‘Hippie crack’ story a painfully sad read

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Ok, I know we had some fun with that Fortnite story that the media took a little too seriously this week. But The Sun ran with a Nick Parker special about Arsenal players inhaling ‘hippie crack’ in an epically pathetic hit piece designed to convince normal folk that Arsenal players have been engaging in peak Libertines mid-noughties style drug deviance.

TL;DR

The players went to a club. Got shitfaced. Passed nitrous oxide-filled balloons around for a cheap and very lame high.

The only thing we should be getting angry about is that they were dim enough to do something so subpar in front of security cameras.

I’ve never heard of this referred to as hippie crack. If anyone at a festival,party, or drug cave called it that, they’d be escorted from the event for false advertising. It’s like calling a Jaffa Cake ‘devils cyanide, or labeling a park swing ‘LOONTOWNS DEATH SPIRAL.’ It’s not a real drug. It’s like sniffing pens at school. It’s prepared with a chefs frosting gun ffs. Painfully middle class.

Sure, elite athletes shouldn’t do anything that resembles recreational fun, but in the grand scheme of things to worry about, I’d be more concerned about 5000 hours of Fortnite. And I’d hazard a guess that scientifically speaking, it’s the booze that’s the issue for a sports star. How many broken homes happen because Mum came down in the morning to 20 empty canisters and a stream of flaccid balloons around the living room? Not many.

To put a number on it, 8 people died from doing this in 2016. 8 too many, no doubt. 88,000 died from booze related illness. 259 people died from taking selfies. 1700 in traffic accidents. 9 people from jumping into water (seriously). This ‘hippie crack’ is so lame, Prince Harry does it and it’s not a scandal.

However, inhaling balloons for a cheap 10-second head rush isn’t the take away your average Joe… ‘crack party with Lacazette’ is… Just note this: we’ve outrun every team in the league and we’re 20 games unbeaten. It’s not a big deal.

On another note, what is it with nightclubs releasing that sort of stuff? Unbelievable breach of privacy.

In other news, Rob Holding looks likely to miss the rest of the season. Such a shame. He was really making a statement in defence. I have my doubts Sven will make moves in January. We have Monreal coming back into the mix, Emery has proven to be flexible with his backline, and there’s a lot of belief in Mavrapanos.

Aaron Ramsey also picked up a knock, which is a shame considering the good form he’s shown over the last two games (though Emery said it was minor). It is not unusual for bad fitness strategies to show up in December. Let’s hope the last two can be attributed to luck. Big questions over whether Burgess is going to be able to own the ear of Emery over his imported fitness coach. Julen Masach. If we’re going to have a good run, it really does have to go the Austrailian’s way.

There’s a piece doing the rounds in Germany about Sven and his diamond ways. He’s obviously very pleased with Guendouzi, who dropped unreal numbers against United (didn’t someone say he was no better than Denilson? Lol). He also talks in-depth about how he’s founded multiple firms that analyse data. Interestingly he highlights the dangers of spewing out insights based on isolated numbers, like distance run. He alluded to the idea that a player might be running about a lot because he’s making bad decisions all game (a hint at an issue with one of our players?). Muppets with stats really is a thing online, this week, Arsenal fans are peddling Mustafi over VVD. The audacity is quite something. Anyway, it’s incredible we have a scout of his prestige at Arsenal. I’d link the pirated copy, but that might not be legal, so I implore you to sign up to the site to read or go find the illegal shit.

Talking of MG, Emery had a scolding tip about what he should do about the bigger boys pulling his hair.

‘I think the best thing is that he cuts his hair before the next match, then the problem is finished,” Arsenal’s manager said. Just as Fellaini did. I have not told him that to his face, though. I respect a lot the players; their hair and their hair colour.’

BIG lol. Getting slapped down by a man who is rocking Shockwaves wet look gel in 2018. Gotta sting.

Our German power sniper is still in a weird place with his injury.

“On Friday we make the decision,”

“He had a backache and now he is working with one physio. Today he was on a pitch running and touching the ball. We are going to look when he can come with us.”

Odd how Emery is describing the injury, but whatever. We haven’t missed him. If he’s back, bonus, if he’s not, well, the party goes on!

Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments!

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HighburyLegend

FFs, we are truly doomed as a club, with a bunch of irresponsables player like those ones…

But in a way, it explains a lot of things, Ozil and Mikki out of shape for example. It comes from The Sun, but if it’s true, we are in trouble – and I’m sure Emery will appreciate that article.

And of course, when it happens with Chelsea or Manure players, it’s “not so harmful”, but if it’s with Arsenal, we must prepare for the mediatic tornado which is coming to us.

HighburyLegend

Pedro I’m confused.
Do you really believe that this story will had zero consequence for the club ??
Hope you’re right…

BacaryisGod

Well, looks like the term has been around for a while Pedro. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/09/nitrous-oxide-hippy-crack-drug Of course, it’s a ridiculous story. The only thing I would probably take issue with is I doubt it was the nightclub that released the video as they might lose more in business than they would get from a single story from a paper. It’s usually some greedy security guard who leaks it out. Not sure what the liabilty is in England for this but the media outlet would probably get sued for accepting stolen footage unless they can demonstrate the story is in the ‘public interest’.… Read more »

Pierre

Is it a coincidence that the story has come out on the back of a 20 game unbeaten run to try and put a spanner in the works ..

Danny

If the club knew about this back in August so then there’s nothing to worry about, meaning it’s been taken care of BUT if just like us, they only found out today, then the shit will hit the fan……..

HighburyLegend

I know that the football players definitely do not live on the same planet, but this is just pathetic… a real bunch of spoiled childs.

CanonSpike

You guys need to calm down.
its 2018 80% of all players have done this.
Difference is that there were cameras here.
Not so long ago Dele Ali had his sausage up a girls mouth and the media still considers him a national hero.

So the Arsenal team decided to go have a team bonding session at the bar with some nitrous oxide, GOOD FOR THEM, AT LEAST THEY’RE DOING IT AS A TEAM LOL

HighburyLegend

So that’s what Ozil is doing with his money ???

Should we laugh or cry about that ?? SEND HIM TO CHINA!!

Danny

On a positive note though, I think it’s cool to see the players hanging out together with 70 women!

Terri Maaki

Highbury Legend your in need of some happy crack yourself…Ozil wasn’t the only one there you turnip

HighburyLegend

Are we sure it was “only” 70 ?? lol

And of course they have ZERO financial interest in seeing this shit coming out lol

HighburyLegend

@Maaki : you don’t know me, I don’t know you, so please fuck off.

Bamford10

Hilarious. I had never heard the phrase “hippie crack” until yesterday and wrongly assumed this was a British slang word for pot. Then when I read above that it’s nitrous oxide, I thought, “I would’ve preferred it if they were smoking pot; it doesn’t have the same stigma attached to it and it doesn’t kill loads of brain cells”. The latter is something I remember kids saying about nitrous when I was younger. Turns out that is a myth, though, so in the very least we can feel better that these guys weren’t making themselves dumber that night, even if… Read more »

Terri Maaki

Errr this is a blog Dave, seen you plenty of times jump other peoples convos… I’m just correcting your BS

HighburyLegend

Dave ?? WTF ?? lol
You’re also on crack, you stupid prick.

Pierre

Pedro says…….”Our German power sniper is still in a weird place with his injury. ” Then quotes Emery “On Friday we make the decision,” “He had a backache and now he is working with one physio. Today he was on a pitch running and touching the ball. We are going to look when he can come with us.” Then Pedro comments “Odd how Emery is describing the injury,” I am trying to work out how the injury is “weird ” and Emery’s comments are “odd”. There is nothing odd in saying he has back ache and working with the physio.… Read more »

Terri Maaki

‘also on crack’, acceptance is the first step to your road to recovery. We’ll done Dave

Leftsidesanch

If the players did that in August, why is it only being released now?

Pierre

Have a look at these odd comments by Emery regarding the Kosielny injury and possible return to first team action.

He said: “We are on a gradual way with him. He’s played two matches with the Under-23s.

“He played 85 minutes on Tuesday and our plan is that he can maybe be with us in the 18 on Saturday.

“Maybe he can play against Qarabag in the Europa cup”

What can be possibly mean ….

Pierre

*he

Leftsidesanch

And Guendouzi apparently passing out? F*ck outta here with that BS. That balloon stuff gives you a “high” that wears off in seconds.

He was probably slumped from the alcohol if indeed he was slumped at all. The Sun up to they’re usual nonsense.

You’ll prob get a pratt like “Vic” crying that this would have never happened before Emery came to town too.

Pierre

Leftsidesanch
Now you mention it

Savage

I think if we followed the private lives of our footballers there would be a lot more interesting stories to add on.

They don’t just play FIFA on Xbox the whole evening when they get out of training.

How about Flamini rocking up at a press announcement to announce he was saving the world? So that’s what he was doing in his spare time 😀

Josip Skoblar

Anyway, this happened last August. It does not seem to have negatively impacted on their form. End of the story.

Graham62

Oh well, could be worse, we could be lying in 10th and still reliant on Mr Wenger to sort it all out.

Danny

I wonder how many sexual diseases they picked up from these 70 hookers?

HighburyLegend

Only 70… bunch of pussies.
(lol)

Uwot?

A non story.f** k me.we all did as kids,teenagers,young adults.it happened last August. & if that’s the case considering what’s occurred results wise since then I’ll be sending bag full of balloons to AFC ASAP!bSically it’s the press & that Manure rag The sun on a wind up to try destabilise our magnificent run.C***ts!

HighburyLegend

The Sun.
“Journalists”, that’s how they define themselves lol

Sanogoals

20 games unbeaten and a shit story like this is splashed across the paper! Pathetic. The press have nothing to bait arsenal fans with so they drag this out from August , so lame . Would be great if every arsenal fan took a ballon to the game on Saturday and let them go in unison , fuck the arsenal baiting media.

Dream10

With no PL match until eight days after the Huddersfield game (Qarabag on Thursday), Emery may opt to play Aubameyang and Lacazette tmrw. Back four too since Bobby Holding is broken and Monreal and Koscielny are not PL ready.

Leno
Hector Mustafi Sokratis Kolasinac
Torreira Xhaka
Mkhitaryan Iwobi Aubameyang
Lacazette

kelvin

A harmless fun before the season kicks off. The Sun can fuck off, these guys are humans not robots.

I did worse and still do. I can only imagine what i would do if am that rich. Let not try to play the saint card here.

Pierre

Keep lichsteiner in ,he did nothing wrong v man utd …proper defender.

Play wing backs and feed Kolasinac the ball all day long….guaranteed goals .

Mhkitaryan,Aubamayang and Lacazette should start….we will be 3 up by half time .

Dissenter

What a differnce a new manager makes.What a difference a 20-game unbeaten run can make. This is HYPOCRISY run amok. There would be an uproar of massive proportions, had it been Wenger in charge when a group of senior players decided to go inhale nitrous oxide in a night club. We sure won’t be waving it away like Pedro just did. Why are we still releasing. tacky dresssing/room photos after games like the stupid “king of north London selfie that followed the NLD? The hypocrisy is there for all to see. Emery needs to check the corrosive impact of Aubameyang… Read more »

Dissenter

I remember the torrents of abuse when Wilshere inhaled a few burst of cigarette smoke and when Szczesny tried to destress with a quick fag in the dressing room.

Champagne charlie

“Emery needs to check the corrosive impact of Aubameyang before it gets worse.“

Come again?

Dissenter

CC
“Come again”?
It will take me another 30 minutes hour to reset for another round. It used to be 10 minutes when I was a teenager.

Dissenter

Raheem Steeling was slagged by most for the same behavior
Grealish was damned by some for the same behavior
Kyle Walker had to actually apologize, if my memory serves me well ( doesn’t all the time)

Ray in LA

if party-ing with a few balloons and 70 girls builds the cameraderie we saw last Sunday, then I hope they have another session

the party was taped at “The Tape Club” — bit of a give-away?

Dissenter

Pedro You’re the one banging on fitness. Aren’t you the one wrote dozens of posts (nice ones by the way) about Shad Forsyth. You think smoking nitrous oxide is good for professional athletes? There’s certainly a public value to this information. The Sun had every right to publish it, it would have been malpractice had they sat on it. I’m pretty sure your indifference would have been scientifically probity had it been the old regime in charge. That 8 deaths ascribed to N2O would be used to bash the players. There’s hope in the air I guess. We are all… Read more »

Jamie

This is a non-story, and the comparison of nitrous oxide with cigarette smoking is laughable and lacking in scientific merit. Just ask your orthodontist.

Dissenter

Jamie
I’m sure Adidas are ecstatic that they are spending big money on the club this morning.
The club executives and their Adidas counterparts will be sending congratulatory emojis to one another because if this story.

Pierre

Dissenter “There would be an uproar of massive proportions, had it been Wenger in charge when a group of senior players decided to go inhale nitrous oxide in a night club” Of course you are right but don’t worry about it ….. What should the manager do ….George Graham would tell the players don’t worry about it because he wouldn’t want to ruin the team spirit within the squad …he would tell the players that he would deal with the media ,say all the right things to the press and then he would use the situation to his advantage and… Read more »

Leedsgunner

Pedro

You’re missing the point. They are professional athletes, paid eye wateringly amounts of money to keep themselves in top physical shape, plus it brings the reputation of their employer into disrepute.

They need to know it’s a privilege to play professional sport not a right.

Disappointing really… even before we go down the role model argument.

HighburyLegend

First I thought it was a recent story, I realized after that it was the famous “August story”.

Pathetic from The Sun, really… They can f*ck off.

HighburyLegend

“you lost that battle.”

But not the war.
(lol)

Micheal

As someone once said, a story is something some people do not want published. This particular episode arose because the Sun paid someone a few quid for footage.

If it happened in the summer, it is a fair bet that Sun has been sitting on it for months because it barely passes the so-what test. They would not have waited until a Friday – a non-playing day with little overnight footy news – to publish if the story carried any great interest.

Thsi is a one-day wonder and will be forgotten come kick-off tomorrow.

Leftsidesanch

Very unfortunate for Holding, looks to be out for at least 6 months.

Marko

Hippy crack corn and I don’t care. It happened before the season started and as far as I’m concerned it hasn’t affected anyone from performing. What I will say is that it does tarnish the image of Ozil somewhat though and as the senior member of the squad he should know better. The hypocrisy is there for all to see. Emery needs to check the corrosive impact of Aubameyang before it gets worse. Dissenter respectfully you come across as a hysterical little girl sometimes. Since Aubameyang has joined us he has done fuck all wrong but score goals. Talking out… Read more »

Dissenter

Marko
Actually I don’t think it’s the end of the world. That’s doesn’t mean I’m going to dismissively wave it away like it’s nothing and approach it with a conspiracy theory that the media are out to get us.

Pierre

Pedro
Dissenter made the comment about Wenger not me ,I told him not to worry about it even though it probably had an element of truth about it ..

So not sure about the” losing the battle ” remark …..I think maybe you have had your nose put out of joint because I pulled you up on your ridiculous comment about Emery’s remark about Ozil’s injury.

Marko

You’re the one banging on fitness. Aren’t you the one wrote dozens of posts (nice ones by the way) about Shad Forsyth. You think smoking nitrous oxide is good for professional athletes? You literally need to get a hold of yourself. It happened in August before a ball was kicked and it’s December and we’re on a 20 game streak there’s nothing wrong with the fitness. If it happened mid season and we were struggling you might have a point but it didn’t and you don’t. As for the commercial deal stuff and scaring off investment well Ronaldo may have… Read more »

Jamie

Dissenter –

It isn’t a health issue, it’s a publicity issue.

If a footballer photographed in a dentist’s chair having hollywood veneers fitted whilst sedated with nitrous and throwing “peace” signs at the camera makes the tabloids 6 months after the fact, would Adidas execs be worried? I doubt it.

By the way, you don’t ‘smoke’ nitrous, so there’s that too.

Marko

Actually I don’t think it’s the end of the world. That’s doesn’t mean I’m going to dismissively wave it away like it’s nothing and approach it with a conspiracy theory that the media are out to get us

Who said anything about a conspiracy theory? You do seem a bit hysterical about it. This is HYPOCRISY run amok and Aubameyang is having a corrosive effect… absolutely ridiculous

Freddie Ljungberg

Holding out for 6-9 months with anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Terrible news for us and him, he’s been doing good this season.

Hope we go out in january and gets a new CB and not just relies on a 33 year old injury prone Koscielny or do something stupid like recall Chambers.

Akilan

Well, I didn’t see Pedro sharing the article before. So, pardon much.

Marko

By the way, you don’t ‘smoke’ nitrous, so there’s that too.

No no you snort it through a syringe off a hooker’s arse. Oh won’t somebody please think of the children

Akilan

Marko,
You’d be right if it wasn’t for a neutral site like Football365 calling out the sun in the same way as Pedro did.

So, like many here already said, it is a non story.

G8

It’s no coincidence that the sun publish this non-story bullshit after arsenal showing in the last two games ..

It’s a shameful propaganda by some sad spuds and manure losers in the media.
Obviously they don’t like it and would do anything to derail our current momentum .

HighburyLegend

Wellbz, and now Holding…
We must buy in january.

Redtruth

Ramsey played shit in the 1st half. He lacks vision and his decision making is poor.

Dissenter

Jamie
You don’t inhale N2O?
How does it cause the giddy happiness then?

Marko

Sad news on Holding he was getting a good run of games and impressing and staking a claim for the first time in his young career. Football is all about moments and he had seized his. Will he get another chance when he comes back?

Dissenter

The bright spot of the bad Holding injury is that he’s young….and young players heal fast.
He’ll be back stronger.

Receding Hairline

You literally need to get a hold of yourself.

LITERALLY

guy amazes me with his take on things sometimes….jeez

Jamie

Dissenter –

Don’t pull a Bam and try to shift the parameters. You said “smoke,” not “inhale.” Or are you smoking the air you’re breathing now too?

You’re better than this. It’s a non-story. Move on.

Marko

guy amazes me with his take on things sometimes….jeez

It’s true not a one off either. Wanted Spurs docked points for the stadium thing too. Hysterical

Dissenter

Jamie
Hmmm m
You’re the one who became a pedant about “smoking”
Cheers

Pierre

Pedro.. “He doesn’t care about Arsenal and Emery has him sussed.” Not quite sure what you mean when you say Emery has him sussed… Emery is saying he has a back injury and will be back in the squad when fit …which means that he has not been available for selection due to injury which ,believe it or not, happens to many players who play football… I presume Emery is being honest ,if not then I can’t see how he has ozil sussed unless you mean he has sussed out that he has a back injury ,then you would be… Read more »

Dissenter

Pedro
You don’t think I know what nitrous oxide is….really?
Smoking doesn’t necessarily have to involve a flame. You “smoke” e-cigarettes too…and that doesn’t involve lighting it.

Marko
You know it’s that time of the month for me.

Nelson

Two weeks ago, I read a lot about Emery wanting to get more out of Ozil. And then came this story of falling out between Ozil and Emery. For me, I wouldn’t single out Ozil and I would shield him from the media and the fans. We all know that the media and the fans like to make noises to get attention. Is it good for the team? Now, Ozil must feel that he is alone against the whole world. I still think that a committed Ozil can help our team especially we are still in so many competitions.

Redtruth

The goals are flying in, with no Ozil assist in sight lol lol

Jamie

Dissenter to his pals:

“You guys should really stop smoking. It’s bad for you.”

Dissenter’s pals:

“None of us smoke.”

Dissenter:

“What do you call ‘inhaling that air you’re breathing’?”

Dissenter’s pals:

“Um, ok dude. We’ll stop ‘smoking’.”

Receding Hairline

I am sure if they hadn’t done this abominable thing we would be topping all 5 major leagues in Europe right now

And that corrosive guy Aubameyang would not miss all those sitters

And we would have been offered a joint kit deal by Adidas and Nike

HighburyLegend

“benching him because he can’t stand the heat”

Depends of what kind of heat… (sorry, couldn’t resist)

Pierre

you probably put 2&2 together in that ozil was left out of the team for the Bournemouth game and believe he was also left out for the Tottenham game so he decided to go missing ….plausible

That being so ,why would Emery lie about it because I am sure there was a similar situation earlier in the season regarding whether ozil was injured or not.

He has nothing to gain by lying and everything to lose …..trust for one.

Pierre

Pedro
“Pierre, benching him because he can’t stand the heat, leaking to the press that they’re holding him to account for his performances.”

all our offensive players this season have been benched ,ozil is no different …

He didn’t “leak” it to the press ….he actually said in a press conference that ozil may not be suited for the Bournemouth game …..that’s not “leaking”.

Pierre

Nelson
correct…..That would be regarded as good management as ozil always receives more publicity than other players …

Let’s see how it pans out ….

I believe he will be back in the team very soon .

Dissenter

Jamie
I’m going to save that joke for my lunch break which isn’t for another 5 hours.
It will take my humorless soul that long to figure it out.
I may seek a dentist to provide some N2O to instigate merry laughter even then
Bye ladies

HighburyLegend

“Players including Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker have previously been caught on camera inhaling laughing gas.”

But of course they were far less interesting than Arsenal players lol

HighburyLegend

“I believe he will be back in the team very soon .”

No but no thanks.

tunnygriffboy

Taking balloons to the game on Saturday is an excellent idea !!! Lmao

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