Arsenal notched their first win of the season versus Norwich City. The game wasn’t easy. The result felt like a bit of a slog. But the 3 points on the board were more than deserved and will hopefully act as a pivot point for the season.
The starting line-up was pretty wild. Arteta put most of his new players out on the pitch. We saw Tomiyasu, Odegaard, White, Lokonga… and Ramsdale. Those were big decisions. The Premier League is tough, to make so many changes in one go was always a huge risk, especially notable considering Tuchel had to yank Saul at halftime against Villa. Arteta even dropped Ainsley into midfield. When the chips are down for Mikel, he always turns to the kids, and they usually do the job.
The first half was a fairly mixed bag. We dominated the first 20, fell off a little, then came back before halftime. The second half was where it was at, we refound our intensity, kicked up into the 4th gear we haven’t had all season, and finally made the game count when Nicolas Pepe fizzed a shot at the inside post, bundled himself at the second chance, allowing a rebound to fall comfortably for Auba to prod home from a single yard.
It was the sort of goal the game needed. Just a mad one even the footballing gods couldn’t deny us. At the stage Arsenal were, you couldn’t complain. We just needed something, anything, to get this season going.
So what did we learn?
When Arsenal have all their best players out, even those that have never played together, we are a far more interesting and capable side. It’s weird having to argue with people for 2 weeks that mass injuries and covid outbreaks impact performance, but there you are. We created 30 attempts at the Norwich goal. That is a beasting. The problem wasn’t dominating the opposition, the problem was finding the target.
This new team will deliver what the summer needed of it. Every component piece we’ve added helps us move the ball forward faster and with more variety. The players make us more unpredictable and the quality of final ball is better so it gives players like Auba the confidence to make runs because he knows the chances are that someone will find him.
Aaron Ramsdale was the big move for me. Bernd Leno isn’t committed to the Arsenal cause, but I didn’t expect him to be dropped so soon. The move worked. Sure, it was Norwich and they didn’t do much in possession, but the issues we had in goal weren’t about shots. It was more about communication, decisions making, and raw ground skill. Aaron passed the game with flying colours. His passing range is varied, he’s comfortable on the ball, turning a Norwich player with ease at one point and pinging a pass out wide, and he seems to radiate energy. Patrick Vieira always had great engagement with the fans, Ramsdale seems like he’s going to be that type of persona because he’s basically like having a fan in goal.
Ben White is a good player. You can’t deny it. The weirdos writing him off after one game will look very silly this season. He created three chances of his own yesterday. His ability to move the ball out of defence like a midfielder makes his problematic. As a defender, you can’t sit back because he can pass, you can’t let him run because he can overload, and he’s risky to press because he’ll go past you. He’s a very rare type of problem for a centre back. I thought he was excellent. It’s also clear that the partnership he has with Gabriel already is a game of opposites. The main bonus? Both are very athletic defenders.
Tomiyasu was the real surprise package of the day. He had a debut to dream of. The fans loved him, they felt his presence, and they could all see that he has all the raw ingredients to be a good player. Firstly, he has it all physically. He showed off his pace early catching up 5 yards on a dangerous run with ease. He’s aerially very strong because he’s basically a centre back. His technique on the floor is great and his hunger to join the attack means we’re more balanced going forward. I really like him, his work ethic looks great, and Arteta went to great lengths to communicate that he’s a smiler behind the scenes that is always happy.
Midfield was a mixed bag. Ainsley started next to Sambi and struggled at times, but did grow a bit in the second half. He created a few chances, but his 76% pass completion rate in the final third needs to be higher. It was good to see him given a chance regardless. Sambi Lokonga is such a talent, he came off on 60 because of fitness concerns, but he really does have it all. Great awareness, he’s tactically mature, and he is basically everything Ceballos is not. Quick at passing, tight control, forward momentum.
In attack, we had a good day for movement and attempts at goal. Nicolas Pepe was frustrating, but also nearly really amazing. He created 5 chances, made plenty of direct runs, and was decisive for their goal. He needs to be coming out of games like that with 3 goals and 2 assists. He looks fit, he looks very interested, and I think having a proper right back to create chemistry with is going to make him more involved in ways he wants to be. I just wish he could sharpen his footwork, sometimes he looks easy to defend against because it’s the same bag of tricks over and over. I’m hoping there’s more to come from him.
Odegaard is a very, very good signing. He’s a leader, he works relentlessly, and he often leads the press. I think he’s going to love it at Arsenal this season and I can’t wait to see the sort of relationship he forms with Auba. I can’t believe people were calling him a boring player, I love watching him, his eye for a final ball is something else and we’ve barely scratched the surface with his ability.
The real star though was Thomas Partey. He’s a new player to my mind. He’s our best player and when he came on, he made a huge difference. Keep him fit this season and we’re going places. He’s the difference-maker. We’ve missed him, he will be such a driving force for us this year. Honestly, I cannot believe how good he is.
Finally, so much for the fans getting on Arteta’s back. They are there to support. He’s built a very likeable young team, everyone at the club has communicated that this project might take a bit, and they are all there to back the players. They were excellent all game and it turns out… Twitter/blog comments vibes isn’t an in-stadium thing.
Arteta has a lot of work to do regardless. You could sense he’s been to some dark places of the past few weeks. He’s likely taken onboard some home truths as well, because the way he’s conducting himself is a lot more positive than before. Every game needs a result. Burnley and Wimbledon are huge games, but Spurs is our cup final. We need to gel fast, the football needs to keep adding 10% of excitement, and the fans need to see where the project is going. Everyone was very quick to complain about the talent we brought in this summer, but no one is pinning for Maddison. Not many of the Emerson experts are clawing for him this morning after his disaster-class yesterday. There also seems to be quite a bit of love for our new keeper. Those kids were good signings, I’m convinced of that.
There’s a long way to go this season, there will be bumps in the road, but for now… it’s one game at a time. Let’s see where this season can take us now everything is in place and looking fit.
NOW WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW.
Pierre,
6 English in the Ryder cup but Rose misses out. Delighted for Lowry but probably seen as a bigger gamble than Rose outside of Ireland. American team is powerful but seems to have more than it’s usual amount of discord. Thoughts?
Benzema literally getting better with age. Lovely brace tonight.
Makes you wonder how much better he even may have been as the talisman of a team in the Ronaldo era at Real Madrid. Literally the perfect Robin figure for Ronaldo having said that and really brought out the best in him.
Undoubtedly going to cheer for Danill, perhaps it’s the biggest tennis game since Rafa-Fed Wimbledon final.in 2008.
RSPC
What allegations?
Real Madrid now 3-2 up, what a game.
Their defence looks shocking but they are going to be a lot of fun to watch this season with Benz, Vinicius Jr, Hazard and Bale up top. Already conceded 6 goals in 3.5 games.
Benz had sexy header chalked off from VAR as well… marginally off. Poor Casimeiro got the stink eye for drifting.
He may not be the best striker of his generation but imo Benzema certainly has been the best to watch, by far.
Get Novak to play within the rules of the game and then we can start talking about him being the GOAT.
Wow if Danill can serve like that all game, we have a match on our hands, 2-0 up
Lowry in because he’s Irish , not good as he is playing poorly.
Can’t see us winning this time.
Almuniasaynomore
Lowry getting the last pick is fair enough, Rose has dropped a level in my opinion and I think will get found out in the high pressure of the Ryder Cup.
The English golfers that are in are in on merit, very difficult to leave Poulter out even if he isn’t ranked as highly as some of the others.
USA are strong but I’m not sure sure they have the same camaraderie as Europe and maybe also not the depth of Europe
A win for Europe….
Spanishdave,
You might be right but of the players not selected who is in better form than him?
As for the overall prediction despite how Europe have been going through an excellent run of success I was shocked to discover that if you take the miracle at medinah out of it we haven’t won on American soil since 2004. An American victory with the team they have seems very likely. Wonder what the bookies are saying.
Pierre,
Poulter’s a must. I’d be more worried for Garcia off the tee. Has nothing to prove as the record points earner but when it goes wrong….. Americans failing to perform is probably our best hope I’m thinking.
Europe at 9/4, USA4/7 according to oddschecker. Thought Europe would have been slightly longer.
Happy about the points. Very happy about the points, and glad that our injured players are starting to return. But the notion that we somehow beasted Norwich off the park is a nonsense. We won by a tap in goalmouth scramble goal, and for much of the game Norwich held us at bay with ease. Also, they haven’t won a premier league game in what, fourteen matches? We should be beating Norwich 3-0. We still need to improve tremendously. After two years under Arteta, our attack is not even close to where it should be. I hope things look a… Read more »
My boy Danill is on 🔥
Djokovic is the only player that even if he were to go 2 sets down not playing well, it still feels likely that he will stage a comeback win.
Medvedev has been great though.
2 sets in the bag, Danill is going to win it now especially because he has got a great service game.
Said it before Danill was the only player who could beat Djoker but deep down always felt Djoker would be too determined to lose the match but here we are
Well could be a straight set victory for Danill
Too big a mountain for even Djokovic now, Medvedev playing too well.
Nice for the lad to finally get that GS monkey off his back. First of the nextgen to really do it because I don’t count Thiem’s as none of Djoker/Nadal/Fed were in the tournament in his way.
The crowd played a spoilsport there
Djokovic got crushed lol
Fair play to Medvedev, really did tighten up there at the end though.
Just shows you how much is at stake as the guy was playing like a mistake-free robot up until his first match point.
Medvedev outplayed Djoker – better service, better return and better in rallies too.
2 double faults on Championship point for Danill , hopefully he will be able to hold his nerve off better in the many finals he will appear in.
Thank you note to Danill from all Rafa and Fed fans. No calendar slam and may be Rafa can win French open next year and Danill the Aus Open.
TR7
Djoker woke up too late, you get the feeling that if he got the double break back he would have gone on to take the set and maybe even the match.
I’m also a Rafa fan so am pleased that he is yet to be surpassed in Slams even if it is a near certainty that he will be by this time next year.
Would be stunned if Djokovic failed to win one HC Slam or Wimbledon.
They never used to have after match interviews, players and the World have gone soft.
“Djoker woke up too late, you get the feeling that if he got the double break back he would have gone on to take the set and maybe even the match.”
Sorry mate you are underestimating Danill there. The guy has most % points won of his first serve in 2021, more than even Isner who is at 79 percent. He had lost just one set going in to the final. Immaculate service game he has.
Zverev in his press conference and now Danill openly declaring Djoker the GOAT.
Djokovic is on some chemicals.
He already is the GOAT if we’re honest.
Rafa’s Slam count is far too lopsided towards RG and he has never won a World Tour Finals title. He is the Clay GOAT no question but taking all surfaces into account it is Djokovic.
Nine Australian Opens looks lopsided to me.
Who is your GOAT Red?
Have you down as a Bjorn Borg kind of dude.
No I was under the assumption that tennis players by and large consider Federer as the GOAT.
under the impression*
The best tennis player is the one who has won the most tennis singles titles.
TR7
Fed won the vast majority of his Slams in a weaker era. I’m sorry but his competition was Roddick, Hewitt, Safin [genius but no discipline] and Nalbandian.
As soon as Rafa emerged he stopped collected titles for fun and by the time Djokovic hit his stride he all but stopped winning Slams.
He also never beat Rafa at RG like Djokovic did, twice.
So that’s Jimmy Connors for you, Red, with his 109 singles titles? Had you down as more of a Lendl man (#3 with 94 titles, just behind Fed).
WE
You are preaching to the converted. I have never considered Fed the GOAT. A clay court specialist won back to back Wimbledon beating him on his own favorite turf and that was it for me whereas he could never touch Rafa on clay. For me Rafa was always the GOAT but Djoker has a strong claim now.
The top players never entered the Australian Open back in the day as it was considered the least prestigious of the 4 Grand Slams
TR7 Djokovic has a stronger claim than Rafa if we are being objective about it. What does Rafa have over Novak besides the Olympic Gold? Djokovic has won 2 of every Slam including beating Rafa at RG twice [Rafa has never beaten Djokovic at Australia], has a ridiculous amount more Weeks as the World Number 1, owns the H2H record, has 5 World Tour Finals titles to Rafa’s Zero, Has won every Masters 1000 title twice whereas Rafa has never won in Miami or Paris. He also has a much more even spread amongst his Slam titles with 9 AO,… Read more »
Great run from Joker but heat of slam proved too much, Zverev had him doing considerable damage for Med to sieze on. Medvedev went full Warwicka on Joker, just beasted.
I’m not disappointed.
Wawrinka may not have been close to Andy Murray as a consistent player but his peak was up there with the big 3, short as it flamed out.
Only man to beat a prime 2015/2016 Djokovic at Slam Finals. On his day capable of beating pretty much anyone but Federer who was just the worst match up for him.
WE
I know the stats but the way I look at it is who wins between prime Rafa (2004-2010) and prime Djoker (2015-2021) and I can’t help but feel Rafa just edges Djoker.
AO and US Open are one and the same, Rafa has won 5 slams on hard court, not really a bad record.
One more point which people forget – Fed had 5 years of free reign without Rafa and Djoker whereas Djoker has had a free reign with Fed and Rafa struggling with injuries. Rafa never had such a good fortune. He always had either/both Fed and Djoker to contend with and he perhaps has participated in fewer grand slams than the other two.
Australian Open has been played on a Plexicushion since 2008, a medium-paced hard court with lower bounce and less spin than the US Open.
While the US Open is on DecoTurf, which is slightly faster with higher bounce.
Not sure I’d call playing Agassi in New York “free reign” even if it was nearing the end of his days.
Haha TR7 it’s funny you’re normally bang on the money objective on here on most things but when it comes to Messi/Nadal and Ronaldo/Djokovic you let your own personal bias shine through. Djokovic is a year younger than Rafa, they are not a decade apart what do you mean if they met in their primes? They did, Djokovic wiped the floor with him in 2011-12 when they were 24/25. Are you trying to say that Rafa’s prime was from his late teens to mid twenties now? And Rafa had his own fortunate stint from 2017-mid 2018 when Djoker was having… Read more »
Has Rafa beaten Djokovic on any other surface than Clay since the 2013 US Open? Genuine question.
I just don’t know how you can call somebody the overall GOAT when 65% of their 20 Slams came on one surface.
As much as I love Rafa. Will always prefer him to Fed and Djoker but it’s a near impossible task to legitimately claim him to be the GOAT.
Eagle
GOAT comparisons and tennis are tricky, too much nuance in the game. McEnroe whose no question the GOAT of commentators breaks it down by surface. Nadal clearly the clay goat, Fed grass and Joker hard court.
Currently.
Sal Wouldn’t disagree with that way of looking at it. GOAT discussions are always tough when it is so close as it is with these 3. As of right now, you could still make an argument for any of the 3 being the GOAT albeit it is more difficult for Rafa and Fed imo. But ultimately Slams are the most critical metric and they are all tied at 20 a piece. I would be shocked if Djokovic doesn’t go on to win a few more though given he is still so competitive. And if he retires with 22/23+ to the… Read more »
And RG is no longer a given with Rafa even, Djokovic smoked him this year and you would expect a major resurgence from Thiem who is great on Clay too.
Eagle
Clearly at a changing of the guard moment in tennis, but i’d be astounded if Djokovic doesn’t become the overall eventual goat with time on his side.
But in tennis when it shifts its shifts monumental at times. Australian open going to be an interesting metric of where he’s at. Joker has shown before when the tap goes cold it can be frigid.
With players like Zverev, Tsitsipas, Medvedev, Thiem, Shapaolov knocking on door and a couple breakout 18 year olds looking elite like Alcaraz nothings written.
Good writeup Pedro! So this may end up being a long read, so feel free to skip… So tets now has his squad available. Was a very interesting lineup. I’d say partey instead of amn from the start and we would have had a bit more about us first half, but I’m sure he’ll be starting next week. Sambi is a very exiting prospect. There were times he was a little slow after his first touch and got himself under more pressure than needed, yet still managed to avoid losing the ball. I think that’s just him getting used to… Read more »
Also I like ode he was dropping deeper and playing some (xhakaesque 😂) long balls into some really good areas. Unlucky not to have an assist. Likes to find space in between the lines too which opens up our options a lot more.
But damn is it annoying seeing him always want to be on his left foot.
”With players like Zverev, Tsitsipas, Medvedev, Thiem, Shapaolov knocking on door and a couple breakout 18 year olds looking elite like Alcaraz nothings written.”
Absolutely. Only takes one of the above group to have the game of their life like Med did tonight to deny Djokovic again next year. And age will eventually catch up, it always does.
Still, incredibly unlikely he ends next year without at least one GS.
Rafa, Fed, Djokovic the GOAT blablabla…….. sorry guys, it’s still Maradona😉
Morning all Short football one from me today, as I’m beginning to lose the magic from this blog that has captivated so many to read and post. The read only’s are as welcome in my mind, as those who post: we’re all gooners and perhaps more of the read only group can have their say, too. The more the merrier regardless of views you have. Be bold and join in the melee of the fractured fan base, as sad as that is. It’s not about who’s wrong or right from the two sides, but offering POVs to support your views.… Read more »
TR7,
Are you moved out of India? You post at some odd times
Relax Tony
Just state our indignation in short, so as to avoid getting in unnecessary words in.
The downside
Arteta is an arrogant balloon, or baboon if you will have it, insecure guy in knowledge of his inaquadecies so falls back on the trusted method of bullying the weakest. Guess this drives you.
Of course none of us knows what is Pedro’s agenda, maybe a contrarian view to drive up the clicks?
Or
Remember the contrarian Wenger we love you banner?
Who knows?
Supreme leader is smitten, just like Pierre and Ozil, theres a crisis out there, because of Diet and destruction of the social unit, Caitlyn Jenner issues everywhere.
Sid is here to fight that, make men great again
S Asia I’m good, I just have standards I live by where the way I’m driven I find it near impossible to lower them. They’ve served me well in my 66 years. Face and respect is the main stay of Thai traditional culture; they literally kill over it, but oddly they always dominated my life from as early as the orphanages I was in. I guess that really shaped me as I had no parents to show otherwise. By the time I was adopted I was set in my ways to maintain my survival and growth from owning a few… Read more »
“”””””””BobN16, if you condone Pedro’s behaviour, your ‘lay off Pedro speeches’ now have no place here””””””””””
Let SpongeBob be, he is sweet in a child like sort of way.
Andy69 will be okay, he is cut from the same ragged cloth as Sid.
A brave (or stupid) decision to play a back 4 and keeper who are virtual strangers when it comes to playing competitive football together. Arteta got away with it yesterday so the gamble was successful Who knows, maybe the signing of Ramsdale will prove to be a work of a genius, but let’s wait and see. A settled defence is a must for any successful football team, so if Arteta believes that the defence that started v Norwich is our strongest defensive line up then he has to stick with it and not be reactionary to every mistake or below… Read more »
Andy was just one example Sid. It’s the sum of the total Sid.
Hiya Tony Very eloquently put. I think we all have to make sure we have a bit of self preservation/self protection in mind when we come on here. I had my own bete noire at the start of the summer who seems to have taken a hiatus. I also think some of us (and I’d include you and I in this) are ready to interpose ourselves when something is clearly awry. I was aghast yesterday at how an unconvincingly ordinary performance against lowly Norwich could provoke so much Arteta revisionism. It’s not warranted. But I’m not going to get dragged… Read more »
Morning all As this season starts to shape up a bit, I still believe we have actually bought very well. Finally a transfer strategy has shaped up where we finally realise we need to focus on younger players. I stated some time ago we should have a ban on signing anyone over 24 but never expected it to be the mainstay of our transfer policy. Could we have done better? Absolutely. The big miss for me was Bissouma. That could have made a massive difference to our start assuming Arteta would have actually picked him. Our first choice XI was… Read more »
Pierre
Good analysis of the game there. I’d also say the win was achieved because of the lingering spirit at the club left by the two greatest ever figures in Arsenal history – Wenger and Ozil. Nurse! Get me my tablets!
“A victory was more important than the performance” was the go to early last season when some of us pointed out that it wasn’t sustainable long term. There’s still no pattern of play, style of what we are supposed to be under Arteta or anything resembling a clue, we’re such a boring side to watch it’s painful. Only thing of note I took from that game was there maybe was less crosses from Tierney. Time and time again, Auba appeared on th shoulder of the defenders looking to make a run from a through ball but our midfielders would rather… Read more »
We’ve got a good core of young players though who look like they’re not really enjoying their football and could do with the game being played at a faster pace with a better strategy and tactics and a manger who isn’t so cautious really. Liked the idea of a young manager albeit out of a place of let’s give the manager a chance as it’s already happened as I felt there were clearly better options out there at the time but we’re here now and for me personally I do not believe in whatever the manager is trying to do… Read more »
Theres a pattern of play, a pathetic pattern, most of the play is on the flanks, thats why the passing is side ways
The midfielders are under instruction Not to lose the ball in the middle thats why they dont attempt through balls.
I must’ve been watching a different game because I thought Ode was very poor
He did very little of value in the first 70 mins, he often didn’t press much either. Looked like ozil. He did a bit more nearer the end when they were on the ropes, but overall a very underwhelming performance
Tomi was the stand out player on the day
As you well know I have so many doubts about Arteta. The way he sees the game and uses his players is piss poor in my opinion. Talented individuals like Martinelli are being totally ignored and because of this he drains the confidence of those players that could be benefiting the team. There is no structure or (appealing) system of play. Where the fudge is the identity? It doesn’t take an Einstein to see we have so many talented individuals but the way Arteta utilises them is dumbfounding. I don’t think he really knows what he is doing and because… Read more »
Northbanker
The big miss is not Bissouma.
The big miss is trusting in a really poor manager.
Just rewarded the game and boy were we terrible Positives Great debut by our RB Players seem to be getting back to full fitness White looked tidy 3 points First win Negatives We looked clueless against the worst side in the league. No idea how to break down their defence Depending too much on individual performance Ode looked average and offered us nothing new Tierney was awful, blind crosses into the box all afternoon I want to say mikel is making us defensively solid but then I remember we have conceded 9 goals in the last three games including 2… Read more »
Its easier to pull opposing teams out of position by making runs instead of passing, the later requires highly technical type of players, we have many players capable of the former.
K’phobe thanks and agree with all your thinking. There just comes a point where the distastefulness and lack of loyalty to the people who have contributed greatly to help the popularity of the blog’s rise amongst it’s fellow blogs. I’m a very principled person who wears my heart on my sleeve for people I feel akin to that includes present company, Almunia, China, Guns, Gons, PhD and other posters some people on this blog. Steely toughness otherwise and unswerving in upholding my principles. That may seem strange with the way I, you Almunia and other horse around here as if… Read more »
Lokonga looks a good talent. But there is a sizeable between Xhaka/Partey and him. He is a squad CM at best right now.
Like Pierre said above, I fear the defense will buckle if put under pressure. Thought Gabriel and Tomiyasu were good on Saturday. Both Tierney and White have had poor starts to the season. White looked alright against Norwich. Suspect the Tottenham match will tell us more about him. Tierney needs to do better.
Not a fan of Saka and Tierney on the same wing. Both providing width doesn’t add anything.
Alright Tony, you clearly needed to get that off your chest! I’m not here to take sides on whether Pedro has too much faith in Arteta, I really don’t think that it’s that important. When people start digging him out about it, to the point where they’re getting unpleasant, it feels like the sensible thing for them to do would be to take a break or leave the blog. But whatever, it seems like some people would be prefer to be annoyed by Pedro but keep coming back for more. I wish everybody had the same opportunity to attend matches… Read more »
Patino seems to be a lanky Jack Wlishere with end product at that tender age.
I pray to God we don’t mismanage this boy.
Hi Tony, Respect for your comment that pretty much express in a more elegant way my own view. Respect is earned and belittling or insulting people who disagree with seems to be the new norm. When you add the constant flipflopping, it becomes tedious. Especially when any results even undeserved lucky victory against the team likely to finish bottom of the league is feted as proof of a resurgence when it could well just be a dead cat bounce. I see Burnley bringing us back down to earth. The good news is that Spurs seems to be ready to implode,… Read more »
That’s cool Tony.
Getting lit up together in a pub or some class As, Bs or Cs around a campfire would be my idea of heaven right now. An entire day taking the piss out of the club we all love despite its manifold foibles and reminiscing about better days. Oh, and some amateur dramatics with Almunia’s sketches. Keep it going mate.
Kronkephobe
“. I’d also say the win was achieved because of the lingering spirit at the club left by the two greatest ever figures in Arsenal history – Wenger and Ozil. Nurse! Get me my tablets!”
A feeble attempt at humour , what you must accept is that you will never have the mind or the wit of Almuniasaynomore however much you try…
Oooh Pierre you cut me to the quick.
Feeble possibly but it obviously struck a chord which was the intention. No need to be so defensive matey, nor get upset about those two wankers – they wouldn’t piss on any of us if we were were on fire. Worshipping false idols is a bad idea. 😁
Thanks Valentin good blog management would bin repeat offenders of the puerile crap thrown his way. Last time I checked managing a blog requires man management skills. At times Pedro could be Arteta’s twin. Hard to tell the difference at times. Mark K did some movie sound track I think could be wrong. I’ve got him playing with some top Gaelic musicians an eclectic tic mix of folk and his 80s songs. The drummer Terry is from Wales. He played with stockpile for tours and one offs. I have 2 DVDs early and later music and the one I mentioned… Read more »
Bob N16
You are right. Getting banned for a week or so, as I did, also helps a wee bit.
Ok, if you’re not a lawyer, you must be a priest.
“Repent your sins”.
Kronkephobe
All done with a smile on my face, especially as the team are still in recovery mode since their departure .
Though You haven’t quite sunk to the levels of some ( Tony) on here with their childish reference to socks , never a good path to go down in my book
It’s now over two years since Jose Antonio Reyes tragically died in a car crash.
Took my son to see that game at Highbury, v Chelski in the Cup, in February 2004. My son at the time was just 10 years old.
That left foot was so so sweet. Right into the top left hand corner. We were right behind it. Fantastic memories.
Brings a lump to my throat every time I see it.
A super super player.
Graham62. I remember it well too. We could have nurtured his talent to its full potential if Wenger had a stronger personality and didnt allow Henry`s insecurities to allow the kid get browbeaten. He was a real gem, but easily bullied both by teammates and the opposition. Lauren was his only friend I gather