One…

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Enjoy irresponsibly

Enjoy irresponsibly

Yes, that’s right, one today! Crack open a Peroni on us, it’s our BIRTHDAY!

It was a year ago today that Le Grove made its way to your PC’s, the day our illustrious manager Arsene Wenger committed himself to a new contract.

Boy did this year go fast, so today’s post is dedicated to you (Post 378), a big thank you for all the support (1.5 million hits) and a big thank you for all the great comments (27,000 of the buggers), we have made a lot of new friends this year, coined some new phrases and have debated everything from religion to spending huge amounts of money in the transfer market!

This site is now one of the biggest hit Arsenal websites on the internet and certainly the biggest for pure Arsenal comments by a country mile. If you want to talk Arsenal, this is the place to do it!

Pedro and I started it because we were frustrated that no one dared to criticise anything Arsenal or Arsene but it turned into something completely unique, the only blog-chatroom out there, so a big well done for creating something so special.

Our anniversary comes on a no news day so it’s worked out well, we can spend today patting all our fellow Grovers on the back.

This could also be the year that Arsene’s experiment comes to fruition by winning everything on offer, our ‘no risk’ signing Bitchslap says he is two weeks away from making his training debut, so add another injury to that and in theory he could be playing before ‘double break Eduardo’ makes his comeback, and if he is any good he could make up for not signing Alonso, YaYa, Cana, Inler, Barry or Veloso.

There is also the news that someone is selling a season ticket in Le Exchange, so if you are interested, drop me and and e-mail.

Okay, okay we’re not holding our breath, but there’s no more footballing news so at least it’s something to debate.

Once again you lot, thanks for a great first year, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you, let’s make the number one spot this season, for us and for the Arsenal!

Many Thanks,

Geoff and Pedro.

240 Responses to “One…”

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  8. MorrowsBrokenArm

    wow…well done fellas. This is a good excuse for me to open the final Monteiths Larger that is currently in the fridge. Congrats, keep up the good work, I know i’ve been telling my fellow goons about this place.

  10. Big Raddy

    Ooooh, another Podium position !!

    On this auspicious day I would like to thank both Geoff/Pedro for making this site so welcoming, stimulating and fun.

    I truly appreciate the hard work you guys put in (for free!!). It must be a time consuming hobby.

    Le Grove has become part of my day, Thanks again

  15. spurdozer

    The 21 year old Arsenal man Fabregas, back in Spain for his country’s World Cup qualifiers told Barcelona-based daily Sport bluntly: “It would be suicidal for my career at my 21 years of age to move to City. It would make no sense.

  21. gnarleygeorge9

    Happy birthday Le Grove

    If you look back, @ the 1st ever post:

    Bud Gold
    Steve Silver
    Gazzap Bronze

    Even old GG9 came in @ 9th (ironic again) although 9 months later. 9 again.

  22. MorrowsBrokenArm

    I,m originally from Holloway, and home for a month from next Saturday (cant wait)…you talk about the S&B pub often…where abouts is it? I’ll take the wife there for lunch or something, have a beer in the spiritual home (after Emarites of course) of Le Grove.

  25. rico01

    Good Morning All, and a Very Big Happy Birthday to Le Grove and its finest authors…

    I wonder what we would all do without this fine site – its the ‘Mutts Nutts’

    :)

  28. kelsey

    Happy Birthday Geoff and Pedro,love the site and the interaction you provide with us.Lets all put our location on here to see how International we are,so Happy Ist Anniversary from Costa Del Sol Spain :)

  32. gnarleygeorge9

    MBA Howdy to you. I’ve slipped back a bit so you might get me there. Have a nice time in London. wasn’t Johnny Lydon(Rotton) from Holloway as well?

  37. jimmyfingers

    Wow, only a year, feels like longer! I wonder when I first appeared, it was fairly early last season and I do remember days of only about 3 posts. To see my favourite blog blossom and despite some feirce attacks from certain quarters rise above adversity to become one of the top blogs

    Good work fellas

  40. Big Raddy

    I only discovered the site about 5 months ago. Prior to that my life was a barren wasteground. Now I have a web-mates all over the world.

    How fantastic is that?

    By the way it has stopped raining here in Copenhagen

  43. Big Raddy

    Is that right Kelsey? I thought it was Golders Green. I recall there being enormous queues in the Holloway Rd Macs .

    And Wasn’t it on Seven Sisters Road?

  44. Pedro

    Jimmy 16th of October.
    Raddy: Valentines day (Top effort raddy).

    Thanks for all the birthday wishes and a MASSIVE thanks to all you guys for your continued support.

    You the Grovers make the site what it is today and you make it worth all the time and effort!

    I raise a cyber Peroni and toast to you all!

    I’m off out for a bit!

    Catch you later, and happy blogging!

  47. gnarleygeorge9

    I used to own real estate on Seven Sisters Road @ Manor House. Bought a squat from a Kiwi for £400. Opposite Finsbury Park. Shocking digs :D

  48. kelsey

    Big Raddy you are right it was Seven Sisters Road right on the corner of Holloway Road,then the one in Picadilly and then Ken High Street,Goders Green don’t even remember that,must have come a lot later.

  49. raif

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY LE-GROVE, im glad i found this site. as other blugs i used to go on was just having there own views forced upon us and couldnt voice our own.

    you guys have done a really good job on here and i commend you all.

    “RAISES MY TOASTED OMELET SANDWICH” (No Beer at the mo)
    “HERES TO LE-GOVE AND ITS CONTINUED SUCCESS”

  51. Jerseygooner

    Happy birthday boys. i am more of a reader than a contributer and have been so for the last 6mths keep up the good work, i look forward to a catch up at 10am break every day.

  52. SIMON MCAHON

    Happy bithrday great site , thanks for a outlet THAT LETS US talk to fans that love the club and just dont follow like sheep ,
    GREAT JOB
    HERE’S TO MANY MORE PERONI DAYS !!!!!!!!!!

  54. Gunner8

    Does anyone know an Arsenal travel club for overseas away?

    I used one last year for milan and it was great but do not remember the company name… …help?

  55. ind3

    great going Geoff and Pedro. !!!!!!!!!!

    358 posts in 366 days… simply amazing…..

    do u remember the days when u didn’t blog….

  56. MorrowsBrokenArm

    gg; property mogel eh! there was no finer place than Manor House to begin your real estate empire.

    Cant believe my local MacDs was the first…..I never knew that….now I have a real claim to fame. That and Paul Davis used to swim laps at my local pool, Hornsey Rd swimming baths (closed now, and i don’t think many players today go swimming down at there local, they all have pools in their mansions).

  58. ethangunner

    Well done lads

    it takes great dedication to start a blog ..
    i did try and it was about the same time last year ..
    Its a great way to keep an archive of arsenal events , and your unending
    passion for le grove should be commended !
    your continued commitment should also be ‘hi-lighted’

    its so easy if your busy in real life to let your blog commitments slip !
    well done !!

  66. MorrowsBrokenArm

    Aussies;

    …they’re showing Summer Heights High here (hoping you’ve seen it), on now…finniest fucking thing i’ve seen come from Oz in years.

  67. Gooner07

    This is the biggest Arsenal blog by far, because it’s pure Arsenal, pure football, and not about your new sunday cooking recipes.

  68. Rasputin

    Many happy returns to the Grove team – fantastic site, I’m sorry I’ve only just taken advantage of the best forum in football.

    Bad news though, Appiah played for Ghana yeaterday and was fantastic so there’s no way we’ll win a bidding battle for his services. From what I saw, he is just the sort of player we need. The good news is that Essien picked up an injury – hard lines on the new pemiership paupers at chelski

  69. rico01

    Went to my sisters last night for dinner, and she made chinese salmon, noodles, spring onion, ginger and soy – caramelised onion and feta tarts, stir fry veg and crispy pots – anyone want the recipe?? ;)

  70. Big Raddy

    Any team news for tonight?

    (as if I care !! )

    There were a couple of posts from our antipodean friends about why we are not supportive of our National team. They got me thinking – how I have I become so disenchanted. At what point did I lose it with England?

    I used to go to all the Wembley games. I really cared. The 1990 World Cup was fantastic, Euro 96 , the same. But recently …. ?

    My loss of interest coincided with the pulling down of the Twin Towers. It seemed to herald the taking over of the game by the money men. If nothing else, the Towers were the international image of English football. Now ? The Arch …. give me a break.

    I agree with the principle that the Egland manager should be English, but How can it be that no English manager will take the job ? How damning is that ? The job is incredibly well paid, and has enough status to attract the World’s best managers. Capello is a top, top manager. Yet Fat Sam turned the job down (apparently).

    We care about football, we are proud of being English,….So why don’t the majority of English fans give a damn about their National team?

  71. rico01

    Rasp – I reckon where he is going would have been sorted, he has said his agent is already sorting out his contract and he refuses to say more – if he is coming to the EPL, no doubt his signature will be made after the internationals – any idea what other game Ghana have to play? Cant see him going to the Hammers now, they are in a peckle ;)

  72. Gooner07

    sorry rico. Didn’t mean to offend cooking recipes, or other digression. But there are some blogs run by *beep*, with racial comments, and inclinations, and in pretense of being an Arsenal blog, has majority of comments about something else!

  73. treze13

    congrats on making the best blog out there guys, i won’t really be able to comment much today, i have a whole pile of coursework to get through but HAPPRY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

  74. Geoff

    Morning all, Hanna has passed through and Ike is on it’s way, it was interesting to play yesterday, it was a 3 club difference.

    Anyway sorry I have no inside info on Appiah, but I would be very surprised if anything came of it.

    Must go I have a date with destiny, and a 7.30 tee time, Ike is on it’s way but not until Tuesday, the day I fly home, I’ll keep you posted.

  75. Rasputin

    Thanks Rico – so you think there’s a chance he may come to us? I can only see it being good for the squad. Don’t know about their other games but I’ll find out in a while, I’m just off to the shops (rather have my teeth pulled) catch up with you all later.

  76. rico01

    Raddy – similar to you, I would never miss a game, albeit on TV – I think the last one I really enjoyed was beating Germany 5-1 away I think…
    I always feel that the players for England, dont seem to put their hearts in it as nuch as they do their club – a few still do, Beckham, Owen and Crouchy, but many of them just appear as if its their right to play – pulling on a sport shirt for your country should be one of the most proudest achievements of your life, and i dont get that feeling from most of our players – Love or Hate Becks, he always shows emotion for his country and very proud to wear the shirt

  77. rico01

    Rasp – I thought David Villa was coming to us, so I best not give my thoughts!!

    I wont mind if he does, sounds though that Bischoff is about to blast onto the scene!!;)

  78. MorrowsBrokenArm

    International football used to be a big deal, It was always special when an England game was on….i don’t know why but i’m just not as into the international game as I once was…don’t get me wrong, still go nuts when the tounaments are on…but i think there are so many more games that feel pointless…I expect England to beat Andorra, not gonna bother my arse getting up in the middle of the night to watch it. Maybe thats it…just feels like 2 years of friendlies between the World Cups/Euros. I’m just not fussed about these bull shit games.

    Thats just how I feel now, quite sad really.

  80. Big Raddy

    Rico,

    I am not gay or anything (not that I am homophobic), bu I love Becks. I think he is a shining example of what is achievable with average talent.

  83. ikon

    fantastic….. congrats..

    could you pull off bischoff from the treatment table geoff/pedro. He is getting a bit easy cozy around rosicky.
    Better to be pre emptive!!!!

  84. Big Raddy

    Off out.

    There is a special offer on a superb white Sauvignon Blanc in the local supermarket. Goes well with light cooked new potatoes, fresh shrimps and a lightly seasoned green salad. Particularly if the Shrimps are b-b-q’d and marinated in soy sauce.

    Just for you Gooner 07 !!

  85. ArsenalKenya

    Happy Birthday Le- Groove

    Theo Walcott has seen enough of Arsenal academy standout Jack Wilshere to believe that he can go on to become an impact player for the club.

    The 17-year-old playmaker is considered by many in the know to be an England star in the making, and he only added to his reputation with some eye-catching displays for the senior squad in preseason.

    Walcott told Arsenal’s official matchday programme: “For a little lad he’s very strong, he’s got a good left foot and his link-up play and reading of the game is fantastic.

    “He makes it look so easy when he plays and every time he gets the ball and does something he brings a smile to your face.”

    “I’m sure he’ll get a chance or two this season, he’s still young so he’ll want to play, but he will need rest as well,” he continued, before inadvertently adding fodder to those who feel that Arsenal are at a lack for English identity.

    “It’s nice to have another English face in the changing room though, especially after Justin [Hoyte] left. I was sad to see Justin go, but with Jack and Aaron Ramsey here too, there are a few Brits in the squad.”

  87. rico01

    I really like Beckham, and I think he has been a great example for football – :)

    Time out for me – stuff to do around the home

    Have a good day all :)

  89. Seb

    Happy birthday Le Grove, and well done P+G, you have created a monster but it’s a monster with a heart :-)

    FOR THOSE ABOUT TO GROVE

    WE
    SALUTE
    YOU

  90. kelsey

    Arenal Analysil good source says essien got badly injured last night and appiah came on after 20 minutes and played well.he wants 40k a week.tried to post the link but couldn’t.

  92. gnarleygeorge9

    I think that Beckham is everything that is bad about the England team. all he can do is cross & score from set pieces, & hogs all the limelight. He sould have been pissed off ages ago, but he hangs on so as he can make a buck for him & his waif wife. What has he ever done thats been good for England. What has England won when he has played???

  98. gnarleygeorge9

    Its no coincidence that once Cesc got time on the pitch Spain won the Euro Cup. Cesc is 5 times the player beckham ever was. He plays for the team.

    Steven Gerrard is IMHO everything that is good about the England team. He is the best England player for 10 years. Can anyone come up with any one better?

  102. gnarleygeorge9

    This is an article that has featured on the SBS web sit down here pre Holland v Australia match I thought was interesting.

    Van Marwijk frequently clashed with Van Persie when he was Feyenoord coach during the early days of the 25-year-old’s career, and in 2003 sent him home from the UEFA Super Cup final because of poor body language.

    During the 2002/03 season Van Persie was dropped to the reserves on several occasions and disciplinary problems led to him being sold to Arsenal in 2004.

    However, there is no longer an issue according to Van Marwijk, who said: “We have not talked about it because it isn’t relevant now.

    “I don’t want to deal with negative stuff, that’s a waste of energy. We have one common goal now.

    “I have to be very positive about Robin. He has developed well at Arsenal and has not only grown as a player but has also become taller.

    “He is extremely strong and can play fantastically. The mistakes he made when he was younger, he makes less and less. He is becoming more and more important.”

    Van Marwijk is expected to name the same team which played Russia last month and hopes to instil in his players the need to win without always playing well.

  103. goonermichael

    This site can get quite heated and I’ve been slagged a couple of times but it’s obvious everyone is passionate about Arsenal. Wether you’vwe been going all your life or an armchair like me.

  104. kelsey

    No question that in my mind that Victoria was the driving influence in making Beckham an international icon appealing to men and women,regardless of his football ability.

  105. kelsey

    goonermichael,if we all agreed all the time,life would be boring.Go on some other sites no names mentioned,where there is real hatred,multi identities and pure wankers chucking abuse at each other and the sad fact is that they are all supposedly gooners.

  108. eltel08

    Happy birthday Geoff/Pedro. I flick through all the Arsenal news blogs but this is where I feel at home. You do a marvellous job guys and all true Gooners should take a chance and visit this place at least once.

    Steve said yesterday we can have a go at our Club but will defend us to all other teams fans and thats exactly how I am too. I always defend the mighty Arsenal.

    Thanks again boys. You are part of my day too.

    Up the Arse.

  111. dennisdamenace

    Happy Birthday to you
    Squashed Tomatoes & Stew
    Bread & Butter in the Gutter
    Happy Birthday to you………..

    Well done guys, best site i EVER stumbled across on the internet……..

  112. WengerTheTightArseGit

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY LE GROVE!!!
    thanks for all the work and effort, there aint a better blog in the world! keep it up!

  114. Odub

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAPS!!

    Can I just take this oppo to not only congratulate you on your anniversary, but to also say, what a top bunch of munglers you lot are! ;)

    Anyway, off out, and will be necking copious amounts of alcohol from about an hour’s time until tomorrow,so I’ll get back on tomorrow half cut and talking shit!! (as usual!!)

    Laters y’all!!!

  116. gnarleygeorge9

    Off to watch Hellboy on tele so I’ll say adios amigos.

    Thanks Geoff & Pedro & all you other Grovers, you are all the best thing to happen on the net since Ebay.

  121. Des Moines Gunner

    Happy Birthday Le Grove!!

    Been reading for about 5 months and love the openness of the discussion. My daughter thinks I’m a nutter screaming at the TV at 7.30 in the morning when I see Eboue in the starting 11 but that’s life …

    Been a Gunner from the 70′s with 2 brothers who are also life long gunners. Sister was a Chav fan because she fancied David Webb!! Oh my god….

    Missed the 80′s when I moved to the States and there was no coverage but now watch 6 games a weekend! Ah technology….

    Pedro / Geoff – Thanks for a fantastic site.

    Location – Des Moines, Iowa (middle of nowhere) USA

  122. jimmyfingers

    GG, Hellboy is alright/good, so enjoy

    Is anyone going to actually cheering on those cunts tonight? Capello comes in and basically appoints the same captain, and fields the same team as the last two muppets. You could pay me a fraction of the money to do that

    Has not seen how well the U-21s are doing? Give youth a chance, shake up the old guard and get a bit more hunger in the team. I might even start supporting them again if he does that

    But I doubt it

  124. ethangunner

    michael

    this is the latest

    The highly rated midfielder is in talks with the managerless Hammers, eager to secure an eighth summer signing after Herita Ilunga, Walter Lopez, David di Michele, Valon Behrami, Balint Bajner, Holman Orn Eyjolfsson and Jan Lastuvka.

    The 27-year-old has welcomed interest from Premier League outfits, as he plans to try and revive his career in a more media exposed league than the Turkish one.

    When asked about Arsene Wenger’s interest in his services, the Ghanaian told The Telegraph that: “There are talks, there are talks – I can’t say anything yet.”

  125. ethangunner

    I also heard juve are joining in on the bidding , but if he really wants a EPL move ,then arsenal should be prime candidates !

  129. goonermichael

    Thanks Ethan
    I think it depends on Wenger if he wants hin we’ll get him. No fee 40-50 grand a week should be affordable.

  130. Pedro

    Afternoon Grovers!

    How are you all!

    I read that Appiah played a blinder against the mighty Libya!

    Le Exchange is hotting up, we’re selling a season ticket and an Away bolton ticket!

    Super stuff!

    Any other rumours flying about? I’m with Jimmy, I reckon a loan deal may pop up somewhere… but I wont hold my breath!

    Ethan, do you ever get over to the UK?

  132. kelsey

    Good Afternoon Pedro,interesting article by arsenal analysis as I posted earlier.Played a blinder but accordingly wants 40K a week.No I am not in the Abba tribute band :)

  136. ethangunner

    I will 1 day pedro and ill be sure to meet you at the watering hole when i do !
    but remember , your always welcome to come out this way too !
    i can errr show you the … sights :)

    the lad is 3 years old this month .. it will probably be another 2 or 3 years yet ..
    But i do plan on going home to the mother land in the not too distant future !

    Micheal !

    a lot will depend on juve ! ,
    a club like that might give him a decent wage ..
    and it might not sit well with wenger , you know how many failed dealings we had this season , and im sure most of it was wage related ! Arshavin definitely was !

  137. Pedro

    Kelsey, where has your avatar gone? Are you logged in?

    That article was regurgitated stuff from before… I am still sceptical over the whole thing!

    Still, if he played well and he looked sharp… he might be worth a punt… Lets remember though, Libya are hardly a great team!

    I read Essien might be crocked?

  139. kelsey

    If we win win 3-0 the media will say what a shambles and if were to win 7-0 they would say that’s what is expected.I shall watch Spain and see how our little omelletto plays. :)

  140. Pedro

    Ethan, if the bird sacks me, I will be over there taking in all the culture with you ;-)

    I didn’t realise that Appiah has only been a free agent for a few weeks… I thought he went the whole summer as a free agent!

    It feels like a Wenger signing, but if it was… surely he wouldn’t be creating so much publicity for himself? Wenger likes to operate under the radar doesn’t he?

    At the same time… Wenger normally comes straight out to deny these type of rumours?

  142. ethangunner

    As much as i like cesc stating his loyalty for the club , it unnerves me he is very quick
    to come out with these sort of statements (suicide ones ) …
    we all know he will probably go when wenger does and that will be back to his home land
    id rather him just focus on his game and not get even remotely caught into these
    media distractions ! YES WE KNOW cesc ! you signed with us til like 2014 or something So your right .. your not going anywhere !

    Its like a self admission that players contracts mean jack shit now a days !

  145. kelsey

    ethangunner hi there.I genuinely believe Cesc in what he said,but he will eventually go back to Spain and most probably captain his country.Let’s enjoy him while we can.The spanish over here adore him,because he is a gentleman and a wonderful player.

  147. ethangunner

    Like i tell all my mates pedro ! you should come to thailand at least once before you settle down :)

    its like a constant lads weekend .. that never ends !
    the EPL is in every bar ! cheap as chips beer – food – accom (and more ;) !
    warm weather ! and where i live plenty of westerners !
    so you dont feel like an alien ! Beach side life ..

    as billy idol says ‘ hot in the city tonight ! ‘

    Like the phrase states ..

    GOOD BOYS GO TO HEAVEN
    BAD BOYS GO TO PATTAYA

    Yeah baby… yeah !!!

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