So no football apart from the demise of Alan Shearer last night, so I was forced into watching the Boro game for the third time! However just before that I watched a programme with Tom Watt visiting old Arsenal players, guess who this one was? Captain of the 1988 Youth cup winning team and winner of a championship medal in 91, it got me too, it was none other than David Hillier.
When people refer to the days before Wenger and how they have seen us play boring football, people often bring up the likes of Eddie Mac, you all know I know Eddie and his lovely wife and will hear nothing bad said against him, he was signed from Palace by George Graham as a sweeper, a position he rarely occupied for many reasons, but he often gets unfair stick and I always try and redress the balance, I liked Eddie and had he played in a different era he would have got better publicity than he did.
I always refer to the bad days of Selley, Morrow and David Hillier, last night Tom Watt went to visit him in Bristol, where he now lives. When he left us he went too Portsmouth where he finished his career, that took him to live in Bristol, when his career finished he retrained as a fireman and he took the camera team to his fire station where he became a normal person.
In this day of pampered spoiled brat footballer where a 4 year contract makes you safe for life it was sad to see the players from the past didn’t get it so easy, if you weren’t a drunk or drug addict you never got into football punditry or management, this guy did what the rest of us have to do and got himself a job.
When they got injured, it was a Cortizone injection and a toe up the arse, not three months off in a spa somewhere sunny for 3 months.
The footballers of today should be made to watch this, to show them how lucky they are and to work their nuts off, because they aren’t so special and the real world is tough, David you have now joined Eddie on my list as thoroughly nice blokes and I wish you well with your life, top man.
Kolo is bigging us up for the Manc game and Wenger is saying on our day we can beat anyone, can we beat the Mancs? You bet we can, with that attitude we can go all the way, if we go at them from the off, we can carry the day and get into the final against Barca and have our revenge, remember what I said about revenge being a dish best tasted cold? We’ll find out once we dispose of the lucky Mancs, they won’t have Webb or Riley reffing this game, this time we meet them on a level playing field, we’ll also have a lot of fans going so the noise will be more balanced.
We now know this is our only chance of silverware and it’s up to us if we believe in ourselves, 90 minutes to go in at half time with our tails up and bring them back to the Grove and finish them off.
I would go 4-4-2 but we all know we’ll go 4-5-1, I hope he brings Ade on from the bench, because that’s what he needs, a big French toe up his crack. Maybe surprise them and play Theo up front with Eduardo, but I would stick with Bendtner because I thought against Boro he looked like he has got his touch back and tomorrow could be the day he finally gets his hatrick.
I would also keep Eboue at right back and play Gibbs on the left with Djourou and Kolo in the centre, why? because I think he deserves it and Sagna has looked a little off the mark, I would play Theo, Song, Cesc and Nasri across the middle and only play Diaby if we are going 4-5-1 and then play him in the hole, otherwise I would play Bendnter and Eduardo up top.
No more dress rehearsals boss, it’s time to believe in this team and go for a win. So when you are lacing up your boots boys, think of David Hillier and what he would give to be in the dressing room with you, think hard because he would have been one of the breed that may have cleaned those boots you wear in his day, I expect Arsenal have a dedicated boot cleaner now, so think of David and St Sam, the patron Saint of fireman and think of what he’ll be doing tomorrow.
Show us and him how much you all love the Arsenal, because we all do.
Oh a final word for Didier Zokora who turned us down because he wanted to win things with Tottenham, ha, ha, ha, enjoy your Worthless cup medal, sucker!
Have a great day Grovers, tonight we’ll have a better idea of who we’ll meet in Rome in May!
P.S. Pedro has had a play around with the features in the side bar. If you want to contact us, click the words in the sidebar contact box… we’ve also added a bit so you can see what all the pages are at the top, making navigation round the site easier… remember to check out the gallery and send in some pics if have them… historical or modern… just pics that mean something to you in an Arsenal kind of way. Also make sure you mail in any spares you may have, I have a bundle of people looking to buy. Finally, if you like twitter… follow us here!
so chelsea and us then
Hleb said he doesn’t care who he faces in the UCL final.It makes more sense now.Chelsea have a slightly better chance now.Chelsea can rest everyone this saturday whereas barca have a game against madrid plus their CB injuries to worry about.
Just thinking about it….
How the fuck has Bolo Zenden played for so many big clubs.He is a shite footballer.
shit tactics from chelski
0-0 away from home is NOT a good result.
they think they can shut out barca for 180 mins?
NO chance, barca will get an away goal next week.
chelsea did not.
game over.
I can understand chelsea being cautious.But this was fucking ridiculous.But i thought united were worse last year
yeah faceman, i still fancy barca – chelsea can’t play THAT defensively at home, and barca will get an away goal and hit them on the break.
Seeing that game I’d definitely prefer playing Barca in the final. Chelsea are so pragmatic it’s not true. Terrible to watch but those boys know how to follow orders! Was Messi actually playing in the second half?
exactly my thinking, A
chavs would play whichever way to get thru…they have no tradition and don’t care about entertaining.
barca, however, have to attack – they can only play that way – leaving them open to counter attacks.
did anyone see that bus on the field
chelsea are are bad advert for football cheating derby county sittin back tactics im sure cech kicked the ball more than some outfield players they have to come out at the bridge and barcelona will get an away goal.
Wouldn’t be surprised if united also follow a slightly negative pattern tomorrow.Fergie has said that he will be more than happy with a 1-0 victory.
fucking hell no one saw that bus you couldn’t miss it,it was yellow
Townsend is a knob. FACT.
Townsend is a nob. FACT.
I guess time wasting and diving is a big when it comes to the UCL.No wonder we don’t do well in this competetion
He’s not a knob of butter. He is a penis.
I can’t believe no one saw that bus,IT WAS YELLOW
haha BBK!!
ha ha lollllllll
I think the tie should be decided on the best diver.Drogba v Alves
thats how you play for a 0-0 draw huh heheh!!!
We have to avoid conceding in the first 20 minutes. I think we could win it then
pat .. i wouldn’t bet anything on that!!
UNBELIEVABLE…….no one saw that bus IT WAS YELLOW F.F.S………..jheeeeez
I think UTD will go all out in the beginning.. a bit like milan away last season.
Just need to defend well.
Well the chavs sure sucked all the football out of that game didnt they? Snide, dirty, underhand, negative anti-football playing twats!
Fuck dem anyways, got a real good feelin bout this and it aint just my new cashmere undies!
Think of me in the away end tomorrow, doin my best not to get my head kicked in when we score those goals….
Evening
If silvestre plays at lb we are screwed. I saw him play there against porto, we were destroyed.
if gibbs is out i’d expect eboue right back sagna left, but again that’d be far from ideal!
I think we are going to win 0-3. Everytime we are on sky with tyler commentating we produce a performance.
Gibbs will be fine, stop your whining… No time for any negative bullshite… Not now anyways….
we can’t depend on our defence.. we have to attack.. !!!
play to our strength .. which is attack.. if we sit back we will get raped!
we can’t play like the chavs… 10 men behind the ball!!
We can still defend well, even with the missing defenders, as long as EVERYONE does a job; tracking back, working hard etc…. Just follow Nasri’s lead, he’s been immense of late, especially defensively, IMO…
at least you won’t see a fucking bus on the pitch
Wot? Not even a canary coloured one BBK?
What a shit game that was,the chavs spent all that dough to see anti football, bored the fuck out of me.
Old dog breath was a disgrace 15 stone=weak pussy cunt.
ha ha i like your work there L.L just because arsenal will be playing in yellow i dont think there bus will be on the field
A;
Dunno if you’re still about mate, but have you seen this;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/apr/28/arsenal-luke-ayling-scouting-report-steve-claridge
Its about Ayling… Well Steve Claridge is impressed anyways!
hey reggie did you see that bus on the pitch
Ayling will be brilliant if he is given even half the chances that other non english ‘talent’ have been afforded.
Reggie me ol’ mukka!
Hows thinga mate? Any better than before? Hope so buddy.
That game was effin awful werent it? Yet you can be sure as shite, the Terry and Lampard brown noses will be lappin it up tomorrow. Fuckin disgraceful load of anti-footballing wankness….
Same goes for a lot of the reserves tho….. we have a great reserve team. They all understand the fuck out of eachother.
I hope that Bouldy gets a promotion sooner as well… Him as AW’s number 2, drilling the 1st team defense…. can ONLY be a good thing, IMO.
Ayling’s only 5′ 11″ tho! Needs to grow an inch or 3!!!
Stu; Now now fella, he WILL get a chance IF he’s good enough and I think it looks like he is….
Lovedup, keep telling yourself that.
5’11” isnt that noticable when he is next to the beast bartley. He is a great footballer and reader of th……well you read the article. He will fit in nicely. eg: Cannavaro is pretty short after all.
yeah still here loner. Not usually a fan of claridge but it’s a good read. I do like ayling, seems much more intelligent than bartley, though it appears bartley’s physical attributes put him ahead of ayling with bartley being a regular for the reserves, and ayling only playing the last few games. Hopefully ayling will be a regular for the reserves next year and keep developing nicely.
I’m dubious as to whether he’ll ever be top top quality, but he could be another upson and a very good squad player.
Agree about Bouldy too. He is doing wonders with the reserves. Getting praise off the man shity reserve manager saying that the youth cup team is the best he has seen for years. Bould must be doing something right.
Plus he knows the kids and which ones would do well in the first team, if necessary that is.
bould is the u18 coach, banfield is the reserve coach. I’d imagine reserve coach will be bould’s next port of call
A;
Jeeez mate, are there ANY players who you think will be top top quality???
Stu; I don’t get what you are referring to mate? I can’t thin k of any young English players that have been fucked over by Wenger that i wish were still at the club…
Enlighten me, Obi Wan…
Fack this! Everyones out to get me!
Im off to watch desperate Housewives! Yes thats right!
A; I just think Bouldy has had a good apprenticeship and maybe should be looking to go up a level or 2. Maybe banfield is content to stay at his current level…
Anyway, either Bould or Keown for me!
Well, maybe they wont make it but, I hope Bartley AND Ayling do come on, would be a great combo, IMO.
Stu;
Im just messin with ya, fella!!!!
I’ve been sooooo gutted in the past when young players havent made the grade, but then again, I usually hope/think/want em all to end up in our 1st team….
I know its not really a good barometer, but the fact we are in the Yute Cup final for the 1st time in 8 years must be a pretty good indicator we have some good kids???
Anyways, the sooner i eff off to bed, the sooner it’ll be tomorrow and the game can actually happen!!!
Laters…..
of course loner, just not sure about either of the centre backs, though actually you never know with bartley, he certainly has the physical attributes, and ferdinand was never a genius!
out of the kids wilshere and coquelin i think will almost certainly be top top quality,
lansbury, merida, and gibbs could definitely be
JET, ayling, bartley and murphy a level below but just about still possible, but i’m doubtful as to whether it’ll happen. Though I still think they could well be good premiership players and very good squad players for as long as they’re willing to stick around not being regulars
out of the loanees i’d stick barazite and traore in the lansbury, merida group. JET very nearly in that group but I’m still unsure about whether he’ll ever have a best position or what it’ll be!!
i think they’re a quality combo loner, and they’ll end up as very good players in our squad, but i don’t think they’ll ever be mentioned along with the top defenders in the world, which is what we need imo
A;
I think there will be a surprise or 2 with the kids. A few that wont make it we think will and vice versa…
I think lansbury could well do a Gibbs and force his way into the team sooner rather than later.
We’ll see, and as you say, i just hope they all are patient enough and that they get a decent chance too.
Nite fella
yeah i agree – i was thinking about lansbury too – and his playing at right back a bit, i wonder if he could end up doing a gibbs in that way as well, would be quality!!
nite loner
BBK I saw a big fuck off yellow bus
with 1 driver and 10 robbers on there.
Loner
Im alright mate, nothing doing yet.
Oh yeah A Ayling is gonna be the dogs bollocks just you wait and see.
Luke Ayling is 1.84 not 1.80 has stated by S. Claridge.
@ A, it is true that Arsenal are struggling to find a suitable position JET, he is just like diaby, same strengths [fantastic footwork, power and height] and same weaknesses [poor decision making, passing when to dribble and dribble when to pass plus poor concentration]. check this out http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A47224316
Thats a very interesting rad there Supergunner. I hope its just the author that doesnt know the names otherwise the whole article is compromised. Wiltshire is easy to distinguish from Wilshere imo. And Landsbury, although a small mistake, is still a mistake.
Also, how would someone working with 13/14 ear olds know so much about the first team.
Anyway, i hope they all come through. I dont know much about Lansbury but i like him. His drive from midfield, his goals, leadership etc etc. I’ve heard he is in the Gerrard mould and we could do with some of that explosiveness.
From just what i hear i like Ayling, Lansbury and Murphy. As i said i dont know a lot about them but an all english spine trained by Wengers methods would be very nice indeed.
Guss hiddink is a lying bastad..and a fat dutch one asweell. attack….bollocks.
SouthCoast, you hardly expect someone associated with the chavs to be honest.
I think Barca still has an advantage…….Chelsea cant just sit back like they did.
The only prob for Barca is the defenders.
But Abidal can play centre back and Sylvinho can play left back.
The chavs are playing for penalties
Well if Gibbs is out..then I would play
…………..Al………………
Eboue…….Kolo….Djoru….Sagna
Walcott…..Cesc…..Song….Nasri
…………Diaby……………..
………………Ade…………
I was going to post earlier on but I fell asleep after BBK made the “parking the yellow bus” joke for the 397th time.
We will lose tomorrow but win the tie.
I can’t believe how Chelsea played, that was the worst…
i had to fast forward most of the game….ridiculious..
and Stu i did predict a few goals..
if both teams played football that is..
TT – bbk bus joke did get old. but that wasnt a bus. that was a 747.
Read the post late, Geoff, but this is one of the greats!
Our current crop of players should put 10% of their wages into a fund for our “old” players. Hillier should profit from the club that he helped build.
Alternatively, we need to play a couple of benefit matches every season for old players who have fallen on difficult times.
Hi Jay, what did you think of the chavs match? Boring as hell!
Maybe this is a style of play that we need to learn.
PDT – thought it was like alion toying with a porcupine… u know teh lion will kill it, but couldn’t do fuck all cos of the spikes… lol
but i must dissagree with u there. no no no we mustn’t play like this. if anything we should just be more clinical…
Fearless PFT, we need to Install Fear into opponents and be fearless. Pace, skill, technique, flair. therse will be our weapons!
BTW hi lol. Im at work its so busy this is good it will make the match come quicker
Anyone who @ the moment isn’t nervous,anxious, can’t wait, etc, etc………must be asleep
Chamoneeeeeeeee!!!
…..then again I was dreaming about the game like I was delerious last night. It was horrible, I couldn’t see the game & couldn’t get a score. What is happening to me. This shouldn’t be happening to me. Old Cow Paddock is 14,000 miles away & I am feeling nervous about something that is about as far away from me as England are from winning back The Ashes in cricket.
Off now, but “I’ll be back”.
I’m thinking a draw….but a high score one….that would do me perfectly…2-2 anyone?
iceman, would be much easier on my heart if we got a 2 goal lead out of this one.
Don’t forget we have 90 minutes against Pompey praying that no one gets injured! I would be much happier if didn’t have to worry about injuries.
gg9, nothing a stiff drink wouldn’t settle.
Half a bottle of fire water and in bed by 9 so that I can get up at 2:30 for the game!
If Ade is ever going to play he best game ever, I hope it is this one. If he scores a brace in a 0-3 win, he will be forever feted as an Arsenal hero as far as I’m concerned. Cesc will certainly be up for it. Victory is so close I can almost taste it
*his
That makes 2 of us Gnarley….
Taste’s sweet
PDT in bed by 9??? You for real? The only way I could do that if I was passed out from the juice. In which case I’d miss the clash coz I wouldn’t wake up for another couple hours.
Man I can’t wait………………..
Manure……..your time has come…….
Chamoneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey all Eastern Timers lol..
I can’t wait either. I think i will go gym, run like a mofo – then hammer a few drinks down to crash and wake up @ 4:30!!!
This…game..will be immense. No matter what happens.
its good to have a more nuetral reff as well!
GG – Ice – PDT –
quick question… would any one have Cech over Almunia in goals 2nite
Good Morning,
What a way to wake up to read the twunt say this:
“Stan Collymore said last night had it been Arsenal playing Barca last night they would have left the Nou Camp at least 3 nil down!!”
Stan collymore can go fuck himself
Jay
I think alot of us take Al for granted.
I’m pretty sure we would have been looking forward to one final right now in May had he played at Wembley.
Sure he’s not world class but he has gotten better over the past few seasons.
Nothing against Fabianksi his time will come.
So to answer your question I’d pick Al for now…(he needs to make up for 06….this is his chance)…
Cech’s not been the same since he got his skull done…
Thats my point.. we’ve missed him big time..
I know we can bag a couple goals.
Just need to keep it tight at the back.
Toure & co. need to be at the top of their games.
We need this…………
I stayed up and watched the match last night,and allowing for the fact that all semi finals have naturally so much at stake,the game was just a physical battle with players from both sides intent on getting each other booked.Chelsea did their job admirably,but 0-0 doesn’t give them the advantage most think they have.They actually have a poorer goals conceded record at home in the last few months,but having said that,if we are to go through i would rather play Barca anytime.
So on today and we go into the game as underdogs and with a depleted defence.I would take a draw of any description tonight,1-1 being preferable,if we lose concentration for a period of time,the game could be over tonight.on the other hand if either Ade or Bedntner perform half as well as their continous quotes in the tabloids tell us , we have a real chance.Wenger must pick a team with more thought than ever this season.is Eduardo our wild card for tonight.I am covering my bets as the game is hard to predict,but the valium will be on hand
Iceman – we deserve this
Will it be ok to drink during the game then go to work drunk when we win>?
Kelsey
In the same time during the barca game, Stan Collymore would have downed a dozen stiff drinks; nosed down about a kilometre of “devils dandruff”; & downed his girlfriend with a right hook.
….anyway what would stan know he has never played in a CL semi
It’ll be ok to go to work half naked if we win Jay.
Trust me.
Yes Kelsey, agreed…..
Team selection needs to be spot on…..
The first 11 need to give it their ALL!!!
I don’t know about Eduardo, wish AW would highlight what’s is actually going on with him.
Strangely, I have a very good feeling about tonight.
I just do.
the Iceman commeth with the comment lol
Collymore is a cunt and deserves a fucking kicking the wanker. Did he actually say that? What an idiot. Chelsea needed the away goal they will have to go for it at home and won’t be able to put 10 behind the ball.
I think part of the package to get on Talkshite is to be be made redundant from all the decent radio stations,if in fact there are any,and be as anti Arsenal as possible.Any respect i has for Wrighty went out of the window since he joined them.It shows you that the average english footballer regardless of what they earn haven’t got much upstairs.
Striking options!!
Dudu/Ade/VP/Benddy – VS – Roon/Tev/Berb/CR
Creative options in Mid!!
Walcott/Cesc/Nasri – VS – United’s Midis so boring
SONG to Hold —————-350 yr old player
Unknown Back 4??————Who cares…
HP Baxter from Scooter VS the Stick Spider..
Good————–VS——————-Evil
Take your pick!
Stan Collymore is a woman beating coke head, how the fuck can someone like him get a job on a radio station??
The fucking retard did nothing in the game, so what gives him the right to comment on any level of football.
In fact i’d go as far as to say that the best part of Stan Collymore ran down his mother’s leg!
I ma really fearful of the match tonight. Not the teams performance but my own ! I don’t know if the old ticker will take the tension. Can I actually sit watching for the whole 90 minutes?
Even allowing for a bucket full if Tuborg/Perini, I am going to be up and down like the proverbial whore’s drawers.
It will be a murderous 2 hours(15 mins Fergie Extra-time) in the Big Raddy household. And if the Mrs says “It’s only a game” there will be ABH in CPH !
Stan probably has a fair bit, upstairs, like a key of nose candy; a box of Wild Turkey; an ounce of Mullumbimbi Madness (wacki backi) stored in his attic
Narcotic basket cases never change their spots.
DDM
Chamoneeee to that
DDM !!!
Morning all, so what do we do until 7.45 tonight eh!
BR
The 2006 Final is all coming back now. Once Sol scored, the remainder went so slow. That game was real agony for me. I just don’t enjoy the pressure coz I can’t relax
I don’t know Geoff, its starting to get to me now, & I’m 14,000 miles away
GG,
There will be no enjoyment tonight unless we go 2 up. I am like that guy in Fever Pitch watching the Dippers game – standing by the door saying “that’s it, I am going out” …..
morning Geoff. so these are the moments we wish to put our selves in. I must admit i feel more alive today than i normally do
I am going to be up and down like the proverbial whore’s drawers.
LOL!!!!
BR….just for that comment we’ll take it tonight
BR i love that scene..lol
We need to start the game with no fear.
Give manure no respect. Coz they’re cunts and also on our day we can play them off the park. Fact.
Has anyone seen Ades interview on Soccernet.com. He speaks well, & I reckon he is going to do something special in this leg.
I must admit I did not expect Hiddink to set up Chelsea so defensively last night; also lots of cynical fouls which he probably introducedto their play.
We can spend the day speculating, and we will, but at 7.45 tonight they will be on their own, I will be drinking beer and the destiny of our beloved club will begin to be known!
The time has come
make or break
heaven or hell
djourou or mikael
anyone going to the ROCKET 2nite
nerves have seriosly started to kick in
need a goal 0-0 is bad result away from home, thats why barcelona are still favourites as they know that if they score 1 chelsea have to beat them.
New post!
Geoff I am hoping it will be one hell of a post from you 2day.COME ON ARSENAL
i second that Geoff .
and be prepared for what you all will learn …
because i know what a betting man would be putting money on …
id rather linger in the halls of reality ..
we are at old trafford and we are down on defense.
Our strikers are 2nd rate by comparison .
and if wenger plays ade , may god have mercy on his soul !
and without AA , it will take a mammoth effort
to kill the giant .