Christmas morning and following orders, I was running on the pavement near home in my Arsenal tracksuit, badge, initials, all clearly visible. A car on the road beside me slowed down, the driver wound down his window and shouted ‘Ok mate, what else did you get for Christmas?’
GHF – Has the attitude to Christmas matches changed as foreign players who haven’t been used to this tradition have come into our game? Do you think it is still an important part of our football culture?
Bob – I honestly don’t know how much things have changed in recent times, except that the Christmas fixture list remains as important as ever for players and fans alike.
GHF – Many thanks, Bob!
Bob – I hope you have a good Christmas and thank you and all Goonerholics for supporting Willow!
GHF – Bob, everyone at Goonerholics Forever wishes you and your family a very happy Christmas and let us hope 2022 is a very successful one for Arsenal Football Club. We are making donations to Willow through our Giving Page.
Bob – Megs and I and all at Willow wish all of you a very happy Christmas together with enormous thanks for your continuing support of our charity, enabling us to provide more Special Days for Seriously Ill Young Adults, between the ages of 16 and 40.
A Small Request
Thank you for reading the Goonerholics Forever Christmas double blog post featuring a conversation with Bob Wilson. We hope you have found it enjoyable and informative. The GF team are extremely grateful to Bob for generously sharing his time, his memories of Arsenal Christmas past and his thoughts on the current team.
We also hope that, imbued with Christmas spirit, you will help the Willow Foundation to continue providing special days for seriously ill young adults. Just click on the image below of Santa Claus at Arsenal to visit our Willow Foundation Giving Page. Thank you for your generosity. Every little helps.
Let’s make this a Merry Christmas for everyone!
merry christmas trev, many thanks for an entertaining preview. and nice work with the reminiscences of dave, both you and the gh4evr team. finally, kudos for the bob wilson bits. really nice to read that the festive period hasn’t changed much over the years.
i think trev’s second lineup would be the cat swallowing the canary. let’s have it!
Wow. Post of the year? A wonderful triple header of a tribute to our mentor, a great and very funny Norwich preview and a great interview with Bob. Please click on the picture of Santa and donate generously to Willow! Well done TTG, Bob Wilson and Trev!
Great preview Trev , well researched but Odegaard can’t play deeper , he isn’t good enough defensively( I dearly wish he could) .
I think we should win but Norwich are much improved under Dean Smith . Maybe a 2-1 victory will be the outcome for us . Can I echo C100’s plea to support Willow. Dave Faber would be delighted with the link that has developed with them and the friendship we have with some of our legends .
Covid will ensure the Christmas programme is less intensive this year but let us hope the news improves ( as seems possible tonight) in the next few weeks . A very merry Christmas to all Holics !🎅🎅
Bravo Trev, TTG, BW, the memory of Dave, not to forget Santa, the Goose, and anybody else who had a hand in it. Merry Christmas everyone, and let’s make it a merrier one by taking all the points at Carrow Road.
Can I give some shoutouts to people behind the scenes at GHF . Our four techies do a noble job behind the scenes during the year and in special editions like this Scruz is a source of great expertise and diligence . His work on the Double edition was awesome .
Bath could have swapped a distinguished career in haematology for one in marketing and produces some terrific effects which he publicises superbly . And we should not forget C100 who does a really good job of allocating matches and keeping production flowing effortlessly and in a very pleasant way.
There will never be another Dave Faber but these fellows have enabled us to carry on his legacy in a way that I know Dave would have loved . Well done all !
and let’s not forget ttg, too humble to speak about his own role in conceiving and executing the double celebration, and acting as a liaison with bob and layth and others in the goonerverse who are allied to our cause (as it were).
Great preview Trev. And great Willow interview. Heh at the Christmas ‘present’ anecdotes.
Christmas time can offer very contrasting personal emotions.
My memories of Dave are numerous, many moments of joy shared that I will always cherish. There were some less happy times that we didn’t fully understand until much later. And the last time I was with him in the pub, with his health already so fragile, in a place that appeared foreign and uncaring compared to many years before will be one of these moments I will always remember. Some of his last words to me, I always want to try to stay worthy of.
He was a great man.
Merry Christmas all. Stay healthy!
Another great team effort fellas! Nothing beats participating in a great team performance be it on the pitch, in the concert hall or in the ether.
I toast the memory of ‘Holic, the man who brought this team together and set the standards to which we aspire. 🥃
Merry Christmas, everyone!
And, Up the Arsenal!
Well said, TTG,
Our techies have done a superb and very patient job over the last two years. I would also add Pangloss to the list who does the accounting – he doesn’t appear very often in the drinks – seems to go off on a lot of holidays ……?
It’s a wonderful team effort borne of love for two things – The Arsenal and even more than that, the big man in the picture right at the top.
Thanks for the kind words too – glad you enjoyed a bit of fun 😏
Let me add my congratulations and thanks to those responsible for keeping this wonderful establishment not just going but going so well in keeping the memory and spirit of the Guv’nor alive. A large glass of the black stuff raised to the Gang of Four and, most of all, to Dave.
Trev: Puntastic preview. A real cracker.
A magnificent trifecta of posts! An early Christmas treat for us ‘Holics everywhere. Thank you Trev, Bath, TTG, Countryman, Scruz, Pangloss, ATG … everyone involved in this effort. Proud to be associated with you all stalwarts.
Is Ainsley injured? This may have been a game for him to start, given that we would play a well rested Wolves, a noticeably more dangerous team than the canaries, a couple of days later where Mikel would probably prefer the experienced midfield duo more. Bad time for Sambi to contact the virus as well. I read somewhere Arsenal is negotiating with Ghanaian federation to allow to keep Partey until the new year.
All matches in PL are difficult of course but between Norwich and Wolves we do need to rotate a few players and I would guess out young attacking quartet won’t all start two matches 48 hours apart. Maybe Nico to play tomorrow before he joins the Ivory Coast squad? Auba to surprisingly appear before doing the same with Gabon and allowing Laca to start against Wolves?
Over the years we had scored some great goals against the Canaries…Jack’s finishing touches to a sublime team effort, Rambo’s volley etc. A couple of such efforts from Gabi or ESR or Saka should see us through. :–)
Happy Holidays everyone!
a reminder. here’s to dave. even though i never met him in the flesh, i go back through my email exchanges with delight and sorrow.
Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas to everyone! Thanks to the Goonerholics Forever crew for all of their endeavors, and continuing on what ‘Holic started.
Merry Christmas to all at GHF Towers, particularly the guys who do such a great job of organising and presenting the efforts of the glorious rabble who contribute.
Here to a very happy Christmas and a happy and healthy 2022. And here’s to Dave Faber for providing a haven of friendship and sanity in an increasingly fraught internet world.
Firstly many thanks to Trev for a great preview – you pulled a cracker here and also to TTG for a wonderful chat with the legendary Bob Wilson.
May I also wish everyone involved in GHF a very Merry Christmas – you have managed this blog in the great tradition of its inspiration Dave Faber, there is no greater praise. I raise a glass to his memory and a further one to all of you on this special day.
Merry Xmas to one and all 🥂🎉
Thanks for this year and for a great Xmas present of a triple header!
‘You lot are the Mutts ‘ as our founder and inspiration was wont to say .
He was absolutely right . Have a very merry Christmas all and enjoy your Invincible DVDs. If you didn’t get one rectify that immediately .
Happy Christmas everyone! 🎄🎄🎄
Cheers Dave ! 🍺🥃 ❤️
Just wondering, Does anybody know anything about the background of this player, Will Appear Here, who appears under the heading Confirmed Arsenal Signings on this page:
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12482948/arsenal-transfer-news-and-rumours-january-transfer-window-2022
Happy Christmas, everyone. 😉
He is related to the South Korean, Ko Ming Soon, bt8.
Merry Christmas, ‘holics.
A glass of the black stuff raised to the Guv’nor.
Very Soon by the look of it 🤣👍🏻
First drink of the day, to you all and to Dave!
Not sure about Ko Ming Soon, bt8 – I know more about his cousin On Lee Xius Gon.
Cheers Ollie – Happy Christmas 🎄 🍺👍🏻
🤣🤣
It could be a cruel Yule for the canaries, at least we now know it will not be a Krul one, as he has had a late positive Covid test.
merry christmas, holics. here’s to dave, may he rest in peace, yet live on in all we do here and in our lives. his memory is for a blessing, today and every day.
and COYG! let’s get among the canaries tomorrow and make the feathers fly!
bt8 @21, i see he’s in the departures lounge as well, so even if he arrives he will be gone pretty quickly.
Thanks Trev & TTG for this cracking triple header!
Unfortunately I didn’t know anything about Dave Faber before I came here in this virtual pub.
Thanks for letting me in and be a part of it.
And thanks for scruze @ 18 for the video to learn about Dave.
And at last but not least a very merry Christmas to all of you at GHF and around.
Cheers and COYG
Of course i t was scruze @ 14 🙂 thanks
and we’re glad to have you here, las!
Merry Christmas holics!
Here’s to Dave. One of the finest human beings I have ever met. I miss him dearly and I’m sending all my love to him, wherever he is, and to all those who miss him, especially his family.
It’s a pleasure to share drinks here with you all, and I think Dave would be chuffed to know we are still here, still waffling away, still sharing our passion for the club we all love.
In the most time honoured tradition of Dave’s place… Drinks on the bar for everyone!
(Lars is paying anyway 😝)
Las.
Dave set up his place with a clear code about how people should behave. Summed up, we might say – All views welcome, as long as they are expressed respectfully.
You can see how much we all love and respect him.
However, you didn’t need to know him. Because, by finding a home in this community, that we set up so we wouldn’t lose the home Dave had built for us all, you’ve already found that you belong in a place where his legacy lives on. Dave would have been happy to have you here. And we all are too.
We were all new in Dave’s bar, or this bar, once. Everyone is welcome here… As long as they stick to the Guvnor’s rules.
GoonerholicsForever!
Here’s wishing a merry Christmas to everyone in this fantastic bar. Special thanks to Scruz, Bath, TTG, Trev, GSD, Pangloss, Doc Faus (sorry if I have missed anyone) for their posts throughout the year and making GHF a true continuation of the Guvnor Dave’s legacy. And speaking of Dave, here’s raising a toast to the top man up there….
I have not been a regular in the bar over the past few months because of some major changes in my personal life but hopefully in the new year I hope to share some drinks with fellow holics in the bar on a more regular basis. Cheers!
GSD@34: Beautifully put.
Las@31: What GSD said@34.
Desi@35: Hope all is well with you. You are always welcome here come what may.
Trev@25: On Lee also has a Korean cousin, Noh Ko Ming Bak.
ned @36, ming back has a cousin in the adult film industry, ko ming suun.
Ned, Noh Ko Ming Bak must be an attacking minded wing back with a name like that? 🙂
For David Faber
he meant a lot to our Kevin (aka CBA)
Las, It’s great to have you here, as I’m sure the Guvna would have said too. I’ve enjoyed your contributions and hope to see many more. 👍🏼
Seconding bt8 @39.
And good to see you in the bar again potsticker @15 and desi’ @35.
Ollie, it’s great to see you’re a regular again!
Your favourite tipples are on the bar, gents.
And there’s a round too for all the regulars (though it costs Lars an arm and a leg every time).
Here’s to Dave and his legacy! 🥃
Thanks fellas, I am really touched. Even my wife was surprised seeing me emotional.
😉
Didn’t know they had octopi in Sweden, bath. In any case it’s handy (legly and armly?) to know Lars’ wallet keeps on giving in the Goonerholic tradition. 🙂
Cheers Trev!
Merry Xmas all!
UP THE ARSE!
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1475104114895958033/photo/1
Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Lacazette
Subs: Leno, Tavares, Mari, Elneny, Patino, Lokonga, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nketiah
Interesting looking defence. I wonder if we will play three at the back with Tierney further forward. Assume Soares has joined the Covid crowd although Mari is back.
Lokonga is back, too. Tomi and AMN are still off-games, though and PEA remains on the naughty step.
says tomi, amn, and cedric in covid protocol. damn.
esr on the bench; i do hope it’s to give him a bit of a rest in fixtures we should otherwise win. hopefully not a reversion to the “nandos at night” esr.
Cédric, Tomi, and AMN all tested positive it seems. I guess Ben at RB….
I think it’s difficult to put ESR back in after the last couple of games SG.
Real tough to get in our front four now
nice half-ton, matt. i’d much rather you be right!
I suspect it will be:
Ramsdale
White Holding Gabriel
Saka Partey Xhaka Tierney
Ødegaard
Lacazete Martinelli
How unlucky is it to get so many RBs out!
COME ON ARSENAL!!
chucks makes the bench again. another goal, lad, no pressure!
Come on Arsenal, let’s be havin’ them!
morning, ollie!
gunn time wasting already, with dr. evil in specs watching?
god, our throw-YES! saka!
Good start, and as there is oddly no commentary on my channel, I could hear the away fans nicely after the goal.
Morning scruz.
i have the sound off and can still hear them 🤪
gabi bullies max aarons.
partey passing well today. as he should be.
is that three straight fouls on pukki?
Clear foul on Odegaard but seems ok
jesus, it hits the ref, goes to our advantage and he pulls it back, to our disadvantage? yikes.
saka 😊
Obligatory Xhaka yellow.
stupid xhaka tricks.
Pointless from Xhaka but good to see we arrive quick
to support our players.
Another goal before half time would, be good
Great finish by KT.
Hahaha they heard me!
Good finish finish KT!
kt3. exactly what was needed to shut these fuckers up.
great ball from mø.
well called, matt.
Great recovery by Gaby, peach of a ball from Odegaard, well done KT
time to shred this lot in the second half. take their souls.
Think it was cynic made that point about the Leeds game SG.
Our tendency to play within ourselves when we’re clearly superior.
Got another coming up very quick so let’s see but COYGS!!
Another game I mean so it will be tempting to try and cruise this one
i hear ya, matt (and cynic). this bunch are content to kick the shit out of us, so i want us to do as saka did and kick back.
Yeah, that was an obvious yellow on Saka
Well done B, killer left foot
Time for ESR to come on and score one
Wrapped up like a Christmas prezzy 😄
i wanna see 5-0.
in comes mo’neny.
nice penalty laca! esr get one and 5-0.
At last we score a PL penalty….this is a good match.
esr gets his unless var…
You called it scruz!
woot!
love it, they needed a beating. their “game” sucks.
well-played lads, pad that positive goal differential.
Will ESR ever start again as he keeps banging them in as a sub?
ESR scoring at a rate of a goal every 12 minutes in his past three games.
The only way he can keep this rate up is by not playing ever again.
Two tests coming up, but let’s hope we keep the same spirit and quality, we might truly be onto something.
The key moment in that game, for me, was in the fracas when Xhaka got his yellow: it was Ramsdale who pulled him away and talked him down, or perhaps just gave him a talking to.
Kudos, too, to the away fans for singing in the rain.
Strong rumours that the Wolves match may be off.
because of wolves, or us, ollie?
nvm, just saw due to wolves.
Arseblog News report that the Wolves match is off.
nick.
Well in scruz. FITB!
cheers, baff.
Well in scruz and well done the three points and clean sheet. Also more than doubled the positive goal difference. 👍🏼
Well in for the ton, Scruz.
Wolves game off is confirmed. Outbreak of Covid in their camp.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/arsenal-v-wolves-postponed
It is about time fixture congestion caught up with the neighbours. Conte is putting together a bit of a run that needs breaking.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>